Amid university days when youth and dreams collided fiercely, I, a student of traditional Chinese medicine, began a journey unlike any other, one I would never forget. Chasing the Light in the Apricot Grove, Youth in Midsummer is a vivid record of that time.
When I first arrived on campus, I was full of anticipation for the world of traditional Chinese medicine, but obscure ancient texts and complicated pharmacology also left me struggling. As I explored, I met like-minded friends. Together, we studied the classics in the library, grasping the mysteries of life in The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon and exploring the wonders of medicinal herbs in Compendium of Materia Medica.
In class, our professors' clear and engaging explanations brought the theories of traditional Chinese medicine to life. In practice, preparing herbal medicine with my own hands and taking part in free clinics let me truly feel its charm and warmth. When I hit a wall in my studies, encouragement from my teachers and support from my classmates gave me the strength to carry on. Those nights spent studying by lamplight were filled with the burning passion of striving for a dream.
Campus life was full of color. At club events, I shared the culture of traditional Chinese medicine with more people; on the sports field, I too had my moments of sweating it out. This book records my stumbles and growth, laughter and tears, on the road to learning traditional Chinese medicine, and carries the energy and vitality of youth. I hope it will show readers the daily life of a university student pursuing a dream in traditional Chinese medicine, let them feel my love for it, and share the strength of never giving up and growing toward the sun in the bloom of youth.
