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

Mei Fang drove Guo Yun to the train station. After confirming she hadn't forgotten anything, he accompanied her to the waiting hall. Before parting, Mei Fang remembered the games and mentioned mailing the cartridges to her, but Guo Yun declined.

"Didn't Xiaoyu and Bingbing say they'd help with the new game's soundtrack? Let them keep the cartridges. I'll buy my own copies."

"Then give me your address—I'll order them online and ship—"

"No need, really." Guo Yun refused Mei Fang's offer. "You've paid me generous bonuses these past years. I'm financially comfortable."

"That's separate. You earned those rewards through hard work."

"Just having work where effort yields results is already something I'm grateful for." Guo Yun smiled at Mei Fang, then glanced at Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi waiting nearby. "You should go back. Don't keep YuanYuan and Youxi waiting. I'll manage from here."

"Alright… But if you ever need help, let me know. Oh—" Mei Fang added, "Next time you're in Pengcheng, let's sign an employment contract."

"Is that necessary? We know each other so well—I'm not worried about unpaid wages."

"This protects both of us."

Though contracts couldn't forcibly retain employees, the formal agreement symbolized commitment. Mei Fang even dangled future incentives:

"Beyond the contract, we'll discuss equity options and benefits after you officially join. See if you have other requests."

"You can draft those… I trust you completely."

"Don't say that! Educate yourself—what if I trick you with empty promises? I'm a seasoned capitalist now."

"Why would you deceive me? You've had years to take advantage if you wanted. We've always uplifted each other, haven't we?"

Guo Yun's earnest gaze shone with newfound confidence—a stark contrast to her former timidity. This transformation filled Mei Fang with inexplicable pride, leaving him momentarily speechless.

The prolonged eye contact flustered Guo Yun. "Is… something on my face?"

"Ah—no, no. Just marveling at how much you've grown. This confident, radiant version of you will surely find happiness soon."

"Thank you… I'll take that blessing."

With a final wave to Mei Fang—and the distant figures of Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi—Guo Yun turned and hurried into the station.

My own happiness, huh…

On the train, Guo Yun gazed at the passing scenery while scrolling through vacation photos on her phone. One candid shot caught her eye: Mei Fang dodging Xia Yuan's playful water splashes, accidentally leaning toward Guo Yun at the frame's edge.

Her past self in the photo grinned while instinctively bracing to catch him—though he never fell.

Thank goodness he didn't…

Guo Yun quietly saved the image, then switched to music. After some browsing, solemn liturgical chants fromDark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sinfilled her ears—seeking inspiration from its atmospheric soundtrack.

Meanwhile, Mei Fang's group began their homeward journey. Xia Yuan's constant humming puzzled Lin Youxi.

"You've been unusually cheerful these two days?"

"Huh? Oh… yeah, I had fun."

"About last night… I feel somewhat guilty." Lin Youxi said gently, "I owe you an apology."

"F-for what?!"

"For ordering you around while… preoccupied with Ah Fang."

"That? I didn't mind." Xia Yuan smiled. "Strange as it was, I did win this week's love game fair and square."

"No regrets about missing intimate time with Ah Fang?"

"I-it's fine! We've already… you know…"

As Xia Yuan stammered, Lin Youxi suddenly poked her waist, making her yelp.

"H-hey! No sneak attacks!"

"You seemed tired today."

"M-my cramp! Remember?"

"Mhm… 'cramps,' huh?" Lin Youxi hugged Xia Yuan from behind. "Then Ah Fang should give you a proper massage later—"

"S-stop! That tickles—ahahaha!"

Noticing their antics in the rearview mirror, Mei Fang interjected: "Youxi, stop bullying YuanYuan. She can't handle you."

"See? No more bullying!"

"Hah…" Lin Youxi abruptly released Xia Yuan with a sigh. "Fine. Ah Fang's blatant favoritism ruins the fun."

"I just don't want you two fighting—"

Ignoring him, Lin Youxi moved to the opposite seat, putting distance between them.

"Youxi? Mad at me?" Xia Yuan scooted closer, but Lin Youxi shook her head.

"No. Just resting." She closed her eyes. "I'm tired too."

……

The awkward atmosphere persisted until their arrival home. Though Lin Youxi helped unload luggage, she responded minimally to conversation attempts.

After entering, she announced: "Exhausted. Skipping dinner—you two order takeout or eat out."

"No dinner? We barely ate lunch!"

"Not hungry."

"Youxi—"

They watched helplessly as Lin Youxi retreated to her room—the audibleclicksuggesting a locked door.

"Youxi's sulking," Xia Yuan observed.

"Obviously," Mei Fang agreed.

"How do we fix this?"

