Novels like Starting from Scratch: Three Years Flipping Little Boxes Made Me a Millionaire
Books Chinese readers most often put in the same booklists as Starting from Scratch: Three Years Flipping Little Boxes Made Me a Millionaire, best match first.
- 1 Cicadas Singing in Midsummer: Teacher Lu Is Pretending to Be Young Again 盛夏蝉鸣：陆老师又在装嫩了 [Sweet romance + ensemble cast + teacher-student bonds + heartwarming] There’s a saying at Yunchuan No. 3 High School: “If you get assigned to Lu Shihan’s class, you must have saved the galaxy in your previous life.” He’ll buy you milk tea when you bomb a test, and keep you company talking late into the night when you feel lost. At parent-teacher meetings, he reminds parents not to care only about grades. He even secretly reaches out to people who can help make his students’ dreams come true. H —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 2 The City’s Masked Man: Go Ahead, I’m Watching You Act 城市假面人，演，我看着你演 An ordinary person acts so convincingly that he could win an Oscar, living behind a mask as marriage, family, and career all deal him blow after blow. Like a cockroach, he is reborn against all odds. See how he copes with the chaos of everyday life and becomes a master of life's many skills! 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 3 The Watcher in the Wheat Fields 麦苗田里的守望者 I'll never forget that rainy summer night. The rain had turned the village's dirt roads to mud. One step could sink you in up to your calves. Clutching half a candle, I hurried home, stumbling through the muck, my heart pounding like I had a rabid rabbit inside me. Mom had promised she'd be home before dark, but it was already nine o'clock. 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 4 The College Loser's Comeback 大学校渣逆袭记 Poor young Gao Xiaojian secretly loves Zhao Lusi, the daughter of the richest man in the country. At university, a moment of lust leads him to make a mistake, and he suffers relentless bullying from his wealthy classmates before fighting back. By sheer coincidence, he becomes the son-in-law handpicked by the richest man and unexpectedly inherits his fortune. He navigates the ups and downs of the business world and the tangled love and hatred of wealthy heiresses like Feng Yuanyuan, eventually ri —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 5 She Walked Through the Four Seasons of My College Life in a JK Plaid Skirt 她穿着JK格裙走过我的大学四季 [Lighthearted daily life] + [One heroine] + [No System] + [Not reborn] + [Sweet romance] At the start of my senior year, I began carpooling from campus to the Science Park every morning at 6:40 for my internship. One rainy day, the last passenger opened the car door. Wearing a gray-blue JK plaid skirt and carrying a laptop, she sat beside me. Her name was Xu Zhi. She studied visual communication at my university, and her internship company was right next door to mine. To save on fares, we agreed 54Reads—Score17514d adds
- 6 I Can’t Help Falling for You 喜欢你我身不由己 A new work is here! 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! 3Reads—Score—14d adds
- 7 Breaking Free 逃离束缚 Su Yu and Tang Yilan met on a blind date arranged by their university professor. After spending some time together, they both decided they liked each other, so they went to meet each other’s parents. At first, everything seemed to go smoothly, but after they got married, they argued over whether to rent a place of their own. Su Yu also has an older brother, Su Lun, who has been married to Zhao Yanan for years, but still has no children of his own. After finally getting married, Tang Yilan reali 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 8 Fallen into the Mortal World 坠落红尘间 His father is critically ill, and she can’t scrape together the money to save him. A poor college girl grits her teeth and steps into the late-night world of KTV! She masks her youth with cigarettes and alcohol, trading her dignity for medical bills. Can she make it to the end of this road? Will she succumb to the temptations of the neon lights? 87Reads—Score614d adds
- 9 A Confession Ten Years Too Late 迟到十年的告白 The “love equation” of top students: no confessions, no hand-holding, just a wordless understanding that tells you at the perfect moment, even if it comes ten years later. Four girls with completely different personalities, Jin Wanyan, Cheng Duoduo, Du Wei, and Xing Tingting, form the “Happy Beans.” Alongside Qu Dawei, sunny yet a little shy, and Rong Guang, gentle and handy, they bring together all the unspoken excitement of youth and weave the memories of youth that belong to you and me. 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 10 The Meaning of Happiness 幸福的标准 Ye Han and He Junshan are, in everyone’s eyes, the perfect love story from campus to the altar. But how can a marriage keep feelings safe from the wear and tear of everyday life? Even their careers are gradually facing new crises… 69Reads—Score—14d adds
