Only After I Was Reborn Did I Realize That I Had Childhood Sweethearts

Chapter 237: A Seventeenth Birthday Gift

Chapter 237: A Seventeenth Birthday Gift

The scorching sun of June in Jiangcheng was unbearable, but it was July that truly tested one’s endurance. The outdoor temperature was so high that it could practically turn Xiang Bingbing into steam.

For the first time, the boarding students found themselves yearning to stay in the classroom, absorbed in their studies. After all, attending classes in an air-conditioned room was a wonderful experience.

The school only started using the air conditioning in late June, and it would stop by the end of August, primarily catering to the needs of second and third-year students. The first-year students, however, were lucky enough to enjoy their summer break without any make-up classes—an exclusive privilege for students at Jiangcheng NOHS.

After completing their final exams on July 3rd, the students officially finished their first year and entered their summer vacation, becoming pre-second-year high school students.

Their summer break homework included not only written work but also various social practice activities. For those involved in clubs, the activities were quite diverse, so staying in Jiangcheng offered plenty to do.

Mei Fang, Xia Yuan, and Lin Youxi had no intention of returning home for the summer. However, Liang Meijuan was somewhat tempted to go back home. When she learned that the trio wasn’t planning to return, she felt a bit torn. Lin Youxi noticed her mother’s hesitation and suggested that the three of them could take care of themselves in Jiangcheng.

When this proposal was communicated back home, it naturally aroused the vigilance of Mei Fang’s mother, Xiang Xiaoxia.

She called Mei Fang and gave him a stern lecture, urging him to spend more time with his family and help supervise his sister’s homework.

But Mei Fang understood what his mother was really concerned about.

On one hand, he sent Mei Ya a high-end model aircraft that she had been coveting for a long time to gain his sister’s support. On the other hand, he called on his sister Yue Yue, who was currently working in Jiangcheng as a ‘freelancer’, to take Liang Meijuan’s place in looking after the three of them.

Under the combined persuasion of Mei Yue and Mei Ya, Xiang Xiaoxia finally relented, though she still gave Mei Fang plenty of verbal warnings and parental advice over the phone.

It’s not like I’m trying to do anything inappropriate, Mom.

I just haven’t finished making this game yet. I need to use this time to get Cloud Journey released...

Mei Fang had set the official release date for Cloud Journey as August 25th.

Unlike Reigns and Life Restart Simulator, which were relatively simple to produce, this was a major indie game production. It would elevate Ximilu Studio from a small studio to a recognized indie studio within the industry.

Cloud Journey had been in development for nearly a year since the project was initiated last year. For an indie game, especially one developed part-time, the timeline wasn’t particularly long, but as high school students, they didn’t have much time left.

Unless Mei Fang revealed his identity as the owner of C Site, there was no way he and his companions could convince their parents to let them continue their game development under the pressure of college entrance exams—an almost impossible task.

Moreover, Mei Fang and Lin Youxi had also committed to participating in the NOI (National Olympiad in Informatics) during their second year, leaving them with little time to focus on anything else.

Although Mei Fang still had many cards up his sleeve, given his cautious and conservative nature, and the fact that he was still just a high school student, he preferred to keep certain things hidden for as long as possible.

The trio, however, thoroughly enjoyed this way of life.

At the same time, for Mei Fang and Lin Youxi, the approach of summer vacation always meant preparing for a special day: Xia Yuan’s birthday.

Xia Yuan’s lunar birthday is on the 13th day of the 6th month, which often falls during the summer break, allowing them to celebrate freely. This year was no exception.

Early in the morning, before Xia Yuan and Mei Yue were up, Mei Fang got up to find Lin Youxi already busy in the kitchen, so he went over to see what she was making.

“What delicious treat are you making today? Can I have a taste? I’m a bit hungry.”

“Hmm... Try this first.”

As Mei Fang leaned in, Lin Youxi slipped something into his mouth, cupped his cheeks, gave him a sweet good-morning kiss, and then pushed the treat into his mouth.

“Is it good?”

“Delicious, delicious—it’s a candied date!”

Mei Fang wasn’t surprised by Lin Youxi’s advances, as this kind of thing had been happening regularly since Liang Meijuan left. He licked his lips, savoring the taste, while Lin Youxi, busy with the eggs in the pan, asked him:

“So, what are you planning to get Yuan Yuan for her birthday this year?”

“Well... I haven’t really thought about it. I figured I’d just do what I usually do.”

“But this is Yuan Yuan’s 17th birthday. If you don’t put some thought into it, she’ll be really upset.”

Mei Fang was puzzled. “It’s not a milestone like 16 or 18—what’s so special about turning 17? We both had simple birthdays this year, and you’re 17 too.”

“It’s not about me. Yuan Yuan’s birthday is different—it’s something she and I promised each other.”

Lin Youxi explained, “I promised Yuan Yuan a long time ago that I’d give her the most unforgettable 17th birthday gift. So I hope you can help me with this and give her a gift too.”

“A long time ago? How come I, her childhood sweetheart, never heard about this... When did you make this promise?”

Lin Youxi smiled softly at Mei Fang. “It was a promise we made seven years ago.”