Novels like Outmaneuvering the Villain Is a Piece of Cake
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Outmaneuvering the Villain Is a Piece of Cake, best match first.
- 1 I’m Carrying My One True Love’s Child, and I Married the Great General 我揣着白月光的孩子，嫁给大将军 [Bad ending + orphaned princess + orphaned husband, a general guarding the nation + a tyrannical prince’s unattainable beloved] [Saving each other + love growing over time + ultimately defeated by duty to country and family + no one gets a happy ending] “What are we going to do? Ai’er can’t be with you anymore.” “Don’t be afraid, Ai’er. When you must, protect yourself and stay alive. One day, we’ll be together again.” “Father, I counted. He has a hundred and eleven scars, and every one of the 11Reads—Score—14d adds
- 2 A Fleeting Life, Chilled by Nightfall 舞尽浮生一日凉 A tragic romance with two people devoted to each other. The male lead isn’t a scumbag. After finishing the story from the heroine’s perspective, I’ll continue from the hero’s perspective and tell the other side of their story. This is neither a story about a strong, independent heroine nor a pampered little wife. The heroine is simply a slightly foolish girl fighting against fate. The setup at the beginning may take a little while. Her perspective: I rode freely through Chang’an, living as I p —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 3 Silent Words on a Rainy Night 雨夜无言 Silent in the Rain —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 4 After Five Years Apart, She Became Another Man's Wife 五年之约，她却成了别人的妻 After five years apart, she became someone else's wife 120Reads—Score114d adds
- 5 Trouble Begins at Home 霍起萧墙 Trouble Within the Walls 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 6 Ensnared by Her Beauty 惹红妆 “Li Xunqi! If you still refuse to see this princess, you’ll never see me again!” “Li Xunqi, if you still refuse to see me, you’ll never see me again…” “I am willing to marry far away for the sake of my country and bid you farewell, my lord. I hope Little General Li earns countless military honors and enjoys a glorious life.” “Your Highness, the road to your marriage alliance is long and arduous. Please take care.” “Only after she left did I dare to speak freely of my love for her.” “Whether or 21Reads—Score—14d adds
- 7 I Come Thinking of Pears 今我来思梨 [A spirited woman general and an obsessive prince] Classic historical romance + secret love + forced marriage + utterly devoted love After her mother died, Lin Wanzhi, the legitimate daughter of the Lin family, resolutely joined the army to uphold her family's name and pursue her own ambitions, becoming a woman general who defended her homeland. As soon as she entered the army, she was caught up in a treacherous conspiracy, and everything slowly began to change. Love, friendship, and family ties 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 8 I Pledge the World to Win Your Heart 许天下为卿心 That day, the spring sun shone brightly. The imperial physician confirmed she was pregnant, but he sent someone to bring her a bowl of abortion medicine. Heartbroken and drained of tears, she ended her life in a way that left no room for turning back. 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 9 Fallen Golden Bough 零落金枝 Ling Xiao was born fatherless and confined to the stables. With a cold-blooded knack for taming beasts, he was chosen on a whim by Jin Zhi to be her personal stable hand. A brand burned into his skin cemented their unequal status, but it couldn't stop their love from burning bright. But fate had other plans. The grudges of their fathers and the hatred between their classes stood between them. What will they choose...? 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 10 Prisoner in His Palm: A Good Wife Can’t Escape the Rough Man’s Pursuit 掌心囚：良妇难逃糙汉缠 [Female lead is sexually inexperienced + rugged, yandere hero with a strikingly different physique + clear-headed, resilient, stunning heroine + devoted, gentle childhood friend as the second male lead] (Dear readers, Both the hero and the second male lead are virgins! Neither has ever touched another woman! As for the hero’s concubine, I’ll explain later.) Three years ago, Xue Li was stranded in the wilderness and rescued by a rough hunter named Gu Lin. She thought she had found a way out of he 998Reads8.1Score10114d adds
