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

Mei Fang woke up early this morning to a brutal beating from the love of his life.

Lin Youxi first punched him square in the eye, stars exploding in his vision, then yanked his hair—pummeling, biting, scratching. Obvious blood streaks and teeth marks now adorned his face and neck.

But Lin Youxi hadn't escaped unscathed either. Her "take 1,000 casualties to inflict 800 losses" attack style had broken her nails, and her knuckles were split open from zipper scratches, blood oozing relentlessly. Mei Fang tried to tend to her, but Lin Youxi refused to end this torment.

Finally, Mei Fang resorted to embracing her to restrain her. Lin Youxi headbutted his face so hard his nose gushed blood, yet even that couldn't halt her frenzy.

Despite the agony, Mei Fang kept murmuring tender words of love:

"Youxi… I'm sorry… I'm sorry… This is my fault… I wasn't there when you had that nightmare, sorry…Sorry… Youxi…"

Tears eventually overflowed Lin Youxi's eyes mid-struggle. Sobbing, she kept hitting him until exhaustion finally slackened her grip, her broken nails loosening from where they'd dug into Mei Fang's flesh. A pained whimper escaped her.

"There, there… No more crying… I'm here now, aren't I…?"

Relieved she'd stopped attacking, Mei Fang stuffed tissues up his bleeding nose, then scrambled for the first-aid kit. Kneeling, he carefully cradled Lin Youxi's hand—trimming shattered nails, bandaging her wounds.

This whole scene felt like babysitting a kindergarten toddler.

Lin Youxi's gaze stayed clouded and vacant, her disheveled hair amplifying her wretchedness.

Guess we can't host guests today.

As noon approached, Mei Fang grabbed his phone to text Liu Xiaoyu:

[Hey, Youxi's sick today, so we probably can't—]

Before he could finish, Liu Xiaoyu's call popped up. He answered reluctantly.

"Hello… Mei Fang?"

"Yeah."

"Xinyi canceled, but I'm already en route. Just confirming—you're at Xiangyang Complex, right? Youxi isn't picking up, so I called you."

"Oh—you're already coming?" Panic tinged his voice. "Sorry, thing is, Youxi's sick today, so we might have to—"

Mid-sentence, Lin Youxi unleashed another ear-splitting shriek from the bed. She slapped his phone away and began shoving him outward.

"Out!Getout!This ismyhome! If you don't want me anymore, thenleave!"

"What're you saying? I'd never—I've always—"

Though physically stronger, Mei Fang refused to hurt her, letting her push him back step by step—out of their love nest, through the living room, past the entryway, until one of his slippers got caught. With a finalslam, the door sealed him out barefoot.

……

What the hell.

Never seen her this furious…

Scratching his head, Mei Fang winced upon touching a swollen lump. He'd been so focused on Lin Youxi's injuries, he'd ignored his own battered state.

Now phoneless and half-shoeless, he was truly stranded.

Just then, the neighboring door creaked open. An elderly grandmother emerged, eyeing Mei Fang as he pretended to knock gently.

……

"Lover's quarrel?" she asked kindly.

"Y-yeah." Mei Fang nodded awkwardly.

"Girls are sensitive. Be patient with her."

"I know. Um—"

As Mei Fang considered asking to climb through her window, the grandma shuffled off to the elevator.

Sigh…

Forget it.

This is the third floor. If I fall and die, who'll care for Youxi?

Abandoning that reckless plan, he slumped against the door, wincing at sporadic pains.

Was it yesterday's meds? She's never this volatile after taking them…

I should've been more careful. Need to check that bottle.

Time crawled as Mei Fang sat there, agony flaring with every shift. He resisted knocking—if earlier efforts got him exiled, further pestering might backfire.

But the longer he waited, the more anxiety gnawed at him.

Is it really okay to leave her alone?

What if she… No. If that happens, my life's over too!

He began hammering the door:

First, pitiful groveling:

"Youxi, I know you're mad, I know I messed up…"

Then emotional blackmail:

"But don't do anything drastic! The world's beautiful—Istill want to live! If you die, I'll follow!"

Finally, deploying Xia Yuan as a last resort:

"Remember your promise with YuanYuan?White Plum Timeisn't finished yet…"

Silence.

Desperate, Mei Fang started bellowing like a madman:

"So youdon'tlove me anymore, Lin Youxi! You swore you'd only ever love me!You heartless witch!"

His voice grew hoarse from repetition, but no response came.

……

Exhausted, Mei Fang collapsed against the door, fists clenched so tight his nails bit into his palms.

Lin Youxi…

How…

How can you be this cruel to me?

Tears welled as yesterday's tenderness felt like a mirage—happiness now as ephemeral as summer bubbles. Lost between despair and hope, he questioned:

What more must I do to keep her heart?

A sudden, familiar stabbing pain erupted in his chest. Drenched in sweat, he clutched at it until the agony ebbed, then passed out against the door.

……

An unfamiliar-yet-familiar voice roused him later:

"Mei Fang… Mei Fang…"

"Wake up. Don't sleep here."

Blinking awake, he found Liu Xiaoyu peering down with concern.

He jolted upright, then immediately turned away to hide his disheveled state.

