Novels like The Road Ahead Is Hard
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The Road Ahead Is Hard, best match first.
- 151 The Second-Born 排行老二 Second in birth order —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 152 Locked Glaze 锁琉璃 Locked Glaze 396Reads—Score—14d adds
- 153 This Empire Was Won in Battle by My Husband and Me 这江山，是我和夫君杀出来的 A marriage contract turned me, Shen Yuan, into a pawn my family was willing to discard, marrying me off to a sickly prince said to die before turning twenty, to bring him good fortune. On our wedding night, my father handed me a packet of deadly poison. “Make him die of his illness. That is your only duty!” I poisoned him through my tears, thinking I would be a widow from then on. But my frail husband downed it in one gulp and flashed me a wicked smile. “My dear, this poison tastes pretty good.” —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 154 After My Husband Gave His Kidney to His One True Love 老公把肾给了白月光后 After My Husband Donated His Kidney to His White Moonlight 7.3kReads—Score17114d adds
- 155 Jiadou's Little Red Flower 嘉朵小红花 Jiadou's Little Red Flower 73Reads—Score—14d adds
- 156 On Our Wedding Night, He Sent Me to the Military Camp 大婚夜，他把我送进了军营 On Our Wedding Night, He Sent Me to the Military Camp 9.2kReads—Score16014d adds
- 157 The Day We Divorced, the Marquis's Ancestors Followed Me 和离当天，侯府祖宗跟我走了 [Divorce + business + beloved by the ancestors + a groveling ex-husband + slow-burn romance] The day Gu Yunzheng returned to the capital victorious, he brought Princess Ning'an with him. “Qingyao will be my legal wife, and you'll be demoted to secondary wife. You can still manage the household.” Shen Mingtang laughed. So someone else got all the benefits, while she was left to clean up the mess? In front of everyone, she produced a divorce agreement, then slapped seven years of account books dow —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 158 A Little Cloud 一片小云朵 [Sunny boy Xu Ji × sensitive, overthinking Qiao Tong] [Bad ending] When they first meet, midsummer sunlight falls across the boy’s clothes, and Xu Ji’s smile catches Qiao Tong completely off guard. Bit by bit, Xu Ji brings light to Qiao Tong’s dark world. After the college entrance exams, Xu Ji gathers the courage to reveal the secret he has kept in his heart for so long. “Qiao Tong, will you give me the chance to walk beside you?” “I like you.” Waves pound against the shore. Xu Ji’s words crash 42Reads—Score914d adds
- 159 When Mountains and Rivers Burn, I’ll Part from You 山河烬，与君绝 Synopsis The two nations go to war. The land changes, the empire spanning thousands of miles falls, and human lives are as insignificant as ants. Song Yingying, a princess born to a concubine, and her father and brothers become prisoners in an instant. Li Zonglie, the Fourth Prince of Great Zhou, is a mad, scheming man who destroys her country alongside his father and brothers. While being taken north as a prisoner, she accidentally saves him, and their torturous entanglement begins. At first, h 783Reads6.0Score11414d adds
- 160 A Bride of Tender Grace 娇聘 A captivating heroine + household intrigue + mystery-solving + married first, love later, and doting romance The heroine is a sharp-tongued little firecracker; the hero may be a smiling tiger. As the only daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Su Jinli is famous among the capital's noble families for her beauty, as well as for being spoiled, lazy, and useless. All she wants is to lie flat, but she is looked down on by the noble young ladies, disliked by her future mother-in-law, and even has her e 4.1kReads9.1Score60414d adds
