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

After their first exhibition experience atNuclear Fusion [核聚变, ChinaJoy-like gaming event],White Plum Time(白梅时光) finally gained its first wave of beginner players.

The game's discussion group had around 100 members. Mei Fang and Lin Youxi prepared correspondingWeChat Official AccountandWeiboaccounts, officially registering their studio under the authenticated name"Yuanxi Studio".

Though popularity remained minimal, they had at least taken the first step…

Mei Fang and Lin Youxi posted daily update logs in the group, and players actively offered suggestions. About a third of the players were fromBai Mei County, expressing howWhite Plum Timeevoked deep nostalgia for their hometown—their feedback was particularly enthusiastic.

With Mei Fang busy handling his day job, Lin Youxi took on part of the group's moderation. The Lin Youxi Mei Fang knew was a girl who kept everyone but him at arm's length. Yet when discussing their game with players, she became surprisingly passionate.

Watching his beloved gradually emerge from the shadow of losing her job—growing brighter and livelier—Mei Fang felt genuine joy, fueling his own motivation. Though the daily financial losses troubled him, his savings could sustain them for now, whether for game development or supporting Youxi…

However, the promised follow-up meal withLiu Xiaoyukept slipping his mind.

Then came the day Mei Fang returned from overtime work close to midnight. As he unlocked the door, the nostalgic aroma of home cooking enveloped him. Lin Youxi peeked out from the kitchen, wearing a white-trimmed apron:

"Ah-Fang, you're back? I've been waiting forever."

"Yep! I was chatting with players today about how delicious our hometown'sLotus Root & Pork Rib Soupis, so I tried making it… Here, let me serve you a bowl."

Mei Fang sat obediently at the table as Lin Youxi carefully brought over the steaming bowl.

"Drink it slow—it's just off the stove."

"Gah—hot hot hot!"

"Told you to take it slow! Is your tongue okay…?"

"It's fine…"

Lin Youxi took the bowl, scooped a spoonful, blew on it gently, and held it to Mei Fang's lips.

Noticing his hesitation, she teased, "What, shy now?"

"Not shy, just—"

"Then you don't wantmyservice?"

"How could I not?"

"Thendrink."

Lin Youxi leaned close, meticulously feeding Mei Fang a spoonful.

"Not too hot now?"

"Perfect."

"Tasty?"

"Mhm,reallygood."

Mei Fang wiped his lips. "Didn't expect your cooking to improve this fast—almost rivals my mom's."

"I'm nowhere near Auntie Xiang's level. But hey, Iamthe so-called'Academic Goddess'. If I put my mind to something, there's nothing I can't do."

"Then… what about love?"

Mei Fang gazed intently at her. "Can our Goddess easily master that too?"

"Heh, of course Icould—but I'd rather keep you on the hook. It's way more fun watching you beg for me while I play hard to get. I'll torment you to death."

Even as Lin Youxi uttered these heartless words, she kept blowing on the spoon to feed him, blurring the lines between who was pampering whom.

Halfway through, she asked, "Want some rice too? I made some, just in case you're hungry."

"Yeah… just a bit."

"I'll get it for you—"

"I can do it myself—"

"No need! You're the breadwinner, working so hard lately. Let me."

Lin Youxi patted her butt and stood up to fetch rice from the kitchen. Watching her slender figure, Mei Fang felt an almost surreal sense of déjà vu.

This blissful,old-married-coupledynamic was something he'd never dared dream of—yet here it was, unfolding without them even officially dating. Though Lin Youxi still rejected his confessions, she wholeheartedly played the roles of wife, girlfriend, and lover, with only occasional minor squabbles. Now, she'd grown docile.

Too docile.

Lin Youxi returned with a small rice bowl and laughed at Mei Fang slapping his own cheeks. "What's this? Craving abuse?"

"No…"

He rubbed his reddened face. "Just… feels unreal. Worried I'm dreaming."

"Not a dream, but it's definitely not 'real' either."

She handed him the rice. "Think of it asplaying house, like we did as kids. Back then, you and YuanYuan played parents while I was the daughter. Now I'm just playing wife."

Her tone carried an icy detachment, yanking Mei Fang from fantasy back to harsh reality.

Not that he agreed.

"Even if it's 'playing house,' I'll be the best husband—caring for you, protecting you, always."

"Ugh, socringe. No girl would fall for lines like that."

"That's… cringe? I'm just speaking from the heart."

"Good thing I believe you."

Lin Youxi sighed, then grinned and patted his shoulder. "Eat up. Any later and you won't sleep well."

"Yeah."

She curled up on the sofa, chin in hand, watching him devour the meal with tender eyes.

"Not eating?"

"Watching you fills me up."

"My eating's that ridiculous?"

"Hehe."

Lin Youxi leaned against Mei Fang's shoulder, dozing briefly under the ceiling light. When he finished and got up to wash dishes, she suddenly tugged him back.

