LayarHijau – Youku has officially announced the development of a sequel to The Early Spring, the drama starring Jing Boran and Sun Qian. The new project is titled Midsummer Clear and Bright, the literal English translation of 《盛夏晴朗》. Youku made the announcement on Weibo on September 16, 2026, along with a concept poster for the project. However, the platform has yet to reveal the cast or plot details for Midsummer Clear and Bright.
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It has not yet been confirmed whether Jing Boran and Sun Qian will return as Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao. Following Youku’s announcement, the character accounts for Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao, known as Luke and Flora in the drama, also shared the concept poster. The sequel will also be handled by the same team that worked on The Early Spring.
Fans Hope Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao’s Story Continues
The announcement has prompted fans to hope that Midsummer Clear and Bright will continue Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao’s story. In The Early Spring, Jing Boran plays Luan Nian, while Sun Qian plays Shang Zhitao. They are the main couple in the story adapted from the novel by the author known by the pen name Gūniang Bié Kū (Don’t Cry, Girl).
However, Youku has not named either actor as part of the cast of Midsummer Clear and Bright. As a result, the posts from the Luke and Flora character accounts cannot be considered confirmation that Jing Boran and Sun Qian will return.
The Early Spring Is Part of the Early Spring Trilogy
The source novel for The Early Spring, 《早春晴朗》, is part of the Early Spring Trilogy (《早春三部曲》) by the author Gūniang Bié Kū (Don’t Cry, Girl). Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao’s story as the main couple concludes in The Early Spring, while the other two novels focus on different couples.
The second novel is Miss Chatterbox (《话痨小姐》), which centers on Lumi and Will. The novel’s official Jinjiang page lists Lumi and Will as the main characters, while Shang Zhitao and Luan Nian are listed as supporting characters.
Therefore, Miss Chatterbox is not a direct sequel that continues Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao as its main couple. Instead, the story shifts its focus to Lumi and Will while retaining connections to characters from The Early Spring.
Will and Lumi Already Appeared in The Early Spring
The two characters have also already appeared in the The Early Spring drama adaptation. Zhang Yezi plays Lumi, while Liu Chang plays Will, whose name is Tu Ming in the story. Will is the head of the marketing department and develops feelings for Lumi.
Their relationship forms one of the supporting storylines in The Early Spring. Liu Chang also shared material related to his character through Weibo during the drama’s run, while Zhang Yezi played Lumi throughout the series.
This has added to fan speculation surrounding Midsummer Clear and Bright. Some viewers have suggested that Youku’s new project could expand Will and Lumi’s story, particularly because they are the main couple in Miss Chatterbox, while Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao are listed as supporting characters in that novel.
However, there has been no official announcement that Midsummer Clear and Bright is an adaptation of Miss Chatterbox. Discussions among fans about Liu Chang and Zhang Yezi potentially returning for a Miss Chatterbox adaptation remain speculation rather than an officially announced project.
The Third Novel Follows Another Couple
The third novel in the Early Spring Trilogy is Tianjie Yese (《天阶夜色》). It centers on Mou Wen and Xie Chong, meaning the trilogy does not continue following Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao as the main couple from one novel to the next.
The existence of the Early Spring Trilogy therefore provides important context for Youku’s announcement. The Early Spring concludes Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao’s story as the main couple, while Miss Chatterbox expands the fictional world through Lumi and Will. As for the third novel, there is currently insufficient information to confirm whether Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao also appear as cameos.
For now, Youku has only announced the title Midsummer Clear and Bright, released its concept poster, and confirmed the involvement of the same team behind The Early Spring. The cast and synopsis remain undisclosed, leaving it unclear whether the project will reunite Jing Boran and Sun Qian or shift its focus to another couple from Gūniang Bié Kū’s fictional world.
