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

The Mei household bustled with lunch preparations as Xiang Bingbing and Liu Xiaoyu played console games in the living room.

Soon, the doorbell rang again. Bingbing rushed to answer it, finding an unfamiliar young man who blinked in surprise at her.

"Uh… hi."

"Oh! Hello! You're Zhang Ming, right? I'm Xiang Bingbing—Ah Fang's old desk mate!"

She ushered him inside with hostess-like enthusiasm. "Make yourself at home! Sit anywhere!"

"Bingbing, why doyousound like the lady of the house?"

Xia Yuan mock-pouted, hands on hips. Bingbing grinned back, tugging her ponytail. "Just helping you greet guests!"

"Alright, alright… I know you mean well. Zhang Ming, come on in. Is Xiao Yizi here?"

"Right here! Move aside."

"Solong!"

Girls bonded effortlessly. Yue Xinyi then turned to Bingbing. "Hi! You're Bingbing, right? We've chatted online!"

"Yep! You must be Xiao Yizi! So tiny and cute!"

At just over 150 cm, Yue Xinyi was the group's pocket-sized lolita, craning her neck to look up at Bingbing.

"Who knew someone so tall could be this adorable? Mind blown!"

Though she'd mostly retired from shippingFangXi, Yue Xinyi still habitually scanned for potential rivals around Lin Youxi.

This height poses zero threat. Probably just Ah Fang's buddy.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ming—lost in the feminine chatter—awkwardly changed shoes and sat on the sofa. The demure Liu Xiaoyu smiled at him before pouring tea.

In the kitchen, Mei Fang assisted Lin Youxi. Peeking out at the arrivals, he brightened upon spotting Yue Xinyi.

"Well damn, if it isn't my dearChief Operating Officer, C-Site's legendaryBig Sis Yizi! Been ages!"

"Chiefwhat? I'm just a new hire! Only signed the contract recently!"

"Couldn't formalize it before you turned 18. Now you're officially a management trainee—but everyone knows you're C-Site's founding OG. Even Feng Ling defers to you on strategy."

"Pfft. I'm a figurehead. Feng Ling handles way more. Plus, didn't you recruit someauntielately? Rumor says she's gunning for COO."

"Overstatement. She overseesFang Library'sops—just here to learn. The COO seat'syours. Who else would the team accept? Oh, did you see the next-gen team's mascot design? Totally based on you."

"Excuse me? Thathotheaded lolitalooksnothinglike me! I already had Feng Ling request a redesign."

"OrderingFeng Lingaround doesn't sound very 'new hire' of you."

"Well…Itrained her, after all."

Work talk was their default dynamic. Mei Fang often remarked that among his founding team, only Yue Xinyi exhibited true managerial aptitude.

An operations lead needed strong interpersonal skills—Yue Xinyi's forte. As C-Site's acknowledgedEmployee #4, her authority was undisputed, especially within her department.

Her current gaps were familiarity with rapid expansion (having spent a year on college prep) and external connections—the latter being premature for a student. Personally, Mei Fang preferred nurturing homegrown talent like her.

"Enough shop talk. Today's for relaxing."

Lin Youxi carried dishes to the table, smiling at the duo. "Sit down. Lunch is almost ready."

"Youxi!You heartless wench! Why'd you ghost me?"

Yue Xinyi pounced on her old deskmate, playfully thumping Lin Youxi's shoulders—a far cry from her former reverence.

"Work's been chaotic. Plus the breakup… I wasn't in the mood to socialize."

…

Xiang Bingbing and Liu Xiaoyu froze momentarily before exchanging knowing glances.

Ah. Someone here's still in the dark.

Zhang Ming—the sole observer aware of Yue Xinyi's ignorance—suppressed a grin.Payback for all those years of bullying.

"O-oh… I assumed you three living together meant things were… good?"

"Of coursewe're good."

Xia Yuan patted Yue Xinyi's shoulder. "C'mon, join the game. Youxi's almost done cooking."

"Speaking of… where's Guo Yun?"

Mei Fang flicked Zhang Ming's forehead. "Itoldyou to pick her up. Why's only Xiao Yizi here?"

"Guo Yun said not to bother—she'd take a cab. Was I supposed todragher?"

"Andthisis why you're single."

"So areyou."

Yue Xinyi's passing jab made Mei Fang and Zhang Ming share a look before the former continued, "So… whereisGuo Yun now?"

"I'll call—oh. Don't have her new number."

"Unbelievable…"

As Mei Fang pulled out his phone, Xia Yuan's rang first.

"Hello? Yunyun? Traffic jam? Just… eat without you? How long? Okay… I'll have Youxi save a portion. Don't worry—you might catch us mid-meal."

Hanging up, she informed Mei Fang, "Yunyun's stuck. Says to start first."

"No rush. Youxi's still—"

"Ah Fang! How does this gamework? We've mashed buttons forever!"

Bingbing waved frantically. Mei Fang shrugged. "It's easy. Let Zhang Ming teach you."

"I'venever played either!"

"Zhang Ming,be a man. Trust your console gaming instincts."

"Ah FangorMing-zi—someonehelp!"

"W-who'sMing-zi?! Stop inventing nicknames!"

"You feel just like my little brother."

"Which one? Jiangjiang or Yanyan?"

"Twins. Equally hyper."

Liu Xiaoyu blinked. "Yanyan's pretty quiet around us. They only bicker when together."

"Really? They'realwaysrowdy at home."

Bingbing scratched her head. "Canyoutell them apart?"

"Mm! Their voices differ slightly. Also, Yanyan's eyebrows have a tiny break here."

As Xiaoyu demonstrated, Bingbing gasped.

"Wow. You're so observant! Got siblings too?"

"A younger brother… but he's super introverted. Barely talks."

"Wanna trade? Mine aresoloud."

"Hardpass."

Zhang Ming stared blankly at their exchange.

"Are we… playing or not?"

"Y-yes!Play!"

Bingbing thrust the controller at Zhang Ming as the group gathered around.

This warm, lively scene—friends gaming together in a cozy living room—was something Mei Fang had only dreamed of in his past life.

No friends, no shared home… How could I have tasted this joy?

Xia Yuan, noticing his wistful gaze, gently squeezed his hand. "Let's help Youxi in the kitchen?"

"Okay."

…

She was promptly banished for poor potato-peeling skills, leaving Mei Fang alone with Lin Youxi.

His "help" amounted to tying her apron and massaging her shoulders—

—disgustinglycouple-y behavior.

Dammit, Youxi…

Already racking up points for the weekly review?!

Well, I won't lose!

Xia Yuan vowed to shine at the gathering, proving who thetrueleading lady was.