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

For Peng Xue, freshman life at Pengda University was exceptionally hectic.

Between standard academic duties and band rehearsals with Xia Yuan's group, she had little time left for dorm life.

Having taken a gap year and weathered society's harsh realities, Peng Xue differed starkly from her sheltered peers.

Yet her unfiltered charisma quickly won them over. Her musical background cultivated a fanbase among classmates, granting her quasi-seniority status despite being a freshman—so much so that she received confessions during military training.

Such earnest but immature proposals naturally found no traction with Peng Xue. After gently rejecting the boy, she refocused on band practice.

With both Peng Xue and Xia Yuan being established artists (though Peng Xue's alter ego "Mi Xue" only had one breakout hit—The Strange Power of Love—it secured her a spot in last year's Top 10 Viral Online Singers), and Xiang Bingbing still developing her skills, Liu Xiaoyu became the default lead vocalist.

Backed by two seasoned performers, Liu Xiaoyu felt the weight of her role acutely, striving to excel.

However, keyboardists doubling as lead singers remained rare in China's music scene, leaving Liu Xiaoyu to navigate uncharted territory alone.

Thankfully, her bandmates offered critiques and guidance.

"Also, you're too restrained," Peng Xue added. "We haven't solidified our style yet, but relying solely on folk ballads won't cut it. Rock anthems are essential for energizing crowds—if you can't hype up, no one will."

"True, but…"

Liu Xiaoyu sighed. "Inhibitions are one thing, but playing and singing simultaneously is genuinely hard. I envy you guitarists and bassists…"

Watching Liu Xiaoyu endure this roasting, Xiang Bingbing protested: "Xiaoyu's doing great! Aren't you being too harsh?"

"It's not harshness," Xia Yuan explained. "Lead vocals shoulder immense pressure."

"Her uniqueness could be her strength!" Xiang Bingbing insisted. "Some audiences might prefer it! We've only practiced in studios for months—without real feedback, who knows what works?"

"Lacking external input does stall our growth…" Xia Yuan mused. "Maybe I should ask Ah-Fang to arrange—"

Bonk!

Peng Xue flicked her forehead. "Wait—have you leaned on Mei-dog so long you forgot your own agency?"

Xia Yuan blinked. "Right! I'm Lin Wanwan now—no relying on Ah-Fang… Let's scout venues ourselves. Bars, maybe?"

"Established bars have resident artists. As newcomers,livehousegigs are more feasible."

"Livehouse?"

"Underground concert spaces—huge in Japan. Ticket-holders get intimate performances." Peng Xue elaborated, "In Rongcheng, they're everywhere."

"Perfect for our debut!" Xiang Bingbing drummed excitedly. "Any in Pengcheng? Let's see our earnings!"

"Dream on."

Peng Xue shook her head. "Only famous bands profit from tickets. We'll be lucky to get stage time—this is about exposure, not income."

"Ugh, that sucks! When do we earn?"

"Depends on popularity. Music festival invites mean stable pay, otherwise it's negotiable…" Peng Xue pondered. "Street performances are an option, but beneath 'Lin Wanwan's' dignity."

"Dignity? Don't treat me like some spoiled heiress!" Xia Yuan puffed her cheeks. "I've endured hardships too!"

"Haveyou, though?"

Peng Xue eyed her skeptically. "Define 'hardship.' Our high school summer game-dev marathon?"

"W-well, we pulled all-nighters!"

"Team efforts don't count. Give mesolostruggles."

Xia Yuan faltered. "Prepping forFangciyuan Projecttook ages! And composing my first song—I'd brainstorm till dawn…"

"And where were Ah-Fang and Youxi?"

"Ah-Fang… massaged my shoulders… Youxi made herbal chicken soup… so nourishing…"

"That'syour idea of suffering?"

Xiang Bingbing licked her lips. "How goodwasthat soup?"

"Bingbing, focus!"

As Xiang Bingbing pouted at Liu Xiaoyu, the latter simply smiled.

"Bottom line—have youeverfaced adversity alone?"

"I…"

Xia Yuan fell silent under Peng Xue's gaze.

"Lin Wanwan, your life's been extraordinary. However tough things got, Youxi supported you, Mei-dog protected you—that safety net let you take risks…"

"But why suffer alone? Even without them, I haveyounow! We'll struggletogether!"

