I'm a Simpleton. I Want to Read Those Old-School Romance Novels 我是土狗，我想看那种古早言情小说。

1. 51 只 Light in the Palm of My Hand 只手捉光 Chive Fish Ball Bun韭菜鱼丸包Modern Romance404k WordsCompleted [Signed for print publication] [Print preorders open March 21. See you there!] [Campus romance + sweet indulgence + mutual devotion + straightforward pursuit] Everyone knew Shen Heyu was cold and ruthless, with fists of iron and a stubborn refusal to yield. No one at school dared cross him. That is, until a girl transferred to Class Two from Jincheng. Everyone: Brother Yu hates having a deskmate more than anything. Shen Heyu cleared the clutter from the seat beside him and raised his hand. “Tea 13.6kReads9.5Score2.2kShelves

   Reader note

   A sweet and romantic modern campus romance novel about a girl who secretly loves the male lead. He's a good student, a well-behaved girl, and also capable in fights. He's definitely a sucker for good looks. He's a healing little angel, but not a soft girl! The male lead is often surprisingly witty and intelligent. His reputation as a school bully is exaggerated and based on rumors. Later, through hard work, he and the female lead get into the same university. Qin Mingxi, with a tragic childhood and strong moral compass, is the female lead's best friend, nicknamed "Old Qin," a professional at showing affection. Ning Ziquan, the male lead's roommate, is the male lead's brother and has a crush on Old Qin; their relationship ends badly. Da Hu, a wealthy young master, has a crush on Quanzi, but the relationship fizzles out, and he even has to help his brother. He comes from a good family. Zhang Shun, a compliment machine, was bullied in high school but was redeemed by the male lead and becomes his devoted fan. He gets a beautiful girlfriend (the female lead's roommate) in university. Class monitor Chi Yun, the male lead's half-brother, is a top student who loves to bicker with the male lead; the two brothers have a love-hate relationship. Vice class monitor Liang Qixu is a master manipulator who pretends to be weak but is actually the one playing the game. The characters' exits from the story were swift and decisive. There's not much to say about the other villains and supporting characters. The story is mostly set in the first year of high school, and the relationship between the male and female leads is very stable. There's no abuse involved, and the female lead's mother is very open-minded and a very lovely mother. The later plot moves quickly, but it's not a bad ending. It continues until the university years. Some supporting characters have less screen time, and some old stories are left unresolved.

2. 52 帝 The Empire’s Treasure 帝国珍宝 A Zui, Who Loves Spinach Pancakes爱吃菠菜煎饼的阿罪Modern Romance401k WordsCompleted [Interstellar + Beloved by All + Everyone Dotes on the Little One] For the first eighteen years of his life, Sui An lived among the Empire's most ordinary people. He was utterly unremarkable, one of tens of millions without mental powers. Life had its occasional ups and downs, but it was still a happy one. Just when he thought his life would continue along its quiet, ordinary path, an unexpected accident turned him into the most precious treasure among the Empire's stars... 5.9kReads9.0Score413Shelves

   Reader note

   They're all nice old-fashioned songs.

