Chapter 272

Chapter 272 – It Was Something I Did to Betray Ah Fang

Ever since Mei Fang was reborn into this era, he had been enjoying smooth sailing. The strategies and plans of the reincarnated individuals had all led to great wealth, and the girls he liked also happened to like him. Almost everything he wanted was within his reach.

If one were to say that Mei Fang had ever experienced any injustice, it could only be traced back over a decade ago, when he was first reborn and got punished by his parents for wetting the bed at school. After that, Mei Fang basically never received another beating.

So when Xiang Xiaoxia suddenly asked him to kneel in front of her, Mei Fang was quite taken aback.

“Mom, have you misunderstood something…?”

“Will you kneel or not?”

Although Xiang Xiaoxia didn’t directly yell at Mei Fang, the authority in her voice was natural. Mei Lijun, who had finally managed to sit down and watch the scene, felt his legs trembling as well. He asked Xiang Xiaoxia, “Wife, please clarify what exactly did Mei Fang do wrong?”

“You let your good son speak himself; I can’t bring myself to say such embarrassing things.”

Seeing his mother’s firm resolve for him to admit his fault, Mei Fang realized that continuing to argue wouldn’t serve any purpose.

“Though I’m not sure what I did to upset you, if this will help you calm down, I’ll—”

Mei Fang began to kneel on a washboard, but seeing Xiang Xiaoxia’s cold expression, he decided to kneel on a steel wire brush instead.

Even though he was wearing thick cotton pants, the sensation of the steel wire brush against his knees was still uncomfortable.

…

At the same time, while buying time, he kept reflecting on what he might have done wrong to upset his mother.

Previously, they had always gotten along well. Today, the only thing that could affect her mood would be him kissing Yuan Yuan, right?

Could it be that Mom doesn’t like Yuan Yuan and only likes You Xi?

But there was no sign of this from their daily interactions!

And furthermore, it shouldn’t have come to this, making him kneel.

Mei Fang didn’t rush to anger but carefully considered the meaning behind his mother’s words.

Such an embarrassing matter… What exactly does she mean?

In this unexpected situation, if he couldn’t provide a satisfactory answer at this moment, it would lead to their love not being recognized by their parents in the future.

This would add an incomplete experience to his rebirth, which was something he, as a reincarnated person, did not want to see.

For the sake of future happiness, Mei Fang calmed himself slightly and started thinking about how to respond to his mother’s question.

No matter what happens, the plan for the three of them must be revealed at the end…

Mei Fang recalled the words Lin You Xi had reminded him of and gradually came up with a way to solve the problem.

“So, have you thought of how to admit your mistake to me?”

Mei Fang nodded, looking up at his mother with a sincere and resolute tone.

“I’m sorry, Mom. I shouldn’t have been hiding my early relationship with Yuan Yuan from you. But I need to correct you on one point; I don’t think it’s something to be ashamed of. Yuan Yuan and I truly like each other.”

“…”

“Ah?”

Mei Lijun, hearing Mei Fang confess his “mistake,” was stunned to hear that it was actually about him having an early relationship with Yuan Yuan.

“Why is it Yuan Yuan? Shouldn’t it be You Xi—”

Mei Lijun realized he shouldn’t interrupt at this moment and quickly covered his mouth, continuing to watch.

So that’s how it is.

With his father’s support, Mei Fang immediately understood what his mother meant by “embarrassing matter.”

She must think I’m playing two sides!

Then this should be easy to handle.

Xiang Xiaoxia paused slightly at his words, but her anger remained high. “You just dated Yuan Yuan? Just dated Yuan Yuan? Is that why I’m so angry? Don’t you know what you’ve done, or do you need me to expose you before you admit it?”

“…”

Mei Fang shook his head. “I don’t know what misunderstanding you have… but I only started dating Yuan Yuan this second half of the year. My relationship with You Xi is also very good, but we’re just childhood friends and good friends.”

“Childhood friends? If you were just good friends, could you have been together under the covers with You Xi?”

Mei Fang panicked at his mother’s words because he wasn’t sure whether she was referring to something happening at home or something discovered by Aunt Meijuan when they were studying.

Because, if Aunt Meijuan’s situation was confirmed, he would truly be in a difficult position.

