Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts Chapter 477: IF Side Story – Bound by Fate: (Fang & Youxi) [

About a week had passed since their Qixi Festival date.

After that fateful outing, Lin Youxi hadn’t experienced a single mont of lucidity this entire week.

Not one.

i Fang, now unable to predict Lin Youxi’s behavior, had to keep her by his side constantly—otherwise she might do sothing irreversible. Even at night, he dared not sleep soundly.

The imnse physical and ntal toll of caring for Lin Youxi had left i Fang as disoriented as she was, barely distinguishing day from night, surviving solely on his determination to protect her.

When Zhang Ming ca to visit, he was shocked by i Fang’s haggard appearance.

Zhang Ming administered acupuncture, prepared herbal dicine, and watched i Fang drink it.

“This is truly the last ti I can help you… I’ve said all there is to say. What you need now is to control your emotions. If you get too agitated and no one’s around to perform ergency treatnt, there’ll be no saving you.”

i Fang responded softly between sips, now seemingly incapable of raising his voice. Yet even in this state, he kept glancing toward the bedroom where Lin Youxi slept, afraid she might wake and find him absent.

Zhang Ming studied i Fang’s gaunt face, sighed, and patted his shoulder. “Take care, brother.”

“Thanks… brother.”

After seeing Zhang Ming out, i Fang received a package containing a jade bracelet. He ssaged his mother that it had arrived, and Xiang Xiaoxia imdiately video-called—which i Fang declined.

The call switched to voice only.

“Ah Fang… h-how are you? We’ve been so worried, not hearing from you…”

i Fang mustered his strength to sound energetic. “I’m fine.”

“Really don’t need us to co help? You said Youxi was very ill…”

“I can handle it. I’m not job-hunting right now anyway. She’ll improve after this depressive episode passes.”

Can’t let Mom see Youxi and like this.

She’d make leave her.

After a pause, i Fang added quietly:

“Mom, once Youxi and I wrap up so work here, when she’s a bit better, we’ll return before New Year’s to hold the wedding. We’re getting registered tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Tomorrow’s Ghost Festival! Why pick such an inauspicious date?”

“We originally wanted Qixi Festival, but the lines were too long, and appointnts are required in big cities… Had to choose when no one else would—”

“Then pick another day! Registering on Ghost Festival—the civil affairs staff will think you’re insane! Reschedule imdiately.”

Xiang Xiaoxia’s scolding continued until i Fang cut in:

“Alright alright, I’ll reschedule… Gotta go now.”

“Wait, let talk to Youxi—”

i Fang hung up abruptly, then erupted into violent coughing.

That was all the strength he had left.

Whew…

Clutching the vintage green jade bracelet, i Fang rested briefly before carefully placing it on Lin Youxi’s wrist as she slept.

Her arm was terribly thin, but fortunately the bracelet was small enough not to slip off.

The movent roused Lin Youxi. She trembled slightly, then clutched i Fang’s hand tightly.

Her eyes opened—still empty, unfocused, uncertain if she even registered i Fang’s presence.

Yet the warmth of his palm seed to comfort her.

“Good… morning? Afternoon? Or evening.”

i Fang smiled as Lin Youxi slowly lifted her bracelet-adorned arm.

“Mom promised this to you long ago. It was Grandma’s, then Mom’s, now yours.”

Lin Youxi didn’t respond.

“Youxi… can we discuss sothing?”

She looked up at him.

“We haven’t gone out in a week. Let’s go out tomorrow, okay?”

His eyes brimd with hope.

Lin Youxi nodded slightly.

“To register?”

This glimr of clarity thrilled i Fang. “Yes, yes! And maybe stroll around town—”

“Okay.”

Overjoyed by these few words, i Fang hugged her tightly—unlike during their passionate early days, Lin Youxi’s arms now hung limply at her sides.

Her eyes remained dull.

After taking Zhang Ming’s herbal dicine, i Fang fell into an unusually deep sleep.

When he awoke the next morning, Lin Youxi wasn’t beside him.

The empty space jolted him upright, scrambling out of bed in panic—only to find her at the vanity, applying makeup.

“You’re awake.”

