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

Mei Fang had always harbored complex feelings toward his hometown.

Occasionally he missed its childhood delicacies, but also dreaded its social intricacies—being interrogated about his Shenzhen salary, relationship status, or homebuying plans.

Then came the inevitable comparisons:

"Big city jobs are all sweat money—better return for stability."

"My cousin's kid earned millions effortlessly back home—beats your Shenzhen grind."

Such one-upmanship and insinuations were constant.

As for nostalgic memories? His only fond recollection was childhood friend Zhang Ming. But since joining Huawei and transferring to Ukraine, all contact ceased. He could only hope they'd reunite someday…

"What're you thinking?"

On the high-speed train, seatmate Lin Youxi rested her chin, gemlike eyes studying him. "Worrying how to introduce me to your parents?"

"But they'll read into it, right?"

"Obviously…no opposite-sex friends casually stay over."

Mei Fang warned, "Fair warning—my hometown's shabby and tiny. Besides being urban, nothing special. If uncomfortable, better book a hotel."

"Don't want parents misunderstanding us? Too bad."

Lin Youxi shook her head. "You still need to remind me to take meds."

"You managed fine alone before."

"Single life was fine…but not anymore."

She booped his nose. "Ever since someone shamelessly clung to my car window, I've been ruined for solitude!"

Though sweet banter, Mei Fang found it unreal. After more teasing, he finally complained:

"First meeting you was this cool, mysterious woman—now acting like a schoolgirl?"

"You never really knew me—how can you say I've changed?"

Locking gazes, they held until Mei Fang flinched.

"I win!" Lin Youxi grinned.

"So immature."

"You answered Yuan-yuan exactly like this as kids—eerily identical."

"That was kindergarten! Over 20 years ago—how do you remember?"

Lin Youxi smiled softly. "I dreamed of her last night."

"Dreams distort memories."

"Even fabricated ones are beautiful."

She added, "This scene could go inWhite Plum Memories—good idea?"

"Not bad…" Mei Fang agreed.

"Actually, this trip also serves as research!"

"Research?"

"ForWhite Plum Memories—we need hometown references. Key streets, school layouts…framework's done, but we need artists now."

"Hiring artists is expensive though…"

Mei Fang asked, "Can your budget handle it?"

Lin Youxi shook her head. "Don't worry about money—just focus on work."

"But I've saved up too—quality matters for my portfolio…"

"Save your money for a future bride! Do you know modern dowry costs?"

Patting his head, she said, "As lead designer, you know our game's profit odds better than me."

"It's not about profit—reputation matters too…"

"True…"

An odd silence fell until Mei Fang suddenly asked, "So…how much dowry do girls want nowadays?"

"How should I know? I had no parents to teach me."

"What wouldyouwant then?"

After a long stare, Lin Youxi smiled. "You can't afford it."

"Just curious."

"No. Stop eyeing me."

"If not me, then who?"

This time, neither broke eye contact.

"Jealous?"

"Yes," Mei Fang admitted. "Problem?"

Lin Youxi chuckled, then suddenly kissed him—drawing a scolding from train staff:

"Hey! No PDA on trains!"

"Sorry!"

After arriving at Baimei County's sleek new station (a far cry from its dilapidated predecessor), Lin Youxi inhaled deeply.

"Ah! That nostalgic air…Is Pan's Beef Noodles still open? Let's go!"

"It is. Why not visit sooner?"

"Eating alone's boring. I always went with Yuan-yuan and Dad…but now I have you."

As they walked, she asked, "What are your parents like?"

"Hmm…Dad's lively but unreliable. Mom's slightly controlling but reasonable—less physical nowadays. Both are kind, simple folks."

"Since you've never brought girls home before…"

"Neverever," Mei Fang corrected.

Their chat was interrupted by a loud slap to Mei Fang's head:

"Brat! Ignoring your old man?"

The balding, leathery-faced man was Mei Lijun—still spirited despite life's weathering. "Let me get your bags!"

"Said not to pick us up!"

"Wanted to surprise you!"

"No thanks."

