Novels like Buying Watermelons from the Start: I Began by Playing a Gang Boss and Controlling Ghosts
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Buying Watermelons from the Start: I Began by Playing a Gang Boss and Controlling Ghosts, best match first.
- 1 Small-Town Nobody: Reunited After a Thousand Years 小人物：重逢千年 The underworld is mine to rule! I’m Xu Jian, an insignificant nobody from Licheng. I thought I’d spend my whole life that way. Fortunately, I met a group of brothers who would stick by me through life and death. Since the turn of the century, we’ve fought across the north and south, east and west. A young man should set his sights high, mount a fine steed, and ride across the plains. Over twenty years of trials and storms, I rose from the bottom of society to build an empire in the north! A thou 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 2 I Just Transmigrated, and Now I'm a Gang Boss 刚穿越，就成了帮派大佬 It all starts with a misunderstanding. The gravely wounded Blackwater Gang boss points at Su Ye and says, “He... he stabbed me in the stomach. Kill him...” The hard-of-hearing underlings interrupt the boss mid-sentence: “Got it. He'll take your place. Boss, go in peace. We'll help him rise to power and kill your enemies.” The boss is so angry he dies on the spot, and Su Ye somehow goes from an ordinary passerby to the boss of a local power. 139Reads—Score—14d adds
- 3 The Wolf: A Northeast Gangster 狼性：东北老炮儿 The men of Northeast China are wolves, with wildness in their very bones. The old-school tough guys of the Northeast are a pack of wolves, with an untamed stubbornness running through their veins. I want to tell the story of this pack of wolves, and share it with everyone, because they embody the mark of an era. 260Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 4 A Long Road for a Lifetime 长路终生 The untold stories of the modern underworld, filled with love, family bonds, and friendship. This is the story of someone who endures a life of hardship and trials. I hope you'll show your support. I'm a new writer, so please be patient and offer advice on what I've done well and what I can improve. 64Reads6.8Score—14d adds
- 5 Urban Dragon in Hiding: I'm a Legend 都市潜龙：我就是传奇 In the underworld, whoever has the hardest Dragon-Head Staff is king! Some say that stepping into the underworld is like drawing a bad lot. In the end, you either die on the run or meet a grisly end in the street. I'm Guan Pan, nicknamed Judge! The future belongs to us young people! Youth means being wild, and ambition can take you anywhere! Liu Huaqiang once said: “If you're not hot-blooded, are you even young?” Young people leap through the Dragon Gate, their lives rising and falling! The dark 319Reads6.0Score—14d adds
- 6 Tales of the Purple Robe 紫衫异闻录 “I taught you martial arts. I didn’t teach you how to be decent people.” [Unconventional strong female lead + urban fantasy + martial arts + supernatural + technology + suspense + romance + political intrigue + a richly detailed world] “The essence of traditional Chinese martial arts is being unable to hear a dog bark.” “Does acting cool not cost you anything?” “I’m grateful you thought so highly of my disciples that you injured them. If I didn’t give you a beating in return, I’d look like I had 444Reads—Score3714d adds
- 7 Godfather of Lancheng: Starting Out Hauling Cargo at the Docks 岚城教父：从码头杠包开始 [Underworld power plays + passion + no System + battles of wits + multiple heroines + unconventional twists] P.S. This is neither a mindless power fantasy nor a story about an invincible protagonist!!! Jiang Liechen arrives in Lanzhou and becomes the new leader of a gang. On day one, he punishes the wicked and beats a traitor to death. On day two, he wins over the gang leader’s wife and takes control of the gang. On day three, he purges both the underworld and the authorities, leaving his enemie —Reads9.2Score114d adds
- 8 Underground Emperor: Starting with Helping My Sister-in-Law Escape 地下皇帝：从带着大嫂跑路开始 [Korean Variety Show World + Transmigration + Ruthless Protagonist + System + Power Players + Bodies Before Hearts] Gangsters, chaebols, politicians... When countless charismatic characters converge in the same era, what kind of sparks will fly? One act ends and another begins. Watch as the protagonist stirs up the winds of change, commands the world with one hand, and climbs step by step to the summit... My name is Ding Xin. I keep my word! 19.3kReads8.8Score1.4k14d adds
