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

Chapter 2: No Change is Allowed Within a Hundred Years

The name Lin Youxi was not unfamiliar to Mei Fang during his school days.

In any public event during high school, the figure of Lin Youxi could always be seen taking the stage to deliver speeches as a student representative.

As the perennial top student in the grade, she always ranked first on the list of academic stars. Because they were in neighboring classes, Mei Fang would often run into Lin Youxi.

She had an extremely cold and aloof personality, emitting an aura of unfriendliness that discouraged others from approachingan extraordinary female academic genius. Mei Fang hadnt exchanged a single word with her in his previous life, so there naturally wasnt any interaction between them.

Who would have thought that she was such a mischievous troublemaker in kindergarten?

What exactly did she experience during those years

Its really intriguing.

At four oclock in the afternoon, when it was time to go home, the area outside the classroom was crowded with parents picking up their children. One by one, they entered the classroom, greeted the teacher, and took their children home.

Mei Fang immediately recognized his father, Mei Lijun, with his thick hair. Other than that, his appearance seemed to have changed very little after twenty years, except for a few wrinkles.

But today, he wet his pants and had a nosebleed, so naturally Mei Lijun couldnt take Mei Fang home directly.

Lin Youxis parents arrived relatively late and were also left behinda slim man with glasses.

After all, Lin Youxi had a little friction with Mei Fang today, so its better to have some understanding of what really happened. Lin Youxis father kept apologizing to Mei Lijun repeatedly, with a very sincere attitude. Although Lin Youxi was being led by her father and had her head down, she remained silent.

In this era, parents were used to their childrens ups and downs, and as long as they informed each other, there would be no disputes.

Mei Lijun, Mei Fangs father, even gave Mei Fang a beating as soon as he came up.

You wet the bed at kindergarten again. How old are you? Youve made your father lose face!

Hey, hey, Mr. Mei, dont hit him, whats the point of hitting a child? He didnt do it on purpose.

Teacher Li tried to persuade from the side, but Mei Fang didnt say a word even after being beaten. Seeing that the child didnt cry and make a fuss like before, Mei Lijun suddenly felt bored and could only drag Mei Fang home on a motorcycle.

Upon careful thought, besides lacking strength, this 5-year-old body still had many troubles

He thought he could rest well at home, but after returning home, his mother, Xiang Xiaoxia, found out about Mei Fangs glorious deeds and got so angry that she picked up a clothes hanger and beat Mei Fang again.

Mei Lijun saw his wife beating the child so fiercely and immediately tried to stop her, saying, Im telling you, wife, thats enough. I already gave him a beating in the classroom. If you keep beating him like this, hell hold a grudge.

Whats there to be afraid of? I am his biological mother! Besides, hes so young, hell forget everything when he grows up.

How is it possible to forget now!?

Mei Fang seriously doubted how he grew up so healthy. This kind of perfect nuclear family without any shadows is really unbelievable.

Compared to his father, who only had changes in his hairline, his mother, Xiang Xiaoxia, looked very different. Her hands that used to spank were very delicate, and there were almost no wrinkles on her face.

Mei Fang seemed to realize for the first time that his nagging and annoying mother, who always urged him to go on blind dates, was actually quite beautiful when she was young.

Time is merciless

Today, Mei Fang changed his usual crying and tantrums. Even when he was beaten, he just shouted a few words without crying. After that, he silently ate and watched TV.

After finishing his meal, Mei Lijun picked his teeth on the sofa and saw Mei Fang constantly changing channels. He couldnt help but ask curiously, Why arent you watching cartoons today? Dont you like that Four-Wheel Drive Brothers^[1] the most?

Im tired of it. Only kids watch that.

Mei Fang changed the channel to the sports channel and saw that a football match was currently being broadcast. Looking at the content inside, Mei Fang suddenly came back to his senses.

Dad, is there a World Cup match now?

Youre interested in this?

After a moment of hesitation, Mei Fang nodded, This is the golden year of our national team.

Thats right, so you understand these things too.