"Wewill," Peng Xue conceded. "But we're no Youxi-level geniuses or Mei-dog-caliber pillars. We won't coddle you—flaws will be called out."

"I understand."

Xia Yuan nodded firmly. "That's precisely why I refuse their help."

As she affirmed this, Xiang Bingbing interjected:

"Can wenotcall him 'Mei-dog' every sentence? What'd he ever do to you?"

Peng Xue stiffened.Even the underdog defends him?

But objectively, Mei Fanghadwronged her only by rejecting her confession.

After a pause, Peng Xue jutted her chin.

"I'll call him what I want."

"It's fine, Bingbing!" Xia Yuan mediated. "Xiao Xue can say it—heisa dog, two-timing like that…"

Though meant as diplomacy, Xiang Bingbing suddenly championed Mei Fang:

"Lin Wanwan! He'syourboyfriend! Ifyouwon't defend him, who will?Ifeel bad for him!"

Liu Xiaoyu facepalmed. "Bingbing… that came offreallygreen-tea."

"Huh? What's that?"

After discussion, the band democratically ratified "Mei-dog" as an affectionate insult. Ironically, post-approval, Liu Xiaoyu became its most frequent user—revealing how often she'd muttered it privately.

Their livehouse hunt began in earnest.

October's golden autumn marked peak season for established bands, leaving little room for unknowns. Days of cold calls and walk-ins yielded only rejections—not even audition slots.

Exhausted, Xiang Bingbing wiped her brow. "Weekdays areallbooked? Guess we're street-performing…"

"Poor visibility, plus police hassles… Last resort only."

Peng Xue sighed. "Let's try smaller venues—though sound quality varies, and safety's iffier. We can't afford a botched debut."

"Agreed. No expecting major stages yet."

Xia Yuan dabbed Peng Xue's sweat. "We'll keep trying."

"Just don't think,'Ah-Fang would've handled this effortlessly.'"

"Xiao Xue!Have faith in me!"

Xia Yuan pinched Peng Xue's cheeks, prompting a reconciliatory hug. "Sorry… I just feel so inadequate compared to Mei-dog…"

"He'sthe problem! I'dneverthink that!"

Xia Yuan shook tiny fists. "Pummel him to death!"

"Yeah!Pummel him!"

Their camaraderie restored, the duo playfully shadowboxed.

That evening, a drained Xia Yuan returned home in full "Lin Wanwan" disguise. Mei Fang immediately relieved her of her guitar and bag.

"Rough day? Any livehouse luck?"

Xia Yuan wordlessly shook her head, even rejecting his hug.

"I-I'm Lin Wanwan now… no PDA."

"Since when?…"

As Xia Yuan flopped onto the couch, Mei Fang tenderly removed her shoes, socks, wig—methodically dismantling the persona.

"All clean. You're my YuanYuan again. Now, talk to me."

With a whimper, Xia Yuan crawled into his lap, burying her face in his chest before unleashing a torrent of grievances about their futile venue hunt.

"Some owners wouldn't evenlookat us! One demandedwepaythemfor 'exposure'! Another triedgropingus—"

Mei Fang's gaze turned lethal. "Whichvenue?Namethem."

"Don't glare like that! Bingbing handled it—lifted him one-handed. Hepeedhimself!"

"Bingbing's a lifesaver…"

Mei Fang frowned. "Why not hire a manager? Yuanxi Music has professionals."

"That'scheating! No shortcuts…Wait, am I relying on younowby venting?"

"Sharing struggles isn't 'help.' Or should Bingbing/Xue/Xiaoyu stay single forever to match your suffering?"

"You—"

"What? Want me tofindthem boyfriends?"

His teasing tongue-out expression disarmed her.

"Jerk."

"Jerk or not…" Mei Fang eyed her unbuttoning blouse. "Why undressnow?"

"My feet arecallusedfrom walking! Your car rides spoiled me…"

"Your wish is my command, Princess YuanYuan~" He lifted her bridal-style. "Sodidyou book a venue?"

"Qianhai Road… tiny but decent…"

As they kissed, Mei Fang casually added:

"That groper's venue name?"

"Planning tobuyit like some CEO cliché?"

"Buying rewards him."

Mei Fang smirked. "I have…simplermethods."

That night, exposés about the venue's misconduct trended onC Station, sparking outrage. Soon after, the establishment shuttered permanently.