Novels like There Really Was an Affair
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as There Really Was an Affair, best match first.
- 1 Big Boss, Stop Pretending! Strangers in Public, Intimate in Private 大领导别装了！人前不熟人后熟透 Both leads are virgins!! A composed and capable senior official & an upbeat, ambitious junior employee] There are two rumors circulating in the office building--- First, the new senior official comes from a powerful background, and his records are classified. Second, he's cold, taciturn, and keeps his distance from women. Jing Yu later learns that rumors can't be entirely trusted, but they can't be entirely dismissed either. The first is true. The second is false. * Jing Yu knocks and walk 2kReads—Score14714d adds
- 2 Reborn: A Young Man's Rise Through the Ranks of Government 重生之官路青云 Xue Ming was once an ordinary young man from a small town. Through education and work, he made his way to the big city to pursue his ambitions. First, he went into business. He failed time and again, but kept trying. After years of effort, he finally hit a ceiling, unable to advance any further or even continue his career. Then he entered politics. With his sharp mind, he passed the civil service exam, but a slow start left him behind at every turn. He could only remain a permanent outsider at h —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 3 The First Book by Yizhen Xiaochuang Han 一枕小窗寒的第1本书 After the military-green epaulettes were removed from his shoulders, Li Hongchun carried the imprint of twenty years of military service with him as he set foot in Beichuan County. Surrounded by mountains, the county was waiting for its new Party secretary to break through the ice of entrenched problems with an iron hand and unwavering sincerity. 3Reads6.3Score—14d adds
- 4 Rose of Intrigue 权谋玫瑰 [Powerful insider Gu Huaian + conference interpreter Shen Yanqing] [Powerful man bows to love + careful scheming at every step + contemporary romance + happy ending] She is his voice, but he wants to become her whole world. At international conferences, Shen Yanqing is the only chief interpreter who can keep pace with the razor-sharp minds on stage. In a private room just beyond the wall, Gu Huaian sits calmly in control. But when he hears her dismantle her opponent’s verbal traps with cool prec 22Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 5 Reborn in 2003: I Became a Powerful Bureaucrat! 重生2003，我成为官场权贵！ Reborn amid the turbulent tides of the times, Xu Xiao broke free from the shackles of fate and took control of his future in officialdom. He immersed himself in grassroots life and saw firsthand the biases and malice of human nature. Though born to an ordinary family, he could turn the tide. 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 6 A Blind Date in the Public Sector, and I Marry the Top Leader’s Son 体制内相亲，我嫁给最大领导儿子 I Went on a Government-Arranged Blind Date and Married the Top Leader’s Son 501Reads—Score1114d adds
- 7 A County Town Official 县城干部 Gu Hongxiu, a top graduate of Zhejiang University, joins the Organization Department. After enduring betrayal by a close friend and the departure of the woman he loves, he starts over at the grassroots level. This is the legendary story of how he rises from a township publicity committee member to county Party secretary in just ten short years. 1Reads—Score214d adds
- 8 The Melting Point of a Heart 心动融点 [Realistic] [Slow-Paced] [Mutually Devoted] [A Love That Grows Steadily, Best Read with a Calm Mind] On her first day at work, Wang Luobing was sent to the most out-of-the-way logistics center because she came from a remote county and had no parents. There, she repaired printers and checked the cafeteria menus. Half a month later, she was transferred to the General Affairs Office, right next to the leaders. She asked, "Why?" A coworker smirked. "He Chu went all out to recommend you." Wang Luobin 12.2kReads7.9Score1.1k14d adds
- 9 After My Demotion, I Turned the Tables on the Streets 被贬后我在街道逆风翻盘 Yang Naici, the youngest section-level official in the district, is reassigned to a subdistrict office after offending someone. She’s never short of enemies, and on the outside she’s constantly locked in political and business battles with Lu Jingyou. Her deputy, Zhang Lingxu, is also quietly working to advance his career. With wolves ahead and tigers behind, she fights her way through every obstacle as she pursues a deputy-division-level post. But then Ye Changqing arrives out of the blue... “W 19Reads—Score—14d adds
