The Bitter Summer Is Ripening

1

Yin Qingzhu had been secretly in love with Shen Zui for three years. Everyone around them could tell, but Shen Zui played dumb, as dense as a block of wood. In their senior year of high school, Shen Zui transferred to a school in another city. After that, they lost touch, and all that remained was a photo of his acceptance letter to A University on his social media page.

Yin Qingzhu also got into A University.

They met three times in their four years at university and exchanged five words. The last thing she said to him was on graduation day. After glancing at the girl beside Shen Zui, Yin Qingzhu told him, "I wish you a bright future."

Four years later, they meet again on a crowded street. Shen Zui's eyes are dark as he asks, "How have you been?"

Yin Qingzhu smiles. "So-so. I'm busy going on blind dates."

2

Everyone at the company knows Yin Qingzhu's name, because she became famous in her first year there for refusing to bow to authority. Everyone thought the company would get rid of her, but she managed to establish herself for good.

When people talk about Yin Qingzhu, they sum her up in eight words: "Won't bend or break, decisive and efficient." But they don't know that back in school, Yin Qingzhu was known for being sweet-natured and well-behaved.

Back then, Shen Zui teased her. "Don't be so soft. People will take advantage of you."

Yin Qingzhu cautiously asked, "Would you just stand by and watch them bully me?"

Shen Zui answered casually, "Once you have a boyfriend, I'll let him take over."

3

Years later, Shen Zui shields Yin Qingzhu from behind and drives off the thugs who are still trying to harass her. Anxious, he asks, "Did they hurt you? Are you injured?"

Yin Qingzhu takes a step back. "Thanks for your help. My boyfriend will be here soon. Don't let him get the wrong idea."

Reading Guide

Both leads are virgins. Happy ending.

Blurb saved on December 12, 2021

Coming Soon 1: "Endless Summer [Marriage Before Love]" blurb:

1

The young master of the Lu family finds a devastated woman on a rainy night. Only after they get in the car does he realize she's his own older brother's ex-girlfriend, the one his brother dumped.

He looks down on her and doesn't spare her feelings. "Why ruin yourself over a heartless loser? Is crying in the rain going to make him get out of someone else's bed?"

The woman's hair is still dripping. Shivering, she looks over at him, her watery eyes darting away for a moment. In a soft voice, she says, "My name is Yue Mian."

Lu Yan gives a scornful laugh. "I know."

Yue Mian asks, "Would you marry me?"

Lu Yan smiles wickedly. "Sure. I'll have my brother officiate."

2

Yue Mian doesn't need Lu Yan to love her, and she doesn't love him either.

She waits in the rain to catch her ex-boyfriend, but instead, she runs into his younger brother. He's almost an acquaintance, so Yue Mian chooses him and decides to marry Lu Yan.

Lu Yan is a piece of jade waiting to be polished.

A white shirt scented with orange blossoms, golden hair, a claw-machine champion, singing only the songs she requests at karaoke...

Lu Yan doesn't love her, but she polishes him into the kind of man she loves.

3

Lu Yan doesn't care who he marries, and he's never thought love could tie him down.

When Yue Mian suddenly throws herself at him, Lu Yan decides to tease her. Looking at his brother's ex-girlfriend, he thinks, So what if we get married?

It's just a dating game. He can play along.

Later, he gets in over his head.

Kneeling by Yue Mian's knees, Lu Yan keeps asking, "Sis, do you like me?"

Coming Soon 2: "Waiting for Snow" blurb:

The first man Lu Xuejian sees when she returns to Northeast China is her landlord. He's tall, handsome, and a little silly, with the look of a college student. She likes him quite a bit.

But when she goes inside, she discovers he's already married, though probably divorced, and has a teenage son.

Lu Xuejian looks Xu Chaoyang up and down. His hair is thick, his shoulders broad and his waist slim. Is this man really forty?

Xu Chaoyang flashes a grin, showing off his pearly white teeth, and pats the kid crouched on the floor tidying up the corner of the table. "I won. Pay up."

Lu Xuejian: "?"

Xu Chaoyang flourishes his hand like a prince. "You're the ninth tenant I've charmed. With my looks, I get a second glance 90 percent of the time."

Lu Xuejian asks, "How did you come up with that number?"

Xu Chaoyang points at the girl reading on the sofa, then at the boy bent over with his backside in the air as he tries to catch a cat. He shrugs helplessly. "Your roommate and this kid are classmates, and they're completely immune to my charms."

The boy, whose nose has been scratched by the cat, mutters, "Uncle, your daughter is picking on me again."

Theme: We can't turn back time or reclaim the past. Cherish the present and bravely pursue love.