Looking for Good Period-Era Novels 😭 (Something Close to Real Life) 求好看的年代文😭（想要接近现实的）

1. 201 过 One Taste Is Never Enough 过把瘾不够劲 Climbing the Peak to Claim the Throne登岳御极Urban383k WordsCompleted He’s gone from modern life back to the years before the millennium, only to discover he’s become Fang Yan, the male lead of A Taste of Life. He’s already fretting over how to avoid a terminal illness when a System unexpectedly appears to save his life. But simply enjoying life isn’t exciting enough anymore~ 354Reads6.5Score2614d adds

   Reader note

   🏮This book is full of details about life in the 1990s: pagers, public telephones, green trains, and staff bathhouses. Reading this book is like being immersed in the vibrant and bustling 1990s.

2. 202 年 The 1970s: The Family's Darling Was Jilted from the Start 年代70团宠的我开局被退婚 Du Wa'er杜娃儿Urban1.0M WordsOngoing A special forces soldier from another world transmigrates into the body of a teenage boy with the same name in a parallel world in the 1970s, and their souls merge. The System arrives, gives him a pocket dimension and a set of skills, then leaves to pursue happiness. How will Chen Feng grow up with courage and joy in this era? A harmonious family, beautiful women all around him, and an extensive network of connections. 6.1kReads8.2Score50814d adds
3. 203 重 Reborn in 1990: The System Forces Me to Become the Village Tyrant 重生90：系统逼我当村霸 Ni Linsheng逆鳞生Rural Life544k WordsOngoing [Period setting + System + village bully + reborn + farming and business + face-slapping wish fulfillment] In 2026, overworked office drone Zhou Ye dies suddenly after staying up all night. When he opens his eyes, he's back in 1990. He's become the bully whom all 3,000 villagers are chasing around to curse. His family is so poor they're starving. His older sister has to drop out of school, a supposedly good man in the village is running a scam, and an orphan girl is about to be sold. System: [St 98Reads—Score614d adds

   Reader note

   A savior for those suffering from a reading slump has arrived! A refreshing rebirth story set in the modern era, featuring an arrogant village bully who rises to power step by step – it's increasingly addictive!

4. 204 弃 Leaving Love Behind in the 1970s: The Doctor Goddess Orphan Is Doted on by the God of War 弃爱七零，医神孤女被战神独宠了 Gave It a Shake, and Got Yao摇了个瑶Modern Romance1.4M WordsOngoing Others transmigrated to the 1970s, and Wen Sui'an did too! While others who transmigrated either latched onto powerful patrons or brought along a pocket dimension, Wen Sui'an was lucky enough to get the Qihuang System! She can only earn points by treating and saving people. No patients, no perks. The original owner was a timid pushover, arranged to share a household with Shen Yubai and look after two little ones. Her future stretched out before her, filled with grievances and thankless chores. S 8.7kReads8.1Score97914d adds

   Reader note

   Yes, I recommend it to you [Already interested].

5. 205 重 Reborn as a Volunteer Soldier's Family Member 重生为志愿军家属 Wen Hai Shi Bei文海十贝Female-Channel Fanfiction273k WordsOngoing Reborn, Lin Daiyu demands the assets her father, Lin Ruhai, left behind, only to find that the Jia family has already used them. To save face, Grandmother Jia has no choice but to make Daiyu the principal wife and demote Baochai to a concubine, setting off a bitter feud of envy and jealousy. Eventually, both Baochai and Daiyu grow weary of this unrest and agree to transmigrate through time and space a second time. In the 18th year of the Republic of China, Lin Daiyu is born into a hardworking fa —Reads—Score—14d adds
6. 206 重 Reborn in the 1980s, I Take My Mom With Me to Get a Divorce 重生八零，我带着妈妈一起离婚 A Little Tree Sprout一点小树芽Modern Romance104k WordsOngoing Period setting + face-slapping + multiple male leads + building wealth + size difference Zhou Xiaoya transmigrates to 1985. In three days, she’s supposed to marry her aunt’s dim-witted son. She chooses to call off the engagement, but his father won’t let her. He beats her, and he beats her mother, too. Then we’re done with this family. Mom, I’ll take care of you! 363Reads—Score10914d adds

   Reader note

   I highly recommend this book, A Critical Attack at the Start, and the author seems to have lived in that era, and the writing is more realistic. Of course, some details are also well written. The portrayal of the male protagonist is also good. Overall, top notch.

