- Drama Title: Summit of Our Youth
- Also Known As: 我在顶峰等你, It’s Better to Go to Tsinghua than to Fall in Love, I’ll Wait for You at the Top, Tan Lian Ai Bu Ru Shang Qing Hua, Wo Zai Ding Feng Deng Ni
- Director: Cai Cong
- Cast: Sun Zhen Ni, Chen Jing Ke
- Screenwriter: Lan Bai Se
- Genres: Romance, Fantasy
- Number of Episodes: 23
- Date of Release: August 7, 2025
- Original Network: Youku
- Where to Watch: Youku, Viki
- Adapted from the web novel “Tan Lian Ai Bu Ru Shang Qing Hua” by Shi Wei Tu
Dear readers… August 2025 is almost over. Can you believe how fast time flies? It feels like we just welcome this month yesterday and I posted list of Chinese dramas released in August 2025 article, and now September is already knocking on the door. Some of us survived the heat, some of us survived the rain, and some of us are just surviving on iced coffee. Which one are you? oh well, let’s just hope September 2025 quenches our thirst with more (and MORE!) great dramas. Finger crossed!
And before I ramble too much about the weather, because clearly I’ve run out of small talk, let’s dive straight into today’s drama review. Here’s Summit of Our Youth drama review. Happy reading!
Summit of Our Youth Synopsis
Gu Xue Jiao dreamed of being a top student, but got caught up in her youthful obsession with romance. It pulled her off track and cost her the chance to enter her dream college. She later found a job, yet her hopeless romantic nature only led her to be taken advantage of by her useless boyfriend.
To make matters worse, her work performance continued to decline until her boss, Lin Zhi Hua, finally fired her. Just when she thought things couldn’t get any worse, a strange incident in the elevator suddenly sent her back to her third year of high school.
Realizing she’s been given a second chance in life, Gu Xue Jiao decides to take her studies seriously this time. She wanted to live a better life with the lessons she’s learned as an adult. But when she hits a wall with academics, she accidentally ropes in her future boss as her tutor. From that moment on, her school life becomes a mix of coincidences, second chances, and a little bit of unexpected romance.
Now, with her destiny reset, can Gu Xue Jiao turn her life around for real? Will her efforts to change the future actually work? And will this lifetime turn her relationship with Lin Zhi Hua into something more?
Summit of Our Youth Drama Review
First of all, dear readers, be aware that this review is slightly biased. Yes, you read that correctly. I am not joking when I say that half of this review is a rant. Nowadays, many dramas are adaptations of web novels or novels.
Examples include Moonlit Reunion, Legend of the Female General, Deep Affection Eyes, This Thriving Land, The Immortal Ascension, Youthful Glory, and Legend of Zang Hai. Summit of Our Youth drama is also an adaptation of the web novel Tan Lian Ai Bu Ru Shang Qing Hua by Shi Wei Tu. However, this drama really reminded me of Romance of a Twin Flower. 🤯
In my review of Romance of a Twin Flower, I wrote that the story was so different from the novel that it was as if the drama had just borrowed the name and story background to create an entirely different one. This one is the same.
I used to read the original novel, and although it was a long time ago, I still remember some of it. According to my memory, this drama is very different from the original story.
There were certainly similarities, such as the names of the characters. Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua are still the main characters. Gu Ming Ze, Yi Tian Yu, and Li Si Tong are other characters that appear in both stories. The age gap between Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua is also one of those similarities.
Since this drama is a loose adaptation of the original story, I consider Summit of Our Youth to be an entirely different story from Tan Lian Ai Bu Ru Shang Qing Hua. I won’t mention the web novel again after this paragraph. Otherwise, I would continue ranting about the differences, which would make me seem like an evil person who only sees the bad and ignores the good. Is that fair enough? 🤷🏻♀️
I am having both enjoyment and disappointment with this drama. The first episode hooked me completely, so that I was literally glued to my screen. But the way the story moved toward the ending left me baffled. Well, it was not entirely the ending itself, but the messy plot that led us there. That was what really ruined my happiness.
