Marriage First, Love Later, CEO Romance With Some Angst 先婚后爱，霸总，有点虐

1. 1 先 Pregnant Before Marriage, the Abstinent Big Shot Keeps Stealing Kisses from His Pregnant Wife 先孕后婚，禁欲大佬又在偷吻孕妻 Sweet Xiaobei甜小贝Modern Romance996k WordsCompleted [Sweet romance between two virgins + married first, fall in love later + pregnancy; gentle, sweet-natured designer x abstinent, protective, powerful man] Ji Mingyan is a gentle, alluring jewelry designer who has just graduated from college. Jiang Ting wears prayer beads and is a sinister, volatile “devil” feared by countless people. Even his relatives avoid him like the plague. A marriage contract binds them together, and everyone advises Ji Mingyan to take what she can get and leave. But when h 55.3kReads9.3Score4.2kShelves

   Reader note

   "Pregnancy First, Love Later": The female lead is forced into marriage by the male lead. She's pregnant at the beginning of the story but has no feelings for him initially. Later, she starts to care about him. The male lead is incredibly romantic and prone to being affectionate. He's completely devoted to his wife. The female lead is very career-oriented, and the male lead even becomes a full-time stay-at-home dad for her and their child.

2. 2 京 Rising Toward a Thousand Suns 京升千阳 Hu Zi Ge虎子歌Modern Romance285k WordsCompleted [Married First, Love Later + Chasing His Wife + Scheming Hero + Sweet Romance] Xiang Lansheng was not yet ten when she was brought to Shengjing. Old Madam Zeng raised her as if she were her own granddaughter. Shi Yan was a carefree older brother. The marriage had originally been arranged by the older generation, but he insisted on treating little Lansheng like a biological younger sister. As the youngest member of the government offices in Shengjing, Shi Buyu was modest, scholarly, and rather 4.1kReads8.8Score378Shelves

   Reader note

   You should give it a try; it's a very enjoyable book to read. 😊

3. 3 好 What a Rose 好一朵玫瑰 Super Nice超奈丝Modern Romance316k WordsCompleted [The powerful fall in love and humble themselves / a long road to winning her back, both leads are each other's first and only, happy ending] [Bright, prickly little princess vs. abstinent, aloof heir of the capital's elite] Ye Shangshang is the fiery little princess of the capital's social scene, bold in love and hate. Countless admirers fall at her feet, but she sets her heart on the cold, unfeeling heir of the Chi family. She runs after him, clutching her princess dress, believing that as lon 6.3kReads6.4Score190Shelves

   Reader note

   I cried so much reading the first one, I felt so sorry for the female lead. I cried so many times. The second one was better, not as heartbreaking as the first.

4. 4 禁 Imprisoning the Dark Moonlight 禁锢黑月光 Only for You独予卿Modern Romance538k WordsCompleted Possessive scion of a powerful family VS bewitching little troublemaker He was the heir to a powerful family in Southeast Asia. Cool and elegant on the surface, he was actually scheming, domineering, and arrogant. After a little enchantress deliberately seduced him, he fell under a curse and became a demon for love… She was a mischievous little troublemaker in China, attending a lousy university and dreaming of finding a generous rich playboy who’d pay her a hefty breakup fee. By a twist of fate 526Reads9.2Score—Shelves
5. 5 入 Nightfall 入夜 Empty-Headed脑袋空空Modern Romance1.3M WordsCompleted The door opened, and a tall, slender man stepped out. Lin Mian stared at him, dumbstruck, forgetting even to snap out of it. “What are you looking at, hmm?” 7kReads9.3Score2.5kShelves

   Reader note

   It's really good-looking.

6. 6 冷 After Three Years of Cold War, She Asked for a Divorce, but His Eyes Turned Red 冷战三年，她提离婚他却红了眼 Barefaced素颜Modern Romance2.0M WordsCompleted [Hong Kong elite vs. fallen socialite] [Marriage first, love later + a long road to winning her back] [One-on-one romance] They’d been married for three years. He’d never cared about her, she’d had a crush on him for years, and he had someone else in his heart. Then she finally saw the light! After Li Qian watched Gu Tingchen abandon her for his first love for who knew how many times, she suddenly understood something. If someone doesn’t love you, it won’t matter how careful you are or how despe 4.5kReads8.5Score972Shelves

   Reader note

   Super super good-looking

7. 7 饮 Drinking, Dreaming, and Revelry 饮酒梦醉欢 Second Uncle二舅爷Modern Romance396k WordsCompleted “I married him to repay a debt, but I didn’t fall in love with him for that.” Love after marriage / Xu Zuihuan / Jiang Zhengning The eldest son of the Jiang family, with a mysterious background and an illustrious family. Their lives follow completely different paths, and by all appearances, Xu Zuihuan should have no connection to him. They meet once, then eight years pass. A call from an unfamiliar number, a simple “Let’s get married,” and Xu Zuihuan calmly replies, “Okay.” How much does she o 11.8kReads9.3Score1.4kShelves

