Summer Fireworks [Campus]

[Anxious personality, STEM, older woman x avoidant personality, humanities, younger man]

A college romance.

A campus forum post said that an avoidant person's love was like fireworks on a midsummer night: spectacular, but gone in an instant.

Another post said anxious and avoidant types each think the other is their ideal match, but in truth, they only fall in love with their idealized selves. They are doomed to love and hate each other, their hatred growing with their love. Better to let go early than torment each other.

Lin Jinyu had never believed in fate. Like a moth to a flame, she crashed into a firework that rose into the sky, then fell.

Six months after breaking up with Shen Jue, she finally worked up the courage to rip open the wound, cut away the rotten flesh, and forget him for good.

Seven months after breaking up with Shen Jue, she found something he'd written. He said she hadn't loved him, but the idealized version of herself.

Tossing and turning, she logged onto the campus forum and liked every reply that criticized avoidant types.

Eight months after breaking up with Shen Jue, she discovered that he really had loved her.

Alternate blurb:

At 23, Lin Jinyu blew out her candles and wished 19-year-old Shen Jue peace and happiness.

At 24, Lin Jinyu blew out her candles and wished 20-year-old Shen Jue a miserable death.

At 28, Lin Jinyu blew out her candles and congratulated 20-year-old Shen Jue on getting his wish.

Content warnings:

Short story / tragic ending / bittersweet

The male lead exists only in the female lead's memories, but he isn't the only person in them.

Theme: The only person who can save you is yourself.