"Let me think… We haven't fought in ages."

"Exactly why it's tricky…" Mei Fang mused. "She's upset about me favoring you."

"Yeah! Why do you always take my side? Your 'balance' sucks."

"You're blaming me?!" Mei Fang pulled Xia Yuan into a punishing embrace. "If you didn't constantly lose to Youxi, would I need to intervene?"

"'Lose'? We're just playing around! You think Youxi would actually bully me?"

"So my concern is unwelcome? Fine." Mei Fang sighed. "My mistake entirely. Happy?"

"Jerk! That attitude stinks!"

Xia Yuan plopped onto the sofa, pouting. Drawing on his lifetime of experience, Mei Fang quickly regained composure—such spats were rare in their adult relationship.

Hmm…

Pride mattered little when reconciling his two loves. As the beneficiary of their affections, he knew emotional labor was his responsibility.

Approaching the sulking Xia Yuan (who pointedly looked away), he coaxed:

"Don't want to see me?"

"Not now."

"When then?"

"…Dunno. I'm going to bed."

As Xia Yuan stood, a wince betrayed her soreness. Mei Fang immediately moved to carry her.

"Let me—"

"No." Limping toward her room, she didn't resist his supporting arm—giving him an opening to whisper:

"My dear YuanYuan… sweet wife… still angry? I'm sorry for my tone earlier."

"Why would I stay mad at you? I could never…" Xia Yuan sniffled. "I should apologize too—it's unfair blaming you when I'm also at fault."

"Just blame me. I deserve it."

"No! I'm not unreasonable…" She paused. "But we did wrong Youxi by sneaking around last night."

"She probably knew and teased you deliberately."

"Regardless, our attitudes were poor." Xia Yuan clung to Mei Fang. "Let's apologize together."

"Words alone feel hollow. How about cooking her dinner? She always feeds us."

"Perfect! She'll melt seeing our effort. What should we make? Sweet-and-sour pork? Braised—"

"Keep it simple. Home-style stir-fry—Youxi loves pine nut corn."

"That's MY favorite! Dummy!"

"Sorrysorrysorry—" Mei Fang rained kisses in apology. "Then what does she like?"

"She cooks what WE enjoy… I've never noticed her preferences…"

Realization dawned—Lin Youxi had always prioritized their tastes over her own.

"Don't say more… I feel awful already."

They decided on their signature dishes: Xia Yuan's cola chicken wings and Mei Fang's home-style stir-fry. After checking ingredients, they divided tasks.

"Ah Fang, prep these frozen wings?"

"Peel these potatoes first. Soak them to thaw."

"Like this?"

"Yes—wait, use another bowl. I'll need that one for soup."

After over an hour, their sunset feast was ready: pepper pork, tomato eggs, string beans with eggplant, cola wings, and seaweed soup.

Approaching Lin Youxi's door together, they froze when it suddenly opened—revealing a pale, masked face that made Xia Yuan shriek and cling to Mei Fang.

Peeling off the facial mask, Lin Youxi seemed equally startled. "What are you—"

"Dinner's ready! We cooked!" Xia Yuan beamed. "My wings, Ah Fang's stir-fry… Hope our master chef approves!"

"…I expected takeout." Lin Youxi smiled. "But since you went through the trouble…"

"Yay!"

At the table, Lin Youxi sampled each dish. "Ah Fang's cooking surprises me. You should help more—kitchen work damages skin."

"Anytime."

"Try my wings!" Xia Yuan urged.

"Like your mom's specialty." Lin Youxi tasted one. "…Not bad."

"That's enough for me!"

Seizing the moment, Xia Yuan confessed last night's post-game activities with Mei Fang—earning raised eyebrows.

"Ah Fang, such stamina?"

"Wait—you didn't know?! I thought you guessed!"

"I was just teasing earlier." Lin Youxi admitted, "Though I did have minor grievances. My apologies."

"No need! It's Ah Fang and I who should—"

"Actually, I wanted to experience conflict again. Our harmony sometimes stifles honest emotions."

"Same!" Xia Yuan agreed. "Occasional fights are healthy—just communicate afterward!"

"Exactly." Lin Youxi rested her chin on her hands. "Though if frustration builds up… maybe we should just beat Ah Fang together."

"Wait—what kind of 'beating'?" Xia Yuan blinked.

"My new toys arrived recently…" Lin Youxi's hand crept up Mei Fang's thigh.

"We agreed once weekly!"

"This week isn't over." Her eyes gleamed. "Unless you prefer finishing all these wings first?"

"I'll—I'll eat every wing! Let's call it a night!"

"Are my wings THAT bad?! Even worse than my mom's?!"