Chapter 117

Chapter 117: The Little Boy

In Mei Fang’s memory, Lin You Xi and Xia Yuan almost never had any conflicts. Lin You Xi had been Xia Yuan’s little follower since she was very young. However, Xia Yuan was the type to share; she would gladly give her good food, drinks, and beautiful things to Lin You Xi.

Moreover, she was willing to stand up for Lin You Xi, confronting the boys who teased her head-on.

This harmonious relationship persisted throughout their elementary school years. Even when they reached middle school, Mei Fang never saw them quarrel.

But Mei Fang had already warned Lin You Xi not to mention quitting the advanced class. She didn’t listen and still tried to persuade him?

That’s not like You Xi at all.

Mei Fang sat down next to Lin You Xi with a stool, watching her sleep on the desk. He gently called her name.

“You Xi, what do you want to eat? I can bring it for you?”

Lin You Xi didn’t react.

Mei Fang lightly patted her shoulder, but she still didn’t respond.

“Did you… have a fight with Yuan Yuan?”

Mei Fang spoke softly to Lin You Xi, “Even if I don’t understand why, seeing you sad makes me sad too. If you don’t want to eat, then I won’t eat breakfast either.”

Mei Fang moved his chair back to his seat, waiting for Lin You Xi to look up,

Although You Xi can be difficult when she’s withdrawn, she at least cares about me. If I don’t eat, she should feel bad for me…

Mei Fang watched as his classmates returned from the cafeteria one by one, his stomach growling, but Lin You Xi still didn’t raise her head.

Damn it, even I don’t care about anymore, I must have misjudged you, You Xi!

After a brief moment of anger, Mei Fang calmed down.

She probably had her first argument with Yuan Yuan, which made her feel terrible. As an adult, I shouldn’t argue with her.

Let her calm down first.

When the first class ended, Lin You Xi raised her head. Mei Fang occasionally glanced at her side profile, only to see her focused on the lesson. Mei Fang’s attention wasn’t drawn to her.

After the first class, Lin You Xi fell back asleep.

Mei Fang went to the restroom and took the opportunity to check on Xia Yuan next door.

Through the window, Mei Fang saw Xia Yuan also sleeping on her desk, further confirming that they had argued.

But if neither You Xi nor Yuan Yuan want to talk to me, how can I help them reconcile?

One problem after another.

When Mei Fang returned to his seat, he noticed an Oreo cookie on his desk.

Mei Fang picked up the Oreo cookie and looked at Guo Yun beside him, “Did you give this to me?”

“Uh… yeah?”

Guo Yun said while looking at Lin You Xi in front of Mei Fang, then secretly wrote a note:

[The class monitor said you didn’t eat breakfast, so she told me to share with you if I had anything. She even gave me money.]

[She didn’t eat either]

Mei Fang passed a note back, [Do you have any extra for her?]

Guo Yun shook her head and mouthed, [I only have one]

So Mei Fang opened the Oreo cookie packaging, broke off a small piece, ate it, and placed the other half on Lin You Xi’s desk before leaving the classroom.

Deal with it for now… but I don’t know if Yuan Yuan ate it.

As Mei Fang left the classroom, someone pushed him hard from behind.

“What the heck… Peng Xue, what are you doing!”

“Why are you doing this? I should be asking you!”

Peng Xue seemed ready to confront him, “Mei Fang, you heartless thing, did you bully my Yuan Yuan? I saw her crying so much this morning, and she hasn’t even looked up or spoken to me.”

Mei Fang retorted, “What are you talking about? How could I ever hurt them?”

“Then what happened to Yuan Yuan?” Peng Xue thought for a moment, “If it’s not you, could it be because of You Xi—”

“I’m not sure… but it’s likely.”

“Oh… if that’s the case, that’s a big problem.”

Peng Xue looked troubled, “Please, let’s hope they didn’t fight over some guy. That would be unsolvable!”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Mei Fang frowned, “Once Yuan Yuan feels better, come tell me. I’ll talk to her.”

“Alright, no problem.” Peng Xue gave a thumbs-up, “I’ll take care of Yuan Yuan.”

When Mei Fang returned to his seat, he found the Oreo cookie he placed on Lin You Xi’s desk was gone.

