Midsummer Is Full Of Love Episode Summary

I’m picking up Midsummer Is Full Of Love (仲夏满天心) after watching Yang Chao Yue in Dance Of The Phoenix. I’m actually curious how she would fare in a modern role. Hopefully, she will do better here as I think she still has a lot of room for improvement. Anyway, I’m looking forward to this one as I’m also in the mood for a short rom-com. I will give my overall verdict in my Midsummer Is Full Of Love review once I have finished.

Episode 1

Luo Tian Ran is an amateur songwriter who is very sensitive to melodies and sounds. She gets tricked by her friend, Jin Xiao Qin, with false tickets to a concert by her favorite composer. While there, she bumps into pop idol, Jin Ze Yi, who thinks she is a stalking fan. He takes away her audio recording pen which she uses to record sounds from the natural environment. The pen also contains recordings from her late father.

Tian Ran attends Ze Yi’s meet-the-fans session to try to get back her gadget but is unsuccessful. Then, they meet again in a taxi during a reality show whereby Ze Yi is the cab driver. Both of them quarrel which results in a minor accident. They quarrel again at the hospital. While Tian Ran gets back her recording pen, it is broken and couldn’t be repaired. She also meets a doctor on the way home as they try to save a man who has collapsed on the road.

Rumors start to fly about Ze Yi’s love life. His agent, Tiffany, warns him not to get involved in relationships. As Ze Yi has to move house to avoid his fans, he ends up with the keys to Tian Ran’s house. Both of them are unaware of the other’s presence in the same house.

Episode 2

Ze Yi hears sounds and thinks the house is haunted. Tian Ran suspects there is an intruder. They end up scaring each other and then arguing about the house ownership. Tian Ran tricks Ze Yi to step out of the house to check some graffiti on the wall to confirm that she lives there and then locks him out. When it begins to rain, he ends up taking shelter in the doghouse for the night.

The next morning, Tian Ran takes photos of him sleeping in the doghouse. But when she learns that he is running a fever, she takes pity on him and helps him into the house. Tiffany and Ze Yi’s assistant, A Tai, arrive. They show Tian Ran that the ownership of the house has changed because she has given the power of attorney for the house to Xiao Qin.

Tian Ran is furious with her friend. She had signed her name on the document while drunk. Xiao Qin then mortgaged the house and sold it to pay off her younger brother’s debts. Tian Ran is now homeless. She goes back to get her cassettes and other valuables. She is unhappy when she notices that Ze Yi is planning to renovate the house.

Tian Ran also retrieves the spare key that she has hidden. She refuses to move out and shows Ze Yi the doghouse photos that she had taken. Tian Ran threatens to release them if he makes her leave. They struggle on the couch as he tries to snatch her phone. A reporter is taking their photos from outside the house.

Episode 3

News surface about Ze Yi and Tian Ran making out on the couch. Tian Ran is getting stares from diners at her workplace. Ze Yi’s private life is under scrutiny from fans. Tiffany is pressuring him to get rid of Tian Ran.

Ze Yi’s father is Director Jin who is a doctor and owner of a hospital. They have a strained relationship as his father is against his career choice and wants him to manage the hospital instead. Director Jin’s student, Yun Shu, is back to help him. His old friend’s daughter, Meng Meng, is also back from overseas. Director Jin invites Yun Shu and Meng Meng to attend Ze Yi’s celebration party for his concert tour that night.

Tian Ran learns that her composer idol will be attending Ze Yi’s celebration party. She begs Ze Yi to bring her there but he turns her down. She tries to sneak in and bumps into Yun Shu whom she had met before. Yun Shu brings her in. Ze Yi’s mother tries to matchmake her son with Meng Meng. This leaves Ze Yi feeling annoyed. Then, his request to Tiffany to have more freedom in his song selections is brushed aside.

As reporters surround him, Sha Sha who is a fellow celebrity ingratiates herself to him to give the impression that they are couple. Ze Yi is feeling frustrated by the constant spotlight on his love life. He sees Tian Ran and impulsively goes up to her and grabs her hand. He then announces that she is his fiancee.

