More Than Summer

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[The author's other novel, "Hidden Rain," is currently being serialized. If you like it, please tap the little star!]

■ Shen Ruining × Chen Xiyao

■ [Gentle and sensitive × Nonchalant and free-spirited]

-

In their first year of high school, the cicadas sang at their loudest.

A beam of light quietly appeared in Shen Ruining's gray world.

That light had a name: Chen Xiyao.

He was like the purest breeze of midsummer, and like its most dazzling sun.

She hid her feelings deep inside, so deep that every time she looked at him, it felt as if she were gazing across an unreachable summer.

She never imagined that the light would truly come toward her.

But summer was short, and so, it seemed, was he.

That day, she lifted her face and spoke as if it were nothing:

"I know you're just caught up in the moment..."

But I believed you.

After she turned away, a three-year unrequited love

came to a quiet end in the midsummer when the cicadas' song began to fade.

-

Time passed. When they met again, Chen Xiyao was a business partner on her project.

In the conference hall on a rainy day, the man wore a light coffee-colored suit, his tie loosely knotted, his whole bearing carefree and unrestrained. Though many years had passed, he still had the cool, sharp air of a boy.

Halfway through dinner, Shen Ruining slipped out to get some air while pretending to take a call.

Just as she was about to go back, a hand seized her wrist and pinned her against the cool tiles of the fire escape.

Beneath the glowing green "EXIT" sign, Chen Xiyao cornered her, looking down at her from above.

No matter what he said, the person before him remained indifferent, calm and distant.

His Adam's apple bobbed again and again. In the end, he let go and spoke in a low voice:

"...We have plenty of time."

From then on, Chen Xiyao began to invade her life bit by bit.

She ran into him everywhere and couldn't get away.

-

On Valentine's Day, a bonfire party was held on an island.

They took part in a couples' game, and somehow made it all the way to the final round.

The last question.

The host asked slowly, "What's the one thing between the two of you that you most regret or feel sorry about?"

Chen Xiyao silently raised his answer board.

The dancing flames made the words in his hand look clear and scorching bright.

If only I had made you believe back then that I really did like you.

-

Summer is more than just a season.

It's where our story began.

[Reader's guide]

1. Unrequited love comes true | Reunited after a breakup | School to city | Both leads grow

2. Neither lead is perfect. Please don't be overly harsh on the characters.

4. Both leads' first and only | Happy ending

Theme: Rather than chase the light, become a light yourself. Even if you mingle with the light, you are still a star of your own.