I honestly don’t know what was going on through the screenwriter’s mind when she wrote the ending. A perfect romance suddenly twisted into a revenge plot? I was so disappointed.
I told myself that I should have quit while it was still sweet. That way, I could have ended with a sweet note, just like when I watched The Best Thing, and spared myself from the constant forehead massages to keep the glabellar lines, also known as frown line, from forming.
Really? First the eye bags, now the glabellar lines… Cdramas are determined to age me faster than the sun!😒
So, dear readers… If you are wandering around Cdramaland in search of happiness and are tempted to watch this one for the romance promised, my advice is: stop watching at episode 20. Because the ending may technically be an open ending for both Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua. But the rough, unnecessary detour before reaching it? In my humble opinion, it’s not worth the stress.
The Story – Second Chances Done Right
I don’t think I have too many to say about this one, so I’ll keep it short. Because let’s be honest. Once I start talking about something I like, I can go on forever. My husband has even started asking, “So… is this a review or the first draft of your novel?” Touché, sir! 😅
Well, the good news is that Summit of Our Youth is more grounded than most of rebirth or second chance stories I’ve ever watched or read. Gu Xue Jiao’s life could have been so much better, but she was destined for failure the moment she let love blind her.
Things were so bad that even her boss, Lin Zhi Hua, could point out her mistakes in the very first episode. And that’s when you know she messed up big times, because if even the boss notices, you’re doomed. Honestly, I really want to smack her head and said, “Sweetheart, did you lose your brain somewhere? Because clearly, it’s missing.”
Gue Xue Jiao has been stuck as a contract employee for five years and also stuck with a useless boyfriend for even longer. She changed her college application just to follow Yi Tian Yu, giving up a better opportunity to avoid a long-distance relationship. She sacrificed everything for him, turned down promotion chances and ignored her own potential.
In the end, got kicked out of the company. Thank heavens, she had already broken up with him, but I still mourning all those wasted years she spent orbiting around him.
On her 28th birthday, Gu Xue Jiao gets into an elevator accident and suddenly finds herself back at 18. And she is not alone. Lin Zhi Hua was there too. After that, it really feels like fate keeps pulling them together.
What I like form this drama is how Gu Xue Jiao handle her second chance opportunity. Gu Xue Jiao didn’t suddenly become a genius and or become an oracle who can predict everything. She did try remembering the winning lottery numbers and her exam questions but failed miserably.
And honestly, it makes sense. Who actually remembers those details after so long? I really appreciate how the story keeps these things realistic.
I love Gu Xue Jiao’s character in this drama. She is a hard-working person, determined and serious about changing her life. And she didn’t think only for herself but also for the people around her.
As for Lin Zhi Hua, I was preparing myself for the usual cold stoic CEO type, but nope. He turned out to be the opposite. That man is actually chatty and can’t resist tossing out snide remarks on every chance he gets.
What makes their relationship click is how similar they are. Both Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua are hardworking, focused, and more mature than the people around them. And since Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua have similar values, goals, and outlooks, they surely feel a strong bond because they understand each other easily.
As for the affection that grew gradually, this was quite a surprise, especially for Gu Xue Jiao. The idea of being in a romantic relationship with her former boss, Lin Zhi Hua, was something she never considered. She was never imagined that she would develop any feelings for him, especially during his student days.
In the meantime, Lin Zhi Hua appeared to already have a soft spot for her. If he’s not, then a guy like him wouldn’t waste his time taking care of her. He would rather ignore her and not care what happened to her.
Sun Zhen Ni and Chen Jiong Ke also had good chemistry. I enjoy the scenes in which they banter and flirt.Thank goodness the age gap between Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua isn’t as significant as it is in the novel. Gu Xue Jiao is 18 years old, but mentally, she is 28.
