1,
In high school, Xu Zhaowu and Yu Huai's names were always side by side.
She had held the top spot in their grade for years, with Yu Huai in second place.
No one knew how long she had secretly loved the boy who was always cool and composed.
They met again at a class reunion. A friend joked that Yu Huai had built a successful business and become a rising star in his field, finally escaping the shadow of always being one step behind her.
Xu Zhaowu's heart tightened, but he only said blandly, "Zhaowu has always been excellent."
A cold compliment, devoid of feeling.
Like the distant, shallow connection they had shared back then.
Even though she knew what the answer would be, Xu Zhaowu's heart sank all the same.
-
Yu Huai had always been disciplined and played by the rules. The only unexpected moment in his life was when he saw Xu Zhaowu on the phone, eyes brimming with tears.
"If I get the top score in our grade, will you come back to see me?"
As he wrote down the answer to the last major math problem, her tear-streaked face appeared before his eyes. His thoughts faltered, and he only then realized he had left the answer blank.
Even the gods and Buddhas shouldn't break their vows.
From that moment on, Xu Zhaowu's name was etched into his bones, impossible to erase.
His feigned mediocrity concealed his passionate love.
-
Later, Xu Zhaowu asked him, "Yu Huai, has your life never gotten out of control?"
His back stiffened.
"Twice."
"Six years ago, when I found out you were dating someone." Yu Huai gazed at her. "And just now, when I wondered if I should kidnap you."
[The Ninth Summer Since We Met]
A few things to know:
1. Both leads are each other's only one, and each is the other's most unforgettable love.
2. Mutual secret crush / Reunion after years apart.
3. School life first, then city life. The school chapters feature a bittersweet, hidden mutual crush; after they reunite, the romance turns sweet at full speed.
4. They help each other improve at school. No romantic behavior before adulthood.
Theme: Be your own light