In Mei Fangs memory, his father had always been a die-hard football fan, often staying up late to watch matches. Obviously, he couldnt hide his excitement:

Do you know? Our football association said that they aim to win a match, get one point, and score one goal this year. Its really disappointing!

Because its the first time weve entered the World Cup, I think this goal is reasonable.

Reasonable my foot, this ambition is too small! With the strength we showed in the qualifiers, isnt it just a casual match against Costa Rica?^[2] Theyre in the World Cup for the second time this year. Its not too much if the result is a draw, right? At most, well lose to Brazil, after all, they are a football powerhouse, we should respect them

Mei Lijun looked dissatisfied with the complex expression on his sons face. Cant you listen properly? Why do you have an expression that doesnt believe in your fathers professional predictions?

Dad, lets make a bet. If our national team doesnt advance, you give me 100 yuan. Mei Fang showed his ambition as a reborn person.

Why do you, a little kid, need so much money for?

Mei Lijun became furious and fiercely knocked on Mei Fangs head.

As a son of our country, why dont you have confidence in the national team? This is the first time our national football team has entered the World Cup in 44 years. Hao Haidong is a fierce player in the English Premier League, and General Fan^[3] is invincible. And that person, he is the number one striker in the eastern region. There is no doubt that this is the beginning of a legend, the first step of a great journey!

If you dont want to bet 100 yuan, how about 50 yuan?

Mei Fang didnt give up, The match is tomorrow, right? Lets bet that well lose to Costa Rica in the first match.

Why do kids gamble so much money? At most, Ill bet 10 yuan with you.

Mei Fang thought for a moment, If you lose, youre not allowed to buy snacks and toys for a month.

Fine Mei Fang reluctantly agreed, thinking to himself, 10 yuan for all this? Dad, youre really stingy.

After watching the news on TV for a while to review the current situation, Mei Fangs mother urged him to go to bed and he started planning how to make money.

Children in kindergarten are always accompanied by their parents when going to and from school, and they can only play with other kids in the park within the neighborhood with their parents permission.

Fortunately, it was already June, and in less than a month, he would become a elementary school student. Most ordinary families in the county let their elementary school children roam freely and play wherever they want. This would increase their freedom and allow them to do whatever they wanted.

However, before entering elementary school, Mei Fang had one thing he couldnt miss the World Cup betting lottery.

As Mei Fang, who had returned from 20 years later, he couldnt miss this opportunity for wealth.

The next morning, Mei Fang was woken up by his family to go to school.

Youre dressing yourself today? Impressive, kid.

Xiang Xiaoxia rubbed Mei Fangs head and said with some confusion, After wetting the bed yesterday, it seems like youve changed. You didnt even cry when I hit you. Youre really strong.

Mei Li Jun nodded and pretended to be profound, saying, I guess thats growing up.

In fact, Mei Fang wanted to gradually make his family get used to his independence. Fortunately, his parents didnt suspect the changes in him, and ordinary people couldnt even imagine it.

But he couldnt overdo it either; he had to act like a child.

Mei Fang sat on his fathers motorcycle and reached out to him.

Dad, give me one yuan. I want to buy a lollipop.

Fine, your true colors are showing. Mei Lijun frowned and said, Youre behaving so well today, its obviously for food.

Im not eating it myself. I made Xia Yuan cry yesterday, so Im going to apologize to her today.

Xia Yuan the girl who lives in the same neighborhood as us, the one in the house next door? How did you become friends with her? Didnt you say you dont play with girls before?

Mei Lijun pinched his sons face and said, You little rascal, have you changed your mind now and started liking her again?

Mei Fang pushed away his fathers hand and said, Stop talking nonsense and give me the money.

How dare you talk to your father like that! And have the audacity to ask for 1 yuan for a stick of lollipop, you little brat!

Mei Fang received another slap.

Despite the beating, Mei Lijun still led Mei Fang to the small shop at the entrance of the kindergarten and bought a 50-cent strawberry-flavored Alps lollipop, showing his generosity as a father.

Tsk I was planning to pretend to save the money, but the plan failed.

Mei Fang was one of the few who came to kindergarten early, but Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi came even earlier. They were already doing handicrafts in their seats early in the morning.

