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

Having grown up together, Mei Fang, Xia Yuan, and Lin Youxi had spent significant time across four cities—Bai Mei County, Bai Zhou City, Jiangcheng, and Pengcheng. Among these, Bai Zhou was the shortest stay, with most memories tied to the small villa Mei Lijun had purchased.

Since their second year of high school during Lunar New Year, it became tradition for Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan to stay at Mei Fang's family home for a few days—a de facto meet-the-parents ritual that solidified into the trio's customary practice.

Back then, Xia Yuan had been Mei Fang's girlfriend during their second year, while Lin Youxi took that role in their third year. Mei Lijun had assumed this year would finally bring clarity, only to welcome homethree single "strays."

But single or not, their return was what mattered—

As long as their bond remained, everything else would fall into place.

By the time Mei Fang's group arrived in Bai Zhou, dusk had settled.

As they unloaded luggage from the trunk, Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi peered curiously toward the house. "Where's Ya-ya? She's usually the first to greet us," Xia Yuan wondered.

Lin Youxi checked her phone. "She hasn't even messaged about our arrival."

Mei Lijun grumbled, "Probably fighting with her mom again. She monitors Ya-ya's phone strictly—always nagging about studies. They've been in a cold war over it."

"Mediate how? Between my wife and daughter? I side with my wife, obviously. When I tell Ya-ya to study, she retorts,'Gege's already a billionaire—why should I bother?'How do I counter that?"

Sigh.

If anything, Mei Fang bore partial responsibility for his sister's lack of discipline.

Which meant, as her elder brother, it fell to him to set her straight.

Entering the courtyard, they were immediately greeted by Xiang Xiaoxia—who, at the sight of Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, effortlessly switched into her signature warm, maternal demeanor.

"Ah! You're here! Youxi! Yuan! So long since I've seen you!"

Just as Xia Yuan moved to respond, Lin Youxi handed her luggage to Mei Fang andlunged into Xiang Xiaoxia's arms.

"Long time no see…Mom."

"……"

That single word—Mom—sent a visible jolt through Xiang Xiaoxia before she eagerly reciprocated the embrace.

"Yes, my Youxi."

Lin Youxi had started calling her "Mom" during Xia Yuan's relationship with Mei Fang—a habit she maintained even after their breakup. But with everyone busy this past year, video calls had dwindled, leaving a faint awkwardness.

"Waaah! Youxi, you sneak!"

Xia Yuan scrambled forward. "Don't hog Mama Xiang's warmth! Me too!"

"Plenty to go around, Yuan—come here—"

Though both were technically ex-girlfriends now, their enthusiasm melted Xiang Xiaoxia's initial hesitation. She enveloped them in a double bear hug, leaving Mei Fang and Mei Lijun stranded at the doorway like forgotten luggage carriers.

Only after the prolonged mother-daughters reunion did Mei Fang finally interject:

"Mom, I'm your actual flesh and blood, remember? Why's it always about them during New Year's?"

"Psh. Fake jealousy doesn't suit you. Do you evenhavea mother in that busy CEO brain of yours?"

"Hey, I've been making money!"

"What's the point of hoarding wealth? You still sleep in one bed, eat three meals a day. Enough's enough—don't work yourself to death and drag these two down with you."

Xiang Xiaoxia ushered them inside while interrogating Mei Fang: "With all those public appearances lately, how's your academic performance?"

"Passable. Wait for the transcripts if you don't believe me."

"I won't bother—who knows if your university's just kissing up to the big boss now?"

"That's unfair… Schools don't work that way."

After some small talk, Mei Fang circled back to his sister. "Speaking of which, where's Ya-ya? Even if she doesn't miss me, surely she'd want to see herjiejies?"

Xiang Xiaoxia's expression darkened. "Don't get me started. She's locked in her room since this morning—wouldn't even come out for lunch."

"Another fight? Over what this time?"

"I told her not to pester you all for red envelopes to buy more of those plastic figurines—wasting time and money!What proper girl obsesses over such nonsense? She accused me of'not respecting her individuality.'"

Xiang Xiaoxia gripped Lin Youxi and Xia Yuan's hands. "Your generation was so well-behaved. Why are these post-00s kids so defiant? Stubborn as mules—exhausting!"

"Mom, don't stress too much. It's typical for her age."

Lin Youxi soothed her. "They're exposed to far more than we were. It's normal to develop strong opinions—the key is mutual understanding."

"I've run out of ways to'understand.'"

Xiang Xiaoxia raised her voice pointedly: "Ranked57th out of 58in her class! That's not just laziness—it's outright contempt for education! Does she think her brother's success is her birthright? Without skills or drive, no amount of connections will save her."

"Mom…lower your voice."

Mei Fang warned, "She'll only resent you more. This isn't how parenting works."

"……"

Xiang Xiaoxia scowled. "Oh, the big-shot CEO lectures me now? Managing thousands doesn't make you a parenting expert. Throwing money at your sister iseasy—try handling her tantrums daily!"

"You'rethe reason she's like this—spoiling her rotten!"

"Mom, academic success isn't the only path. Not everyone's cut out for it—"

"Listen to yourself!Youxi, Yuan—back me up here. Isn't Ya-ya crossing a line? Expecting handouts from her brother—isn't that spoiled?"

"W-well… self-relianceisimportant…"

"I think… Ya-ya might not mean it that way. We should talk to her first."

Caught off-guard and lacking context, Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi could only offer tepid agreement.

Mei Fang privately categorized his mother as"emotionally transparent"—a woman who could ruthlessly control Mei Lijun's spending yet overflow with maternal instinct upon hearing Lin Youxi's past hardships.

Yet her usual gentle facade around the girls had begun cracking underher ultimate nemesis: Mei Ya.

Before age six, Mei Ya had been manageable. Elementary school brought academic struggles, compounded by her penchant for pestering her father and brother for toys. Still, she remained obedient through age twelve, heeding corrections.

But upon entering adolescence, defiance blossomed. Phone calls throughout the year had hinted at tensions, yet nothing prepared Mei Fang for the full-scale mother-daughter war awaiting him.

Regardless, a heart-to-heart with Ya-ya was overdue.

Seizing a lull in his mother's tirade, Mei Fang slipped upstairs to knock on Mei Ya's door.

"Ya-ya? It's your dashinggege.Come out—let me see you."

After a moment, the door creaked open to reveal a red-eyed, pouty teen with a chin-length bob—now nearly as tall as Xia Yuan. She glared up at him accusingly:

"Finallydecided to show up, huh?"

"You… are my baby sister?"

Mei Fang gaped at the suddenly grown little girl. "When did you get so—big?!"

"Never mind that!"

Mei Ya yanked his sleeve, eyes sparkling with desperation.

"I can't take it anymore!Let me transfer to Pengcheng with you—anywhereto escape Mom's menopause madness!Pleeease!"

"Whoa there—since when did you inherit yourYuan-jie'ssignature move: running away from home?"