Episode 4

Ze Yi proceeds to kiss Tian Ran after the sudden announcement. The next morning, he proposes a contract marriage to her. In return, she will get back her house at the end of the contract. Tiffany is pressured by her boss, Mr. Shi, to settle the problem quickly. Advertisers are cutting their contracts with Ze Yi. Tiffany wants to issue a statement that the marriage is a joke but Ze Yi disagrees. He feels a marriage will stop all the attention on his love life.

Xiao Qin thinks the marriage is a good idea as Ze Yi is a good catch and Tian Ran can get back the house for free. She is also cunningly thinking of how to profit from Ze Yi’s popularity to help her business.

Tiffany strikes a deal with Tian Ran on the marriage as the latter wants back the house which was left to her by her late father. They will sign a pre-nuptial agreement and contract for them to divorce after one year. A press conference is held to announce their marriage. Ze Yi’s family is unhappy that they were not informed about his plans.

Tian Ran is brought to see his family without his knowledge. She introduces herself to Ze Yi’s parents and grandmother. When Ze Yi realizes where she is, he rushes over to take her away. They argue over his poor attitude towards his father. Ze Yi demands Tian Ran to get out of the car.

Episode 5

Tian Ran gets out of the car but left her purse and phone behind. By the time Ze Yi discovers her stuff and turns back, he couldn’t find her. Tian Ran bumps into Yun Shu after walking a long distance and ending up with blisters. He sends her home to pack her things and she stays overnight with Xiao Qin and Lin Che. Ze Yi gets worried when he comes home to an empty house and it is getting late. He drives around to look for her but gives up after a while.

Tian Ran doesn’t feel like getting married anymore. Xiao Qin gets her drunk and drags her to the wedding ceremony the next day. Tian Ran is late which causes Ze Yi and Tiffany to panic thinking that she wouldn’t turn up. Mr. Shi scolds Tiffany again for the delay. Tiffany is in a bad mood and quarrels with Lin Che for parking his food truck near the wedding venue. She kicks his truck and then throws him money for the repairs. Lin Che returns the remaining sum to Tiffany after deducting the repair cost but she tells him to keep it.

Tian Ran has to accompany Ze Yi to do a honeymoon commercial shoot. They bicker over who should have the bed during their stay in the hotel. Ze Yi starts removing his pants to force Ze Yi to give up the bed. During the shoot, Tian Ran is chasing Ze Yi for bullying her but everyone thinks that they are having a romantic time. When it’s time to return the sponsored jewelries, Tian Ran discovers that the ring is missing.

Episode 6

Tian Ran keeps looking for the ring. Ze Yi tells her not to bother and refuses to help her to search together. The sponsor is angry at the loss. Tiffany negotiates for a compensation. After a whole night of searching, Ze Yi lies to Tian Ran that the ring is a fake and only costs $1,000 when it costs more than a million. She offers to pay her back when she gets her salary.

Their relationship improves and they begin to be more civil and playful towards each other as Ze Yi slowly discovers Tian Ran’s strengths. He learns that she is very sensitive to pitches and can identify them with ease. He also offers to treat her dinner. Tian Ran obtains an interview for her demo song but is disappointed when she is asked to rope in Ze Yi for collaboration. Lin Che sends breakfast to Tiffany daily with the money leftover from his truck repairs.

Ze Yi is angry when his song recording did not go smoothly. Tiffany drags him off to celebrate their 7th anniversary of working together. She tells him that he will have more freedom to choose his songs for his up-coming concert. Ze Yi informs Tian Ran that he will be late for their dinner date. She calls him again after waiting for some time but Tiffany shuts down his phone without him noticing.

Tian Ran keeps waiting. Tiffany gets drunk. Ze Yi puts am arm around her to give her support while sending her home.

Episode 7

Tian Ran is angry that Ze Yi has stood her up. She has been waiting until midnight. Ze Yi’s phone is out of battery and he couldn’t contact her. They end up arguing when he returns home. Ze Yi reminds her that they are not a real couple and shouldn’t interfere in each other’s lives. The next morning, Tian Ran gives Ze Yi a schedule to avoid meeting each other in the house.

