Shadows of Midsummer

[Both leads have no romantic history + realistic setting + mutual salvation + tragic ending + campus romance + urban romance]

[A calculating, mature man × an ambitious young woman who grows as a person]

Back in their student days, Xu Xiangsheng never imagined that the girl he had always secretly loved would one day fall into his arms.

Obsessive and reckless, he gave up his old ways and cleared his name for her, just so he could stand by her side openly and without shame.

But misfortune always finds those already down on their luck. Their love faced one setback after another, yet she still smiled and said, “True love can overcome anything.”

Li Nian counted all the times they had parted and reunited, then told Xu Xiangsheng with a hint of anger, “Three times is enough. You can't leave me behind again.”

Perhaps Heaven really heard her wish. Through countless days and nights, Xu Xiangsheng stayed by her side.

But neither of them expected that this time, she would be the one to break her promise. They had agreed to grow old together, but their third parting put them on opposite sides of life and death, never to meet again.

Xu Xiangsheng had never believed in gods or Buddha, but when Li Nian lay motionless on a cold hospital bed, all he could do was stay by her side and pray at the temple for her safety. He thought perhaps Heaven had refused his plea because of all the wrongs he had done, and had taken away even his right to be loved.

Summer was what Li Nian hated most. Layer upon layer of clouds shut out the sun's brilliance, leaving only shadows behind.

All three of life's partings happened in summer...