Youth is Invincible (The Taste of Summer) Detailed Plot Introduction Main actors: Liu Ye as Zhang Yi, Tong Dawei as Zhu Cheng, Yu Na as Li Xiaohua, Xie Na as Fang Ping, Shi Weiyan as An Qingqing, Qian Yongfu as An Qingxiang, and Zhao Qiang as Xu Chao.
"The Taste of Summer" is a 20-episode TV series with the following story outline:
In June, at the Northern University graduation defense ceremony for the class of 2002, An Qingqing anxiously awaits her brother An Ran but receives news of his fatal car accident instead.
Coincidentally, on his way to the same graduation defense, Zhang Yi encounters An Ran's accident and sends him to the hospital. During this time, An Ran secretly places a necklace containing a photo of his mother into Zhang Yi's pocket.
Zhang Yi misses his defense and due to an earlier incident where he helped classmate Xu Chao fight someone a month ago, the school refuses to issue his graduation certificate.
Under the request of his friend Xu Chao, Zhang Yi takes up the role of a matchmaker to create opportunities for Xu Chao to pursue An Qingqing. Ironically, Zhang Yi's innocence and childlike behavior catches An Qingqing's attention.
Due to not having a graduation certificate from university, Zhang Yi faces repeated rejections in job hunting but dares not reveal the truth to his childhood sweetheart, Li Xiaohua.
An Qingqing frequently visits An Ran's grave. There, she meets Zhu Cheng who also comes to commemorate An Ran. To lift An Qingqing's low spirits, An Qingxiang brings her to a grand birthday party held by the Zhu family. The elders from both families attempt to arrange a meeting between them, but neither An Qingqing nor Zhu Cheng take it seriously. An Qingqing is angered by her father's plan to design her marriage and career entirely, leading to a confrontation.
After An Qingqing runs away from home, An Qingxiang, worried and angry, asks Aunt Guan to have neighbor Fang Ping (a karate champion and legal advisor at a special law firm contracted by Brilliant Company. An Qingxiang values her intelligence and has been asking her to assist in investigating the death of his son An Ran) secretly track and protect An Qingqing.
Zhu Cheng discovers various crises looming over his father's company and successfully saves the family business, becoming the highest actual power holder in the company.
While searching for jobs independently, An Qingqing faces multiple rejections and goes to a bar to vent. She unexpectedly meets Zhang Yi and his girlfriend Li Xiaohua. Unable to bear seeing An Qingqing disheartened, Zhang Yi asks Li Xiaohua, who works as an accountant at a fitness center, to introduce An Qingqing to work in the marketing department for brand promotion at her high-end fitness center.
Finally securing a formal job at a real estate sales company, Zhang Yi's girlfriend Li Xiaohua and her mother are disappointed and fail to understand him. At this point, it is An Qingqing who fully supports Zhang Yi's new job and understands his long-term plan to start from the basics in his career.
Li Xiaohua, who pursues a high-quality lifestyle, gradually focuses her attention on the wealthy Zhu Cheng. Upon learning that Zhu Cheng is her dream online friend, she becomes ecstatic but worries about his cynical attitude towards women and love.
An Qingqing patiently adjusts Zhang Jing's introverted psychology and gradually helps her open up. The relationship between An Qingqing and Zhang Yi heats up.
During the process of reconnecting with the online friend Silence, Zhu Cheng gradually realizes that it is none other than the considerate Li Xiaohua by his side. In their interactions, Zhu Cheng keenly discovers Li Xiaohua's true intentions in approaching him and subtly exposes them.
An Qingxiang discovers that Hong Kong's Mr. Ma's market share far exceeds his expectations, leading to a direct confrontation. Acting alone, An Qingxiang narrowly avoids Mr. Ma's heavy blow in the first round.
Through investigation, the An family suddenly finds out that Zhang Yi might be the person who caused An Ran's death while riding a bicycle. Determined to separate Zhang Yi and An Qingqing at all costs, An Qingxiang persuades Zhu Cheng to formally pursue An Qingqing again under repeated requests.
Suddenly, An Qingqing discovers the keepsake left by An Ran among the various treasures hidden by Zhang Jing. She begins to doubt Zhang Yi. Zhu Cheng tells An Qingqing that he genuinely likes her. With her emotions hurt and in need of comfort, An Qingqing cries and falls into Zhu Cheng's embrace. Zhu Cheng no longer restrains his feelings for An Qingqing and tightly embraces her. This scene is witnessed by Li Xiaohua.
Through Fang Ping's investigation, An Qingxiang lying in the hospital discovers that his old friend Zhu Zhaoguang could possibly be an accomplice in the death of his own son. An Qingxiang's attitude towards Zhu Cheng is no longer like before when he treated him as his own son. Secretly, An Qingxiang sells part of his stocks to cash out and repay the bank. The turmoil at An's enterprise temporarily subsides, but it suffers great damage. Unaware of the changes at home, An Qingqing remains clueless outside.
Due to a colleague's betrayal, Zhang Yi is detained for a week. Encouraged by Zhu Cheng, An Qingqing rushes to see Zhang Yi. An Qingqing promises Zhang Yi that she will take good care of Zhang Jing. Determined, An Qingqing directly asks Zhang Yi how he obtained her brother's necklace and whether he is truly the murderer of her brother. Zhang Yi truthfully confesses, and An Qingqing immediately believes him, finally clearing up their previous misunderstandings.
An Qingqing registers Zhang Jing for a painting exhibition organized by Zhu Cheng's company, where she wins first place. A publisher wants to produce a collection of her paintings, making Zhang Jing instantly famous, and the television station even interviews Zhang Yi.
Having experienced much in life, Li's mother advises Li Xiaohua to seize Zhu Cheng. In Zhu Cheng's company, Li Xiaohua tries hard to please Zhu Cheng. One day, Zhu Cheng says indifferently, "I know what you want." Li Xiaohua is momentarily stunned.
Through the daughter of Mr. Ma and his own observations, Zhu Cheng finally uncovers the truth behind An Ran's death. Miss Ma starts actively pursuing Zhu Cheng and deliberately acts intimate with him in front of Li Xiaohua. However, Mr. Ma is shocked because Li Xiaohua looks extremely similar to his ex-wife! Years ago, he abandoned his wife to smuggle himself into Hong Kong, who happens to be Li Xiaohua's mother! Li Xiaohua reunites with her father, and he infiltrates the An family as a spy.
Everyone thinks Zhu Cheng has betrayed everyone, but in reality, Zhu Cheng had conspired with Zhang Yi to help the An family turn against Mr. Ma. The truth is revealed, and Mr. Ma returns to Hong Kong. Zhang Yi gives up the opportunity to join the brilliant group of the An family and goes to study in England. Li Xiaohua chooses to return to Hong Kong with Mr. Ma, ready to make her move.
The Zhu and An families regroup, and a new round of business warfare is about to begin.