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

"Ah, you're—"

Mei Fang's tone carried surprised hesitation, "Liu Xiaoyu?"

Liu Xiaoyu smiled slightly: "Recognized me instantly? Guess I haven't changed much since school."

"Ah, well…"

Mei Fang never imagined reuniting with Liu Xiaoyu under such circumstances—nearly a decade since their last contact, yet meeting at this unlikeliest venue.

Liu Xiaoyu had changed significantly.

Compared to her youthful past self, she now radiated brilliance.

Dressed in a pink Lolita dress with chestnut waves, her delicate makeup accentuated an already sweet face—easily mistaken for someone in her early twenties, untouched by time's erosion.

But this suited her…

"Obviously attending the con."

Liu Xiaoyu gazed at their booth. "Baimei Memories… a nostalgic indie game? Yours? May I try?"

"Uh…"

As Mei Fang hesitated, Lin Youxi emerged to push them forward:

"Ah Fang, why dawdle? Show your classmate our work!"

Thus Liu Xiaoyu became one ofBaimei Memories' few demo players.

She played attentively, occasionally asking about Mei Fang's life as he explained level designs.

Through conversation, Mei Fang learned Liu Xiaoyu now worked in gaming too—in publishing and operations, focusing on copywriting while moonlighting as a novelist.

"You loved music back then—didn't pursue it?"

"That… just a hobby, never serious. Writing brings more joy—interacting with readers and players… Oh, what inspired this section?"

Throughout, Lin Youxi neglected booth promotions, laser-focused on Mei Fang and Liu Xiaoyu.

Female intuition screamed:This is the crush he mentioned!

Claims it wasn't love? Yet so enthralled!

Lin Youxi puffed her cheeks jealously before softening into a smile.

If it's her… perhaps…

After completing the demo under Mei Fang's guidance, Liu Xiaoyu lingered, sighing wistfully:

"Pacing's slow, but truly wonderful… especially for us Baimei natives."

She marveled, "Every street meticulously recreated—such dedication. Though market viability might be challenging—"

"We know. Indies prioritize passion over profits."

Mei Fang glanced at Lin Youxi, who quickly turned away. "This project commemorates Youxi's childhood friend Xia Yuan, who passed in fourth grade."

"I see… the first heroine then?"

Liu Xiaoyu murmured, "She's portrayed so sweetly."

"Like… a little angel."

As she spoke, a crisp voice called out:

"Xiaoyu! There you are!"

A petite woman approached—Yue Xinyi. Liu Xiaoyu excitedly waved her over.

"Xinyi! Look who's here!"

Yue Xinyi gaped at Mei Fang.

"Holy—Mei Fang?! Ten years no see! You and Zhang Ming skipped every reunion—we thought you died!"

"…You're my classmate?"

"Damn, I'm Yue Xinyi! Sat in front of you! No memory? Heartless jerk!"

She shoved Mei Fang playfully, her familiarity overwhelming him.

"Ah… really don't recall."

"She is—see her name here."

Lin Youxi removed her school uniform jacket, pointing to the inscribed "Yue Xinyi" on the back. "Right? Yue—Xin—Yi—"

"You… look familiar!"

Yue Xinyi stared at Lin Youxi. "I've seen you… on the school's honor board! The perpetual first-rank genius—Lin Youxi!"

She shook Lin Youxi's hand eagerly. "Been your fan since school!"

"Haha… really?"

Lin Youxi smiled. "Still a fan? Want to tryBaimei Memories?"

"Sure! Let me—wait—"

Yue Xinyi blinked at Mei Fang. "'Ah Fang'? You mean Mei Fang?"

Such intimacy implied deep closeness—making Liu Xiaoyu elbow Yue Xinyi:

"Don't pry!"

As Mei Fang struggled to explain, Lin Youxi interjected:

"We're just best buds—career partners. Not lovers—I'm celibate."

She slung an arm around Mei Fang, astonishing both guests.

"You've… changed so much from high school."

"How was I back then?" Lin Youxi asked curiously.

"Untouchable ice queen. Now you're approachable."

"Just teenage angst… no special reason."

Their chatter allowed Mei Fang and Liu Xiaoyu private conversation.

"You two get along so well!"

Liu Xiaoyu smiled wistfully. "Making games with like-minded partners seems blissful."

"It is."

Mei Fang's terse replies puzzled her.

"You've matured—less talkative than before."

"Have I?" He scratched his head.

Liu Xiaoyu nodded. "As desk mates, we'd chatter endlessly. Remember when you drafted materials for that fake game dev club?"

"Oh yeah…"

Mei Fang recalled. "Borrowed your help for nothing—really sorry."

"Don't be! Fond memories."

Liu Xiaoyu reminisced. "I knew nothing but joined instantly—more driven then than now."

"My novel writing? Whether busy or free, I cap at 4,000 words daily—can't exceed—"

As new players arrived, Mei Fang excused himself—but Liu Xiaoyu caught his sleeve.

