Chapter 142 – The Marvelous Threads of Fate
Mei Fang never imagined he would see Liu Xiaoyu again in his life.
When he chose to attend Jiangcheng Normal School and looked at Baimei County from the mountain top of Wuzu Temple while humming the school song of Baimei No.1 High School, he thought he had severed all connections with his past three years at Baimei No.1 High School.
Liu Xiaoyu was Mei Fang’s deskmate for a long time in his previous life at Baimei No.1 High School. They shared some similar interests.
For example, they both enjoyed certain anime genres, game types, and novel styles, as well as songs by Alen and Xu Hao.
In short, they always found similarities in many aspects and could always find topics to talk about.
They became familiar with each other due to doing many things together, including helping Mei Fang establish a game development club, where Liu Xiaoyu had also assisted him quite a bit.
Although their relationship was good, it never went beyond being just good friends.
Back then, Mei Fang, who was still a gaming enthusiast and a naive youth, had never considered her romantically. He always treated her like a close friend.
The turning point that changed Mei Fang’s perspective on Liu Xiaoyu was during the annual Top Ten Singers competition in their sophomore year, where she was one of the participants.
Initially, Mei Fang only encouraged her as a friend. However, when she walked onto the stage in a splendid dress and exquisite makeup, showcasing her excellent singing skills, Mei Fang felt a complex mix of emotions—
He realized that he and she were not from the same world.
This complex feeling not only sparked Mei Fang’s desire to become better and to shine on stage but also distanced them from each other.
She was popular among boys due to her cheerful and lively personality, came from a wealthy family, and consistently ranked high in class, none of which Mei Fang had experienced in his previous life.
His poor self-esteem did not allow him to congratulate her in that moment, so he only mentioned her wonderful performance the next day.
She thanked him with a smile, just like before.
But Mei Fang’s mindset had undergone a significant change.
As their seats were changed and they did not maintain their friendship, and Mei Fang himself deliberately distanced himself from her, they gradually drifted apart.
Liu Xiaoyu could become friends with anyone who shared her wide range of interests.
Obviously, Mei Fang was not special to her.
What about him to her?
Looking back occasionally, Mei Fang, who had experienced much, found it hard to say that there wasn’t a hint of unrequited love in his stubbornness at that time.
But unrequited love was common among high school students; many boys even had crushes on every pretty girl in class.
Only those who had experienced it knew how it felt.
What did this unrequited love amount to…
Mostly, it was because of external factors like looks or talent, forming a halo effect, not a genuine desire to understand the person.
But most often, it resulted in a bittersweet unrequited love.
So, Mei Fang didn’t really understand the mentality of a “licking dog.”
What’s the point of pursuing a one-sided affection…
Better to have no love than a bad one.
In his previous life, after college, Mei Fang had no further contact with Liu Xiaoyu, and she was thus packed away into his high school memories.
Even Zhang Ming left a more lasting impression on him than Liu Xiaoyu, since Mei Fang still remembered playing games with him after graduation.
In any case, regardless of what happened afterward, it was all in the past.
Now, Mei Fang had two people worth cherishing.
Yuan Yuan and You Xi were exactly what he had dreamed of in the past—long-lasting, mutual affection.
With this realization, Mei Fang, upon seeing Liu Xiaoyu for the first time, quickly avoided her.
But his panic when she called out to him later stemmed from another reason—
First, after Mei Fang’s rebirth, he made some changes that altered the original timeline. Most of these changes were reasonable and expected.
For instance, Mei Ya’s birth was due to Mei Fang making the family wealthier, ensuring his parents were well-fed and content.
To bring a better future to his family, Mei Fang’s father worked hard, and his efforts were not in vain. Now, he was an associate department-level official.
Mei Fang changed Xia Yuan’s family’s fate. They abandoned continuing to run a hotel and instead invested, resulting in a more prosperous outcome.