- 10 I'll Help You Soar 护你高飞 [A stern, steady senior official × a gentle young reporter at a newspaper; government workplace, age gap, slow-burn romance with ups and downs] By a twist of fate, Zhao Shuman became a reporter accompanying an inspection tour. Facing Secretary Chen, who always wore a long-sleeved white shirt, she displayed strong professional skills and treated him with the utmost respect. The senior official fell in love at first sight, while the young reporter was a slow starter. She didn’t believe he could tr 579Reads8.8Score10214d adds
- 11 Seconded Wife: The Big Boss Slowly Wins Her Heart 借调娇妻大领导步步诱心 A powerful man humbles himself for love, with an age gap and mutual devotion. Su Fan never expected that an ordinary temporary assignment would become the biggest turning point in her life. Facing Han Chengrong, the legendary executive director at the group's headquarters, known for his strictness, cold demeanor, and intolerance for even the slightest mistake, all she wanted was to keep her job and get through the three months unscathed. Little did she know that from the moment she confidently a 312Reads6.6Score12014d adds
- 12 I Took on the Big Boss at the Public Service Desk, and He Wants to Marry Me 民生窗口怼了大主任，他却要娶我 Su Wanxing, a newcomer at the public service counter, mistakes Fu Shiyan, who is dressed casually, for a fussy member of the public while filming a how-to video. She gives him an earful! Little does she know that he’s the famously icy director of the central office. But instead of holding it against her, he approves funding and makes room for an office, spoiling her special task force rotten. He stands up to departments that pass the buck, protects her from online attacks, even waits at the righ 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 13 Knowing It’s Impossible 明知，不可为 Li Zi never imagined that the emotional boundaries she had always guarded would be so easily broken by Fang Weize, an older man who already had a girlfriend. She was always careful, unwilling to touch forbidden feelings, but he barged into her world with a forcefulness she couldn’t refuse. This love, tangled up in complications and crossed boundaries, was never what she wanted. It wasn’t until the end that she finally saw the man’s obsessive sincerity: he loved her so deeply that even his hatred 27.5kReads8.8Score2.6k14d adds
- 14 Blind Date Blunder: My Match Is My Direct Boss 相亲乌龙：对面大佬是我直属领导 The rating just came in, so it’ll go up. Powerful government official + disastrous blind date + boss and subordinate + long-planned scheme + secret marriage + sweet romance + two equally strong leads My family forced me to go on a blind date, and I sat at the wrong table. The man across from me was refined and restrained, with an imposing air. I made awkward small talk for half an hour and even foolishly added him on WeChat. The next day, at the company-wide meeting, the new top boss walked onto 704Reads6.2Score10614d adds
- 15 The Rebellious Beauty's Gentle Blade 反骨美人温柔刀 [Beautiful, Sharp-Tongued Prosecutor x Cunning Team Captain] [Both in the System] [Both Each Other’s First + One-on-One Romance + Sweet Love + Everyday Life] Xu Nanzhi thought that after three years of devotion, even a dog would know to wag its tail at her. But her scumbag ex showed her through his actions that he only wagged his tail for another woman. The night she set a trap to make him cough up every last thing he owed her, she drank herself into a stupor. On her way home, however, a man pin 38Reads—Score—14d adds
- 16 Director Zhao's Cure 赵司长的良药 Zhao Huaijin is a composed, reserved diplomat who is decisive and efficient at work, a calm and formidable leader in the eyes of his colleagues. In his personal life, however, he is thoughtful and gentle. He Shiyi is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, gentle by nature and deeply devoted to her field. She has dedicated herself to preserving and promoting traditional Chinese medicine. They meet through a doctor-patient relationship, get to know each other, and gradually grow closer witho 49Reads—Score—14d adds
