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

That night, the group rested in the spacious second floor of Xiang Bingbing's home. Liu Xiaoyu, Guo Yun, and Xiang Bingbing shared one room, while Mei Fang, Xia Yuan, and Lin Youxi took another.

In Shennongjia, they still used the old-fashioned bamboo beds with mosquito nets from the early days of Baimei County. Remembering how Mei Fang and Lin Youxi had once slept on bamboo beds without her, Xia Yuan pouted and monopolized Mei Fang for the entire night. By the next morning, her face was imprinted with bamboo marks.

The previous evening, Xiang Bingbing had successfully invited her childhood friend Ran Rou to join their camping trip. Early the next morning, Ran Rou met everyone.

Ran Rou, whom Bingbing affectionately called "Xiao Ran," was a close childhood friend. The younger sisters referred to her as "Rou Rou jie." She had a short, straight fringe and a sun-kissed complexion.

Despite her recent engagement, her baby face still made her look very young. Under Xiang Bingbing's introduction, everyone greeted her warmly.

"Hello, hello, Ran Rou!"

The "Mei You Yuan" trio, having lived in the "city" of Jiangcheng for over three years, carried themselves with effortless confidence. Xia Yuan, in particular, had no reservations. She took Ran Rou's hand and led her onto the bus.

Xia Yuan's wealthy, sophisticated aura made the rural girl Ran Rou feel somewhat awkward and nervous. After a brief greeting, she sat quietly on the bus, not engaging much in conversation.

Since the group had already discussed the situation with Xiang Bingbing, they were considerate of Ran Rou's feelings and didn't focus too much attention on her. Instead, they occasionally included her in their conversations, allowing her to participate at her own pace.

With the reserve's vast open spaces, Bingbing's mother, using her access pass, drove them directly to the core area and handed over the camping gear.

"From here, it's not far to a good campsite. Make sure to dress warmly—wear your windbreakers. Tomorrow, you can stay at the Hui Quan Hotel downstairs. I've already arranged it with your Uncle Wang…"

After her instructions, Aunt Xiang's gaze lingered on Ran Rou. "Rou Rou, don't overthink things at home. Just enjoy yourself today."

"Mm, I know. Thank you, Aunt Xiang." Ran Rou nodded.

"Now, let the Shennongjia adventure begin! Everyone, follow me!"

Xiang Bingbing seemed to revert to her usual cheerful self when playing with friends. But no one could tell if her high spirits were genuine or just for her childhood friend's sake.

They crossed streams, walked along boardwalks, and followed other tourists up the mountain. The distant scenery gradually disappeared behind layers of mist-shrouded peaks. As Xia Yuan hiked, she became so engrossed in the view that she forgot her fatigue. She turned to Mei Fang excitedly:

"Wow! Ah Fang, Youxi, look over there! It's like a fairyland—so beautiful!"

Mid-exclamation, she stumbled and nearly fell, but Mei Fang caught her from behind.

"Be careful. This isn't flat ground."

He patted her head, and Xia Yuan just pouted. "I'm not a kid! I just slipped."

Guo Yun and Liu Xiaoyu had grown closer over the past two days, sticking together during the trip. Liu Xiaoyu, less physically resilient than Guo Yun, often lagged behind, panting. Guo Yun always waited for her.

"Sorry for always making you wait…"

Liu Xiaoyu gasped, clutching Guo Yun's hand. "You must be bored, right?"

"It's fine. Everyone has their weaknesses. I used to fall behind too."

"From middle school?"

Liu Xiaoyu smiled. "I've heard from Yuan Yuan about your fitness journey. It's amazing you stuck with it. I don't think I'd have that kind of determination."

"It wasn't entirely my own resolve…"

Guo Yun couldn't help but recall the past when she climbed Wuzu Temple's Ancestor Mountain with Mei Fang and the others.

Back then, she had stared at Mei Fang's retreating figure and, for the first time, made the firm decision to lose weight so she could stand beside him one day. Looking back, it felt almost unbelievable. The precious memory brought a faint smile to her lips.

"Why the sudden smile?"

