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

Chapter 259: Reward (1)

Author's Note: This is a short story that happened not long after Yuan Yuan's 17th birthday (Chapter 239). It's packed with Youxi!

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After celebrating an unforgettable birthday with Xia Yuan, Mei Fang needed to start focusing on the progress of the development of Cloud Journey. To achieve his goals as quickly as possible, Mei Fang invited his friends from Baimei County to Jiangcheng to help with the project.

Before his friends from his hometown arrived, Mei Fang took the initiative to discuss something with Lin

Youxi.

"You mean... the reward I promised you for helping with Yuan Yuan's birthday?" Faced with Mei Fang's question, Lin Youxi was a bit surprised. "I almost forgot about that... But I thought you didn't really care about it."

Mei Fang, of course, wouldn't tell Lin Youxi that this was all part of his grand plan. "How could I not care? I put in a lot of effort for Yuan Yuan's birthday. It's only fair to get something in return, right?"

"Even if I didn't ask you to do it, you'd still try to please Yuan Yuan yourself, wouldn't you?"

"But my efforts included taking care of your part too, so

"You're talking a lot today..."

"Is that kiss the reward you promised? That's too half-hearted..."

As Mei Fang spoke, he wrapped his arms around Lin Youxi's waist, gently pushing her against the wall. He didn't immediately move in for a kiss but instead, the two stood there, quietly locking eyes.

Ever since entering high school, Mei Fang often found himself passively waiting for Lin Youxi to make the first move. But today, he was uncharacteristically proactive. However, Lin Youxi didn't mind at all. She placed her palms on the wall, smiling as if she was ready to surrender.

"Aren't you afraid of waking Yuan Yuan up?"

"Let's be clear... Am I the one who's afraid, or you are?"

Mei Fang leaned in close to Lin Youxi's ear, whispering softly. Lin Youxi also took action, cupping Mei Fang's face as they indulged in a passionate kiss.

She stirred the waves, and he danced with her through the tides.

After a long, lingering kiss, Mei Fang slowly pulled away from Lin Youxi.

"Ah Fang, you're getting better and better at this. I'm really curious to see Yuan Yuan's expression the first time you kiss her like this."

"Hmm..."

Mei Fang didn't reveal that he and Xia Yuan had only shared a few pecks and occasional playful kisses. Instead, he gently embraced Lin Youxi. "Alright, alright... So, what's the reward? Can you tell me now?"

"Actually, when I mentioned it back then, I was just saying it off the top of my head. I haven't really thought about what to give you."

"Ah, what? How could you do this!"

Mei Fang's slightly aggrieved tone amused Lin Youxi. She gently caressed his cheek and pressed her face close to his.

"It's not that I didn't want to give you a reward, but haven't you always been hesitant to accept it?"

"If you mean that kind of thing... I think we should wait until we're older

"See? You're already expecting something without me even promising anything. Don't be upset later if you misunderstand my intentions..."

"Uh... I wouldn't be..."

Mei Fang held Lin Youxi's hand and said, "Since you haven't decided, how about we go with what I have in mind?"

"What is it?"

Lin Youxi tucked her hair behind her ear, lifted her head, and smiled at him.

Mei Fang thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "I went on a date with Yuan Yuan on her birthday. How about you go on a date with me today?"

"I don't mind... But shouldn't we let Yuan Yuan know first?"

"I already talked to her yesterday, and she thought it was a good idea."

"But isn't this something that should only happen on birthdays...?"

"You didn't really celebrate your birthday properly this year, so consider this a makeup celebration."

Lin Youxi couldn't help but laugh and shake her head. "And this still counts as a reward from me?"

"Of course it does. Why wouldn't it?" Mei Fang gently held Lin Youxi's hand and brought it to his lips, placing a soft kiss on the back of her hand.

"Going on a date with the famous Miss Shan You Lin Xi, the head of C Site, is definitely something worth bragging about, don't you think?"

"Then let me change my clothes

Lin Youxi thought for a moment, then turned back to Mei Fang. "Actually, never mind... Yuan Yuan is still sleeping. It's fine to go out as we are. Where should we go?"

"Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

Lin Youxi pondered for a moment. "Yuan Yuan is usually the one who suggests ideas. I've never really thought about it."

"Then why don't we go with my suggestion?"

"You decide," Lin Youxi nodded.

In his previous life, Mei Fang had attended university in Jiangcheng, so he was quite familiar with the city and its surroundings.

After preparing breakfast and lunch for the still-sleeping Yuan Yuan, Mei Fang and Lin Youxi left the house and headed to the Jiangcheng Metro Line 2 station.

This metro station had only been completed earlier this year, and Lin Youxi seemed a bit surprised when they arrived.

"Where are we going for our date? Why aren't we taking a taxi?"

"The place we're going is a bit far, and I don't want you to get car sick. Taking the metro is just right."

"Is that so..."

Lin Youxi responded while noticing Mei Fang looking at her with an expectant expression.

"What... Do you want me to praise you?"

"I'm being so thoughtful, don't you think I deserve some praise?"

Lin Youxi pinched Mei Fang's nose and said, "We've known each other for 10 years. If you couldn't be this considerate about such small details, you'd be the one with a problem, wouldn't you?"

"Well... that's true."

After swiping their rail cards, Mei Fang and Lin Youxi entered the metro station. The brand-new metro line was packed with passengers, and they couldn't find any seats. Mei Fang had to stand with Lin Youxi by the door.

It was the height of summer, and the crowded train was filled with an unpleasant mix of sour and sweaty odors. Mei Fang shielded Lin Youxi from being bumped by others, while she held onto the wall of the train with one hand and tightly grasped Mei Fang's hand with the other.

As the train jolted slightly, their bodies swayed with the motion. Mei Fang would occasionally bump into Lin Youxi, accidentally brushing his lips against her forehead.

"There really are a lot of people..."

"Yeah."

As Mei Fang bumped into her again, Lin Youxi suddenly stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Mei Fang wasn't expecting it, but in the end, they couldn't help but smile at each other.

At this moment, a bespectacled male college student, who had been spacing out nearby, witnessed the couple's public display of affection. He instantly wore an expression of disgust. Hastily leaving his current position, he made disapproving clicking sounds with his tongue while pushing through the crowd, leaving this sickeningly sweet scene behind.

However, the couple, lost in their sweet moment, didn't notice this small detail. They were too busy enjoying each other's company.

As the train arrived at the station, passengers got off one after another. Mei Fang and Lin Youxi also found seats and sat down.

The train sped out of the tunnel and onto an elevated track, revealing a vast river stretching between the two towns. Many passengers turned to look out the window.

"It's a big river..."

Lin Youxi remarked, feeling a bit sentimental. "I didn't expect to see the river while riding the subway."

"This is the latest metro line that crosses the river. You could even call it a light rail."

"Jiangcheng is really developing better and better."

"Mhm..."

Mei Fang didn't exactly share Lin Youxi's enthusiasm.

In his opinion, urban development was all about constant roadwork, turning the city into a sprawling mess that felt more like a giant rural area. It seemed like no matter how many years they spent, they could never finish the construction projects. Even local college graduates didn't want to stay. Jiangcheng was a typical case of playing a good hand terribly.

However, this didn't really matter much to him, as a wealthy person like him could enjoy life in any big city.

As long as Youxi and Yuan Yuan are happy, that's all that matters.