Chapter 306

Chapter 306: Xia Yuan’s 18th Birthday

The city of Jiangcheng in midsummer lived up to its reputation as one of the four hottest cities, with the high temperatures making the air feel like it was being roasted. Visible heat waves accompanied by the constant chirping of cicadas rolled through the air.

Xia Yuan and Lin You Xi were sitting on a bench in the小区的长凳上，两人坐在树荫下，一边摇晃着衬衫，一边看着几个小孩汗流浃背地玩跳房子游戏。

“It’s going to be your 18th birthday tomorrow.”

“Yes… It is.”

Lin You Xi tilted her head to look at Xia Yuan, “Do you have anything you want?”

Xia Yuan seemed somewhat guilty, “I’ve already done everything I wanted to do at the beginning of the year. I can’t think of anything else to do. The rest will have to wait until our Ah Fang grows up.”

“However, Ah Fang has been working hard to prepare your 18th birthday gift for you. Don’t you feel that?”

“Mmm…”

Xia Yuan nodded slightly, just as Mei Fang walked over.

“Here, what you asked for.”

“I didn’t know we could still buy Kelaizhi here. That’s great. What are you eating, You Xi?”

“Green Star Emotion.” Lin You Xi said with a smile.

“Mmm, this mung bean ice pop is also delicious!”

Xia Yuan and Lin You Xi opened the packaging and passed it to Mei Fang before they started eating. Mei Fang threw the bag into the trash and pulled out his own snowflake ice.

He broke the snowflake ice into two pieces and sat down next to Lin You Xi.

“Why don’t we stay inside and enjoy the air conditioning instead?”

“Just to feel the atmosphere of summer. Staying indoors all the time isn’t good either.”

Lin You Xi ate her ice pop, but her eyes were fixed on Mei Fang’s half-eaten snowflake ice.

“What flavor is your snowflake ice?”

“This one? Lemon sea salt flavor, the latest release.”

Seeing Lin You Xi’s curiosity, Mei Fang handed her the snowflake ice, “This is for you?”

“Feed me.”

Lin You Xi slightly opened her mouth towards Mei Fang. Suddenly, a little boy nearby saw this and laughed loudly, pretending to clutch his stomach.

“Hahaha, Hahaha, big sister, you’re so old and still need someone to feed you! How embarrassing!”

Lin You Xi ignored the boy’s laughter and took the ice pop from Mei Fang, sipping it delicately. The boy immediately showed a disgusted expression, “Really feeding her? How disgusting.”

Xia Yuan smiled at the boy, “You’ll see. You’re laughing now, but you’ll cry later.”

“I’ll cry? Impossible! I’m a manly man. I won’t cry easily. Only girls and sissies do that!”

The boy made faces and rode away on his roller skates.

Xia Yuan watched the boy leave and then looked at the melting ice pop in Lin You Xi’s hand, “You Xi, your ice pop is melting! It’s about to drip!”

In the nick of time, Lin You Xi put the ice pop in Mei Fang’s mouth while she continued to suck on his snowflake ice.

Muffled…

Mei Fang, with a mouthful of ice, managed to prevent the ice pop from dripping.

Seeing Lin You Xi and Mei Fang feeding each other, Xia Yuan felt unsatisfied with her own Kelaizhi and complained, “Why are only you two eating? Let me try too!”

Lin You Xi asked with a smile, “Do you want to eat snowflake ice or Green Star Emotion?”

“I want both!”

After finishing their ice pops and washing their hands and faces, they headed back to the小区. Xia Yuan suddenly had some reflections.

“What does growing up mean to us?”

“It means—”

Seeing Lin You Xi’s playful expression, Xia Yuan quickly stopped her, “Let’s not get sidetracked. This is a serious topic.”

“Why do you think so badly of me? I’m definitely serious about answering this.”

Xia Yuan thought for a moment, “We can live independently now and earn a lot of money. Although we haven’t officially ended our student life, we’re no different from adults.”

“That’s not entirely wrong…”

Lin You Xi smiled slightly, “But growing up definitely means more freedom and more responsibility. You have many choices, but you also have to pay the price.”

“Like… like us being together?”

Xia Yuan took a deep breath, “Although we’ve been dating for eight months, we’ve only received blessings from two people…”

“Getting everyone’s understanding is difficult, especially from our parents. It’s hard to feel confident.”

Lin You Xi rarely looked disappointed, she looked up at Mei Fang, “What do you think, Ah Fang? What does growing up mean to you?”

“I… I…”

Mei Fang, holding two little plums, pondered over his past experiences.

Entering his 18th year, Mei Fang had already achieved more than he did before dying at 26 in his previous life. In both his career and personal life, he had always been smooth sailing.

Though his success was partly due to his efforts and choices, it also relied on the advantages of being reborn.

From now on, he would enter areas he hadn’t explored before.

Although his game-making skills were proven through “Cloud Journey,” that success came from the guidance of predecessors.

