Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts

No sooner had Mei Fang and the others sent Xia Xun and Liang Meijuan off than Mei Lijun rushed back home by car.

"Whereas Yuan Yuan? Where-’s Youxi? Did they both go back already? Don't tell me they left as soon as I came back... That would be way too unlucky for me!"

Mei Lijun complained as he walked into the house, only to find that Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi were still there, watching TV with Xiang Xiaoxia. Seeing their uncle Mei arrive, the two girls quickly stood up and greeted him, "Uncle Mei, long time no see!"

Mei Lijun was momentarily stunned upon seeing Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi. He stammered for quite a while, unable to recall their names. It was only after his filial daughter gave his thigh a hard smack that he finally snapped back to reality. He then took a long, careful look at the two girls, who were likely candidates to become his future daughter-in-law.

“I clearly saw you both last year, but it feels like the two of you have changed so much..."

"Is there really that much of a difference? I just think both big sisters look even more beautiful!" Mei Ya tugged at her father's sleeve. "And also, Dad, why are you back so late again today? I'm going to assist Mom check if you've been drinking."

"Oh come on, I didn't drink! I drove back here, how could | possibly drink?"

The filial and overdramatic daughter smacked Mei Lijun on the leg again. "Comrade Mei Lijun! Please cooperate with me; this is a routine inspection!"

"Alright, alright... I get it." Mei Lijun crouched down, grumbling quietly, "But with Yuan Yuan and Youxi both here, can't you give your dad a bit of face?"

"‘'Never let drinking interfere with important matters' is an ancestral teaching of our Mei family. This is also to let Sister Youxi and Sister Yuan Yuan learn the process in advance, as they will certainly need it in the future."

Xiang Xiaoxia, overhearing her daughter's "assistance," couldn't help but find it both amusing and exasperating. "Xiaoya, what nonsense are you talking about now?"

Mei Ya made a funny face at her mother. "I'm not talking nonsense!"

"You cheeky girl... just like your dad and brother! Wait till I teach you a lesson!"

"I'm not cheeky at all!"

"Aunt Xiang, Aunt Xiang, it's okay... it's really fine!" Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi quickly intervened, pulling Xiang Xiaoxia back. The whole family was in a lively uproar in the living room when Mei Fang came downstairs after his shower, almost getting hit in the face by a flying slipper.

Mei Fang's house had a guest room, which Xiang Xiaoxia had tidied up earlier for Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan. She then led the girls to the room, saying, "You'll be staying here for now. If you need anything, just let Auntie know. Treat this like your own home, no need to be polite!" "Mhm, mhm, got it!"

Xia Yuan smiled and nodded at Xiang Xiaoxia. At this moment, Lin Youxi added, "No need to trouble Aunt Xiang. If anything comes up, we'll just call on Ah Fang."

"Exactly... we can just ask Ah Fang."

Xiang Xiaoxia glanced at Xia Yuan, then her gaze shifted to Lin Youxi. After watching her for a moment, she turned and left, heading back to her bedroom. Mei Lijun was already sitting on the bed, happily watching TV. When he saw his wife enter, he quickly made space for her to lie down.

"Hey, honey, don't you think so? It's only been a year since we last saw them, but I feel like Yuan Yuan and Youxi are totally grown up now. They've completely changed from when they were kids."

"Girls change a lot as they grow up. It's normal."

Mei Lijun patted his leg, sighing, "But boys don't change much, do they? Look at our son Mei Fang, still as silly as ever."

"Your son is silly? He's much smarter than you think." Xiang Xiaoxia rolled her eyes. "If he weren't clever, would these two girls be so devoted to him, even staying here for the New Year instead of going home?" Ꞧ₳ƝɵβΕš

"Well... you have a point there."

Mei Lijun thought about it for a moment. "But do you really think Youxi is dating our son? I observed them a bit today, but I didn't see Ah Fang treating her any differently than he treats Yuan Yuan."

"I'm not sure either... We'll just have to keep watching."

Xiang Xiaoxia pondered. "Yuan Yuan seems to get along well with the two of them, so maybe nothing's happened yet... For now, as parents, we should just stay out of it and not interfere for the time being."

Last year, Xiang Xiaoxia had come to the conclusion that Mei Fang and Lin Youxi were dating-after all, they'd secretly shared a bed. It was hard to believe they weren't romantically involved.

But did she truly understand her son now? What if he turned out to be that kind of person?

After a tiring day of travel, the trio said their goodnights and went to bed early.

The next day, Mei Fang woke up to the sound of birds chirping in the fresh, serene morning. He stretched lazily, feeling incredibly relaxed and comfortable as he gazed at the bright sunlight streaming through the window.

The small apartment in liangcheng was fine for use as a dorm, but compared to home, the quality of life was worlds apart. It was 2013, and housing prices weren't yet outrageous. Buying some property now would be a smart move.