- 11 True to Your Heart, True to You 不负卿心不负君 She was the demon empress who brought ruin to her country; he was the new emperor who overthrew a tyrant and ruled with benevolence. When the former dynasty fell, she was lucky enough to survive, only to become a disgraced consort in the cold palace, where anyone could bully her. They had been childhood sweethearts, but when they met again, neither could tell love from hate. He married another woman and made her empress, yet could never forget her. The man said bitterly, “Meng Xianjun, you owe m 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 12 A Fallen Kingdom's Princess Who Doesn't Want to Be an Assassin Isn't a Proper Cat 不想当刺客的亡国公主不是好猫 Li Fengze, the princess of the fallen Dayun kingdom, never imagined she could be reborn as a cat. Unable to do anything else, she can only become an assassin and kill Wang Zhu, the man who destroyed her country and family. But she gradually uncovers Wang Zhu's shocking secret, and the story of her previous life is revealed piece by piece. The painful truths will, in the end, be laid bare before Li Fengze without mercy. —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 13 A Concubine's Love Is Hard to Win Back 小妾难再爱 Liu Yan’er’s greatest dream was to spend her whole life with Shangguan Ling, the two of them belonging only to each other. But after he passed the imperial examinations and earned a position, everything changed. Not only did he take a new wife, he demoted Liu Yan’er to concubine. In the Shangguan household, she suffered constant torment and grew physically and emotionally exhausted. Her youthful dream had shattered. When she tried to leave, dragging her ailing body along, he said… 82Reads—Score—14d adds
- 14 He Went Mad After I Died 我死后他疯了 The Shen family's daughter was left brain-damaged after a fall at the age of three. Her kindhearted father took in three little beggars to be her future husbands, then left her two plots of magical soil so she could mold a pair of wedding dolls and give one to whichever boy she chose. He smashed the doll and married her off. Three years later, she died, and he went mad. Reborn, she became his maid and clung to him. Everyone says Young Master Shen has never married because he has someone in his h 17Reads—Score—14d adds
- 15 What Happened to the Powerful Ministers After I Died? 我死后权臣们都怎么样了 [Unhinged, Scheming Empress X Gentle, Beloved Minister] After fighting wars for half her life and ruling as empress for over a decade, she died halfway through her reign. When she opened her eyes again, twenty-four years had passed. I never thought I'd come back to life after dying. After all, I'd done everything I could, and when I died, I had no regrets. In my thirty-six years of life, love and hate never came easily from the throne. But suddenly, I found myself wondering: what became of those 23Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 16 I’m Doomed: He Took the Throne After I Betrayed Him 完蛋，背叛后他就登基了 Angst + Taking by Force + Childbirth + Palace Intrigue + Failed Desperate Pursuit of His Wife The heroine suffers, the heroine suffers, the heroine suffers. (Saying it three times for emphasis. Heroine fans, stay away.) The male lead is sexually inexperienced; the female lead is not. The second male lead ends up with the heroine. Hua Rui never expected that a single undercover mission would drag her down with it. That was hardly surprising, since her ta 518Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 17 The Medicine Concubine’s Thin Coffin: I Trade My Wretched Bones for One Glance of His Tenderness 药妾薄棺:我以三两贱骨，换他一次垂怜 The Medicine Concubine's Shallow Grave: I Trade My Wretched Bones for One Moment of His Favor 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 18 A Thought, and the Wind Rises 一念，风起 Xiao Jingyou spent his whole life rushing, hurrying to take care of everything so he could be with his Suisui. Shen Yanhe spent her whole life waiting, waiting for peace to come to the realm so Brother You could finally rest. At last, one spring, she welcomed the person she had waited a lifetime for. Outside the palace, the spring breeze stirred, carrying hopes for the new ruler… Far away in Qingrang, Wen and Lu had just finalized their engagement when an unforeseen incident changed everyt 38Reads—Score—14d adds
