Novels like The Poor Little Thing Always Thinks He's a Substitute
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The Poor Little Thing Always Thinks He's a Substitute, best match first.
- 51 After I Returned Home, the Big Shot Begged Me to Love Him Again 回国后大佬求我再爱他一次 [Two male leads + rekindled love + groveling to win back his lover + face-slapping] [Important: The protagonist grows over time. The bottom suffers in the first half, and the top suffers in the second. The top grovels to win his lover back, and everyone gets their comeuppance. If you can endure the bottom’s suffering at first, the top will be on his knees chasing after him later.] Everyone in S City knows that business tycoon Lu Qichuan has a lover he never speaks of, a designer named Shen Zhiy 510Reads7.1Score10314d adds
- 52 The Heir Was Betrothed Away, and His Pride Was Shattered 世子被配,傲骨尽碎 Angst first, sweetness later / Strong leads / Tragic romance / Court intrigue / Historical setting / Forced love / Unhinged top / Sense of destiny / The top's long road to winning back his love [Cold, proud heir who refuses to bend x Scheming, possessive puppy-like top] Jiang Hanqing was the heir to the Eastern Qi throne, a proud young man who rode fine horses in fine clothes. But a single imperial decree arranging his marriage forced him to become the male wife of the Shen family. Shen Duo lov 2.5kReads8.2Score21614d adds
- 53 The Cage of Undying Bonds 不死之缚之囚笼 [Captivity + 1v1 + Obsessive + Twisted] Mu Yan is kidnapped by his schoolmate, Jiang Yuanyu, and imprisoned in a mountain villa. Gentle yet obsessive, Jiang Yuanyu loves Mu Yan deeply and is willing to endure all his hatred and violence. From the villa to a deserted island, the captivity grows ever more severe. Hatred gives rise to pain, and pain in turn twists into dependence. Amid sadism and masochism, the two seek a twisted balance, while the line between love and hate grows increasingly blu 179Reads—Score—14d adds
- 54 Though the Blade Lies Buried, a Hidden Fragrance Still Drifts 锋沉犹有暗香浮 The Blade Lies Still, Yet a Faint Fragrance Drifts 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 55 Nine-Tailed Fox Slave: The Fox Demon Is Being Tortured to Death by the Demon Lord 九尾成奴:狐妖快被魔尊虐死了 [Newly rated] [Angst, physical and emotional torment, two male leads, and mutual devotion] [Cruel, violent Demon Lord seme x lowly, wretched fox demon uke] [Content warning: extremely cruel, with no limits. The seme is genuinely violent!] A hundred years ago, Su Zongchen slaughtered the entire village where Yan Jinqi lived. Hunted by the Kunlun Mountains, he eventually destroyed his own demon core and became a demon slave. (There was a misunderstanding.) Consumed by hatred, Yan Jinqi used forbid 493Reads7.3Score10114d adds
- 56 Two Branches 两枝桠头 [Two male leads + salvation + tragic romance + tragic ending] Before meeting Li Chu, Jiang Ge planned to live until he was twenty, then end his own life. They were each other's only reason to keep living. From a narrow crack, they fought desperately to catch a glimpse of the light. But just as their lives were getting back on track, the arrival of their adoptive father shattered their fragile peace. The night Jiang Ge was struck in a vital spot, he whispered in Li Chu's right ear, “Chuchu, I 142Reads8.0Score10014d adds
- 57 The Treacherous Minister 佞臣 The early chapters bring devastating physical and emotional torment. Later, the emperor chases his wife to the crematorium, and the sweetness will bring you to tears. Zhou Nan: A loyal, stoic, battle-hardened general, a beautiful male lead. Shen Xiuyu: A brutal, twisted emperor, consumed by hatred, the domineering male lead. Zhou Nan is a general of the Lin Dynasty. Shen Xiuyu is its emperor. They should have been childhood sweethearts, but Shen Xiuyu's imperial father fell in love with Zhou Nan 344Reads6.5Score10914d adds