- 11 An Art Student's Road to a Comeback 美术生的逆袭之路 {Tomato Original} {Based on a True Story} [Inspirational] {Youth and School Life} {Urban Life} This story is based on real events. The first volume recalls the male lead’s childhood. Readers can start with Chapter 22 of Volume Two, set on a university campus. If you want to know why he was afraid to accept Zhang Nian’s kindness, go back and read Volume One. It will all make sense! There are no thrilling tales of defying fate or shortcuts to instant success in this book. Only genuine poverty, gen 9Reads—Score—14d adds
- 12 I'll Wait for You in Gusu City 我在姑苏城里等你 After failing the college entrance exams, I left home alone and came to Suzhou, where I met two girls who would shape my whole life... One was as passionate as fire, the other as gentle as jade... At eighteen, I didn't understand what love was... A cigarette, a glass of wine, and so much sorrow in the city of Gusu... Note: This isn't a wish-fulfillment novel, and it takes its time getting going. If you enjoy plot-driven stories, you can start at Chapter 39. Thank you! 2kReads—Score19514d adds
- 13 Beyond the Walls, Where Do We Go? 围墙之外，何去何从 [No fixed couples, and readers with strong moral qualms should stay away! This novel loves pairing people in unexpected ways, and the ex-husband eventually becomes the son-in-law!] [All kinds of tangled relationships, mutual scheming, love and hate, but in the end everyone gets a happy ending!] [Everyone’s status gets reshuffled, and each person finds their own path to happiness! Hahaha~~] She watches her husband give her the green hat, then returns the favor in kind. Life is this thrilling, and 31Reads—Score—14d adds
- 14 Dawn Breeze and Charm: Jin Ling's Past, Like Falling Blossoms on Flowing Water 晓风媚：流水落花之金凌往事 Is school just about classes? Oh, no! School is a world of its own! Wherever there are people, there’s a world of its own; wherever there’s a world of its own, there’s conflict, and there’s love! What binds Ge Bange is never school rules and regulations, but loyalty and love! Li Jinyu, a rural student talented in both academics and martial arts, falls for his fragile junior, Ling Bo, only to find himself caught in the old tale of star-crossed lovers. His powerful presence turns his classmates in 6Reads8.8Score—14d adds
- 15 He Hid in the Years, Loving Me for So Long 他藏在时光里，爱了我很多年 My name is Guo Yaoze. When I was six, a little girl moved in next door. She wore two tiny pigtails and had dimples when she smiled. She gave me her only lollipop. “Brother Xiaoze, I don’t like sweets.” It was twenty years before I learned she’d been lying to me. When I was nine, my family moved away. She cried downstairs, and I cried in the car. At fifteen, I transferred back and she became my desk mate, but she didn’t remember me. At seventeen, after the college entrance exams, my mother sent 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 16 Nothing Major in Life 人生无大事 I was born in the abyss and raised in the netherworld. Lost, struggling, helpless, despairing. The hardships along the way shaped my body and mind. When everything had finally calmed down, when spring had come and flowers were blooming, when everything was just right, I finally reached the most important moment of my life. 4kReads8.1Score43914d adds
- 17 A Windfall Makes a Life 横财成就人生 One lucky blow brings him a windfall. The real problem is how to launder it into legitimate personal income. It's like telling one lie and needing a hundred more to cover it: the problems just keep snowballing. Watch how the protagonist gets himself out of this mess. 451Reads6.1Score—14d adds
- 18 Love Is Simple 爱很简单 Before I became a billionaire, I was always searching for love. What is love? I hope you can find the answer in this book. This book is about love, desire, life, philosophy, gender equality, and society's discrimination against women... 45Reads—Score—14d adds
- 19 His Puppy-Dog Eyes 他的狗狗眼 [Younger man’s secret crush + grown-up flirtation and entanglement + an affectionate puppy who loves to cuddle] [Sincere, green-tea-flavored veterinarian × beautiful top student and lead singer of a band] “Big Sis, you’re the only one with the key to this collar. If I could, I’d hope you never opened it for the rest of your life, because I only want to be your good little dog, and yours alone.” 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 20 Me, So Ordinary 我，如此普通 I was born ordinary, with an average appearance and an unremarkable family. I have no legendary life filled with dramatic twists, nor any grand, stirring story to tell. Most people in this world are ordinary, living out their days in obscurity. I am no different. I cannot write earth-shattering plots or create dazzling protagonists. I write only of everyday life, recording the meals and seasons of ordinary people, their confusion and struggles, their helplessness and compromises. No filters, 12Reads—Score—14d adds
- 21 Stories from the Construction Site 工地上的那些事儿 [No System, entirely hand-written. Men and women on a construction site, struggling to survive in the workplace.] They say construction sites are chaotic, women are scarce, and beautiful women are even rarer. After graduating from college, I started working at a construction site. On my very first day, I met Sister Xiaoya, who was already married, and accidentally offended the site boss. It turned out that the construction site held more than just men and women. There were also stories few peopl 10.9kReads7.6Score81814d adds
