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

Since Xia Yuan ran away from home that year, her father, Xia Xun, had completely stepped away from the restaurant business. He no longer ventured into entrepreneurship but instead focused on investments across various industries.

Who would have thought his investments would grow bigger and bigger over the years—so much so that he could now casually mention buying a property in Pengcheng outright without batting an eye?

Because Mei Fang had always been focused on external financing, and Xia Yuan herself had never paid much attention to her family's wealth, she had never really grasped just how well-off her family was. The idea of buying a home in Pengcheng had only come up recently during a phone call between Xia Xun and his daughter.

During the call, Xia Xun learned of his daughter's desire to settle down long-term in Pengcheng. Wanting to support her ambitions in the big city, he suggested buying her a place so she could live more comfortably.

At the time, Xia Yuan had been busy with work related to theFandomverse Projectand didn't pay much attention to the idea, saying they could revisit it at the end of the year. But now, withYuanxi Entertainmentfacing difficulties, she naturally wanted to help Mei Fang however she could. So, under her own initiative, she invited her parents to visit Pengcheng.

Of course, Mei Fang wasn't entirely pleased with Xia Yuan's approach. On their way to pick up her parents, he couldn't help but grumble:

"If I'm the one borrowing money for financing, thenIshould be the one making the trip to visit them. Why trouble your parents to come all the way here?"

"What's with all the 'trouble' talk? Since when are you so formal with my parents? At the end of the day, isn't your businessmybusiness too? If your daughter's career hits a rough patch, can't she ask her dad for help?"

While Mei Fang waited at a red light, Xia Yuan patted him on the head. "If you're worried about convincing my dad, I can always talk to him myself."

Mei Fang spoke seriously. "This is something I should discuss with him personally. We're adults now—public figures, even, and business owners. We have to be mindful of social graces."

"I'm not worried about you, Ah Fang. You've understood everything since you were little…"

Xia Yuan rested her cheek on her hand, tilting her head as she gazed at the love of her life. "The most dashing version of Ah Fang in my memory is still the one who promised to run away from home with me all those years ago."

"I reallywasbold back then…"

"Hehe."

As Mei Fang drove, he occasionally stole glances at Xia Yuan.

"Why are you staring at me?"

"Because… we haven't had much time alone together lately."

Xia Yuan pouted. "Lately, it feels like we're not even a couple anymore."

"If we're not a couple, then what are we?"

"A father-daughter relationship. Youxi's the mom, and I'm the spoiled child you two pamper."

"Didn't you love playing house when we were kids? Back then—"

"But I always wanted to play themom, not the daughter!"

Xia Yuan huffed and began drawing a bunch of hearts on the car window with her finger. "And also… when we're being intimate, Iloveit most when you rest your head in my lap. Youknowthat, Ah Fang."

Even though their relationship was already a tangled mess, seeing Xia Yuan act all sweet and girlish still made Mei Fang's heart race, his cheeks flushing.

"Geez… we're on our way to pick up your parents, and you suddenly bringthatup?"

"We haven't gotten to them yet!"

Xia Yuan turned to Mei Fang, studying his serious expression before curiosity got the better of her.

"Oh yeah, remember what Youxi said about the 'dating game'?"

"Yeah."

"I only agreed to it because… I really want to know who gives you stronger romantic feelings—me or Youxi."

"That's putting me on the spot."

"I know it's too early to tell now, but…"

Xia Yuan gazed out the window at the passing streets. "I've told you both more than once—I love the feeling of chasing after what I want through my own efforts. I don't want anyone toletme win, especially not you or Youxi. The one time Youxi and I fought, it was because sheletme have my way."

"But this time, she won't go easy on you."

As the train station came into view, Mei Fang replied, "And neither will I. Treating you both equally is the only way to respect you properly."

"You'dbetter."

Xia Yuan poked Mei Fang's cheek, her sweet smile brimming with mischief. "Just don't get so swept up by my charm that you end up confessing tomefirst!"

"Then I'll be looking forward to it, haha."

Mei Fang and Xia Yuan waited at the arrival gate for Xia Xun and Yu Ling. Before long, Mei Fang received a video call from Lin Youxi.

"Hey, Youxi."

Lin Youxi propped her chin on her hand, watching Mei Fang through the screen. "Have you picked up Uncle Xia and Auntie Yu yet?"

"Not yet… What's up?"

"I was just checking so I'd know when to start cooking."

Xia Yuan popped into the frame. "Didn't we agree to eat out? You've been working so much overtime lately—I already booked a restaurant."

"I thought about it, and since we're asking for an investment, we should show sincerity. A restaurant feels too perfunctory. Uncle Xia cares about face—hosting at home would leave a better impression."