- 58 Forbidden Love: The Sandstorms and Loess of Those Years 罪爱:那年风沙,那年黄土 [Two male leads + angst + period drama + tragic ending + heart-wrenching angst with a lasting impact] Grandpa told me a story. Sixty years ago, the educated youth Bai Xing fell in love with Gu Mancan and died at the execution grounds. That year, I met Li Yuheng and thought I could rewrite the ending. But they still drove us to our deaths. The same windblown sands as that year. The same return of our souls to the earth. The love of two generations was buried in the same spring. Grandpa sa 311Reads—Score—14d adds
- 59 Looking Back, Autumn Has Fallen Across the Land 回首山河已是秋 When I Look Back, Autumn Has Fallen Across the Land 11Reads—Score—14d adds
- 60 A Kiss in the Ashen Sanctuary 烬吻圣狱 [Mystery and Tormented Romance x Ultimate Romance x Two Powerful Leads Turned Dark x A Divine Showdown x Rise to Godhood] Ashen Kiss, Sacred Prison: When Two Gods Go to War Over Me. I personally cast Xue Hen from the altar and climbed to the top over his downfall. Until he returned from hell and swore in my ear: “The death you gave me, you will repay with the rest of your life.” From then on, I fell into the web he had carefully spun, trapped in a dangerous, deadly game. “Does it hurt?” His fing 2Reads—Score114d adds
- 61 You Beat Me Up for Every Kiss. Why Are You Crying Now That I’m Dead? 亲一下都暴打我,我死后你哭什么 [Two male leads + both reborn + groveling for his love + reunited after a breakup + bittersweet, sweet romance + mutual firsts + happy ending] [Beautiful, sickly little crippled bottom x domineering, unhinged straight top] The rating has only just opened, and very few people have rated it, so it’s low for now. It’ll go up later. Thank you. A car accident four years ago took Huaiqiu, the one person Shifeng cherished above all others, and left Huaichun with a limp. Before Huaiqiu died, he asked Sh 417Reads5.5Score—14d adds
- 62 The Ephemeral Blossoms in My Dreams, A Tribute to You 梦里昙花奠与卿 [A devoted, mute opera performer on the bottom × a short-tempered warlord with a possessive streak on top] Republican-era China / Tragedy / Male-Male Romance / Monogamous, devoted relationship / Happy ending (Love knows no gender; all that matters is whether two people understand each other. But in the end, they lose because they do not.) Shen Qing is a renowned opera performer. For the sake of a promise of deep love, he willingly takes off his costume and marries the warlord Nie Mingze. But 275Reads—Score—14d adds
- 63 Reborn as His Special Favorite 重生后成了先生的偏爱 [Complete] ♡ Both are pure in body and heart, and devoted to each other from beginning to end ♡ The top says cruel things, but has a soft heart. There may be hatred, but the love is still there! (The top is reborn at the start; the bottom is reborn later.) ✨ In his previous life, Huo Jingchi was betrayed by Chen Rui, the man he had loved for three years and shared a bed with, and by his own brother. He fell from the heights of glory into an abyss, endured endless torment, and died a horrible dea 1.4kReads6.6Score10814d adds
- 64 My Childhood Friend Became My Ex: Where Can Yu Sheng Run? 竹马变前任,渝生哪里逃! Title: Mu Sheng [Possessive CEO × Down-and-Out Ex][Mutual Firsts × Bittersweet Romance × Forced Love × Reunion After Years Apart × Reconciliation × Dissociative Identity Disorder] “Song Yusheng, could you please not leave me?” “I’ve always been here.” “I mean, I like you. Could we be together?” “If you don’t want to...” Song Yusheng cut him off. “Sure.” Chi Mu: “What did you say?” Song Yusheng: “I said I like you too.” “Song Yusheng, you lied to me...” “Song Yusheng, you lied to me again 46Reads—Score—14d adds
- 65 Countdown to a Simp’s Diary 舔狗日记倒计时 Dual Male Leads, Flirt and Run + Bittersweet Romance + Mild Angst + A Groveling Chase to Win His Wife Back + Rekindled Love After a Breakup Obsessive, Dark Top × Selfish, Slightly Scummy Bottom In his junior year of college, Mu Mu made a decision: He would choose the hardest-to-handle rich kid on campus and play the lovesick puppy, just to experience what it felt like to love someone with humiliating devotion, so he could write it into his novel. He memorized all his habits. He acted so convi 90Reads—Score—14d adds
