Novels like The Cunning Woman at Work
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as The Cunning Woman at Work, best match first.
- 101 The Cowboy’s Foray into Officialdom 放牛娃子闯官场 Liu Wenjie, a rural teacher who grew up herding cattle, left the classroom and entered government service through a chance opportunity. In the classroom, he used knowledge to educate people. In government, he used his abilities to help them. He remembered just one thing: “If you become an official, be a good one. Be an official who gets real things done for ordinary people and does right by them! Be an official whose feet are always caked with the mud of the fields!” With this unwavering commitm 103Reads6.9Score—14d adds
- 102 True Love in the Halls of Power 官场有真情 Smack! A loud slap. I covered my cheek and stared, stunned, at the impossibly handsome man in front of me. Sharp brows, bright eyes, abs faintly visible, broad shoulders and a narrow waist. At that moment, he was covering his lower half with a quilt and glaring at me furiously. Fuzzy images flashed through my mind: a bar, heartbreak, drinking to drown my sorrows. And then... Holy crap, what a score! “Miss, let me explain!” he said nervously. I tried to suppress the grin tugging at my lips and p 239Reads—Score—14d adds
- 103 I Have to Join This Game 这局我非入不可 [Slow-burn romance after nine years in the civil service] [14-year age gap] The male lead wields great power [A gentleman on the surface, domineering and scheming underneath] The female lead has a secret identity and seeks revenge [A sweet, soft girl on the surface, a fiercely ambitious career woman underneath] From the moment Zhou Quan passed the civil service exam, she stayed by Qi Chen's side. She never imagined anything would happen between them, but nine years is neither a long time nor a s 14Reads—Score—14d adds
- 104 The Game of Power 权利的游戏 Reborn in 2001, Gao Yuan decides he won’t lie flat anymore. He’ll ride the waves and fight his way forward in officialdom. Subtle dealings and favors, ruthless political power struggles, intense clashes of ideals, and the unpredictable ups and downs of a career in government. This is the story of a young official’s journey of transformation. 515Reads7.4Score10314d adds
- 105 From the Start, One Whistleblower's Letter Reforms the Entire Officialdom 开局一封举报信，整顿整个官场 After filing a real-name report against his superior, Chen Ming was kicked into the county archives with a transfer order. Everyone thought his career was over. But they had no idea that the old files nobody ever looked through contained the very things they were most afraid of bringing to light. You use a transfer order to push me around, and I use evidence to investigate you. From a section chief to the powerful backers protecting him at every level, this whistleblower letter is only the begin 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 106 Thirty Years of Political Ups and Downs 宦海沉浮三十年 A rural boy claws his way out of the countryside and into the world of politics, enduring relentless suppression in a grueling struggle to defy fate and change his life. After being tested in multiple workplaces and weathering the ups and downs of several relationships, he is repeatedly beaten down, only to turn the tables again and again. With no connections or backing, how far can he get in thirty years in politics? Is the problem the individual, or the system? A thought-provoking story. It al 5Reads—Score—14d adds
- 107 Male Gynecologist: From the Start, I Became the Hospital Director’s Secretary 妇科男医：开局给女院长当秘书 [The exhilarating comeback of The Knockout + House of Cards-style power plays, with a black-lotus heroine and high-stakes twists] “Fang Yu, would you have a child for me?” A recalled message from the gynecology clinic sets off a storm beneath the surface of Binhai People’s Hospital. Fang Yu, the hospital’s only male gynecologist, gets caught up in the schemes of the beautiful deputy director, Tang Ying, on his very first day as an intern. He stumbles upon Tang Ying’s affair with hospital directo 680Reads7.8Score11314d adds
- 108 The Righteous Path of Officialdom 官道正途 Li Wei has just entered officialdom. Though he faces countless twists and hardships along the way, he never shows fear or the slightest inclination to back down. Confronted with tangled relationships and all manner of thorny problems, he patiently untangles each one, relying on his exceptional intelligence and courage to respond with composure. The wetland in Xiaohe Village, rich in rare mineral resources, attracts covetous attention from local factions and outside forces alike, drawing people f 64Reads—Score—14d adds