It turns out Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi are good friends. They seem to have a good relationship

Mei Fang didnt go over to sit with them, but when Xia Yuan saw him enter the classroom, she ran over to him.

Mei Fang, Mei Fang, about what happened yesterday, I was wrong and I want to apologize to you.

Apologize? What for

Xia Yuan said seriously, My mom says I cry too easily, and no one will like me when I grow up if I continue like this. I need to correct my flaws.

Xia Yuan fidgeted with her hands behind her back, then extended her hands, holding a paper crane in her palms. I made this paper crane and I want to give it to you.

It was a pink paper crane, and the head of the crane was painted red, showing that she put a lot of thought into it.

Thinking that no girl had ever given him a gift in his past life, Mei Fang suddenly felt a bit sentimental.

Th-thank you

And Lin Youxi pushed you yesterday. She secretly told me that it was an accident, so she also wants to apologize to you.

Mei Fang looked up at Lin Youxi beside Xia Yuan. She seemed to be lost in thought, but when Xia Yuan lightly nudged her arm, she looked up and handed something to Mei Fang. She raised her head and softly said sorry, then quickly ran behind Xia Yuan.

Couldnt she communicate properly?

Is it because she feel embarrassed in front of adults?

Its okay, its okay, I dont mind.

The former college overachiever humbled herself and begged for my forgiveness in a low voice. It feels strangely satisfying!

Mei Fang suddenly fell into silence.

Why am I so useless

Lin Youxi also folded a paper crane, but it was blue and a bit wrinkled and dirty, obviously folded and unfolded many times before succeeding.

Mei Fang didnt pay much attention to it. He remembered something in his pocket and handed a lollipop to Xia Yuan.

Oh, this is what I promised you yesterday, the lollipop.

You actually remembered, I forgot! Xia Yuan took the lollipop from Mei Fang, looking ecstatic.

We made a promise, didnt we?

Lin Youxi quietly watched the lollipop, as if contemplating something.

Well, now that everyone has made up, we can be friends again!

Friends? When did we

Xia Yuan didnt notice Mei Fangs confusion. She just grabbed Mei Fangs hand, and two dimples appeared on her face, accompanied by a bright smile like the morning sun.

Mei Fang, Mei Fang, can we do the pinky promise again like yesterday?

I dont mind, what do you want to promise this time?

Xia Yuan extended her right pinky finger and hooked it with Mei Fangs, intertwining them, and pulled him towards Lin Youxi.

Lin Youxi, are you coming too?

Mei Fang could sense a hint of reluctance in Lin Youxis gaze, but she still obediently followed along.

Sure enough, Lin Youxi was only forced to come because of her best friends request

Come to think of it, when Lin Youxi pushed me yesterday, was it because she was jealous of my good relationship with Xia Yuan?

Thinking about it, it suddenly feels a bit adorable, hahaha

The three childrens little fingers intertwined, and then Xia Yuan expressed her wish:

From now on, we cant fight anymore, we have to be good friends forever!

Pinky promise its a deal No change is allowed within a hundred years.

Feeling the lingering warmth on his finger, Mei Fang suddenly felt a strange sense of unease.

In his past life, Mei Fang had always been single until he died from overwork, and he thought that he had never been cared about by girls.

But this Xia Yuan seems to like me even though shes just a kid.

According to Mei Fangs father, he used to only play with boys, and although Xia Yuan lives in the same neighborhood and is close to him, they werent actually closer.

Furthermore, when Mei Fang was in the fourth grade, he moved houses, so maybe it was at that time they completely lost contact?

In other words, this girl with whom Mei Fang couldve had a closer relationship and become childhood sweethearts for some reason, they missed that opportunity.

Of course, in life, there are countless people we miss due to various reasons, but now Mei Fang has the thinking and experience of an adult.

Once he meets her destined person, he will never let them slip away like that.

As for Xia Yuan

Although she is a well-behaved little crybaby who parrots mommy said at every turn, shes still quite adorable, haha

Hmm the future looks promising!

Translator's Notes: