After being reborn, I gained a childhood sweetheart who appeared out of nowhere.

At this moment, Lin Chuan finally recognized the other party's identity.

The middle-aged woman was Zhang Wei, Chen Xiyu's mother. He quickly said, "Hello, Aunt Zhang, I'm Lin Chuan, the Lin family's son next door." He pointed to the house across the street.

Zhang Wei was taken aback. She remembered that there was a boy across the street who was about the same age as her daughter, but she hadn't seen him much and couldn't remember him clearly.

In addition, the boy in front of her looked clean and handsome, quite different from the boy with a slightly round face from before.

"Are you Xiaochuan?" she asked.

"Yes, it's me." Lin Chuan nodded.

Chen Xiyu peeked out from behind Lin Chuan, somewhat surprised, "Mom? What brings you here?"

"I came to see you," Zhang Wei said, glancing at the two people in the living room. "Xiao Chuan, are you here to visit?"

Lin Chuan noticed a hint of scrutiny in the other person's eyes despite their seemingly harmless words.

It makes sense, really. Even though they're neighbors, the fact that Lin Chuan was alone in his daughter's room, and that he was the one who answered the door after he knocked, makes it seem like he's a regular there.

This wouldn't have been a problem before, since they were both just kids. But now they're both in high school, over 1.7 meters tall, not shorter than their mother.

"Chen Xiyu went to buy some household items this afternoon," Lin Chuan smiled, "and my mom insisted that I come over to help tidy up."

He turned the matter into a favor arranged by his parents, which would seem more appropriate and give him a legitimate reason. This level of social etiquette was too easy for him.

Zhang Wei's expression didn't change much, but her eyes seemed to soften a bit. This subtle change didn't escape Lin Chuan's notice, a seasoned veteran in the workplace.

"Xiaoxi has really caused you a lot of trouble," Zhang Wei said.

"No, we're neighbors, it's only right to help," Lin Chuan said with a smile. "Aunt Zhang, come in first and we'll talk."

After Zhang Wei entered the house, Lin Chuan continued, "Aunt Zhang, would you like something to drink? Or should I go buy two bottles of water?" He knew that the two women were going to have a heart-to-heart talk, and it would be better if he wasn't there.

Zhang Wei was taken aback, but quickly understood Lin Chuan's meaning. She had been thinking of what reason to "get rid of" the neighbor's child, but she didn't expect him to bring it up himself.

She nodded. "Thank you for your help, Xiaochuan."

"It's nothing." Lin Chuan turned and left.

As the front door closed again, only two people remained in the living room.

Zhang Wei turned to look at Chen Xiyu, her previously tense expression softening. She sighed, "You silly child, why didn't you tell me beforehand that you were moving back to live on your own?"

Chen Xiyu said, "I had your homeroom teacher call you."

"You've already moved back, so you only told my homeroom teacher after you did, right?" Zhang Wei said.

Chen Xiyu pursed her lips. "It doesn't matter whether I say it sooner or later. You're busy anyway, and you didn't answer my calls."

Zhang Wei paused for a moment, not continuing the topic, "Then why don't you want to live in the school dormitory? Is it because you're unhappy with your roommate? Or is it because..."

"No, I just don't want to stay in the dormitory," Chen Xiyu interrupted her.

"There's no need to come back here. It's not close to the No. 1 Middle School either," Zhang Wei said. "If you really want to move out, just have your dad buy another house near the No. 1 Middle School. It will be more convenient for you to go to and from school."

"I've gotten used to living here," Chen Xiyu paused for a moment, "When you used to live here, you would come home from time to time."

Zhang Wei was clearly stunned. After a long silence, she spoke again, "Okay, you can stay wherever you want, but next time if anything happens, you must tell me in advance."

"Um."

"Mom is busy, so she may not have much time to spend with you, and neither does your dad, but we still care about you and love you very much."

"Yes, I know."

"Xiaoxi has always been the best girl." Zhang Wei smiled and reached out to pat her head.

"Mom, you tonight..." Chen Xiyu hadn't finished speaking when her phone rang, interrupting her.

"Wait a minute," Zhang Wei took out her phone from her pocket, walked to the side to answer the call, said a few words, then turned to Chen Xiyu, "Xiaoxi, what were you about to ask?"

"fine."

Zhang Wei asked again, "Your living expenses are enough for you lately, right?"

"I have a credit card, my dad gave it to me."

"Yes, the phone call was from the station, something came up, so Mom has to go back now," Zhang Wei said. "I'll come back to see you next time I have time, and I'll bring your dad along so we can go out for dinner together."

"Okay," Chen Xiyu said with a smile.

Zhang Wei opened the door and happened to see Lin Chuan standing behind it, holding two bottles of water in his hand.

"Aunt Zhang, are we going back now?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Okay," Zhang Wei nodded, handing over the black bag she was carrying. "Xiao Chuan, could you please take this to your parents and say hello to them for me?"

Lin Chuan looked at the gift box but didn't immediately take it.

