The Best Time of Youth, When Oranges Turn Gold and Green

In the second month, grass sprouts and orioles sing; along the banks, willow branches sway, drunk on the mist of spring.

The boys of Bailu Academy get out of class early and fly kites on the spring breeze.

Su Jingxuan accidentally snags Xie Chi's hat with his kite string. Generously tossing him a gold leaf, he says, "Hey, new kid, I'll buy you a new outfit and hat."

Xie Chi's gaze is deep and cool. He grabs Su Jingxuan by the collar and murmurs, "Sure. But I'm still missing a new servant."

Su Jingxuan suddenly flashes him a dazzling smile, then turns and shouts, "Guys, he's bullying me! I'm scared!"

At once, three handsome boys come running over. Zhao Qian roars, "You bully my brother, and we'll hunt you down to the ends of the earth! Li Huaiting, Yu Fengchu, get him!" Then they charge.

But the result is that all four of Bailu Academy's toughest boys are defeated and left groaning on the ground. In the end, Su Jingxuan apologizes with red, teary eyes: "Let my brothers go, and I'll be your servant."

Later, when the plums turn golden and the apricots grow plump, cicadas sing in the southern garden at midsummer.

Xie Chi brings Su Jingxuan a bowl of chilled milk curd with ice chips and pagoda-tree leaves. Su Jingxuan turns his head and ignores him.

Xie Chi's dignified face turns awkward. "Su Su, stop being mad. I was wrong."

Su Jingxuan takes a savage bite of an apricot and shoots him a sideways glance. "That's strange. How could you be wrong? You, wrong? How did I not know? What exactly did you do wrong?"

Xie Chi: ...I was wrong not to kiss those lips in time.

Note: An ancient-style school danmei story. A group of spirited boys have a lively, chaotic time studying at Bailu Academy.

It's a slow-paced, slice-of-life story with an ensemble cast and a farming focus. There will also be a heterosexual romance couple.

Characters: Slightly a beloved, everyone-loves-him type; a playful, sweet-and-salty, drama-loving but academically hopeless uke, Su Jingxuan

Cool and dignified on the surface; actually a tsundere, love-struck top student seme, Xie Chi

Theme: What a time to be young, full of spirit and promise.