I don't care so much about genres but characters has to think with their brains. I know considering how chinese novels are I'm asking too much but it's really getting stale when every young master of certain clan is r*pist, overestimates himself, and too spoilt. There is so much to say but these should be enough.
This one is good, currently rereading it now~ though only the first 180 chapters are free on webnovel, you'll need to find another place to read the rest or use a god awful amount of spirit stones~
If a protagonist thinks with his brain then the story would end in 5 mins. A story with growth is more important
Reverend Insanity , Warlock of the Magus World , History's Number 1 Founder , When A Mage Revolts , Night Ranger , World of Cultivation and A Record of a Mortals Journey to Immortality . All these novels have MCs that classify as smart and antagonists that have a brain . Pick whatever u want
One Piece Talent System (System + Fanfic might seem like it's going to be trash, but this novel is legit. It does away with a lot of stupid cliches. MC is very pragmatic, sometimes to a fault even...) The Ultimate Evolution (This one is real good imo, but it has a slow start and the first 7 'prologue/backstory' chapters suck ass)
Chronicles of Primordial Wars Legendary Moonlight Sculptor Mother of Learning My House of Horror The Legendary Mechanic The Zombie Knight Saga Thriller Paradise
World of Cultivation Everyone Else is a Returnee On RoyalRoad there's: Worth the Candle Elsewhere there's: Worm (highly recommended) A Practical Guide to Evil Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality
My Yandere Succubus Daughter is Mommy Warrior's Natural Enemy - I suppose using his brain is a necessity if he lacks combat skills but needs to sort some people out Nirvana in Fire - As above The Grandmaster Strategist - As above Ballad of the Desert The Longest Day in Chang'an Changning's Imperial Army The bonus? None of the authors write with the grammar of an 8 year old. There are a tonne of them that aren't translated. Read genres where they can't brute force their way through things or promote schemes.
Original Tales of Paul Series, it's free Mother Of Learning A Hero's War The Red Lands On NU Rakuin no Monshou and Tales of Leo Attiel (same author) Akuyaku Reijo Ni Koi Wo Shite Ashes and Kingdoms Log Horizon Paladin of End Vermillion Ascendance of Bookworm The Rainlands The King Avatar Other people will reccomend xianxia