But Mei Fang had no choice. If the “under the covers” incident was confirmed, he would be labeled as a two-timing scoundrel. At this moment, he could only continue to argue:

“I haven’t been under the covers with You Xi.”

“Do you dare say you didn’t? Wait and see… You ungrateful child… doing something so disrespectful to someone else’s child and refusing to admit it, I won’t let you off lightly!”

Xiang Xiaoxia was so angry at her son that she picked up a thermos from beside her, ready to throw it at Mei Fang, but then switched to a clothes hanger. Mei Lijun hurriedly stepped forward to stop his wife.

“Mei Fang is still young and doesn’t understand… Oh, don’t take it too seriously, it’s the New Year—”

“Yuan Yuan and You Xi are such good kids, and you’ve ruined them both. Can you justify what you’ve done to them? Even if you had only been devoted to one of them, would I be so angry? Ungrateful child, you—”

Just as Xiang Xiaoxia was scolding Mei Fang, the door to her bedroom suddenly opened.

Standing in front of the Mei family was Lin You Xi.

Seeing You Xi appear, Xiang Xiaoxia immediately calmed down. She put down the clothes hanger, tidied her hair, and was about to say something to You Xi when she saw You Xi clutching her own clothes, her lips trembling as she spoke.

“I’m sorry for eavesdropping outside, but please, Auntie… don’t blame Fang. He hasn’t done anything wrong. It’s not his fault.”

“You Xi… you silly child… what are you hiding for? Don’t you know what our boy has done to you? He—”

“Auntie, it’s not that Fang did something to me. It’s me—”

Lin You Xi, usually calm and composed, appeared unusually anxious in front of Mei Fang’s parents. She kept her head down while speaking, and when she looked up, her eyes were already filled with tears.

“It’s me who did something to betray Fang.”

“?”

As everyone looked bewildered, You Xi continued to explain her statement.

“Last New Year, I did indeed crawl into Fang’s bed because I had just handled some matters with my uncle and couldn’t sleep, feeling scared. So I went to the living room and slept with Fang for a while, but he was already asleep and didn’t know I was there.”

“As for Fang and Yuan Yuan’s relationship…”

“I know about it. I admit I do like Fang, but to me, both Fang and Yuan Yuan are like family. If they can be together, I sincerely wish them happiness.”

As You Xi spoke, she smiled. This smile, tinged with a tear, tugged at everyone’s heartstrings, especially Xiang Xiaoxia, who had raised You Xi almost like a daughter.

Knowing the truth, Xiang Xiaoxia felt both heartache and affection for You Xi, rushing forward to embrace her and gently stroking her hair.

“You Xi… it’s not your fault… it’s all, it’s all my fault, Auntie was wrong for getting angry without understanding the situation, making you so sad… it’s all Auntie’s fault…”

Watching Xiang Xiaoxia hug You Xi, Mei Lijun didn’t know what to say, feeling helpless. As for the main culprit, Mei Fang, he finally understood the true intention behind You Xi’s actions—

She sacrificed herself to protect Mei Fang’s reputation and also declared her feelings for him at the same time, leaving room for future developments. It was a double-edged strategy.

However, Mei Fang didn’t feel like praising You Xi’s clever tactics.

Seeing You Xi’s tears fall, Mei Fang felt a sharp pain in his heart.

Because of me, You Xi is crying so sadly, whether real or fake, I bear the responsibility.

Just as Mei Fang was about to get up and hug his dear childhood friend, Xiang Xiaoxia noticed and immediately stopped him.

“What are you doing? Who told you to get up! Even if I misunderstood you first, don’t you have any responsibility? Keep kneeling!”

Xiang Xiaoxia took You Xi’s arm and left, and after a while, Mei Lijun, who had been silently watching, carefully helped Mei Fang up.

“How was it? Kneeling isn’t comfortable, right? Actually, you should be grateful; your mother’s temper has improved a lot.”

“Is that so… Dad, you really have it tough.”

“You’re not easy either, men aren’t easy…”

Mei Lijun sighed. “When I was your age, I also had similar troubles. Back then—”

“Enough, Dad,” Mei Fang shook his head. “It’s fine to fool your son, but if you start fooling yourself, it’s not worth it.”

Hearing this, Mei Lijun immediately showed his usual stern face as a leader. “I think you, this stubborn comrade, need to kneel a bit longer to realize your mistake.”

—

(End of Chapter)