- 17 Boss, Want to Start a Romance? 领导，有个恋爱要谈吗？ [One-on-one romance + age gap + love grows over time + pursuit of his wife + sweet romance] After one drunken night, Song Weiyang threw up on Wei Xiuyuan. She had no idea the man was her new boss, and he assumed she'd deliberately gotten close to him for ulterior motives. As they kept crossing paths, Wei Xiuyuan's gaze grew less and less innocent. Only when he saw Song Weiyang wavering in her attitude toward another man did Wei Xiuyuan finally lose patience. He cornered her against a wall. “Yang 183Reads6.9Score—14d adds
- 18 The Powerful Officialdom Boss's Possessive Love 体制内大佬强制爱 A powerful government insider forces his love on someone —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 19 An Official Marriage 官嫁 [Older, gentle support | Deeply devoted but restrained | Possessive, exclusive love | Saving each other and reaching the top] Everyone says Chen Zhixing is gentle and self-possessed, free of worldly desire, and always distant and aloof. He never makes an exception for anyone. Except for Wen Qiu, the exception and obsession he has kept hidden for half his life. Her road ahead is full of brambles and treacherous currents. Alone, Wen Qiu struggles to make any headway. Determined to escape her pre 44Reads—Score—14d adds
- 20 County Chief Lu, Your Wife Is Gorgeous and Daring 陆县长，你的老婆又美又飒 Xia Qinghe is a top computer science graduate from a prestigious 985 university. By chance, after graduating, she becomes a police officer. Shortly after starting the job, she gets involved in a firefighting operation by accident and gradually discovers that she is closely connected to the people involved in the case. Lu Mingchuan never expected a massive fire to break out less than half a month after he became the magistrate of Ningfeng County. The blaze rang out like thunder in the darkness. T 1.7kReads8.2Score18714d adds
- 21 Slowly, I Lure You In 徐徐诱卿 [Reunion After Years Apart, CEO, Workplace, Government, The Powerful One Bows His Head, Both Leads' First and Only Love] Su Qingqing never dared dream that she would see Xu Beiting again in her lifetime. Back then, she'd deceived him with a fake identity and had always felt guilty about it. Now she had something important to ask of him. The matter was hugely consequential and involved many people. If it fell through, a leader would surely be disciplined. Su Qingqing had no choice but to stee 3kReads—Score38714d adds
- 22 If Only I Had Never Met You 若不是遇见了你 [Workplace Crush | Tender Misunderstandings | Sweet Age-Gap Romance] Lin Wan initially thinks her new boss, Secretary Xu, is prejudiced against her. She works hard to prove herself, unaware that behind every deliberate show of distance lies the secret of his love at first sight, which quietly took root when he first saw her. He holds her dear above all else. What others see as “ignoring” her is actually his clumsy yet profound, one-of-a-kind affection. When Lin Wan finally sees the tenderness hi 10Reads6.5Score—14d adds
- 23 County Chief Huo Cleans Up After the Troublemaker Every Day 霍县长每天给惹祸精善后 [Government worker + aloof senior official + sweet girl from a family of doctors + runaway bride + mutual healing + both leads are each other’s first and only + love at first sight] To escape an arranged marriage, good girl Gu Sheng finally rebelled when she graduated from university! She passed the civil service exam and landed a post in Qi County, far from home. The first time she met County Chief Huo, she turned his office upside down! “Stop apologizing all the time. Why not do something abou 436Reads7.2Score10514d adds
- 24 Where the Lights Shine Bright 灯火通明处 Born a girl into a family that favors boys, she grows up bearing the burden of that original sin, suffering day after day. With no resources or connections, she makes her way into the county's civil service system empty-handed, struggling at every step. She has always longed for someone to descend into her world like a god, kindle a lamp for her, and illuminate every corner of darkness. After gritting her teeth and enduring one dark moment after another all alone, she finally reaches a place fi 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 25 Hi, Mr. Secretary HI，书记大人 Secretary, we grew up together. We were meant to be, and nothing could be better! Love winds its way around and around, but in the end, it's still us. Why put ourselves through all this? Why run away? Some people, once you love them, you love them for life. No one can take their place, and no one compares. I'm so wonderful because of you! No one else deserves me. It will always be you. 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 26 Dong Dong Li's 16th Book 东东梨第16本书 No major content warnings. The rating is low because not many people have read it. A reserved, precocious heroine × an older, guiding male lead [Government workplace + Both inexperienced + Age gap + Powerful man bows his head + Healing romance + Happy ending] The leads' workplace lives are portrayed realistically. Wei Wei has a secret: when she was eighteen, she fell for Zhou He'an, who had come to volunteer at the village elementary school. But they came from vastly different worlds, and she ne 8.7kReads8.8Score1.1k14d adds
