Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts Chapter 400: IF Side Story – Bound by Fate: (Fang & Youxi) (

i Fang had always harbored complex feelings toward his hotown.

Occasionally he missed its childhood delicacies, but also dreaded its social intricacies—being interrogated about his Shenzhen salary, relationship status, or hobuying plans.

Then ca the inevitable comparisons:

“Big city jobs are all sweat money—better return for stability.”

“My cousin’s kid earned millions effortlessly back ho—beats your Shenzhen grind.”

Such one-upmanship and insinuations were constant.

As for nostalgic mories? His only fond recollection was childhood friend Zhang Ming. But since joining Huawei and transferring to Ukraine, all contact ceased. He could only hope they’d reunite soday…

“What’re you thinking?”

On the high-speed train, seatmate Lin Youxi rested her chin, gemlike eyes studying him. “Worrying how to introduce to your parents?”

“I already ssaged them—just said ‘friend.’”

“But they’ll read into it, right?”

“Obviously…no opposite-sex friends casually stay over.”

i Fang warned, “Fair warning—my hotown’s shabby and tiny. Besides being urban, nothing special. If uncomfortable, better book a hotel.”

“Don’t want parents misunderstanding us? Too bad.”

Lin Youxi shook her head. “You still need to remind to take ds.”

“You managed fine alone before.”

“Single life was fine…but not anymore.”

She booped his nose. “Ever since soone shalessly clung to my car window, I’ve been ruined for solitude!”

Though sweet banter, i Fang found it unreal. After more teasing, he finally complained:

“First eting you was this cool, mysterious woman—now acting like a schoolgirl?”

“You never really knew —how can you say I’ve changed?”

Locking gazes, they held until i Fang flinched.

“I win!” Lin Youxi grinned.

“So immature.”

“You answered Yuan-yuan exactly like this as kids—eerily identical.”

“That was kindergarten! Over 20 years ago—how do you rember?”

Lin Youxi smiled softly. “I dread of her last night.”

“Dreams distort mories.”

“Even fabricated ones are beautiful.”

She added, “This scene could go in White Plum mories—good idea?”

“Not bad…” i Fang agreed.

“Actually, this trip also serves as research!”

“Research?”

“For White Plum mories—we need hotown references. Key streets, school layouts…frawork’s done, but we need artists now.”

“Hiring artists is expensive though…”

i Fang asked, “Can your budget handle it?”

Lin Youxi shook her head. “Don’t worry about money—just focus on work.”

“But I’ve saved up too—quality matters for my portfolio…”

“Save your money for a future bride! Do you know modern dowry costs?”

Patting his head, she said, “As lead designer, you know our ga’s profit odds better than .”

“It’s not about profit—reputation matters too…”

“True…”

An odd silence fell until i Fang suddenly asked, “So…how much dowry do girls want nowadays?”

“How should I know? I had no parents to teach .”

“What would you want then?”

After a long stare, Lin Youxi smiled. “You can’t afford it.”

“Just curious.”

“No. Stop eyeing .”

“If not , then who?”

This ti, neither broke eye contact.

“Jealous?”

“Yes,” i Fang admitted. “Problem?”

Lin Youxi chuckled, then suddenly kissed him—drawing a scolding from train staff:

“Hey! No PDA on trains!”

“Sorry!”

After arriving at Baii County’s sleek new station (a far cry from its dilapidated predecessor), Lin Youxi inhaled deeply.

“Ah! That nostalgic air…Is Pan’s Beef Noodles still open? Let’s go!”

“It is. Why not visit sooner?”

“Eating alone’s boring. I always went with Yuan-yuan and Dad…but now I have you.”

As they walked, she asked, “What are your parents like?”

“Hmm…Dad’s lively but unreliable. Mom’s slightly controlling but reasonable—less physical nowadays. Both are kind, simple folks.”

“Since you’ve never brought girls ho before…”

“Never ever,” i Fang corrected.

Their chat was interrupted by a loud slap to i Fang’s head:

“Brat! Ignoring your old man?”

The balding, leathery-faced man was i Lijun—still spirited despite life’s weathering. “Let get your bags!”