- 22 Us in Xiangyang Lane 向阳里的我们 [#Real life, #warm neighborhood stories, #healing family bonds, #raising a child and turning life around] Delivery worker Wang Xiaojun had a pain he couldn't put into words: his six-year-old son Xiaobao lived in his own world, like a star. One moment of carelessness nearly resulted in Xiaobao getting lost, sending the entire Xingfuli residential community into chaos. The incident tore open the cracks in Wang Xiaojun and his wife Li Xiujuan's strained marriage, while also revealing the troubles 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 23 An Ordinary Person's Unordinary Journey Through Life 平凡人不甘平凡的人生路 An ordinary person’s life has its occasional ups and downs, but where does a life without guidance lead? After three years working in a factory, a twist of fate sends him into real estate brokerage! He grows immensely proud after enjoying some of the real estate boom. But after the tide goes out, how will he face the decline and deal with family, love, and friendship? This is your story, and it’s mine too. So I’ve heard... 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 24 Love in Sofia 爱在索菲亚 Later, when she looked back, she remembered that sunny afternoon in early winter when she first saw Zhou You. One fleeting glance took her breath away, though she had no idea that every story began right there. 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 25 Summer and Fate 夏季与天意 An ordinary encounter: one is a talented young woman at a crossroads in her life, and the other is a dedicated high school teacher. A sweet story about down-to-earth life and love. Xu Huanyi met Xu Tian in the summer. Once lost and uncertain, she gave up the job she already had and came to this small town for a fresh start. To her delight, she discovered that Xu Tian was part of that new beginning. Back in high school, Xu Tian had inexplicably taken a liking to a girl, though all he did was wa 122Reads8.9Score—14d adds
- 26 All the Stars Across the River Are Lonely 彼岸星辰皆寂寥 The Stars Across the Shore Are All Silent is a realistic ensemble novel about the love lives of Chinese students studying in the United States and their entrepreneurial ventures in both China and America. The main couple's story is based on real events. The cast is richly drawn, and the chapters stand on their own. For a campus story, start at Chapter 1 or 37; for entrepreneurship, start at Chapter 11; for heartache, start at Chapter 55; and for the real-life inspiration, start at Chapter 71. Yu 24Reads—Score—14d adds
- 27 Sweet Beginnings in Midsummer 盛夏有棠 After a devastating family crisis, former good girl Xue Xiaotang tears up her sweet-and-innocent persona and moves to the very back row of the classroom. She takes a laid-back approach to studying, only to unexpectedly find a group of passionate, loyal friends among the so-called bad students. Suddenly, her youth is more lively than ever. An accident sends her crashing into the world of Qi Shengyu, a scheming college student who knows how to put on an act. A sunny upperclassman in public, he's a 4Reads—Score—14d adds
- 28 A Flower in the Dust, Blooming Toward the Sun 尘埃里的花，向阳而生 This story follows Shi Xiaoying, beginning at eighteen when she elopes for love. It traces her marriage through sweetness, betrayal, and endurance, culminating in her awakening. Woven through the story are her children’s perspectives and the kindness of those who watch from the sidelines. It portrays a woman struggling between betrayal and perseverance before finally breaking free and embracing a new life. Exploring responsibility and self-worth in love and marriage, it reveals the resilience th 2Reads—Score—14d adds
- 29 The Bill for Time 时间的帐单 Set in a modern city, this story focuses on the clashes and eventual reconciliation between two generations of the Jiang family over their views on love and marriage, painting a realistic picture of contemporary society: elders rush their children into romance and marriage, while the younger generation prefers to take things slowly. The two generations struggle with love, marriage, and life choices, then look back on their lives, ultimately finding acceptance and insight in middle age. Everyone —Reads—Score—14d adds
- 30 At 21, I Worked Every Kind of Odd Job at the Bottom of Society 21岁，我打遍了底层的各种零工 For four years, I've been trying to cure an incurable illness by working odd jobs. [A slice-of-life story, light comedy, nothing too dark, personal growth, and a comeback. Give it a try...] Everyone cries at some point in their twenties. I'm no exception. What about you? Have you found a job? How is it going? At an age when our ambitions reach for the sky, I want to be the master of my own life. If I work fast enough, even the capitalists can't keep up with me! In the bustling city, everyone in 9Reads—Score—14d adds