7. 207 打 A Working Stiff's Little Journal 打工小记 The Village Is Not Late村不晚Urban270k WordsCompleted Urban daily life + earning a living through hard work + multiple heroines + healing The story of an ordinary wage earner: from drifting to Guangzhou to drifting to Beijing, from Shaoxing to Foshan and then to Majiaqiao in Beijing. Fifteen years in all. See how a worker at the bottom makes his way through life... I went south at fifteen and drifted north at thirty. The fiercest gamble of my life took fifteen years to pay for. Over those fifteen years, I worked in an electronics factory, served 43Reads—Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   It's nice to watch, you can give it a try

8. 208 重 Reborn in the 1960s: I Became Grandma’s Little Sister 重生六零：我成了外婆的妹妹 Jing Jiuzhe荆九折Modern Romance73k WordsOngoing [When an ordinary person is reborn in a rural village in the 1960s, forget about getting ahead or making grand plans. First, stay alive.] [1960s rural life + family and neighborhood affairs + education and growth + ensemble cast] [Not a wish-fulfillment story, not a wish-fulfillment story, not a wish-fulfillment story. Please don't read if that's not your thing. Thank you.] When Zhu Yan wakes up in the body of her grandmother's second-youngest sister, who died young, she vows to change her grand —Reads—Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   Very close to reality, very ordinary.

9. 209 穿 I Went Back to 1976 as a System, and My Parents Got All Lovey-Dovey 穿回1976当系统，爸妈羞羞羞 Panpan Loves Milk Tea盼盼爱奶茶Modern Romance148k WordsCompleted [Period drama + sweet romance + System + rugged man × educated youth, rewriting fate] Reborn as a System in 1976, I watched my rugged dad carry off my educated-youth mom! I’m so obsessed with my parents’ romance, I can’t get enough! 50Reads—Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   Sweet romance novel set in a bygone era 🤭

10. 210 重 Reborn in the 1970s: The Rugged Hunter and His Cherished Bride 重生七零：猎户糙汉，娇宠小媳妇 Panpan Loves Milk Tea盼盼爱奶茶Modern Romance14k WordsCompleted Reborn in the 1970s: The Rugged Hunter and His Cherished Young Wife 35Reads—Score—14d adds
11. 211 暴 My Hot-Tempered Husband: I Want to Leave, but I Can't 暴躁丈夫，我想弃难弃 Panpan Loves Milk Tea盼盼爱奶茶Modern Romance10k WordsCompleted My Short-Tempered Husband, I Want to Leave, But I Can’t 4Reads—Score—14d adds
12. 212 替 The Swapped Brides: Whose Fault Is It? 替嫁姐妹，谁的错！ March Knows Painting三月知画Modern Romance1.6M WordsOngoing This book has been adapted into two comic dramas: "The Swapped Brides, Whose Fault Is It?!" and the brand-new version, "Sisters Breaking Free." In a poor, remote village in the 1980s, the Tang family favors sons over daughters. Their three girls are nothing but bargaining chips for bride prices. One absurd bride swap and three exorbitant bride prices send the sisters into three difficult marriages. Struggling through the mud, bound by entanglements for half a lifetime. The long-suffering Tang s 41.8kReads8.4Score1.7k14d adds

    Reader note

    A masterpiece suitable for all ages, with middle-aged readers finding it particularly relatable. Every character is vividly portrayed, their love, hate, anger, and infatuation all fully expressed; the story is full of twists and turns yet never drags, making it increasingly captivating. Highly recommended!

13. 213 公 Upholding Justice 公义立身 Bright Sunny Day灿烂晴天Urban102k WordsCompleted Xu Zhiqiang was born into a poor rural family in the 1960s. Through sheer hard work, he got into university. After graduating, he was assigned to work at a steel mill, where he brought a near-bankrupt factory back from the brink. Later, an anonymous letter changed the course of his life once again. After enduring setbacks in life as well as pressure and blows at work, Xu Zhiqiang entered the real estate business and rose to the pinnacle of success. 15Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    The male protagonist was born into a poor family. He studied hard, got into university, and started his career after graduation.

14. 214 俏 The Story of Haitang, the Beautiful Widow 俏寡妇海棠的故事 Spring Returns to the Grass and Trees草木回春Urban410k WordsCompleted The novel The Great Family: Spirit and Flesh, also known as The Story of Haitang the Pretty Widow, is a sweeping epic with a female protagonist and a rural setting, set against the backdrop of historical change. Volume One, Storms over Dianbei, follows three storylines: Haitang’s growth as she struggles against fate forms the main plot, supported by two secondary threads that deepen the narrative. One traces the trials and tribulations of the Fate-Changers, led by Wenzhiwu, while the other follo 158Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A very good story set in the Republican era, reflecting on human nature.