- 109 Upright and Righteous, I Stand Between Heaven and Earth 一身正气立天地 On the chessboard of power, the word “official” is like a subtle game piece, its two mouths concealing endless wisdom and mystery. One mouth represents the art of speech: an official must be eloquent, choosing every word with care and using wisdom to guide public opinion. The other represents the art of socializing, building connections over food and drink. But remember, never cross the line or take a single cent of the people's hard-earned money. These meals are not merely a matter of culture, —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 110 The Traffic Bureau Chief 交通局长 Lin Zhongquan was an ordinary employee in a road maintenance section. Following his father’s wishes, he was determined to climb the ranks. On his father’s repeated advice, he married the former mayor’s daughter and managed to get in good with Huang Dingli, the head of the Pingchang Municipal Transportation Bureau. During a construction tender, Huang Dingli and Lin Zhongquan got to know contractor He Rubin and the stunningly beautiful public relations agent Miaomiao. They helped He Rubin win the 93Reads9.4Score—14d adds
- 111 From Down-and-Out Secretary to Powerhouse at the Peak 从落魄秘书到巅峰大佬 After his superior suddenly ran into trouble, Zhang Dongfeng, who had been riding high with a bright future ahead of him, found himself backed into a corner. More terrifying still, he discovered he had fallen into a trap controlled by an unseen hand... 16.8kReads7.4Score1.5k14d adds
- 112 The Dragon Soars Across the Four Seas 龙腾四海 Love, reality, and morality intertwine across a variety of themes, with each story portraying a different facet of life. 21Reads9.0Score—14d adds
- 113 Lost in the Political Arena: Love Versus Career 官场迷途：爱情与前程的较量 When Ling Mohan, a government official, opened the diary left behind by his colleague Su Qing, these words were written in bold on the title page: “You think you’re holding a gorgeous rose, but it’s really a thorn drenched in poison.” 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 114 The Storm in Officialdom: A Start at the Provincial Government 官场风云，从省政府开局 Tan Wen transmigrates back to 1992. Thinking of all the opportunities he missed in his previous life because he didn’t understand the rules of officialdom, he vows that this time, reborn, he’ll make his way through the political world and rise swiftly through the ranks. He’ll also seize the opportunities brought by reform and opening up to make his fortune the right way. 25Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 115 Secretary Chen's Notebook 陈秘书笔记 The extraordinary life of a secretary. Chen, a highly capable secretary, watches his bright future vanish in an instant. Cautious and deferential around the powerful, he keeps a low profile among his colleagues, and through his own distinctive way of handling people, gradually achieves his goals in life. His notebook is a lament for a life. 996Reads—Score11314d adds
- 116 Reborn on the Road to Power: 1995 官道重生：1995 (There may be negative reviews! Disclaimer: Everything in this novel is fictional.) When Lin Weidong, a seasoned political operator, returns to 1995 with memories of the next thirty years, he discovers that the whole world has become a card table where only he can see everyone else’s cards! While others are still bewildered by the restructuring of state-owned enterprises, he is already quietly laying the groundwork for the future of the internet! While others are still fretting over attracting i 233Reads8.1Score—14d adds
- 117 A Wrong Turn on the Road to Office 官路歧途 Through scheming, currying favor, maneuvering, opportunity, and luck, Tong Xilin rises step by step from a low-level office clerk to a leading official. As his position and power grow, his desires gradually corrupt him, sending him down the criminal path of graft and corruption, until the full force of the law finally catches up with him. Read A Crooked Road to Office and follow the downfall of a corrupt official. 19Reads—Score—14d adds
- 118 The Long River of Power and Yi 权羿长河 My new story is out! You’re welcome to read it on Tomato Novel. I hope you’ll enjoy it. Your support motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 8Reads—Score114d adds
- 119 From the Start, I Got Dumped on a Blind Date, and Rose to the Top from Then On 开局相亲被分手我从此青云之上 [No Golden Finger] [No Transmigration] [Single Heroine] [A Rise from the Grassroots] Wang Li fails his college entrance exams, and his father arranges for him to attend a police vocational program. Three years after graduating, he still hasn’t been promoted. Then he gets an opportunity. From then on, he rises rapidly through the ranks. His blind date gets dumped, and Wang Li turns around to become her boss. This is a fictional work set in an imagined world. All people, place names, and events in 46kReads8.3Score3.2k14d adds
- 120 Yao Ganxian Ganxian 姚赶先赶先 Yao Ganxian is the director of the Investment Promotion Bureau in Qinghe City’s Economic Development Zone. He is full of ideas and knows how to get things done, and he has earned a stellar reputation for attracting and supporting businesses. But when the zone’s administrative committee needs to appoint a deputy director in charge of investment promotion, the self-serving incumbent director, Sun Dongfeng, refuses to recommend Yao for all sorts of reasons, often setting traps to undermine his work 53Reads—Score—14d adds
