As a fan of books, I always find myself reading different genres. Most of the time, I am caught in a web of novels (web novel - see what I did there?) and more often than not, I discover hidden gems. I want to share three Chinese translated novels I have read more than a few times that have absolutely captured my heart.
Hidden Marriage: Pick Up A Son, Get A Free Husband.
I first read this novel in 2019. In the beginning, I was kind of discouraged when I saw the amount of chapters but hell if I did not spend two weeks reading 2165 chapters of a book because I just could not put it down.
Written by Jiong Jiong You Yao, Hidden Marriage is a novel centered on Romance and Revenge. The MC, Ning Xi, returned after disappearing for five years thanks to the schemes of her adopted sister, Ning Xuelo. Not only does Ning Xi find herself a victim to Xuelo’s viciousness, she also loses her child after an accident and her fiancé. Five years later, Ning Xi returns to China with the goal to fulfill her dreams and get her revenge on those who wronged her. With the help of a certain god of wealth, Ning Xi is only bound to prevail.
Unlike the conventional and best sellers kind of novel, Hidden marriage adapts quite a unique writing style that may be discouraging to people who are used to a high vocabulary. Overlooking that though, you have 2165 chapters of a well thought out plot with a mix of crime, thriller, comedy and action. Ning Xi’s past, as murky as it is, brings life and edge to the whole book. The romance between Ning Xi and Lu Tingxiao was so sizzling hot that even without steamy scenes, my core was rattled. The twists were never ending, taking you for a ride when you least expect it. The moment you thought you had seen it all, bam! It happens and only gets better and better.
In 2023, Hidden Marriage was adapted to a mini series with live actors. I am yet to see it but reviews say it is worth the watch as the storyline was preserved despite how short it was. Until I watch it, I can’t say for sure.
Bringing The Nation’s Husband Home
How long should a crush last before it turns to love? How long does love last before it becomes an obsession? How long does unrequited love linger before it disintegrates into nothing?
Before I read Hidden Marriage, I read this one. However, this ranks second in my heart. Written by Ye Fei Ye, this romance novel carries us through thirteen years of yearning and longing between two people who have been kept apart by constant meddling and misunderstandings. Only 973 chapters long, this novel shows the cruelty of one-sided love, obsession and in the end, pride over love.
Don’t misunderstand me. Our main characters finally end up together after thirteen years of misunderstandings, but the buildup towards the end was what made it all worth reading. The characters, Lu Jinnian and Qiao Anhao, have carried a torch for each other since middle school. However, one was an illegitimate child born from a lowly actress and the other was a shy orphan with a powerful background. He felt he wasn’t worthy of her and she thought he would never look at her.
On a different note, this novel has better vocabulary and is more organised compared to Hidden Marriage. We do have to keep in mind that these were originally written in Chinese and later translated. Hence, the result might not be the perfect words and grammar but, the storyline and drama linked to it all is well written. I have read about four novels of Ye Fei Ye, each one better than the last.
Bringing The Nation’s Husband has a Manhua, Anime and Drama (titled Pretty Man) series. I started watching the Anime only after reading the book a few hundred times because I just love it. When I finish the Anime and Drama, I will be sure to rave about it if it is as good as the book.
Ruyi
Okay. This book! I read Ruyi on Wattpad. At first, I was put off by the multiple typos and grammar problems but damn! I still gave it a chance and this book turned out to be a gem. It was obviously translated and unlike the first two that are almost never ending in chapters, this is only 133 in chapters. Each chapter is short and sweet but detailed enough to not leave you confused.
The author, Ha’Rui, beautifully narrated the story of Li Ruyi, the daughter of a maid turned concubine who would constantly feed her poison to earn the pity of the marquess, her father. Ruyi became the victim of circumstances from birth and as though the universe wasn’t done with her, it sealed her fate with Duke Haijin, a well known general rumored to be cruel and unfeeling. In this novel, we see the world through Ruyi’s poisoned coloured eyes, we see her fears, her hopes and dreams.
This book switches from Ruyi’s POV to third person every so often, especially as the plot progresses. Despite that, if you give the book a chance, you won’t only fall in love with Ruyi, but eventually feel your face heat up as the cruel duke becomes taken with her. Ahhh…This book has steamy scenes. A lot of it. Not as detailed as western romance though but enough to stimulate your imagination.
These are my three favourite translated Chinese novels. In conclusion, gems are always hidden, you only have to find them.
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