Tian Ran bumps into Yun Shu while shopping for vinyl records. He offers to let her have the vinyl record that he has ordered. In return, she treats him lunch but Zi Ye is at the same restaurant. He is jealous and drags Tian Ran out of there with the excuse that his grandmother is sick. She insists on visiting his grandmother and the situation becomes awkward. Ze Yi’s mother encourages Tian Ran to be patient with Ze Yi and to talk to her if she faces problems.

Tiffany tells Lin Che not to send her breakfast anymore. But Lin Che insists on doing so especially when he learns that she always skips breakfast which he thinks is unhealthy. Ze Yi is angry that Tian Ran is delivering takeaways which will affect his image. He drops by her restaurant and she makes him sample the kind of work that she has to do to earn a living. She forces him to take care of a bunch of kids who are having a party. They play a game together and is seen hugging at one point when she trips.

Ling Xi Quan is after Meng Meng who is designing costumes for Ze Yi. Tiffany is angry that pictures of Ze Yi and Tian Ran are surfacing and she has to suppress them.

Episode 8

Yun Shu brings Tian Ran to the horse museum and then a flower field for her to record sounds from the environment. Sha Sha is still trying to hit on Ze Yi but he reminds her that he is married. Ze Yi is not too happy to learn that Tian Ran has been out with Yun Shu. He warns her not to breach their marriage contract.

Xiao Qin claims that she is busy and calls Tian Ran to come and help her. But Ze Yi asks her to cook for him before she leaves the house. He then looks for Xiao Qin to find out what is happening and learns that it is Tian Ran’s birthday. Ze Yi prepares a bouquet and gift. But Tian Ran didn’t turn up to meet Xiao Qin as Yun Shu has arranged for her to meet a music producer, Xiao Sa, at the last minute. Xiao Sa is impressed with her works and interested in a collaboration.

Xiao Qin tells Ze Yi that Tian Ran might have gone to the amusement park as she does every year. Ze Yi tries to look for her there but couldn’t find her. He has to leave when recognized by fans. Tian Ran finds out that Ze Yi has been looking for her at the amusement park. She teases him when she returns home. Since the park is closed, Ze Yi brings her to the ice skating rink instead. He bullies her at first as she doesn’t know how to skate. But he subsequently offers to teach her and wishes her happy birthday.

Episode 9

Ze Yi and Tian Ran have a happy time skating. Tiffany’s calls to him are left unanswered. She is socializing to discuss Ze Yi’s projects. Xi Quan tells Meng Meng that Ze Yi’s popularity comes from hypes to hog the limelight rather than actual talent which is largely due to Tiffany’s capability. He doesn’t have a liking for both of them.

Lin Che happens to be Tiffany’s hired driver for the night. He nags her again about her drinking and unhealthy lifestyle. Tiffany begins to eat the breakfast that Lin Che delivers. Lin Che is happy when he finds that out from Tiffany’s staff. Ze Yi is unwilling to join the reality show that Tiffany wants him to participate with Tian Ran.

Ze Yi’s grandmother wants Ze Yi and Tian Ran to go to their old house together. She wants to take the opportunity to train Tian Ran up to be a good wife. She makes her feed the geese and do gardening. His grandmother also gives her a pot of plant to take care of. While eating the dishes that Tian Ran has supposedly cooked, Ze Yi’s grandmother chokes on some fish and is admitted to hospital. She admonishes Tian Ran at first but softens when the latter starts crying. They start to sing some songs together to lighten the mood.

Tian Ran bumps into Yun Shu at the hospital. He gets slashed in the arm by an agitated patient. Tian Ran gives him some recordings to listen to while his wound is being sewn up. Yun Shu realizes that Tian Ran is the girl who had treated him kindly during their childhood and holds her wrist. Ze Yi appears at the door and notices them.

Episode 10

Ze Yi drags Tian Ran away and reminds Yun Shu that Tian Ran is his wife. He also gets A Tai to find him information about the “Little Red Elephant” which is part of a tune that Tian Ran always hums.

Yun Shu has feelings for Tian Ran but knows he has to keep them hidden. He is sad that he can’t have her. The shop that sells vinyl records which Yun Shu and Tian Ran like to frequent is closing down. Yun Shu asks to see the shop owner.

