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

Mei Fang burst through the sales office doors to find Lin Youxi leaning casually against his car—an unexpected sight given her usual storm-off distances.

"Only made it this far? You're slipping, Youxi."

"Getting old,"she replied with a tired smile, her earlier outburst seemingly dissipated like morning frost."Can't run like I used to."

"Nonsense! You're barely twenty—"

"—turning twenty-one this birthday month."Lin Youxi sighed, gazing at their intertwined reflections in the car window."Remember when we first met? I was just this scrawny kid… Now look at me."

Her current ensemble—black leather trench coat over a cropped white knit, thigh-hugging pleather skirt and heeled combat boots—would've been unimaginable for the tomboyish girl of their childhood. The university years had polished Lin Youxi into a striking metropolitan icon, all sharp edges and calculated allure.

"Everyone grows up,"Mei Fang conceded,"but your transformation's been… dramatic."

Lin Youxi pivoted to lean against the car, one hand cocked on her hip in a deliberately provocative pose."So… do you prefer me now? Yes or no?"

"Obviously yes! If we weren't in public—"

As they settled into the vehicle, Lin Youxi checked her reflection in the vanity mirror."You didn't even ask where I want to go."

"Anywhere you need to unwind."

"Tch. Generic boyfriend response."She snapped the mirror shut."Try again."

"The cemetery? To visit your mom?"

Lin Youxi's approving nod carried the weight of two decades of shared history."Now that's my soulmate."

The Bai Mei Memorial Park hadn't changed since their last visit—same winding paths lined with cypress trees, same faint scent of burnt paper money lingering near the older sections. They stopped at the florist's stall for chrysanthemums and joss sticks before beginning the familiar trek.

"Remember what I told you here the first time?"Lin Youxi suddenly asked, swinging their clasped hands.

"Which part? The 'three deaths' philosophy?"

"Mhm."Her grip tightened."First when the body fails, second when buried, third when… forgotten."

The memory surfaced vividly—a nine-year-old Lin Youxi clutching his sleeve before this very tombstone, vowing through tears that her mother would never suffer that final death.

"You promised to bring your future children here,"Mei Fang added softly."So they'd know their grandmother."

"Ugh, why do you remember everything?"Lin Youxi pinched him but didn't release his hand."The happier I am now… the more I regret mom can't see it."

They reached the well-maintained plot where fresh offerings already lay—oranges still plump, incense ash recently scattered. Mei Fang frowned at the undisturbed items.

"Someone visited recently? These can't be more than a day old—"

Lin Youxi's entire body locked up, her knuckles whitening around the flower stems. Only one person besides immediate family would bother…

Without a word, she arranged their own offerings beside the suspiciously new ones and lit the joss sticks. The ritual unfolded in practiced silence until Lin Youxi addressed the smiling photograph:

"Mom… I'm sharing A-Fang with Yuan-yuan now."

She continued matter-of-factly about their unconventional relationship while Mei Fang kowtowed beside her, addressing the stone marker directly:

"Auntie You… I know this arrangement seems shameless, but I swear to protect both your daughter and Yuan-yuan all my life."

When he rose, Lin Youxi was whispering private words to the portrait—until suddenly declaring:

"Mom says she'll have grandchildren visiting in three years!"

"Don't make promises I can't keep!"Mei Fang yelped before realizing the trap."Wait—you tricked me into calling her 'mom'!"

Their laughter scattered a nearby flock of sparrows. Lin Youxi grew serious as they prepared to leave, eyeing the mysterious offerings.

"She mentioned… he still comes every year. Claims he's changed."

"Your uncle?"

"Let dad see him if he wants."Lin Youxi kicked a pebble down the path."Just… go with him? So he doesn't get swindled again."

"Of course."Mei Fang kissed her temple."Tonight's accommodations…?"

"Hotel,"Lin Youxi purred, pressing close."Unless… someone already drained you today?"

"I—that is—"

"We'll test the reserves first."She nipped his earlobe."Mom won't mind—she likes you."

The meeting with You Xiaobing occurred in a dilapidated boarding house on the city's outskirts. The once-bloated gambler had shrunk to a wiry frame, his prison-short hair revealing a spiderweb of scars across his scalp.

To Mei Fang's surprise, the man refused their cash gift until learning it was partly for public relations."Tell Youxi… I don't expect forgiveness. Just want her to know I regret it all."

His cracked voice broke on the final admission:"If I could start over… but what's the point?"

The ride back passed in contemplative silence until Lin Guochan ventured the question simmering since the cemetery:

"A-Fang… about you three being single… What's the real plan?"