“Said not to pick us up!”

“Wanted to surprise you!”

“No thanks.”

Amid their bickering, Lin Youxi finally interjected:

“U-Uncle hello!”

“Ah! You must be i Fang’s ‘friend’!”

Stunned by her beauty, i Lijun stamred in awkward Mandarin, “Welco to Baii!”

“Dad! She’s from here—no need for formalities!”

“Nervous habit!”

i Fang apologized, but Lin Youxi whispered:

“Your dad’s adorable.”

This ek version of Lin Youxi surprised i Fang—usually so teasing, now demure around elders.

At the parking lot, i Lijun proudly presented his motorcycle.

“You expect us and luggage to fit?” i Fang groaned.

“It’s a beast—17 years and running!”

“Just take the bags—we’ll taxi!”

“I’m already here!”

“It’s fine,” Lin Youxi interceded softly. “We’ll squeeze.”

Grudgingly, they mounted—i Fang embarrassed by his family’s lack of car.

“Careful of the exhaust pipe—I got third-degree burns once.”

“I know…My dad always warned too.”

Clutching i Fang from behind while he held their luggage, Lin Youxi rested her head on his shoulder as they rode through changing streets.

“Dad used to drive to school like this…”

“Uh-huh.”

“Hold tight—rain’s coming!”

The motorcycle roared to life, its shadow stretching long under sunset. Distant vendor cries and familiar dialects blurred together—did she truly live here 18 years?

Despite only a decade away, her past life felt dreamlike.

“That intersection…rember the grand hotel there?”

“‘Baii Renjia’!” i Lijun chid in. “Best in county! Sha it folded after road construction…”

Once-glorious, the hotel was now replaced by “Baii Tower”—its legacy reduced to passing anecdotes. Who but Lin Youxi would forever mourn her lost playmate?

The thought clenched i Fang’s heart—he squeezed her hand tighter.

Suddenly, drizzle beca downpour.

“Told you to taxi!” i Fang yelled over rain.

“Quick—umbrella!”

Soaked, they dashed into an alleyway—finally reaching the i household where Xiang Xiaoxia scolded:

“Fool! Making kids ride in this!”

Dripping wet, Lin Youxi accepted a towel from the middle-aged woman (deep laugh lines framing kind eyes).

“Th-Thank you, Auntie.”

Xiang Xiaoxia fussed over her, evoking unfamiliar warmth in Lin Youxi—who suddenly found the woman eerily familiar.

“Bath first—don’t catch cold!”

Post-bath, Lin Youxi erged to find Xiang Xiaoxia insisting on blow-drying her hair.

“No need, I—”

“Let ! Treat this as ho!”

i Fang gaped—the usually dominant Lin Youxi now docile as a kitten.

Dinner was a feast: braised fish, stead pork, free-range chicken, stir-fried veggies, and Hubei specialties like lotus root soup.

“Mom! This is New Year’s-level spread!”

“My son bringing a ‘friend’ ho is like New Year’s!” Xiang Xiaoxia winked, eyeing Lin Youxi’s refined manners.

“Eat more! Lin Youxi, right?”

“Just Youxi, Auntie.”

Xiang Xiaoxia piled her plate high.

“Wife! She’s not a pig!”

“You’re the pig! Shut up!”

Between bites, Lin Youxi ntioned her childhood ho—revealing she’d lived near the is’ old neighborhood.

“Yangyang Xiaoqu?! We lived there too!” i Lijun exclaid. “What’s your dad’s na?”

“Lin…Guochuan.”

The na triggered sothing. As conversation lulled, Xiang Xiaoxia hugged her suddenly:

“Had we t sooner…you could’ve been my second daughter.”

Trembling slightly, Lin Youxi whispered, “Not…too late now.”

Watching silent tears streak her face, i Fang’s heart ached—imagining her lonely nights without parental love.

Excusing himself, he rushed to the bathroom—clutching his chest in sudden agony.

Not now…

Gritting teeth, he slid down the door—determined not to alarm Lin Youxi during her hard-won happiness.

Outside, clothing store speakers blared Naless Ones—an anthem for ordinary strivers like him.