Tiffany turns up at Ze Yi’s house when she knows that he has bought a bike for Tian Ran. He is teaching her how to ride it. Tian Ran leaves them to continue learning to ride on her own. Tiffany purposely hugs Ze Yi to remind Tian Ran that their marriage is a fake. Tian Ran falls down from her bike and hits her head on a rock. Ze Yi rushes her to the hospital whereby she is treated by Yun Shu.

News spread about Tian Ran’s accident. Tiffany orders A Tai to take pictures of Ze Yi taking care of Tian Ran for PR purposes. Ze Yi tells them to stop. Yun Shu is not too happy about it either and has a slight tiff with Ze Yi over the matter. Xiao Qin quietly takes pictures of Ze Yi caring for Tian Ran when she visits with Lin Che.

When Tian Ran awakens, she cannot recall recent events including Ze Yi and Yun Shu. She can only remember Lin Che and Xiao Qin. Ze Yi’s grandmother shows her the video clip of her wedding ceremony. So, she begins to treat Ze Yi like a husband. They become playful in the hospital room which catches Yun Shu’s attention.

Episode 11

Yun Shu is miserable that Tian Ran is married. Lin Che suspects that Tiffany is in love with Ze Yi. She denies it. He tries to cheer her up with his own version of fortune sticks. Ze Yi and Tian Ran are watching a horror movie together in the hospital room. She laughs over his timidness. He stays overnight in her room which causes his grandmother to think that they have been intimate when she drops by for a visit.

Tian Ran is discharged. Ze Yi doesn’t want to let her know that theirs is a contract marriage. He asks A Tai to take the contract back to the office for safekeeping. Tiffany is not happy that he has not been frank with Tian Ran. Ze Yi tells Tiffany that he doesn’t have the heart to hurt Tian Ran as she has no family. Tian Ran also starts questioning about their sleeping arrangement. She moves into his room. Ze Yi is uneasy that they are sharing the same bed. He makes an excuse to sleep elsewhere for the night.

Tiffany is unhappy that Ze Yi is beginning to treat Tian Ran like a real spouse. She goes to see her and leaves her with the marriage contract. Tian Ran questions Ze Yi when he returns home.

Episode 12

Tian Ran thinks it is her fault that they have a contract marriage and that she had seduced Ze Yi in order to get back the house. Ze Yi didn’t explain to her the truth.

Xiao Qin tricks Tian Ran to attend a gathering and asks her to bring Ze Yi along with the claims that she needs to impress her boyfriend’s parents. Ze Yi leaves his rehearsal when Tian Ran calls. But Xiao Qin is attending a business gathering and simply wants Ze Yi’s presence to impress others. Tian Ran is furious and demands that the attendees delete the pictures that they have taken of Ze Yi. She douses them with a water hose when they refuse to comply.

Tiffany scolds Ze Yi for leaving midway through the rehearsal. Tian Ran’s antics become news but Ze Yi’s fans are supportive of her action to protect her husband. Tiffany has to curry favor with a reporter to put a nice spin to the incident. Tian Ran regains her memory after Ze Yi brings her to the place where they first met. The bickering starts again when she accuses him of hiding the truth about their relationship while he insists that he is doing it out of pity so as not to aggravate her condition.

Tian Ran bumps into Yun Shu at the vinyl records shop again. Xiao Qin discovers Ze Yi and Tian Ran’s marriage contract. Tian Ran has to rush back to handle the matter and leaves behind her handbag. Xiao Qin is blackmailing Ze Yi to help her to promote her business. She also wants Tian Ran to forgive her debt. Yun Shu overhears their conversation when he drops by to return Tian Ran’s handbag.

Tiffany pressures Ze Yi to attend a meeting with Director Guan for a starring role in a film project later that day. She also agrees to hire Xiao Qin. But Ze Yi has promised Tian Ran earlier to go for a movie. Xi Quan seeks out Tiffany for cooperation. He knows Ze Yi is being considered for Director Guan’s project. Tiffany has been taking pills for her stomach pain.

Ze Yi skips the meeting with Director Guan to accompany Tian Ran. He couldn’t be reached. Tian Ran is curious about his relationship with Tiffany but couldn’t get herself to ask the question. Tiffany has to keep making excuses for Ze Yi’s no-show at the meeting. The director is introduced to Xi Quan instead.