   Reader note

   Except for the male lead, everyone in his family is abnormal. He spent the first half of his life living in resentment and guilt. His father and mother, one for the sake of the Jiang family's reputation, and the other for the sake of her husband, both chose not to protect their son even after knowing the truth, causing him to suffer infamy and hatred. His father even justified it by saying, "He's a man, a little grievance doesn't matter." But thankfully, he met the female lead; this sensitive man met someone who understood him, loved him, and firmly protected him. And that Shao Qin is truly hateful. He knew he couldn't give Gege love, yet he still pursued her, then ran away, causing Gege to miscarry and develop depression. After she finally recovered, Shao Qin shamelessly begged for reconciliation. Disgusting! This kind of person deserves to die alone. Fortunately, Gege met Ji Qinglin, who will cherish her like a true "princess."

8. 8 与 I Married My Secret Crush First, Then Fell in Love 与暗恋对象先婚后爱了 I'm a Little Fishhead Star是鱼头星星呀Modern Romance308k WordsCompleted [Cool, aloof beauty × rebellious young master] Jiang Shuyue is distant by nature and dislikes dealing with people. Even her parents are at a loss over her coolness, and often criticize her for it. She has always known the truth: her parents criticize her simply because they don't like her. The one they love is their adopted daughter, who grew up in the Jiang family. When she was twenty-five, she made a deal with her parents: she would agree to an arranged marriage, on the condition that they nev 27.8kReads9.1Score2.8kShelves

   Reader note

   Very good, highly recommended!

9. 9 暗 A Secret Crush: As Bittersweet as a Song 暗恋啊，它酸涩如歌 Rou Zhi柔只Modern Romance583k WordsCompleted [Contract marriage + married first, love later + groveling for your wife] Xia Zhiyuan and Lu Ang were a fake married couple brought together by a debt of gratitude between their fathers. They agreed to divorce when the time was right. Their contract stipulated that they could not interfere in each other’s private lives, and that they had to play the loving couple in front of their elders. Lu Ang had a beloved woman for whom he would give everything. They were deeply in love, while Xia Zhiyuan w 4.7kReads8.1Score426Shelves

   Reader note

   I finished reading this book on July 10, 2025 💕. Actually, this type of story is quite common, but after reading it, you'll find the theme very novel; it was my first time reading one 😢😢. The male lead's character development made me want to drop it halfway through 😢, and I even gave it a bad review. But I still wanted to keep reading, because only after finishing it could I truly judge its overall quality and writing style 😳😳. And it turns out, this story is fantastic 👍👍👍 (I apologize for my previous bad review; it's been removed. The story is very good, thank you author for creating this 💕💕). To be honest, the beginning made me angry and frustrated, but I also cried a lot. Perhaps... People might not understand why I say this, but I believe readers who have read it will understand 💕. It has sweet moments in the middle, and the later part features a pursuit of the wife – I especially loved the later part 😢😢. The characters are very well-developed, and the author's writing is excellent and very delicate 💕💕. Overall, this novel is fantastic and worth reading 👍👍👍. Finally, I hope every character in this book can be happy forever, and even in another parallel universe 💕💕. I hope Lu Ang and Xia Zhiyuan can be happy forever ❤️❤️❤️. Wow, it's so fast, I have to say goodbye to this story 😢😢. Actually, I'm quite reluctant to say goodbye, but I also look forward to the author's new works 💕💕💕

10. 10 她 She Says Rainy Days Are Romantic 她说下雨天很浪漫 The Egg Yolk Is Very White蛋黄很白Modern Romance348k WordsCompleted Shen Yanqiu was born into a family of scholars, where strict family rules governed everything, from her words and actions to her personal preferences. She first met Zhou Youchuan in her fiancé’s study. The young man stood before the bookshelves in a white shirt, backlit and so impossibly pure. He glanced sideways and sneered. “So you’re the idiot who likes Xu Shaoqin?” The next time they met, she was being scolded in public. He leaned close to her ear and mocked her. “You’re like a canary kept i 1.4kReads7.5Score140Shelves
11. 11 困 Trapped in the Misty Wilds 困住雾野 A Huihui一颗慧慧Modern Romance366k WordsCompleted [Secret Crush | Both Leads Are Pure in Body and Heart | Healing and Redemption | Sweet and Angsty | Happy Ending] In the fifth year of Lin Wu’s crush on Song Ye, an alliance between their families forced her to move in with him. When he discovered her secret crush, she summoned her courage. “Song Ye, I like you. Can I pursue you?” The man looked at her coldly. “I don’t want your feelings.” Song Ye didn’t like her. He had found a new, well-matched fiancée, so Lin Wu quietly withdrew. … Later, new 27.7kReads9.0Score2.5kShelves
12. 12 周 Professor Zhou, Let's Get Married 周教授，我们结婚吧 Too Lazy to Name Myself懒起名Modern Romance607k WordsCompleted The short drama and animated series are now online [Marriage first, love later + age gap + doting romance + nurturing romance] [Gentle, reserved professor vs. sweet, soft-spoken medical student] Xin Zhiyao’s world came crashing down! The man she had spent the night with was her university professor. And to make matters worse, she was pregnant. Trembling, she placed the pregnancy test results in front of him. Professor Zhou gave her two choices: one, terminate the pregnancy; two, get married. Jus 99.6kReads9.2Score11.2kShelves

