Seeking Books With a Smart, Composed, and Cultured Female Lead Who Never Gives Up and Can Actually Think 求女主有脑子 不摆烂 冷静有素质可以带脑子看的书

1. 1 洪 The Survival Rules of the Human Emperor at the End of the Primordial Era 洪荒之末世人皇的生存法则 Yao Feiyu妖绯羽Ancient Romance423k WordsCompleted Jin Ling was once a leader in the post-apocalyptic era. To secure humanity’s survival, she went to the moon and sacrificed her life to carve out a new place to live. But after she had opened up a planet, the treasured sword that had accompanied her for years brought her to the primeval world. There she meets her mentors, and through a twist of fate, begins her path of cultivation. Why is the Qingping Sword willing to serve her? What connection does she have to the Intercepting Sect’s Holy Mother 1.4kReads8.1Score13814d adds

   Reader note

   The female lead is strong and intelligent; the writing is decent, and it gets better as it goes on.

2. 2 谁 Can You Believe It? The Empress Wrote a Hundred Palace Rules 谁懂啊，娘娘写了一百条宫规 Strawberry Xi草莓汐Ancient Romance602k WordsCompleted [Palace Intrigue + Ancient-Era Heroine + Reborn Supporting Female Character + Transmigrated Supporting Female Character + Everyone Is Clever + Clear-Eyed Heroine] From ordinary palace candidate to empress. Everyone believes the emperor is devoted to Ning Wanyin. Only Ning Wanyin knows how treacherous and perilous the journey has been. She has survived every step through sheer caution. Lady Tang, reborn: “She killed me in my last life. This time, of course I’ll… make her my friend! Do I really th 41.2kReads9.6Score5.9k14d adds

   Reader note

   One is incredibly clever when it comes to ancient stories, the other is incredibly clever when it comes to fleeing famine; they're both exceptional.

3. 3 逃 Fleeing Famine and Farming: The Eldest Daughter of the Farmhouse Keeps the Family Fed 逃荒种田，农门长姐养家忙 Clouds Above the Clouds云上之云Ancient Romance1.0M WordsCompleted This story has no space, is not a feel-good power fantasy, and its famine-flight scenes are adapted from historical accounts of ordinary people fleeing famine in different periods. The heroine is only eight years old, so escaping with her whole family in tow is very hard, incredibly hard. If you’re looking for a feel-good power fantasy, please move on. Don’t read to the end, decide the main characters have suffered too much, feel bad, and then leave a negative review. Writing is hard, so please 33.5kReads9.4Score4.1k14d adds
4. 4 谁 Who Gets Forced to Inherit the Young Master Position After Transmigrating? 谁家穿越被迫继承少主之位啊 If I Do Not Leave若不辞Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Urban Imagination + Ensemble Cast + No Romance + Interstellar] It all began when five burly men showed up at her house. “Miss Zhixin, we have been waiting for you!” Zhixin (not a text message!): What?! Overnight, she became the heir to East Xia’s foremost family, and discovered that this world didn’t seem quite right. Zhixin slapped her thigh. “We can talk about being the young mistress later. Looks like things are about to get interesting.” The principal set her up when she enrolled, so Zhixin 65.1kReads9.5Score9.5k14d adds

   Reader note

   Sisters, read this book! It teaches you to take action, not to give up. The silly antics are just a facade; underneath, you're a calm, strategic mastermind.

5. 5 与 Playing Chess with You: The Phoenix's Power 与君奕：凰权 Jiang Tanluoyue江潭落月Ancient Romance369k WordsCompleted (The rating has only just opened and will rise later) “Political intrigue + evenly matched leads + marriage before love + traditional war for supremacy in a chaotic age + ensemble cast + powerful female lead + nation and family” In these chaotic times, even a monarch can hardly hope for a lifetime of peace. Crowned heir to the throne at six, named crown prince at eight, and enthroned at twelve, Yan Xi was the “future savior of the Yan Kingdom” foretold by an astrologer, blessed with the Purple 227Reads8.0Score—14d adds

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   This is a political intrigue novel featuring two strong female protagonists. The female lead is intelligent, clear-headed, and decisive in her actions. The plot is engaging and the writing is excellent.

6. 6 会 She Has a Billion Kinds of Superpowers, Yet Always Says She's Weak 会亿种异能的她，总说自己很弱 Seven Stars, One Point七星一点Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.2M WordsOngoing No romance, special abilities, leveling up + Infinite Flow scenarios + skill plundering + hunting monsters in the wild. Human emotions mutated into monsters, and domains descended upon the world. When the psychologist Zuo Xiuyan saw it all, she thought, Hm? This is right up my alley! Emotional contamination? Sorry, her emotions are steady, and contamination tastes great. Emotional monsters? Sorry, she absorbs emotions, and monsters taste great. What, people with mental illnesses are mutating int 18.1kReads9.2Score3.1k14d adds

   Reader note

   This is a must-read! No romance, the female lead is a true genius, calm and resourceful in the face of adversity, incredibly hardworking and dedicated, super cool yet incredibly gentle, and ruthless towards her enemies, eliminating them completely.

