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

After hanging up the phone, Mei Fang explained the situation at Lin Youxi's home to Xia Yuan and the others. Xia Yuan immediately expressed her desire to accompany Mei Fang to visit and support Lin Youxi in making her decision.

Thus, Mei Fang drove Xia Yuan to Lin Youxi's residence. Liang Meijuan opened the courtyard gate for them, revealing Lin Youxi in the living room discussing her father Lin Guochuan's surgical plans.

Upon Mei Fang's arrival, their conversation halted. Lin Youxi stood up to explain:

"Ah Fang, my dad has agreed to get re-examined in a major city first, so regarding that—"

Xia Yuan interjected, "I just asked my father to contact a respiratory medicine professor he knows in Jiangcheng. We can arrange for Uncle Lin to get re-examined there to confirm the results. If the examination indeed indicates issues, we'll schedule the procedure."

"Mn, thank you Yuan Yuan."

Lin Youxi's expression was serious yet filled with gratitude, which struck Xia Yuan as odd. She immediately pinched Lin Youxi's cheeks and pressed against her. "What's with this formality between us…"

"This matter truly could only be resolved by troubling you and Ah Fang, so…that is—"

"No no, it's really no trouble at all."

"Mn mn, I understand. Youxi and your Aunt Meijuan have already spoken with me at length."

Lin Guochuan coughed lightly before continuing, "Having this nodule lingering has always made me somewhat uneasy. I don't want them constantly worrying about my health either."

"Uncle Lin, I can drive you to Jiangcheng for re-examination tomorrow. The VIP clinic can expedite the process."

"That…that might be too rushed. No need to trouble…let's properly enjoy the New Year first."

"Then—"

Mei Fang glanced at Lin Youxi, who nodded in agreement, prompting him to concede.

"Mn, we'll proceed according to Uncle Lin's wishes."

……

After finalizing the examination plans with Lin Guochuan, Mei Fang and Xia Yuan took Lin Youxi for a walk along Baimei County's streets.

Having relied on driving recently, this pedestrian experience felt refreshingly novel.

Lin Youxi, fatigued from accompanying her father to examinations all day, lacked her usual energy. Xia Yuan clung to her hand throughout their stroll:

"Your father will be fine, don't worry. The professor my dad recommended is exceptionally skilled—no issues."

"Mn…thank you Yuan Yuan."

Lin Youxi smiled faintly. "I have no doubts about the doctor. It's just…hearing the diagnosis today made me uneasy."

"Uneasy?"

Lin Youxi nodded. "Had we not insisted on father's physical last year, this nodule might have kept developing. If it truly became cancerous…no matter how much money I earned, the regret would remain."

"My dad's in his forties now. His previous decades were spent in constant toil—only this year has he begun enjoying life. Since childhood, I studied diligently and earned money with Ah Fang through account leveling, all hoping to improve his circumstances…I just suddenly thought—"

Clutching Xia Yuan with one hand and Mei Fang with the other, she gazed upward smiling. "If something truly happened to dad…I'd regret always being so stern and unkind toward him…"

The current Lin Youxi always maintained a formidable feminine demeanor publicly. Even within their triad's dynamics and major decisions, she projected reliability and composure.

Yet regarding family and kinship bonds, Lin Youxi seemed perpetually fragile and sensitive.

On one hand, she resented her father's doormat tendencies that allowed others to take advantage; on the other, she deeply cared for his health, fearing any mishap.

Their father-daughter relationship remained profoundly complex.

But was this tension unique to Lin Youxi and Lin Guochuan?

Similar contradictions existed between Mei Fang and his mother, between Xia Yuan and Xia Xun—an inexplicable entanglement.

"Actually, I think familial arguments are normal. Everyone's intentions are good—this isn't about moral coercion, but differing experiences creating divergent perspectives. Arguments wouldn't happen without care."

As Mei Fang spoke, Xia Yuan peeked out with a counterpoint: "But avoiding arguments is still best, no? I hate seeing my parents fight—children suffer the deepest scars. I still remember when dad wanted to sell the hotel and mom argued…"

"Witnessing parents' ugly quarrels can indeed scar children…though that's a separate matter from our current discussion. Each case differs."

"I just thought of it suddenly."

Xia Yuan mumbled, "My point is—when we three have children someday, we must never fight. The impact on kids would be huge."

"We've fought barely a handful of times, and never said anything truly hurtful, right?"

"Er…that's true."

Lin Youxi interrupted their exchange smiling, "Then do you remember the worst things we've said to each other?"

"Let me think…"

Xia Yuan tilted her head pondering. "I only recall fighting Youxi over Ah Fang, begging her to yield him to me."

"…"

"…"

Mei Fang and Lin Youxi exchanged glances before laughing. "That counts as fighting?"

"H-how doesn't it?! Youxi, have you forgotten how heartbroken we were?"

"Heartbroken, yes—but not exactly hurtful words. I only remember Yuan Yuan constantly belittling herself compared to me, trapped in self-doubt."

"W-well, that's not wrong!"

Xia Yuan chuckled sheepishly. "Otherwise, I can't recall anything."

Lin Youxi shook her head. "No impressions either. Strange—why can't we fight with Ah Fang present?"

