Blazing Summer

[Mutual pining / Friends with benefits to lovers]

The year they graduated from college, Li Ting went to California at her family's arrangement to meet the "fiance" she'd never met. At the airport, customs stopped her to inspect her luggage.

Her fiance was late. The one who showed up was Fu Yukuo.

On the day she left California, Fu Yukuo was the one who drove her to the airport again. Beneath the dark sky outside, he handed her luggage over and said, "Li Ting, next time, I won't come to pick you up."

She suddenly remembered the summer after their senior year of high school. Cicadas screamed outside her bedroom window as she leaned over her desk to read. When she turned, she met the boy's hesitant gaze.

Her heart pounded like a drum. Gathering her courage, she asked him, "Want to give it a try?"

-

The day he sent Li Ting away from California, Fu Yukuo ended their friends-with-benefits relationship, which he'd thought absurd from the very beginning.

She had someone else in her heart, yet could still share a bed with him without a second thought. More absurdly, he'd actually agreed.

-

The day he drove Li Ting away from California, North America had just ended its long summer and switched to standard time. Fu Yukuo drove back to his place along the West Coast. After the clocks went back an hour, his friend in the car cheered that they had an extra hour before the deadline.

The salty sea breeze stung his eyes as the engine sped up.

He alone felt that North America's winter was far too long, and that his boundless longing and desire would stretch on without end.

-

Ever since the day I met you, my world has been a sweltering summer day filled with endless cicadas.

*All intimate scenes take place after the protagonists are adults / sc

*Includes a high school boarding-at-someone-else's-home trope

*The California setting was inspired by The Heirs

Theme: Grant me a midsummer dream