Zhang Wei smiled and said, "They're just some ordinary pastries."

Lin Chuan accepted the pastry box. "Okay, thank you, Aunt Zhang. My parents always like the things you bring them."

"I'm glad you like it. You've been taking care of Xiaoxi for so long," Zhang Wei said.

"No," Lin Chuan smiled, "My mom even wants to recognize her as her goddaughter, and she keeps telling me to learn from her."

Zhang Wei smiled, then, as if remembering something, said in a condescending tone, "Xiao Chuan, it's a rare opportunity for you to study at the No. 1 High School in the city. The teachers there are all very good, so you must study hard. Your parents are hoping that you can get into a good university."

Lin Chuan was taken aback, wondering how the other person knew he studied at the No. 1 High School in the city. After all, it had been several years since they last met and had no contact with each other. However, he figured it must have been Chen Xiyu who had just told his mother.

"Okay, Aunt Zhang," Lin Chuan paused for a moment, "Actually, my parents will be back later. Would you like to stay for dinner, Aunt Zhang?"

"No, I have something else to do," Zhang Wei said.

After a brief farewell, Zhang Wei turned and went downstairs. She seemed to still have work to do, and her footsteps quickly disappeared at the end of the stairwell.

When Lin Chuan returned to the house, Chen Xiyu was sitting alone on the sofa, hugging her knees.

"Miss Chen, here's some water." Lin Chuan handed her a bottle of water.

Chen Xiyu took the water, simply holding the bottle and quietly looking out the window. From her angle, she could just see the black Audi driving out of the community downstairs.

"Your mom is really busy. I just wanted to ask her to stay for dinner, but she didn't have time," Lin Chuan said.

"She's always been like this. I only see her a few times every few months. Now she's back and asking me why I didn't tell her I moved back. I did tell her, but she didn't answer the phone." Chen Xiyu rested her chin on her arm.

"I remember when I first started junior high, I cut my hair, and she didn't even notice," she said calmly, her head slightly lowered, her eyes hidden in shadow, making it impossible to read her expression. "I was thinking, if I had secretly gone out to play for a few days that day, I doubt anyone would have noticed, right?"

Lin Chuan said, "I was quite envious of you back then. Nobody cared, and you didn't have to sneak into internet cafes."

Chen Xiyu snorted, "You think I'm like you? You used to go to internet cafes and Aunt Wang found out, and you even said you were out with me, using me as a shield."

"Didn't I treat you to ice cream afterwards?" Lin Chuan handed over the box of pastries with a smile. "How about some pastries to express my apology? It's on me, since it was brought by your mom anyway."

"Isn't that for your uncle and aunt?" Chen Xiyu said.

"My parents wouldn't like to eat this kind of thing," Lin Chuan said, having already opened the box, which indeed contained only a box of expensive chocolates.

It was a brand he was quite familiar with, Lindt, because his company used to give them chocolates during holidays, and his box happened to be Lindt.

"Aren't you going to eat?" he asked.

"Eat," Chen Xiyu picked up a piece of soft-centered chocolate, took a bite, and said, "My mood is so-so, but it tastes pretty good."

Lin Chuan said, "According to scientific analysis, the sugar in sweets can quickly stimulate the brain to secrete dopamine and serotonin. These two neurotransmitters can produce feelings of pleasure and relaxation, but this is only a temporary effect. If you really want relief, I still recommend taking a walk."

Chen Xiyu looked at him and said, "You're talking like a mature old man now."

"It's normal because I'm older than you," Lin Chuan shrugged.

"No, you must be mistaken. I'm a month older than you, right?" Chen Xiyu said.

Lin Chuan was taken aback. It seemed that way. When he said he was older than the other person, he meant his mental age, but in reality, Chen Xiyu was indeed half a month older than him.

"So, at school you should call me 'Sister Xiyu'," Chen Xiyu thought for a moment.

"Chen Xiyu? What time is it? Are you still asleep?" Lin Chuan also picked up a piece of chocolate, took a bite, and found it tasted somewhat familiar.

Seeing things from school when I'm working gives me a sense of things being different now. But it's the other way around now; seeing things from my work days when I was in school gives me a strange feeling.

"How dare you talk back to me?" Chen Xiyu stared at him in disbelief. "That night, I could only tell Aunt Wang that you secretly bought a laptop and were going to use it to play games."

"It's not about playing games, it's about studying."

"I won't listen, I won't listen," Chen Xiyu covered her ears with both hands, "Go explain to Aunt Wang."

"Miss Chen, isn't that a bit unfair of you? You drank my milk tea and ate my ice cream, and I've been running around doing all this for you..." Lin Chuan reasoned with her, appealing to her emotions.

"Then what should you call me?"

"Sister Xiyu." Lin Chuan showed a slightly helpless expression.

Chen Xiyu smiled happily and gently patted Lin Chuan's shoulder. "That's a really nice way to call you 'sister.' You can keep your computer with me from now on."