"Thatdoesmake sense… Youxi's always so thorough."

"Right?"

Lin Youxi smiled sweetly.

"Yep!"

Xia Yuan mirrored her expression.

"Then, Yuan Yuan, could you scoot over a bit?"

"Scoot over? Like this?"

Xia Yuan's face disappeared from the screen as Lin Youxi tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her gaze fixed on Mei Fang.

"I miss our Ah Fang. Let me look at him."

"Seriously?! It hasn't even been an hour!"

"A lot can happen in an hour with you two. And Yuan Yuan, youarea repeat offender when it comes to sneaking off with him. Who knows if you're mixing business with pleasure right now? Ah Fang's too soft-hearted—if you insist, he'll spoil you however you want."

"Youcould'vecome with us if you wanted!"

"And risk Uncle Xia seeing me with Ah Fang and getting upset?"

"Why would he be upset? I already told my family about your 'breakup.' Dadsaidhe was sorry to hear it, but deep down, he wasthrilled—he immediately offered to buy me a place in Pengcheng!"

Lin Youxi completely ignored the jealousy in Xia Yuan's tone, instead tilting her head with a playful smile.

"Then wouldn't it beworseif I showed up? It'd look like we're still hung up on each other, don't you think?"

"Ugh! What Imeantwas, even if you came, Dad wouldn't suspect anything! How could wepossiblystill be hung up on each other?"

"Oh? Then are yousureyou could act all lovey-dovey with Ah Fang like you were earlier if I were there?"

"W-what earlier? Ah Fang, have you beenreportingto Youxi?!"

Xia Yuan puffed her cheeks, glaring at Mei Fang, who could only sigh and rub his temples.

"Youxi baited you, and youimmediatelygave yourself away. How do you expect to outmaneuver her?"

"Uuu…"

Realizing she'd been tricked, Xia Yuan's face burned red as she muttered, "Sincerity is the ultimate weapon! Youxi, if you keep relying on underhanded tricks, you'llneverexperience sweet, pure love!"

"Oh? Sweet, pure love… you mean likethis?"

Lin Youxi blew a kiss at Mei Fang through the screen—mwah!—then formed a heart with her hands.

"Ah Fang, I miss youuu!"

"Heart heart!"

Mei Fang mimicked the gesture and blew a kiss back, leaving Xia Yuan utterly stunned.

"Come back soon after picking them up. I'll make something delicious."

"Got it, we'll—"

Before Mei Fang could finish, Xia Yuan suddenly wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest.

"Stinky Ah Fang… when you're out withme, you'remine! No two-timing!"

She pounded his chest lightly with her fists before looking up at him with puppy-dog eyes.

"If Yuan Yuan's starting her antics, I'll hang up now."

Lin Youxi waved goodbye and ended the call. Mei Fang pocketed his phone and hugged Xia Yuan back.

"Alright, alright… no more two-timing."

"Did my cuddly attack make your heart skip?"

"Yep."

"I don't believe you. I'm gonna listen to your heartbeat to see if it's racing."

"Go ahead!"

Xia Yuan pressed her ear against Mei Fang's chest, closing her eyes to focus.

"Can you hear it?"

"Not very clearly… maybe your shirt's too thick."

"It's just a dress shirt. How is that thick—"

"Nope! I need to checkdirectly!"

"Hey—we're in atrain station! What if your parents see us and—mmph!"

"Your heart's going crazy! But Ah Fang, are you just nervous because we're in public?!"

Meanwhile, Yu Ling and Xia Xun emerged from the arrival gate, pulling their luggage behind them.

"That kid said he and Yuan Yuan would meet us outside, but now he's not even answering his phone…"

"Dear, dear—look, isn't that Ah Fang and Yuan Yuan over there?"

The couple fell silent as they watched the young pair's antics.

"They just broke up with Youxi not long ago… are they already back together?"

"P-probably just childhood friends messing around, right?"

"You were their homeroom teacher. You always told me youwatchedthem grow up. Did youeversee them like this back then?"

"Thisparticular scene? No, never."

Yu Ling chuckled helplessly. "Our Yuan Yuan used to be such a well-behaved girl. When did she become so bold? Ah, young love really is something else."

Something else?

Something else, my foot!

What kind of nonsense is this?!

It's all that brat Mei Fang's fault for spoiling her! Hmph!

Xia Xun had been looking forward to seeing his daughter, only to be greeted by the sight of her shamelessly teasing Mei Fang in public. Instantly, his opinion of Mei Fang plummeted by-50.

(Is this really the kind of plot you all enjoy reading?!)

(TL: Yes.)