Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts Chapter 391: Tales from Puberty’s Past

The virtual AI strear Yuan-chan’s debut livestream on C-Site exploded in popularity, amassing 5 million fans in one go—nearly crashing the platform’s servers. Lin Youxi had been working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.

“Phew… Finally over!”

The mont Xia Yuan stepped off stream, she threw herself into i Fang’s arms, nuzzling against him like an exhausted kitten. “I’m wiped out… Chat was insane to manage today.”

“You did amazing. Want to check your viewer stats?”

“Nah… Doesn’t matter if it’s 1,000 or 100,000. Right now, I just need my A-Fang recharge—gim hugs!“

As i Fang indulged her clinginess, Lin Youxi knocked and entered the studio. “The virtual stream was a huge success. Everyone’s celebrating with dinner—Uncle’s treating. Said to order whatever we want.”

“Wait, that Uncle?! Mr. Frugal himself?! We’re so milking this!” Xia Yuan gasped.

Youxi smiled faintly. “You guys go ahead. I’ll head ho.”

“You’re not coming?”

“Exhausted. Crowds aren’t my thing anyway.” She glanced at i Fang. “Besides, A-Fang should stay with Yuan. But soone has to drive back first.”

“…Right.” i Fang pulled out his keys, but Xia Yuan suddenly piped up:

“If Youxi’s not going, I’ll skip too. Let’s all go ho together.”

“Yuan.” Youxi’s smile turned sly. “I won’t ‘accidentally’ seduce A-Fang during the ride.”

“Th-that’s not—! Ugh!” Xia Yuan huffed, then studied Youxi closely. “…You started your period early, didn’t you?”

“Ah.” Youxi blinked. “How’d you guess?”

“We’ve known each other how long? That ‘I’m-in-pain-but-hiding-it’ face is obvious.“

Xia Yuan wriggled out of i Fang’s grasp, letting him imdiately scoop Youxi into a hug.

“Dummy, why didn’t you say anything?! You worked through cramps today?!”

“Had to make sure the site didn’t collapse under Yuan-chan’s traffic. Couldn’t trust anyone else to handle it…”

Youxi winced, burying her face in his chest. “…Stop talking. Hurts.”

Congenital dysnorrhea—Youxi’s periods had always been brutally painful. But she habitually endured in silence, not wanting to worry others. Though i Fang and Xia Yuan usually doted on her, the livestream prep had left them distracted.

After bidding farewell to their colleagues, i Fang drove the trio ho. In the backseat, Youxi curled up with her head in Xia Yuan’s lap as the latter rubbed soothing circles on her abdon.

“Better now?”

“Mm… Your hands are warm. Helps a lot.”

“See? Girls just get how to comfort girls. A-Fang could never.“ Xia Yuan stuck out her tongue.

“That’s not true.” Youxi gazed at i Fang’s reflection in the rearview mirror. “He’s good too.”

“Ugh, you’re so biased…”

“A-Fang.” Youxi’s voice softened. “Rember… my first period?”

“Oh! That was… seventh grade, right?” i Fang’s grip on the wheel tightened slightly. “Yeah. Hard to forget.”

Xia Yuan, who’d been happily roleplaying as “mom,” suddenly froze. “Wait. What happened?! Why don’t I know this?!”

“We swore to keep it secret… then never got around to telling you.” Youxi chuckled weakly. “Want the story?”

i Fang eyed her through the mirror. “Should I tell it? You’re still in pain—”

“I’m fine now. Let .”

Youxi took a breath. “It was winter of 2008. First sester of middle school—”

———

Flashback: Bai i Experintal Middle School, 2008

Lin Youxi and i Fang had just gifted her father a motorcycle, settling back into school life.

Puberty arrived at different paces. While most girls had already hit growth spurts, leaving boys in the dust height-wise, i Fang—still shorter than both his childhood friends—chugged milk daily, determined to catch up.

But height wasn’t the only change.

“Yuan, you cold? You’ve been bundling up like a dumpling.”

“N-not really… Just… adjusting.” Xia Yuan tugged her jacket tighter over her chest.

Youxi tilted her head. “Did they… grow again?”

“…Yeah.” Xia Yuan groaned. “Don’t tell A-Fang. I refuse to be teased for ‘only developing in one area.’”

“He wouldn’t.”

“Still! It’s embarrassing. I’m the only girl in class like this… Sotis I wonder if it’s a disease.“

“Doubt it. Teacher Yu’s the sa.”

“Mom says it’s genetics, but…” Xia Yuan sighed. “What if she’s just humoring ?”

“Boys in novels seem to prefer bigger ones, though.”

“Wha—?! What kinda books are you reading?!” Xia Yuan gasped. “Those rot your brain! My elentary friend got hooked and turned into a delinquent!“

“I—I just heard it sowhere!” Youxi backpedaled frantically. Thankfully, Xia Yuan dropped it.

“You’re lucky. I wish I’d just gotten taller.”

“You’re cute small!” Youxi’s deadpan sincerity made Xia Yuan snort.

“Hah! Since when did you beco such a sweet-talker?”

As they parted ways, Xia Yuan called over her shoulder: “Oh! Spy on A-Fang for !”

“Okay.”

Ever since being placed in separate classes, Xia Yuan had been paranoid about i Fang making new friends—especially girl friends.

Youxi understood.

After all… she felt the sa.

But so far, i Fang’s only close buddy was Zhang Ming. And even their friendship took a backseat whenever Youxi needed him—whether poking him with a pen or dragging him away mid-conversation.

Returning to class, Youxi found i Fang imrsed in a Yu-Gi-Oh! duel with his classmates. Though their horoom teacher Li Shibing banned “distractions,” Youxi—as class monitor—turned a blind eye as long as it didn’t disrupt lectures.

Especially since her precious idiot loved the ga.

And was weirdly good at it.

Boys constantly flocked to him for rulings advice.

“i Fang’s so popular…” Yue Xinyi, Youxi’s deskmate, sighed. “Too bad it’s only with boys.“

“Girls don’t like him?”

“They prefer mature guys.” Xinyi propped her chin on her hands. “Like the male lead in my novel—he dumps his girlfriend after getting leukemia because ‘true love ans letting go.’ Now that’s maturity!”

“…That’s a tragedy.”

“Variety’s good! Anyway, the girl finds out and they fight it together. Rich people can cure anything, right?” Xinyi shrugged. “If I got leukemia? I’d just enjoy life ‘til the end. No way my family could afford treatnt.”

“Sa.”

The conversation lingered in Youxi’s mind. Leukemia—an unfathomable nightmare for poor families like hers.

…

Why am I even thinking about this?

Bored, Youxi jabbed i Fang’s back with her pen.

“Hm?”

“Class soon. Stop yapping.”

“Aye aye.” He spun around, grinning. “But I haven’t talked to you all day. Can’t have my deskmate feeling neglected~”

“I was just reminding you—”

“Uh-huh. Translation: ‘Pay attention to .’”

Youxi responded by stabbing his ribs repeatedly with her pen.

“GAH! Quit it—tickles! Hahaha—”

“OMG OMG! THEY’RE SO CUTE TOGETHER!” Xinyi squealed, sohow more excited than the duo.

———

By evening study hall, Youxi noticed a dull ache in her lower abdon. Assuming it was indigestion, she ignored it—until standing up sent white-hot agony shooting through her body.

“You okay?!” i Fang rushed over as she doubled over.

“Stomachache…”

“Need a taxi? I’ll get Yuan—”

“Bus… is fine.”

As he helped her up, i Fang caught a tallic tang in the air. His face flushed.

“Uh… Youxi. Are you maybe… y’know—”

“Hm?”

“Never mind.”

Their intimate posture drew stares—middle-school boys and girls rarely touched so openly. When Xia Yuan saw them, she nearly tripped sprinting over.

“What happened?!”

“Says her stomach hurts.”

“Bathroom or ho? We’ll escort you.”

“Ho’s fine… Really.”

The packed bus ride was torture. Xia Yuan shielded Youxi while i Fang braced them both against the lurching vehicle.

“Almost there! Hang on!”

But upon reaching Youxi’s apartnt, they found it dark and empty.

“Your dad’s still at work?”

“Overti at the construction site.”

Xia Yuan and i Fang exchanged glances. “Stay at my place tonight? Easier to take care of you.”

“No need… Rest’ll fix it.”

———

Alone at last, Youxi finally checked her underwear.

Blood.

So much blood.

The leukemia talk from earlier ca rushing back. A wave of helplessness crushed her.

Silently, she scrubbed her clothes raw, but the sll wouldn’t fade.

Tears dripped onto the fabric.

Then ca the sobs.