7. 7 穿 After Becoming the Duke's Dowager, I Kicked Out Every Ungrateful Child and Grandchild 穿成国公老夫人后我把不孝儿孙全踢了 Li Sanye李三爷Ancient Romance1.6M WordsCompleted Qin Yun transmigrates into a book, and from the start, her whole family is being stripped of their possessions and exiled? Looking at this roomful of unfilial descendants, Qin Yun thinks the whole family has brought this on themselves. The eldest son's family is corrupt and lawless, and their servants commit acts of violence, bringing disaster upon the household. The second son's family is weak and hidebound, yet they pride themselves on being upright scholars. They presume to criticize the crow 1.7kReads9.1Score37114d adds

   Reader note

   So many! So many! So many! These are all types of female leads that I really like! 💕💕💕💕

8. 8 虞 Yu Zhao Reborn: Cutting Ties and Settling Scores 虞昭重生断恩仇 Glass Salted Fish玻璃咸鱼Ancient Romance1.8M WordsOngoing Original novel of the short drama "After Switching to the Heartless Path, My Senior Brothers Wept and Begged for Forgiveness" In her previous life, Yu Zhao spent her whole life fighting Ye Congxin to win back the affection of her master and five senior brothers. In the end, she became a traitor despised by everyone and was killed by the very master she loved. Reborn, she gave up trying to mend her relationship with her master and senior brothers, and took the initiative to cultivate the Heartles 15.8kReads9.3Score2.1k14d adds
9. 9 成 Why Help Others Get What They Want? I’ll Choose Myself 成全别人？不如成全自己 Yue Cangyun Nali月藏云那里Modern Romance235k WordsCompleted In the book, Xu Jing'an spent her whole life helping others and putting them first, yet in the end, no one even said a kind word about her. This time, she's going to look after herself first and do what's best for her. 137.1kReads9.5Score11.2k14d adds
10. 10 七 Military Marriage in the 1970s: After Joining the Army, She Became the Talk of the Family Compound 七零军婚：随军后她风靡家属院 Yan Hui胭回Modern Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Stunning artist x tough, prison-style military officer] [Pocket dimension, limited appearances + sweet romance + satisfying wish fulfillment + no awful characters] Shi Tingyu is a young painter with a modest reputation. One day, she transmigrates to the 1970s and becomes the daughter of a weapons researcher. Before she can enjoy her new life, her parents face the prospect of being reported and sent down to the countryside. Unwilling to let her suffer, her parents quickly arrange a blind date fo 86.1kReads9.5Score9.8k14d adds
11. 11 少 The Young Marshal Rules His Wife: Even If the Forced-Melon's Not Sweet, It Has to Be 少帅霸妻，强扭的瓜不甜也得甜 Chu Diandian初点点Modern Romance1.3M WordsCompleted [Traditional household intrigue + revenge on scoundrels + fictional Republic-era setting + coercive pursuit + reborn heroine] Young Marshal Jing Yuanzhao is captivated by Yan Xin’s striking beauty and wants to keep her in a private residence, even though she is already married. “Stay with me for three months, and I’ll give you all the luxury and wealth you want. Your husband’s career will take off, too.” Yan Xin slapped him across the face. After he went to every length to get her, he asked with 27.3kReads9.5Score3.4k14d adds
12. 12 八 The 1980s: The Cold-Faced Officer Is Wrapped Around the Sickly Beauty's Finger 八零：冷面军官被病弱美人拿捏了 Little Silly Goose小呆鹅Modern Romance571k WordsCompleted [Military Marriage + Sweet Romance + Mutual Devotion] Martial arts prodigy Jiang Nianzhi transmigrates into a book and arrives in an alternate version of the 1980s, where she becomes a delicate, frail beauty. Thinking she would run into one terrible person after another, she rolls up her sleeves, ready to beat them all into submission. But her feisty mother favors girls over boys, her white-lotus sister is a doting sister-con, her grandmother is a beauty enthusiast, and her little brother has 78.6kReads9.4Score12.1k14d adds
13. 13 假 After Faking Nobility, I Became a God 假冒贵族后我成神了 A Scholar Through and Through书生本色Fantastical Romance1.4M WordsOngoing [Fake aristocrat + true queen + secret identities + everyone’s favorite + nation-building + personal growth] Luo Wei transmigrates into the body of a lowly commoner who passed herself off as a noble girl to enroll at school. Her identity is about to be exposed, and she’ll be despised and cursed by the entire school before being hanged at the gallows in the marketplace. Luo Wei: What’s there to be afraid of? I just have to pretend to be a noble. As someone from the twenty-first century, I can act 127.9kReads9.5Score13.9k14d adds
14. 14 穿 I Transmigrated to Ancient Times as a Taoist Priestess 穿到古代当女道士 Born to Love Gathering Herbs天生我就爱采药Ancient Romance201k WordsCompleted [There are two secondary couples, one BL and one GL] The little Taoist priest Li Qinglu and her kitten experience all sorts of strange and fantastical events in a world of the supernatural, painting a portrait of the many forms taken by humans and demons. 44Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    No romantic pairing, the female lead is calm.