    Reader note

    Take this to pass the time, you're welcome!

13. 13 神 The Divine Doctor's Young Wife: Wrongfully Married to a Powerful Tycoon 神医少夫人：错嫁豪门大佬 Little Fullness Is Good Fortune小满是福Modern Romance2.6M WordsCompleted Also known as The Substitute Bride Becomes Cherished: Crazy Husband, Please Take a Number [Top-tier wealthy family + cool, beautiful female TCM doctor + unhinged male lead + substitute marriage + love grows over time + the male lead becomes fiercely devoted to her later] Xie Nancheng, heir to a top-tier wealthy family, suddenly develops a mysterious illness. His bride-to-be is switched out, and a young foster daughter from the countryside is sent in as a replacement. Rumor has it that the litt 40kReads9.1Score3.9kShelves
14. 14 任 Any Wild Fantasy 任意妄想 Dai in Her Boudoir呆字闺中Modern Romance601k WordsCompleted [Devoted leads + sweet romance + age gap + possessive pursuit] [Wily temptress VS lovestruck tycoon] Also known as Any Wild Wish Irreverent blurb: Pei Wang is messed up at first and doesn't know how to love. All he knows is how to show it physically. Later, he'll make everyone jealous with how disgustingly sweet he is. Don't worry, dive right in, and enjoy the ride! The serious version: Pei Wang is famous in his circle for being aloof, restrained, and heartless. Every second is under his control 9.5kReads9.2Score1.2kShelves
15. 15 犟 Stubborn Bones 犟骨 One Big Fish Head一条大鱼头Modern Romance519k WordsCompleted [Reunion After Years Apart + The Chase to Win Her Back + Two Cool, Distant Personalities + Eight-Year Age Gap] (Not a pure one-to-one romance. Please read the blurb before starting!!!! If it’s not your cup of tea, don’t read!!!! Malicious ratings will lower your luck!) “Arrogant and refined, stern and composed, a CEO from the elite” Zhou Congjin vs. “Cool and stubborn, worldly-wise, an ordinary-class beauty from a scholarly family” Shen Yi Shen Yi had always known that someone like Zhou Congjin 68.2kReads9.0Score19.3kShelves
16. 16 气 After Driving His Wife Away, the Crown Prince Begs for a Slap, Eyes Red 气跑老婆后，太子爷红着眼求扇 Jie Chong解虫Modern Romance408k WordsCompleted The rating is low because it was just released, but it’ll go up later. [One-on-one, both leads have only ever loved each other, a long road to winning her back, happy ending, alternate history] [The male lead is a lovesick pushover who’ll get on his knees in a heartbeat. The first dozen chapters are melodramatic, but things settle down later. The male lead is very insecure from then on!] [Talented director who leaves her lovesick ways behind × powerful man who is cold to outsiders but clingy and 9.6kReads6.9Score328Shelves

    Reader note

    The pursuit of his wife is a nightmare!!! The male lead goes crazy later on! She tries every means to marry him, but ends up covered in wounds.

17. 17 每 What's It Like to Wake Up in a New Wedding Night Every Evening? 每天晚上穿到新婚夜是什么体验 Lu Zhizhi鹿知之Modern Romance240k WordsCompleted The short drama Looping Secret Crush is now streaming [Sweet romance + dual transmigration + mutual salvation] Who could stand waking up every night and transmigrating to their wedding night with their crush ten years in the future? Song Beibei clutched her waist and glared at the aloof, abstinent godlike man she saw during the day. She sprang to her feet in a huff. “We’re breaking up! We absolutely have to!” Everyone around her scoffed. What kind of lunatic was this? How could God Yu possibly b 3kReads9.2Score258Shelves
18. 18 余 The Heat That Lingers 余温炙热 Shi Chang适常Modern Romance215k WordsCompleted [The husband’s pursuit of his wife after losing her; one-on-one romance; both are devoted only to each other] A year into their marriage, Jiang Yunshu discovered she was pregnant. Fu Chengze’s reaction made her feel as though he had not the slightest joy or anticipation about the baby’s arrival. Until one day, during a video call he’d forgotten to hang up, she heard Fu Chengze’s voice, tender beyond words: “Don’t cry, baby. Daddy’s here to hold you.” “Chuchu is the cutest child in the whole worl 19.4kReads8.9Score1.4kShelves

    Reader note

    Arranged marriage that blossoms into love, domineering CEO, a bit angsty.