Regarding growth beyond his career, life, family, marriage, he felt some confusion, unsure how to handle them.

But fortunately, he had a clear direction.

“For me, growing up isn’t particularly significant.”

“The responsibilities and independence aren’t things you face only when you grow up. Many people learn to be independent and responsible at a young age, known as ‘little adults.'”

“Indeed… So, Ah Fang has always been a little adult,” Xia Yuan nodded. “After all, since elementary school, I’ve always depended on him… What about you, You Xi? Do you think so too?”

“I agree with everything except… Ah Fang isn’t so small anymore.”

“You Xi, stop driving!”

“Don’t be so sensitive… Haha.”

Mei Fang also smiled, “Actually, growing up isn’t something worth worrying about. We’ve always been doing the same things since long ago, right? For me, it’s about making you two happy, and I’m willing to work hard for it.”

“…”

“Why are you being so sentimental all of a sudden?”

Lin You Xi pinched Mei Fang’s cheek. Xia Yuan, feeling a connection with Mei Fang, wanted to get close to him, but seeing Lin You Xi’s actions, she coughed and then seriously said, “Regardless, I think Ah Fang’s words are sincere.”

“I never said otherwise.”

Mei Fang opened the door, and they changed their shoes. Xia Yuan eagerly turned on the air conditioner. Mei Fang sat on the sofa to turn on the TV, while Lin You Xi sat sideways on his lap.

“You said you’d work hard for our happiness, but actually, our greatest happiness is being with you. At least that’s what I think. I don’t care if everyone understands us. Even if they don’t, it’s fine.”

Lin You Xi revealed her unique tenderness to Mei Fang, “Don’t say you’re working hard for our happiness. Instead, we should work together for the three of us. We are a whole.”

“Yes, yes, we are a whole.”

Xia Yuan leaned against Mei Fang’s shoulder, “In my view, Ah Fang and You Xi are already grown-ups capable of handling things alone. But I still lack some maturity. Don’t worry, I’ll catch up and mature into a real adult.”

“Where do you not seem like an adult?”

Lin You Xi smiled, “Are you talking about your physique or personality?”

“O-of course, personality! My mind often has immature thoughts… I depend on Ah Fang and You Xi for advice on everything, and everyone worries that I might be cheated. But I’m not weak. I’ll work hard!”

Mei Fang gently pushed Xia Yuan’s hair behind her ear and kissed her forehead.

“Wh-what are you doing!”

Xia Yuan covered her forehead and hit Mei Fang, “Are you making fun of me again?”

“How could I… How could I laugh at my Yanyan?”

“And… I don’t think you’re immature at all.”

“Many people think you’re a naive and innocent girl living a pampered life under others’ protection.”

“But You Xi and I know, and we’re very clear that you’re a fighter who bravely stands up despite seeing darkness. You’re also someone who, after experiencing setbacks, cries but still stands up. Besides, your purity and kindness are evident…”

Mei Fang whispered sweet nothings into Xia Yuan’s ear, making her feel embarrassed. Lin You Xi listened intently to Mei Fang’s words, leaning on his shoulder. When Mei Fang finally ran out of words, she went up and kissed him.

At this moment, Xia Yuan naturally wouldn’t be outdone. They gathered together, supporting each other’s shoulders, and enjoyed a heartfelt moment.

Mei Fang prepared a company named Yuan Xia Music as Xia Yuan’s 18th birthday gift.

The company’s legal representative would be Xia Yuan, making it the third company he established after Ximilu Games and Lin Xi Technology.

Yuan Xia Music was the embodiment of Mei Fang’s plans for Xia Yuan.

While called a music company, it currently had no intention of expanding by signing artists. It functioned more like an independent music studio, mainly focusing on packaging and promoting Xia Yuan as a singer, helping her form a band and set up a music studio.

Xia Yuan’s music studio was positioned as a professional music team, tasked with designing fitting music for original anime, games, and other sectors on platform C. Apart from Liu Xiaoyu and Peng Xue who had agreed to join, Mei Fang considered expanding the team to 20 members. However, the primary purpose of setting up the company was to track sales of Xia Yuan’s records.

By mid-June, Xia Yuan’s debut album, “Yuan Xi Together,” had reached a total of 6 million digital and physical sales. After deducting promotional costs, her first album had earned Mei Fang around 20 million yuan.

Xia Yuan was exceptionally excited at the birthday party upon hearing the news of her record’s success. Her excitement wasn’t about her rising popularity but rather that she could openly support Mei Fang now.

Clearly, for Xia Yuan, this represented a sign of growth.

The summer vacation of senior high school wasn’t particularly enjoyable. Everyone studied diligently and prepared for exams.

Other activities unrelated to studies were gradually abandoned under the intense self-study atmosphere among classmates.

Soon, the trio of Mei Youyuan would face their first major breakup after this summer vacation.

They would be well-prepared.

Today, I did something that upset everyone. My friend said they would write something to repay everyone after graduating from high school.

(End of Chapter)