"Mn…probably because I don't take you two seriously."

Mei Fang's head-scratching immediately provoked indignation from both girls.

"What do you mean, 'not take us seriously'…treating us like kids while acting mature yourself?"

"That's exactly his meaning."

Lin Youxi withdrew her hand from Mei Fang's to slip inside his coat. "Daring to call me and Yuan Yuan children? Big Sister Youxi will punish you now."

"Aiyo! So cold so cold! Youxi stop…Yuan Yuan, help me out here, quick!"

"I-I'm helping Youxi bully you! How dare you look down on Big Sister Yuan Yuan and Big Sister Youxi! Bratty Ah Fang!"

Their playful tussling culminated in Mei Fang being pinned beneath a tree by both girls.

At that moment, an ice crystal landed on Mei Fang's nose. The chilly sensation made him instinctively look upward.

"Snow?"

"Ah, seems like it…"

Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi ceased their assault as snow began drifting across the town.

Soon, the roadside trees were adorned with white accumulation, their branches dancing with flake-laden elegance alongside the snow-gazing trio below—composing an extraordinary scene.

"Feels like the county hasn't seen snow like this since 2008."

"Maybe we can have a snowball fight this year." Xia Yuan smiled. "It's been so long since we last did."

"True, that was indeed ages ago…"

Lin Youxi extended her palm, allowing pristine snowflakes to alight without immediately melting, maintaining their hexagonal crystalline forms.

She presented her snowy palm to Mei Fang, who gently cradled her hand and blew softly—prompting rapid melting into droplets.

"Speaking of which, we haven't celebrated Ah Fang and Youxi's birthdays together this year. How should we celebrate?"

"Huh? Didn't the family meeting night count?"

Mei Fang appeared surprised. "I thought you considered that the celebration."

"No no! How could that possibly—"

Lin Youxi kissed Mei Fang's cheek smiling. "This year let's return to Pengcheng for birthdays together, alright Ah Fang?"

"Sure…as you wish. Truthfully, every joyful day with you feels like a birthday."

Xia Yuan giggled while pinching Mei Fang. "Such sweet talk—no wonder you've captured our Youxi-jie's heart."

"My affection isn't due to sweet talk—he's my soulmate."

Lin Youxi side-eyed Xia Yuan. "Isn't that right, Yuan Yuan?"

"O-of course I agree!"

Xia Yuan blushed while pouting. "I was just teasing—must you compete over this?"

"Not competing—just finding you adorable."

Lin Youxi smiled. "How wonderful if I could birth a daughter as cute as Yuan Yuan."

Xia Yuan reciprocated the smile. "Then I'd want one as clever as Youxi."

"That depends on Ah Fang's…capabilities."

"M-me?! What does this have to do with me!"

"Hahahaha!"

Their laughter resonated through the snowy streets as they shamelessly discussed future children. Gradually, Lin Youxi's gaze softened:

"Honestly, without meeting you two, I might never have considered building a family."

"But now…I dearly wish to expand our little clan. Letting children grow up together, sharing life's bitters and sweets within their memories—it feels profoundly blissful."

"Though we'll only consider this after graduation…has Ah Fang contemplated family planning?"

Xia Yuan tilted her head smiling. "For example…how many you'd want…"

"Childbirth is arduous suffering I cannot share, so this decision rests with you both."

"Come now, share your thoughts…how many? Prefer daughters or sons?"

"Having both would be ideal…but large age gaps risk unequal treatment." Mei Fang pondered. "2-4 total seems reasonable."

"2-4 each makes 4-8 combined."

Lin Youxi smirked. "Ah Fang, quite ambitious—nearly a soccer team."

"I meant collectively! Not each birthing that many!"

Children remained absent from Mei Fang's 2015 plans, yet their future already brimmed with boundless, unrestrained fantasies of sweeter days ahead.

For ordinary people, family represents blood-bound identity—this mystical kinship compelling members to willingly strive collectively for prosperity.

But such profound mutual understanding and support between relatives—this blood-thicker-than-water bond—requires immense effort to replicate between strangers.

Spring 2015 found Yuanxi Entertainment riding high after its Top 100 Awards and New Year's Gala, now the internet's hottest unicorn giant.

The virtual idol concept elevated CStation's influence and popularity to unprecedented heights.

Meanwhile, the long-planned Fang Literature 1.0 officially launched this year, heralding domestic light novels' arrival with anime-style mascot promotions.

Initially focusing on original works with some derivative fanfiction, Fang Literature quickly saw fanworks dominate half its content.

While fanfiction traffic proved deliciously tempting, its inherent risks demanded attention—current permissions stemmed from Yuanxi's copyright war victories, but long-term reliance would hinder domestic light novel development. Resolving this became Mei Fang's pressing 2015 challenge.

Simultaneously, Similu Games announced Fate/Grand Order's impending release—this massively influential ACG title would catalyze CStation's profitability.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ming's Salty Fish Studio (independently led), Mei Fang's Ximilu Studio, and Coconut Studio (still specializing in runner games) all prepared new releases—showcasing Fang Metaverse 2.0's upcoming offerings.

While Mei Fang's romantic life approached perfect fulfillment, professionally he remained far from resting—too many past-life regrets still demanded redress…