Cicadas Cry Through the Long Night

In her fourth year in the entertainment industry,

Meng Fu traveled to the northwest at her agent's arrangement to prepare for an audition for a renowned director's new film.

Who would have thought she'd run into her ex-boyfriend, whom she hadn't seen in seven years, as soon as she arrived?

Perhaps he'd long since put her behind him. Zhou Xu didn't recognize her at first.

The two pretended not to know each other, even fooling the assistant who was traveling with them.

To outsiders, Zhou Xu was exceptionally handsome and the youngest chief forensic doctor at the municipal public security bureau.

He was also a walking ice-capped mountain.

He was aloof and distant, and hard to approach. Meng Fu, meanwhile, came from a distinguished family and was practically recognized as an heiress by everyone in the industry.

The assistant was convinced that two people so different could never be right for each other.

That was, until the day they were about to leave the northwest. Meng Fu treated everyone to dinner to show her gratitude.

Afterward,

the assistant bought hangover medicine and brought it to their room. As soon as she walked in, she stumbled upon a scene that was anything but ordinary. In the dimly lit presidential suite, Zhou Xu, who was usually so cold-faced, was kneeling on one knee in front of Meng Fu.

Patiently, he took off her high heels.

But drunk Meng Fu wouldn't sit still. Her fingertips accidentally slapped Zhou Xu across the face.

The assistant didn't dare breathe.

Just as she thought Zhou Xu would turn and leave, the man in the room bent down and kissed Meng Fu's palm. "After all these years, you're still as cruel as ever."

"..."

*

Zhou Xu and Meng Fu first met in their second year of high school.

That summer, Meng Fu was sent to Linyi No. 1 High School after embellishing and spreading photos of her parents cheating.

She was still as unconventional as ever after transferring.

She didn't care about the rumors at school. One day, she found him and asked, "Are you Zhou Xu, the one who comes first in the provincial exams every time?"

When he didn't answer, Meng Fu wasn't upset.

Instead, she patiently crouched in front of him, then leaned closer with a bright smile. "Do you want to date me?"

At the time, the trees overhead were thick with leaves.

The blazing sunlight streamed through the branches, dappling Meng Fu's radiant smile.

Zhou Xu turned his head. Amid the constant chorus of cicadas, he clearly heard his own heartbeat.

Free-spirited heiress x aloof on the outside, flirtatious on the inside

Reunited lovers, happy ending

For content warnings, see Chapter 1

From the author's profile: Summer on Boju Island

After losing her job in spectacular fashion, Guan Shu returned to her hometown with four-year-old Guan Qiaoyi in tow.

Her hometown, Boju Island, was an island in the southeast.

The facilities were outdated, but the people were simple and kind.

Guan Shu had an elderly grandmother to care for and a young dependent who needed constant attention.

Just as she was worrying about how to make ends meet, her rich ex-boyfriend showed up.

The good news: her ex-boyfriend had amnesia.

The bad news: he still remembered her and thought the child was his.

Guan Shu tried her hardest to clear up his misunderstanding.

Until the handsome, wealthy man handed her all the bank cards in his wallet and said seriously:

"Child support."

Guan Shu suddenly thought that some misunderstandings were actually quite lovely.

There was no need to clear them up.

*

After spending some time with Jin Muyan, Guan Shu realized he was a little different from before.

For example, the pampered young master who never used to cook now ran around under the scorching sun to find ingredients just because she said she wanted something to eat.

And the arrogant, self-important man who never used to give anyone the time of day was now gentle and considerate toward her.

At first, Guan Shu thought his personality had changed because of the amnesia.

Then, one afternoon,

while Guan Shu was lying on a lounge chair in the courtyard, enjoying the sunset, she got a phone call.

When she answered, a man's voice, at once unfamiliar and familiar, came from the other end.

"Guan Shu? This is Jin Muyan."

"?"

Guan Shu sat bolt upright, as if jolted back to life. She turned to look at the "Jin Muyan" who was still busy preparing dinner in the kitchen, utterly stunned.

*

Jin Yanbai and Guan Shu first met at the Jin family home.

It was a rainy day.

At the time, she was still dating his twin brother.

Theme: Courage is the hymn of humanity