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

Mei Fang met Liu Xiaoyu at the end of the stone path in the small bamboo forest on campus. She was dressed in a cheongsam, walking back and forth whith her hands on her belly, as if she was practicing her walking posture.

Upon seeing Mei Fang, she was momentarily surprised but then waved and smiled in greeting.

“What a coincidence!”

Mei Fang nodded and asked, “Are you preparing a performance for the Autumn Art Festival? The cheongsam… hmm, it looks great on you.”

Liu Xiaoyu shook her head and said, “No, I’m not preparing a performance. I was selected as a miss etiquette for the Autumn Art Festival. I’ll be responsible for presenting awards and guiding people.”

“Oh, I see…”

He suddenly remembered something and asked, “Did Yuan Yuan participate in the selection? Or did she not?”

“She had a program she wanted to sign up for, so she didn’t participate.”

“I see!”

Mei Fang and Liu Xiaoyu chatted about random things for a while. He had the urge to leave but felt hesitant to slip away directly.

Although he repeatedly emphasized to Xia Yuan that Liu Xiaoyu’s family situation had nothing to do with her, Mei Fang himself couldn’t completely detach himself from it.

After all, he was the one who changed their fates. While he saved Yuan Yuan’s family, he transferred that suffering onto Liu Xiaoyu’s family instead.

Moreover, Liu Xiaoyu happened to be a friend with whom he had a good relationship in his previous life and was now studying in the same school. It always gave him a complex mix of emotions.

Therefore, Mei Fang had always avoided being alone with her. Even when it came to making amends, he always had Yuan Yuan handle those kinds of matters.

“By the way, are you still learning FL Studio? How does it feel to compose using that software? Is it fun?”

“It’s quite interesting. Xia Yuan even invited me to join a band!”

Liu Xiaoyu then smiled and shook her head. “Unfortunately, I have very little knowledge of music theory. I only learned how to play piano for a short time when I was younger, and then… well, let’s not talk about that, haha.”

In her past life, Liu Xiaoyu was a talented and versatile rich girl, similar to Xia Yuan in that regard.

But due to the decline of her family’s fortunes, it seemed she didn’t have many opportunities to receive artistic education, which instantly made Mei Fang feel guilty and pressured.

So he immediately raised his voice and encouraged her, saying, “N-Now is the right time to learn! Actually, I only started learning guitar in my third year of middle school. This school offers many music classes for different instruments. If you study hard, you’ll quickly catch up, and you’re talented too.”

“We barely spoke before, how do you know I’m talented?” Liu Xiaoyu curiously asked.

“Yuan Yuan… Yuan Yuan told me, haha.”

Mei Fang scratched his head. “She said you quickly learned music arrangement and became proficient at it. Yuan Yuan is currently planning to form band, and she needs a drummer and a keyboardist. Since you know how to play piano, I think you’d be a good fit for the keyboardist position.”

Liu Xiaoyu nodded and said, “I did mention to Xia Yuan that I wanted to be the keyboardist. There’s a subtle connection between music arrangement itself and playing keyboard, and I think it’s a good fit for my future career…”

Mei Fang felt a sense of relief after hearing that. He hesitated for a moment and then said, “Well… if you want to study more professional courses, you can go ahead and do it! If you need money, I can lend you some——”

As soon as Mei Fang said those words, he regretted it. In this life, he and Liu Xiaoyu weren’t actually that close, and he didn’t need to go to such lengths for her.

Liu Xiaoyu declined his offer, saying, “Mhm… thank you for your kindness, but I prefer to work hard on my own. After all, you all have already helped me a lot.”

Liu Xiaoyu smiled and continued, “Actually, I know that the music arrangement job in your studio is a way for Xia Yuan to compensate me. She’s really a kind girl.”

“But I think this is also a good opportunity for me to improve myself, so I didn’t refuse. I want to do a good job with the assigned tasks.”

Mei Fang quickly waved his hand with a smile and said, “Don’t say that! Your job is not easy either, and your knowledge of music theory can be helpful.”

