LayarHijau – Youku’s announcement on September 16, 2026, that it is developing a sequel to The Early Spring, titled Shèngxià Qínglǎng (盛夏晴朗), which literally means “Midsummer Clear and Bright,” immediately sparked widespread discussion among Chinese netizens. Several hashtags related to The Early Spring and its sequel entered Weibo’s hot search rankings that same day, particularly because Youku has yet to reveal the lead cast or the story that will be told.
Youku announced Midsummer Clear and Bright as a follow-up project to The Early Spring, with the same core team from Youku’s Qianyu Studio returning to work on it. The platform released a concept poster featuring the slogan, “The bustle is for me, affection is for you. Summer breezes blow, and the world remains bright,” but did not include any cast names.
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Theory: Midsummer Clear and Bright Uses an Original Script
One theory that has been widely discussed by netizens is that Midsummer Clear and Bright may not adapt the second novel in The Early Spring trilogy, but instead use an original script written specifically for the drama.
This theory emerged because the project is titled Midsummer Clear and Bright rather than the title of the second novel in the trilogy, Miss Chatterbox. Some netizens have also linked the project to screenwriter Gao Xiaoxian and speculated that the new story is an original script.
Meanwhile, China.com Entertainment reported that Midsummer Clear and Bright is an original-script drama with Gao Xiaoxian as the screenwriter. The report also said that the lead cast had not yet been officially announced.
If the information about the original script is correct, Midsummer Clear and Bright would not have to follow the storyline of the second novel, Miss Chatterbox. This would give the production team greater freedom to develop a new story based on the world and characters already introduced in The Early Spring.
This has led some fans to speculate that the new story could continue to focus on Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao. With an original script, there would be no story requirement for the project to shift to another main couple as happens in the second novel.
The theory has also prompted some netizens to hope that Jing Boran and Sun Qian will reprise their roles as Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao. However, Youku has not yet announced either actor as part of the cast of Midsummer Clear and Bright.
Another Theory: The Story of Will and Lumi From Miss Chatterbox
At the same time, the theory that Midsummer Clear and Bright could be an adaptation of the second novel in The Early Spring trilogy is also still being widely discussed.
As previously reported by LayarHijau, the second novel in the trilogy is Miss Chatterbox, which focuses on Will and Lumi. Both characters have already been introduced in The Early Spring, with Liu Chang playing Will and Zhang Yezi playing Lumi.
Because of this, some netizens suspect that Midsummer Clear and Bright could continue the world of The Early Spring by developing the story of these two characters. Some Weibo posts have directly questioned whether the new project is an adaptation of Miss Chatterbox, while expressing their hope that Liu Chang and Zhang Yezi will return as Will and Lumi.
This theory has a basis in the source material because Miss Chatterbox does indeed make Lumi and Will the main couple. However, Youku has not officially announced that Midsummer Clear and Bright is an adaptation of the novel.
Therefore, at least two possibilities are currently being discussed by fans: Midsummer Clear and Bright could be an original drama that continues the world of The Early Spring, or it could take the story of Miss Chatterbox and develop Will and Lumi’s relationship.
Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao Accounts Also Fuel Speculation
Speculation about the return of Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao grew after their character accounts from The Early Spring, Luke and Flora, also uploaded the concept poster for Midsummer Clear and Bright.
The posts led some fans to interpret them as a sign that the stories of the two characters could continue. Chinese media also highlighted the activity of the two accounts following Youku’s announcement.
However, posts from the character accounts still cannot be considered confirmation that Jing Boran and Sun Qian will return. In its official announcement, Youku only described Midsummer Clear and Bright as a sequel with the same core team, without announcing its cast.
Discussion about the cast can also be seen in the large number of comments from netizens asking Jing Boran and Sun Qian to return as a pair. At the same time, some viewers have linked the project to Will and Lumi.
Midsummer Clear and Bright Still Leaves Many Questions
For now, the confirmed information is that Youku is developing Midsummer Clear and Bright as a follow-up to The Early Spring, with the same core team from Qianyu Studio and a concept poster already released. The project is also included in Youku’s 2027 content lineup.
Meanwhile, the lead cast and official synopsis have not yet been announced. Chinese media have reported that the project uses an original script, but details about the connection between Midsummer Clear and Bright and Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao or Will and Lumi have not been explained by Youku.
If Midsummer Clear and Bright is indeed an original script, the project would have the freedom to determine how the story continues after The Early Spring. Conversely, if the project turns out to be based on Miss Chatterbox, the story would likely shift its focus to Will and Lumi, as in the source novel.
Therefore, following Youku’s announcement, the biggest question is not only who will be the lead cast of Midsummer Clear and Bright, but also whether the sequel will continue Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao’s story or expand the world of The Early Spring through another couple. All of these questions are still awaiting Youku’s next official announcement.
