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Top Tier
Top Tier
Curated list by yours truly. All genres, something for everyone. (A lot of Ancient China BG included).
Recommended novels not on NU- see comments.
I’ll add comments/reviews for every one of them, but it’ll take me quite a while to get to all of them.
NOTE: Moving all short stories/oneshots to Rec List “Small Stories, Big Feels” (like check it out, so many gems are like 30-40 chapters only, and their chapters are mostly long)
Recommended novels not on NU- see comments.
I’ll add comments/reviews for every one of them, but it’ll take me quite a while to get to all of them.
NOTE: Moving all short stories/oneshots to Rec List “Small Stories, Big Feels” (like check it out, so many gems are like 30-40 chapters only, and their chapters are mostly long)
74 Followers

Created: Jan 31st, 2025, Updated: Jul 29th, 2025
Created Jan 31st, 2025
Updated Jul 29th, 2025

169 Chapters Every 102.4 Day(s) 7912 Readers 160 Reviews 05-27-2021

701 Chapters Every 82.7 Day(s) 8912 Readers 204 Reviews 03-22-2022

8 Chapters Every 229 Day(s) 1313 Readers 17 Reviews 08-23-2020

221 Chapters Every 5.6 Day(s) 1781 Readers 19 Reviews 07-06-2025


274 Chapters Every 90.7 Day(s) 10191 Readers 170 Reviews 04-17-2023

247 Chapters Every 8.8 Day(s) 1379 Readers 15 Reviews 03-26-2025

35 Chapters Every 140.9 Day(s) 2113 Readers 27 Reviews 10-20-2019

319 Chapters Every 32.2 Day(s) 8224 Readers 103 Reviews 05-22-2024

9 Chapters Every 88.8 Day(s) 5156 Readers 40 Reviews 11-08-2022

0 Chapters Every 113.9 Day(s) 7528 Readers 155 Reviews 03-01-2021

510 Chapters Every 140.8 Day(s) 7755 Readers 276 Reviews 11-01-2019

#63The Feast
321 Chapters Every 115.5 Day(s) 4364 Readers 64 Reviews 11-20-2020

0 Chapters Every 33.8 Day(s) 1329 Readers 18 Reviews N/A
Completed novel available on Asianovel.


336 Chapters Every 20.5 Day(s) 2679 Readers 39 Reviews 09-26-2024

129 Chapters Every 61.1 Day(s) 5940 Readers 109 Reviews 02-04-2023

88 Chapters Every 65.1 Day(s) 4866 Readers 76 Reviews 02-04-2023

441 Chapters Every 146.2 Day(s) 22672 Readers 573 Reviews 05-26-2021

120 Chapters Every 11.9 Day(s) 608 Readers 7 Reviews 02-24-2025

252 Chapters Every 17.7 Day(s) 1600 Readers 11 Reviews 11-10-2024
The focus isn’t on romance and sometimes you want that

165 Chapters Every 21 Day(s) 1497 Readers 30 Reviews 10-14-2024

217 Chapters Every 28 Day(s) 9233 Readers 98 Reviews 07-25-2024
Epiphanies of Rebirth is aptly named and it’s one of those rare novels that sneaks up on you—not flashy, not overly dramatic, but quietly brilliant. It’s a rebirth story, yes and it gives us Lin Jingzhe: a man trying to survive and rebuild in 1990s China with nothing but his grit, foresight, and painful past. The focus is on Business Management for most of the novel. What sets it apart is its groundedness—there’s real weight to the struggles, especially in how it portrays poverty, ambition, and the sheer hustle of climbing out of desperation in a changing world. (Even if the MC feels a little too OP). The romance with ML doesn’t dominate the narrative,... more>>

122 Chapters Every 2 Day(s) 927 Readers 3 Reviews 07-28-2025
This is so so good. Couldn't put it down. Heartwarming yet bittersweet with such a solid ML. Well written, immersive. A hidden gem truly. The idea is solid and the execution is exemplary. I feel reluctant to let it go as the story reaches the end.... more>>

