Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts Chapter 341: If Route Side Story Bound by Fate (Fang & Youxi

After making the decision with Lin Youxi to develop a ga about life in Baii County, i Fang’s corporate drone existence underwent a subtle shift.

—He beca even busier than before.

Why did I impulsively agree to this…

Sitting in front of his computer screen, i Fang recalled the events of Valentine’s Day a month prior—

As usual, he was the last to leave after overti, stopping by the convenience store at the company building for a late-night snack when he ran into a fellow Baii County native.

This hotown acquaintance happened to be his high school alumna, kindergarten classmate, and—like him—worked in the gaming industry, one as a lead programr, the other as a lead designer.

This serendipitous encounter led to an extended conversation.

What should have ended as a pleasant reunion took an unexpected turn—sohow, he ended up in her car, sohow, he went to her apartnt, and sohow, they spent hours discussing ga design concepts until dawn, leaving him exhausted.

That night, i Fang and Lin Youxi settled on the ga’s title and genre: Baii County Days, a life simulation ga where players take on the role of a boy growing up in Baii County, from childhood to adulthood.

Similar nostalgic childhood gas already existed on Steam, like Chinese Parents and A Perfect Day.

However, Lin Youxi believed touch-based interactions lacked imrsion. She envisioned a pixel-art RPG with an explorable overworld, aiming to recreate every morable scene from their past.

Though i Fang joined the project as a designer, Lin Youxi remained the de facto producer. After several feasibility discussions, the project proceeded according to her vision.

Of course, collaboration aside, Lin Youxi was clear about profit-sharing:

“You’re helping realize my vision, so technically, you’re working for . I can pay you monthly, but since I need to reserve funds for outsourcing art, it won’t be much…”

“It’s fine, I’m doing this because I’m passionate about the project… and it’s just a side gig anyway. If you insist on compensating , I’ll take 10% of net profits.”

“This ga might flop. You could end up with nothing.”

Lin Youxi smiled. “Wouldn’t a steady ¥10,000 monthly salary be better?”

Wait, her definition of “a little money” is ¥10,000?!

As expected of a Tencent lead programr!

i Fang regretted not accepting outright. Though he was a lead designer, his small company only paid slightly over ¥20,000. An extra ¥10,000 for a side project was incredibly tempting.

But if that money could be used for outsourcing, it might be worth it…

After so thought, i Fang nodded. “At this age, it’s ti to pursue sothing with a bit of idealism!”

Since their companies were nearby, Lin Youxi often invited i Fang to lunch and dinner to discuss the previous day’s system design implentations.

Contrary to expectations, Lin Youxi’s gaming knowledge wasn’t as extensive as i Fang assud. She reportedly only started playing gas in college, making it challenging when i Fang referenced certain titles.

Yet, any ga i Fang ntioned, Lin Youxi would find ti to play the next day, analyzing its design and interaction logic with him.

Their discussions were fervent. Since they t in the office building’s public cafeteria, their frequent interactions soon drew coworkers’ attention.

“Hey, why’s Brother Fang ditching us for als lately…? Got a thing going on?”

“Xiao Cao, you haven’t noticed? Brother Fang’s been eating with a stunning Tencent beauty every day!”

“No way! The iron tree finally blooms? I thought Brother Fang had zero interest in won.”

“If he’s not into won, is he into you? He’s just picky… Damn, Brother Fang’s new girlfriend is gorgeous.”

“Though he’s been looking exhausted lately. Overworked?”

“With a girlfriend that hot and his insane workload, of course he’s tired at night! Haha…”

Amidst the gossip, i Fang had no energy to spare. Lin Youxi’s developnt pace was relentless. Design docunts i Fang submitted in the morning would have prototype functionality by evening, followed by lengthy discussions on implentation details.

“Ah… this… right…”

A week or two of this intensity was manageable, but i Fang’s main job was equally demanding. The cumulative exhaustion left him drowsy, nearly dozing off at work.

“Brother Fang, if we revise this according to the plan—Brother Fang?”

Jolted awake by his subordinate, i Fang rubbed his eyes.

“Brother Fang, have you been sleeping poorly? You look exhausted.”

“Yeah… so insomnia.”

“Working under constant high stress can lead to sudden death. Maybe take a couple days off?”

“No ti with the version update pending. At most, I’ll take a half-day to nap.”

“Brother Fang, you’re pushing too hard. Your girlfriend would worry.”

“Go away, what girlfriend?”

“Brother Fang, at your age, still playing shy? Ahahaha!”

i Fang knew they ant Lin Youxi.

But she was such a radiant yet heartbreaking woman. Right now, he just wanted to finish this ga with her.

As i Fang wrapped up his tasks, a ssage from [Mountains Have LinXi] popped up:

[Store system module ready for review. Co to my place to test? I’ll treat you to dinner.]

Her enthusiasm was palpable.

Rembering tonight’s build deadline, i Fang hesitated before replying:

i: [Sorry, can’t make it today…]

Lin: [Overti again?]

i: [Yeah, build deadline. Too many bugs left.]

Lin: [What bugs? Let see. I’ll fix them for you.]

i: [That’s not really appropriate…]

Lin: [Don’t trust my skills?]

i: [Of course not!]

Lin: [Then you’ve lost interest. Don’t want to work on this anymore.]

i: [Not at all! Just exhausted lately…]

Lin: [Fine. Rest today. No dinner.]

Is she mad?

She’s definitely mad!

How do you calm an angry woman?

This is the genius valedictorian of Baii High—no half-hearted coaxing will work…

Romantically inexperienced, i Fang was at a loss. But with work piling up, he had no choice but to prioritize his job over Lin Youxi’s mood.