Tiffany is mad at Ze Yi and tells him that all his activities including his concert will be put on hold for the time being. He knows Xi Quan has met Tiffany but she tells him that it is none of his business. Ze Yi instructs Tian Ran to cook as he will be back early for dinner.

Episode 14

Yun Shu is unsure of what to do now that he knows Tian Ran’s contract marriage will be over in a year’s time. Xi Quan is cooperating with Tiffany behind his boss’ back. He wants to be the main actor in Director Guan’s film project. Ze Yi is not happy that Tiffany is helping Xi Quan but he also gives her the impression that he is fine with having to take a break from work. In actual fact, Tifany is making use of Xi Quan to provoke Ze Yi to treat his work seriously. She is working behind the scenes to get Ze Yi the leading role.

Xi Quan is furious when he finds that he is being played out. He vows to make Tiffany pay for her scheming. Ze Yi books an indoor skiing venue and has a great time with Tian Ran since he complains of feeling bored with no work to do. Tiffany asks A Tai to take pictures of them when she finds out about their plan. Ze Yi also relates to Tian Ran the reason why he has a strained relationship with his father. His father quietly changed his major to medicine in college and he dropped out after a year. Ze Yi then goes behind his father’s back to sign up to become a trainee in the entertainment field.

Tiffany releases the pictures of Ze Yi and Tian Ran at the skiing venue. Tian Ran accuses Ze Yi of using her for publicity. He goes to the office to look for Tiffany but finds her getting put down by Mr. Shi. He feels bad for her. Tiffany clarifies with Ze Yi what she was doing with Xi Quan and apologizes for the misunderstanding. She asks Ze Yi to trust her. They resume their cooperation.

Episode 15

Tian Ran is still unhappy over the skiing incident. Ze Yi is also distracted and can’t wait to see Tian Ran. But Tiffany starts to vomit blood and has to be admitted to hospital due to acute gastritis. He spends the night at the hospital while Tian Ran has a sleepless night wondering where he might be.

In the morning, Tian Ran sees Ze Yi cooking some food for Tiffany. She finds out that Tiffany is sick and follows Ze Yi to visit her at the hospital. Tian Ran feels unhappy to see their close relationship and the way Ze Yi cares for Tiffany. They have a misunderstanding over it and go separate ways at the hospital. Tian Ran bumps into Yun Shu. He brings her to a field to look at the stars to cheer her up. By the time Yun Shu sends her back, it is late at night and she is drunk. She quarrels again with Ze Yi who is angry that she is with Yun Shu.

Xiao Qin suspects that Ze Yi and Tiffany are in a relationship. Lin Che hears that Tiffany is in the hospital and visits her. She finds his impromptu gift to be cute and makes her laugh. Tian Ran moves out of the house to bunk in with Xiao Qin. A customer is recording Tian Ran’s conversation with Xiao Qin about her fallout with Ze Yi.

Episode 16

Lin Che drops by the hospital to visit Tiffany but she has already left. News on Ze Yi’s shaky marriage becomes viral. Tiffany asks Tian Ran to deliver some lunch boxes. It turns out to be Ze Yi’s filming location. She makes use of Tian Ran’s presence to give the press the impression that the couple is loving to neutralize the rumors.

Tiffany tells Tian Ran that she is just an accompaniment in Ze Yi’s life and wouldn’t be able to understand him. Tiffany also gives Tian Ran the impression that she and Ze Yi have a special relationship. Ze Yi feels bad and tries to cheer Tian Ran up. He suggests extending their contract marriage by giving the excuse of not wanting to disappoint his family but she is against the idea. She is hurting but doesn’t want to pull him back in pursuing the one that he loves.

Ze Yi is angry that Tian Ran wants a divorce at the end of the contract. But when he sees her with Yun Shu again, he changes his mind and tells her that they should divorce. During a dinner with his family, she cries when Ze Yi’s mother gives her a heirloom bracelet. Both Tian Ran and Ze Yi are at a loss of how to face each other.