228 Chapters Every 9.1 Day(s) 965 Readers 14 Reviews 03-23-2025
I’m not saying this book is perfect. It has so many little shortcomings. But it’s humorous and made me laugh a lot. Very entertaining to read, very fulfilling. The start is slow but the story is well rounded. Many interesting characters. It’s full of redemption, revenge and character growth arcs. Reads like a slice of life but has plenty of plot twists. Definitely the “King of Soap Operas”. Would recommend. Exceeds expectations. ... more>>
Comments (7)
Translated novel not on NU
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Butcher’s Mighty Wife of the Chief Minister (original title: 首輔的屠戶悍妻) by 风过水无痕
Completed c185 (Asianovel 1-182, rest mtl)
This one is quite entertaining. The FL’s shameless antics are so refreshing. Also the chemistry between the main leads is so good. Execution is exemplary for most of the novel (slows around last 20 or so chapters). Their love life is quite spicy for a CN novel. Definitely worth reading. Exceeds expectations.
Translated Novel not on NU
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Second Wife by 枝呦九
C105 completed on Asianovel
A novel that starts quite typically but soon rears it’s true nature, which is staunchly unconventional, in a good way of course. Most of it is about loving yourself and finding your own path in life. It highlights trivial problems and setbacks quite well. Also women supporting other women. Would recommend.
Translated Novel Not on NU
Daily life of the Main Lady / Daily Life of the Mistress
C499 completed on Asianovel (fully translated)
Original Novel Rec
RUYI by harui30
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Completed c133 on Wattpad
Genre: Historical/Romance/Josei/Mature
A deeply emotional historical romance set in Ancient China that takes you through a slow burn of complex relationships. While it doesn’t offer a picture-perfect romance, the flawed but compelling characters make for an unforgettable read. It’s brilliantly written with a level of depth that draws you in and holds you tight.
Though the relationship isn’t ideal or healthy, the story feels real, raw, and undeniably heartfelt. With over 20 million reads, it’s far from a hidden gem—more like a well-known treasure in the vast sea of Wattpad stories. Wattpad has its more than its fair share of poor stories (an understatement), but RUYI proves there’s still hope for real literary gems on the platform.
Translated Novel not on NU
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Marrying the Eldest Brother of My Deceased Husband After Rebirth by 藤鹿山
重生后嫁给亡夫他大哥 (original title)
Completed c115 (till c107 on Asianovel, rest mtl)
I loved this one. It’s a forbidden romance trope executed impeccably with high emotional stakes grounded in social tension. Not only that, it’s a slow-burn romance that respects the internal logic of the world. It’s a love story that challenges—not ignores—cultural morality. The ML is reserved and his restraint is heartbreakingly honest. The FL has this quiet power, seemingly weak but not meek. The relationship isn’t rushed or justified away with tropes. Every small moment—a glance, a subtle act of care, a boundary pushed—feels like a thread unraveling in a tightly bound life. The romance becomes a slow, smouldering war between desire and duty—intimate, layered, and deeply human.
The novel respects the era’s constraints—rituals, hierarchy, public reputation. Yet the characters feel modern in emotional intelligence: they reflect, hesitate, question themselves, and grow. The author takes a deeply repressive, rule-bound historical world and injects it with high emotional stakes, psychological complexity, and taboo-breaking intimacy. It’s not without flaws, and towards the end it drags a little, but overall it’s quite a treat to read.
Translated Novel Not on NU
# Politeness Like Ice by 宁寗
C86 completed On Asianovel
Angsty, misunderstood trope. Not bad. Probably what they call chasing wife crematorium trope? Flawed but readable and enjoyable enough.
Translated Novel not on NU
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Daily Life of Farming in Time-Travel to Qing Dynasty by 迷途未返
C155 completed on Asianovel
A cute, slice-of-life farming life of the Fifth Prince’s Consort during Kangxi reign. Fun to read. The ML is such a green flag and MC’s personality is lively. Would definitely recommend. I think I have a soft spot for this era.