Liu Xiaoyu leaned in curiously. "Thinking of something happy?"

Guo Yun didn't answer directly. Instead, she sighed wistfully.

"I think having someone to like is a happy thing, especially when they're outstanding… Even if it's just from afar, you unconsciously strive to get closer to them. That effort makes you better too. The process itself is fulfilling."

Ah…

Though Guo Yun spoke lightly, Liu Xiaoyu couldn't help but feel moved.

She must be talking about Mei Fang!

They were desk mates. He must've looked out for her a lot back then…

During her most unpopular days, someone outstanding supported, encouraged, and appreciated her unnoticed talents. Just imagining it is enough to make one fall for him.

If I were Guo Yun, I'd definitely have fallen for Mei Fang too—that scoundrel!

As Liu Xiaoyu silently grumbled, her mind involuntarily replayed the scene from earlier this year when Mei Fang had accompanied her home, listened to her unspoken thoughts, and sat beside her as she cried. A wave of shyness washed over her.

Yeah… Yeah…

Hmph.

Who wouldn't fall for such a gentle scoundrel?

"Xiaoyu, how are you holding up? Need another break? Your face is all red."

"Ah? Oh… I-I'm just a bit tired…"

Liu Xiaoyu mumbled, taking Guo Yun's hand. "So, about what you were saying earlier… Does that mean youdohave someone you like?"

"Me? Well… Not really, haha." Guo Yun shook her head.

"But you've already become so outstanding!"

Liu Xiaoyu deliberately glanced ahead at a certain someone flirting with Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan. The innocent, slightly naive Guo Yun, realizing her thoughts had been exposed, panicked. "W-Well—let's walk faster! We might get lost otherwise."

"Hey, wait up! My shoelace is coming undone!"

Xiang Bingbing and Ran Rou led the group. Bingbing enthusiastically guided everyone while occasionally reminiscing with her childhood friend.

"Things have developed so fast here. There weren't so many hotels and buildings before. Now there are pavilions and cultural landmarks everywhere. The little paths we used to explore are all gone, except for the one in my dad's reserve."

"Times are changing. Life's getting better for everyone."

"Then why areyougetting married so early?" Xiang Bingbing grumbled.

"I can't compare to you and your friends… I'm not smart, and I don't have your athletic talent."

Ran Rou smiled, patting her own cheek. "It's fine. My fiancé is actually a good guy. Don't worry about me. I'll introduce you to him soon—he's not a bad person."

"Then why did you ask my dad about becoming a forest ranger before?"

"Huh? When was that?"

Ran Rou shook her head, laughing. "That was before I met my fiancé. I kept failing exams and thought my life was over. Figured I might as well live alone in the mountains…"

"Mm…"

Xiang Bingbing scratched her head. "I still feel something's off."

Ran Rou stood on tiptoe and playfully stretched Bingbing's cheeks into a smile. "Why overthink it, Bingbing? You've always been carefree and happy. Don't get gloomy because of me."

"Hey! Are you saying I don't use my brain normally? That's so mean!"

"Enough about me. What aboutyou? Didn't you like any boys in high school?"

"Almost no one's taller than me! How could I like anyone?"

"At your height, you'd have to settle for someone shorter."

"No way! I'd rather stay single, hahaha!"

Xiang Bingbing and Ran Rou bantered cheerfully, their lively atmosphere infectious.

The group followed the scenic route, with Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi each holding one of Mei Fang's arms, drawing sidelong glances from passersby. But the trio was long accustomed to such reactions.

After much effort, they finally reached the camping area and began setting up tents. Xiang Bingbing and Mei Fang had each carried a 5-kilogram multi-person tent on the hike. Now, with Ran Rou and Bingbing's expertise, the two tents were quickly assembled.

The girls sat cross-legged inside one tent. Xiang Bingbing sighed nostalgically. "Last time we were in a tent together… feels like just yesterday."

Liu Xiaoyu also reminisced. "That was with the same group, right? Just without Yun Yun and Xiao Ran…"

Guo Yun asked curiously, "What did you all talk about while camping? I'm kind of curious."