- 19 A Collection of Short, Angsty Stories 短虐合集 “Between the two of us, my life is the least important thing. If you want to take it, then it’s yours.” A collection of short, tragic period romance and fanfiction with a beautiful bad ending. Each story is a few chapters long, featuring passionate but painful love, a strong female lead and a weaker male lead, lovers who fight as fiercely as they love, a man desperately trying to win back his wife, and tragic endings. 52Reads—Score—14d adds
- 20 Drifting Through the Clouds in a Wine-Soaked Dream 长醉渡云深 [Willful princess, hapless consort, both devoted only to each other, political intrigue, stunning beauty, tortured love, all characters are highly intelligent] “A Yi!” He abruptly turned and shoved her aside, putting his entire back in the path of the blade. With a dull thud, the point pierced the upper left side of his chest. He staggered, caught her bloodstained hand, and pressed it against his chest. Panting, he managed a smile. “...It’s all right. Here...” He guided her fingertip to an old s —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 21 Lord Rabbit Demon, Please Save Me 兔妖大人，救救我 Bunny Demon Lord, Save Me! 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 22 After Being Reborn as a Servant, He Cruelly Torments Her 重生后为奴为婢，他狠狠虐她 [Angsty Romance + Physical and Emotional Torment + Chasing Her After the Divorce] Both leads are faithful to each other! Both leads are faithful to each other! He married her, his heart full of joy; She called him her husband, and they lived together in harmony. He mistook her for a spy sent by his enemy. She had stayed by his side for years, only to strike the final blow. More than a hundred lives in the prince's residence were lost in a massacre. His eyes bloodshot, he still couldn't believe i 3.2kReads6.6Score15014d adds
- 23 When the Splendor Faded, Half the City Was Left in Ruins 繁华落尽半城殇 He told her, “Jinxiu, I will marry no one but you in this life. When I return from Jiangnan, I’ll give you a magnificent wedding.” But all that happiness was destroyed by a cruel conspiracy. On the day of his wedding, her blood was drained from her body, and she barely survived. With the splendor gone and half the city in mourning, she still died in his arms. Ling Su, may the rest of your life be peaceful. Let’s meet again in our next life... 120Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 24 She Shines Brightly with the Mountains and Rivers 她与山河共昭昭 He once said that he would share a bed with her in life and be buried with her in death. Later, he let others kill their son and used her own hands to eliminate his enemies. He once said she was the only one for him. Later, he kept concubines by his side and made her kneel to present them with a love knot. Fifteen years of devotion turned out to be a carefully woven lie. Only when she turned away without hesitation, set fire to the palace, and fled did he understand that he could rule the world 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 25 After Being Possessed, the Big Shot Helps Me Win Big and Become the Richest 被夺舍后，大佬带我躺赢成首富 I’m Lin Xiaoyi, the least valued concubine-born daughter in the Lin family, whose head is the county magistrate of Qinglin County. My only support in this life is my blind mother. We depend on each other, living on thin broth day after day. We’re either being framed or subjected to beatings and punishment at the slightest excuse. We’re treated worse than servants. When I was fourteen, I opened my eyes, and my soul had floated right out of my body. The next moment, the “me” lying in bed sat bolt 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 26 Captive Phoenix in His Arms: The Ruthless Emperor's Prisoner 俘凰入罗帷，狠戾帝君掌心囚 When the Cangxuan Kingdom fell, its legitimate eldest princess, once revered and surrounded by every luxury, was cast from her heavenly heights into the deepest hell. Chu Yan had once been held hostage in Cangxuan. When he was being humiliated, the kingdom’s eldest princess, Fan Hua, came to his rescue. They grew up together and fell in love, but a conspiracy made Chu Yan hate the entire Cangxuan royal family. After years of plotting, he destroyed her kingdom, trampled on her dignity, and forced 285Reads6.3Score—14d adds
