Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts Chapter 471: Death Knell

In his blissful dream, i Fang found himself in a nursery adorned with toys, plushies, and cartoon stickers, grinning as he lay prone on the floor.

Two giggling girls—presumably Xia Yuan and Lin Youxi’s daughters—bounced over to use his back as a springboard for leapfrog.

His beloveds sat cross-legged on foam mats, knitting sweaters while counting each jump:

“One Little Yuan Bao cleared!”

“One Little Xi Bao cleared!”

“Two Little Yuan Baos cleared!”

“Two Little Xi Baos cleared!”

This idyllic dostic scene had i Fang grinning ear-to-ear until the thousandth jump finally exhausted him, collapsing onto the mats.

The girls imdiately sward him, tugging at his clothes with whiny pleas:

“Daddy, daddy, get up…”

“Papa, keep playing with us!”

“Can you do it, Daddy?”

“Cheer up for your daughters!”

“Y-yes… anything—”

“Yay! Daddy’s the best!”

“We love you most, Papa…”

As i Fang rose to embrace them, the shrill ringtone of his bedside phone violently yanked him from paradise.

Didn’t I mute this?!

Carefully climbing over the sleeping Lin Youxi, he checked the caller ID—Mom.

7 AM? What ergency—

A thousand catastrophic scenarios flashed through his mind:

Did Dad get arrested for corruption?

No… he wouldn’t dare. Besides, if he wanted money, he’d just ask —already promised him that Hongqi limo.

Wait—did Xiao Ya get a boyfriend?!

Who dares court i Fang’s sister?! I’ll break that punk’s legs!

His frozen panic woke both girls. Xia Yuan sleepily mumbled protests about “positions,” while Lin Youxi rubbed her eyes:

“Ah Fang… who’s calling?”

“My mom.”

i Fang finally answered. “Mom? What’s up this early?”

“Your damn security won’t let us in! I showed ID and household register!”

“Who’d dare stop you? Didn’t you—wait, our security?”

Cold sweat drenched i Fang’s back. “My neighborhood?”

“Yes! Here, talk to them—”

The familiar voice of security guard Xiao Zhang ca through: “Mr. i? This lady claims to be your mother—”

“Y-yes, she is, but wait—”

The phone was snatched back. “Confird? Now take to my son’s villa.”

Their mountainside gated community boasted multimillion-dollar estates—perfect secluded retreats for expectant mothers.

But that’s not the point now!

Code red!

“Fuck! Mom’s ambushing us!”

Lin Youxi yawned, amused. “Very on-brand for Mom…”

“No ti for comntary! Up, now!”

“Too late for damage control…”

Watching i Fang scramble into clothes, Lin Youxi found his panic endearing.

“Ah Fang, you’re a grown man. Why fear your mom?”

“Says soone who never knelt on steel brushes!”

“She won’t do that now—you’re a VIP.”

“Unpredictable… Look, just pretend to keep sleeping. I’ll say I slept in the guest room. Hide my stuff.”

“Okay.”

When the doorbell rang, i Fang teleported downstairs with familial urgency, feigning grogginess.

Xiang Xiaoxia’s expression was inscrutable, i Lijun frowned deeply, while i Ya stuck out her tongue mischievously.

“Mom… why so early?”

“Itinerary changed last minute.”

Xiang Xiaoxia scrutinized his disheveled state. “Your security’s ridiculous—even with my ID, they doubted I’m your mother.”

“High-profile residents… paparazzi concerns…” i Fang ushered them inside. “Co in, let’s talk.”

As they passed, i Ya whispered:

“Big bro… you’re so dead.”

i Fang “gently” patted her shoulder. “Thanks for the heads-up—”

“Oww! Mom confiscated my phone! I couldn’t warn you!”

The grand tour began with Xiang Xiaoxia critiquing the spacious living room:

“Such wasted space…”

“CEO son needs proper grandeur!”

i Lijun circled proudly before noting flaws:

“Your garden’s pathetic—not even lucky bamboo? And no housekeeper? I could quit my job—”

“Enough! Stop ddling!”

Xiang Xiaoxia shut him down before eyeing the staircase.

“Yuan Yuan and Youxi still asleep? Their rooms upstairs?”

“Y-yeah… I sleep in the downstairs bedroom.”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s piercing gaze t his unblinking poker face—until i Fang spotted the white lace panties peeking from the couch cushions, milliters from his mother’s reach.

Must control the narrative!

A quick glance sent i Ya into diversionary action:

“Mom! Can we rest? I need a shower!”

“I’ll prep the guest room—”

“Wait.” Xiang Xiaoxia stood. “I’ll greet the girls first.”

“They’re sleeping! So rude—”

“Since when do mothers need permission?”

Xiang Xiaoxia scoffed. “Don’t worry—I’ll knock.”

i Ya pounced, sitting on the incriminating panties while wailing:

“Mom! I must be adopted! You never knock for !”

“Checking your study habits! You and your father—one obsessed with grass, the other with dolls!”

“Legitimate hobbies!”

“Exactly!” i Ya pocketed the panties seamlessly.

i Lijun grumbled, “At least I don’t play with dolls…”

“Traitor!” i Ya hissed. “I earn 10k monthly from my miniatures! What’s your salary?”

“Your brother’s fans inflated that! Those figurines cost—”

“Silence!”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s scolding was interrupted by footsteps descending—Lin Youxi, now dressed and fresh-faced, appeared.

“Mom? You ca early?”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s sternness lted. “Did we wake you?”

“No, I rise early to cook.”

Lin Youxi embraced i Ya while smoothly interrogating:

“Weren’t you arriving tomorrow?”

“Your father’s schedule changed.”

Xiang Xiaoxia smiled. “This is Ah Fang’s ho—we visit whenever.”

i Ya cheekily added, “Parents without boundaries are the worst!”

“Insolent child!”

Lin Youxi shielded her. “Mom, she’s just tired.”

Crisis averted!

i Fang exhaled—until a second set of footsteps approached, accompanied by tearful muttering:

“Ah Fang… Youxi… where are you… nightmare… our baby disappeared—”

The drowsy Xia Yuan stumbled downstairs—then slipped at the final steps.

i Fang lunged, catching her safely—

—just as Xiang Xiaoxia’s death glare locked onto them.

Well.

We’re dead.