- 161 After My Whole Family Could Hear My Thoughts, the Middle Child Became Everyone’s Darling 被全家读心后，中间崽成了团宠 After My Family Could Hear My Thoughts, the Middle Child Became Everyone's Favorite 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 162 The Mystery of My Parents' Fall into the Sea 双亲坠海之谜 The Mystery of Their Parents’ Disappearance at Sea 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 163 The Rich Young Masters' Plaything 贵少爷们的玩物 [Angsty Romance] [Multiple Male Leads] [Not a Clean Romance] [Exes Begging for Forgiveness] Have you ever loved someone like this? Loved every strand of his hair, every glance he gave you, so that even the most insignificant thing he said could make you feel giddy with happiness. Knowing full well he wasn't the right person, yet still throwing yourself into the flames like a moth, with no regrets even as you burned. When Cheng Xiaoxiao was eighteen, she loved someone just like that. I'm too laz 41.2kReads—Score4.2k14d adds
- 164 I Promise You a Lifetime of Longing 许你一生长相思 Xu Nuannuan is mute. At eighteen, Mu Sibai brings her back from the countryside. Overnight, she goes from a country girl to the envy of every woman in the capital: Mrs. Mu. She is mute, and also a spare bone marrow donor Mu Sibai keeps for the woman he loves. Two years after arriving at the Mu family home, she finally understands that the man has given her nothing but coldness and cruelty. On a bitterly cold night, Xu Nuannuan takes a knife and, with tears of blood streaming down her face, plung 541Reads6.0Score—14d adds
- 165 He Sent Her to the Crown Prince, Then Regretted It and Took Her Back by Force 亲手将她送太子，王爷后悔强夺回 Main story complete! Extras complete! The second male lead takes the crown in the main story! The extras offer a happy ending for some readers! [Angst + physical and emotional torment + possessive abduction + forced love + not mutually chaste] Sold to a brothel by her sister-in-law, Chu Niaoniao became the chosen plaything of Ji Xunzhi. He hired renowned masters to teach her music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and literature, and forced her to master dance and seduction. Yet he took eve 1.9kReads8.2Score12314d adds
- 166 The Courtesan's Abandoned Concubine: Her Second Marriage to a Duke 花魁弃妾，二嫁国公 A true celestial beauty pretending to be a delicate courtesan VS a fake playboy who is actually a powerful duke She is a breathtaking courtesan whom everyone pities, as fragile as a willow in the wind. But that delicate act is all carefully staged! Born under the stigma of having caused her mother’s death, she suffers under her stepmother’s cruelty and is sold into a brothel at the age of ten. At fifteen, she is bought out for a fortune by Marquis Cheng’en Mu Shiyong, who keeps her in a gilded c 114Reads—Score—14d adds
- 167 A Shadow Without a Trace 妩影妩踪 [Transmigration, soul transmigration, substitute romance, two first loves, a general who takes what he wants, obsessive male lead, two men vying for one woman, tragic historical romance, court intrigue, household power struggles, a heroine who saves herself, legitimate daughter, playing the fool to fool the tiger, careful planning at every turn] One night as husband and wife, half a lifetime of old dreams. Deep in Shen Lingwu's heart was Xie Zhilan, the gentle and refined young man she once lov 33Reads—Score—14d adds
- 168 My Son Is a Vampire 我的儿子是吸血鬼 My Son Is a Vampire 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 169 Escape from the Peach Blossom Trap 逃夭 After losing her memory, Su Wan lost all her martial arts skills and was left disfigured. For no apparent reason, she married into the Lin family and was swept into a bloody storm. Yun Chen used love as bait, scheming at every turn as he deliberately drew close to her. He used her to wipe out his enemies, only to fall deeply in love with her before he realized it. When the truth came to light and her memories returned, she learned that it had all been a lie: the two of them were sworn enemies, a 399Reads9.0Score5614d adds
- 170 A Seven-Year Dream, Ending Here 七年一梦，到此为止 Seven Years, a Dream, Now at an End 20Reads—Score—14d adds