- 27 I Faked My Death and Vanished for Three Years, Now My Mad Ex-Husband Has Dragged Me Into His Tent 死遁三年，疯批前夫夺我入帐 A resilient, clear-eyed fake heiress versus a mad ex-husband who takes what he wants by force After faking her death and disappearing for three years, You Nian’s former husband came looking for her. He said he’d slept with a woman at the estate the night before and wanted them to find out who she was. The unmarried young women in the household were all thrilled, the matriarch dreamed of what lay ahead, and her husband treated her with gentle concern. Only You Nian knew Wei Jinxian had come for 709Reads—Score—14d adds
- 28 A Fallen Kingdom's Princess and an Enemy Prince: Sweet and Heartbreaking 亡国公主和敌国皇子又甜又虐 [Sweet and Angsty + BE Ending] When they first met, his army was at her gates, and her country had fallen. Her mother, the empress, leapt from the city wall and gave her life for her country before her eyes. Her final words were a plea for her daughter to live, for the sake of their people. As a princess of a fallen kingdom, she arrives in a foreign land and is granted in marriage as the consort of the man who destroyed her country. It was all part of her plan. He destroyed her kingdom, so she w 163Reads—Score—14d adds
- 29 Love and Calamity in the Deep Palace 深宫情鸾劫 She's a cute, food-loving girl who transmigrates, and he's a cold-blooded emperor. The secret of a thousand-year-old tomb sends her transmigrating overnight into an unfamiliar dynasty. Her inexplicable studies at an academy uncover the mystery of her strange origins, and the once-invisible newcomer becomes Princess Yongyuan. By imperial decree, the young emperor even plans to choose her husband himself. “I don't want to get married yet,” she pouts. “Keeping you around wastes too much food,” he s 25Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 30 A Love So Deep, a Longing Unforgotten 情深不解相思意 In his eyes, she was the most despicable of princess consorts. He carved out her heart and drove nails into her bones. But when she really died, his heart had nowhere left to call home... 24Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 31 Falling Blossoms Fill Chang'an 落花满长安 [Women's redemption + female independence + strong female lead + political intrigue + marriage first, love later + domineering CEO + emperor's exclusive favor] Synopsis: Gu Jiangning, the only daughter of Jiangnan's richest man, Gu Shaoqing, is beautiful and brilliant. While trying to rescue Li Xiangjun, who is trapped in a brothel, she happens to meet Dou Bo'an, an official overseeing the Jiangnan textile industry. Her family then pushes her onto a so-called marriage alliance, all for her own g 5Reads—Score114d adds
- 32 Crossing Paths with Xiao Chi 渡萧迟 Xiao Yanyan, a noblewoman of the Liao, and Han Derang, the son of a Han official, fell in love as children and pledged to grow old together. But an imperial edict selecting consorts tore them apart. She was sent to the palace and became Empress to Emperor Jingzong of Liao. Five years later, the emperor died, leaving her with their young crown prince. The imperial clansmen coveted power, and powerful ministers watched like hawks. The widowed empress and her son were in mortal danger. At the most 18Reads—Score—14d adds
- 33 I Give You My Life, Never Betraying Our Love 倾我一世，不负相思 She loved him with all her heart and insisted on marrying him. Who could have known that he wanted her dead? To save the woman he loved, he needed the child in her womb as medicine. In the end, he put her in a coffin and suffocated her alive. Only then did she realize she had loved the wrong man. If she gets another life, she will never meet him or fall in love with him again! 72Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 34 Reborn as a Slave, I Drive the Obsessive Emperor to Madness 重生为奴，偏执帝王为我疯魔 [Not your typical palace intrigue; romance takes center stage, with little palace scheming. A historical romance about a domineering CEO chasing his wife, with plenty of angst] In her previous life, she married into the Eastern Palace and gave Pei Yan her whole heart. He ignored her, devoted only to the woman he cherished. A cruel twist of fate led to her untimely death. Three years later, she is reborn as the young palace maid who once served her personally. Pei Yan, now emperor, keeps her by 46Reads—Score—14d adds
