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

The next day, Mei Fang and Xia Yuan met at the neighborhood entrance. When they encountered Lin Youxi waiting at the intersection, Xia Yuan immediately rushed over to hug her.

"Youxi Youxi! How are you feeling today? Does your stomach still hurt?"

Lin Youxi smiled faintly, "I'm much better now. Must have eaten something bad yesterday."

"Seems like you're really fine then." Xia Yuan patted Lin Youxi's shoulder. "It's been so long since I've seen you smile like this."

"R-really?"

Lin Youxi looked at Xia Yuan puzzled, "Do I usually seem that cold?"

"You totally do! Ask A-Fang if you don't believe me!"

"I don't think so…" Mei Fang scratched his head. "Youxi has never been the overly cheerful type. This seems normal for her."

"Who doesn't like to smile! Youxi, your poor health is because you're always so serious. If you were as happy as me every day, you'd be much healthier!"

"Mmm… mmm…"

Lin Youxi made some noncommittal noises, forcing a smile under Xia Yuan's ministrations. Watching their interaction, Mei Fang felt warm inside.

As they walked to school chatting, Lin Youxi kept steering conversations toward Mei Fang despite talking about schoolwork with Xia Yuan.

"A-Fang would know how to solve this problem too."

"What does A-Fang think?"

"I bet A-Fang would like this too."

This uncharacteristic behavior raised Xia Yuan's suspicions. "Youxi, I'm asking for your opinion! Why keep bringing up A-Fang?"

"I, just…"

Lin Youxi lowered her head, lips pressed together, hands in pockets, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn't. Mei Fang thought to himself that Youxi might be developing feelings for him, and Yuan shouldn't push too hard and affect their relationship.

So Mei Fang quickly clapped his hands and teased:

"Hahaha, Youxi's acting so weird today! Do you like me or something? I'm gonna tell my mom!"

"Stinky A-Fang, narcissist!"

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi chased after Mei Fang together, displaying unusual coordination.

When they arrived at school and were about to separate to their respective classes, Lin Youxi suddenly turned back to look at Mei Fang.

"A-Fang."

"Yeah?"

Lin Youxi's expression was unusually serious:

"I need to tell you something. I hope you'll promise me."

"Uh… tell me first, then I'll see if I can do it."

Mei Fang started worrying – had his teasing accidentally struck a chord with Lin Youxi, accelerating her confession? This balancing act was getting precarious…

Just as Mei Fang was feeling flustered, Lin Youxi continued:

"I want you to treat Yuan-Yuan well. Be her good friend and don't bully her."

"I-I already treat Yuan-Yuan very well!"

"What I mean is… you should always be Yuan-Yuan's good friend."

Lin Youxi said gently, "Although Yuan-Yuan seems cheerful, she's actually quite fragile and afraid of loneliness inside… so you need to take good care of her."

This sounded almost like…

She was planning to withdraw from competing for him and maintain just a friendship.

Mei Fang had no idea what Lin Youxi was really thinking.

But as a first-year middle schooler, he didn't think too deeply about their future. Many things were still uncertain.

"We're childhood friends – of course I'll treat Yuan-Yuan well. But… why are you suddenly saying this? It makes you sound really lonely."

"I'm not lonely."

Lin Youxi shook her head. "This is maturity."

Maturity?

Mei Fang didn't understand Lin Youxi's definition of maturity, but overthinking it wouldn't help.

"You seem preoccupied. If something's bothering you, you can tell me. If not me, then tell Yuan-Yuan—"

"N-no! I'm fine!"

Flustered, Lin Youxi quickly returned to her seat and took out a book.

Watching Mei Fang's back in front of her, the loneliness Mei Fang mentioned began to well up in Lin Youxi's chest.

She still didn't know what illness she had.

But based on past experience, if it involved blood in urine, it couldn't be minor.

Dad was already working so hard. If she told him, their family couldn't afford treatment.