- 121 A Long Prosperous Reign 长盛高歌 2kReads7.4Score20814d adds
- 122 A Wild Ride Through Officialdom: Starting with a Summons for Investigation 官道狂飙：从被带走调查开始 Liu Sheyu, deputy director of the Pinghu County Party Committee Office and secretary to the county Party secretary, is taken away for investigation. His girlfriend’s entire family abandons him, and his best friend betrays him. But against all odds, he turns the tables, and from then on, there’s no stopping him! 679Reads7.3Score12414d adds
- 123 From Employee to Political Powerbroker 从职员到官场枭雄 The career path is a bottomless abyss. Only by being cautious every step of the way can you reach the summit and serve the people. Shao Hongwei started out as a junior clerk. It was his deep sense of awe and responsibility that made him a regional official. 395Reads7.4Score10514d adds
- 124 The Road to Office for the Poor, Book 2: The Art of Power 寒门官路2:权变 This is the second installment of the novel A Humble Beginning, Rising to the Top. Its audio edition is titled The Humble Official's Road. Secretly prepared by the military district and local government, an unprecedented program to transform elite soldiers into political officials is quietly underway. Tang Lin, a special forces king from a poor family, is No. 001 among the first batch of soldiers transferred to government posts. In just three years, he rises to a high-ranking position. Confro 733Reads6.9Score10414d adds
- 125 Cheng Wuxu's Fifth Book 程无序的第5本书 [An Incomplete Guide to Officialdom] Political elites aren't made in a day. Zhao Zhiliu carves out a path to promotion through betrayal, scheming, and stepping on others, joining forces with newcomer Ning Xiaofei to keep working miracles and reach the pinnacle of life. 36Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 126 After My Girlfriend Betrayed Me, I Rose Through Officialdom 女友背叛之后我逆袭仕途 [Political Intrigue + Satisfying Story + Multiple Women + No Rebirth + No System] (Important, I'll say it three times: his girlfriend betrayed him, but he was not cuckolded.) Zhu Jianhua never imagined that his promotion was part of a huge conspiracy... It was all to give the incoming leader a show of force and eliminate Zhu as a threat. A conspiracy brought the two of them together. From misunderstanding to growing closer, two hearts began to draw near... The road to the pinnacle of a political 19.5kReads8.3Score1.7k14d adds
- 127 After Reading His Mind, I Got the CEO Wrapped Around My Finger 读心后，霸总被我拿捏了 Qi Wan is a chatty slacker at Die Shan Design, lounging around and munching sunflower seeds on the surface, while secretly possessing incredible talent. Xie Chi is a reclusive, mysterious boss who fears socializing but controls everything. She can hear his innermost thoughts, like the sound of his heartbeat: “If she comes any closer, I'm done for.” When colleagues dump work on her, directors try to suppress her, and her ex threatens her, she hits back with face-slapping comebacks. From plagiaris 6Reads—Score114d adds
- 128 Heaven-Sent Star on the Official Career Path: Racing Up from the Grassroots 官道天骄：从基层一路狂飙 Gu Yongqing was born in the countryside and earned a PhD in economics from Tsinghua University. After taking the civil service selection exam, he was assigned to a township. Starting as a township chief staff officer, he steadily rose through the ranks and began his meteoric ascent in the political arena. 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 129 Making Waves 叱咤风云 Amid the great tides of change sweeping in from the southeast, Xiao Zheng, a low-ranking grassroots official, seizes an opportunity by chance and embarks on a journey from hidden potential to dazzling success. 1.9kReads6.8Score18714d adds
- 130 Officialdom’s Disciple: After Coming Clean, I Rose Straight to the Top! 官徒，摊牌后我青云直上！ He came top in the exams, only to have someone take his place. With no connections or backing, Lin Bei is left heartbroken when his wife betrays him. He marries into the Su family and endures three years of humiliation. Then an accident sends him soaring to success! The Su family regrets everything when they see what he’s achieved! Through the twists and turns of officialdom, he finally rises to the top! 12.3kReads8.1Score1.4k14d adds
- 131 Promotion 提拔 “Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born to their stations?” Chen Sheng's cry was also the spark in the heart of our protagonist, who came from a family of poor peasants three generations deep. He was once an obscure chauffeur, but his diligence and concern for ordinary people caught the eye of a perceptive female leader. He advanced carefully, making his way through an elite workplace and enduring trial after trial. He got along with people from every side, yet never lost sight of his p 35.3kReads8.3Score3k14d adds
