Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts Chapter 434: IF Side Story – Bound by Fate: (Fang & Youxi) (

“Ah, you’re—”

i Fang’s tone carried surprised hesitation, “Liu Xiaoyu?”

Liu Xiaoyu smiled slightly: “Recognized instantly? Guess I haven’t changed much since school.”

“Ah, well…”

i Fang never imagined reuniting with Liu Xiaoyu under such circumstances—nearly a decade since their last contact, yet eting at this unlikeliest venue.

Liu Xiaoyu had changed significantly.

Compared to her youthful past self, she now radiated brilliance.

Dressed in a pink Lolita dress with chestnut waves, her delicate makeup accentuated an already sweet face—easily mistaken for soone in her early twenties, untouched by ti’s erosion.

But this suited her…

“So… why are you here?”

“Obviously attending the con.”

Liu Xiaoyu gazed at their booth. “Baii mories… a nostalgic indie ga? Yours? May I try?”

“Uh…”

As i Fang hesitated, Lin Youxi erged to push them forward:

“Ah Fang, why dawdle? Show your classmate our work!”

Thus Liu Xiaoyu beca one of Baii mories‘ few demo players.

She played attentively, occasionally asking about i Fang’s life as he explained level designs.

Through conversation, i Fang learned Liu Xiaoyu now worked in gaming too—in publishing and operations, focusing on copywriting while moonlighting as a novelist.

“You loved music back then—didn’t pursue it?”

“That… just a hobby, never serious. Writing brings more joy—interacting with readers and players… Oh, what inspired this section?”

Throughout, Lin Youxi neglected booth promotions, laser-focused on i Fang and Liu Xiaoyu.

Female intuition scread: This is the crush he ntioned!

Claims it wasn’t love? Yet so enthralled!

Lin Youxi puffed her cheeks jealously before softening into a smile.

If it’s her… perhaps…

After completing the demo under i Fang’s guidance, Liu Xiaoyu lingered, sighing wistfully:

“Pacing’s slow, but truly wonderful… especially for us Baii natives.”

She marveled, “Every street ticulously recreated—such dedication. Though market viability might be challenging—”

“We know. Indies prioritize passion over profits.”

i Fang glanced at Lin Youxi, who quickly turned away. “This project commorates Youxi’s childhood friend Xia Yuan, who passed in fourth grade.”

“I see… the first heroine then?”

Liu Xiaoyu murmured, “She’s portrayed so sweetly.”

“Like… a little angel.”

As she spoke, a crisp voice called out:

“Xiaoyu! There you are!”

A petite woman approached—Yue Xinyi. Liu Xiaoyu excitedly waved her over.

“Xinyi! Look who’s here!”

Yue Xinyi gaped at i Fang.

“Holy—i Fang?! Ten years no see! You and Zhang Ming skipped every reunion—we thought you died!”

“…You’re my classmate?”

“Damn, I’m Yue Xinyi! Sat in front of you! No mory? Heartless jerk!”

She shoved i Fang playfully, her familiarity overwhelming him.

“Ah… really don’t recall.”

“She is—see her na here.”

Lin Youxi removed her school uniform jacket, pointing to the inscribed “Yue Xinyi” on the back. “Right? Yue—Xin—Yi—”

“You… look familiar!”

Yue Xinyi stared at Lin Youxi. “I’ve seen you… on the school’s honor board! The perpetual first-rank genius—Lin Youxi!”

She shook Lin Youxi’s hand eagerly. “Been your fan since school!”

“Haha… really?”

Lin Youxi smiled. “Still a fan? Want to try Baii mories?”

“Sure! Let —wait—”

Yue Xinyi blinked at i Fang. “‘Ah Fang’? You an i Fang?”

Such intimacy implied deep closeness—making Liu Xiaoyu elbow Yue Xinyi:

“Don’t pry!”

As i Fang struggled to explain, Lin Youxi interjected:

“We’re just best buds—career partners. Not lovers—I’m celibate.”

She slung an arm around i Fang, astonishing both guests.

“You’ve… changed so much from high school.”

“How was I back then?” Lin Youxi asked curiously.

“Untouchable ice queen. Now you’re approachable.”

“Just teenage angst… no special reason.”

Their chatter allowed i Fang and Liu Xiaoyu private conversation.

“You two get along so well!”

Liu Xiaoyu smiled wistfully. “Making gas with like-minded partners seems blissful.”

“It is.”

i Fang’s terse replies puzzled her.

“You’ve matured—less talkative than before.”

“Have I?” He scratched his head.

Liu Xiaoyu nodded. “As desk mates, we’d chatter endlessly. Rember when you drafted materials for that fake ga dev club?”

“Oh yeah…”

i Fang recalled. “Borrowed your help for nothing—really sorry.”

“Don’t be! Fond mories.”

Liu Xiaoyu reminisced. “I knew nothing but joined instantly—more driven then than now.”

“My novel writing? Whether busy or free, I cap at 4,000 words daily—can’t exceed—”

As new players arrived, i Fang excused himself—but Liu Xiaoyu caught his sleeve.