19. 19 深 A Deeply Devoted Temptation 深情诱引 Bird Pine Rice鸟松米Modern Romance676k WordsCompleted A novel in the Niaosongmi Universe: Deep Affection and Allure. The short drama The Height of Summer, a special story about the eldest brother and sister-in-law, is now online. [Love after an arranged marriage, a regretful husband’s pursuit of his wife, one-on-one romance, both devoted only to each other] [Gentle, cool-headed ophthalmologist vs. devoted, wayward young master] Lin Yuxi used to think Zhou Yanjing was a carefree playboy with a fickle heart. Only after they married did she learn just 92.8kReads9.2Score7.9kShelves
20. 20 遇 I Met a God with a Soft Heart! 遇见心软的神！ Mu Mu Cuo木木错Modern Romance692k WordsCompleted [Capital City Business Tycoon vs. Chinese Literature Beauty] [One-on-One + Devoted Couple + Happy Ending + Age Gap] Jiang Wansheng grew up without her parents' love, struggling through life on her own. After someone set her up, a twist of fate entangled her with the mysterious Third Master of the Qin family, a powerful figure in the capital. Rumor had it that Third Master Qin was cold-hearted and distant. Though he was her best friend's uncle, she was always terrified whenever she ran into him. 32.2kReads9.4Score3.2kShelves

    Reader note

    This CEO romance novel features a slightly angsty age gap between the male and female leads; recommended for those who enjoy angst.

21. 21 心 Cherished Darling 心肝宠 Jiu Ling九棂Modern Romance2.0M WordsCompleted (Top-tier wealthy family, a modern Jiangnan beauty as the heroine, an obsessive male lead, the heroine pursues him at first, then he spoils her relentlessly, devoted to each other, happy ending) For the sake of the child in her belly, Lu Zhiling was forced to marry an obsessive tycoon. Everyone thought she wouldn’t live long enough to give birth. To stay alive, she began winning him over. Before she knew it, she had become the apple of his eye. Later, she prepared to run away. His car was perche 79.8kReads9.5Score8.2kShelves

    Reader note

    OI, a marriage of convenience that blossoms into love. The female lead is tricked into getting pregnant, and the male lead is also quite pitiful—an arrogant young master from a wealthy family. It's a little angsty, and the female lead is very intelligent.

22. 22 超 So Sweet! My Unconventional Beast Husband Can Handle Anything 超甜：我那不正经的兽夫贼扛事 Shanmi山米Ancient Romance541k WordsCompleted Sweet One-on-One Romance After Qing You transmigrated to the Beast World, she caught the attention of a man with short silver hair, a cold, stern face, and an air of untamed danger. His solid, sculpted muscles, their size difference, and those vivid green eyes constantly fixed on her made Qing You feel like he could crush her in one hand. There was no domestic violence after they became mates, but he was so wild and direct that Qing You often couldn’t keep up. Her back would ache, or her legs wo 10.9kReads8.9Score841Shelves

    Reader note

    Is something sweet okay? I've searched the whole bookshelf but can't find anything (><)