Amid their bickering, Lin Youxi finally interjected:

"U-Uncle hello!"

"Ah! You must be Mei Fang's 'friend'!"

Stunned by her beauty, Mei Lijun stammered in awkward Mandarin, "Welcome to Baimei!"

"Dad! She'sfromhere—no need for formalities!"

"Nervous habit!"

Mei Fang apologized, but Lin Youxi whispered:

"Your dad's adorable."

This meek version of Lin Youxi surprised Mei Fang—usually so teasing, now demure around elders.

At the parking lot, Mei Lijun proudly presented his motorcycle.

"You expect usandluggage to fit?" Mei Fang groaned.

"It's a beast—17 years and running!"

"Just take the bags—we'll taxi!"

"I'm already here!"

"It's fine," Lin Youxi interceded softly. "We'll squeeze."

Grudgingly, they mounted—Mei Fang embarrassed by his family's lack of car.

"Careful of the exhaust pipe—I got third-degree burns once."

"I know…My dad always warned me too."

Clutching Mei Fang from behind while he held their luggage, Lin Youxi rested her head on his shoulder as they rode through changing streets.

"Dad used to drive me to school like this…"

"Uh-huh."

"Hold tight—rain's coming!"

The motorcycle roared to life, its shadow stretching long under sunset. Distant vendor cries and familiar dialects blurred together—did she truly live here 18 years?

Despite only a decade away, her past life felt dreamlike.

"That intersection…remember the grand hotel there?"

"'Baimei Renjia'!" Mei Lijun chimed in. "Best in county! Shame it folded after road construction…"

Once-glorious, the hotel was now replaced by "Baimei Tower"—its legacy reduced to passing anecdotes. Who but Lin Youxi would forever mourn her lost playmate?

The thought clenched Mei Fang's heart—he squeezed her hand tighter.

Suddenly, drizzle became downpour.

"Told you to taxi!" Mei Fang yelled over rain.

"Quick—umbrella!"

Soaked, they dashed into an alleyway—finally reaching the Mei household where Xiang Xiaoxia scolded:

"Fool! Making kids ride in this!"

Dripping wet, Lin Youxi accepted a towel from the middle-aged woman (deep laugh lines framing kind eyes).

"Th-Thank you, Auntie."

Xiang Xiaoxia fussed over her, evoking unfamiliar warmth in Lin Youxi—who suddenly found the woman eerily familiar.

"Bath first—don't catch cold!"

Post-bath, Lin Youxi emerged to find Xiang Xiaoxia insisting on blow-drying her hair.

"No need, I—"

"Let me! Treat this as home!"

Mei Fang gaped—the usually dominant Lin Youxi now docile as a kitten.

Dinner was a feast: braised fish, steamed pork, free-range chicken, stir-fried veggies, and Hubei specialties like lotus root soup.

"Mom! This is New Year's-level spread!"

"My son bringing a 'friend' homeislike New Year's!" Xiang Xiaoxia winked, eyeing Lin Youxi's refined manners.

"Eat more! Lin Youxi, right?"

"Just Youxi, Auntie."

Xiang Xiaoxia piled her plate high.

"Wife! She's not a pig!"

"You'rethe pig! Shut up!"

Between bites, Lin Youxi mentioned her childhood home—revealing she'd lived near the Meis' old neighborhood.

"Yangyang Xiaoqu?! We lived there too!" Mei Lijun exclaimed. "What's your dad's name?"

"Lin…Guochuan."

The name triggered something. As conversation lulled, Xiang Xiaoxia hugged her suddenly:

"Had we met sooner…you could've been my second daughter."

Trembling slightly, Lin Youxi whispered, "Not…too late now."

Watching silent tears streak her face, Mei Fang's heart ached—imagining her lonely nights without parental love.

Excusing himself, he rushed to the bathroom—clutching his chest in sudden agony.

Not now…

Gritting teeth, he slid down the door—determined not to alarm Lin Youxi during her hard-won happiness.

Outside, clothing store speakers blaredNameless Ones—an anthem for ordinary strivers like him.