- 132 Bargaining Chips on the Road to Promotion 升职路上的筹码 Song Minghui is like a spider at the center of a web, maintaining relationships with three women in different ways. A 26-year-old workplace newcomer, a 35-year-old sales director, and a 41-year-old corporate executive: the web is beginning to unravel as its three “bargaining chips” awaken. - The rules of survival in the workplace's dark forest - How the “prey” turns the tables from a male perspective - The growth of three women, from being used to awakening - Emotional manipulation and counterma 2.1kReads6.4Score11414d adds
- 133 From Country Bumpkin to Community Party Secretary 从乡巴佬到社区书记 My new work is here! You’re welcome to check it out on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy it. Your support is what motivates me to write, and I’ll do my best to tell every story well! 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 134 The Road to Prosperity 青云得路 [Traditional Political Intrigue, No System, No Rebirth, No Harem, Adapted from Real Events, Logic-Driven] Li Feibing leaves the special forces and enters politics. After two years of patiently biding his time, he finally gets the chance to take charge of Jinzhou. But his vision and ideals face secret obstruction from Lao Tang. The clash between two generations' values becomes entangled in the power games of tycoons such as Dongxing Company, forming an apparently intractable deadlock. With help f 30Reads—Score—14d adds
- 135 Racing Up the Road to Power, Starting as a Village Cadre 权路狂飙，从驻村干部开始 At the seventh bend on the road through Qinghe Town, in the pouring rain, Lin Shen grips the steering wheel as mud churns beneath him. A single Investigation Report sets this small-town official's fate spinning in reverse. From the poverty-relief ledgers of Shuanglingou to the hidden flow of rare earths through modern agricultural greenhouses, from black-gold fragments at the mining site to secret transaction books in a locked room at the county committee compound, Lin Shen must fight his way th 28Reads—Score1114d adds
- 136 A Book by Jiuxiaohonghu jiuxiaohonghu的一本书 Just before his promotion, his boss gets into trouble and his wife cheats on him. Ouyang Zhiyuan’s life takes a devastating turn, leaving his future shrouded in darkness. Just as he despairs, the arrival of his ex-girlfriend unexpectedly brings a ray of hope, and his fortunes begin to rebound… 916Reads7.9Score16014d adds
- 137 A Fresh Start in Officialdom: From Provincial Government Bigwig to Grassroots Clerk 官道重来：从省府高官到基层科员 After thirty years of ups and downs in officialdom, one sudden fall was enough to show him that the ground beneath his feet was nothing but a cliff. Chen Li returns with the perspective and memories of a senior provincial official to the starting point of his career: a poor, isolated township at the grassroots level. Here, he faces deeply entrenched local powers, long-standing hardships that seem impossible to resolve, and the fateful trap that dragged him into the mire in his previous life. Eve 62Reads—Score—14d adds
- 138 Top Broker 顶尖掮客 This book starts with the protagonist, Feng Tianchen, a simple private-car driver, and follows his brutal struggle through the world of politics. It is a battlefield without gunfire, a terrifying vortex that ordinary people cannot escape once they enter. But to a seasoned political operator, it is the perfect stage for a masterful performance. See how Feng Tianchen rises from a humble driver to the pinnacle of life through his own efforts. 4.5kReads8.9Score45314d adds
- 139 The Road Through Officialdom Begins with Being Reborn 官场征途，从重生开始 For love, Chu Haoran chose to become a live-in son-in-law, only to end up behind bars. The day before his release, he was attacked. Given a second chance at life, Chu Haoran chooses to enter politics... 5.5kReads6.5Score40814d adds
- 140 After Being Struck by Lightning, I Can Hear What They're Thinking 被雷击后我能听到TA在想什么 [One Female Lead + Authentic Political Drama + Urban Fantasy + Mind Reading + Smart Protagonist + Climbing to the Top of the Political Ladder + Serving the People] Zhang Xiaoxian is a post-90s “middle-aged man” with no parents and no powerful connections. A temp at the Guangming District Civil Affairs Bureau, he works diligently but is constantly bullied by his superiors and ostracized by his coworkers. Then a freak lightning strike gives him the power to read minds, changing his fate. He outsma 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 141 A Clash of Power and Ambition 权欲交锋 The author says: [Urban] + [Career in politics] + [Male-centric] + [Rags to riches] + [Feel-good] This is the story of an ordinary foot soldier who climbs step by step to the pinnacle of power. It all begins when Chen Mingyuan is investigating the county Party secretary and unexpectedly comes across a video of him. From that moment on, Chen embarks on an extraordinary journey... 8.3kReads8.2Score52614d adds
