Mutual Pining with a Bad Ending 男女暗恋be

1. 1 清 Qingqing: The Aesthetics of Unrequited Love Tragedies, Part 3 清清（暗恋BE美学三部曲03） Meng Zhiwan孟栀晚Urban125k WordsCompleted Back in middle school, Xie Zeyang met Shen Bingqing. Their names were almost the opposite of their natures: he was as cold as ice, while she burned bright as the sun. He could still vaguely recall every time they parted when they were young. At thirteen, beneath the lights at the entrance to an alley. She waved with a radiant smile and said to him, “See you tomorrow, class monitor!” At seventeen, on the beach on a midsummer night. She poked her head out of the tent, eyes crinkling as she called 23.5kReads9.6Score5.8k14d adds

   Reader note

   These four books are truly pure love stories. The two characters clearly like each other, but in the end, they can't be together. It's so heartbreaking; the author writes so realistically.

2. 2 暗 This Grand, Silent Drama of Unrequited Love 暗恋这场声势浩大的哑剧 Meng Zhiwan孟栀晚Modern Romance126k WordsCompleted A bittersweet youthful school romance about unrequited love from popular author Meng Zhiwan, and a companion novel to The Sad Little Thing Called a Secret Crush and The Late Sound of Drizzling Rain. This one-sided love story is a silent play with just one actor: me. Also known as The Moment I Speak, My Voice Disappears. Lonely girl Chen Ji VS sunny boy Lin Jingye. I carefully cherished you, and you became the only spring I ever had in my life. “Chen Ji, may you always be safe and well, overcome 20.9kReads9.6Score4.2k14d adds
3. 3 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 79.3kReads9.7Score13.8k14d adds
4. 4 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 80.8kReads9.7Score14.1k14d adds
5. 5 她 Her Ninth Year 她的第九年 Mo Wen Sheng墨文笙Modern Romance164k WordsCompleted The rating has just come in, but it’ll go up later~ ❤️ [Quiet and reserved Li Wu × gifted Chen Yi] In the splendor of youth, she once loved someone. When she saw him win an award, she felt proud; when she saw him smile, she was happy. She kept a little star hidden away for year after year. At the freshman welcome ceremony in late August, he wore a simple white T-shirt and black track pants. His eyes crinkled with a smile, and his clear, cool voice rang in her ears. In an instant, her cheeks flu 703Reads8.2Score—14d adds

   Reader note

   Unrequited love story (BE)

6. 6 病 Spring Returns to the Branches of a Sick Tree 病树枝头又逢春 Sweet Melon甜甜的瓜Ancient Romance476k WordsCompleted [Print edition now available] Sang Nian accidentally climbs into the world of cultivation and becomes the vicious supporting female character who meets a tragic end in the book. System: Your mission is to marry the male supporting character, Xie Chenzhou, abuse him, humiliate him, and then get killed by him. Sang Nian: OK (brandishes little whip) (hits herself) (collapses with a thud) System: (silence) (stares at the sky) System: Mission changed. Win him over, or go mine coal. Sang Nian: (smiles 183.4kReads9.5Score25.3k14d adds
7. 7 他 He Just Doesn't Like Me That Much 他只是没那么喜欢我 Coconut Watermelon椰椰西瓜Modern Romance112k WordsCompleted [Campus Tragedy] Sensitive girl x genius boy He was the bright, sunny boy who became the main character of my youth. His charming eyes left me dazzled for a long time. I knew he might have felt only the slightest bit of affection for me, and that I was just a passerby in his life. But it didn’t matter. Even if he hurt me ten thousand times, I would still like him. He always told me I would meet someone better, but I knew there could never be another him. As they walked down a path, they shared 1.5kReads—Score12414d adds
8. 8 深 Hidden in Late Winter 深藏晚冬 Autumn Chill秋日凉Modern Romance351k WordsCompleted [Signed for publication] [Two top students + love that grows over time + youth and school days + angst] Gentle, sweet girl × jealous, cocky boy * At sixteen, he said he wanted to become a police officer and protect the people. She said she wanted to become a doctor and save lives. * At seventeen, he said, “We met in winter, Wen Yu. We'll spend so many more winters together. Take care of this white camellia for me for now.” The wind lifted the hem of the boy's coat, and his eyes shone. So she rem 2.7kReads9.3Score54614d adds
9. 9 我 I Only Sneaked a Glance at Him 我只偷看他一眼 Zhi Jiu枝玖Anime Fanfiction188k WordsCompleted During the speech by the freshman class representative, Chen Nan fell for Lu Xu at first sight, and for the rest of her life. The pink sunset beyond the window filled the entire sky, like a beautiful landscape painting. The clouds looked drunk, their cheeks flushed with color. Chen Nan held her breath and stole a sidelong glance at Lu Xu. His profile was youthful and striking, and he held his book with perfect posture. A ray of light fell on the yellowed pages, and touched him as well. The dayli 16.8kReads9.6Score3.8k14d adds