"Y-you came?" he stammered. "I texted you—Youxi's sick, we'd reschedule—"

"I only heard screaming before the call cut off. I got worried…"

"Oh…"

"So… you fought?"

Liu Xiaoyu treaded carefully, eyeing his bruises.

"Kinda…?"

"Roommate squabbles happen, butviolence? Look at you…"

She pulled out band-aids, reaching to apply them.

"N-no need! These are old—"

"Reinfection risks are real. There's a community clinic downstairs—let's go."

"No, I'm staying."

He pressed against the door stubbornly.

"I can't risk her fleeing."

"You're… still fighting?"

"I'mnot. She just—"

Catching himself before maligning Lin Youxi, he pivoted: "This wasn't her! It was… uh…a cat."

"……"

Recognizing how absurd that sounded, he chuckled awkwardly. "Never mind. It's complicated… Just know Youxi's a good person."

……

Is this…

Stockholm syndrome?

Liu Xiaoyu's first thought alarmed her. Yet Lin Youxi had always seemed cheerful and kind during their chats.

She dialed Lin Youxi's number again.

Ring… Ring…

No answer.

Mei Fang stopped her redial attempt. "She won't respond yet. Let it go."

"Then at least come to the clinic—"

"Could youbuymedicine instead? I'm shoeless, and I can't leave."

"Why not?"

"I told you—she mightrun."

He smiled through the pain. "She'll regret today. If she bolts, I'll never find her."

"……"

Though baffled, Liu Xiaoyu obliged. She returned not just with ointments, but also takeout, drinks, and new slippers.

"Here."

"Th-thanks! You're too kind." Mei Fang fumbled for his phone. "I'll repay you—"

"Later. Tend your wounds first."

"Right… I'll do it!"

He refused her help, but his clumsy attempts made Liu Xiaoyu insist:

"Let me. You're missing half the cuts."

"Fine… Thanks."

As she knelt to apply ointment, Liu Xiaoyu ventured carefully:

"Mei Fang… This might be intrusive, but I minored in psychology. From what I see… does Youxi have…instability issues?"

"How could shedothis to you…?"

"Ah, well…"

Knowing lies would only deepen misconceptions, he confessed: "Youxi hasBipolar I Disorder."

Liu Xiaoyu paused. "Type I or II?"

"Type I. Severe."

"That… explains things."

"But she's usually fine! Today was… abnormal."

"Medicated?"

"Yes, but she switched brands recently. Took it last night, thenthishappened. I suspect the pills…"

"I have pharmacy contacts. Could test them for you…"

"Yes!Thank you!"

Overwhelmed, Mei Fang grabbed her hands—a gesture so unprecedented that Liu Xiaoyu flinched back.

"Sorry! Got carried away…"

"Eat first."

Ravenous, Mei Fang wolfed down the food. Watching him, Liu Xiaoyu suddenly giggled.

"What?"

"In high school, you'd sprint to buy me beef noodles between classes. With minutes left, you'dslurpyours down before I'd taken two bites."

"Those noodles hadlines! Worth it, though."

"Nostalgic, huh…"

Liu Xiaoyu smiled wistfully, then added, "Youxi told me you're herbest friend."

"Pfft—don't listen to her."

Mei Fang waved it off. "We'renotfriends."

"Not friends? Then you're—"

Adinginterrupted them—the grandmother returning. Spotting Liu Xiaoyu, she frowned.

"Young man,two-timingnow…?"

"No, Grandma, let me explai—"

A deafeningCRASHfrom inside cut him off. Mei Fang lunged for the door, pounding frantically:

"Youxi! Open up! Are you okay?!Please—just let meseeyou! I'mbeggingyou!"

Silence.

Now truly terrified, Mei Fang rushed to the grandmother.

"Grandma,please—let me use your balcony! My girlfriend won't answer—I need to climb in!"

Girlfriend—

Liu Xiaoyu's eyes widened slightly behind him.

The grandmother hesitated. "Our anti-theft grilles lock from inside. Too dangerous…"

"It's fine! Our balconies face each other—she'll see me!Please!"

"…Can't let tragedy happen. Come."

Without another word to Liu Xiaoyu, Mei Fang followed her inside. He squeezed through the rusty grille (eliciting alarming creaks), then inched along a rickety ladder Liu Xiaoyu steadied from below.

At Lin Youxi's balcony, he gripped the grille androared:

"Lin Youxi!"

"Stophiding!"

"Comeout!"

"So whatif you had an episode?!"

"I'm not ashamed!"

"Look at me—I'm on your damn balcony!"

"Lin Youxi! Hurry—open thiswindow!Unless you want awidow!"

His spectacle drew gawking neighbors. Liu Xiaoyu, still anchoring the ladder, watched in awe.

That timid, chuunibyou boy from memory…

…has grown intothisman.

At last, the balcony curtains parted.

There stood Lin Youxi—eyes swollen, face streaked with tears, all poise shattered.

She fumbled open the grille's latch, pulling Mei Fang inside. His first act? Crushing her in an embrace until their knees buckled.

"Youxi…"

"Shh… Just let me hold you."

Lin Youxi's voice was raw from crying. No one knew how long she'd suffered alone in that darkness.

But no matter how deep her isolation—

In this world of billions,

There will always beone

Willing to

Enter her heart,

Unlock its doors,

And hold her tight,

Lighting up her world.