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

Chapter 169: Lets Go, to the Crossing

After the Autumn Art Festival, the two most important events on Jiangcheng NOHSs schedule were the midterm exam and the Autumn Sports Festival.

The midterm exam was scheduled for the end of October, and the sports festival was in early November. Mei Fang and the others had less than two weeks left to prepare.

However, even in this critical moment, the trio didnt feel the pressure of studying like they did in middle school.

There was no need to compete for the top of the class anymore, but they were still attentive during classes. Although the pace was fast, they could still keep up. Apart from Xia Yuan finding physics a bit annoying, everything else was fine.

But since she was going to study liberal arts in her second year, she wasnt worried about physics.

Ufufu

On this rare occasion of gathering and going out, Xia Yuan wanted to dress up beautifully.

In the master bedroom that she shared with Lin Youxi, there was a large freestanding full-length mirror. She had asked her father, Xia Xun, to bring it from home, and she had cherished this mirror for many years.

Because she had loved being stylish since she was young and her family had the means to support her, Xia Yuans sense of fashion had always been excellent. Dressing up was her strong suit.

Today, she wore an apricot-colored fleece-lined hoodie jacket with a gray pleated knee-length skirt. A little bit of her fair and smooth thighs were visible above her knees, while her lower legs were covered in pure white cotton sports socks and white platform sneakers.

She showed a bit of her thighs, but only a little, and she could even pull the skirt down a bit to completely cover them.

This vibrant and energetic outfit, even if seen by the traditional and conservative Liang Meijuan, wouldnt raise any objections.

Lin Youxi, on the other hand, didnt care much about dressing up, but since living with Xia Yuan, she had actively asked Xia Yuan for advice and learned a bit about fashion.

Today, she went for a vintage hipster style, pairing a khaki-colored plaid shirt with a coffee-colored overall dress. The sleeves of the plaid shirt were large, making Lin Youxis slightly slender figure not look too thin.

The overall dress was originally a long dress, but even when it was pulled down to the end, you could still see Lin Youxis fair calves. When she took a step forward, the curve of her legs hugged the dress, creating a very elegant and charming look.

The two of them had prepared well for todays outing, to the point that when Mei Fang saw them coming out of the bedroom, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

W-We are just going out to have a meal, why are you so dressed up

Because were going out to eat, isnt it natural to dress up nicely? This outfit isnt too mature either. I have even more impressive clothes

Xia Yuan raised her hand above her head and spun lightly, causing the pleated skirt to flutter around her waist. Mei Fang frowned slightly.

Isnt the skirt a bit short?

This is already a knee-length skirt! Its not that short I even added an underskirt

Xia Yuan looked at Mei Fang and curiously asked, Are you concerned?

Do you even need to ask?

He then shifted his gaze to Lin Youxi.

This is the first time Ive seen you dressed like this, Youxi. I remember you used to like simple T-shirts and pants, just adding a jacket in the autumn and walking with your hands in your pockets

Lin Youxi walked a few steps with her hands inserted into the pockets on both sides of her dress. Like this?

The action is the same, but it feels different from before.

The previous Youxi was a cool tomboy, but now Youxi is a young hipster woman. Of course, its different, Xia Yuan said, hugging Lin Youxi around the waist and leaning on her shoulder. She pouted at Mei Fang, Hmph Are you jealous of me?

Uh Mei Fang was about to think about how to balance the water when Lin Youxi smiled slightly from the opposite side. Theres no need to be jealous. If Ah Fang wants to cuddle, he can do it when we recharge our energy tonight

Hey Youxi, why are you always spoiling Ah Fang? You always reward him so easily. If you keep doing that, I wont love you anymore.

Xia Yuan pouted angrily, but Lin Youxi was still considerate of Xia Yuan. She reached out and patted her head to appease her, saying, Just kidding If Yuan Yuan doesnt like it, I wont do it.

Lin Youxi leaned close to Xia Yuans ear. So, based on your words, youre not planning to wear this outfit and cuddle with Ah Fang tonight?

Ah well I didnt mean that. Xia Yuans eyes rolled around as she pondered how to respond.

So you still want to.

Well, yes, thats right But were going to be late! Lets go!

Xia Yuan pushed Lin Youxi towards the door, and as they passed by Mei Fang, she stuck out her tongue playfully.

The crossing was located in the Hongshan District of Jiangcheng, surrounded by universities. This area included two 211 universities^[1] and one 985 university^[2]. The Jiangcheng University of Technology, Jiangcheng NOHSs affiliated university, Jiangcheng Normal University, and the prestigious Jiangcheng University were all nearby.

There was an interesting saying about Jiangcheng NOHS. If you were putting in serious effort in your studies but ranked towards the bottom of the class, you would most likely still end up attending Jiangcheng Normal University.

Everyone jokingly referred to choosing Jiangcheng Normal University as their first choice as direct promotion. Even those with lower rankings could make it to a Project 211 university, thanks to the strength of Jiangcheng NOHS.

Due to the high number of university students, the catering, cultural, and entertainment industries in this area were well-developed. Internet cafes were lined up one after another, and even the same with movie theaters. There was no need for business owners to worry about no customers coming.

However, for Mei Fang and the others, who lived in the Jiangcheng suburban area outside of the Hongshan District, going to the city center was a challenging task. The Jiangcheng subway system was not yet operational, and road construction was taking place everywhere.

The three of them first went to the school and met at the school gate with Xiang Bingbing and Liu Xiaoyu. After they gathered, they waited at the intersection for the bus.