She must have eaten it herself.

Mei Fang wanted to wait until both of them were calmer to talk things through, but today he didn’t get to see Lin You Xi’s return or Xia Yuan waving from the classroom door.

Every time he went to find Yuan Yuan, she was either buried in problems or resting, never looking out the window.

This day felt unbearably long to Mei Fang.

He now deeply felt the anxiety and unease in his heart.

Looking back, when Mei Fang first reincarnated into this body, he was all about making money and seizing opportunities to become a business tycoon. He also wanted to use his strengths to become a gaming guru.

He didn’t care about girls, having been influenced by various gender-related articles and news. In his previous life, he had long become part of the marriage-averse group, giving up on the idea of true love.

It was the appearance of Xia Yuan and Lin You Xi that gradually changed his mindset.

After seven or eight years, living in such an environment, Mei Fang had gradually adapted to this age and identity, developing some qualities fitting his peers, while maintaining the rationality expected of an adult. This strange sense of dissonance has accompanied him until now—

He gets upset when he doesn’t get praise from Teacher Yu, but he also ignores the childish tantrums. He feels wronged when he isn’t treated fairly, but he understands adults’ choices and advises friends to listen.

Of course, he also fears making the wrong choice and losing the once unbreakable bond with the three of them.

Because Mei Fang’s past experiences remind him that many childhood friendships break down over seemingly insignificant matters. If not handled properly, even reconciliation leaves scars, making them less pure and full of pain.

Little boy Afang, his heart is now filled with various worries and pretenses.

But similarly… it is full of genuine feelings.

Even if he could comfort the two today, it wouldn’t solve the problems they face. He pondered and searched for ways to break the deadlock within his current identity. Finally, a recruitment notice on the school bulletin board gave him a new direction.

Since tonight there was a faculty meeting, the advanced class was temporarily canceled. For these top students, it felt like a holiday.

Mei Fang was packing the test papers he was supposed to take home when Lin You Xi suddenly stood up and spoke to him:

“Today, you and Yuan Yuan go home together, I’ll go first.”

“Not together?”

Lin You Xi shook her head and then forced a smile at Mei Fang,

“I’m really sorry, I’m feeling really bad today.”

“Be careful on the way, ride on the side.”

Lin You Xi nodded and quickly left with her bag.

Mei Fang was lost in thought as he walked out of the classroom, just bumping into Xia Yuan in the corridor.

Though there were still some students in the hallway, Xia Yuan immediately rushed towards Mei Fang as soon as she saw him, tightly hugging him.

Surprised but relieved, Mei Fang was hugged by Xia Yuan.

“What happened today? You stayed in the classroom all day.”

Mei Fang gently patted Xia Yuan’s head, asking the reason for her self-imposed isolation,

“Did you have a fight with You Xi?”

“A fight? No… How could I fight with You Xi?”

Xia Yuan seemed confused at first, then shook her head, “I felt bad because I did so poorly on the physics test… Ha, I only got 50 points. It’s embarrassing.”

“…”

Mei Fang looked at Xia Yuan doubtfully. Xia Yuan glanced behind Mei Fang, “Is You Xi not here today?”

“She left earlier.”

“Oh…”

Xia Yuan didn’t seem surprised, as if she had expected this. Her simple nature made it clear to Mei Fang—

Yuan Yuan is lying to me.

After a brief hug, the two rode their bikes home, barely speaking along the way. When they passed by the pavilion in the community garden, Xia Yuan hesitated for a moment, not moving. Mei Fang gently patted her shoulder.

“Are we going to the pavilion today?”

Xia Yuan nodded, “Okay.”

Xia Yuan held Mei Fang’s hand and walked with him into the pavilion. After their usual affectionate moments, Xia Yuan was reluctant to let go.

While Xia Yuan was enjoying the warmth, Mei Fang slowly spoke,

“Yuan Yuan, I need to talk to you about something.”

“Hmm? What about?”

Mei Fang gently released Xia Yuan’s embrace, his expression resolute.

“As childhood friends growing up together, I sincerely suggest this to you.”

“Yuan Yuan… stop focusing so much on the competition in physics. Give up on the decision to enter the science experimental class.”

This chapter ends here. The next one will be sweeter.

(End of Chapter)