Lin You Xi was saved from becoming a cold, aloof overachiever due to Xia Yuan’s survival and Mei Fang’s family’s support.
Peng Xue, despite still fighting with Huang Lian, avoided dropping out and working due to Xia Yuan’s intervention.
Guo Yun, not being placed in Huang Lian’s class and protected by Mei Fang, did not face too much exclusion and had a satisfactory middle school experience.
These were all changes Mei Fang participated in and understood.
However, he had never done anything to interact with Liu Xiaoyu.
What exactly made her transfer from Baimei No.1 High School to Jiangcheng Normal School?
While Lin You Xi, Yuan Yuan, and Mei Fang all passed the exam for Jiangcheng Normal School, it wasn’t easy to get in.
Liu Xiaoyu, although academically strong, would not have been able to enter with a class number of 14 unless something drastic had happened, causing her to work harder suddenly.
Believing in such a far-fetched butterfly effect?
Mei Fang hadn’t thought too far in that direction.
But her last words, calling out to him and asking if they had met before, made him suddenly consider a bizarre possibility—
Could Liu Xiaoyu be a reborn person like him!
After his initial panic, Mei Fang quickly regained composure:
“Really? I don’t remember you. Is this about something recent? In Jiangcheng or Baimei County?”
Liu Xiaoyu frowned in thought, “It should be from when I was very young in Baimei County…”
“That… Then…”
At this moment, Xia Yuan hurriedly raised her hand and said, “Standing here isn’t going to help. Let’s go eat at the cafeteria and talk while we eat?”
“Sounds good… Let’s go.”
Mei Fang patted Xia Yuan on the shoulder, “Let’s go to the cafeteria!”
At this moment, Xia Yuan felt very heavy-hearted.
Ah Fang’s gaze at Liu Xiaoyu was really strange.
He had never looked at me like that before…
The cafeteria on the first floor of Jiangcheng Normal School mostly served affordable meals for students. Every meal cost 6 yuan, with fixed dishes provided daily.
This price was also affordable for students in small towns.
Mei Fang and Xia Yuan, who spent money freely, usually ate at the 12 yuan window, which offered more generous portions, plus a fragrant braised chicken leg.
Lin You Xi, who had a small appetite, usually ate the 6 yuan meal, which she was used to, as she could always share food with Mei Fang.
However, Mei Fang didn’t expect Liu Xiaoyu to also be eating the 6 yuan meal.
“Are you dieting? Eating so little…”
“Oh? Yes, yes… My appetite has always been small.” Liu Xiaoyu smiled.
Mei Fang tried to find a loophole in Liu Xiaoyu’s speech.
He hid buzzwords like “mask,” “Messi winning,” and “YYDS” in the conversation, but Liu Xiaoyu showed no reaction.
Xia Yuan and Lin You Xi, however, felt pressured by Mei Fang’s obvious abnormal behavior, making dinner less enjoyable.
Based on the current situation, the possibility of Liu Xiaoyu being a reborn person seemed unlikely. There was no need to seek her out specifically if she had been reborn.
Moreover, she might not even know if he was a reborn person.
But, her fate changing so drastically…
Whose thread was hers tied to?
Mei Fang, troubled, arrived at the end of the first evening study session. When he met with Xia Yuan and Lin You Xi, all three appeared somewhat silent, which made Mei Fang feel uncomfortable.
After reaching the playground, he began to inquire about the reason for their silence.
“Did you have a tough day? You look exhausted.”
“No, nothing… It’s just the first day, a bit nervous.”
Xia Yuan patted Mei Fang’s shoulder and then turned to You Xi, “I’ll take Ah Fang away now. YouXi, wait here for me, okay?”
Lin You Xi gave a thumbs-up and showed Xia Yuan her watch, reminding her to be punctual.
Xia Yuan accompanied Mei Fang for a short walk around the playground, chatting about various things, then turned towards Mei Fang, opening her arms and seeking super energy from Ah Fang.