By the ti bugs were fixed and the build finalized, it was 3:30 AM. The hour-long taxi ride ho gave i Fang ti to draft ssages to Lin Youxi, but he ultimately sent none.

After a rushed shower, he collapsed into bed, waking at 11 AM.

With the morning off, i Fang made instant noodles for breakfast and finally checked his ssages, sending Lin Youxi a tentative:

[Just woke up after overti… Lunch today? We can discuss yesterday’s system.]

…

Then, he saw the dreaded red exclamation mark.

[ssage sent, but rejected by recipient.]

[???]

[ssage sent, but rejected by recipient.]

i Fang’s scalp prickled. Had yesterday’s slight gotten him blocked?

Just because I had overti… I have my own responsibilities too.

He felt Lin Youxi was overreacting, but with limited experience handling won—especially one as emotionally fragile as her—he reluctantly called her.

The line rang endlessly without answer, though it wasn’t outright declined.

Busy? I’ll try again later…

The dismissal stung. His workload was genuine, yet Lin Youxi refused to understand.

She only cares about her ga. To her, I’m just a tool—replaceable if not for my design skills and Baii County knowledge.

At my age, getting jealous over this is embarrassing.

Whatever.

On his subway commute, i Fang called again. This ti, the call was instantly rejected.

[The number you dialed is busy.]

What the hell?

After a month of grueling developnt, daily lunch and dinner discussions—how could she cut ties so abruptly?

Are all won this unreasonable?

Or is it just Lin Youxi?

No wonder she’s been single this long… Her temper’s impossible!

Furious as he was, i Fang couldn’t bear abandoning their month of work. This project had reignited his passion—a rarity in his career. He had to reach her.

He sent a text:

[My bad for yesterday… I know this ga matters to you, but please understand my workload. Our project’s in crunch ti—I had no choice.]

[I love this ga too. I truly want to finish it with you.]

[…Fine. Take ti to cool off. The pace was too intense anyway. Contact when you’re ready.]

Dammit!

With each ssage, i Fang felt more like a simp, fueling his frustration.

After years in the workforce, I should know better—no one tolerates tantrums professionally unless you’re the CEO…

But she’s been alone all these years, drinking solo on Valentine’s… Her reclusiveness traces back to high school… I knew what I was getting into…

As i Fang rationalized, Lin Youxi replied:

[Pretend I’m dead.]

…

?

What the hell does that an?!

“Pretend I’m dead”—never contact her again?

All because I seed less enthusiastic?

So hypersensitive and difficult!

i Fang’s opinion of Lin Youxi plumted. If she was this volatile, the project was dood. The sunk cost was still manageable—now might be the ti to quit.

…

Yet.

As he worked that afternoon, the image of that lonely woman slumped over the bar on Valentine’s night, her delicate face etched with sorrow, lingered in his mind.

Truthfully, over this past month, he’d grown fond of her.

Lin Youxi was extraordinarily talented, working on gas with infectious passion. Her programming prowess was godlike—i Fang’s entire engineering team combined couldn’t match her efficiency.

That was just professionally.

Personally, Lin Youxi wasn’t hard to get along with. Their chemistry felt predestined, their conversations effortless. She occasionally teased him with playful malice, and upon learning she was a year older, sotis jokingly called herself “big sister”—a far cry from her cold, elegant exterior.

But this moodiness was unbearable.

Maybe give her space to cool down?

Leaving work early, i Fang lingered outside the office building, half-hoping to bump into Lin Youxi. He even checked the convenience store, but she was nowhere to be found.

…

Wish I knew her friends.

But given her personality, aside from childhood friend Xia Yuan, she probably doesn’t have many close ones…

Gazing at the brightly lit convenience store, i Fang couldn’t stop envisioning her.

…

Sigh…

Even if she thinks I’m a stalker, so be it.

This unresolved tension is torture.

Hailing a cab, i Fang texted Lin Youxi:

[Coming to your place. Let’s talk this out. Even if we part ways, let’s end properly. Don’t abandon the ga like this.]

…

No response.

Undeterred, i Fang headed to Lin Youxi’s apartnt.

Her place was a re 10-minute drive from work, but i Fang’s urgency made it feel endless.

Just give closure. If the project’s over, tell why!

Lin Youxi lived in an aging 2000s-era complex, though anities were decent. Taking the elevator up, i Fang knocked softly on her door—no answer.

A food delivery guy passing by inspired i Fang. He knocked again, calling out:

“Delivery for you!”

Movent inside. Slow footsteps.

Holding his breath, i Fang awaited their reunion.

The door opened.

There stood Lin Youxi, clad in pink pajamas, hair disheveled, face flushed with exhaustion.

Spotting i Fang, she froze.

After a beat, Lin Youxi extended her hand.

“Where’s my food? Hand it over.”

“You really thought I was delivery?!”

As i Fang protested, Lin Youxi cracked a faint smile. “I have a fever today. Didn’t go to work.”

“Oh…”

The atmosphere grew awkward. i Fang wanted to enter but hesitated.

Yet so questions demanded answers.

Clearing his throat, he asked softly:

“Why block ? It hurt.”

“Just hurt?”

Lin Youxi shook her head with a wry smile. “Most people would rage at and never speak to again.”

“Maybe I’m not most people?”

“Then we’re alike.”

She stepped aside, holding the door open. “Co in first.”

As i Fang entered, he scratched his head. “So… why say that? Are we done with the ga?”

“I forgot my ds lately. Felt an episode coming. Didn’t want to scare you.”

“ds?”

“Yeah.”

Lin Youxi retrieved a lithium carbonate box from the table, smiling faintly. “I have a ntal disorder—bipolar. Spent two months in a psychiatric hospital last year before they released .”

Three more chapters tonight, don’t worry.

(End of Chapter)