“i Fang… since we’ve reunited, join for dinner after? My treat—we’ll chat properly.”

“…”

After a pause, i Fang smiled. “Rain check… hosting helpers tonight.”

“Next ti then—but let’s exchange contacts. Your QQ’s dead—everyone uses WeChat now.”

“Right… I’ll scan you.”

As i Fang scanned her QR, Lin Youxi approached. “Liu Xiaoyu, let’s connect too?”

Thus they swapped contact info.

Beyond this reunion, the con yielded little—no long queues, but steady interest. About a hundred players tried Baii mories, praising its heroines and nostalgic townscapes, urging completion.

i Fang and Lin Youxi established a fan group for updates.

“Our first core fans! Next step—Steam Early Access?”

“Not yet… narrative gas need full storylines first. Six more months of polishing.”

“Speaking of—Liu Xiaoyu writes novels. Should we enlist her help? Could accelerate progress.”

At her na, i Fang fell silent.

Noticing his mood shift, Lin Youxi coiled around him:

“Our ga’s first milestone—why so glum, Ah Fang?”

After a pause, i Fang pinched her cheek.

“I hate you calling us ‘best buds’ to others.”

“Then what? Soulmates? Platonic life partners? Siblings? Just not lovers—that’s off-limits.”

Lin Youxi smiled slyly.

Facing her repeated refrain, i Fang could only offer a bitter smile.

Their couple-like intimacy without official status tornted his moral compass.

Seeing his pain, Lin Youxi sat up, pressing foreheads:

“Enough sadness. First—how did reuniting with your ‘first love’ feel?”

“Liu Xiaoyu wasn’t my first love—you are.”

“Ha! Didn’t na anyone! You confessed!”

Lin Youxi patted his head. “The singing contest girl—your desk mate, right?”

“Mm…”

“She’s beautiful and gentle.”

Lin Youxi kissed his cheek.

“If I were male… I’d fancy her too.”

“I said she’s not—just a passing crush.”

Irritated despite their closeness, i Fang cupped Lin Youxi’s face seriously:

“We lost contact after high school—ten whole years. If either had feelings, wouldn’t we have reconnected sooner?”

“Besides, soone like her—seven or eight guys liked her in class alone. Surely taken now.”

“Nope—I asked privately. Still single.”

Lin Youxi showed their chat:

“See? Never dated—waiting for soone perhaps…”

i Fang bristled at the ssages:

“Why tell her I’m single too?!”

“Aren’t you?”

“We ‘dated’ briefly during that team-building!”

“That was pretend! A few days counts?!”

As Lin Youxi joked, i Fang’s stern expression made her falter. She punched his chest.

“You do like her! You’re scolding over her!”

“Huh?”

i Fang hadn’t expected this reversal. “This counts as scolding?! Even if so, it’s because you’re matchmaking—”

“It is scolding!”

Tears welled in Lin Youxi’s eyes. “You’ve been silent all day—thinking about her, right?!”

She pumled i Fang’s chest, even grazing his face.

He didn’t resist, just apologized repeatedly:

“Sorry… shouldn’t have snapped… I’ve zero interest in Liu Xiaoyu. My silence was about Baii mories.”

“Truly no feelings?”

Lin Youxi sniffled. “No lies?”

“None.”

“Swear?”

“Lie and I’m a dog.”

“Plus swallow 1,000 needles! Boil in oil! Turn hideous! And—”

“Whoa—too many curses!”

i Fang soothed her like a child. “Alright… I’ll block Liu Xiaoyu and Yue Xinyi. Satisfied?”

As he reached for his phone, Lin Youxi snatched it away—revealing i Fang’s knowing smirk as he pinched her ear:

“Knew it—you’re acting to make resent you.”

“How’d you know?! My acting’s flawless!”

Lin Youxi pouted adorably. i Fang grew serious:

“You take ds under my supervision—no random episodes. Plus those weak punches—nothing like your actual fits. Last ti you bit till I bled, rember?”

Lin Youxi mumbled against him, “Sotis ds can’t control—”

“It’s about my tolerance, not your control.”

“Ah Fang… don’t love so much.”

Lin Youxi t his gaze. “I’m unworthy.”

Whap!

i Fang suddenly spanked her bottom.

“Ow! Jerk!”

“I decide your worth—not you.”

Another spank.

“No more acting sches to upset . Hurting is fine—but hurting yourself? That pains most—understand?”

Lin Youxi flushed crimson, huffing:

“I… won’t obey! You’re not my boyfriend! Suffering for is your choice—just my simp!”

“Want another spank? Huh?”

Whap!

“Again!”

Whap!

“More!”

“Youxi… into this play, aren’t you?”

“Aren’t you?”

“…”

They shared a smile before embracing properly.

…

Liu Xiaoyu’s wonderful…

But—I need to know her true feelings.

Unless she loves Ah Fang half—no, one-third as much as I do—

I can’t approve!

Lin Youxi calculated silently.