23. 23 醉 A Drunken Nighttime Kiss! One Flirt from Her, and the Arrogant Big Shot’s Heart Races 醉吻夜！她一撩，桀骜大佬心狂跳 A Crescent Moon一剪月Modern Romance539k WordsCompleted [The print edition of Climbing the Capital’s Family Tree is now available on all platforms.] [Top Capital City Tycoon · Rebellious, Devoted Suit-Wearing Bad Boy vs. Ballet Princess · Radiant, Proud Little Swan] Li Zhi and Fu Yanze grew up together, but Li Zhi turned out to be the fake heiress. For the sake of his own interests, Fu Yanze chose to get engaged to the real heiress, a leading actress in the entertainment industry. He hoped Li Zhi would understand and said he would come back to marr 59.7kReads9.5Score7.3kShelves
24. 24 禁 The Abstinent Top-Tier Star Was Won Over by One Kiss 禁欲顶流被我一个吻哄好了 Yan Hui胭回Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Satisfying revenge + sweet romance + System + national darling] After being reborn, Su Liang becomes bound to an emotion-collection System. Already in the prime of her youth, she becomes even more captivating, drawing men to her from every direction. But all she wants is that one star, high above and shining bright. She already has an extraordinary affinity for animals, and after being reborn, she awakens the ability to communicate with them, too. At the zoo, she’s the darling all the anima 10.1kReads9.5Score1.2kShelves
25. 25 小 The Sweet Little Fox! The Rugged Man Brings Her Home as His Wife 小狐狸甜娇娇！糙汉抱回家当老婆 Sweet Kitty Ya甜猫儿吖Modern Romance355k WordsCompleted [Alluring fox spirit + rugged architect] Bai Yaoyao was an 800-year-old little pink fox. After sneaking some of her older brother’s love potion, she stumbled, dazed, into the cycle of reincarnation and ended up in a modern city! There was so little spiritual energy in the modern world that Bai Yaoyao couldn’t easily take human form. She could only stay in her fox body and become the pet of a rugged stall owner who sold fried noodles! Because of the love potion, something went wrong with Bai Yao 1.6kReads9.2Score239Shelves
26. 26 美 The Beautiful Yet Broken Woman Was Reborn, Only to Be Hounded by the Sickly Rong Ye 美强惨重生后，被病态容爷缠哭了 Jin Miao锦淼Modern Romance523k WordsCompleted [Rebirth + strong heroine + secret identities + true and fake heiress + sweet romance + adorable child + never taking things lying down] In her previous life, Yu Hua was the real heiress. After eighteen years of hardship, she was finally brought home, only for her parents and four older brothers to dote on the fake heiress, Yu Jiangyue, and treat Yu Hua like dirt. Even the first man she fell for was Yu Jiangyue's childhood sweetheart. In the end, she was even forced to marry Rong Yanzhi, the ter 4.7kReads8.9Score498Shelves

    Reader note

    These two books are a must-read

27. 27 穿 I Became a Rich Heiress in Beijing: What's Wrong with Being a Little Extravagant? 穿成京圈大小姐，豪横亿点怎么了 White Mustard Seed Fire白芥子火Modern Romance551k WordsCompleted [Transmigrate into a book + sweet, satisfying revenge on scumbags + heiress of the capital’s elite + one-on-one, both leads inexperienced + CEO + villain] Meng Qingyao transmigrated into a book. She became a domineering, arrogant, lawless heiress from the capital’s elite circle. Meng Qingyao was thrilled. Could a good life like this really fall into her lap? When people get rich, the first thing they forget is where they came from. That very night, Meng Qingyao took the most handsome man in the 3.6kReads8.3Score288Shelves
28. 28 青 Green Hills Like Jade 青山似玉 Agate Squire玛瑙员外Modern Romance386k WordsCompleted (The print edition is now available) [Love after marriage, age gap, slow-burn everyday sweetness] *A gentle beauty from a family of scholars × a refined, fatherly man *A comic artist with a billion in assets × an influential Beijing aristocrat and chamber of commerce chairman Chu Shuang knew from childhood that she was promised to the Sheng family of the imperial capital, but she had never met her fiancé. Later, by a twist of fate, she moved into the Sheng residence and met her friend’s older br 136.6kReads9.5Score15.8kShelves

    Reader note

    I don't think it was a marriage of convenience that blossomed into love. I watched it a long, long time ago, so I don't remember exactly, but it was pretty good anyway.

29. 29 惊 Shocking! The Secret Identity Big Shot Takes the White Lotus Down From Every Angle 惊！马甲大佬她对白莲花横踢竖卷 Yu of the Three-Tiered Tower三重楼喻Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Publishing deal signed] [Satisfying revenge, lighthearted comedy, secret identities, putting scumbags in their place, a quirky and formidable mercenary boss VS a principled young heir from Beijing’s elite circles, devoted heroine] At their first meeting, Shu Lan shoots Lu Jinhan and leaves him badly wounded. She chases him all the way back to China, then becomes an ordinary university student. He runs, she chases; he has nowhere to hide. She’s the world’s number-one mercenary king! She’s a foun 56kReads9.5Score6.6kShelves
30. 30 先 Marriage Before Love: The Fiery Bride 先婚后爱：娇妻不好惹 Nan Xin南心Modern Romance491k WordsOngoing Ji Duoyu used to seem cold on the outside, though inside she was terribly fragile, until she met him. When Ji Duoyu graduated, she picked up a husband and got married along the way. Who knew her husband would be so clingy after the wedding? Wow, with a face that handsome, how could anyone say no? What should she do? Gu Tingmo: Why didn’t you reply to my message? Ji Duoyu: I didn’t see it. Gu Tingmo: You’re lying. It clearly says you read it. Gu Tingmo crouched in the corner, gazing at Ji Duoyu w 2Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    Both are marriages of convenience that blossom into love; the CEO/CEO storyline.

