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

According to Mei Fang’s plan, even if his father refused to give him money, as long as he flattered this man and took advantage of his love for football, he could always deceive him into buying lottery tickets.

But now that his father has lost his usefulness and his mother, Xiang Xiaoxia, refuses to cooperate, Mei Fang can only find another way.

Of course, he did have a backup plan.

Mei Fang got the address of Xia Yuan’s house from his father and shouted that he was going downstairs to play with her.

Although Mei Fang and Xia Yuan lived in the same neighborhood, their houses were completely different — Mei Fang’s family had a more common layout, while Xia Yuan’s family had a two-story small building with a single courtyard, similar to a Japanese-style house.

Mei Fang stood at the front door and could hear the melodious sound of a piano coming from inside.

In this era, only families who could afford a piano…

A young lady?

Mei Fang tiptoed and pressed the doorbell of Xia Yuan’s house. Soon, a gentle adult female voice came from the other side of the doorbell.

…Is it Xia Yuan’s mother?

Mei Fang quickly waved his hands frantically towards the intercom of Xia Yuan’s house.

“Hello, Auntie! I’m Mei Fang, Xia Yuan’s classmate from kindergarten, and I also live in this neighborhood.”

“Mei Fang… I often hear Yuan Yuan mention you. Are you here to play with her?”

“Can I?”

Mei Fang tried to sound innocent and naive, “Yuan Yuan and I agreed to go to the children’s playground in the neighborhood together today.”

“Yuan Yuan’s piano lesson is almost over. Do you want to come in and wait for a while? I’ll open the door for you.”

“Okay!”

As soon as Mei Fang finished speaking, the gate in the yard slowly opened. Mei Fang walked a few steps forward along the road, and Xia Yuan’s mother opened the door to greet him, gently saying hello.

Xia Yuan’s mother exuded an intellectual and elegant temperament. Her long hair fell softly on one side, and under her light makeup, her clear eyes were particularly refreshing, like the warm sun in spring.

“A-auntie, hello!”

Mei Fang was a little awkward to see that Xia Yuan’s mother was such a beautiful lady.

However, he felt like he had seen her somewhere before…

“What a polite child you are. Come in and have a seat!”

Mei Fang followed Xia Yuan’s mother into the living room, where they could hear the sound of the piano upstairs. The melodious music flowed into their ears, with a gentle and romantic melody like flowing water, making people involuntarily immersed in a joyful atmosphere.

Seeing Mei Fang’s fascination, Xia Yuan’s mother couldn’t help but be curious, “Do you like this piece?”

Due to his previous job, Mei Fang had some knowledge of music. “If I remember correctly, the piece being played now should be Mendelssohn’s ‘Spring Song’.”

“You’re really amazing. It’s rare to find boys who like music… No wonder Yuan Yuan always talks about you. You watch TV first, and I’ll pour you a glass of juice.”

“Thank you, Auntie.”

The decoration of Xia Yuan’s living room is quite stylish, implying the wealth of Xia Yuan’s family. It’s fortunate that there are no prestigious schools in small counties like Baimei^[1], otherwise he probably wouldn’t have had the opportunity to go to kindergarten with Xia Yuan.

While waiting for Xia Yuan to finish her piano lesson, Mei Fang chatted with Xia Yuan’s mother about various things. Xia Yuan’s mother clearly had a strong interest in him, and Mei Fang was also very happy.

It seems that Mei Fang’s proper manners and mature demeanor have won the favor of this aunt.

As the piano’s melody gradually faded, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the staircase.

“Yuan Yuan, your friend is waiting for you to go out and play.”

“Huh? Mei Fang, why are you here?” Xia Yuan tilted her head in confusion.

“I came to play with you!” Mei Fang reminded, “Didn’t I tell you after school…”

“Oh… I almost forgot, I still have a piano lesson today. I’m really sorry.”

Xia Yuan looked at her mother and said, “Mom, can I go to the amusement park with Mei Fang? We won’t run around.”

“Sure, but remember not to talk to strangers.”

“Yes, yes!”

Xia Yuan said as she took her shoulder bag and pulled Mei Fang outside, “Let’s go play quickly!”

“Remember to change your shoes, you… why do you get so restless when it comes to playing.”

Because it was her first time playing with a friend outside of kindergarten, Xia Yuan seemed very happy and unconsciously hummed a children’s song.

“By the way, Xia Yuan, what did you tell your mom about me?” Mei Fang pretended to be calm, “I’m a little… curious.”

This little girl likes me so much, she must have said some embarrassing things in front of her mom, like wanting to be my bride in the future. Otherwise, her mom wouldn’t be so interested in me. It’s obviously the tone of a mother-in-law examining her son-in-law!

“I think… I said… about your bedwetting, about washing your butt naked in front of everyone, and…”

Mei Fang’s face turned red, and he immediately scolded Xia Yuan, “Can you talk about these things everywhere? Do you have a brain?”

“I… I just told my mom!” Xia Yuan looked aggrieved, “Why are you so mean… and you’re even cursing.”

“Ah ah ah ah ah ah!”

Now Mei Fang really wants to find a hole to hide in. “When you talk about me to your mom in the future, can you talk more about my handsome side?”

“Well, today you did something really amazing, and I told my mom about it too.”

“You really tell your mom everything…”

“My mom said that when you encounter happy or unhappy things, you can share them with the people around you, so you will gain more happiness.”

“But even so, we should have our own little secrets, right?”

Mei Fang smiled and stared at the pink bag around Xia Yuan’s waist. “For example, a little secret that only you and I know…”

“Only you and I know…”

Xia Yuan was excited. “What secret?”

Mei Fang reached out and said, “Lend me 10 yuan first, and then I’ll share this secret with you.”

“Okay, but you have to remember to pay me back.”

“Of course.” Mei Fang patted his chest. “My dad taught me since I was young to be trustworthy and never owe money without repaying it.”

Xia Yuan always carried a pink bag with her when she went out. Ever since she found out that there was a lot of pocket money inside, Mei Fang had been eyeing it.

Xia Yuan rummaged through her small wallet and handed a 10 yuan bill to Mei Fang.

“Here you go, can you share your secret with me now?”

“Don’t be in a hurry, come with me first.”

Mei Fang pulled Xia Yuan towards the entrance of the residential area, which made Xia Yuan a little scared.

“Aren’t we going to the slide in the children’s park?”

“What’s fun there? We’re about to become elementary school students. Shouldn’t we go to more exciting places for adventures?”

“But… I promised my mom that I wouldn’t wander around…” Xia Yuan lowered her head and twirled her fingers.

“If you don’t tell your mom, and I don’t tell mine, then your mom won’t know, right?”

Mei Fang leaned close to Xia Yuan and continued persuading, “This will become a little secret that only we know, only the two of us, okay?”

A little secret… a little secret…

Just like the nursery rhyme sings.

【I have a little secret, I won’t tell you, I won’t tell you——】

Since Xia Yuan could remember, she had always been a well-behaved and sensible child in her parents’ eyes. She had never thought of hiding anything from them. Therefore, when faced with Mei Fang’s tempting offer of a new and exciting experience, Xia Yuan had almost no resistance and ultimately nodded gently.

Translator’s Notes:

1. I’m not sure but this could be Huangmei County. ↩︎