- 27 Damp 湿漉 [This novel is entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people is coincidental.] The heroine, Li Weiyang, is a low-level employee at a state-owned enterprise. She is twenty-six and has been out of college for four years. The hero, Cheng Xiangyang, is a successful forty-year-old general manager at a state-owned enterprise. An unexpected online encounter brings together two people from vastly different worlds. See how Cheng Xiangyang gradually wins Weiyang over, and how she struggles with her 590Reads8.4Score11014d adds
- 28 I Flirted, Then Dumped Him, But My Ex Only Has Eyes for Me 先撩后甩，前男友只为我心动 [Flirtatious heroine x aloof, obsessive senior leader | She makes the first move, then dumps him + he chases her back + a happy ending] More than ten years ago, Fang Qing deliberately got close to An Duo, flirting with him at every turn until she won over the stone-faced officer. Once he fell for her, she coolly walked away without a shred of mercy. When they met again, she was an employee under his command. The man who had once been aloof and cold-hearted had long since buried all his pride. No 249Reads—Score10214d adds
- 29 Boss, How About We Keep Our Marriage Secret? 领导，要不隐个婚？ My new work is here! You can read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Your support is what motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 739Reads7.6Score10314d adds
- 30 County Magistrate Lu, Please Turn Off the Lights 陆县长，请关灯 [Female Doctor & County Magistrate] [Both Leads Are Each Other's First Love + Reunion After Years Apart + Second-Chance Romance] Liang Chuying never imagined she would see her ex-boyfriend again after six years. Not only had he become the county magistrate, he was also her neighbor. She knew better than to fall into the same trap twice, so she avoided him and kept her distance. But in the end, she fell for him all over again. Because he said, “Let me pursue you, okay?” He also said, “From now on 4.2kReads8.8Score45514d adds
- 31 The Branch in Director Lu’s Palm 陆主任的掌心枝 Age gap × long-planned romance × both leads are inexperienced × marriage before love × a crush becomes mutual × slow-burn romance × dignified, no-nonsense official × gentle yet resilient sweetheart Lu Chengzhou, director of Yuncheng's Housing and Urban-Rural Development Commission, is known in their circles as a stern, no-nonsense official. Upright in his conduct and steady in his methods, he holds a high position and has kept his feelings hidden for years, unbeknownst to anyone. Su Nian'an neve 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 32 As Evening Falls 归晚时分 [Older man + quality writing + heroine's growth] This is a story set within the system. No wild fantasy, no melodrama, just the hopes of rural life and a beautiful romance. __ Her boyfriend of three years sells her out for the sake of a contract; the man she spends one passionate, tangled night with travels to another city for her. __ When her family questions him, he says: I've always been the one who couldn't live without her. This is a reunion he's been plotting for a long time. He's waited 56Reads7.2Score—14d adds
- 33 When the Mountain Mist Rose, I Met You 恰逢山雾起，与君识 Song Lin followed the path laid out for her by fate: blind dates, marriage, and getting her health in order. But after meeting the wrong man, fate led her down another path, where she met him, someone a person like her, an ordinary woman, could never hope for… 142Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 34 The Twenty-Ninth Book by Chaoqi Pengbo 潮气蓬勃的第29本书 [Sweet, gentle girl from a poor family x powerful, aloof leader] [An 18-year age gap | Utter devotion | The powerful one bows his head] Lin Xi had just left the hospital, clutching the payment receipt. Before she could even catch her breath, she saw Zhou Mingyu holding hands with another woman, their fingers intertwined as they chatted softly. That smile had once been the light she relied on most. Through her tears, she said, “You promised you’d get through this with me.” But the next second, Zh 12Reads6.6Score—14d adds