Xiao Sa agrees to accept Tian Ran as his student. Yun Shu accompanies her during her lessons. When Ze Yi meets Xiao Sa, he shows him some of Tian Ran’s work. That is when he finds out that Yun Shu has been helping her and becomes miserable. Tiffany sees Tian Ran with Yun Shu at a restaurant. They are seemingly close because Yun Shu is tending to Tian Ran’s hand which is scalded by hot water.

Episode 17

Tiffany snaps photos of Yun Shu and Tian Ran being together. Yun Shu relates to Tian Ran about his bitter childhood experience of growing up with a congenital disease of being insensitive to physical pain. He also tells her about the girl who had encouraged him back then. Tian Ran feels familiar with the story but cannot remember the details.

Xiao Qin advises Tian Ran to go home and check on Ze Yi who may be out of job because of his marriage troubles. Tian Ran goes home to find Ze Yi have been drinking. She tells him that she is willing to postpone their divorce and assures him that there is nothing between her and Yun Shu. Ze Yi is happy to hear that. Tiffany suggests to Yun Shu that they cooperate to break up Ze Yi and Tian Ran. She can see that Yun Shu loves Tian Ran. But Yun Shu declines.

Yun Shu asks Tian Ran out to give her her favorite vinyl disc. Someone takes a picture of them together and it becomes viral. Ze Yi is disappointed and accuses Tian Ran of dating Yun Shu when she has told him that she doesn’t want a divorce. They quarrel and Tian Ran slaps Ze Yi when he forces a kiss. She then leaves the house. Both Ze Yi and Yun Shu drive around to look for her. Yun Shu finds her first. By the time Ze Yi arrives at the same place, she is gone.

Episode 18

Yun Shu helps Tian Ran to settle down at a temporary place. Ze Yi finally admits to Tiffany that he loves Tian Ran when told to maintain his image.

Yun Shu accuses Tiffany of having a hand in vilifying Tian Ran. He vows to make her pay. She shoots back that Ze Yi loves Tian Ran and Yun Shu is better off spending time with Tian Ran than threatening her unnecessarily. Yun Shu leaves Tian Ran with a cassette tape to listen to it if she feels unhappy. Tian Ran is unsure if she should forgive Ze Yi.

Yun Shu warns Ze Yi not to hurt Tian Ran and that he is aware of their contract marriage. He refuses to let him know her whereabouts. Rumors surface that Tiffany is involved in the breakdown of Ze Yi’s marriage. Mr. Shi warns Tiffany not to mess up. Ze Yi is also suspicious but A Tai doubts Tiffany leaked the pictures.

Tiffany is surrounded by reporters. Lin Che drags her away and proclaims that he loves her. But Tiffany thinks he is crazy. Ze Yi publishes a statement that he has faith in Tian Ran and their marriage. Tian Ran is unsure about his intentions but feels she is in the way of his relationship with Tiffany who has sacrificed a lot for him.

Ze Yi finds out where Tian Ran is. But she refuses to follow him back despite his apology. She is angry that he has doubted her loyalty when he wouldn’t do the same to Tiffany. Yun Shu tells Ze Yi to leave Tian Ran alone. Ze Yi realizes he may have been too insensitive. He messages Tian Ran to remember to bring back an item. She looks around and discovers their wedding ring.

Episode 19

Tian Ran wonders if the ring is real or fake. Ze Yi asks to see Tiffany. He demands to know what Tiffany had told Tian Ran previously. He also doesn’t want his life to be controlled. They have a big quarrel over it. Tian Ran decides to move back to her house as she doesn’t want to trouble Yun Shu any longer. Ze Yi quietly leaves a small gift in her room which makes her happy.

A Tai helps Sha Sha to take her picture with her phone and discovers she is the one who had edited and leaked Tian Ran and Yun Shu’s photos. Ze Yi makes her apologize to Tian Ran. Sha Sha also releases a statement to clarify the matter. Lin Che no longer delivers breakfast for Tiffany. His food truck is also gone from its usual spot near her office.

Ze Yi brings Tian Ran to his parents’ home with the intention to explain the rumors. But he ends up quarreling with his father again when the latter wants him to change career. He storms off despite Tian Ran advising him not to do so. Tian Ran chooses to remain and lightens the mood by getting everyone to play mahjong. She stays overnight there and starts going through Ze Yi’s old photos. When he calls, they talk about his relationship with his father. Then, Ze Yi tells Tian Ran that he misses her after which both of them immediately pretend that the reception is bad to escape the embarrassment.