- 171 A Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law's Feud 婆媳仇 My mother-in-law is a champion at double standards. When her own daughter sleeps until midmorning, she's "blessed." When I get up ten minutes late, I'm a "lazy daughter-in-law." My husband is the ultimate "dutiful son," and his catchphrase is always, "My mom has it so hard." 5.1kReads—Score24614d adds
- 172 Loving You Is a Fool’s Dream 爱你是人间妄想 Mu Guicheng hated Shen Qing. At the height of his hatred, he wanted to cut her into a thousand pieces and reduce her bones to ashes. But later, when she turned to ash before his eyes, he would rather have his soul annihilated and suffer eternal ruin if only he could keep a wisp of hers… Shen Qing loved Mu Guicheng. She always thought he was her light, her faith, until the day she died and understood that, to her, he had always been nothing but hell. The man who gave her a ray of light in the end 382Reads7.4Score10614d adds
- 173 In the End, Deep Love Leaves Nothing but Heartbreak 情深终负尽 After five years of dating and three years of marriage, Qin Yue underwent IVF more than a dozen times, but in the end Gu Yanzhi still rejected her. “You can't have children. You're not fit to be my wife.” Later, Gu Yanzhi saw another man tenderly holding Qin Yue, whose belly was swollen with pregnancy... 166Reads8.0Score—14d adds
- 174 Mr. Lu, You're Overacting 陆总，戏过了 President Lu, That's Taking It Too Far 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 175 Spring Blossoms Never Return 春华不归 I must have told you I loved you hundreds of years ago. But you forgot, and I never remembered., “Lovers Who Missed Each Other” Years of companionship made him take her for granted. He was so sure she would always be there waiting for him that he went about his own business, treating her with indifference, because she was always there. Her heart finally went cold, and she left. Even the most precious thing seems ordinary once you have it. Only after losing it do you realize what it meant. He 380Reads7.9Score—14d adds
- 176 He Loves Me, Yet He Married Her 他爱我，却娶了她 He Loves Me, Yet He Married Her 18Reads—Score—14d adds
- 177 A Tenant of the Underworld 在地府做钉子户 To sever a doomed bond, Xie Lingzhi hid in the Underworld for a hundred years, even declaring that she wouldn’t leave until she’d stayed for five hundred. The King of Hell couldn’t meet his KPI, so he came over in a huff, then left again. He found her even more troublesome than the Great Sage Sun, who had destroyed the Book of Life and Death. In a fit of anger, he cut off her provisions. With no other choice, Xie Lingzhi set up a stall on Ghost Street, but wound up bringing Liang Chuanhui back w 69Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 178 My Lord, Grant Me a Lovesick Gu 请君赐我相思蛊 When they were young, Jun Wuye and Yun Ji both believed in love. She once vowed to live and die with him, but love could never overcome schemes and deceit. One misunderstanding, and they were parted for life. Her family was destroyed, her brother was brutally killed, her child miscarried, and both her legs were crippled. “Jun Wuye, did you ever love me at all?” On the city wall, dressed in a wedding gown red as blood, she spoke in a voice full of grief. He slashed her wedding gown with his sword 87Reads6.2Score—14d adds
- 179 Half Ginkgo, Half First Snow 一半银杏一半初雪 [Two top students + school life + everyday moments + sweet at first, then bittersweet] [Arrogant, headstrong girl vs. cold genius] That summer, she escaped the abyss and met him. * That autumn marked the beginning of their happiness. She asked, “Do you know why I like ginkgo leaves and the first snowfall?” He said, “Someday, I'll take you to different places to see the ginkgo trees and the first snow.” Beneath the ginkgo tree, the boy looked serious as the wind sent leaves swirling across th 165Reads—Score—14d adds
- 180 A Marriage at a Crossroads 婚途陌路 Strangers on the Road to Marriage 49Reads—Score714d adds