- 9 The Knockout: Conquering Jinghai and Riding to Glory 狂飙：从制霸京海开始策马奔腾！ After transmigrating to Jinghai, Qin Mo faces the predicament before him. Qin Mo gets by on three things: breaking promises, betraying his brothers, and seducing… This world isn’t simply black or white. It’s a refined shade of gray. He drifts between black and white, sitting back to reap the rewards. Knowing the plot in advance, he decides to take over Bai Jinhan and acquire Jiangong, using Jinghai as his starting point. And so he begins to ride hard and fast! P.S. A crossover of film and televi —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 10 Hong Kong Dramas! I Have No Choice 港综！我没得选 Is Liang Kun my second uncle? Am I an illegitimate child of the Ni family? I want to make my own way. Someone gives me a chance? Do I even have the right to choose? When I try to turn back, I find no one behind me... 3kReads6.4Score10414d adds
- 11 Reborn in the Great Heist, the Black Gold Tycoon Strikes Back 重生大劫案，黑金大佬逆袭记 [Urban rebirth + System + underworld boss + ruthless + scheming] A down-and-out middle-aged man unexpectedly reborn 28 years into the past. Caught in a shocking bank heist, he activates the “Black Gold System.” “Go ahead and make more money. It'll all become my fortune sooner or later anyway. Hahaha!” … Notorious bandit Ye Zhihuan: “Who's tougher than me in the underworld? Lin Dong? Never mind, then.” King of Thieves Zhang Ziqiang: “I once stole 1.2 billion from Li, the richest man in the coun 11.1kReads7.9Score53414d adds
- 12 The Underworld Heiress Makes a Fierce Bodyguard 黑道千金猛保镖 [Underworld] + [Urban] + [Multiple Female Leads] + [Power Fantasy] [Not for readers under 18] Wang Meng rose from bodyguard to godfather of the underworld, unifying both the criminal and legitimate worlds. His was a life of power and grandeur. 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 13 When an Honest Man Picks Up a Knife 当老实人拿起刀 This is a straight-up crime-world novel! It does start with the protagonist being reborn, but after that, the story has nothing to do with being reborn! In short, the plot is ruthless, satisfying, and wild... The underworld here is all about fighting and killing, but also about human relationships and social rules! 22.4kReads9.1Score1.8k14d adds
- 14 Undercover, Reel Them In Already or I'll Become Utterly Corrupt! 卧底，再不收网我就恶贯满盈啦！ [Undercover in a gang + ruthless and decisive + no bleeding-heart heroine + no System + patriotic + special agent] Lu Chengfeng transmigrates to the year 2000 in a parallel world. After dropping out of police academy, he begins his life undercover. He rises quickly by preying on the criminals themselves. With a beautiful woman on his left and a rich wife on his right, he becomes so feared that even the ruthless gangsters blanch at the mention of his name. “I’m not the boss, so don’t call my wife 955Reads9.1Score19314d adds
- 15 Wolves and Brothers 狼与兄弟 The wolf may look cold and ruthless, but beneath that exterior lies boundless tenderness. He is willing to sacrifice himself for his family and brothers! Just like Wang Ying, the protagonist, his heart isn't cold. It's the way he looks down on worldly conventions that makes him seem that way! Like a wolf king, he can become the heart of any team, leading his brothers through life-or-death trials, never abandoning them! From the awkwardness of college days to the hardships of entering the working 7.2kReads9.3Score49214d adds
- 16 The King of Britain 不列颠之王 Lin Li wakes up in postwar Britain, having crossed into another world. No money? No problem. Raise oil prices by five points. No land? North America is the backyard. No people? Ever heard of specialized security forces? Watch Lin Li stir up the world and carve his path to becoming Britain's greatest ruler. 13.1kReads9.1Score1k14d adds
- 17 I’m a Gangster, and You Want Me to Fight Evil? 我是黑社会，你叫我除恶扬善？ The only supernatural element. A little martial arts is fine. This is a story about seeking justice for the people, with some political intrigue. It is not a mindless killing spree. The protagonist isn't a pushover: he punishes evil and rewards good, and the supporting characters aren't made unnaturally stupid. Fang Zheng transmigrates into the body of a small-time gang boss in a parallel world. He also awakens a "Killing Makes You Stronger" System. As long as he kills someone with a crime score 32.5kReads9.1Score3.1k14d adds