Tian Ran also has a chat with Ze Yi’s father. She learns that he cares a lot for his son while she tells him that Ze Yi has always saved a ticket for him for his concerts. Ze Yi writes a melody about father’s love.

Episode 20

Ze Yi’s song about father’s love is written on the floor with chalk and hidden under the carpet. Tiffany is thinking of Lin Che and obtains his number from Xiao Qin. Ze Yi gives Tian Ran 3 tickets for his concert. She asks for an additional ticket for his father. He thinks his father wouldn’t bother to attend but Tian Ran feels otherwise.

Tian Ran tries to see Ze Yi’s father at the hospital but he isn’t around. However, she bumps into Yun Shu who asks her to celebrate his birthday with him. She agrees. He talks about the girl he met during his childhood and hopes she would show up on the anniversary date of their meeting which coincides with Ze Yi’s concert day. Ze Yi is waiting for her when she comes home. He pretends that he doesn’t care where she has been and she teases him about it.

Director Guan has decided to cast Ze Yi in his film. Meng Meng couldn’t help Xi Quan to get the role. So, she suggests that they create a scandal to bring Ze Yi down. Someone is seen rummaging through Tiffany’s office and taking photos of his marriage contract. Lin Che has obtained a job in the same office building as Tiffany. He woos her and she accepts. They become a couple.

Tian Ran cooperates with Ze Yi’s mother and grandmother to get Director Jin to attend his son’s concert. Ze Yi’s grandmother pretends to have stomach cramps to make his father feels compelled to attend on their behalf. But his grandmother really ends up sick. Tian Ran is preparing to attend the concert when Lin Che plays the cassette tape that Yun Shu had given her earlier. She realizes Yun Shu is the boy from her childhood.

Episode 21

Tian Ran rushes to the hospital when she hears that Ze Yi’s grandmother is sick. But it is just a minor ailment and she pushes her to attend Ze Yi’s concert. Before leaving the hospital, she drops by Yun Shu’s office and leaves the cassette tape on his desk.

Tian Ran is rushing to the concert with Xiao Qin and Lin Che. However, Lin Che takes a wrong turn and they get lost on the way to the venue. They keep driving around to look for reception to watch the concert online. Yun Shu is waiting for Tian Ran to show up at the lake they first met as kids.

Director Jin attends Ze Yi’s concert when it is nearing conclusion. Tian Ran is watching it on-screen as Ze Yi talks about her being his universe. He also dedicates a song that he has written for her with clips of her and her late father. He knows that she has a deep bond with her father and the song is to portray that love. Ze Yi is also surprised that his own father turns up for his concert. He tells him that he loves him.

Tian Ran is touched by what Ze Yi has done for her. She hugs Ze Yi when she gets home. Ze Yi also gives her a new audio recording pen with the data transferred from the one he broke when they first met. Yun Shu is sad that Tian Ran didn’t turn up. He leaves behind the cassette tape on the bench.

Episode 22

Ze Yi’s concert attracts great reviews from fans. Lin Che’s relationship with Tiffany is getting sweeter. Meng Meng has obtained a copy of Ze Yi’s contract marriage. Xi Quan uses it to blackmail Tiffany to get him the role in Director Guan’s movie. Tiffany asks A Tai to investigate who is the mole in the office.

Xiao Sa is satisfied with Tian Ran’s compositions. Her song also gets the nod from Director Guan who wants to use her work in his project. Tian Ran is delighted. She posts a picture of them together with Ze Yi on her social media account.

Ze Yi wants to confess his feelings to Tian Ran. He tries to do it through a jigsaw puzzle but the dog eats up the pieces before Tian Ran could complete it. Ze Yi then asks Xiao Qin for ideas. Xiao Qin makes him buy up her goods before she reveals Tian Ran likes and dislikes. She also tells him that Yun Shu has bought the vinyl record store because of Tian Ran.