- 181 After My Son Was Bullied, I Chose to Do This 儿子被霸凌后，我选择这么做 After my son was bullied, I chose to do this 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 182 See You Tomorrow, Monday 周一，明天见 [A short bad-ending story. Readers who can't handle angst, beware.] Xu Qingze was Zhou Yi’s boyfriend. He was in a car accident abroad. Everyone told Zhou Yi he was dead, but she stubbornly refused to believe it. She cried herself blind, ruined her health, and clung to life by a thread. Just as Zhou Yi was about to die, Xu Qingze came back. With a warm smile, he held out his hand to Zhou Yi. “Hello, my name is Xu Qingze.” Zhou Yi: Xu Qingze, how dare you forget me. But I’m glad you forgot me. ( 2.2kReads8.1Score42614d adds
- 183 He Spoiled Her for Ten Years, Then Pushed Her into Hell with His Own Hands 宠她十年，却亲手将她推进地狱 He Spoiled Her for Ten Years, Then Personally Pushed Her Into Hell 14Reads—Score—14d adds
- 184 You Are My Boundless Delusion 你是无边妄念 For three years of marriage, Shen Weisu had been content to live the pampered life of a wealthy wife by Zhou Yanhuai’s side. That was until one night, when the woman he had always longed for crashed her car into Shen Weisu’s. When her husband arrived at the hospital, he walked straight past her without so much as a glance, heading for someone else. 8.2kReads8.7Score62214d adds
- 185 Stop Torturing Me, You Possessive Daddy! Mommy's Pregnant and Has Run Away 偏执爹地别虐了！妈咪有孕出逃了 Six months into their marriage, an accident sent her straight to hell. The man who married her tormented, humiliated, and toyed with her, making her wish she were dead. When her heart had finally grown cold, she fled Jiangcheng at all costs, pregnant and all. Five years later, she made a stunning return with her twin sons. At the airport, the little darlings pointed at a man. “Mommy, that uncle looks just like me.” Before she could even turn around, a pair of strong arms yanked her into an embra 95Reads7.1Score—14d adds
- 186 After the Mad Emperor Claimed Me, I Ran Away 被疯批皇帝豪夺后，小娇娇跑路了 (Two endings + heroine disguised as a man + female general + possessive hero + groveling redemption + both leads remain faithful) “If you want to save your father, then please the emperor!” Sima Zhuoqing never imagined that all her pain would come from Chu Yi. She once swore to follow him all her life, protecting him and safeguarding his kingdom. He loved her, yet he didn’t trust her. On the basis of baseless accusations, he tormented and humiliated her. She struggled to argue her case and 309Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 187 Matriarchy: The Phoenix's Arrival Before the Four Lords 女尊：凤临四君 Heroine: Xiao Zhiyue, beautiful, powerful, and tragic to the core The seventh princess of the Fenglin Dynasty. Her birth father died young, and her imperial mother despises her. She spent eighteen years in the Cold Palace with a face said to be a calamity to men. Everyone in the capital knows she's breathtakingly beautiful, yet so powerless that anyone can bully her. [Four Princes Consort Candidates Who Keep Trying to Outdo Each Other] 1. Shen Qingmo, the aloof Chief Councilor. Outwardly: "I obe 1.3kReads—Score11914d adds
- 188 I Only Hope We Won't Know Each Other in the Next Life 惟愿来生不相识 On the seventh day after her father's death, she learned she had terminal stomach cancer. Seven months pregnant, she begged him not to make her donate blood to his first love, but he cruelly shoved her to the ground anyway. She would never forget the icy look in his eyes... He thought the document she sent him would be divorce papers. He never imagined it would be her last letter... 82Reads5.8Score—14d adds
- 189 The Female Shadow Guard Who Fell in Love 动了心的女暗卫 The Female Shadow Guard Who Fell in Love 908Reads—Score—14d adds
- 190 I Divorced My Husband to Set Him Free for His First Love, but He Refused 离婚成全丈夫和白月光，他却不干了 I divorced my husband to reunite him with his first love, but he refused to go along with it. 69Reads—Score—14d adds