Lin Youxi fastened an earring while smiling at his reflection. “I made breakfast… though I’m out of practice…”

i Fang stood behind her, hands trembling on her shoulders.

“So you’re…”

Lin Youxi covered his hand with hers. “The depressive episode seems over. You’ve worked so hard this whole ti—”

i Fang embraced her from behind.

“Why so tight…”

“Afraid this is a dream… Does it hurt?”

“Not… not compared to your pain…”

“Pinch then.”

“No, I couldn’t.”

“Please, just a little—” i Fang coaxed, turning her to face him, caressing her smooth cheeks.

“Really… want to pinch you?”

“Mhm! I love being tornted by you!”

“Does it hurt?”

i Fang shook his head. “Harder.”

“Now?”

“…Still nothing.”

“But I’m using all my strength…”

Lin Youxi tilted her head. “Are we… actually dreaming?”

“Feels too real to be a—”

As i Fang reached for her again, she dissipated like smoke.

He jerked awake.

His lover was in his arms—but not the bright-eyed version from his dream.

The real Lin Youxi stared blankly at the wall.

Noticing his tears, she slowly wiped them away.

i Fang sat up, drying his face. “Sleep a bit longer. I’ll make breakfast.”

“Okay.”

After preparing breakfast, helping her wash up, and doing her makeup, i Fang hit another roadblock—Lin Youxi refused to leave, stubbornly planted on the sofa. ℝåΝ𝙤𝐛Ëṡ

“We agreed yesterday… to register and go out?”

“No.”

“I don’t want to marry you anymore.”

No amount of persuasion worked.

“Alright… if you don’t want to go, we won’t.”

While watching TV, Lin Youxi suddenly requested to play a ga.

“Which one? That one again?”

She nodded. “White Plum Ti.”

“Another playthrough?”

This ga had beco Lin Youxi’s sole distraction—the only ti her eyes showed any light. But once she stopped or i Fang spoke, the emptiness returned.

Holding her, watching her restart the ga again and again, seeing her animated expressions mirroring the in-ga Xia Yuan’s smiles, i Fang’s nose stung with tears.

I was too arrogant.

Maybe… I was never the one who could save Youxi.

If Yuan Yuan were here, Youxi wouldn’t have ended up like this—

I can only watch helplessly as she falls into the abyss.

Even giving everything, I can’t stop her destruction.

His body trembled slightly.

Lin Youxi seed oblivious.

As always, she chose the happy ending with Xia Yuan.

“Why always this route? Try romancing yourself soti.”

“Because I hate myself.”

“More than anyone,” she whispered. “Everyone wishes I didn’t exist.”

“That’s not true—I love you.”

“Which is why you’re like this now.”

Lin Youxi set down the controller. “I’d rather you hated .”

She seed unaware of her cruel words, continuing casually:

“Ah Fang, while playing I suddenly craved those fried potato chips from back ho…”

“Let’s go buy so?”

“Don’t want to go out. You get them, or order delivery.”

“After leaving you alone last ti?”

i Fang forced a smile. “Besides, those street vendor chips aren’t on delivery apps.”

“Then… we’ll go out, but no registering.”

Lin Youxi murmured, “Don’t marry . Wait until I die, then remarry—better for you that way.”

“Don’t say such things! We promised to be destroyed together…”

His smile turned bitter. “Now you’re abandoning ?”

“Because I’m a capricious villain…” Her grin held no warmth. “You chose this.”

“Let’s not discuss this.”

i Fang spoke gently. “Let’s just go find those potato chips, okay?”

“Okay…”

Perhaps due to the Ghost Festival, the weekend streets were unusually empty.

Walking along the riverbank, they discovered an unfamiliar alley.

“A snack street? When was this built?” Lin Youxi wondered.

“Not sure… We haven’t been out in ages.”

i Fang held her hand. “Let’s see what they have?”

“Only want potato chips.”

“Fine… I’ll look.”

Lin Youxi seed slightly more lucid now.

Though her words still cut deep, at least she wasn’t giving him the silent treatnt.

That’s progress…

At the alley’s entrance stood a volunteer dical booth—currently unattended, littered with empty snack boxes, suggesting the doctor was quite the foodie.