3. 53 大 The Big Shot Can't Have Children? After Morning Sickness, the Little Darling Has Triplets 大佬绝嗣？孕吐后小可怜一胎三宝 Little Spoiled One小撒娇Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Overbearing CEO + Married First, Fell in Love Later + Love at First Sight for the Male Lead + Sweet Romance + Vulnerable Heroine + Devoted Couple + Age Gap + Triplets] Everyone in the capital knew that business tycoon Lu Chiyu was ruthless and aloof, an untouchable flower atop a high mountain. But who could have guessed that after one passionate night, a sweet, vulnerable wife would appear by his side, carrying his child? From then on, the volatile, tyrannical tycoon fell from his pedestal and 8.8kReads9.1Score1kShelves
4. 54 抢 The Wife I Stole Is Sweet and Obedient 抢来的太太又乖又甜 Yan Buwang燕不忘Modern Romance343k WordsCompleted [Unhinged tycoon × forceful possessive love vs. down-on-her-luck heiress × innocent little bunny] After waking up from a bewildering night in the bed of an unhinged tycoon, Ye Mianmian panics and runs away. The man comes after her like a demon from hell. She cries and begs him to stop. He looks down at her. “You cried and begged me to do it, and now you say you don’t want it. Think I didn’t give you enough?” This is the story of a little bunny being conquered by a big bad wolf. 202Reads8.8Score102Shelves
5. 55 撩 Tease! The Qipao Beauty Falls for Me 撩！诱旗袍美人沦陷 Sweet-Bitten Chestnut甜咬栗子Modern Romance227k WordsCompleted [Gentle, resilient cheongsam beauty X cunning, all-powerful boss] [One-on-one romance + both leads are virgins + love at first sight + long-planned pursuit] Under a misty drizzle, a graceful figure in blue approached from a distance, holding an oil-paper umbrella. She walked unhurriedly over the glistening bluestone path. Her sky-blue cheongsam outlined her exquisite figure, as delicate as wispy clouds and slender willows, with a waist like that of Ehuang. As she drew closer, one couldn't help b 8.7kReads9.0Score811Shelves
6. 56 小 The Little Sweetheart Sobs over Her Pregnancy, and Her CEO Sugar Daddy Gently Coaxes Her 小娇娇怀崽爆哭，霸总大叔轻声哄 Li Seventeen狸十七Modern Romance163k WordsCompleted [Mutually exclusive devotion + 13-year age gap + overbearing CEO uncle who spoils her endlessly + adored by everyone + sweet romance + fatherly love] “Uncle, you look like a good person. Could you save me? I have money. Is two hundred enough?” The uncle who looked like a good person gazed at the soft, delicate girl who had thrown herself into his arms. Her sweet, honeyed voice stirred something inexplicably in him. “Two hundred?” The male lead had never imagined that someone would offer him just 1.2kReads7.2Score141Shelves
7. 57 清 After the Cool Beauty Returns Home, the Powerful Men Desperately Pursue Her 清冷美人归国后，大佬疯狂求爱 Yun Ji雲棘Modern Romance262k WordsCompleted [A resilient, clear-headed, cool beauty VS a humble, domineering CEO who has been plotting for a long time. One-on-one romance, both leads have eyes for no one else.] Zhang Jiayue was the eldest daughter of the Zhang family of Nancheng, yet she had always been overlooked. After an unexpected upheaval, she was forced to move abroad for several years. When she finally returned, she caught the attention of Lu Qinian, the head of the Lu family, who pursued her relentlessly. What she didn’t know was 487Reads6.6Score—Shelves
8. 58 低 Whisper It! Darling, I Only Want You 低声哄！宝贝，我只要你 Clear and Pure澈净Modern Romance264k WordsCompleted [Signed for publication / Short drama of the same name now streaming] [Gentle, insecure top student x arrogant, carefree rich playboy] [College romance + Both leads are inexperienced + Fake playboy + Mutual pining becomes real + He’s never loved anyone else + Sweet and flirty] Fu Ciyu had always been a star at Jingcheng University. Born into one of the capital’s top wealthy families, he was unruly and hard to tame. Girls were always around him, but he had never given anyone his heart. Everyone 48.6kReads9.5Score5.7kShelves

   Reader note

   The plot of this book is fast-paced and the word choice is precise. The character portrayals and plot progression are harmonious, and I really like the character designs of the male and female leads. The only downside is that the female lead was too insecure at the beginning. I hope all girls can love themselves before loving others. I hope Zhizhi and Ayu are safe and happy in another time and space.

9. 59 照 Dressed in Red: The Maid's Rise to Power 照红妆：通房丫鬟上位记 Sweet, Sweet Milk Candy奶糖甜甜Ancient Romance1.1M WordsCompleted (New book updating) Haitang's rules for fighting in the inner household as a maidservant: First, be flexible. Second, don't let love cloud your judgment. Third, if a woman isn't ruthless, her position won't be secure. Haitang was breathtakingly beautiful but born into a lowly family. In her previous life, proud and unwilling to become a bedchamber maid, she was tortured to death by the principal wife. Reborn, she decided to live differently. Everyone thought she was reaching above her station ju 13.8kReads9.3Score1.9kShelves

   Reader note

   "Forced into Becoming a Concubine? I'll Seize the Mistress's Position?" Tells the story of a young maid who suffers endless humiliation and is forced into becoming a concubine. Unwilling to be controlled by fate, she uses her wisdom and courage to navigate the inner workings of the wealthy household. Despite her frail appearance, she fights against numerous conspiracies, ultimately achieving a remarkable comeback and securing the position of mistress.

10. 60 摄 The Regent's Most Ruinous Consort 摄政王的第一祸水妃 Lu Feixi路菲汐Ancient Romance2.4M WordsCompleted Reborn, Chu Xiyu has reached the pinnacle of household intrigue. Every day, she strikes without hesitation, digs a pit, and buries her enemies. No one can stop this fierce woman! When she meets the most powerful minister of the age, the two join forces. The Regent Prince, feared by all who hear his name, becomes her own sweet darling. He can fight, kill, and heal, and can turn the world upside down with a wave of his hand. But after meeting her, he spends every day doting on his wife and showeri 2.4kReads9.0Score686Shelves

    Reader note

    These are all books from a long time ago, with some melodramatic plot points (●.●)