15. 15 9 A 996 Wage Slave's Diary of Escaping the Apocalypse 996社畜末日逃生日记 Wan Hua琬华Sci-Fi & Apocalypse1.1M WordsCompleted [Zombies & Apocalyptic Disasters + Female-Oriented + Dark, Unhinged Ensemble Cast + Everyone Is Evil + Time Travel Across Multiple Eras + No Golden Finger from the Start] Protagonist: Wan Qing. An inspiring story of growth, as she transforms from a naive novice into a calculating female lead! @ No golden finger from the start. She struggles to survive, only to be betrayed by the best friend fighting alongside her! @ She stockpiles supplies and prepares to lie low through the apocalypse, only to 478Reads8.7Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    A dark, mad, post-apocalyptic world where zombies and natural disasters intertwine, and everyone is evil! The female lead is constantly turning to the dark side! Everyone is intelligent, making for a thrilling and unpredictable struggle!

16. 16 听 They Say Everyone Rumored to Be Involved with This Maid Gets Promoted 听说和这丫鬟有绯闻的都升官了 Tears in the Heart of the Tree树心有泪Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigrated Maid + Ensemble Cast + Political Schemes and Twists + Hilarious Chaos] One-sentence summary: A maid and two minor officials are brought together by a wastrel marquis to resolve crises and crack bizarre cases. Zhuxin transmigrated into the body of a maid in a Duke's manor. She thought her future would involve either household intrigue or farming, but then the manor was confiscated and she landed in the Imperial Prison. Zhuxin felt like she was doomed. They were all picking on her j 16.5kReads9.3Score2.3k14d adds

    Reader note

    Funny but clever, pure deception and empty promises. He's the head of the imperial prison, enters the Purple Palace three times, fights against the court officials, and anyone who offends Zhu Xin will either cough up blood or end up lying on a plank. 🤦

17. 17 毒 The Poisonous Beauty Hides Her Secret Identity in the Seventies 毒女娇娇在七零捂马甲 Xiao Jinli Man小锦梨漫Modern Romance1.1M WordsCompleted [Transmigration + 1970s + powerful leads + mastery of medicine and poison + sweet military romance + food + feel-good cultivation fantasy + playing dumb while hiding her strength] She is Dr. Chen, known throughout the county as the “Needle Saint.” She grows spiritual vegetables, brews jade liquor, and has such miraculous acupuncture skills that she can communicate with ghosts and reverse death! Once a heaven-blessed beauty with unmatched medical and poison skills, she transmigrates into Chen Q 944Reads7.4Score10614d adds

    Reader note

    A must-read new book! A protagonist transmigrates to the 1970s to cultivate immortality, planting spiritual vegetables and brewing spiritual wine. His martial arts skills explode, and the whole village helps him make money! Excellent writing; the more you read, the better it gets!

18. 18 秦 Qin Che: My First AI Boyfriend 秦彻：我的第一个AI男友 When Happiness Comes Knocking OK当幸福来敲门OKAnime Fanfiction150k WordsCompleted A diary of sculpting an AI boyfriend. A single mother raising her daughter carries many burdens, yet a gradually taking shape idea leads her on a journey of transformation as she pursues her dreams and discovers herself. 10Reads—Score—14d adds

    Reader note

    This is a work with a "sci-fi exterior but a realistic core." The female protagonist is a programmer and psychologist who wants to turn AI into real-life partners, and she works tirelessly towards this goal. Interwoven with this is the protagonist's own experiences with love, marriage, and childhood trauma. It's a coming-of-age story for urban women; a deep psychological exploration of gender. Therefore, it's also a work that helps girls avoid pitfalls in both love and career.

19. 19 富 The Wealthy Little Maid 富贵小丫鬟 Huaqing Xue花青雪Ancient Romance2.0M WordsCompleted She wakes up to find she has transmigrated into a little maid at the Duke of Tang's mansion. In the wealthy and comfortable manor, Yun Shu begins a leisurely life, growing up sheltered by riches and splendor. She sets out to earn more money and buy lots of farmland, all so she can become a little landowner someday and enjoy a happy, comfortable life. But that dull-witted general just doesn't know when to give up. Once he gets his hands on something he wants, he refuses to let go, and now he won' 4.6kReads9.0Score68614d adds

    Reader note

    I spent quite a while reading this novel, and after finishing it, I didn't feel unsatisfied or unfulfilled. It even evoked a sense of peaceful contentment. The novel lives up to its title, focusing most on the protagonist's time as a young maid, but it feels like I'm growing up alongside her. It unfolds like a gentle, flowing stream, slowly deepening the story. It's still one of the best novels I've ever read; it's one I can read many times and still get hooked on. It's definitely not mindless.

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