31. 31 至 Beloved and Spoiled 至爱偏宠 Xia Qibao夏柒宝Modern Romance473k WordsCompleted “Easygoing heiress × gentle, refined second young master. Both leads are devoted only to each other, sweet romance, you won’t regret picking this up!” Wen Ruoshu never expected that the reason she’d return to the capital one day would be an arranged marriage! But it was only an arranged marriage, and she could accept that. As for whom she married, she didn’t particularly care. After all, as far as she was concerned, anything that didn’t threaten her life was a minor matter. They had agreed on a 5.2kReads8.9Score527Shelves
32. 32 惊 What?! The Beautiful Girl Woke Up to Find Her Child Was Three! 惊！美少女一觉醒来孩子三岁！ Yu Yier余宜尔Modern Romance268k WordsCompleted [Published print edition: Nian Nian Xiang Xu] [Both leads' first love + adorable child + CEO + sweet romance + healing + villain] Original title: What?! A Beautiful Young Woman Woke Up to Find Her Child Was Three! At eighteen, Xu Chuniann confessed her feelings to her crush. After a night of drinking, she woke up six years in the future. From what she could tell, her twenty-four-year-old self was difficult and capricious. Her husband, whom she had secretly loved for years, had given up on her, a 44.1kReads9.2Score5.3kShelves

    Reader note

    This might satisfy your idea.

33. 33 京 The Ninth Master of the Capital’s Reborn Little Rose: Alluring Yet Obedient 京圈九爷的重生小玫瑰，又欲又乖 Eating Tomatoes Without Gaining Weight吃番茄不长胖Modern Romance652k WordsCompleted A short drama adapted from the author's novel Late Night, Don't Say My Name is now available. [Reborn romance + long-planned scheme + obsessive second male lead pursues his wife + the Ninth Lord takes the lead] In her previous life, Meng Mingxuan misunderstood the Ninth Lord, who doted on and loved her, believing he and her older sister were in a tragic love affair. She did everything she could to flee his side and married Yin Ting, a poor man whose profile resembled the Ninth Lord's. In the end 32.2kReads9.3Score10.2kShelves

    Reader note

    This one is a bit bittersweet, but not really angsty.

34. 34 顾 President Gu, Let Go. Is Stealing Someone’s Partner Really That Fun? 顾总，放手吧，撬墙角有意思吗？ Xi Wenjin席文锦Modern Romance146k WordsCompleted Yan Yu was a senior in college. She had been by Gu Fengchen's side since her freshman year. Three years later, the woman he was supposed to marry for the sake of an alliance returned and reminded Yan Yu that it was time for her to leave. Keeping her pregnancy a secret, Yan Yu left without making a fuss. She thought they could part ways in peace, but the man changed his mind and built an emotional cage for her, determined to lock her away. She struck first and smashed the cage. “We were both gett 1Reads—Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    I recommend this book; please support it if you like it.

35. 35 冷 Three Years of a Cold Marriage: Second Young Master Mu Regrets It 冷婚三年，慕二少后悔了 Quiet Pisces恬静的双鱼座Modern Romance334k WordsCompleted [Marriage Before Love] + [Tension That Pushes to the Limit] + [The Husband Chases His Wife to the Crematorium] + [Both Leads Are Each Other’s Only One] Cool, calculating talent agent VS carefree heir to a wealthy family Mu Shaobai and Yun Shang have been married for three years. Every so often, he brings a different woman home, and Yun Shang never gets angry. Everyone in Jiangcheng knows that the carefree Second Young Master Mu doesn’t love his wife, but Yun Shang has never cared. Even without h 1.1kReads8.2Score—Shelves

    Reader note

    New book recommendation!!! A cold and calculating female agent × a carefree and irresponsible rich young master. The young master is handsome and unrestrained, and the tension between them in their arranged marriage that blossoms into love is off the charts! High-energy from the start 🥰🥰🥰

36. 36 春 Lingering Warmth on a Spring Night 春夜余温 Chen Ruozhou陈若舟Modern Romance348k WordsCompleted Multiple short drama adaptations are now available. The story features a reunion after years apart, rekindled love, a devoted couple, and sweet married life. A beautiful, down-on-her-luck heiress x a powerful man who loves her deeply but keeps his feelings buried. In high school: a proud rich girl x a cool, poor boy. Wen Yu reunited with Song Qingshu at the lowest point in her life. The poor boy she'd once dumped had become the chairman of a publicly listed group worth tens of billions. Wearing 67.9kReads9.3Score8.7kShelves

    Reader note

    I love it! It's really good, I recommend it!