Besides, you’ve always been interested in games, and it’s hard to find someone who can handle both aspects…

Liu Xiaoyu nodded and said, “Actually, I borrowed Xia Yuan’s phone and played the games you guys made. It’s really impressive! I didn’t expect you to be able to develop and release games at such a young age.”

A gleam of admiration sparkled in Liu Xiaoyu’s eyes. “I’m really envious of you all, growing up together and doing things you’re interested in, developing fascinating games. It must be great to have like-minded people!”

“Yes, everyone says so!”

The initial awkwardness and unease in Mei Fang’s and Liu Xiaoyu’s conversation were quickly replaced by shared enthusiasm. Although their circumstances were different, it was clear that they had a lot to talk about.

As for the cat who lured Mei Fang to the bamboo forest, it had gone to another place to act cute and meow.

Soon, a creature named Xia Yuan, who was nearby, had her attention drawn by the chubby cat.

“This fat cat is really adorable! Sigh… I wish I could have a cat too…”

Xia Yuan was allergic to furry animals, so her family had never kept any pets.

She played with the chubby cat for a while and ended up following it along the path, eventually arriving in the small bamboo forest.

Oh, isn’t that Ah Fang?

Xia Yuan wanted to call out to Mei Fang and wave at him, but she noticed that he was engrossed in a lively conversation with her classmate, Liu Xiaoyu.

Huh? They seem to be having a great time…

So Xia Yuan quickly hid beneath a nearby bench, peeking her head out to observe their conversation.

Sob…

Why does it seem like the girls around me are all attracted to Ah Fang?

It was the same with Xiaoxue before, and now it seems that Xiaoyu is showing signs of it too…

Look how happy she is while talking to Ah Fang!

She never smiles like that with me. Clearly, she still holds a grudge against me.

Should I interrupt their conversation now and show off my close relationship with Ah Fang to crush any of Xiaoyu’s thoughts?

But wouldn’t that make me appear too jealous and end up being teased by Ah Fang later?

And… I also want to know how Ah Fang treats other girls behind my back, how it’s different from how he treats me…

At this moment, Xia Yuan noticed that Liu Xiaoyu was wearing a beautiful cheongsam.

Huh, is Xiaoyu practicing the miss etiquette walk today?

She looks so stunning in that outfit!

Actually, I have one too… If I had known, I would have participated as a miss etiquette as well. If Ah Fang likes it, I can wear it for him at home. The outfit can be taken home for a trial.

Xia Yuan tried to imagine Mei Fang’s reaction when he saw her in the cheongsam:

“Oh, my cute childhood sweetheart Yuan Yuan, I never imagined you would look so enchanting and captivating in a cheongsam. I can’t resist the urge to hug you! I need your Yuan Yuan’s super energy, now, immediately! Please don’t refuse me!”

“Ah Fang, you’re so naughty! Don’t… don’t be like this! Really… why are you in such a hurry… I’ll give it to you… I’ll give it to you…”

Ehehe…

Xia Yuan covered her blushing face and giggled, but then she thought of something else:

But he has already seen another girl in a cheongsam, I’m not the first anymore, so maybe there won’t be any of that amazing reaction from him…

Thinking about this, Xia Yuan suddenly felt very disheartened.

Just as she was about to indulge in melancholy, someone lightly tapped her head.

“…”

Xia Yuan raised her head, pursed her lips, and looked at Mei Fang, who had a calm expression.

“What are you doing crouching here?”

“I… I was playing with a cat! I just met a big, chubby orange cat, you know? It was quite friendly with me! That cat, let me tell you, it was really so big and fat!”

Xia Yuan exaggeratedly gestured and described the chubby orange cat she had just seen to Mei Fang. Then she noticed Liu Xiaoyu, the cheongsam girl, behind Mei Fang, making a beckoning cat gesture to her, while smiling and bidding farewell.

Although Liu Xiaoyu probably didn’t mean it that way, Xia Yuan suddenly felt a bit offended.