Mei Fang held Xia Yuan skillfully, allowing her to fully bury herself in his embrace so that the night runners couldn’t see her face.
“Hold me and walk forward, let’s stroll together, Ah Fang, you’re my eyes.”
“Okay okay.”
Mei Fang accompanied Xia Yuan, slowly walking along the inner circle of the playground grass.
After a while in Ah Fang’s embrace, Xia Yuan’s mood calmed down slightly.
“Ah Fang, do you like Liu Xiaoyu? If you do, I, as your childhood friend, can… can… forget it, let me rephrase.”
Xia Yuan couldn’t say “help you pursue her” easily, as she didn’t want to deceive Mei Fang.
We agreed to be ourselves in front of Ah Fang…
Why am I acting so awkward!
Seeing that Xia Yuan’s voice was already choked with emotion, Mei Fang realized that his unusual actions toward Liu Xiaoyu had hurt her feelings, and he felt guilty.
So he gently nudged her forehead, their noses touching, and gently scolded:
“Stupid, how could I like someone just because I met them? Is your childhood friend that shallow?”
“Well… How long would it take you to like another girl?” Xia Yuan looked up at Mei Fang.
Mei Fang thought for a moment: “At least… longer than you and You Xi have known each other, and longer in terms of time together!”
The last sentence made Xia Yuan finally feel reassured, and she hugged Mei Fang even tighter.
The two of them continued walking while hugging, and Xia Yuan continued to express her doubts to Mei Fang.
“I feel like you acted so differently today, the way you looked at her was clearly different.”
Xia Yuan mumbled, “We’ve known each other for ten years, you’ve never looked at me like that…”
“How did I look? Sideways, obliquely, from above? We’ve known each other for so long, I’m sure you’ve seen all my gazes. You’re just jealous.”
“But it was special… That’s a girl’s intuition.”
Xia Yuan grabbed Mei Fang’s collar, “If you have something troubling you, tell me and You Xi. Keeping it to yourself, I’ll only think you’re thinking about someone else.”
“Do I need to think about someone else? My little green plum is so cute…”
Mei Fang held Xia Yuan tightly, swinging her around several times.
“Stop playing, stop playing, I’m dizzy.”
Xia Yuan pinched Mei Fang’s face to make him stop, “Just glad you think I’m cute.”
Just as Mei Fang and Xia Yuan were having fun, a cough suddenly came from the side, almost startling them.
It was Lin You Xi, who tapped her watch’s panel and said expressionlessly:
“You’re late by a minute. Next time, I’ll come first and make it up.”
“Sorry…”
Xia Yuan mumbled an apology to Lin You Xi, then waved goodbye to Mei Fang.
…
Mei Fang hadn’t figured out what to say to Lin You Xi, and she turned her back to him.
Unlike Yuan Yuan, You Xi wasn’t as proactive, but she always gave Mei Fang a clear message. Mei Fang gently hugged her from behind, and she naturally leaned closer to him.
And that was it.
“Aren’t you going to ask me anything?”
Lin You Xi shook her head, “Yuan Yuan probably asked everything that needed to be asked. If she’s satisfied with your answers, that’s enough.”
“That’s a bit tricky, letting Yuan Yuan go first, spending time on questions, and then not asking yourself…”
Lin You Xi ignored him and leaned against him for a while. Later, both were tired, so Lin You Xi suggested they sit down and continue leaning against each other.
Lin You Xi made Mei Fang sit cross-legged, and she sat in his lap, leaning back against him.
Many couples nearby were in similar poses looking up at the moon, but Lin You Xi closed her eyes, seemingly taking a nap.
Just as Mei Fang was hugging Lin You Xi, Xia Yuan appeared beside them. Mei Fang was about to speak, but Xia Yuan waved to signal him to keep quiet, indicating she wouldn’t disturb them.
She was too lonely waiting alone on the playground.
She sat cross-legged and leaned against Mei Fang’s back, finding comfort in his presence.