Originally, with Mei Fangs personality, he would have taken a taxi directly. However, Xia Yuan had recently expressed strong objections to his spending habits. He also realized that his style of doing things was a bit too ostentatious, so he changed his mind here.

The journey to the city center was very far, but fortunately, the bus drivers in Jiangcheng were still quite wild. They raced along the road, not much slower than taxis. However, this was tough for Lin Youxi, who was prone to motion sickness.

She leaned against Xia Yuans shoulder the entire time, looking uncomfortable. Mei Fang also asked for a plastic bag for Xia Yuan to hold, just in case.

Lets have a big meal, lets have a big meal! Xiang Bingbing was very excited about the idea of having a big meal, and she kept clamoring about it.

Liu Xiaoyu reminded her from the side, Lower your voice, dont disturb the other passengers.

Oh, right Sorry, I forgot.

Xiang Bingbing quickly quieted down and leaned against the window to look at the scenery outside.

Liu Xiaoyu and Xiang Bingbing lived on the same floor, just two dorm rooms apart. Since they got to know each other during the art festival, their interactions in the dormitory had increased.

However, in Mei Fangs opinion, the personalities of the two seemed completely opposite.

In fact, in Mei Fangs previous life, Liu Xiaoyu was much more outgoing and cheerful. The change in her familys financial situation had made her more introverted in this life.

Mei Fang was feeling the wild and bumpy ride of the bus and worrying about Lin Youxis condition in the front seat when Xiang Bingbing suddenly leaned on his shoulder and asked, Mei Fang, by the way Are you from a wealthy family?

Ah? My family? Not really

Although his father, Mei Lijun, held a decent position, they werent really rich. Mei Fang estimated that the savings at home were not even a fraction of what he had in his own bank.

I dont believe it.

Xiang Bingbing muttered, Which student can casually treat others to a big meal? And Chaoxiong said your camera alone costs at least 7,000 to 8,000, and learning how to play guitar too Only families with a lot of money can afford that, right?

Its not as exaggerated as you imagine Learning how to play guitar doesnt cost much money, mainly just time. As for treating others to a meal

Mei Fang had initially planned to shift the blame to Xia Yuan, saying that it was because she came from a wealthy family. However, upon seeing Liu Xiaoyu listening to their conversation beside them, Mei Fang worried that saying that would hurt her feelings. So he immediately changed his words:

Its because weve been developing games in our spare time and making a little money.

Games? Isnt that about programming and coding, and also drawing art Can you guys do all of that with just a few of you?

Of course, making games cant be done with just a few people. Were not all talented We did it together with some middle school classmates, and today weve also invited one of them to have a meal together.

Is this classmate also a friend of yours who works on game development? What does she do?

Shes an artist.

Oh, oh! She must be a beautiful and artistic girl!

Xiang Bingbing eagerly asked, Ive seen those painters and artists on TV, they are usually slim and skinny girls. I wonder if shell think Im too plain.

She has a great personality and definitely wont find you plain. But as for appearance we cant discuss it based on stereotypes. Guo Yun is a slightly chubby and cute type of girl.

Ah, I see! I cant wait to meet her!

Mei Fang was currently surrounded by a group of girls who were all quite attractive. Putting aside Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi, Liu Xiaoyu was a popular gentle girl in her previous life.

Xiang Bingbing had a baby face, but she wasnt the kind of Barbie-type or muscular-type. If you had to compare, her appearance was somewhat similar to Shinju Inui from the anime My Dress-Up Darling or Mitsuki Ooshiro from Aharen Is Indecipherable, but her personality was far more outgoing and energetic than theirs.

In comparison, Guo Yun seemed a bit ordinary

Mei Fang pondered about this matter, not to show off his ability to attract beautiful girls, but because he thought Guo Yun had a tendency to feel inferior. He wondered if she would feel uncomfortable eating during their meeting today. Perhaps it would be better to have a separate meeting to talk about the game.

Ah, I wish I had brought Wan Chaoxiong with me. It would be less awkward this way. Its kind of annoying that I dont have any close friends like Zhang Ming in high school.

Everyone got off the bus at the bus stop. Lin Youxi, who had been dizzy all the way, could barely walk. She looked weak and frail. Xia Yuan supported her the whole time, feeling a sense of regret:

Maybe we should have taken a taxi today

Mei Fang put down his phone and clapped his hands, calling out to everyone, Lets go directly to the mall. Guo Yun said shes waiting for us at the entrance of Building A.

Okay! Did she mention what shes wearing? Ill go say hi to her! Xiang Bingbing said.

Dont be so enthusiasticyoull scare peopleGuo Yun said shes wearing beige clothes.

Xiang Bingbing skipped into the mall building. After Mei Fang and the others followed her in, they saw Xiang Bingbing chatting with a girl wearing a yellow hoodie.

Hey, I told you to slow down See, you got the wrong person.

Thats just Bingbing for you, haha.

Xia Yuan looked around while supporting Lin Youxi and said, But where is Guo Yun? I didnt see any other girl wearing beige clothes.

When Mei Fang and the others arrived, Xiang Bingbing immediately waved her hands vigorously and called them over.

Over here!

Just as Mei Fang and Xia Yuan were puzzled, the girl in the yellow hoodie quickly walked up and waved at Mei Fang, Xia Yuan, and the others.

Long time no see How have you been?

Mei Fang and Xia Yuan exchanged glances and then looked at her.

Who are you?

Translator's Notes: