Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts Chapter 373: Summary of the First Round of the Love Game

After everyone enjoyed the evening, Xia Yuan proposed her idea to Lin Youxi as they prepared for bed.

“Should we decide the winner of the first round tonight?”

Lin Youxi paused, then smiled faintly. “Since this trip is rare, let’s do a proper summary… Who goes first?”

“Since it was my suggestion, I’ll start… But how do we summarize?”

“Just talk about your experiences with Ah Fang this week,” Lin Youxi suggested. “Share the monts that felt most ‘relationship-like.’ We’ll compare whose interactions were sweeter.”

Though aware she’d likely lost badly, Xia Yuan wasn’t one to surrender easily. Sitting formally on the bed, she cleared her throat and began:

“This week, my interactions with Ah Fang felt more like our childhood friendship. Besides that… risqué mont this afternoon, we mostly just hugged and held hands.”

“As for ‘relationship-like’ monts…”

Xia Yuan’s shoulders slumped. “I don’t think any of mine counted. If I weren’t forcing myself to play along, I’d be too shy even to hold hands.”

“Don’t say that,” Lin Youxi patted her head. “You wouldn’t propose this summary just to surrender, would you? The YuanYuan I know wouldn’t let have Ah Fang all to myself.”

“YuanYuan, we did have so sweet monts. Should I remind you?” i Fang interjected, earning a glare:

“Ah Fang, no hints! Let think…”

After scratching her head, Xia Yuan brightened. “Oh! When we t at the cafeteria, I learned a secret about Ah Fang—that he worked so hard since childhood because he feared not being good enough to keep us interested. That was sweet.”

“A secret I don’t know?” Lin Youxi glanced at i Fang, who waved dismissively.

“It’s nothing major. He said our academic competitiveness actually spared us from romantic distractions later. You two are scarily in sync!”

“If I could live without Ah Fang, I wouldn’t compete with you…” Xia Yuan sighed dramatically.

“Enough weird talk,” i Fang nudged. “Keep sharing.”

Xia Yuan listed their mundane interactions—hugs, head pats, hand-holding—with increasing embarrassnt: “I know I perford poorly this week. I didn’t defend Ah Fang when Bingbing teased him, failed at teaching him to swim, let other girls take advantage… I’m a terrible girlfriend.”

“Wait,” Lin Youxi interrupted. “You’re misunderstanding the ga. We’re comparing romantic sparks, not girlfriend skills. What I did wasn’t sweet—just jealous posturing.”

“Huh?”

“Forcing Bingbing to admit her crush, groping Ah Fang publicly, scolding you—none of these are things an ex should do. I kept acting like his girlfriend despite our breakup. Ah Fang indulged because he knows I fear loneliness.”

Xia Yuan blinked, unsure if this was false modesty. “Then why call yourself ‘despicable’?”

“Because my ‘sweetness’ ca from still acting like his girlfriend. Your interactions—that ambiguous ‘more-than-friends’ tension—are what’s truly heart-fluttering. Even I felt it listening to you.”

“Oh! So…” Xia Yuan’s eyes lit up with dawning hope.

“Ah Fang,” Lin Youxi turned to him, “no diplomatic answers this ti. Whose monts made your heart race more?”

After exaggerated deliberation, i Fang admitted: “Today’s sunset talk with YuanYuan. Her clumsy efforts to win were adorable. Made want to protect that determination forever.”

“S-stop! Don’t say such embarrassing things in front of Youxi!” Xia Yuan covered her blushing face.

“The verdict’s clear then,” Lin Youxi declared. “YuanYuan wins this round.”

“Th-thank you. I still have room to improve though—”

“Don’t celebrate yet,” Lin Youxi cut in icily. “I’ve devised new strategies for next week.”

As the girls bantered, i Fang suddenly embraced Xia Yuan, lowering her onto the bed while maintaining intense eye contact.

“W-what are you doing?!”

“Your winner’s reward.”

“We never discussed this!”

“My personal addition.” i Fang brushed her hair aside, caressing her cheek. “This… is the feeling of love.”

Lin Youxi observed sideways, taking notes. “I still have much to learn.”

“Don’t watch!” Xia Yuan turned away.

i Fang kissed her cheek. “My YuanYuan slls so sweet… I could eat you up.”

“I-I’m chubby! You couldn’t finish—”

“I’ll take my ti…” His hand drifted to her pounding chest. “Your heartbeat says you’re enjoying this.”

“O-of course! Now let check yours—”

Their intimate mont was interrupted by Lin Youxi: “Keep it PG. Don’t cross the ‘pure love’ boundary.”

“We’re already here! I want—”

“Rewards end here,” i Fang sat up. “As agreed, winners get romantic nourishnt.”

Lin Youxi began unbuttoning her pajamas with mock solemnity. “As the loser, I must endure the bitter taste of defeat…”

“YuanYuan, observe carefully,” she winked. “Don’t repeat my failure next ti.”