If she asked Yuan-Yuan, Yuan-Yuan might lend her money, but… if it was terminal, not only would it waste Yuan-Yuan's family's money, she'd also have to endure much suffering.

Maybe it was better to pretend nothing was wrong until death came…

If she died, Yuan-Yuan and A-Fang would be very sad.

But they would remember her.

Remember she had been part of their lives.

They got along so well, they'd probably marry when they grew up.

Maybe they'd even name their child after her in remembrance?

But…

That would be so far in the future. They might have long moved on to happy lives, having forgotten her.

Lin Youxi suddenly remembered visiting the cemetery with Mei Fang in fourth grade to see her mother.

After she died, only Dad would remember her.

But Dad would be so heartbroken…

As Lin Youxi was lost in thought, her stomach began hurting again. The cramping was unbearable, but she just bit her lip and lay on the desk silently.

She endured until morning reading ended. Yue Xinyi noticed her condition and asked concernedly. Mei Fang also saw Lin Youxi's pain when he stood up.

"Does it hurt again? Like last night… Let's ask for leave and I'll take you to the hospital."

Lin Youxi clutched her stomach and shook her head. When Yue Xinyi said she'd get the teacher, Lin Youxi stopped her.

"Don't tell the teacher… I'll be fine."

"But monitor, you look…"

Seeing Lin Youxi's teary, pained expression and remembering yesterday, Mei Fang hesitated before leaning in to whisper something.

Lin Youxi looked shocked and confused, making Mei Fang suddenly realize:

"Wait here!"

As Mei Fang was about to dash out, Lin Youxi grabbed his sleeve.

"Don't… don't tell Yuan-Yuan."

"Don't worry! I'm not telling Yuan-Yuan! Just wait!"

Mei Fang rushed out like lightning. When he returned panting, he seemed to be hiding something under his coat.

He carefully took it out and passed it to Lin Youxi under the desk.

Lin Youxi received an item she'd never used before.

"This is…"

"Oh! I know what that is!"

Yue Xinyi also realized. "Youxi, is this your first time?"

"First… time?"

"My mom told me about this. When girls hit puberty—"

Before Yue Xinyi could finish explaining, Teacher Li Shibing entered. Mei Fang quickly went over and whispered to him.

After understanding, Teacher Li took out a leave slip but hesitated before handing it over.

"I know you mean well, but isn't it inappropriate for a boy to go with her?"

"Teacher Li, you know Youxi's family situation. I'll take her to my place. My mom can teach her how to use it."

"Alright, take good care of her then."

With permission secured, Mei Fang hurried back. "I'll take you home – to my place. My mom's there, she'll teach you."

"But…"

Seeing Lin Youxi reluctant to get up, Mei Fang leaned in and whispered:

"Did it leak?"

Lin Youxi nodded slightly, one of the rare times she blushed to her ears in front of Mei Fang. Her shyness made him both touched and distressed. He immediately took off his coat and handed it to her.

"If you're worried about people seeing, tie this around your waist to cover it."

"But… you'll be cold—"

"You can't afford to get cold now. Just do it."

"Monitor, listen to Mei Fang!"

Yue Xinyi, the ultimate shipper, was thrilled. She used to think Mei Fang was immature, but now saw how reliable he could be in crises.

"Mei Fang, I take back what I said about you before."

Yue Xinyi gave him a thumbs up. "You're really a gentleman now!"

"…Thanks."

As Mei Fang helped Lin Youxi up, some boys nearby started gossiping:

"Did the monitor have an accident? Smells weird…"

"Yeah, yesterday I also—"

Their comments made Lin Youxi lower her head in shame, while Mei Fang immediately scolded them angrily:

"Enough! Shut your mouths!"

Mei Fang had always been easygoing, so this outburst shocked everyone. The boys immediately shut up, while the girls looked at him admiringly – especially Yue Xinyi, who was practically floating from excitement.

Mei Fang then supported Lin Youxi as they left school.