- 35 Lord Gu’s Little Girl 顾大人的小姑娘 [Solemn, authoritative senior official * lively, ambitious researcher] [Age gap; both leads' first love; sweet romance; happy ending] Why does the solemn and dignified Secretary Gu, who is so upright he practically glows and claims he doesn't like women getting close to him, insist on adding her on WeChat, bringing her food and tickets, and helping her punish evildoers? Why does he look at her with an increasingly smoldering gaze... Zhou Chu devoted herself to supporting technological innova 1.4kReads7.2Score11714d adds
- 36 The Stand-In Bride Rises to the Top 替嫁大佬，步步高升 She was the one who was sent as a substitute bride, and she was also the one who rose through the ranks. Everyone in high society knew the eldest daughter of the Ye family was a pretty face who only knew how to climb the social ladder. To get close to Shen Shenxing, a powerful man with real authority, she went so far as to scheme against her younger sister and take her place as the bride. On their wedding night, she drugged him, then coolly walked away after a night of passion. Everyone was wait 28Reads—Score—14d adds
- 37 Fu Chuji’s Long-Running Scheme 傅初霁的蓄谋已久 At a candied-hawthorn stall at the entrance to a Beijing alley, Song Nanxing and Fu Chuji unexpectedly meet again. By then, she has made a name for herself in business as the president of Xingyao Media, while he is a promising young head of the provincial finance department with real authority. What seems like a chance encounter is actually the culmination of twelve years of planning on Fu Chuji's part. Ever since the moment she cried over a stray cat by West Lake when she was fifteen, he has ne 6Reads7.1Score—14d adds
- 38 My Rough Patch in the Civil Service 我的体制内水逆日记 A "Scammer" at a Blind Date, My "Boss" at Work: A Diary of My Run of Bad Luck in the Civil Service > Lin Xi, a star mediator at the civil affairs bureau, is pressured by her family to go on a blind date. > "He's thirty-eight and a deputy department-level official," her mother stresses over the phone. > Looking at the refined man before her, Lin Xi sneers. "Are scammers really this ambitious now?" > She blocks him on WeChat right there. "Impersonating a senior official is illegal, you know?" > Th 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 39 My Government-Worker Girlfriend Runs Over CEOs Every Day 体制内女友每天都在创飞霸总 (Complete, no extras) [Hilarious transmigration into a book + meme references + super-sweet one-on-one romance + the leads actually communicate + chaotic-literature vibes] [A community worker who curses out anyone who provokes her and never turns her frustration inward vs. a stiff, domineering CEO at first, then a wealthy heir who breaks free of the original plot and goes crazy right along with the female lead] (The female lead starts out as a junior community civil servant, then switches to inv 846Reads—Score—14d adds
- 40 From Police Academy Graduate to Discipline Inspection Commission Officer 从警校毕业考进纪检委 Lu Minhan is seconded to take part in a joint operation. She witnesses an innocent family being persecuted by local officials, but is powerless to help. Shen Feng, who is working the case alongside her, handles the situation with ease. Deeply moved, she resolutely joins the Discipline Inspection Commission after graduation, embarking on a legendary career in disciplinary inspection… 349Reads6.4Score10014d adds
- 41 Inside and Outside the System 体制内外 Everyone’s journey to land a civil service or public institution job has a story. Why did you start preparing for the exams? How many times did you make it to the interview stage, and how long did it take you to land a job? Everyone’s story is full of ups and downs. Are you… preparing for one of these exams? Are you working in a government agency or public institution on a contract basis to gain experience while preparing for the exams? How big is the difference between working inside and outsid 622Reads—Score10514d adds
- 42 Master of the Domain 执掌一方 Song Huaizhou takes up his post as county Party secretary and is swept into the maelstrom of power in the county seat. He must tread carefully amid competing interests and conflicts. Behind every crisis lie complicated relationships and political maneuvering. Every choice could determine the fate of a cadre, or even the future of the entire county. 517Reads8.0Score10214d adds