- 35 Your Majesty, Grant Me Three Feet of White Silk 请君赐我三尺白绫 [A Despairing Fallen Princess × An Iron-Faced New Emperor; A Lovely Foreign Princess × A Gentle Prince; A Freedom-Seeking Princess × An Enemy Spy] [Not Rebirth, Transmigration, or Fantasy. Pure historical setting, BE, angst] In the spring of the twentieth year of Emperor Yin Ai’s reign, the northern army stormed the imperial city. Emperor Yin Ai died beneath the sword of Han Chenji, the new emperor of the north. Yin Yue held her father’s corpse in her arms and glared at the ice-cold man before h 47Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 36 A Worthy Minister Is Hard to Find 良臣难为 [Historical Romance + Ensemble Cast + Tragic Love + Fateful Misunderstandings + Imperial Court and Nobility + Love of Country and Family + Tearjerker + Bad Ending] I am the empress of a nation. Everyone who sees me bows respectfully and greets me with, “May the Empress be well.” Because my surname is Shen. My father, Shen Nian, died on the battlefield, his body never found. My mother died by suicide after him. My eldest brother held Yumen Pass for forty-five days against a hundredfold enemy forc 376Reads9.4Score10014d adds
- 37 Reborn, I’ve Caught the Crown Prince’s Eye 重生，我被质子盯上了 [Both Reborn + Male-Lead Angst + Powerful Male and Female Leads + Haughty Grand Princess vs. Yandere, Ruthless Hostage Prince] In her previous life, Yun Yao was used by those closest to her. Yunli fell, her father's head was hung high above the imperial city, and her mother, unable to bear the humiliation, set herself on fire and burned to death. Yun Yao had no wish to go on living, but the hostage prince she had tormented mercilessly as a child saved her. In the end, she died a cruel death. She 159Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 38 Your Grace Endures, Like Snow in All Its Splendor 风华如雪，君如故 Risking her life to give birth, he resolutely snatched the baby from her arms, saying she was unworthy. Imprisoned and unable to earn his forgiveness no matter how she pleaded, she heard him say she was guilty. Unworthy because she loved him humbly, guilty because she loved him obsessively. She said, “Chu Nanyi, this time, shall I sentence myself to death?” The game is over. Will you come back or not? 45Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 39 A Lifetime of Regrets, A Heart Still Unable to Let Go 负尽流年意难平 In a world of ice and snow, a bridal procession stretches for miles. The ruler of Dongli marries a new queen, and the whole nation celebrates. But the new queen is nothing more than a substitute. Everyone knows that Xiao Zhan, to honor the late Princess Li, has gathered women from across the land who resemble her and keeps them in the inner palace. I am the only exception. Is it coincidence, or conspiracy? As the truths deliberately buried begin to surface, layer by layer, and the feuds between 23Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 40 She Never Meant to Be Reborn 她没想重生啊 Shen Qingyao died by her husband Xiao Lin's sword, a single thrust through the heart. She felt neither resentment nor hatred. She had been caught in bed with another man, albeit by accident, and accepted her fate. This ill-fated relationship should have ended there. But she never expected several obsessive, deranged men to drag her bodily back from the underworld. When she opened her eyes, she was reborn at the beginning of the tragedy, back at the starting point of this ill-fated marriage. 36Reads—Score—14d adds
- 41 The Captive Boy 少年囚 [An inspiring comeback + multiple male leads] [Clear-headed, independent heroine] [✍No matter how the story ends, every male lead will get an extra chapter.] This is the road to freedom for a covert guard. One story, many kinds of love and hate. Here you’ll find an [assassin heroine] who... ❤️Loves and fights with a scheming prince❤️ ❤️Is loyally watched over by a warmhearted colleague❤️ ❤️Matches wits with an unorthodox director❤️ ❤️She runs, he chases, and neither can escape❤️ At first, the he 252Reads—Score—14d adds
- 42 The Game of Power 权栖戏 [Political Intrigue ✖️ Spycraft ✖️ Forced Love] [Scheming Against Each Other ✖️ Saving Each Other] The world is unpredictable, and fate can change in an instant. Yan Lepei, the daughter of Yancheng’s lord, is forced to conceal her identity and infiltrate the Quanqi Pavilion as a spy. Shao Quan, master of the Quanqi Hall, is calculating, powerful, and scornful of all things. Yet he cannot help falling in love with his own pawn. Shao Quan: “She is the most capable weapon in my hand, and the person 32Reads—Score—14d adds