- 142 Hao Yunlai in the Political Arena 官场郝运来 [Powerful political fantasy, mind games, political intrigue, multiple heroines] Some characters and settings draw on the author's own experiences, recreated in an appropriate way for readers. Stick with it and every chapter will deliver. See how the protagonist, Hao Yunlai, lucks his way through officialdom... 13.1kReads8.1Score1.5k14d adds
- 143 Just Dumped, I Turn Around and Pass the Civil Service Exam to Work in Her Hometown 刚被分手，转身选调上岸去她老家 A new work is out! You can read my stories on Tomato Novel. I hope you enjoy them. Your support is what keeps me writing, and I'll do my best to tell every story well! 16.3kReads7.7Score1.4k14d adds
- 144 The Peak of Politics: Winning with a Rebellious Streak 2 巅峰官场：胜在反骨2 [Rebirth + officialdom + revenge + one heroine + satisfying read + no saintly protagonist] Reborn in 2001, Zheng Gongcheng uses his foresight to earn three exceptional promotions. In 2003, he takes charge of Fengyang County’s Party Committee, sees through the ways of officialdom, governs with dedication, improves people’s lives, and rises to the top. This book is dedicated to readers who enjoyed The Pinnacle of Officialdom: Winning Through Defiance and to fans of officialdom novels. May the “unr 36Reads7.7Score—14d adds
- 145 The Political Arena 宦海 [Political intrigue + satisfying revenge] “Hold office and bring blessings to the people!” Song Yang, who grew up in a small mountain village, stumbled into officialdom by chance. Since he was there, he decided to make the best of it. He overcame one obstacle after another, braving every challenge as he contended with forces from all sides, while one tale of love and hatred after another unfolded around him. His highest principle, from beginning to end, was to serve the people’s interests, and i 131Reads6.4Score—14d adds
- 146 Gather 76 Eggs to Help Brother Qiang Build a Great Business 凑集76个鸡蛋，助强哥成大事业 (Transmigration + Business Warfare + Cultivation + Supernatural + Aliens + High IQ) Lin Huan, a graduate of a world-renowned university and one of Longguo’s top tycoons, was framed by chairman Guo Taiming and driven into bankruptcy. In a fit of despair, he jumped into a river and took his own life. After being reborn, he happened to meet Daoist Master Zhang. Under his tutelage, Lin Huan became a top Daoist disciple, mastering spells, feng shui, divination, mind reading, telepathy, and other extr 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 147 On the Road to the Azure Clouds: Turmoil in the Officialdom 青云在路上之官路风云 Though no one has yet bestowed the Book of Huangshi upon him, he remains steadfast and strives to rise among the clouds. Life is a series of encounters along the road to growth, and every meeting must be treated with care. Ling Chen graduated with a degree in journalism from the Chinese Department. When he took the civil service interview, a close friend from university sabotaged him, causing him to fail. To pay for his cancer-stricken father's treatment, he gave up on graduate school and findin 69Reads—Score—14d adds
- 148 Between Breaths 沉息之间 Hoping to start a new life, Ran Lin secretly pursued her career in the laboratory. When she returned to the manor with the results of her research, she was eager to reclaim her identification papers and assets. Instead, she discovered that Su Qin, who had raised her for thirteen years, had disappeared, and his illegitimate son had taken his place as the new master of the manor. Who exactly was this strange new master? Why had he suddenly appeared here? He seemed to have known Ran Lin for a long 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 149 Plans Amid the Plane Tree Fluff 梧桐絮里的规划图 [A principled struggle within the system, unexpected turns, power, sex, and an anti-corruption campaign, love that brings a powerful man to his knees, sacrifice for love, realism] Yu Wanqing stood before the mirror in the restroom of the Yuecheng Grand Hotel’s conference center and took a deep breath, straightening the collar of her dark blue blazer. The woman in the mirror was twenty-eight, her shoulder-length black hair neatly tucked behind her ears. As a rising talent at the Municipal Plannin 408Reads—Score—14d adds
- 150 The Road to Light: An Agricultural Graduate Selected for County Government 光明之路：县委大院的农学选调生 Lin Gengye, a master’s graduate in agricultural science, joins the troubled Guangming County as a government trainee, facing accusations that he is a “second-generation official” and only there to pad his resume. He uses technology to transform barren land and applies stock-market strategies to run sustainable agriculture, silencing his critics and increasing the income of poor households. He builds his path to promotion through hard work and answers every doubt with a bountiful harvest. See how 165Reads6.5Score914d adds
