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

(TL: All Site names (C-Site, A-Site, Site Master) will be changed to Station)

"Congratulations on graduating!"

Cousin Mei Yue led the team in spraying Mei Fang with celebratory ribbons.

The CStation team had turned the trio's Gaokao completion into a commemorative event. The office was decorated with balloons, streamers, and banners. The conference room featured a large cake along with milk tea, fried chicken, pizza, and various snacks.

Adding to the potentially embarrassing atmosphere were plush dolls of "Yuanbao," "Fangbao," and "Xibao" scattered throughout. Xia Yuan, flushed with embarrassment, quickly urged everyone to put the dolls away. Mei Fang, however, was already accustomed to such displays and happily joined in the festivities.

Liu Xiaoyu loved the company's vibrant atmosphere but, like other celebrating members, initially hid in a corner eating cake like a regular employee.

Her moment of peace didn't last long. When Xia Yuan loudly asked if anyone had seen "Xiaoyu," Zhu Nainai and Xu Wei pushed her to the front, where she was adorned with an embarrassing birthday hat-like accessory. She then joined the trio in cutting and sharing the cake.

The entire celebration was documented by the operations team's Yunzai. Various interactive games between segments made for an enjoyable boss experience.

As the event wound down around 7 PM—before normal working hours ended for some employees—Mei Fang announced that those who wished to leave could clock out early. The team didn't hesitate to pack up immediately. (This had been prearranged with Cousin Mei Yue, but such announcements carried more warmth coming directly from the boss.)

"That wraps up today's agenda…"

As Mei Fang's cousin, Mei Yue rarely had opportunities to chat with him lately. Seeing her baby cousin now fully grown into a young man left her wistful.

"Look at you, so calm. Not worried at all about your Gaokao results?"

"What's done is done. Worrying won't change anything."

Mei Fang scratched his head with a smile. "Besides, I'm pretty confident in how I did."

"Confidence suits you! Wouldn't expect less from my little Fang." Mei Yue laughed. "Guess I shouldn't worry then."

Mei Fang eyed his cousin's vibrant outfit. "Meanwhile, I should be asking about you—got a hot date? Is this mystery person reliable?"

"W-who said anything about dating? It's just drinks with my bestie. Bestie, got it?"

Mei Yue rapped his head. "Your cousin's career is peaking right now. Hanging with friends is all I have time for—no room for men."

"Fair enough… Once you become our HR director, suitors will be lining up outside Uncle's door."

"Since when is life some female-empowerment fantasy novel?"

Mei Yue shook her head with a wry smile. "Strong women have it tough romance-wise. Most guys have fragile egos—they can't handle being outshone."

"What's wrong with leaning on your partner? I'm all for it."

Lin Youxi joined the conversation, prompting Mei Fang to loop his arm through hers. "I owe everything to Youxi and Yuan Yuan's hard work, and life's been great."

"Tch… You three are exceptions."

Mei Yue patted his shoulder. "Anyway, I'm off—my friend's waiting. Later!"

"Bye, Yue-jie!"

"Yue-jie, leaving already?"

"See you, Yue-jie!"

Xia Yuan, still holding Liu Xiaoyu's hand, waved cheerfully before bouncing over. "Everyone's clearing out. Nainai said dorm curfew's coming up, so they left. Should we head home or… keep the party going?"

"Another round? Still hungry?"

"No, I mean… shouldn't celebrations have multiple acts? I wanna check out that izakaya. Xiaoyu, you in?"

"I'll pass… need to pack back at the dorm."

Liu Xiaoyu declined gently. "You guys have fun."

"Going straight home to your parents?"

"Not immediately, but my dad's picking me up tomorrow." She smiled. "Enjoy yourselves!"

"Got it! You know how to get back, right?"

"Yeah yeah, I've got my metro card."

After bidding Liu Xiaoyu farewell, only the trio remained in the office.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the 2014 tech hub glittered—a testament to the "time is money" ethos of China's internet boom. While overtime was CStation's norm, Mei Fang ensured ample compensatory leave and salaries, honoring his team's dedication.

"So many lights still on…"

Xia Yuan pressed against the glass, sighing. "Office life looks exhausting."

"That's the reality… Money doesn't earn itself."

She flopped onto a beanbag in the common area. "I kinda love this place though… But we're relocating to Pengcheng this summer, right?"

"Not everyone immediately, but an advance team will go with equipment…"

As Mei Fang explained, Lin Youxi suddenly draped herself over his back. "Are we taking our office couch? I'm attached to that couch."

"That thing? Probably not worth shipping—we'll buy a new one."

"But the old one has history."

Detaching herself, Lin Youxi gazed at the illuminated skyline. "Let's stay overnight here."

"The office? Why would we—"

"I enjoy unique experiences."

She tugged Mei Fang toward their private office. Xia Yuan, struggling to extricate herself from the beanbag, finally scrambled after them—only to find Lin Youxi straddling Mei Fang, her hands already wandering.

"Hey! You two… have some shame! There are cameras—"

"Not in our inner office. I made sure of that during setup."

Lin Youxi glanced at Xia Yuan. "Will you watch… or join us?"

"Uh… well…"

After a brief internal debate, Xia Yuan locked the door behind her.

Metro card… metro card…

Having forgotten her transit pass, Liu Xiaoyu returned to the deserted office.

"Did no one turn off the lights?"

She finally spotted the card on a workstation—but then muffled noises from the executive suite piqued her curiosity.

"Hello? Should I power everything down?"

Her tentative call went unanswered. As the sounds grew familiarly rhythmic, she crept closer—only to bolt red-faced moments later.

…

Shocking… but for them, maybe normal?

Liu Xiaoyu now carried one more secret for the trio.