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

With the investment from Xia Yuan's parents secured, the cash flow issues were essentially resolved until the year-end financing round was completed.

The surplus funds could even be used to expand their empire, especially in game publishing. With the advantage of his past-life memories, Mei Fang naturally knew how to identify projects that were both profitable and critically acclaimed.

Due to limited resources and manpower, Mei Fang regretted missing out on opportunities likeDota LegendsandDissidia Final Fantasy Opera Omnia. But without a cheat-like system, he couldn't possibly cover everything. Instead, he focused his efforts on expanding the overseas division, negotiating long-term collaborations with two major Japanese studios—future cash cows.

One of the two companies Mei Fang targeted was the legendaryType-Moon, the IP holder of theFateseries.

In his past life, Bilibili had skyrocketed in popularity after securing the Chinese publishing rights forFate/Grand Order (FGO), a game that single-handedly revitalized the platform.

The second company wasCygames, the legendary Japanese developer behind masterpieces likeGranblue Fantasy,Princess Connect! Re:Dive, andUma Musume Pretty Derby—all long-term goldmines.

As for domestic publishing plans, Mei Fang had been searching for traces of another "Big Three" for years. Unfortunately, he found no mention ofFlyMe2theMoononline, andHonkai Impactwas nowhere to be seen.

Moreover, when looking into the studio behindGirls' Frontline, he couldn't find any trace of the famously passionateTouhoufan "Haimao," suggesting this world might never witness the rise of those two otaku-centric juggernauts.

Given how distinctly personal the styles of those studios were, replicating their success would be nearly impossible.

After delegating his strategic plans to management, Mei Fang returned to campus life with Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi.

With the National Day holiday over, their schedules were packed with back-to-back classes, forcing them to reintegrate into academic routines.

Their daily routines differed, and their classes were often far apart, making it hard to even eat lunch together. For the first time in ages, the trio found themselves living separate lives—

Or so it seemed.

Xia Yuan had Liu Xiaoyu accompanying her to class, while Mei Fang had Zhang Ming by his side. Only Lin Youxi was truly flying solo.

"Hey, isn't that the Stationmaster?"

"I thought he was just a figurehead—didn't expect him to actually attend lectures!"

"He's the same age as us, after all. Even geniuses need to study."

"That's what's wild. Same age, but already a freaking CEO."

"Honestly, he looked good on TV, but he's even hotter in person. Think I could get his number?"

"Keep dreaming. If either of his childhood sweethearts were here, you wouldn't even dare breathe in his direction."

Such whispers followed Mei Fang to every lecture. During breaks, even Zhang Ming couldn't resist teasing him:

"You're way too popular."

"Eh, they're just after my money. I know I'm notthathandsome."

"Do youreallyknow that…?"

Zhang Ming scratched his head. "You've changed a lot since middle school."

"That was ages ago."

"Barely three or four years!"

Zhang Ming paused. "But I guess wehaveknown each other a long time…"

"Do you like who you've become?"

"Why're you looking at me like that…?"

Zhang Ming frowned. "Like you feel guilty or something."

"Because I'm the one who shaped you into this."

"Ugh, stop being gross!"

Zhang Ming raised a fist as if to punch him, but hesitated mid-swing.

"Damn it, you're my boss now. I have to hold back."

"Since when did we needbarriers? When did you start cowering and calling meBoss Fang?"

"Screw you! I'm only holding back because of your wallet."

"Technically, you're not even my employee. I don't even pay your insurance…"

"Oh. Right."

Without hesitation, Zhang Ming punched Mei Fang squarely on the head.

"Ow! Youactuallyhit me, you bastard!"

"Yousaidit was fine! Hmph… Fire me if you dare."

Mei Fang extended a hand dramatically. "Then pay me back for all the youth compensation fees!"

"Get lost. Your 'youth' was spent on those two childhood sweethearts."

"I sharedsomeof it with you."

"Whatever."

Zhang Ming returned to his notes.

Mei Fang cherished moments like these with Zhang Ming—not just because they'd been close in his past life, but because Zhang Ming never treated him differently after his success. No sycophantic flattery, no fake respect. That kind of honesty was rare.

"By the way, I noticed you don't text Xia Yuan or Lin Youxi during class. Isn't that weird?"

Zhang Ming glanced up from his notes. "Most couples can't keep their hands off each other, even in lectures."

"We broke up, remember? Youknowthat."

"Bro… Who exactly are you fooling? You can lie to others, but don't lie tome."

"Gotta commit to the act. I'm a public figure now."

Mei Fang grinned. "Besides, learning's a privilege. I'm not wasting it."

He only attended courses on design methodology, where he could absorb insights from industry veterans and refine his own skills.

In his past life, Mei Fang had been thrust into a lead designer role with little mentorship, relying mostly on self-taught strategies. To become a world-class AAA designer, he couldn't just coast on past knowledge—he needed real growth.

Mei Fang's campus presence was erratic—arriving abruptly, leaving just as suddenly. After class, he'd wave goodbye to Zhang Ming and vanish, leaving his friend alone once more.

As Zhang Ming wandered, debating which cafeteria to hit, a sweet, breathy voice called out behind him.

"Hey, classmate! Wait up!"

He turned to see a fashionably dressed girl with model-like proportions, bent slightly at the waist, her low-cut top offering a generous view. Zhang Ming averted his eyes politely until she straightened up.

"You're Zhang Ming, right?"

"Yeah… That's me. What's up?"

"Hi! I'm Yang Xiaomo, Yuan Yuan's roommate! She's mentioned you before. Since we bumped into each other, I thought I'd say hi!"

She extended a hand. When Zhang Ming hesitated, she giggled. "Worried my hand's sweaty?"

"No, it's just not how we usually greet—"

After a pause, he wiped his palm on his shirt and shook her hand. Yang Xiaomo beamed, mistaking his reluctance for shyness.

"So gentlemanly! Just what I'd expect from the Captain's friend."

"Force of habit…" Zhang Ming withdrew his hand. "If that's all, I'm gonna grab lunch."

"Wait! Since we met by chance, why not eat together? You're alone, right?"

She batted her eyelashes playfully. "What do you say?"

"I was planning to get spicy noodles off-campus. You wanna join?"

"Eh? Street food's kinda unsanitary… How about the cafeteria instead?"

"Then you go ahead. I'll stick with my noodles."

Zhang Ming shrugged. "Craving them today."

"O-okay! I've never tried street stalls much anyway. Might be fun, haha!"

"Suit yourself."

As Yang Xiaomo flashed a saccharine smile, Zhang Ming felt not a shred of attraction—just annoyance.

Another one trying to use me to get to Mei Fang. And she's persistent.

It's barely been two months, and this is already the fourth…

Damn that bastard Mei! He owes me so freaking much!