Further in, the crowd thickened, vendors’ cries filling the air.

“Feels like ho, rember? Bai i County’s main street?”

“Mhm…”

“Yuan Yuan always took out as kids. I had no money—she treated , especially to those potato chips near First Elentary.”

“Only rember outings with Yuan Yuan?”

i Fang feigned hurt. “We went last year too.”

“Did we?”

Lin Youxi rubbed her temples. “Only recall childhood tis… Oh! That stall sells fried potato chips!”

They bought a portion.

“h… not as good as back ho.”

Lin Youxi frowned.

“Then we’ll go ho soon to eat them.”

“No.” She refused. “Even there, they won’t taste the sa.”

“We could try making—”

“i Fang.”

They’d reached an open area by the riverbank.

Lin Youxi gazed up at him, smiling.

“Do you hate ?”

i Fang shook his head.

“I hate you.”

Whether surprised by her words or unsure how to respond, i Fang froze montarily before managing a faint smile.

“Okay…”

“I loathe you.”

“Sorry.”

“I regret ever eting you.”

“…”

“Life would’ve been better without you.”

She watched the blood-orange sunset stretch their shadows endlessly.

“Without you, I wouldn’t be this half-dead wreck—just living freely, happy each day, hospitalized when episodes hit—”

Lin Youxi walked ahead, hands behind her back. “Then one day, I’d be found dead in so rental… or hospital bed. No need for a tombstone—no visitors anyway. Cremate , scatter my ashes at sea… perfect, right?”

When she turned back, i Fang stood weeping silently, tears streaming down his face.

He cried heartbreakingly—yet stifled any sound, clinging to masculinity even now, rembering Zhang Ming’s warning about controlling his emotions.

“So… do you regret it now?”

“I’m saying this lucidly.”

“Our relationship’s beyond hiding thoughts…”

Lin Youxi seed to relish his pain, making no move to comfort him as he wiped his tears and insisted hoarsely:

“No… regret what?”

He sniffled. “My choice…”

“I don’t turn back easily.”

“eting you was beautiful to .”

“Before you, I was alone in Pengcheng.”

“Thought I’d never find love.”

“Until that convenience store.”

“Though it hurts now… I’ll cherish our happiness.”

“Forever… no, eternally…”

His voice broke. Whether she heard or cared didn’t matter—this Lin Youxi couldn’t be moved by his words anymore.

As he wept, she approached and took his hand, placing it over her heart.

“Don’t be sad. Let’s rest awhile.”

Hand in hand, they sat on a riverside bench as families strolled past. Children stared at i Fang’s tear-streaked face before being hurried along.

Lin Youxi leaned against him, watching the sunset paint them gold.

Neither spoke.

She played with her jade bracelet, twisting it in the light before growing bored and climbing onto his lap to study his face.

“…”

His eyes held loneliness, exhaustion, sorrow, agony—but never hatred or disgust toward her.

Cupping his cheeks, she kissed him softly.

“Ah Fang.”

Her whisper carried remorse.

“Sorry.”

“Mm…”

Foreheads touching, noses brushing, gazes locked—i Fang finally saw a glimr in her eyes.

Trembling, he embraced her gently.

She hugged him back tightly.

“Feels like… I’ve apologized countless tis.”

“As many as needed.”

“But this is the last, truly.”

Lin Youxi murmured, “I think… my depression has lifted.”

“This episode lasted so long.”

Sothing wet fell on i Fang’s head—her tears.

“So… am I dreaming again?”

“‘Again’?”

Lin Youxi choked up. “You dread I got better last night?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Then your wish ca true.”

She clung to him. “Or maybe… your prayers worked—”

Then she whispered in his ear:

“Let’s go… register now.”

“Too late… they’re closed.”

“Then tomorrow… first thing when we wake.”

“Doesn’t matter if we register…”

“Of course it does! You’ve always cared so much—”

Lin Youxi scolded, tapping his head. i Fang smiled wearily—the first genuine smile in ages, as if he’d forgotten how.

She took tissues from his pocket, wiping his nose and tears.

He did the sa for her.

[Part 2 after midnight]