Basically, she is an adult. I used to think Lin Zhi Hua would be around 26 or older. However, I found out through Google that there is a direct entry path for Ph.D. students in China. These students are usually younger than those in other countries because they skip the master’s degree and go straight into a doctoral program after undergraduate studies.
So, he might have been around 22 or 23 years old when he started. He could have been 24 years old when he met Gu Xue Jiao and became her tutor. However, this drama doesn’t clearly explain the time frame, so this is just a guess.
The romance between Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua is my favourite part of this drama. As a self-proclaimed romance junkie, they totally quenched my thirst for a good love story. I love watching them fight their own battles while still having each other’s back.
And the little secret relationship of their added just the right amount of spice in their life. They were busy hiding it, but I was the one blushing. Like, excuse me, why am I being the third wheel in my own living room? 😂
The Story – The NPC Party
Now, let’s start with my least favorite parts of the drama. The things that made my frown lines deeper, and trust me, they’re permanent now. 😭
Starting with Zhou Shi Yun and Gu Ming Ze. Honestly, I just wasn’t fond of them. Their characters were weak, and their “so-called” growth was unsatisfying. Zhou Shi Yun started off strong as the villainess. But the moment Gu Xue Jiao decided to turn her life around, she went into a self-destruction mode. And then suddenly she was enlightened, thanks to Gu Ming Ze.
As for him. I don’t know where to begin. He was supposed to be Gu Xue Jiao’s brother, but I don’t see him supporting his sister. His mind was full of Zhou Shi Yun. Meanwhile, Gu Xue Jiao did her best to save his life, but he did nothing for her. Such a sibling, right?
Surely he lived poorly in the past, but then he looked better and dressed better. But what exactly did he do? Because all I saw was him pestering Zhou Shi Yun like a lost puppy. And apparently, that’s called love? Sorry, but following someone around with hopeful eyes isn’t character development. It’s just… following someone around. 😅
Then we have Gao Rui and Lin Zhi Yue. This couple had potential! Lin Zhi Yue is a businesswoman. She is older, more mature, and wealthier than Gao Rui. On top of that, she is Lin Zhi Hua’s sister.
Honestly (I think I overuse this word right now), their chemistry was better than Zhou Shi Yun and Gu Ming Ze. But their whole storyline ended up feeling like filler. Such a wasted opportunity.
And don’t even get me started on the ten-year timeline. In this drama, glasses and suits mean instant aging. I’m so sorry, dear director, but there are makeup tricks that can make people look older. But here? Nothing. And also the hairstyles. Oh, please. It was a year’s span, but everybody’s hair was similar to the one they had in their school days. Are they secretly frozen in time?
Anyway, I get that the main focus was on Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua. So the rest of the characters were treated as filler. Still, it would have been nice if they, at least, pretended the other had lives that mattered.
All in all, Summit of Our Youth gave me plenty of highs and a fair share of lows. While not every character hit the mark, the core of the story, which is Gu Xue Jiao and Lin Zhi Hua, still shines brightly to keep me hooked. If you’re in it for a swoony romance, this drama is worth the watch (but let’s just stop at episode 20).
The Characters
Gu Xue Jiao (Played by Sun Zhen Ni)
The old Gu Xue Jiao is romantic but naïve. She wore her heart on her sleeve, trusted too easily and ignored red flags. Because of this, she became an easy target for selfish people’s manipulation and by those who took advantage of her innocence.
After given a second chance, Gu Xue Jiao transformed into determined and resilient person. She learned from her past mistakes, become tougher, and more sensible.
Gu Xue Jiao’s love for her family was evident that she used her memories to protect them from repeating the same mistakes. With her priorities set straight, Gu Xue Jiao chose academics over romance. Though she avoided love at all costs, she did not grow cold. She faced challenges with both courage and newfound wisdom.