   Reader note

   In the campus romance genre, Meng Zhiwan is incredibly strong. Her first, second, and third books are all based on her personal experiences. The first book is based on the author's own experiences, the second on her own experiences, and the third on her own experiences. They're truly amazing; you'll be reeling for days after reading them. As for the fourth book, I personally think it's not too disappointing. The male lead and the second female lead are both very good people, like Zhang Lurang and Su Zaizai. The female lead is a quiet, unassuming person who secretly loves Zhang Lurang, and she's a very good person herself. There are no melodramatic plot twists; I think this is the most realistic portrayal of unrequited love. I highly recommend it!

10. 10 春 A Spring Rose’s Confession 春日玫瑰的告白 Mi You宓柚Modern Romance103k WordsCompleted This is my first time writing, so my prose may not be very good. If that bothers you, please take this as a warning. [Youthful school story ✘ angst] [Genius girl Meng Xi ✘ golden boy Song Chi] “Spring comes late, while spring scenery flourishes.” At fifteen, Meng Xi met Song Chi, a boy she both disliked and admired. “Hey, do you know where Meng Xi in our class is?” The setting sun appeared and disappeared on the horizon, its orange light spilling over them. The boy smiled awkwardly, and when she 149Reads—Score10714d adds
11. 11 最 The Last Diary Entry 最后一篇日记 Sui Ying随楹Modern Romance13k WordsCompleted [Simplified Chinese edition signed for publication] I only used looking at the flowers as an excuse. All I really wanted was to see you once. 26.4kReads9.1Score4.7k14d adds
12. 12 你 You Broke Your Promise 你失信了 Shi Qingyao十清杳Modern Romance138k WordsCompleted The acclaimed signature work You Broke Your Promise by popular author Shi Qingyao, now with 40,000 new words of never-before-published content! Sensitive girl Xiang Yu VS golden boy Song Huaishi. I had to play out the whole secret-crush story, so I loved him year after year. It was an ordinary day. Just as she closed her eyes, Xiang Yu suddenly thought of Song Huaishi: Song Huaishi, neat in his clothes and radiating warmth. Song Huaishi at seventeen. Still in his school uniform, he leaned lazily 68.9kReads9.5Score12.5k14d adds
13. 13 鲸 Whale Fall into the Abyss 鲸落深渊 The Evil Dragon Blows Bubbles恶龙吹泡泡Two Male Leads39k WordsCompleted Little fish, little fish, may you swim out of the abyss soon. His younger brother, whom he had raised by hand despite no blood relation, sent him to a detention center for two years to “set him straight” and told him to come out once he was normal. Those two years were a nightmare that devoured him, one he could never wake from. His body and mind were tormented, his feelings worn away, and he was trained into numb, hopeless submission. “Knowing you raised me makes me sick. Why don’t you just die 23kReads8.1Score4k14d adds
14. 14 风 Is the Wind Still Blowing? 风还在吹吗 T Steals Sesame BunsT偷麻头Modern Romance321k WordsCompleted [Bisexual, Mutual Secret Crush] [Male Lead Dies/Female Lead Dies for Love] Their similar names were a red thread secretly tied by the Matchmaker. Chen Shuye often felt secretly delighted by how much her name resembled Cheng Shuye's. Their similar names seemed to draw them closer and deepen their bond. In their senior year of high school, he said, “Chen Shuye, I’ve helped you so many times. So, can I copy your college application form?” Chen Shuye smiled. “Sure.” But after she called the police 3.6kReads9.2Score84314d adds
15. 15 梧 The Wutong Tree Is Half Dead, and Jiang Yu Knows Nan 梧桐半死江遇楠知 Off to the Spring of February赴二月春Modern Romance211k WordsCompleted [Healing + dual perspectives + BE] Su Nan’s life was miserable from the very beginning. She was born carrying a heavy burden, and even her name had been chosen for her younger brother’s sake. From a young age, Su Nan knew she was unwanted, so she tried her best to be sensible and obedient, hoping to earn their approval. Instead, she got beaten by her father when he was drunk, her mother’s fearful resentment, her grandmother’s vicious insults, and her younger brother’s endless malice. Until she w 102Reads—Score—14d adds
16. 16 以 I Offer My Devotion to the Passing Years 以我深情祭岁月 Er Qiao二乔Modern Romance324k WordsCompleted [The physical book with the same title is now available] “I hesitated once. I turned back to face the slightest glimmer of hope, yet no one cared.” “Later, a thick fog rolled in. You said you loved me so much, but why was your love thinner than the fog, so faint I could barely see it?” Shen Nian 74.3kReads9.4Score6.7k14d adds