Later, she became even more demanding, wanting to hold Mei Fang’s hand.
Astonishing the kissing couple next to them for a hundred years.
In the process of hugging his little green plum, Mei Fang gradually replenished his energy and calmed down.
Finally, he recalled some clues from his interaction with Liu Xiaoyu earlier:
From her attire, eating habits, and lifestyle, she definitely wasn’t the rich girl he knew in his previous life.
He vaguely remembered Liu Xiaoyu’s family being wealthier than Yuan Yuan’s in his previous life, so he was puzzled about why she had fallen to her current state.
This coincided with the theory that Liu Xiaoyu’s family had encountered a major setback, leading her to work hard.
If he could find out how Liu Xiaoyu’s family fell from grace, perhaps he could solve the mystery of her fate.
Thus, after the hug, Mei Fang began to explain the reason for his unusual behavior to his childhood friends, telling them a fabricated story.
“In fact, I did know Liu Xiaoyu… mainly her father, though that was in elementary school.”
“He brought her to our house for dinner once. At that time, they were quite wealthy, running a real estate company. I don’t know why they fell from grace…”
Yuan Yuan exclaimed, “Is that true?”
Lin You Xi quickly seized the opportunity, “Her father was a real estate boss, and Uncle Mei worked for the Land Bureau… Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for them to dine together?”
“I don’t know either.”
Mei Fang scratched his head, “But my father should be honest and upright, not involved in such things. Otherwise, how could he be so frugal now…”
“There’s still concern, though. If her father was arrested, leading to their downfall, wouldn’t my father be implicated too…”
A large stone fell from Xia Yuan’s heart.
No wonder Ah Fang was so concerned about Liu Xiaoyu… He must be worried about Uncle Mei’s involvement in a case and getting double-crossed, right?
“Well, no matter what, we should try to meet her again and talk about this topic? We don’t know if she’s willing to share, and we don’t want to be too abrupt.”
Mei Fang shook his head, “Try to be tactful. You, Yuan Yuan, are good at this.”
Xia Yuan lowered her head and silently prayed, “I hope it’s not related to Uncle Mei. Uncle Mei is a good person, I don’t want him to be arrested. Little Ya would be too pitiful without a father.”
Mei Fang: “You should also pray for me. If Liu Xiaoyu’s father really has issues, I’ll have to persuade Uncle Mei to turn himself in early.”
“Don’t curse Uncle Mei like that! What kind of son are you…”
After some time, Xia Yuan, Lin You Xi, and Liu Xiaoyu became much more familiar. Liu Xiaoyu eventually casually mentioned her past experiences during a lunchtime chat.
Given the time that had passed, Liu Xiaoyu was quite open about it, not as cautious as everyone feared.
“It was like this. Our family was actually quite wealthy when I was in elementary school.”
“But my father took over a famous hotel later. You should have heard of it… After selling the hotel to us, the road nearby was under constant construction.”
“Our newly acquired hotel soon collapsed. My father sold off other family assets, but still ended up with a huge debt…”
Liu Xiaoyu rubbed her eyes, “So I thought, if I studied hard, got into a good university, I could start working early to help pay off the family debts.”
Liu Xiaoyu thought for a moment, “Oh, I remember! The hotel’s name was ‘White Plum Home.’”
Xia Yuan had already started to raise a commotion halfway through, but Mei Fang and Lin You Xi held her back.
“What’s wrong? Yuan Yuan?”
“Nothing! She probably needs to sneeze. Let’s hold her down.”
Mei Fang showed a sad expression.
“Yes, it’s indeed a tragic experience…”
“Deeply sympathized,” Lin You Xi replied.
At this moment, the three of them—Lin You Xi, Yuan Yuan, and Mei Fang—all had black lines on their faces. Even Mei Fang, who was new to this, didn’t know how to comfort her properly.
Today’s 5000 words are done!
—
(End of Chapter)