11. 61 重 Reborn as a Poisonous Consort 重生之毒妃 Mei Guo梅果Ancient Romance3.9M WordsCompleted An Jinxiu, the Taishi’s illegitimate daughter, gave her heart to the wrong man and schemed her way through life. In the end, her lover became emperor, but he abandoned her in the wilderness. Reviled by all as a wicked, poisonous woman, she died in humiliation. Given another chance at life, An Jinxiu casts off her old ways. At first, all she wants is to spend the rest of her life with the man she wronged in her previous life, but she soon discovers that this life is still full of obstacles. After 5.1kReads8.9Score624Shelves
12. 62 旺 The Prosperous Farm Wife: Raising Babies and Making a Fortune 旺家农妇：养包子发大财 Yuxiang Shredded Pork Bun鱼香肉丝包Ancient Romance2.6M WordsCompleted After blowing up her rich playboy husband's car with his mistress inside, entrepreneurial woman Gu Chunzhu opened her eyes in Xiaohetou Village of the nonexistent Min Dynasty, and found herself in the body of a chubby village woman! She had a lame husband, two scrawny little dumplings, and a thatched hut whose tiles fell off in the wind and whose roof leaked when it rained. After finally slimming down, she nearly got sold off by her own father. A stingy mother-in-law and vicious sisters-in-law a 372Reads8.6Score235Shelves
13. 63 绝 The Peerless Adorable Baby: Her Genius Mother Is Stunning 绝世萌宝：天才娘亲帅炸了 Not My Beloved非我良人Ancient Romance7.1M WordsOngoing Ye Chuyue, the notorious foolish and ugly woman of the Shenwu Empire, had an illicit affair and gave birth to an illegitimate child. On the day her fiancé was to marry, she leapt from the city wall in her wedding robes and died for love. When her beautiful eyes opened again, the ancient martial arts sect leader from the 21st century was ready to unleash a storm of blood and wash away her disgrace! A good-for-nothing? She can shake an empire with her bare hands and trample the world beneath her f 35.8kReads9.5Score5.3kShelves
14. 64 废 The Good-for-Nothing Princess Consort Is Beating Up Villains Again 废柴王妃又在虐渣了 Frost White霜白Ancient Romance4.5M WordsCompleted Xiao Liang'er, the eldest daughter of the Prime Minister's residence, was said to bring misfortune to her family. Her face was disfigured, and she was sent to the countryside as a child. She was infamous as a good-for-nothing bumpkin. Yet the powerful Prince of the Night doted on her and loved her with all his heart. Everyone said the prince must be blind. That is, until they discovered that this princess consort, who had no favor from the Prime Minister's family and no dowry, was richer than an 1.5kReads8.7Score385Shelves
15. 65 重 Reborn on My Wedding Night, the Sickly Prince Regent Warms My Feet 重生新婚夜，病娇摄政王给我暖脚 Nanhuang南凰Ancient Romance1.7M WordsCompleted [Reborn + sweet romance + obsessive love + mutual devotion + secret identities, one couple] Nan Xi, the legitimate daughter of the prime minister, was a fool in her past life. She fell for a treacherous scumbag who was handsome on the outside but full of sinister schemes within, and ended up abandoned by everyone, dying miserably at the hands of him and his mistress. Given a second life, she gets her brains back! Looking at the powerful, handsome regent by her side, she cannot help questioning h 10.7kReads9.1Score3.7kShelves
16. 66 第 The First Mad Concubine 第一狂妃 Bean Girl豆娘Ancient Romance9.1M WordsOngoing Ye Qingge, the notorious good-for-nothing of the Beiyue Kingdom and the ugliest woman in the imperial capital, died a tragic death, disgraced and ruined. When her phoenix eyes opened, the soul of a champion mercenary took control of her body, and the world was thrown into turmoil. A useless nobody? She could refine supreme-grade pills and tame the king of beasts. Who could rival her? The universe was at her fingertips. An ugly woman? Who could have guessed that beneath her wretched appearance la 3.9kReads9.2Score452Shelves

    Reader note

    Old-fashioned romance novels 😏😏

17. 67 重 Reborn in 1990: I Strike It Rich with My Pocket Dimension 重生九零，带着空间逆袭暴富 Xu Yiwan许意晚Modern Romance1.7M WordsCompleted Xia Chutang is reborn in the 1990s. She awakens a pocket dimension and gains extraordinary stamina and hearing. She studies hard, turns from a hopeless student into a top scholar, and gets into the best university in the capital. She persuades her mother to leave her lazy, abusive father and start over. She uses her grandmother’s secret recipe to start a factory and go into business. Her aunt’s family, who ruined her family in her previous life, gets what they deserve. Want her help? Sorry, she’ 1kReads8.6Score145Shelves
18. 68 神 The Mysterious CEO Spoils Her Night After Night 神秘总裁夜夜宠 Fish Doesn't Speak鱼不语Modern Romance3.0M WordsCompleted By day, she’s a sharp and capable saleswoman! By night, she’s her boss’s personal assistant, taking care of his every need! They agree on three rules: talk about money, not love. But... Rumor has it that she’s so pampered she lives like a princess. When it comes to dealing with scumbags, President Shang is there. When it comes to putting rivals in their place, President Shang is there. When it comes to making money, President Shang is there. She’s living a fairy-tale life of happiness. Meanwhile 11.7kReads9.3Score1.2kShelves
19. 69 出 After Prison, I Flash-Married a Billionaire 出狱后，我闪婚千亿老公 A Meter of Longing一米相思Modern Romance2.6M WordsCompleted On the day of her wedding, Li Man was framed and thrown in prison. After her release, she impulsively married a driver and decided they would make a simple life together. Little did she know, the driver was a powerful man who controlled everything, and the scumbag's uncle! After they married, he faithfully fulfilled his duties as her husband and took excellent care of both her and her grandmother. As a husband, he was faultless, but Li Man knew he didn't love her. She thought their quiet life wo 24.5kReads8.9Score2.1kShelves

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