37. 37 潇 The Late Sound of Drizzling Rain 潇潇雨声迟 Meng Zhiwan孟栀晚Modern Romance120k WordsCompleted Years after graduation, a gossip post begins circulating on the message board for City Experimental School. The school's 2011 beauty, Ye Xiao, and its most handsome boy from the same year, Ruan Yusheng, are a couple. Their classmates, who know them well, rush over to set the record straight: it's pure rumor. There was never any spark between the two of them. Ye Xiao's profile even says, “Person I hate most: Ruan Yusheng.” People in the know go so far as to say, “Ye Xiao feels nothing but hatred 81.1kReads9.7Score14.1kShelves
38. 38 野 Wild Grass Is No Moonlight in His Heart 野草不是白月光 Innocent Green天真无邪绿Modern Romance468k WordsCompleted Now available in print [A story of a woman’s growth. The male lead has a childhood sweetheart who is almost his girlfriend early on; they reunite after a long separation.] Sui He was a weed. She was poor, vain, sensitive, and calculating. Her only wish was to get into a good school, then earn and spend her own money. She knew Shen Que came from a different world. His family was well-off, he had lots of friends, he was good at school, and girls liked him… He would never understand why she was so 52.2kReads9.1Score6.2kShelves
39. 39 春 Spring and Moonlight 春与月光 Parting Words诀别词Modern Romance116k WordsCompleted [A Million Readers' Highly Praised Favorite! Childhood Friends / Secret Crush Comes True / Tension Builds / One-on-One, Sweet Romance!] After a family crisis, Zhou Yue temporarily moves in with Lin Qi. The two grew up together and have always been close. Zhou Yue's striking looks and height, along with his excellent grades, make him the center of attention. As everyone keeps probing, Lin Qi repeatedly insists otherwise. What Lin Qi doesn't know is that, in Zhou Yue's heart, he built himself a ga 41.3kReads9.7Score5.7kShelves
40. 40 暗 The Sad Little Thing Called Unrequited Love 暗恋这件难过的小事 Meng Zhiwan孟栀晚Modern Romance122k WordsCompleted Lin Xu has a crush on the popular boy Ye Feng, and she remembers countless little details about him. Every day, Lin Xu times her departure down to the second, getting dressed and putting on her shoes in a hurry, all for the chance to catch a fleeting glimpse of his back. The music playing during the long break outside her classroom is Xu Song’s “Moon over Luzhou.” Lin Xu knows it’s the favorite song of Ye Feng, the school radio station’s announcer. Lin Xu has even stayed up all night organizing 77.1kReads9.7Score13.5kShelves
41. 41 你 You Watch Her Perform, I’ll Announce Our Divorce 你看她表演，我公告离婚 Little Sister Won't Listen妹妹不听话Modern Romance453k WordsCompleted Tomatoes are the most satisfying! The hero and second male lead get divorced The male lead watches the green tea put on a show, while the heroine goes straight to the newspapers and announces their divorce! A powerful financial magnate * a young lady whose family has fallen on hard times Married first, love later * both leads are sexually inexperienced Every male character in the story is a virgin, whether he's the second or third male lead... Xu Qing'an married Shen Yuanyuan simply because he t 11kReads7.1Score322Shelves

    Reader note

    Tomato is the most satisfying! The most cathartic! A story where the male lead and male supporting character are divorced! The opening chapter is agonizing for the female lead: the male lead hasn't touched her in a year of marriage, then turns off his phone to watch a scheming woman's performance, causing her car accident! The female lead immediately announces her divorce and disappears! The news of the divorce announcement trended on social media for three days! The male lead is heartbroken, experiencing a agonizing, desperate chase after his wife...

42. 42 怀 Pregnant with Triplets, I Was Hunted by the Empire’s Richest Man 怀了三胞胎后，我被帝国首富通缉 Longing Like Snow相思如雪Modern Romance1.0M WordsCompleted [Adorable baby + secret identities + everyone dotes on her + strong heroine + sweet romance] Five years ago, Mu Hanyan unexpectedly became pregnant and was disgraced. Five years later, she returned in triumph with her genius little darling, only to be pampered beyond measure by the richest man in the empire. While she was busy revealing her secret identities and making countless powerful figures call her “Daddy,” Lord Huo was busy doting on his wife in every way and showing off their love: “My Y 5.8kReads9.4Score1.1kShelves

    Reader note

    Please bear with this for now; some parts have been made into short dramas. I've been binge-watching dramas for the past few months and haven't had time to read properly 🤦

