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

After everyone enjoyed the evening, Xia Yuan proposed her idea to Lin Youxi as they prepared for bed.

"Should we decide the winner of the first round tonight?"

Lin Youxi paused, then smiled faintly. "Since this trip is rare, let's do a proper summary… Who goes first?"

"Since it was my suggestion, I'll start… But how do we summarize?"

"Just talk about your experiences with Ah Fang this week," Lin Youxi suggested. "Share the moments that felt most 'relationship-like.' We'll compare whose interactions were sweeter."

Though aware she'd likely lost badly, Xia Yuan wasn't one to surrender easily. Sitting formally on the bed, she cleared her throat and began:

"This week, my interactions with Ah Fang felt more like our childhood friendship. Besides that… risqué moment this afternoon, we mostly just hugged and held hands."

"As for 'relationship-like' moments…"

Xia Yuan's shoulders slumped. "I don't think any of mine counted. If I weren't forcing myself to play along, I'd be too shy even to hold hands."

"YuanYuan, we did have some sweet moments. Should I remind you?" Mei Fang interjected, earning a glare:

"Ah Fang, no hints! Let me think…"

After scratching her head, Xia Yuan brightened. "Oh! When we met at the cafeteria, I learned a secret about Ah Fang—that he worked so hard since childhood because he feared not being good enough to keep us interested. That was sweet."

"A secret I don't know?" Lin Youxi glanced at Mei Fang, who waved dismissively.

"It's nothing major. He said our academic competitiveness actually spared us from romantic distractions later. You two are scarily in sync!"

"If I could live without Ah Fang, I wouldn't compete with you…" Xia Yuan sighed dramatically.

"Enough weird talk," Mei Fang nudged. "Keep sharing."

Xia Yuan listed their mundane interactions—hugs, head pats, hand-holding—with increasing embarrassment: "I know I performed poorly this week. I didn't defend Ah Fang when Bingbing teased him, failed at teaching him to swim, let other girls take advantage… I'm a terrible girlfriend."

"Wait," Lin Youxi interrupted. "You're misunderstanding the game. We're comparing romantic sparks, not girlfriend skills. What I did wasn't sweet—just jealous posturing."

"Huh?"

"Forcing Bingbing to admit her crush, groping Ah Fang publicly, scolding you—none of these are things an ex should do. I kept acting like his girlfriend despite our breakup. Ah Fang indulged me because he knows I fear loneliness."

Xia Yuan blinked, unsure if this was false modesty. "Then why call yourself 'despicable'?"

"Because my 'sweetness' came from still acting like his girlfriend. Your interactions—that ambiguous 'more-than-friends' tension—are what's truly heart-fluttering. Even I felt it listening to you."

"Oh! So…" Xia Yuan's eyes lit up with dawning hope.

"Ah Fang," Lin Youxi turned to him, "no diplomatic answers this time. Whose moments made your heart race more?"

After exaggerated deliberation, Mei Fang admitted: "Today's sunset talk with YuanYuan. Her clumsy efforts to win were adorable. Made me want to protect that determination forever."

"S-stop! Don't say such embarrassing things in front of Youxi!" Xia Yuan covered her blushing face.

"The verdict's clear then," Lin Youxi declared. "YuanYuan wins this round."

"Th-thank you. I still have room to improve though—"

"Don't celebrate yet," Lin Youxi cut in icily. "I've devised new strategies for next week."

As the girls bantered, Mei Fang suddenly embraced Xia Yuan, lowering her onto the bed while maintaining intense eye contact.

"W-what are you doing?!"

"Your winner's reward."

"We never discussed this!"

"My personal addition."Mei Fang brushed her hair aside, caressing her cheek. "This… is the feeling of love."

Lin Youxi observed sideways, taking notes. "I still have much to learn."

"Don't watch!" Xia Yuan turned away.

Mei Fang kissed her cheek. "My YuanYuan smells so sweet… I could eat you up."

"I-I'm chubby! You couldn't finish—"

"I'll take my time…" His hand drifted to her pounding chest. "Your heartbeat says you're enjoying this."

"O-of course! Now let me check yours—"

Their intimate moment was interrupted by Lin Youxi: "Keep it PG. Don't cross the 'pure love' boundary."

"We're already here! I want—"

"Rewards end here," Mei Fang sat up. "As agreed, winners get romantic nourishment."

Lin Youxi began unbuttoning her pajamas with mock solemnity. "As the loser, I must endure the bitter taste of defeat…"

"YuanYuan, observe carefully," she winked. "Don't repeat my failure next time."