- 43 Director Gu's Beloved Wife 顾局长的娇妻 Gu Jingzhou is about to take office as chief of the Public Security Bureau. Qi Pan is a teacher who has returned to her hometown after graduation to take up a post. Their paths cross on a trip. Qi Pan thinks life back home will be peaceful and easy, but she never expects undercurrents to run so deep. Fortunately, Gu Jingzhou is there to protect her. From strangers to lovers, the two build the life they long for amid ordinary days, like a real-life Back to Field! 645Reads7.3Score10214d adds
- 44 Secretary Nie's Little Secretary 聂秘书长的小秘书 He pursues her relentlessly, and she has nowhere to run. Lin Qingshan’s secret, humble love and Nie Feng’s open, wholehearted affection. Secretary-General Nie’s doting on his younger lover is like an old house catching fire, leaving his young secretary feeling as if her whole life is going up in flames. 312Reads6.5Score—14d adds
- 45 When an Old Flame Rekindles, I Can't Stop Spoiling You 老房子着火，对你宠宠宠不停 For decades, Ye Rulan’s world revolved around one thing: building his career. He was like a born business machine: emotionally detached, decisive, and calculating. The term “hopeless romantic” couldn’t have been further from him. Until he met her. His love burst into life like a fire in an old house, and there was no stopping it. Sometimes even Ye Rulan couldn’t help wondering if An Shangke had put a spell on him. How else could he feel such overwhelming affection for someone… Not-a-tyrant 13Reads6.3Score—14d adds
- 46 Meeting Again in the Depths of Time 时光深处再相遇 Lin Qingluan and Zhi Youchen meet at university through basketball and bond over music, only to part ways because of a misunderstanding. Five years later, Zhi Youchen reappears and explains the truth about what happened back then. But by now, someone else is by Lin Qingluan’s side. Can the two of them rekindle their old romance...? 30Reads—Score—14d adds
- 47 The Good Girl's Secret Crush: Sweetness Overload 乖乖女的暗恋：甜翻了 (Age gap + both are each other’s first + the powerful one bows his head) Zhixia was born into the prestigious Huo family of Beijing’s high society. She had always been a well-behaved girl with excellent grades. At sixteen, she fell in love with someone she couldn’t tell anyone about. At twenty, she was suddenly exposed as a fake heiress. She was promptly thrown out of the Huo family, and with her new surname, became Song Zhixia. Outsiders laughed at her, but only Song Zhixia knew how happy she w 2.8kReads8.3Score34714d adds
- 48 I Know You Like Fine Jade, and Treasure You as a Lady of Renown 知君如珩玉，惜尔是名媛 [Government service setting | Age gap | A misunderstanding along the way | Lovers find their way to each other] This is a love story that unfolds within the framework of government service. There is no over-the-top melodrama, only a slow, steady process of testing the waters and drawing closer. When rules meet a racing heart and reason collides with deep affection, can they make room for tenderness in such a tightly ordered world? As the title “Secretary Chen” gradually takes on a personal signi 426Reads6.6Score—14d adds
- 49 Glad to Have You on a Spring Night 春夜喜你 [The rating has just been posted and will rise!] [Both work in government + both are each other's firsts + love grows over time + sweet romance + happy ending] Qu Zhan, 32, is the newly appointed deputy district head of Huacheng. Jiang Yining, 28, is an ordinary civil servant in Liangxiang, Huacheng. A temporary assignment is where their connection begins. A blind date further binds their hearts together. Qu Zhan has long since committed himself to this love, but Jiang Yining hesitates befor 4.1kReads8.2Score41514d adds
- 50 Mr. Qi Spoils Me Too Much: The Sweetness Is Off the Charts 祁先生太宠，甜度严重超标 Qi Jingci is renowned in government circles as an “iceberg”: efficient in everything he does and intimidating without ever raising his voice. There have never been so much as a hint of a romantic scandal around him, and everyone assumes he’ll spend his whole life married to his work. That is, until a recruitment drive brings him face-to-face with Xia Zhiyi, a new employee. The young woman stands in the sunlight, checking documents in a simple white blouse. A spot of ink stains her fingertip, and 65Reads7.3Score—14d adds