As Mei Fang was about to get out of bed, there came a knock at the door.

Before he could even get to the door, it was opened by his little sister, Mei Ya.

"Big brother, big brother, hurry up and get up! Sister Youxi made us breakfast, come down and eat!"

"Alright, alright..."

"I'm only giving you ten minutes, so hurry up! Otherwise, Sister Youxi is going to be upset."

"...Since when did you become her little sidekick?"

After quickly washing up, Mei Fang went downstairs to the dining room to join the family for breakfast. It was a cozy winter morning, and everyone was enjoying the meal prepared by his childhood sweetheart, Lin Youxi, while watching TV.

"Sister Youxi's mung bean soup is so delicious!" Mei Ya downed two large bowls in one breath.

"I’m glad you like it... here, try this."

Lin Youxi placed a spring roll in Mei Ya's bowl, but Mei Ya hesitated, picking up the small spring roll only to put it back down again.

"What's wrong... don't you like it?"

"It's not that..."

Mei Ya bared her teeth at Lin Youxi, showing one that was loose, and then wiggled it with her hand. "This tooth has been loose for a while now. It feels like it's going to fall out."

"Is it a baby tooth? Let me see..." Xia Yuan leaned in closer to inspect Mei Ya's baby tooth.

"It's really wobbly..."

"But it just won't come out."

Xia Yuan warned, "Mei Ya, don't lick it... My mom says that if you keep licking it, the new tooth will grow out crooked, and then it won't look cute."

Mei Ya nodded seriously, but then showed a troubled expression. "But it's so uncomfortable, no matter how much it wiggles, it just won't come out..."

Seeing Mei Ya's wobbly baby tooth, Mei Fang, who was eating breakfast, couldn't help but look over at his dad. Coincidentally, Mei Lijun was also looking at his son.

Through a brief exchange of glances, the father and son seemed to reach a tacit understanding. Mei Fang leaned in toward his frustrated little sister. "Xiaoya, you're already 10 years old. If your baby tooth doesn't come out soon, it might affect the appearance of your adult teeth. It's better to just pull it out now."

"Pull... pull the tooth?"

Mei Ya immediately covered her mouth in distress. "I... I don't want to pull it out. Isn't it painful? I don't want to go to the hospital, and I want to save money for the family."

"It doesn't hurt at all. Pulling a baby tooth is painless, and you don't even need to go to the hospital. Let Dad and me help you pull it out, I promise it won't hurt a bit."

"Really?" Xia Yuan also asked curiously, half-believing and half-doubting.

At this point, Mei Lijun stepped up to guarantee, "No kidding, I'm telling you, I personally pulled out several of Ah Fang's baby teeth when he was little."

Seeing her big brother and father make such promises, Mei Ya licked her wobbly tooth that felt a bit painful and itchy and finally nodded.

"Then... should we give it a try?"

Mei Lijun asked Xia Yuan to find a piece of thin string from Xiang Xiaoxia. He then tied the string around Mei Ya's baby tooth.

Watching the Mei family eagerly prepare, Xia Yuan couldn't help but cover her cheek, imagining how painful it must be.

Lin Youxi, however, was watching with great interest. "This method for pulling baby teeth is truly classic."

"Wow... no way, Youxi, have you had your teeth pulled like this before?"

"Not really," Lin Youxi smiled at Xia Yuan. "But I was there when Uncle Mei pulled Ah Fang's baby teeth."

"Will it hurt a lot? Maybe we should forget it..." Mei Ya was starting to feel scared.

"Don't worry, it'll be over quickly. Let's sing a song, and it'll be done in no time."

Mei Fang and Mei Lijun exchanged a knowing look. Then Mei Fang crouched down, patted his sister on the shoulder, and said, "Sing with your big brother: 🎵 Under the bridge and in front of the gate, a group of ducks are swimming by. 🎵 "

"🎵 Ah gwoup oh dwucks... swimming by... 🎵"

"🎵 Hurry up, hurry up, come count-two, four, six, seven, eight. 🎵"

While singing, Mei Fang intentionally sang off-key, which made Mei Ya burst into laughter.

At that moment, both Mei Fang and Mei Lijun acted simultaneously: Mei Fang gently pushed his sister's forehead so she leaned back, and Mei Lijun gave a quick tug. Before Mei Ya could react, when she lifted her head again, her tooth was already gone.

"Uh..."

The tooth-pulling happened so fast that Mei Ya barely had time to feel the pain. Only afterward did her face contort with delayed discomfort.

Looking aggrieved, she covered her mouth with one hand, while punching and kicking her brother and father, who were happily examining the baby tooth.

"Puhahahahahaha-"

"This is what you get for laughing, this is what you get for laughing!"

And so, a comedic and heartwarming family scene of a loving father, a filial daughter, a caring older brother, and a respectful younger sister unfolded before Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, who were guests at the Mei family home.