17. 17 暗 Secret Love Is Like a Green Plum 暗恋好似一颗青梅果 Xiaoxiang Qimin潇湘祈敏Modern Romance102k WordsCompleted A heartbreaking BE that will make you cry your eyes out: youthful angst, unrequited love, and bittersweet longing Xia Xi's youth was shrouded in gray. Her parents' endless arguments, her classmates' distance, and the chains of social anxiety left her like a shadow in the corner, silent and invisible. That changed in her first year of high school, when the sunny Shen Yiqing became her desk mate. Cheerful and kind, he was a ray of light piercing her gloomy world. He taught her to be brave and help 5.9kReads8.6Score1.3k14d adds
18. 18 戒 Diary from a Conversion Therapy Center 戒同所日记 Youthful Years, Thinking of the Brocade Zither华年思锦瑟Two Male Leads29k WordsCompleted A diary recording the final two months of my life... Maybe I'm just not meant to be loved. Otherwise, why would everyone who loved me leave? 12.6kReads8.2Score2.4k14d adds
19. 19 堕 Fallen 堕 Sister Corpse尸姐Modern Romance59k WordsCompleted That year, I was twenty-nine, and Mo Huai was thirteen. When I, someone who no longer wanted to live, met him, someone else who no longer wanted to live, we somehow found the strength to keep going, at least for a little while. So we decided to rely on each other and make it through together. 43.9kReads9.6Score5.2k14d adds
20. 20 别 Don’t Keep Your Crush on Me a Secret 别暗恋我呀 Ming Zhijiu明之九Modern Romance154k WordsCompleted The print edition goes on sale September 27 at 7:30 p.m.!! [College campus + Rekindled love + A mix of sweet and angsty + The male lead isn't a jerk] In that hopeless, dark crush, Yu Xia always saw herself as plain and unworthy. She had seen Chen Wang stride across the court, carefree and cocky. She had also seen his distant, indifferent smile when he received love letters. And she'd seen the string of girls in his arms, one after another. Every version of Chen Wang she'd seen was someone she co 5.8kReads9.1Score64114d adds
21. 21 等 Waiting for Winter to End, Longing for Spring 等冬尽，盼春来 Xiaoxiang Qimin潇湘祈敏Modern Romance187k WordsCompleted Youthful Heartbreak | BE Aesthetics | Mutual Redemption | Fated by Life and Death Lose 10 pounds just from reading this [Quiet, Resilient Girl × Wild, World-Weary School Bully] In 2012, in a seaside town, Jiang Sheng and Nan Siye meet in the rundown Nanyang residential compound. She is a silent lamb to the slaughter, bullied by her classmates. Her mother has left home to work, her father disappeared ten years ago and never returned, and she lives under someone else’s roof. He is the school bull 1.6kReads8.2Score50314d adds
22. 22 梧 Wutong Lane 梧桐巷 Song Che Doesn't Eat Fish宋澈不吃鱼Modern Romance174k WordsCompleted [Bright and kind-hearted Ning Wan x gentle genius Song Qingyan] [Love at first sight + Secret love comes true + Youthful heartache + BE] When the innocent, sunny Ning Wan fell in love with Song Qingyan at first sight, he was the golden boy in everyone's eyes. She wrote her secret feelings in her diary, planning to keep them to herself. By a twist of fate, Song Qingyan became her temporary guardian. During the days when she was ostracized and bullied, he became the light in her life. She held on 27.6kReads9.6Score6.2k14d adds
23. 23 赤 Scarlet Farewell 赤别 Shi Qingyao十清杳Modern Romance138k WordsCompleted The signature youth BE romance by popular author Shi Qingyao. Sincere young Bei Jiang × cool, distant dream girl Nan Zhi. From the south to the north, one glance lasts a lifetime. Between her and her boy lie countless mountains they can never cross. When they first met, she smiled brightly. “My name is Nan Zhi. Nan as in south.” The boy looked up and gripped the hem of his shirt. “My name is Bei Jiang. Bei as in north.” They met for the first time in summer. The air was sultry, stirring the brig 2kReads9.4Score60114d adds
24. 24 学EN Don't Worry, Senior—I'll Protect You 学姐别怕，我来保护你 Gege Wuwu隔胳呜呜Urban3.0M WordsCompleted [Heart-Pounding Engine 2: Pure White Love Letter has been published] [Lighthearted daily life] + [Single female lead] + [No System] + [Not reborn] + [Sweet romance] In high school, Luo Ye had a secret crush on a girl for three years. He even got into the same university as her, and they agreed to start dating if they both got in. But the girl unexpectedly went back on her word. Heartbroken, Luo Ye became a romance novelist. Unexpectedly, before university even began, the novel he wrote shot to t 312.7kReads9.8Score31.4k14d adds

