Sinking into Midsummer

Qiu Xing had been in show business for almost three years, but remained a little-known actress in the lower tiers: no notable works, no fans, no buzz.

Then her agent messaged her: the idol drama she'd starred in with top-tier star Jing Yiheng two years ago was about to air, and she needed to help promote it alongside him.

It would be even better if she could ride his popularity and drum up some buzz. Maybe she'd make it big overnight.

Qiu Xing had been about to refuse, but a voice came from the other end of the phone. "Jing Yiheng has already agreed."

Qiu Xing's heart tightened. He'd actually agreed?

*

Qiu Xing and Jing Yiheng entered show business in the same year. They fell for each other while filming a low-budget idol drama.

But it didn't last. As soon as filming wrapped, they broke up. They had no contact at all for the next two years.

During those two years, Qiu Xing remained a little-known actress in the lower tiers. Jing Yiheng, meanwhile, became a top-tier star after appearing in another drama.

Two years later, at a livestream event with Jing Yiheng, Qiu Xing planned to act like they barely knew each other, keeping things polite and distant.

But the moment Jing Yiheng saw her, his face lit up, his eyes full of longing. As if a great weight had lifted, he said, "It's been so long. Want to get dinner together after this?"

*

Several months later, the domestic entertainment industry was rocked by a string of trending topics: #JingYihengAndQiuXingMakeTheirRelationshipPublic# #JingYihengLosesAMillionFollowersOvernight# #What'sWrongWithAnAdultHavingARelationship# and more.

Qiu Xing put down her phone and glared at Jing Yiheng. "I told you not to make it public. Look what happened..."

But he silenced her with a kiss.

It took Jing Yiheng a long moment to recover. Then he murmured tenderly in Qiu Xing's ear, "For you, I'm willing."

Theme: If it's true love, why hide it?