43. 43 和 After Moving in with My Childhood Friend’s Younger Brother, He Flirted Me Senseless 和竹马弟弟同居后，我被撩疯了 Tu Xiaoli涂小璃Modern Romance133k WordsCompleted [Older woman and younger man, childhood sweethearts, one-on-one romance, both virgins, long-planned pursuit] During graduation season, Chi Xia’s childhood friend, whom she hadn’t seen in years, came to stay with her. He took care of all the housework and was so sweet and considerate that Chi Xia could just lie flat. Who knew that come nightfall, Shao Zeyan would turn into a completely different person? First day: “I’m upset, Sis. Cheer me up.” Second day: “Sis, I’m scared of thunder. Stay with m 8.8kReads9.3Score1.1kShelves
44. 44 不 I’m Done Chasing Him. I’m Turning Around to Marry My Childhood Friend 不舔了，转身就和竹马领婚书 A Whole Basket of Sweet Buns甜饼一大筐Ancient Romance255k WordsCompleted [Childhood sweethearts + the second male lead's unrequited love comes true + scumbag chases his ex in a groveling arc + devoted 1v1] After four years of pursuing him, the orphan Zhen Bao thinks she's finally won the heart of her fiance, Zhou Jinnian, only to witness him get engaged to Liu Ruyan, the daughter of a powerful minister. The Liu family's legitimate daughter confronts him in the street. “I hear there's a Miss Zhen at your residence?” Zhou Jinnian sneers. “She's just a bedchamber maid.” 487Reads8.2Score—Shelves
45. 45 娇 The Pampered Madam 娇宠夫人 A Journey Through Mountains and Seas山海一程Ancient Romance333k WordsCompleted Su Yuan was born into the Great Sheng Dynasty, where people prized slender figures. But when she grew up, she was a voluptuous beauty, which made it difficult for her to find a husband. Then, after being selected as a concubine, she was assigned to Prince Qin, Pei Jingheng. Since she was here, she decided to make the best of it. Su Yuan planned to shut the door and live a quiet life of her own. She hadn't expected Pei Jingheng to be handsome and perceptive, with no prejudice against her, even th 27.7kReads9.1Score2.4kShelves
46. 46 妹 My Sister Was Reborn and Stole My Wedding? She Can Have It! 妹妹重生抢我婚事？让给她！ Idle Aristocrat富贵闲人儿Ancient Romance272k WordsCompleted [Both leads are reborn + wish fulfillment + face-slapping and revenge on scumbags + married first, love later + winning her back after marriage + face-slapping and realizing she's wonderful] In her previous life, Sheng Zhile married down to a poor scholar who had passed the palace examination, while her younger sister married into a marquis's family as the heir's wife. Who could have known that the scholar she married would rise step by step, eventually joining the Grand Secretariat and making 3.6kReads8.5Score347Shelves
47. 47 撩 After Flirting with the School Hunk's Nemesis, He Turned the Tables on Me 撩了校草死对头后，他反攻了 Moon Toast酹月Modern Romance220k WordsCompleted [Rebirth / school life / goofy comedy / healing / everyone's darling / sweet romance] [Sweet, seemingly innocent girl with a hidden edge x arrogant, sharp-tongued young master] Ruan Wu and Shen Yehui spent years loving and fighting each other, and eventually made it to the altar. But on their wedding night, Ruan Wu was reborn! She opened her eyes and found herself back at eighteen. Back then, Shen Yehui was still the school's most famous heartthrob, every girl's dream guy. Most importantly, he w 4.7kReads9.3Score637Shelves
48. 48 娇 Tender Allure 娇引 Yun Zijin妘子衿Modern Romance203k WordsCompleted [The print edition of A Captivating Temptation is now available] [Sweet romance in Beijing’s elite circles, both leads are devoted only to each other] A refined, aloof, secretly seductive big shot × a wild, rebellious young heiress with a wicked streak! Seduction! Tension! A long-planned pursuit! The first time they met, Wen Yu played Beijing power player Pei Yi. He saw right through her. “Don’t want to take responsibility?” The second time, Wen Yu barged into the restroom and caught a glimpse o 16.7kReads9.2Score2kShelves
49. 49 二 A Second Military Marriage: Lucky to Meet, Perfectly in Sync 二度军婚，有幸遇见，恰好合拍 Sweet Rice Wine Egg甜酒酿蛋Modern Romance137k WordsCompleted [Short sweet romance, no getting back together after the breakup, long-planned pursuit, the second male lead wins] Li Li never imagined that one day Gu Sanshao, who had cherished her like a treasure, would bring another woman home and ask to end their marriage. How ridiculous. They’d already gotten divorced, yet still had to pretend to be a loving couple in front of his grandfather. So Li Li joined the military. “Gu Huai, you’re not the only one who can leave. I can disappear without a return 7.2kReads9.2Score773Shelves
50. 50 好 Such a Good Girl 好一个乖乖女 I Took Great Pains我煞费苦心Modern Romance361k WordsCompleted [Print edition signed] [Short drama now streaming] [Sweet romance with a touch of angst] [Fake-good, scheming heroine x domineering wealthy tyrant] [Both leads are each other’s only one] Duan Xiuming first met Lu Mingyu at a wedding. She was stunningly beautiful, yet looked like a well-behaved good girl, sitting off to the side and painting because someone had told her to. “Boring woman,” he judged. But in the blink of an eye, Lu Mingyu gave him a huge surprise! She destroyed her painting and co 30.9kReads9.5Score4.1kShelves

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