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

After some intimate time with Xia Yuan, Mei Fang was in an exceptionally good mood.

Damn, our Yuan Yuan is just too sweet!

As he washed his hands in the kitchen afterward, he ran into Lin Youxi, who was storing leftover dumplings in the fridge. He helped her put them away, and she took the opportunity to bring up their company plans.

"Ah Fang, I've been thinking—shouldn't we tell our families about starting the company soon?"

Lin Youxi explained,"My dad's health hasn't been as strong these past couple years. I want to ease his workload, but I can't just hand him money directly. Even buying him things feels awkward—it might raise questions."

"Finally! How many times have I told you—"

Not interested in rehashing old debates, Lin Youxi cut him off by pressing her lips to his.

After a brief but intense moment, she patted his shoulder.

"Alright… no point dwelling on the past."

As Mei Fang grumbled, Lin Youxi licked her lips pensively before leaning in to whisper,"You taste like Yuan Yuan today… Did you two sneak off without me?"

"Uh… well—"

Lin Youxi wasn't usually the jealous type—her moods were hard to predict. Or maybe she just enjoyed teasing him. That was probably it.

But Mei Fang couldn't act indifferent—that would betray the sacred doctrine ofEqual Attention. So he feigned flustered hesitation, which Lin Youxi loved because it meant she could bully him further.

"I'm not mad. Just impressed you're getting bold."

"Though Auntie Xiang's way sharper than my mom. You'd better not let her catch you with Yuan Yuan before we 'officially' announce things. That'd be messy."

"Yeah… I know. Mom's scary. Dad's hidden cash stash? She sniffed it out in seconds."

"No matter what, thethrouple planhas to be last. Revealing anything now is too risky."

Lin Youxi's expression turned deadly serious."Ah Fang, listen—if we want our families' blessing someday, this has to happengradually."

"Got it."

Mei Fang gave her an OK sign before they returned to chores.

Lin Youxi cooked dinner that night, but Xiang Xiaoxia never came down. Puzzled, Mei Fang asked his sister,"Where's Mom? Did you call her?"

"I did,"Mei Ya nodded."She said she's not feeling well and told us to eat first."

Mei Lijun, shoveling food into his mouth, snorted."Bet it's that braised pork knuckle at lunch. Itoldher stomach can't handle greasy stuff anymore, but does she listen? Nooo. Serves her right."

Mei Fang shot his dad a withering look.

"You'dneversay that to her face…"

Hearing this, Xia Yuan grew worried. She set down her chopsticks.

"I'll go check on Auntie Xiang! See if she wants anything."

"Me too."Lin Youxi stood as well.

"You'reguests,"Mei Lijun waved them off before jerking his chin at his son."Yougo. See what's up with your mom."

"Fine."

Mei Fang headed upstairs and knocked softly on his parents' bedroom door."Mom? You okay? Want me to bring you something? Is it your stomach or a cold?"

……

No response.

A twinge of unease hit him. He cracked the door open to find Xiang Xiaoxia lying on the bed, facing away, still in her day clothes.

"Asleep?"

He approached and gently shook her shoulder—only to freeze when she rolled over.

Her eyes were wide open.

And red-rimmed.

She stared at him silently for a long moment before finally speaking in a hollow voice:

"My heart hurts."

Xiang Xiaoxia was direct.

Yeah, figured…

Knowing his mom all too well, Mei Fang immediately recognized this as one of those times when either his dad or little sister had done something to upset her.

If it wasn't about his dad drinking, then it had to be Mei Ya's model airplanes or schoolwork.

Surely it couldn't be me, her perfect son, who made her mad, right? Hah! Even if she saw me getting cozy with Yuan Yuan, she'd probably be thrilled—no way she'd react like this.

"What's bothering you, Mom? Who upset you? Dad or Mei Ya?"Mei Fang thumped his chest."Give me ten minutes, and I'll drag them up here to apologize."

"Hmm…"

Xiang Xiaoxia thought for a moment, then slowly pushed herself up in bed. Mei Fang hurried to support her, helping her lean against the headboard.

"You… go find me the washboard. Or a keyboard. Or a wire brush. Anything'll do."

Mei Fang blinked."Mom, it's the New Year—should we really be resorting to corporal punishment? I mean, Mei Ya's disobedient, but she's still young. She'll grow out of it."

Xiang Xiaoxia had been stewing over something else entirely, but this tangent hooked her."When Youxi and Yuan Yuan were Mei Ya's age, they could already cook for themselves. Top of their class, too. Now look at your sister."

"Uh… yeah, she's not exactly in their league—"

Downstairs, Mei Ya, mid-bite, suddenly sneezed three times in a row. Her appetite vanished.

But as Xiang Xiaoxia mentioned Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, her expression darkened further. She fixed her gaze on therealtroublemaker she'd carried for nine months and delivered into this world.

"Just go get the washboard. There's one in the second-floor storage room. Or bring your own keyboard."

"I'll get the washboard."

My laptop cost a fortune—no way I'm wrecking the keyboard.Washboard it was.

Rummaging through the storage room, Mei Fang found the washboard—and next to it, a few wire brushes.

Tch. Can't believe Dad and Mei Ya ruined Mom's New Year like this. They deserve what's coming.

He returned with both items.

Xiang Xiaoxia's frown eased slightly at the sight of the wire brush.At least this kid knows his place.

"Set them up."

"Okay…"

Mei Fang arranged the "tools of justice," then stood."Should I call Dad or Mei Ya up first?"

Xiang Xiaoxia pondered."Your dad."

Yes! Called it!

Grinning, Mei Fang bounded downstairs to summon Mei Lijun, hinting that Mom was about toenforce household discipline.

Deputy Director Mei Lijun of the Baizhou Land Bureau turned ashen."I—I haven't pissed your mom off in years! Why now?"

"Must be serious."Mei Fang shook his head.Pathetic. Still scared of Mom at your age. Not like me—I'm the emperor of this household—

He escorted his trembling father upstairs.

Mei Lijung took one look at the implements and stammered,"Wife, what's all this? I haven't done anything wrong lately…"

Xiang Xiaoxia waved him off."Just listen."She jerked her chin toward a spot near Mei Fang."Sit over there."

Mei Fang plopped onto the sofa, already mentally drafting his roast of Dad's impending suffering—

"WHO TOLD YOU TO SIT?!"

Xiang Xiaoxia's roar launched him upright.

"Huh? I—I can't sit here?"

"You don'tgetto sit."

She pointed at the washboard and wire brush.

"Kneel. On these."

"Now."

Mei Fang's face blanked."…Me?I'mkneeling?"

Perfect.