- 18 Tattooed, Fighting for Turf, and Wielding a Machete: The Spirit Medium 纹身干架抢地盘，拎砍刀的出马仙 [Underworld Turmoil] [Northeastern Chinese Style] [Tales of Spirit Mediums] After being gravely wounded in a gang fight, small-time hoodlum Lin Tianhua accidentally awakened the immortals his ancestors had worshipped, becoming a spirit medium. After a sudden upheaval, his boss fled and his enemies came after him. To survive, Lin Tianhua decided to form his own crew and become the boss. From then on, Lin Tianhua beat people up by day and killed ghosts by night. He made his way through both the un 1.1kReads9.3Score20714d adds
- 19 Hong Kong Films: Three Years in Prison! Boss Jingkun Has Been Killed 港片：苦窑三年！大佬靓坤被杀了 [Wish Fulfillment + Hong Kong Crime Drama Crossover + Multiple Heroines + Ruthless and Decisive] “Three years, then another three years? When my grandpa died, I was undercover in prison. It was Boss Keung who kept vigil and carried the funeral banner for him. Now my boss has been killed. I don’t care if I live or die. I’m going to make you all pay!” The day before his release from prison, Li Qing received the devastating news that Boss Keung had been killed. As an undercover cop, he finally went 1.8kReads9.0Score24914d adds
- 20 Strange Tales Livestream 怪谈直播间 The sound of meat being chopped eerily echoes through a bun shop in the dead of night. The passengers on the last bus all have the same face. On a freezing, rainy night, someone wearing funeral clothes wanders the streets... The Strange Tales livestream takes you deep into the hidden side of this world! 13.8kReads8.9Score1.2k14d adds
- 21 Terror Descends: This Big Brother Is a Little Too Powerful! 惊悚降临：这个大哥有亿点猛！ Chen Xuanbei, nicknamed Dizang, accidentally transmigrates to a parallel universe where the supernatural has descended. With the Ten Yama Kings tattooed across his body and a massive reaper’s scythe slung over his shoulder, Chen Xuanbei declares, “Sorry, everyone. I’m claiming this territory!” The Slit-Mouthed Woman: “Hello, police? Someone sewed my mouth shut! Yes, they threw away my scissors too!” Sadako: “Hello, city management? Someone blocked up my well with concrete. I can’t get home!” Han 27.6kReads9.2Score2.8k14d adds
- 22 I Told You to Go Undercover, Not Hit on the Boss's Wife! 让你卧底，没让你勾搭大嫂！ [Decisive and ruthless + never a saintly heroine + multiple heroines + wildly satisfying] Lei Zhen transmigrates to a parallel world in 1995. Starting out as a low-level underling, he rises through the ranks with ruthless force, amassing wealth and beautiful women until he rules everything with an iron fist! 108.1kReads9.3Score11.9k14d adds
- 23 Underworld Tyrant: Those Who Follow Me Prosper, Those Who Oppose Me Perish! 黑道暴君：顺我者昌，逆我者亡！ [Class Beauty, I’m out of prison. You’ll pay for what you did!] Framed by the class beauty he loved, Wang Erchui was wrongfully imprisoned for three years. The misery of prison transformed the once-ordinary boy into a hardened man. But it was only after getting out and seeking revenge that he gradually realized there was a terrifying story behind it all. The truth was, it wasn’t that love affair that had ruined his life. It was a vast, carefully woven web of darkness. His enemies had already ris 9.6kReads8.9Score58714d adds
- 24 A Horror Invasion? Aren’t They All My Minions? 惊悚入侵？这不全是我小弟吗 [Horror world + underlings + goofy comedy + hilarious + powerful big shot] (The Horror World wishes you an early death and a quick rebirth. If you don't die, you'll go crazy.) You might not believe this, but while everyone else was struggling desperately in the Horror World, trying to find a sliver of hope for survival, I had already taken control of every shady deal in the Horror World. The Horror World's supernatural alliance. "I'm reporting Chen Qishi by my real name!" Chen Qi, seated at the 101kReads9.2Score9.3k14d adds
- 25 Dragon Head 龙头 For the sake of the goddess, I crossed the big shot in the county. To stay alive, I fought my way up, one step at a time, until I became the boss... One day, the hidden dragon will find the rain it needs. With a single roar, it will shift the mountains and rivers and move the Big Dipper. Stories of the underdog rising to the top will always set the blood racing. 27.2kReads9.0Score2.7k14d adds
- 26 Now That I’m Reborn, Who’d Still Run with the Gangsters? 都重生了谁还混社会 Short drama: "Loyal to the Skies: Starting Over" is now streaming The novel was originally titled "Now That I've Been Reborn, Who Would Still Run With Gangs?" [Reborn + business + lots of underlings + no groveling + no cowardice + taking the righteous path + law-abiding] A big shot from the underworld returns to 2010. Should he repeat his old mistakes and keep running with gangs, or abandon his underlings and take the road to a brighter future? No! I won't choose! In this life, I, Qin Jiang, wil 142.8kReads9.3Score14.7k14d adds