    Reader note

    From unrequited love to mutual devotion, this is the pinnacle of romance fiction; I've witnessed the most brilliant constellations in the world of love stories.

25. 25 等 Waiting for the Moon to Fall 等月亮坠落 Parting Year After Year岁岁别离Modern Romance215k WordsCompleted (The physical book of the same title is now available.) [Sweet healing romance + reunion after a long separation + secret crush comes true + devoted couple with mutual fidelity] A gentle novelist with social anxiety VS a cocky, charming criminal police officer What's it like to see again the person you fell for when you were young? - Back in school, Su Sui had a huge crush on a boy. He was the shining star everyone adored, so she hid her little feelings deep in her heart. She secretly wrote him 22.4kReads9.4Score4k14d adds

    Reader note

    It has both sweet and heartbreaking moments, and ultimately ends in a tragic ending.

26. 26 暗 Loving You in Secret Was My Choice 暗恋你，是我的选择 A Thousand Words语千言Modern Romance111k WordsCompleted [Lin Mengchu: sweet and adorable on the outside, rational and clear-headed top student on the inside VS Gu Shiyi: seemingly roguish and rakish, but actually a warmhearted, devoted voice actor] It’s a BE, a BE, a BE. We’re saying it three times because it’s important!!! The tags may say youthful sweet romance, but that doesn’t change the fact that the ending is an absolute BE! School life in the first half, life in society in the second. Though we’ve never met, I’ve been in love with you for 9Reads—Score—14d adds
27. 27 停 Stuck at Seventeen 停留十七岁那年 What Makes the Heart Flutter心什么动Modern Romance242k WordsCompleted [Campus romance × Youth × Mutual unrequited love × Heartbreak] Cold, rebellious boy × Sweet, well-behaved honor student * [Xie Yixiao was born wild and unruly, proud and untamed. Yet somehow, this boy fell in love with a good student from a broken home, a quiet, sweet, and sensible girl.] * [Ye Mian came from an incomplete family. Her parents weren't around when she was growing up. Then, when she was six, she learned that both of them had died. She was raised by her grandmother.] * [To part beca 2.8kReads7.2Score26614d adds

    Reader note

    It's really good! Highly recommended.

28. 28 藏 Hidden in Midsummer 藏于盛夏 Autumn Chill秋日凉Modern Romance308k WordsCompleted A heads-up before you start ❗️: One of the side couples is a gay couple, so please skip this if that bothers you. [The print edition under the same title is now available] [Healing × Love that grows over time × Angsty school romance] Sweet, gentle, well-behaved student × rebellious, handsome bad boy That midsummer seemed hotter than any before. The girl in the graduation photo smiled sweetly, with a boy in a white shirt grinning boldly behind her. They met in midsummer, and parted in midsummer t 84.2kReads9.6Score14.8k14d adds

    Reader note

    The first book is about mutual unrequited love; it's my number one.

29. 29 被 A Heartthrob Takes Over His Body, and the Timid Doormat Takes the Whole School by Storm 被男神魂穿，软糯受气包飒翻全校 One Bored Rich Lady无聊富婆一枚Modern Romance231k WordsOngoing The refined, scheming crown prince VS the soft, timid little bunny with an inferiority complex Healing | Unrequited Love Comes True | Soul Transmigration | Reborn and Pursuing His Wife Xie Yanci opens his eyes and finds that he has transmigrated into someone else’s body! He has ended up in the body of Song Qiwan, a girl who lets everyone walk all over her. The girl clutches a diary filled with his name as her bullies pin her down in the restroom and pour dirty water over her head. The school’s 3Reads—Score114d adds

    Reader note

    🙌A refined yet cunning school heartthrob transmigrates into the body of his own little fangirl. While helping her take revenge and turn the tables, he also relentlessly rejects his own deep affection. His inner monologue is both arrogant and hilarious, making his character incredibly adorable!

Other lists with Qingqing: The Aesthetics of Unrequited Love Tragedies, Part 3