- 66 Shadow Guard, Kneel and Beg Your Master to Spare You 影卫乖乖跪下,求主子放过 [Dual male leads + prince as the pursuer + shadow guard as the pursued + plenty of physical angst, little emotional angst + mutual devotion + series] Every story has a happy ending!!! Golden Arches vibes: plenty of physical angst, little emotional angst, prince vs. shadow guard Volume One: Powerful, high-ranking pursuer vs. loyal, stoic pursued Volume Two: Cool, arrogant pursuer vs. sunny, vivacious pursued Volume Three: Unhinged, brooding pursuer vs. clueless-about-romance pursued Volume Four: 2.4kReads8.6Score19814d adds
- 67 My Lover with Depression 我的抑郁症情人 [Redemption through obsessive love] Just before a depressed Omega plans to end his life, top Alpha Shen Yan takes him in. Lin Yu has only a few hundred days left to live and plans to jump into the river at night. Then he meets Shen Yan at a club during his heat. The Alpha’s pheromones quiet all the noise in his mind. Shen Yan proposes a deal: one year of companionship in exchange for resources and protection. Lin Yu thinks he has stolen a little time for himself, but fills his diary with all h 1.7kReads8.6Score21814d adds
- 68 The CEO Panicked When the Little Tyrant Became Critically Ill 小霸王病危后总裁他慌了 [Dual male leads, reconciliation after a breakup, sickly, regret and pursuit, happy ending!] Cool CEO gong × depressed, sickly shou Mu Ning was once the most doted-on young master of the wealthy Mu family, as well as a notorious little tyrant in their social circle. But falling in love with Gu Yanchu changed the course of his life forever. His own father personally sent him to hell. After that, he became insecure and sensitive, burdened with injuries and illness. When he finally fought his way o 2.7kReads8.2Score17814d adds
- 69 The Worthy Minister Never Returns 良臣不归 A Worthy Minister Never Returns 38Reads—Score—14d adds
- 70 Imprisoned by Love: Wildfire Scorches the Stars 囚爱:野火灼星 [Two male leads + forced love + two powerful leads + heartbreakingly angsty and sickeningly sweet] A love fated across three lifetimes, a tragic romance spanning two. He is the sharpest blade of the Six Fan Gate; I am the coldest bandit of Blackwind Stronghold. When I locked this jade-faced constable in a stone cell, all I wanted was to break his pride. The torture devices couldn’t make him talk, but they made me addicted. “Shangguan Xingyang,” I licked the blood from the corner of his lips. “T 182Reads—Score—14d adds
- 71 Locked in Love, Broken by Sorrow 锁爱成殇 He was his master’s loyal shadow, a blade that could be discarded at any moment. Cheng Mu, Shen Yi’s personal bodyguard, was exceptionally skilled, reserved, and taciturn. He had no name, no family, and no regrets. He had only one conviction: protect his master, even if it cost him his life. Shen Yi was a noble young master, high above the rest, handsome and cold, with everything under his control. He had countless favored companions at his beck and call, yet he always treated Cheng Mu as if he 1.2kReads8.7Score—14d adds
- 72 The Breeze Never Reaches Mozi Mountain 清风不至莫子山 Between father and son, and between master and disciple, there is physical and emotional torment, as well as sternness and tenderness. The conflicts between Meng Buzhi and his son, Meng Xubai, and the mutual salvation between Meng Buzhi and his disciple, Mo Zishan, make this a story about food, growing up, and love~ The breeze may be gone, but it lives on. 2.9kReads—Score22314d adds
- 73 The Spoiled Heir Was Forced to Become a Concubine! 纨绔世子被逼当妾后! The Spoiled Young Lord Is Forced to Become a Concubine! 541Reads—Score—14d adds
- 74 He Said He Wanted to Be My Wife 他说要给我当媳妇 He Said He'd Marry Me 34Reads—Score—14d adds
- 75 Mr. Grim Reaper, Is It My Turn Today? 死神先生,今天轮到我了吗? Mr. Reaper, is it my turn today? 96Reads—Score214d adds
