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

Liu Xiaoyu's outburst plunged the car into silence, thick with awkward tension—even giving Xiang Bingbing pause.

But being Xiang Bingbing, she bounced back instantly, scratching her head with a grin.

"Aiya… I was justreallycurious! I get how two people date, butthree? That's gotta be complicated."

"That's…private, though. Not really appropriate to ask…"

Xiaoyu's voice dwindled as Lin Youxi draped an arm over her shoulders.

"It's fine. Bingbing's grown up now—natural to wonder about these things."

"Hey! Why does it sound like you all used to see me as akid?"

Bingbing huffed before sighing. "But… Xiaoyu's right. I get why she's worried. Idoblurt out whatever's on my mind…"

"Still, I know howimportantyour secret is. Ah Fang trusted me at great risk—I'd never betray that."

Mei Fang marveled inwardly.She's truly matured…

"WhatI'mcurious about," Lin Youxi mused, "is why Bingbing's suddenly interested in romance."

She squeezed Xiaoyu's arm. "Is there someone at school you like?"

"Not really…" Bingbing propped her chin on her hand. "Just fascinated by you three. It'ssounconventional…"

"Bingbing, let me askyousomething."

"Shoot! No secrets here!"

"Do you like Ah Fang?"

"Huh?!"

"……"

"……"

Xia Yuan and Liu Xiaoyu whipped their heads toward Lin Youxi, jaws slack.

D-Did she just—

ASK THAT OUTRIGHT?!

Even the usually unfiltered Xiang Bingbing froze like a deer in headlights.

"Wha—no way!Hahaha! Just curiosity! Don't overthink it!"

"Admitting it's fine, really."

Lin Youxi gazed out the window. "Ah Fang's exceptional—Yuan Yuan and I know that best. You shared a desk with him forever. Given today's behavior, denying it would be lying to yourself."

She added softly, "Besides… among our friends, you're not the first girl to like Ah Fang."

Yeah… not the first.

Xiaoxue…

Xia Yuan's chest ached. Today's call made it painfully clear—Peng Xue wasavoidingMei Fang.

If she'd truly moved on, she'd have greeted him normally.

This… means she still hasn't let go.

Meanwhile, another passenger was internallyscreaming.

N-No no no no—

Liu Xiaoyu, whose own secret crush had just beenbrushed against, sat rigid, fighting to keep her expression neutral.

D-Does Youxi know about that car ride with Mei-dog?!

Sure, we got cozy, but it was just heart-to-heart friends talk! Why would he TELL them?!

I get wanting honesty with your girlfriends, but HOW do I face Yuan Yuan and Youxi now?!

MEI-DOG, YOU DESERVE A THOUSAND DEATHS!

While Xiaoyu mentally strangled Mei Fang, Xiang Bingbing—cornered by Lin Youxi's bluntness—fumbled for words.

Do… I like Ah Fang?

In high school, she could've answered easily—yes, but asfriends. The height difference alone made romantic thoughts unthinkable.

Now, under Lin Youxi's scrutiny, evenshewasn't sure.

"I… I don'treallyknow…"

True to form, Bingbing opted for honesty. "Ah Fang'sgreat, but not because he's rich or successful now… Just…ugh, fine—maybeIdolike him."

"Good. Still our frank Bingbing."

Lin Youxi patted her shoulder before calling out, "Ah Fang, did you hear? Bingbing likes you too. No response?"

"Heard, but…"

Mei Fang sighed, addressing Bingbing directly.

"Bingbing, I'm a two-timing scumbag. Liking me leads nowhere—Yuan Yuan and Youxi can attest."

"Liking someone doesn'thaveto mean dating, right?Haha! Never expected you to like me back!"

Bingbing laughed it off, chatting idly about the trip before staring out the window—avoiding further trio-talk.

Xia Yuan watched Lin Youxi's masterstroke in awe.

Forcing Bingbing to confess neutralized any 'just friends' ambiguity, made Ah Fang reject her gently, preserved friendships, AND flexed her main-wife aura—

Meanwhile, I just gawked like Xiaoyu!

When will I EVER reclaim my dignity?!

The other car—carrying Zhang Ming, Yue Xinyi, and Guo Yun—was dead silent. Guo Yun napped post-journey, while Zhang Ming and Yue Xinyi bickered sporadically.

None could imagine thedramaunfolding in Mei Fang's vehicle.

"Finally… we're here."

Liu Xiaoyu—having endured moral torment—bolted to Guo Yun's side upon arrival. "Yunyun, need help with your bags?"

"Huh?You okay? You look…haunted."

"J-Just tired from the ride."

"WOW! Thismansion!"

Bingbing's melancholy evaporated at the luxurious villa.

"Private pool!"

"Ocean view!"

"Game room!"

"Air's so fresh!"

After touring, she bounded to Xia Yuan. "Yuan Yuan, room assignments?"

"Ah, right. Ah Fang, Youxi, and I take the penthouse suite. Four other bedrooms: Zhang Ming gets the first-floor single. Upstairs has one triple and two doubles—figure it out among yourselves?"

Between Bingbing, Guo Yun, Liu Xiaoyu, and Yue Xinyi:

"Ineed space for nighttime workouts," Guo Yun said. "I'll take a single."

"Thenthe triple! Who's with me? Xiaoyu? Xiao Yizi?All three?"

"I… don't mind." Liu Xiaoyu shrugged.

Yue Xinyi nodded. "Work might call. Xiaoyu and Bingbing share; I'll take a single for calls."

Zhang Ming, glued to his phone, earned a kick from Yue Xinyi. "Who's got you grinning?"

"Just… a college friend. Keeps messaging me."

"Oho~Zhang Ming'ssecond spring!"

Mei Fang gaped. "*Thought you'd pine forthat girlforever!*"

"Shut up!"

"Which girl? Ex? TELL ME!" Bingbing pressed.

Yue Xinyi smirked. "A name that shall not be spoken—unless you want him enraged."

"Yue Xin-YI!Likeyouknow me!"

"See? Enaged."

"I'llendyou!"

Mei Fang restrained a lunging Zhang Ming. "Enough! Settle in first."

"Ah Fang," Guo Yun inquired, "what's the plan? Beach now?"

"Not yet. Rest first. Oh—Yunyun, got time later? Need to discuss that new project."

"*The… Metroidvania one?*"

"Yeah. Brought my laptop and concept art."

"Ah Fang!" Xia Yuan tugged his arm. "We're here to relax! Let's swim!"

???

Yue Xinyi's eye twitched at Mei Fang's armjigglingagainst Xia Yuan'sassets. As a staunchXishipper, this wasunbearable.

She cleared her throat—only for Lin Youxi toalsolatch onto Mei Fang.

"Yunyun, join us to brainstorm. We'll review the pitch together."

"Sure…"

Frankly, Guo Yun preferred this arrangement.

"But we covered this last night—"

"Need clarity on some details."

"Fine… though I do want you to enjoy the trip."

Lin Youxi gazed up at him. "Being with youismy vacation."

"M-Me too!"

Xia Yuan hopped up, cupping his face. "Don't dare exclude me!"

"Alright, alright… group review it is."

Sandwiched between them, Mei Fang became the filling in averyconspicuous throuple sandwich—

—leaving Yue Xinyihorrified.

???

Weren't they all broken up?!

Her years of shipping expertise screamed: Something's very wrong here…