15. 215 重 Reborn: Li Li Keeps Moving Up 重生之黎黎向上 Fish with Pickled Cabbage and Vermicelli酸菜粉丝鱼Modern Romance557k WordsCompleted Lili longed for love and recognition from childhood, but her biased family left her utterly broken. One promise, “I’ll treat you well from now on,” tricked her into giving away her whole life. A marriage in which she was practically widowed, parenting in which she was practically a single mother: by her thirties, she had become a worn-out woman. Then she was reborn, back at eighteen. This time, she no longer expects anyone to love her. She’ll work, study, turn her life around, and make money! In 12Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A historical novel that closely reflects the realities of the era, without any overpowered plot devices, it's worth reading.

16. 216 最 The Purest Love 最纯洁的爱 Happy Soy Milk快乐的豆浆Urban2.0M WordsCompleted Qin Feng returns to China after completing his studies in Russia, just as the country reforms its education system and universities abolish guaranteed job assignments for graduates. He then moves with his family to a coastal city, where he meets Xie Lan, a local girl from the countryside. Xie Lan is six years younger than Qin Feng and left school after junior high. They come from vastly different backgrounds in age, education, and family circumstances. Both sets of parents oppose their relations 4Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    True love is like the foundation stone beneath an ancient city wall, solid and sturdy, supporting the changes and trials of time!

17. 217 梦 Dreaming of the Pearl River 梦回珠江 Liu Jin刘瑾Urban291k WordsCompleted This work is based on the revolutionary history of the Guangdong Army. Its characters and relationships were inspired by stories passed down by word of mouth among the elders. It tells of soldiers’ choices between their country and their love during the revolutionary era… 12Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    Chronicles!!

18. 218 飏 Yangcheng 飏城 Liu Jin刘瑾Historical200k WordsCompleted This is just one of countless stories from the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression: sacrifice, passion, fear, and moving moments fill every cell. In this era, even love seems to have been reduced to waiting... 60Reads—Score—14d adds
19. 219 雅 The Yama Mountains 雅玛山脉 Liu Jin刘瑾Modern Romance109k WordsCompleted The Yama Mountains lie on the plateau, far from the bustle of the cities, amid cold and desolate surroundings. Herdsmen have lived here for generations, and their peaceful, quiet lives are suddenly shattered one day when a group of strangers enters the area… 15Reads—Score—14d adds
20. 220 黄 Sunset on the Yellow River 黄河落日 Liu Jin刘瑾Urban244k WordsCompleted Sunset over the Yellow River is a work set against the 1938 Huayuankou Incident. The story unfolds against a backdrop of warfare and follows two love stories experienced by a woman who cannot speak... 68Reads—Score—14d adds
21. 221 北 North Gate, South City 北门南城 Liu Jin刘瑾Urban226k WordsCompleted The front line stretches from north to south, and the story begins in a small town in the Northeast. Decline, hope, redemption, hardship, pain, and love reaching ever farther: it all feels like a dream. The story unfolds through its male and female leads, depicting the helplessness of wartime. 50Reads—Score—14d adds
22. 222 荞 Tears of Buckwheat Blossoms 荞花泣 Qing Yuesheng青月生Ancient Romance306k WordsCompleted This is a tragic story. The stranglehold of arranged marriages on women cuts like a blunt knife, while the desperate struggle to survive in a remote mountain village feels like a net with no escape. Under the shackles of the times, individual resistance ends in tragedy, like a moth flying into a flame. The gender oppression embedded in the tribe’s feudal culture makes life even more suffocating. Every time A Wei reaches for hope, reality crushes it in her grasp. The indifference around her, from —Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    [Add one to your bookshelf]

23. 223 穿 Transmigrating into a Book: The Stepfather in a Period Novel 穿书之年代文里的继父 Director Jiang, Who Likes Elephant Orchids喜欢象鼻兰的蒋院主Modern Romance581k WordsCompleted (The new book’s rating just opened, everyone. It’ll go up!) 1970s setting + sign-in System + raising kids + mutual devotion. The moment I open my eyes, I’ve transmigrated into a period novel and become the cannon-fodder stepfather who abused his stepchildren and eventually died miserably in a cowshed. I look at the three thin, malnourished children staring at me in fear, and their gentle, resilient but distant teacher wife. I silently activate the Daily Sign-In System. Today, a pound of meat. 98Reads6.0Score11814d adds

    Reader note

    #Historical Novel #DailyLifeOfRaisingChildren #TwoWaysToGo #FaceSlapsAndReallyFun After transmigrating into a cannon fodder character who abused his stepchildren, I became bound to a daily check-in system. Today I get pork, tomorrow milk powder, the day after fruit candy. I managed to feed my three skinny kids into the most handsome kids in the whole village. When those awful relatives came to cause trouble? The three kids stood in front of me in unison: "Who dares to touch my dad!" Later, the college entrance examination was reinstated, and all the kids went on to university. Those who were waiting to see me fail only smelled the aroma of food wafting from my house and saw the gold-embossed "Glorious Family" certificate on the wall.