- 76 Fake Smile Diary 假笑日记 I'm Xu Yiwen. Just as I was about to enter the world, I met Chang Jiayou. He took me in, though he said that wasn't what he was doing. I have no family, and he said he could be my family. So he loved me in the name of family. But love can't be hidden. I discovered that his feelings for me were more than ordinary. Countless times, he wanted to come closer, but in the end he never did. So I decided to confess. I wanted to be his lover. I don't understand what kind of feeling this is. I only know i 30Reads9.4Score—14d adds
- 77 After My Bankruptcy, My Ex-Boyfriend Became My Boss 破产后前男友成了我老板 [Alternate Universe | Two Male Leads | Reunited After a Breakup | Redemption, Sweet and Angsty] The day Cheng Xi went bankrupt, he finally learned what it meant to have everyone turn against him. His parents and older brother fled overseas overnight and vanished without a trace. His fair-weather friends blocked him. And Gu Yun, the poor student he had once “forced” to live with him, was laughing and chatting at a café with a younger schoolmate. Cheng Xi quietly left the city. Three years later, 3kReads6.5Score20314d adds
- 78 Silently, I Thought It Was a Song 默以为歌 Short-tempered, childish top × stubborn beauty bottom (One-on-one + a huge bucket of melodrama + no regard for morals + rekindled love) If it's not for you, just leave. Don't force yourself to read. Yuan Moyan was a ray of light in Ning Ge's heart. But Yuan only saw him as the cuckoo who had taken over another bird's nest. He hated and despised him, and wanted him gone. By the time all the misunderstandings were cleared up, Ning Ge had already left, sick and frail. Only then did Yuan realize he 279Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 79 The Demon Lord’s Cultivation Furnace Is the Leader of the Righteous Path 魔尊的炉鼎是正道魁首 I am the greatest immortal of this age, disguised as a cultivation furnace to overcome my heart-demon tribulation and infiltrate the side of my sworn enemy, the Demon Venerable. By day, I endure the humiliation of serving him tea and water. By night, I grit my teeth through his cruel, unpredictable torment. Then one day, after getting drunk, he pinches my chin and sneers, “You’re a terrible actor.” As cold sweat breaks out on me and I prepare to die with him, he suddenly kisses the blood on the 106Reads—Score—14d adds
- 80 He Went to Bury Him 他去葬他 He wanted to leave with his beloved, but they only smiled and brushed their nose against his. When he opened his eyes again, he had hit his head against his beloved's gravestone. Letters lay scattered across the ground in front of it. He gazed at the white snow and the yellowed tombstone. Afraid his beloved would be too lonely on the journey, he brought a vast sweep of periwinkles to bury them. [The romance is mutual, with neither side being coy] [Chapters 1 and 2 are terrible. I'll come back an 204Reads—Score—14d adds
- 81 After the Enemy Crown Prince Tricked Me Into Becoming His Substitute 被敌国太子骗做替身之后 [Devoted couple, angst, serious angst!!! Frail, sickly beauty of a divine physician and prince bottom × initially deranged, later puppy-like crown prince who pursues his love top] (The rating is low because the novel just came out, but it will rise.) The Ninth Prince of Linzhao, Ji Yuxuan, is handsome, brilliant, and exceptionally capable. In court, he wields influence at will, leaving the ministers lamenting. Among the noble families, he wins the secret affections of official's daughters and t 300Reads7.3Score10314d adds
- 82 We Broke Up, and Now You Love Me Again 分手了,你又爱我了 Two male leads + winning back his love + cold and distant pursuer who later becomes devoted + a love interest who is both obsessive and clearheaded Shen Rong is dying, and he's decided to give up on Gu Chen. He's had a secret crush on Gu Chen for five years, and forced Gu Chen to be with him for those same five years. He gave everything he had, hoping Gu Chen might like him just a little. Unfortunately, things didn't go as he wished: even after five years, Gu Chen remained just as cold toward hi 2.3kReads7.2Score18014d adds