"Mei Fang… since we've reunited, join me for dinner after? My treat—we'll chat properly."

"…"

After a pause, Mei Fang smiled. "Rain check… hosting helpers tonight."

"Next time then—but let's exchange contacts. Your QQ's dead—everyone uses WeChat now."

"Right… I'll scan you."

As Mei Fang scanned her QR, Lin Youxi approached. "Liu Xiaoyu, let's connect too?"

Thus they swapped contact info.

Beyond this reunion, the con yielded little—no long queues, but steady interest. About a hundred players triedBaimei Memories, praising its heroines and nostalgic townscapes, urging completion.

Mei Fang and Lin Youxi established a fan group for updates.

"Our first core fans! Next step—Steam Early Access?"

"Not yet… narrative games need full storylines first. Six more months of polishing."

"Speaking of—Liu Xiaoyu writes novels. Should we enlist her help? Could accelerate progress."

At her name, Mei Fang fell silent.

Noticing his mood shift, Lin Youxi coiled around him:

"Our game's first milestone—why so glum, Ah Fang?"

After a pause, Mei Fang pinched her cheek.

"I hate you calling us 'best buds' to others."

"Then what? Soulmates? Platonic life partners? Siblings? Just not lovers—that's off-limits."

Lin Youxi smiled slyly.

Facing her repeated refrain, Mei Fang could only offer a bitter smile.

Their couple-like intimacy without official status tormented his moral compass.

Seeing his pain, Lin Youxi sat up, pressing foreheads:

"Enough sadness. First—how did reuniting with your 'first love' feel?"

"Liu Xiaoyu wasn't my first love—you are."

"Ha! Didn't name anyone! You confessed!"

Lin Youxi patted his head. "The singing contest girl—your desk mate, right?"

"Mm…"

"She's beautiful and gentle."

Lin Youxi kissed his cheek.

"If I were male… I'd fancy her too."

"I said she's not—just a passing crush."

Irritated despite their closeness, Mei Fang cupped Lin Youxi's face seriously:

"We lost contact after high school—ten whole years. If either had feelings, wouldn't we have reconnected sooner?"

"Besides, someone like her—seven or eight guys liked her in class alone. Surely taken now."

"Nope—I asked privately. Still single."

Lin Youxi showed their chat:

"See? Never dated—waiting for someone perhaps…"

Mei Fang bristled at the messages:

"Why tell her I'm single too?!"

"Aren't you?"

"We 'dated' briefly during that team-building!"

"That was pretend! A few days counts?!"

As Lin Youxi joked, Mei Fang's stern expression made her falter. She punched his chest.

"Youdolike her! You're scolding me over her!"

"Huh?"

Mei Fang hadn't expected this reversal. "This counts as scolding?! Even if so, it's because you're matchmaking—"

"Itisscolding!"

Tears welled in Lin Youxi's eyes. "You've been silent all day—thinking about her, right?!"

She pummeled Mei Fang's chest, even grazing his face.

He didn't resist, just apologized repeatedly:

"Sorry… shouldn't have snapped… I've zero interest in Liu Xiaoyu. My silence was aboutBaimei Memories."

"Truly no feelings?"

Lin Youxi sniffled. "No lies?"

"None."

"Swear?"

"Lie and I'm a dog."

"Plus swallow 1,000 needles! Boil in oil! Turn hideous! And—"

"Whoa—too many curses!"

Mei Fang soothed her like a child. "Alright… I'll block Liu Xiaoyu and Yue Xinyi. Satisfied?"

As he reached for his phone, Lin Youxi snatched it away—revealing Mei Fang's knowing smirk as he pinched her ear:

"Knew it—you're acting to make me resent you."

"How'd you know?! My acting's flawless!"

Lin Youxi pouted adorably. Mei Fang grew serious:

"You take meds under my supervision—no random episodes. Plus those weak punches—nothing like your actual fits. Last time you bit me till I bled, remember?"

Lin Youxi mumbled against him, "Sometimes meds can't control—"

"It's about my tolerance, not your control."

"Ah Fang… don't love me so much."

Lin Youxi met his gaze. "I'm unworthy."

Whap!

Mei Fang suddenly spanked her bottom.

"Ow! Jerk!"

"I decide your worth—not you."

Another spank.

"No more acting schemes to upset me. Hurting me is fine—but hurting yourself? That pains me most—understand?"

Lin Youxi flushed crimson, huffing:

"I… won't obey! You're not my boyfriend! Suffering for me is your choice—just my simp!"

"Want another spank? Huh?"

Whap!

"Again!"

Whap!

"More!"

"Youxi… into this play, aren't you?"

"Aren't you?"

"…"

They shared a smile before embracing properly.

…

Liu Xiaoyu's wonderful…

But—I need to know her true feelings.

Unless she loves Ah Fang half—no, one-third as much as I do—

I can't approve!

Lin Youxi calculated silently.