24. 224 有 What Does It Have to Do with You? 有半毛钱关系吗？ It's Really Nothing真的没得事Modern Romance1.8M WordsOngoing What’s it to me? What’s it to you? It’s nobody’s business! These three phrases are all you need to put an end to overthinking! What’s it got to do with you? What’s it got to do with me? What’s it got to do with anyone? Whenever you face a person or a situation, just ask yourself these three questions, and there won’t be a problem. May everyone live true to themselves, independent and beautiful! A coming-of-age story about four girls with very different personalities. This isn’t a story. It’s bas 88Reads9.5Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    True stories of life, a group portrait, the coming-of-age tales of girls.

25. 225 没 A Motherless Child, Cared for by His Sister-in-Law 没妈的孩子，嫂子疼 Ai Shihua爱施华Urban320k WordsCompleted [Period drama + No System or storage space] After my adoptive parents died in a car accident, my older brother Zhang Dakui and I depended on each other. Ever since Dakui brought my sister-in-law Liu Chunmei home, our lives changed. And so did my life... 98Reads6.2Score11214d adds
26. 226 石 Shi Shun's Growth 石顺的成长 Shi Shunzhi石顺之Modern Romance320k WordsCompleted About Growth At the foot of the Dabie Mountains, a young man named Shi Shun journeys forward, one step at a time. Over the first half of his life, he experiences sincere family affection, treasures friendships forged through hardship, encounters tender love, and strives to build an ordinary career. He grows from a naive, awkward youth into a steady and responsible man, tempering his character amid the everyday bustle of life and coming to understand what life means through the companionship of 4Reads—Score114d adds

    Reader note

    A truly excellent piece of writing from a bygone era; authentic, touching, inspiring, relatable, healing, and down-to-earth.

27. 227 腐 A Sour Story for Fujoshi 腐女酸文 Girl from the Old Days旧时丫头Modern Romance359k WordsCompleted Hello, everyone. I’m the author of this book, and also its protagonist: Yatou. This book tells the true story of my life. Every word comes from my own experience; nothing is fabricated or plagiarized. Over the years, I’ve weathered countless ups and downs and struggled through one storm after another. To make it this far feels like a hard-won miracle. Many people wonder about the meaning of the title, The Bitter Ramblings of a Fudanshi. It’s really a reflection of the first half of my life: “ 3Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    I clicked on it by accident and couldn't leave. It's well-written 👍❤️ Highly recommended 👍👍 [Note] 🤔

28. 228 七 The 1970s: I Faked a Pregnancy to Trap a Husband, but Snared a Hidden Big Shot 七零：假孕骗婚，骗到隐形大佬 A Smiling View笑着的风景Modern Romance766k WordsOngoing 10Reads6.3Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A historical novel set in a realistic period, featuring male concubines and pampered female characters.

29. 229 逍 The Carefree Young Prince Rises 逍遥小世子崛起 SangeneHistorical2.1M WordsCompleted While carrying out a special mission for China, Song Yang was killed in action. Fortunately, he transmigrated into the body of a good-for-nothing official’s son in a different time and place in ancient times. Armed with his modern memories, he lay low until he had learned the rules of this world, then began his journey to turn his life around: crushing the Xiongnu, pacifying Jiaozhi, and rising to marquis and chancellor... 15kReads8.3Score1.9k14d adds

    Reader note

    It's so beautiful! I recommend it to you.

30. 230 重 Reborn in 1978: The Medical God and His Ex-Wife's Regrets Before the College Entrance Exam 重生1978医神高考前妻悔断肠 SangeneHistorical237k WordsOngoing Jiang Weidong, an internationally renowned medical authority, suddenly falls gravely ill and dies during an interview with the BMJ. When he opens his eyes, he has transmigrated to Jiangzhuang in Huaxia in 1978, becoming the son of a country doctor who shares his name. Bringing with him a lifetime of medical expertise from his previous life, he picks up his pen and conquers the college entrance exams, earning top honors. With his superb medical skills, he overcomes every obstacle and heads to the 18.9kReads6.8Score2.4k14d adds

Other lists with One Taste Is Never Enough