Cicada

That summer she liked He Mingzhou, Cheng Shuangyi waited until summer was almost over before finally gathering the courage to say her first words to him.

Cicadas were chirring outside. It was swelteringly hot, and everyone was irritable.

"He Mingzhou, do you know what else people call cicadas?"

He Mingzhou stared at her in surprise when she asked. It was clear he barely noticed girls who spent all day with their heads buried in their studies.

Then he answered casually, "Knowers. Why?"

Back then, He Mingzhou was the very picture of dazzling brilliance and reckless freedom.

Cheng Shuangyi wasn't someone he would remember.

She carefully hid that crush away, like a cicada buried in the lightless earth. The moment it saw the light, it wouldn't survive the summer.

-

Later, Cheng Shuangyi saw He Mingzhou again.

Outside the lecture hall, He Mingzhou handed her a black umbrella and reminded her, "It's too hot out. Don't stay in the sun."

Cicadas were still chirring outside. It was swelteringly hot, and everyone was irritable.

But this time, He Mingzhou was the one to ask her, "Shuangyi, do you know what else people call cicadas?"

*Cool-headed and resilient × reckless and carefree. A secret crush comes true. HE.

Theme: The flutter of youth, and true love tempered by time.