- 191 This Love Has Become a Memory, Like a Pair of Mandarins Left Behind 此情已自成追忆，零落鸳鸯 (Not a mutually devoted couple, read with caution) BE aesthetics [Princess of Great Yan + Emperor of Great Chu] [Cool beauty + mad emperor] She was Mu Ziwan, the noble legitimate princess of Great Yan. He was Chu Junqian, the young emperor of Great Chu. That year, Chu Junqian was only thirteen. Great Chu and Great Yan went to war, and Great Chu was defeated. His own sister was sent to Great Yan to marry for peace, and it was through this that Chu Junqian first met Mu Ziwan. She was seven years o 656Reads8.9Score10114d adds
- 192 Mom, I Really Did What You Wanted and Went to Die 妈妈，我如你的愿真的去死了 During a bout of depression, I stood on the rooftop, wanting to jump. The firefighters finally managed to talk me down. My mother arrived late and rushed over to slap me: "All you do is embarrass me! Why didn't you actually jump? You keep trying to scare people every day, threatening to jump! I wish you'd hurry up and die, so I wouldn't have to see you and get annoyed!" Later, when I really did die, she went to my grave every day and wept her heart out. 1.9kReads—Score15314d adds
- 193 I Work as a Matron in the Imperial Palace 我在深宫当嬷嬷 I Work as a Matron in the Imperial Palace 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 194 One-Man Show 独角戏 [Signed for simplified Chinese publication] I wish I were brave, but when it comes to loving you, I always feel so unworthy. 388Reads8.8Score10214d adds
- 195 A Love That Cuts to the Bone: The Madam Has Taken Her Own Life 蚀骨虐情，夫人已自尽 [Angst and heartbreak + no reconciliation after the breakup + the male lead gets a tragic ending] If there is a next life, I never want to fall in love with you again... Lin Shuyue married the man she loved most in this life, but on their wedding night, a basin of cold water drenched her from head to toe: he loved her older sister. He hated scheming people more than anything. So he tormented her, imprisoned her, and hated her. Again and again, he hurt her. Until, in the end, she lost their child 3.5kReads—Score12814d adds
- 196 A Peach Blossom in a Single Thought 一念桃花 Eight years ago, Chang Wanyun was rescued from the chaos of war by a young man dressed in white. Gazing at the handsome, wealthy youth before her, she decided on the spot that he was exactly her type. Eight years later, Wanyun finally learned who he was: Pei Yuan, the ninth prince of the current emperor. When they met again, Wanyun, the sole disciple of the Medical Sage, came to Pei Yuan’s side to treat his injuries, calling him “big brother” this and “big brother” that. Pei Yuan was buried in w 1.9kReads9.1Score23614d adds
- 197 Don't Look Back, or You'll See Your Grave 莫回头，回头见坟头 Don't Look Back, or You'll See Your Grave 29Reads—Score—14d adds
- 198 The Lonely Spring in an Empty Courtyard Comes Late 寂寞空庭春欲晚 A duet of flute and reed instruments brings about a tangled romance in a golden age. In the spring of the eighteenth year of the Kangxi reign, the emperor traveled to Baoding for a hunting expedition. That night, Nalan Rongruo, a palace guard who had accompanied the emperor, heard him play “Moonrise” on an iron reed. From a spot far from the camp, someone played along on a flute. Nalan recognized the flutist as Linlang, his cousin, who had been taken into the palace. He could not help showing hi 1.2kReads9.3Score20214d adds
- 199 A Merchant's Charm in Troubled Times 乱世商娇 A Charismatic Merchant in Troubled Times 126Reads—Score1114d adds
- 200 Tortured to the Extreme 极虐 An Nuan was a gifted pianist, but after being framed and sent to prison, she emerged three years later to find her life turned upside down! Then she met Si Lingfeng, the most powerful man in City C. He loved and cherished her with all his heart. If she said she wanted the stars, he would pluck them from the sky without a second thought. From their very first meeting, he pursued An Nuan passionately! When it came to winning her over, Si Lingfeng embodied every word: cunning, calculating, settin 714Reads6.4Score—14d adds