- 31 No Mercy for the World 不赦人间 For the first twenty years of her life, Chen Qingxing lived by one rule: never count on a miracle. When someone else took the spot she had earned as a student in need, and her part-time wages were withheld, she signed a harsh sponsorship agreement. Her benefactor would pay for her to finish college, and after graduation, she would repay the debt with a marriage of convenience. There was no romance involved. It was a deal with a clearly marked price. She relied on careful calculations to plan eve 23Reads—Score—14d adds
- 32 The Leisurely Life After Financial Freedom 财富自由后的悠闲生活 [No System + Urban Entrepreneurship + Traditional] In the spring of 2010, Lu Dalang, a senior at an agricultural university, was about to graduate. His girlfriend, Qian Mei, wanted to return to her hometown, where her parents had already arranged a job for her and she had familiar connections. Lu Dalang, determined to pursue his own future, angrily headed to the provincial capital. His girlfriend left him with one condition: “Buy a house, and come get me so we can live in the provincial capital. 4kReads8.2Score15014d adds
- 33 Youth, Barely Touched by Sorrow 青春微微不离伤 Searching for the place where youth began! “Junxi, you’re so naughty! But I like it.” “Junxi, how about we get together?” “Junxi, I want to have your babies!” The bittersweet ache of youth accompanies every one of us, carrying our memories of those years! 7Reads—Score—14d adds
- 34 Zhou Xiaodi, the Whole World Knows I Like You 周小迪，全世界都知道我喜欢你 [Black-hearted beneath a gentle facade, the pride of heaven Xiao Min vs. the insecure and sensitive girl Zhou Xiaodi] [Love at first sight + mutual salvation + rekindled love] Zhou Xiaodi, everyone in the world knows I love you. You're the only one who doesn't. 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 35 Peeping: The Butterfly Effect 偷窥之蝴蝶效应 The male lead is a complete loser. By chance, he discovers a female colleague's secret, turning his work and personal life upside down. Two mature adults with sharp minds and social skills engage in an intense game of push and pull. Love begins for reasons unknown and grows deeper with every passing day: they love and are loved, hurt and are hurt, grow through their pain, then fade from one another's memories. This is also the story of an ordinary worker's growth. 472Reads6.7Score—14d adds
- 36 The Neighbors on Either Side of Xingyao 星遥的左右隔壁 Shen Song Xingyao is a girl whose name carries the story of her parents' unusual relationship. She grew up in a unique family arrangement, with her parents living in apartments next door to each other. Her father, Shen Yizhou, is a carefree, laid-back editor, while her mother, Song Qingru, is a meticulous, rational accountant. They never had a marriage in the traditional sense, yet through an unspoken understanding few outsiders could comprehend, they raised their daughter together. From her inn 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 37 The Rainy Night That Summer 那年夏天的雨夜 During the summer vacation of his sophomore year, Xue Yang took a summer job at a cafe to earn some money. The story between Xue Yang and Xu Yao began with a collision on a rainy summer night. With nowhere to go, Xue Yang was forced to stay overnight at Xu Yao's home. That night, Xu Yao, who had been a widower for many years, felt his heart stir. He opened his front door, and his heart as well. From their first meeting to falling in love, and from falling in love to building a life together, the 118Reads—Score—14d adds
- 38 Snow in Winter, Flowers in Spring 冬有雪，春有花 When Nan Xiu was fourteen, her father told her, “Be good, don't cry. Smile. When you do, you look like a little fairy from another world.” When she was twenty, her older brother told her, “Be good, don't cry. Find a good man. He'll take good care of you.” At twenty-two, Nan Xiu rode her little electric scooter back and forth between school and her mentor's shop, smiling sweetly as she called out, “Old Liu, I've finished today's tasks!” At twenty-four, Song Shimo told Nan Xiu, “I'll love you for 120Reads8.4Score—14d adds
- 39 The Insider 内部人士 In the early 21st century, China’s real estate economy was booming. Many ordinary people caught a favorable wave amid the great tides of history and amassed considerable wealth. The protagonist is an average person with no particular gifts, but as he grows, he continually learns from the wisdom of those around him, including some truly remarkable people. Through constant learning and reflection, he eventually develops a unique kind of wisdom and achieves success of his own. It seems as though fa 10Reads—Score—14d adds
- 40 My Angel Investor Is My Adorable Husband 天使投资人是我的小娇夫 Told from the heroine's perspective, this story follows her journey from an innocent, inexperienced newcomer to the working world to a successful professional woman. Fang Yuwei and the hero, Lin Peifeng, meet on campus. He falls for her at first sight and takes care of her and stays by her side, but Lin Peifeng's identity is not so simple. As the heroine makes her way through the workplace, she encounters all kinds of unwritten rules, both obvious and hidden. She changes jobs several times and m 1Reads—Score—14d adds