Ze Yi then buys up the indoor skiing venue and redecorates it to confess his feelings to Tian Ran which she accepts. Tiffany sets a trap to ensnare the mole who blames it on Meng Meng. But Xi Quan is furious when he sees Ze Yi and Tian Ran posing with Director Guan. He cuts off communication with Tiffany and refuses to negotiate. Ze Yi and Tian Ran are having a good time when Tiffany angrily tells them that the contract marriage secret is out.

Episode 23

The news of Ze Yi and Tian Ran’s fake marriage becomes viral. Endorses are cancelling their contracts. Mr. Shi gives Tiffany a day to settle the issue. Tian Ran’s cooperation with Director Guan is affected. Ze Yi’s family is disappointed. Ze Yi and Tian Ran tell them what happened from the beginning. Both of his parents and grandmother are supportive when they find out that Ze Yi and Tian Ran have developed feelings for each other.

Mr. Shi wants Ze Yi to lay the blame on Tian Ran to protect his image. But Ze Yi doesn’t want to do so. At the same time, Tiffany asks Tian Ran to take the blame and full responsibility for the fiasco. Tian Ran agrees as she feels Ze Yi’s reputation is more important than hers since she is a nobody while he is a superstar. Hence, she is labelled as a gold digger.

Ze Yi wants to open a press conference to defend Tian Ran. Tiffany cuts off Lin Che’s call as she is busy. Lin Che waits for her to finish work and remains patient with her. She is grateful for his warmth and support as they stand in the rain. Ze Yi and Tian Ran are also being playful with each other as they walk back home during the rainy weather.

Ze Yi says that he loves Tian Ran and he will shoulder the responsibility during the press conference. Xi Quan doesn’t feel that he has won anything after the debacle. Tian Ran couldn’t be reached. She has left Ze Yi a parting letter and torn up pieces of their marriage contract. She writes that she loves him but it is for the best that she leaves him so that he can continue with his music career.

Episode 24

Tian Ran has left for a year. Ze Yi still misses her. He has taken a break from work. Tiffany is still with Lin Che and they are going on a trip together. Xiao Qin has just moved into a new home. A Tai shows up at her door and pretends to be her boyfriend when her younger brother harasses her for money. He happens to be her neighbor. After helping her, they begin to feel self-conscious and shy.

Yun Shu bumps into Tian Ran at her flower shop when he is in the area to help out blind children. Tian Ran is still writing songs but wants to save them for Ze Yi to sing. Yun Shu has moved on from his obsession with Tian Ran and has a new friend for company. He tells her that he has suspended the operations of his vinyl records store.

Yun Shu informs Ze Yi where to look for Tian Ran. He admits that he used to have a crush on her but knows that she only sees him as a friend. Moreover, he realizes that love is a feeling and not about when they first met. Ze Yi thanks Yun Shu. He reconciles with Tian Ran and proposes to her followed by a small wedding at home.

Ze Yi re-emerges on the entertainment scene with a charity concert. Tian Ran has composed a song for him. Mr. Shi appears at the press conference. He supports Ze Yi’s charity concert and compliments him for making him look at his business differently.

Tian Ran is thinking of her late father and telling him not to worry as she is leading a good life. She was abandoned as a baby in front of his house and he picked her up.

Other Contract Marriage Chinese Dramas

A contract marriage theme is nothing new for Chinese rom-coms. On the top of my head, I can already list a few here. Please Love Me is one of them and it stars the popular Zhang Yu Jian. While it is nothing great, it does have some sweet moments and the drama is short with the same number of episodes as Midsummer Is Full Of Love. Then, of course, there is the Well Intended Love Season 2 following the success of Season 1. This is despite the bizarre plot in the first installment but I guess the chemistry between the leads is just too powerful to ignore.

While My Love, Enlighten Me is not a contract marriage drama, it is close as the couple is thrown together as housemates. This one has a different feel due to the cinematography compared to the typical romance dramas. So, if you are looking for something more refreshing, you can check it out. Finally, You Are My Destiny is another contract marriage story but this one would have a more matured vibe. A word of warning is this may not be everyone’s cup of tea due to the nature of the relationship and how it started. But the pairing is one that a lot of fans look forward to as the leads have cooperated well in previous productions.

Image Credit: Tencent