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

From November onwards, Yuanxi Interactive became exceptionally busy. Firstly, they were preparing for CStation's New Year's Eve Gala—the platform's first major event—which would also host the inaugural "Top 100 Content Creators" awards ceremony.

Secondly, there was the debut livestream of their first virtual idol, Yuan-chan, who would perform an online concert as her grand introduction.

According to Mei Fang's promotional strategy, Xia Yuan couldn't explicitly equate "Yuan-chan" with her real-life persona "Yuanyuan"—

This meant that while Xia Yuan could improvise during streams, she absolutely couldn't admit to being the real-life Yuanyuan of the Trifecta or reveal personal details. She had to maintain the illusion of being purely a virtual character.

"You want me to pretend I'm an AI?!"

Xia Yuan's first reaction was disbelief. "How am I supposed to act like a robot? I can't process conversations at high frequencies or whatever!"

"AI isn't the same as robots. The idea is to play an advanced AI that's eerily human-like—just sprinkle in some cute mannerisms about being 'a very smart program.'"

"Feels like you're setting me up for public humiliation…"

"This creates plausible deniability between your personas," Mei Fang explained. "If our throuple ever gets exposed, your 'Yuanyuan' image might take a hit, but 'Yuan-chan' stays intact. Smart, right?"

As Xia Yuan rocked back and forth on Mei Fang's lap like a human seesaw, Lin Youxi paused while folding laundry to pat her shoulder:

"Public figures always need contingencies. Not every intimate moment can be excused as 'childhood friends' or 'exes.'"

"I know, but I just want to cling to Ah Fang all the time!" Xia Yuan nuzzled Mei Fang's cheek. "I don't know how you resist, Youxi. You never initiate PDA…"

"Who said I resist?"

Lin Youxi smiled serenely. "I'm just better at hiding it."

"Then teach me! Where do you and Ah Fang sneak kisses on campus—besides the car?"

"That's our secret."

"Hmph! If you won't tell me, Ah Fang will."

Xia Yuan pinched Mei Fang's cheeks, adopting a cutesy voice:"Ah Fang~ I'm your favorite Yuan-chan now! I heard you and Youxi have a super~ secret spot! We're a throuple—won't you share? Pretty please—"

"You little minx…" Mei Fang groaned. "Your cute acting skills have leveled up dangerously."

Behind the Scenes

By November, Xia Yuan's dedicated workspace at Yuanxi Interactive was ready—a livestream studio larger than Mei Fang's office, equipped with top-tier broadcasting gear and a soundproof booth. This became the temporary headquarters of Yuanxia Music.

Currently, Yuanxia Music operated more like an indie label, with only Liu Xiaoyu and Xiang Bingbing as formal staff/interns. Mei Fang planned to expand two teams:

Liu Xiaoyu currently wore multiple hats, which Mei Fang acknowledged was unfair despite his mentorship. If she excelled in soundtrack work, he intended to promote her to Yuanxia Music's management—leveraging her high school leadership experience and unwavering loyalty.

Love Game: Final Stretch

Over the next six weeks, the trio employed every tactic imaginable—flattery, teasing, self-nomination, sabotage, coquettishness, rivalry, "balancing," and even light emotional manipulation—to achieve a dynamic equilibrium. The score stood at 4:4.

The roleplaying scenarios, instant-in-character performances, and "Little Ah Fang's" suffering need no elaboration. Such displays were best in moderation; audiences would either grow desensitized or drown in envy, muttering"This belongs in sci-fi."

Present Day

"The final showdown is this week…"

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi strolled through Pengcheng University's tree-lined paths. "I'm kinda nervous. This decides who gets to publicly date Ah Fang in 2015."

"You're still competing? Your concert's on Christmas Eve—a Sunday. Unless you want to livestream our…afterparty?"

"Ew, no! I'd never—" Xia Yuan cut herself off, glaring. "Wait. You assume I'll lose?"

"I implied nothing."

Lin Youxi smiled. "But every 'competition' ends the same way—with Ah Fang being shared. Sounds like a raucous livestream to me."

"…Fair point."

Hand in hand, they basked in Pengcheng's mild winter.

"No heavy coats needed here—it's perfect for settling down." Xia Yuan sighed. "Though we should still visit our hometowns for New Year's. My parents won't even move to Jiangcheng despite being loaded."

"Your dad prioritizes your mom's career. Besides, it's a short drive."

Xia Yuan scratched her head. "This love game turned into another 'balancing act.' Feels anticlimactic."

"I don't mind. Unless… youwanta decisive battle?"

"No no! I'm good either way."

She exhaled. "But even if we keep alternating, it won't gain public acceptance or solve anything."

"True…"

Lin Youxi gazed at the sunset. "I've been wondering—do weneedto pick one person to go public with Ah Fang anymore?"

"You think it's… unnecessary now?"

"Mm. Maybe there's a…bettersolution."