- 83 Salvation in the Deep 救赎深陷 [Anthology + BL + pure love + possessiveness + angst + mental illness + healing + protagonists with psychological disorders] An anthology of four stories Story One: A repressed, obsessive, manic puppy-like top VS a gentle, slow-to-realize bunny-like bottom (Li Zize and Shen Luochen). Complete. First the top suffers, then the bottom. A calculating man edges closer step by step, driving away everyone around him so he can keep his love all to himself. Story Two: A bottom with severe mental illness 52Reads—Score—14d adds
- 84 The Runaway Mermaid of the Capital's Princeling 京圈太子爷的落跑人鱼 The Runaway Mermaid of the Capital's Elite Circle 197Reads—Score—14d adds
- 85 Loving You Was No Passing Fancy 爱你非一时兴起 [Two male leads + vulnerable bottom + coercive love + unhinged + physical and emotional abuse] A mentally ill, unhinged top and a pitiful bottom University and the working world Some angst, second male lead gets the love interest [Hypocritical, cold, pretends to be dominant top; timid, insecure, obedient bottom] Coercion begins after chapter 100 Lu Yuanming's family was very wealthy, but his parents paid him no attention and sent him to school near his grandmother's home. Yun Zhou had seen Lu Yu 31Reads—Score—14d adds
- 86 Imprisoned in the Dark of Night, the Poor Little One Finally Submits 暗夜囚禁,小可怜他终于臣服 After the Xu family goes bankrupt, Xu Bai is put up for auction and bought by Gu Wangci. Beaten again and again, she can only keep trying to escape. Every time she's caught and brought back, the abuse gets worse... [Abuse, abuse, abuse] 10.1kReads6.5Score80914d adds
- 87 Your Grace Is a Prison 君恩如狱 Sorry the rating is a little low right after it came out 🥰 Forced love | Taking by force | Emperor gong | Gentle general gong | Strategist shou | Deeply angsty romance | Physical and emotional trauma | Rekindled romance | Ancient political intrigue | Extreme push and pull | Three male leads | All for the shou | Beautiful, strong, and tragic To save his mother, the once brilliant top scholar was branded a traitor for colluding with the enemy and personally reduced by the emperor to a plaything fo 3.3kReads8.6Score24814d adds
- 88 Lured by Passion, Drawn Into Your Trap 深情相诱,引君入局 Luo Tianming, a tough but tenderhearted general, x Song Pingjun, a scheming young prince who seizes power Luo Guangyao, a calculating strategist, x Crown Prince Song Langhui, obsessed with the imperial throne. Luo Tianming is a general with an army at his command; Song Pingjun is an ambitious young prince. One is devoted to defending the nation and protecting its people; the other wants absolute power so he can avenge his mother. He needs all of the other’s strength to secure his throne; the oth 22Reads—Score—14d adds
- 89 After They Called Him a Faker, the Sickly Boy Pulled Out His Life Support 被骂装病后,小病秧子他拔管了 [Two male couples + Pure love + Reconciliation after a breakup + Happy endings for both couples] [Cold, determined, action-oriented pursuer & Broken, self-destructive assault team member] [Earnest, conspicuous techie pursuer & Gentle, heartbroken doctor pursued] The night their campsite came under attack, Shen Zhiyan took a knife meant for Lu Xing. Blood soaked through his jacket, and pain radiated from his abdomen and lower back, but he refused medical attention, saying it was “just a small wou 5.2kReads8.6Score44614d adds
- 90 After Landing a Zombie King, This Little Troublemaker Gets Even Worse!! 小作精摊上丧尸王后更加作了!! The Little Brat Gets Even More Mischievous After Hooking Up with the Zombie King!! 75Reads—Score—14d adds
- 91 Psychic Sweethearts Are Meant to Save the World! 异能小情侣就是要拯救世界! Two male leads + 1v1 romance + supernatural powers + two equally matched leads + both have amnesia + reunion after a long separation + a touch of ensemble cast A sharp-tongued, overthinking, sometimes divine and sometimes demonic top × an innocent, strongest-in-the-world, sweet-on-the-outside-but-dark-within bottom One snowy day in a border town, in a certain year, month, and day. An amnesiac experimental subject, fresh from a forced escape, fell in love at first sight with the head of the Anoma 28Reads—Score514d adds
