Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts Chapter 283: Little Sister, BBQ, and the Social Butterfly

After seeing Liu Xiaoyu off, i Fang returned ho. In the afternoon, he first discussed the design plan for C-Site’s livestreaming module with his Linxi Gas colleagues—a eting that lasted several hours.

The back-and-forth over requirents reminded him of his past life battles with bosses. Now, as the boss himself with future knowledge, he still faced skepticism when proposing unprecedented features.

Knowing what will be popular and knowing how to make it work like before were entirely different matters. While ga developnt ca naturally to i Fang, web technologies left him scratching his head without Lin Youxi’s explanations.

After finally convincing his team to proceed with his vision, i Fang felt utterly drained. He collapsed onto his bed for a quick rest when i Ya suddenly knocked and barged in.

“Big bro!”

She patted his exhausted face. “Mom and Dad sent to ask—how far did things go with YuanYuan-jie last night?”

“Like they’d actually ask that… You’re just making this up again, aren’t you?”

“No way! I’m here on official business~”

i Ya squished his cheeks. “Did YuanYuan-jie’s parents approve of you two being together?”

“Basically.”

“Did they give you their family heirloom?”

“They don’t have that kind of thing… Ugh, stop bothering . Let sleep.”

i Ya sat quietly on the edge of the bed, watching her brother with downcast eyes, swinging her legs listlessly.

……

i Fang cracked an eye open. “Why are you still here?”

“Big bro… Do people all beco cold and distant like you after getting rich?”

“Who’s cold and distant?”

“You spend all your ti with YuanYuan-jie and Youxi-jie. I thought during vacation you’d finally have ti for , but nope—still all about them. Today when they’re busy and I finally get you alone, you just work!”

“I’m your sister, yet not a single day this year belonged just to .”

“Whatever… Big bro’s grown up now. You have your own life. I shouldn’t force you to play with your boring little sister.”

“My apologies.”

As she stood to leave, i Fang grabbed her wrist.

“Enough drama… What do you want? Eyeing another model plane?”

i Ya wrenched free with exaggerated dignity. “Model planes are just a hobby, not my whole life! What I need is quality ti with my brother! Not… not material things asurable by money!”

Her unusually serious tone made i Fang realize how little attention he’d paid her since starting high school. He’d been thrilled when she was born—as an only child in his past life, he’d never experienced sibling bonds.

But over ti, i Ya’s mischievous antics had worn his patience thin. He often fobbed her off with gifts, neglecting genuine connection.

“Alright, alright… You want attention? You’ll get it. How about dinner out tonight?”

“BBQ at Culture Square! Until we puke! Also there’s a toy store there with premium model planes!”

“And there’s the real agenda!”

“Don’t use idioms I haven’t learned yet!”

After minimal rest, i Fang took his sister out. Clinging to his back on the scooter, she yelled excitedly: “Wooosh! The i Ya 6 spacecraft is now engaging warp drive!”

“What fifth grader talks like this?!”

The pre-holiday streets bustled. After forever finding parking, i Fang barely locked the scooter before i Ya bounded to an outdoor BBQ stall, plopping down and waving.

As they ordered, watching i Ya ticulously study the nu, i Fang ruffled her hair.

“Ti flies. You’re so big now.”

“Heh… Better cherish while you can.”

She marked items while muttering, “Once you’re in college, we’ll hardly see each other… Thinking about it makes kinda sad.”

“You didn’t cry when I left for high school!”

“Because YuanYuan-jie and Youxi-jie were there! I couldn’t steal their spotlight.”

“You’ve always overthought things…”

“A little sister’s sches are all for her big bro! With such a wingwoman, you should spoil rotten instead of complaining!”

“Who’s complaining?!”

i Fang eyed her massive order. “We can’t possibly eat all this.”

“Leftovers or gross stuff can go to Dad. He’ll be touched!”

“Such filial piety…”

A voice suddenly chid in behind them: “Wow, ordering so much? Mind if I help out?”

A hand landed on i Fang’s shoulder. i Ya gaped at the intruder—

“B-Big bro! You’re cheating!”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

The girl placed her instrunt aside and casually sat next to i Fang, smiling at i Ya. “Hi there, cutie! I’m Peng Xue, your brother and YuanYuan-jie’s good friend!”

i Ya eyed Peng Xue skeptically but tentatively shook her outstretched hand—only for Peng Xue to imdiately pinch her cheeks.

“Eek! How co your brother never introduced to such an adorable sister sooner?!”

“S-Stop that! Oh wait—” i Ya pushed her away, suddenly rembering. “You’re that big sister who sang and played guitar at Culture Square last year!”

“Not guitar! Bass!” Peng Xue patted her instrunt case with mock indignation. “They look similar but are completely different!”

“Hmm… sounds impressive but I don’t get it.” i Ya squinted at i Fang. “Did you plan to et her here?”

“As if.”

“Did you report this to YuanYuan-jie?”

“You’re my witness. No need.”

“Relax!” Peng Xue waved dismissively. “I’m YuanYuan’s bestie—would never betray her. Besides, if YuanYuan got together with your brother, at least a third of the credit’s mine!”

“Lies! I did most of the work!”

As i Ya and Peng Xue bickered, the server arrived with their massive BBQ platter.

“Mmm… slls amazing~” Peng Xue batted her eyelashes at i Fang. “Sure you don’t want help finishing this?”

“Just eat if you want. No need for fake politeness.”

“Had to keep up appearances, Boss i~”

She grabbed two skewers, then asked between bites: “Heard you stayed at YuanYuan’s last night?”

“Yeah.”

“So…” Peng Xue swirled her drink straw suggestively. “Did you two… do it?”

i Fang glared. “Watch your mouth around kids!”

“P-Pretend I’m not here! I hear nothing!” i Ya covered her face—though her ears remained conspicuously perked.

“So that’s a yes?”

“Why ask such private things?!”

“Just figured our adorable YuanYuan would be irresistible~” Peng Xue smirked. “Not like it matters—you’ll be together forever anyway. Think of it as… limited edition 17-year-old YuanYuan!”

Her sales pitch struck a nerve, but i Fang just shoved more skewers at her. “Here! Focus on eating, not… other things.”

“Touched a nerve, huh? Mmm… Wow, this drumstick’s amazing!”

“Waaah! Big bro, that was my drumstick!”

i Ya nearly combusted seeing her precious chicken sacrificed to this outsider. Only after i Fang promised her another did she grudgingly relent.

“Alright, ti to repay Boss i’s hospitality!”

Peng Xue stood with her bass, perching on a nearby planter to play an original folk ballad with lancholic edge. The haunting lody soon drew a captivated crowd—so snapping photos—proof of her local fa.

In a small town like this, soone with Peng Xue’s fearless charisma ca along maybe once a decade…

Yet watching her lose herself in the music, i Fang felt an inexplicable certainty—like this might be the last ti he’d see her.