- 41 A Love Triangle in Marriage 婚姻里的三角恋 [Contemporary realistic fiction + the married life of ordinary people in Beijing + love triangles in marriage + real struggles] Bai Xue and Wang Yang are a young married couple living in Beijing. Wang Yang is a typical “phoenix man,” a country boy who made it big in the city. After ten years of marriage, he cheats on her. After they divorce, Bai Xue meets another man, and her new life begins… What makes this book special: A woman faces betrayal in her marriage, but after the hardship comes 1.6kReads8.8Score15414d adds
- 42 The Hidden Wife 隐妻 [The comic adaptation is now available! Tap “Adaptation Theater” in the lower-right corner of any page of this book to watch instantly. The original novel and short drama each have their own appeal. Share it with your friends!] No rebirth, no transmigration, and no System golden finger, just the true golden years of an entire generation! Having fled an arranged marriage, he joins the tide of migrant workers heading south. In a southern metropolis brimming with both opportunity and challenges, he 805Reads6.2Score10414d adds
- 43 A Marriage of Money 钱婚 To become the dutiful daughter, good wife, and loving mother everyone expected, Liu Xiaoqing buried her youthful dreams and deepest desires before the age of thirty-three, living a life of constant compromise. After graduating, she painfully gave up her dream of becoming a writer and took the civil service exam, becoming a government employee. At home, she endured her in-laws' repeated provocations, again and again, just to preserve her marriage. At work, she likewise chose to put up with her 57Reads—Score—14d adds
- 44 A Realist Teen's Story of Youth 现实主义少年的青春物语 Li Zhi is a troubled, idealistic boy who believes in realism. His dark past has made him sensitive and unable to trust others. A stubborn loner, he keeps saving others as he grows up, and in doing so, finds his own redemption. 787Reads8.8Score10714d adds
- 45 A Perfect Star-Crossed Romance 满分星恋 Who gets it? I signed a dating experiment agreement with the most rational top student in school, and I’m the one who fell for him first? Lin Xiaoman admits that agreeing to work with Lu Xinghan for material for a script was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. After all, this top student could explain hugs with physics equations, analyze smiles using data models, and even wrap his concern for others in the language of “optimal solutions.” But who could have guessed that as they kept pretending t 11Reads—Score—14d adds
- 46 This Time, My Life Is Mine 这一次，人生由我 In 2026, Li Yu’s life in a cubicle at a publicly traded company felt like a joke. He woke up reborn in 2017, as a high school sophomore, the day after his “first love” Zhou Siyao had ruthlessly dumped him. Looking at the draft paper on his desk, covered in her name, Li Yu smiled. This time, to hell with being lovesick! He tore up his love letter in front of everyone and turned to basketball and his buddies. He earned his first fortune betting on the World Cup, and his grades began to soar. Once 15Reads—Score—14d adds
- 47 The Long Summer 悠长夏季 The quiet, secluded town of Guanhai welcomed two strange young men one after the other. From then on, the monotonous life of an eighteen-year-old high school girl was filled with laughter… But all good things must come to an end, and eventually they had to leave… Many years later, they unexpectedly met again, but everything had changed… 6Reads—Score—14d adds
- 48 Reborn in 2002: I Won’t Become the Richest Man 重生2002，我不做首富 [Reborn in 2002]+ [A flood of memories]+ [Everyday life]+ [Building the nation through industry]+ [Web fiction superstar]+ [Patriotic] When Yan He woke up, he had returned to 2002, the year he started seventh grade. Reliving his youthful days, he battled against the current, and forged a very different life. 16Reads—Score—14d adds
- 49 Two Abnormal Humans and a Motorcycle 两个非正常人类与摩托车 Love that defies social norms has often been seen as a symbol of courage and freedom, admired and celebrated. This is the one kind of love people will always despise. This is not a novel, just a story from real life. There are no thrills, no climaxes, no pacing, only despair and oppression. It might be of some small help to people who truly love motorcycles, but be prepared to be mocked. This story has an unconventional outlook on life, values, and the world, and portrays a world of abnormal peo 1.3kReads—Score21414d adds
- 50 It's Only Fifty 不过是五十而已 An inspirational, unyielding story of midlife crisis, workplace struggles, bank managers and tellers, married life, and everyday urban life. This book tells the story of Huang Wenxue, a bank manager facing a midlife crisis. She is at that awkward age when she is considered too old to find a new job, yet still too young to retire. How will she answer the unavoidable questions surrounding her career, marriage, family, children, and caring for her aging parents? Even in middle age, even when confro 432Reads8.9Score—14d adds