Lin Zhi Hua (Played by Chen Jing Ke)
Lin Zhi Hua’s greatest strength lies in his sharp intelligence and quick thinking. He is reliable and often becomes the backbone of the tech group. on the surface, Lin Zhi Hua may seem as someone who serious, stubborn, and determined.
But when it comes to love, he shows a gentler and persistent side. He is always there when Gu Xue Jiao needed him, helping her when she least expects it, support her quietly, and letting his actions speak louder than words.
In his job, Lin Zhi Hua is a respected and charismatic person. With his intelligence, good looks, and maturity, he naturally draws admirations from other. The professor appreciates his dedication and talent, while juniors look up to him as a role model. His calm and composed nature rarely falter, except when it involves Gu Xue Jiao.
Zhou Shi Yun (Played by Tu Zhi Ying)
Zhou Shi Yun always presented herself as a sweet and innocent girl. As a top student, she always strives for perfection in everything she did. Unfortunately, this pursuit was not for herself but to fulfil her mother’s obsessions in becoming a winner.
The harsh and controlling treatment shaped Zhou Shi Yun into someone who valued victory above all else. And her biggest competitor? Gu Xue Jiao. Even though Zhou Shi Yun was often more superior in talent and ability than Gu Xue Jiao, it was never enough for her mother.
Gu Xue Jiao had to fall, no matter what. and to secure victory, she resorted to any means necessary. In truth, Zhou Shi Yun possessed remarkable talent, intelligence, and drive. But her mother’s controlling drained her spirit. So when she was finally defeated, her fragile self-collapsed, leaving nothing but apathy and self-destruction.
Gu Ming Ze (Played by Wu Chong Xuan)
Gu Ming Ze is Gu Xue Jiao’s older brother. However, he failed the college entrance exam twice in a row, and he ended up in the same grade as her. Ironically, he was also the reason Gu Xue Jiao met Lin Zhi Hua in the first place.
If Gao Rui hadn’t been hired to tutor GU Ming Ze, Lin Zhi Hua would never have had to come to the Gu family house in his stead.
Gu Mign Ze is far from being the most intelligent character in this drama. Instead, he has a carefree soul, living only for the moment without worrying about tomorrow or any long-term consequences. While he can be kind, tolerant, and trusting towards others, these traits didn’t hide his glaring flaws.
Gu Ming Ze is an irresponsible, immature, lazy, and unmotivated person. Honestly, it isn’t easy to find any redeeming qualities in him for me. Gu Ming Ze is the type of character who deserves good beatings from his parents rather than endless support. Especially since he doesn’t seem to care about them in return.
Yi Tian Yu (Played by Yuan Da Sen)
Yi Tian Yu was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. His father, Yi Da Fa, is a successful businessman, and Yi Tian Yu grew up spoiled by him. He is childish, lazy, and proud, with only two real passions in life: basketball and Gu Xue Jiao. While he may not be arrogant, his self-centeredness, ego-driven need for attention, and overconfident nature are more than enough to serve as warning signs.
In the past, Yi Tian Yu was with Gu Xue Jiao for years, yet all he did was play games and idled around. He was irresponsible and took her devotion for granted. In the present, however, the roles have shifted. Yi Tian Yu becomes the one chasing after Gu Xue Jiao once he realizes she no longer hovers around him. It seems his pride was wounded by the fact that she no longer considered him the centre of her world.
The Conclusion
Summit of Our Youth is more than just another second-chance drama romance. It’s a story about learning from mistakes and grabbing the chance to rewrite the future.
Gu Xue Jiao’s determination and Lin Zhi Hua’s support make their journey heartwarming and inspiring. Of course, no drama is perfect. And this one proves it. The unnecessary plot really dragged down the rating, which was a shame for such a promising story.
So, have you decided whether to watch it or skip it? Either way, I’d love to hear your thoughts about this drama, or even the review, in the comment box below. I’ll be happy to read them. As for now, thank you for stopping by, dear readers. I’ll see you again in the Summit of Our Youth Ending Explained post. Until then, goodbye and stay safe.