- 43 Don't Mess with the Little Snake Demon! A Horde of Crazy Gods Stands Behind Her 别惹小蛇妖！她身后一群疯批神 [Where the stars burn out lies the divine tomb | Only when love and desire are burned away can one attain the Dao] “The Great Dao is heartless, but those who love deeply make kindling of themselves, burn through karma, and light the way home.” She harbors baleful energy within her. She is a taboo of the Heavenly Dao! Through a twist of fate, she ends up in a snake’s body. With fifty thousand years of cultivation, she still gets bullied by a dog! Ruoni bears a Heavenly Tribulation “wanted post 8Reads—Score114d adds
- 44 I Swear by My Love, Though It Brings Me Sorrow 敬我相思不成悲 She was a peerlessly beautiful young woman, famous throughout the land, yet fate had placed her in a brothel. Meng Zhijun believed Murong Yan was the man meant for her. She endured humiliation and kept her head bowed, all so she could stay by his side. She thought they would grow old together. But the man she loved most broke her fingers and ruined her face. In the end, he carved the bones from her body, one by one, and made them into a shocking bone flute. “A Zhi, look. Your bones are perfect f 56Reads5.7Score—14d adds
- 45 Longing for Yun's Return 念云归 [Angsty! Angsty! Angsty! Short tragic historical romance, princess sent abroad for a political marriage] Huan Yun’s childhood name was Yun’er. From the time she was little, her mother held her close and softly sang, “Yun’er, come home. Yun’er, come home.” Yun’er never went anywhere. Mother, why do you sigh like that? In the sixteenth year of Jianzhao, Huan Yun passed away quietly in the Wuyou Palace. Mother, you don’t know. Yun’er can never return home again... 294Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 46 The Bright Moon Keeps You Company 明月伴君 One day, high school student Si Yue suddenly finds herself in a cultivation world, where she becomes a good-for-nothing who can't cultivate. She has a crush on the chosen genius Xie Jing, but their difference in status makes her too shy to confess. She thinks that if she stays by his side, her young hero will eventually accept her. But things don't go as she hoped: Xie Jing's childhood dream girl, Jing Huan, appears. The dream girl is a heaven-blessed beauty, exceptionally talented and stunningl 261Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 47 The Road Ahead Is Hard 荨路难 “Emperor and consort” “Angst” “Daughter of a great clan” “Young emperor” “Childhood sweethearts” “Both pure” In all my life, the most naive thing I ever did was believe that there could be a way for both sides to win on the chessboard. 3.5kReads8.1Score21214d adds
- 48 Don’t Go. What Will It Take for You to Love Me? 别走，到底要怎样，你才肯爱我 [Historical romance + devoted love + coercive love + tragic romance + reincarnation + male lead suffering. Judging by looks, not character. The plot is full of melodrama.] First Life Liu Yi was forced into marriage by Chen Yexin. She loathed and hated him with all her heart, yet Chen Yexin let her hit and curse him every day, hoping she might soften toward him someday... Liu Yi tried to run away three times, but each time Chen Yexin caught her and punished her. In his eyes, he was being lenient; 16Reads—Score—14d adds
- 49 Digging Up Graves 挖坟 The morning sunlight fell on Zhu Ning. Beneath its rays, her skin was as pale as white porcelain. Her eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes, sunlight reflected in her dark pupils, dazzlingly beautiful. Shiliu stopped in his tracks. Seeing her squint, he heard her murmur softly, “What a lovely day in early spring.” He knew Zhu Ning had always loved the sun. But what was he supposed to do? —Reads8.5Score—14d adds
- 50 Silken Threads of Love 锁情丝 [Historical Romance | Angst] Some Things Cannot Be Mended She had loved him for eight years, yet on their wedding day, he tortured her until she was barely recognizable. From that day on, he subjected her to excruciating torment, determined to keep it up until she died. When the truth came to light, he regretted everything and fell to his knees, humbly begging for forgiveness. Forgive him? What a joke! She said, “My hatred for you has long since seeped into my bones. Even if I ground you to dust 717Reads8.4Score—14d adds