"What…? You cooked—I'll handle cleanup."

"Not about dishes."

Legs crossed, she squinted playfully. "I wanna invite friends over this weekend. Cool?"

Mei Fang chuckled. "It'syourhome—invite whoever. But you havingotherfriends? Shocking. Former Tencent colleagues?"

"Nope… someoneyouknow."

"Me?"

Lin Youxi nodded. "Liu Xiaoyu and Yue Xinyi. Your high school buddies."

Mei Fang's smile vanished. "Them?Awkward much? I haven't spoken to them since—"

"You promised Liu Xiaoyu a meal, right? This saves money—home cooking! Plus, I can flex my skills."

Seeing his reluctance, Lin Youxi hopped up and hugged him from behind. "Didn't you have a crush on Liu Xiaoyu, but she rejected you? I'll show off how happy you are now—make herjealous."

"Ididn'thave a crush on her."

"Sure, sure, whatever you say~"

"…Feels like you're humoring me."

Mei Fang flicked her forehead. She stuck out her tongue, then hugged him properly.

"Also… this is promo forWhite Plum Time."

"Promo?"

"Liu Xiaoyu's an editor at'Game Peach', a big gaming review site. She wants to feature our game—free publicity! So I invited her for an interview. Win-win, right?"

"…"

Faced with Lin Youxi's infectious enthusiasm, Mei Fang couldn't refuse.

"Your home, your game, your call."

"Don't pout! They'reyourfriends—reconnect!"

Mid-conversation, Mei Fang suddenly lifted her into the air.

"Wha—what're you doing?!"

"Feels like I've been played since I got home. The soup, the feeding—suspicious."

"Suspicious?! You'resoparanoid—hahaha!"

He spun her around before lowering her onto the sofa. She yanked him down atop her, their breaths mingling.

"Wanna kiss me?"

Lin Youxi cupped his face. He nodded slightly.

"Then why not?"

Mei Fang admitted frankly:

"Just had meat soup. My breath's gross."

"I'd never mind."

She pinched his cheeks. "If you don't kiss me now, you mightneverget to again~"

Her hands began wanderingdangerouslyacross his body.

"…"

Mei Fang gripped her wrists, halting her mischief.

"Med time. I'll feed you your pills."

"Ugh.Buzzkill. I don't wanna."

Her playful mood evaporated instantly.

"Doctor's orders."

"I'mwaybetter now. Tapering off is fine."

"Iaskedthe doctor. Don't lie."

Mei Fang was firm. "Only stop if the doctor says so. Last checkup, they saidat leastanother year before considering it."

"Agh…But meds aresoexpensive… tens of thousands a year."

Lin Youxi nuzzled his chest. "No job, no money… I'm already a burden. No more waste…"

"No money?I'llpay. You're sticking to the regimen."

He glared. "Itoldyou—I'll take care of you."

"Hmph.Not touching your'wife fund'. That's for youractualwife!"

"Aren't youplayingmy wife?"

"Playingis temporary. Commit to the role—no backtalk."

"Sigh…"

Mei Fang fetched her pills and water, pulling a pouting Lin Youxi onto his lap.

He paused mid-pour. "Since when didlithium carbonatepills look like this? Different brand?"

"New manufacturer. Same effect."

"You didn't cheap out to save money, right?"

"No!Just a sale…slightlycheaper. Don't believe me? I'll show you the order!"

She reached for her phone, but Mei Fang waved her off.

"Never mind… you wouldn't gothatfar to skip doses."

"Exactly~ How could I leave my Ah-Fang?"

With coaxing, Lin Youxi swallowed the pills.

"Ah-Fang, listen…"

"Yeah?"

The medication drowsiness hit fast. She slumped against him, drifting off.

That night, Lin Youxi dreamed sweetly.

She saw herself pregnant in a spacious, sunlit penthouse overlooking Shenzhen's skyline. A dashing, suit-clad Mei Fang knelt before her, pressing his ear to her belly, laughing as they imagined their child's future.

Then—blood.

Her beloved Mei Fang lay mangled in a car crash, eyes wide and unseeing. She lunged for him—only to feelagonyin her womb. A grotesque, three-armed, four-leggedthingslithered out, screeching a garbled "Mama…" as it crawled toward her.

"Mama…"

"You… don't… want me…?"

Lin Youxi woke screaming. The nightmare clung to her. Mei Fang's side of the bed was empty.

Shehowled.

Mei Fang rushed from the kitchen—only to take afull-force punchto the eye. Lin Youxi, now a feralthing, yanked his hair andslammedhis head.

"WHY ABANDON ME?!"

"I LOVED YOU—LOVED YOU!"

"Easy—I'mhere—"

He tried calming her, but the violence escalated. Last night's doting 'wife' had become ademon, unleashing endless torment.

"You CHOSE this!"

The nightmare's horrors fueled her rage. She'dbreakhim if it killed her.