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

Since Mei Fang had assisted Xiang Bingbing extensively with her elite athlete program application, her parents insisted she invite him to Shennongjia as a gesture of gratitude. The trip was scheduled after the Gaokao results release, as they'd need to return to Jiangcheng afterward for university applications.

During the two-week wait for results, aside from handling company affairs, Mei Fang devoted himself to exploring Jiangcheng with Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, visiting every previously missed landmark.

Though Jiangcheng lived up to its "massive county town" reputation, its vibrant student population fueled a thriving entertainment scene. The trio mailed time-capsule letters at Tanhualin, admired fireworks along the riverbanks, and shopped relentlessly on Han Street, capping nights with spicy crayfish and skewers.

Exhausted outings alternated with lazy home days—cooking together, gaming marathons, impromptu naps, or "playing with Little Ah Fang."

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi began experimenting with makeup, purchasing eyeliners, eyeshadows, and bold lipsticks. Their natural beauty already radiated youthful charm, but their new looks unlocked endless possibilities for Mei Fang's "daily discoveries."

He happily accompanied their shopping sprees, treating it like a real-life dress-up game—though he occasionally balked at Lin Youxi's fitting-room "invitations."

After weeks of indulgence, results day arrived—

June 20th

Mei Lijun gardened at home when neighbor Lao Liu rushed over:

"Ah… right."

Mei Lijun scratched his head. "That's today?"

"Tch—what kind of father forgets his son's Gaokao?"

"He doesn't need my worrying."

Mei Lijun's defensive tone made Lao Liu laugh. "Don't leave everything to your wife! Be more involved!"

"Fine, I'll ask."

"Wait—your kid isn't even home?"

"Out with friends."

Mei Lijun washed up and found Xiang Xiaoxia on the phone with Lin Youxi, who sat in Mei Fang's lap as he played Mario Kart Wii with Xia Yuan.

"Mom wants to tell Uncle Mei our scores?" Lin Youxi tilted her head up at Mei Fang.

"End of the month," he replied, steering wildly. "After applications and Shennongjia."

"Shennongjia? With those wildmen legends?" Xiang Xiaoxia fretted.

"A close friend invited us. Don't worry—I'll take care of Ah Fang."

"You—you called me 'Mom'! Is Yuan Yuan nearby?!"

"Relax, Mom. Yuan Yuan wouldn't mind."

Meanwhile, Xia Yuan—who'd been leading the race—froze upon hearing this exchange.

"Yuan Yuan! I'm passing you!" Mei Fang cheered.

Xia Yuan abandoned her controller and stormed over, only for Lin Youxi to smoothly hand her the phone:

"Mom wants to talk to you."

Flustered, Xia Yuan softened instantly: "A-Auntie Xiang—oh, you want me to…?"

Xiang Xiaoxia whispered, "Youxi calling me 'Mom'… you're not upset?"

"N-not at all! She's dating Ah Fang now, she can call you whatever… It's just…" Her voice wavered. "I regret not calling you that sooner…"

"If you'd like, you can call me Mom too." Xiang Xiaoxia murmured. "I've long seen you both as daughters, regardless of who ends up with Ah Fang."

"Not… not as a daughter, but… 'Mom Xiang'? Would that be okay?"

Xia Yuan's vulnerable tone melted Xiang Xiaoxia's heart. "Of course, my dear!"

"Mom Xiang!"

"My sweet Yuan Yuan!"

Xia Yuan skipped away to chat privately, while Mei Fang set down his controller and bonked Lin Youxi's head:

"You little schemer."

"Just helping Yuan Yuan bond with our mother." Lin Youxi straddled him. "Unlike you two, dragging your feet."

"I called everyone—Xia Uncle, Teacher Yu, even your parents!"

"But you never say 'Mom.' No sweetness at all."

"I practiced with you two first!"

Their cuddle session was interrupted by Xia Yuan's triumphant return—until she caught them sneaking intimacy and pounced.

Results Breakdown

All three comfortably cleared Pengcheng University's threshold. Their peers' fates varied:

"Pengcheng University!" Bingbing declared after group deliberation. "I want Ah Fang as my boss!"

"Boss-employee dynamics could ruin friendships…" Mei Fang hesitated, imagining her as a security guard—until realizing her appetite might bankrupt the company cafeteria.

Xia Yuan intervened: "I'll teach you music!" (Translation: We need our drummer.)

"Deal!"

Farewell, Jiangcheng No.1

On their final school day, classmates clamored for photos with Mei Fang and Xia Yuan (approachable) versus Lin Youxi (selective, posing only with Liu Xiaoyu and Xiang Bingbing).

The trio's joint portraits—first standing formally, then with Mei Fang flanked by the girls—sparked envious whispers:

"Living the dream…"

"One girlfriend wasn't enough?!"

"How do exes stay this close? The power of childhood bonds…"

Xiang Bingbing's surprisingly skilled photography ("Two years in photography club!") captured their last moments at school gates.

As they departed, Wan Chaoxiong filmed his farewell video:"Goodbye, Jiangcheng No.1 lovers—this is Bulldog's final patrol."

"Popularity looks exhausting," Mei Fang mused—until catching Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi's knowing smirks.

"All set!" Xiang Bingbing hauled them toward the train station. "Shennongjia awaits!"