- 92 Porcelain Love 瓷爱 A car accident brought Mo Xiaoqian and Su Yuyang together. She didn't want money or things, only him. Mo Xiaoqian pursued him and caused trouble in every way she could, but the cold and aloof Su Yuyang gave her no response. Su Yuyang's disdain, Mo Xiaoqian's clinginess... He would never give up... 63Reads—Score—14d adds
- 93 Seven Years of Obsession: The Possessive Young Master Loses His Sincere Little Houseboy 七年执念,偏执少爷弄丢真心小家奴 Seven Years of Obsession: The Possessive Young Master Loses His True-Hearted House Slave 395Reads—Score514d adds
- 94 Memories of the Canal Beneath the Green Tiles 青瓦忆漕河 Republican era, two male leads, deep brotherly bonds, younger gong, love and hate intertwined, bittersweet tragic romance Passionate, domineering gong × restrained, teasing shou “Do you think that offering yourself to me will make me forgive my adoptive father?” Gu Mingzhu remembers the years he spent with Shen You by the Cao River. He had long desired Shen You, but the harm Shen's father had done to him left him torn between love and hate. When they meet again in Huizhou, he can no longer rest 9Reads—Score—14d adds
- 95 Are You Crazy, Young Master Yun? 疯了吧!云少 This is a side pairing from my first long novel, spun off into a short story of its own. It mixes sweetness with angst. My writing used to be rough, and I wasn't good at controlling the pacing, so I recommend starting from Chapter Four and jumping straight into the main story. Shi Ziqing had been Yun Xuan's canary for three years. Yun Xuan had only meant to leave him alone for a while, just loosen his grip a little, but Shi Ziqing actually dared to fly away and pursue grand ambitions. How could 72Reads—Score—14d adds
- 96 Abyss of Scorched Bones 灼骨深渊 [Two male leads + younger man/older man romance + obsessive love + two villains + sworn enemies + scummy bottom + love and hate] [Manipulative, wicked, two-faced bottom VS tearful, unhinged beauty top] Shen Zhuo hates Shen Yuan more than anything. He used to have a happy life. When Shen Yuan showed up, he blamed the boy his father had brought home for every misfortune that followed. - Shen Yuan had never been so deeply cared for by anyone in his life. Then Shen Zhuo came along, and at last he fo 1.4kReads8.3Score11114d adds
- 97 General, Care to Give Me a Try? 将军,要与我试试 Ye Yilan, the second son of the Minister of Rites, is an unloved young master who grew up timid and cowardly. Yet he somehow found the nerve to confess to a prince. By a stroke of luck, the emperor granted his wish and arranged their marriage, earning him someone’s resentment. The young general Mo Xuanning was upset that the imperial marriage decree had ruined his older brother’s match. He came up with what he thought was a brilliant plan to teach Ye Yilan a lesson and stop him from marrying the 392Reads8.4Score10714d adds
- 98 Reborn as a Jealous Lover, I Pursue My Loyal Dog of a Man 重生后化身醋包倒追忠犬 → Check out the new book: The Pathetic Little Darling Was Reborn as a Clingy Sweetheart [ABO], available through the author's profile 1v1 Reborn ABO [1v1, mutual devotion, healing each other] In his previous life, Tao Yu was blind to the truth and his own heart. He loved the wrong person and brought about his own ruin, but also dragged Gu Qian down with him. Though terrified of fire, Gu Qian had willingly rushed into the flames for his sake. Given another chance at life, Tao Yu, with belated cla 1.9kReads8.6Score18614d adds
- 99 At Last, I Realize What I Owe You 终觉亏欠 Young Liang Anxian will never forgive the person he becomes as an adult. Cheating scum-gong story! Enter at your own risk! Bad ending! Bad ending! Bad ending! Realistic setting, no rebirth, and no golden finger. 929Reads—Score—14d adds
- 100 After Being Tortured to Death, He Went on a Killing Spree 被虐杀后的他杀疯了 After being tortured to death, he went on a killing spree 105Reads—Score314d adds

















