Since Lin Youxi couldn't talk from pain, Mei Fang comforted her while explaining:

"This is normal – something all girls go through… We'll learn about it in biology. It happens every month."

"Does it… always hurt this much?"

"That… I'm not sure about. We'll ask my mom when we get home."

Having grown up without a mother, Lin Youxi was often behind on knowledge about female health.

Normally Xia Yuan would guide her, but this time she seemed to be the first among them to experience menstruation, hence the confusion.

Mei Fang had considered asking Xia Yuan yesterday, but she seemed clueless too. Thinking Youxi might have already handled it, he'd dropped the matter.

When they arrived at Mei Fang's home, no one answered the door.

"Mom must have taken Yaya out… She's always out having fun."

Mei Fang unlocked the door and let Lin Youxi in. After closing doors and windows, he turned on the heater.

"During your period, you need to stay warm and avoid cold foods…"

Mei Fang's knowledge was limited to basic etiquette from his past life. He made Lin Youxi some brown sugar water and told her to drink it. After the warm drink, Lin Youxi seemed better and stopped clutching her stomach.

"So… it's really not some serious illness or terminal disease?"

Holding the cup nervously, Lin Youxi stared at Mei Fang seriously. Her adorable earnestness made him struggle not to laugh—

"So… when you told me to take care of Yuan-Yuan earlier, it was because you thought you might die and leave us behind?"

"Mm."

Lin Youxi nodded solemnly. But seeing Mei Fang trying not to laugh, she gradually turned red and got angry, punching him.

"Are you laughing at me for being stupid? Are you?!"

"Pfft haha… No… really no… pfft haha—"

While enduring her punches, Mei Fang scooted closer.

"I just think your reaction is cute, but also heartbreaking."

Lin Youxi's punches slowed. "Heartbreaking… why?"

"Because if our Youxi had a mother to teach her these things, you wouldn't have panicked so much about your period."

"…"

Lin Youxi rubbed her face and shook her head. "Actually… it's okay."

"Really okay?"

"Mm, okay."

"It's also because our small town doesn't teach enough about this. If you'd known earlier, you wouldn't have worried so long, right?"

"But A-Fang, how did you know?" Lin Youxi hesitated before asking tentatively, "Did… Yuan-Yuan tell you?"

"No no! Yuan-Yuan hasn't gotten hers yet! I just guessed… because—"

Mei Fang stumbled, "This is your first time. Wait no, your first time… is my first time seeing it, I mean—"

"Never mind, I get it."

Lin Youxi nodded seriously. "A-Fang has always been more mature than us."

"Ever since we were little."

"I'm used to it."

She sighed, then looked up at Mei Fang with a sweet smile: "Thank you for being so considerate, A-Fang."

"Ah… mm… y-you're welcome…"

Being praised by Lin Youxi made Mei Fang blush—

"W-weren't you embarrassed back then, A-Fang?"

Lin Youxi recounted this amusing memory gently in the car. Xia Yuan also found it touching:

"My first time was at home – mom taught me how to use pads. I never got to experience A-Fang's thoughtfulness."

"That scenario was so awkward, why would you want to experience it…"

"Ugh! Hearing this story makes me jealous… You're definitely winning this week's dating game."

Xia Yuan fake-cried, "Which means next year A-Fang will be yours, waaah…"

"Hey hey, didn't we agree no competition this week? Especially with Youxi like this…"

"Besides, if we did compete, Yuan-Yuan would probably win anyway…"

"Me? Win?"

Xia Yuan was puzzled by Lin Youxi's comment. "Why do you say that?"

Lin Youxi sighed. "Speaking of which… Yuan-Yuan, haven't you gotten your period this month?"

"Huh? It should've come by now."

Xia Yuan thought about it. "Actually I've had poor appetite lately and keep feeling nauseous. Not sure why."

"Hasn't it been almost a week late?"

"Ah."

"Ah?!"

Lin Youxi's reminder left both Xia Yuan and Mei Fang stunned.