Straighten up, Yuan Yuan!

You’ve been Ah Fang’s childhood sweetheart for ten years. What are others compared to that!?

No one in this world can surpass the bond between you and Ah Fang!

Oh right, except for Youxi.

What are you afraid of? Just ask!

So Xia Yuan became determined and confidently placed her hand on Mei Fang’s chest. “What were you talking about with Xiaoyu just now? You seemed so happy.”

“Why are you touching my chest while asking me? Are you afraid I’ll lie and my heartbeat will accelerate?”

“No, I just simply wanted to touch you!” Since there was no one else around, Xia Yuan didn’t care about her image anymore.

“Liu Xiaoyu said ‘What a coincidence,” then I said indeed it is. I asked her if she was preparing for a performance, but she said no, she was practicing walking as a miss etiquette. I asked if you participated as well, and she said you had another program, so you couldn’t participate as a miss etiquette——”

“Stop, stop, stop!” Xia Yuan interrupted Mei Fang. “I don’t want to hear the details like that. I’m not so petty that I need an explanation for every word you say.”

“I’m just afraid that you won’t feel reassured.” Mei Fang patted Xia Yuan’s forehead. “I promised you, because you made me to, so how could you forget it yourself?”

“Um… which one are you talking about?”

Mei Fang reached out and pinched Xia Yuan’s face. “‘We are students, and we should focus on our studies. We shouldn’t think about trivial matters, like being too close to other girls.’ That’s the promise we made… our childhood promise. Did you really forget?”

“S-So that’s why…” Xia Yuan’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’ve always been telling us to prioritize our studies because you were fulfilling that promise?”

“What else could it be?” Mei Fang frowned. “I’m not someone who breaks promises, unlike you and Youxi. You said not to enter my room, but the next few days, you both still came in without hesitation.”

“That… that’s different… We were trying to make the most of the National Day holiday. Because when Aunt Liang comes back, we won’t be able to do that anymore.”

After thinking for a moment, Xia Yuan placed her hands on her hips, trying to appear confident. “We’ve been childhood sweethearts for a long time now, so what’s wrong with sleeping together? We’ve been sleeping together since we were kids. Why be so shy about it?”

“Hey! Lower your voice… Do you think there’s no one around here?” Mei Fang hugged Xia Yuan and covered her mouth, but ended up getting lightly bitten by Xia Yuan.

“Ouch, what are you doing?”

Xia Yuan pouted in dissatisfaction. “I want to leave my mark on you so that when you talk to other girls too enthusiastically, you’ll feel guilty when you see the mark.”

“And you said you weren’t jealous just now? You’re such a jealous little thing…”

Mei Fang suddenly hugged Xia Yuan tightly and buried his face in her embrace.

“What are you doing? It’s broad daylight!”

Although Xia Yuan was shy, she didn’t push Mei Fang away.

“You come to me every day for energy replenishment. Can’t I replenish my own? I need it too, you know, the Yuan Yuan’s super energy.”

“Okay, okay… I really can’t do anything with you…”

While stroking Mei Fang’s head, Xia Yuan pulled him closer. “Sit here, and I’ll replenish your energy properly… Then when you go back, attend to your class properly, listen attentively, got it?”

“I got it.” Mei Fang’s voice was muffled because his face was buried deep.

Indeed, only in front of Yuan Yuan and Youxi that I can be completely myself without any reservations.

Liu Xiaoyu was a great girl.

Strong, independent, considerate of others, and even in difficult situations, she was striving to pursue her dreams. She and Mei Fang shared similar interests, and perhaps they would collaborate and achieve great things together in the future.

But she was not the girl meant for Mei Fang, and he was not the boy meant for Liu Xiaoyu either.

The story from their previous life never unfolded, and in this present life there would be no more entanglements.

Mei Fang’s story in this life began the moment he was reborn.

Mei Fang decided that from now on, he would no longer deliberately avoid Liu Xiaoyu.

He had nothing to feel guilty about.

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