Lin Youxi smiled. "Just typical teenage stuff—love and crushes. But compared to now, those topics were pretty naive back then."

"How different could it be?" Xiang Bingbing scratched her head, puzzled.

Liu Xiaoyu, recalling the office incident, blushed and muttered, "Youxi, no overlyexplicittopics, okay? Most of us are still pretty innocent."

Lin Youxi studied Liu Xiaoyu with amusement, resting her chin on her hand. "The way you say that makes it sound like Yuan Yuan and Iaren'tinnocent anymore…"

Xia Yuan, who had been happily munching snacks, suddenly found herself dragged into the conversation. Her face flushed. "Youxi! How could you betray me like this! I'mtotallyinnocent, okay?!"

"Hmph, I knew opinions would differ. That's why I brought the most popular social game among college students—this!"

"Please don't tell me it'sSanguoshaagain. I don't want tosteam…"

Before Mei Fang could finish, Xiang Bingbing proudly produced a deck of cards.

"Ta-da! Don't get the wrong idea—this is the latest hit:Truth or Dare! As part of the penalty game, you must choose between answering a truth question honestly or completing a dare. No lying, or you have to do the dare!"

Lin Youxi looked intrigued. "Sounds fun. Can we see the questions?"

"No! No peeking!"

Xiang Bingbing hid the cards. "To keep it exciting,Ihaven't even looked at them yet. The surprise is half the fun!"

Xia Yuan clapped enthusiastically. "Nice! Bingbing's really getting into this! Let's start!"

Liu Xiaoyu interjected, "Truth or Dare needs some other game as the penalty mechanism first. We can't just take turns drawing cards randomly, can we?"

"Easy—we'll play rock-paper-scissors first, and losers draw a card."

"Mm, that works!"

Xia Yuan strongly supported the idea while marveling at how much Xiang Bingbing had matured—she was actually strategizing now.

She must want to use this to get Xiao Ran's real thoughts…

Then I can't go easy! Time to show off my skills as one of CStation's Big Three!

"Rock, paper, scissors—shoot!"

In the first round, everyone else threw rock while Xia Yuan alone threw scissors.

"Waaah! How did we get a result right away?! Statistically, shouldn't we have way more ties first?"

"Hey, no takebacks! Go on, draw a card."

Hmm…

Xia Yuan figured it was still early—no need to force Ran Rou to lose yet and make her wary.

She randomly drew a card and flipped it over, her eyes widening in shock at the question.

"Whoa, Bingbing! What kind of Truth or Dare set did you buy?! This question is wild!"

Xia Yuan's first Truth question was:[How far have you gone physically with your partner?]

"Th-This is so inappropriate!"

"What's inappropriate? You're an adult now, Yuan Yuan."

Xiang Bingbing took it in stride. "Just answer truthfully—no big deal."

Lin Youxi seized the chance to tease, "Well, since Yuan Yuan doesn't have a boyfriend now, she can skip this one, right?"

Youxi!

Xia Yuan quickly waved her hands. "No skipping! Past experiences count too. I'll play fair… But let me check the Dare first—"

[Dare: Shout "I'm such a slut" in front of strangers.]

Xia Yuan promptly smiled. "Truth it is!"

"But you already saw the Dare—"

"Truth!"

"Truth!"

"Fine…"

Xiang Bingbing looked slightly disappointed, assuming the answer would be utterly mundane—

Xia Yuan fidgeted before mumbling, "Physical contact extent… I'd say we've done everything. All the expected milestones!"

"All milestones, huh? Wait—"

Xiang Bingbing scratched her head. "What does 'all' mean? You've even kissed Ah Fang before? Wow, Yuan Yuan! That's impressive."

"If it's 'all milestones,' doesn't that imply—"

Liu Xiaoyu desperately yanked Guo Yun back (who'd stepped forward to explain) to prevent traumatizing poor innocent Bingbing.

The quick-witted Guo Yun caught Liu Xiaoyu's meaning and immediately stopped, though her gaze drifted to Mei Fang with newfound realization.

If Yuan Yuan and Ah Fang have done everything… then Youxi must have too—

So… they've really become adults now.