Rebirth: My Childhood Sweetheart Came into My Arms

[The No. 8 Middle School will be holding a basketball selection tournament at the end of this month, and you are invited to come and watch.]

The person who sent the message was Lan Yuan.

Upon seeing the other person's nickname, He Ningqiu suddenly realized what was happening.

He almost forgot that he had added Lan Yuan on WeChat at the infirmary today.

Soon, another message popped up.

Front row seats are hard to get; if you come, I'll have someone reserve a seat for you.

The sentences are simple, yet they carry a hint of ambiguity.

He Ningqiu's keen radar detected the signals released by the other party.

One encounter is by chance, two encounters are fate, but this third invitation...

It could only be a premeditated test.

To confirm her suspicions, He Ningqiu didn't agree directly, but instead asked Lan Yuan: "Did you invite a lot of people?"

A few seconds later.

[It's just you.]

He Ningqiu stared at those five words, the faint light from the phone screen reflected in his dark pupils. After a long while, the corners of his lips curled up slightly.

In this dire situation, Lan Yuan's appearance was like a lifeline for him; if he could grasp it, he could get ashore.

When He Ziyu wouldn't include him in his social circle, he found a new one and made new friends.

Anyway, some people hate him, and some people like him.

He Ningqiu believed that, given time, he would eventually find a place for himself in the Eighth Division.

……

Early Saturday morning, He Ziyu changed into his father's suit, sprayed on men's cologne, and went to the coffee shop where he had arranged to meet "Fire Seed".

He originally planned to go to the meeting alone, but Jiang Chengyu was worried about his safety and insisted on coming along, so his solo trip turned into a trip for two.

He Ziyu arrived at the coffee shop twenty minutes early and saw Jiang Chengyu sitting by the window waiting from afar.

Jiang Chengyu was also dressed in a suit today, and he even combed his hair back with hair wax. At first glance, he really looked like a social elite.

He Ziyu deliberately played a trick, changing direction and circling behind Jiang Chengyu. He covered Jiang Chengyu's eyes with both hands, and then, he forced out a mysterious bubbly sound from his throat:

"Sweetie, guess who I am?"

Jiang Chengyu was reading a magazine when she knew He Ziyu was there the moment her eyes were covered. Before she could even speak, she heard He Ziyu's nonsensical voice.

He suppressed a laugh, put down the magazine, and placed his free hands on the back of He Ziyu's hands.

Feeling the warmth of Jiang Chengyu's hand, He Ziyu's heart began to pound, but he persisted, "Quickly, guess who I am."

After a moment of silence...

"These hands have hit me, punched me, and pinched me. I would recognize them even if they were pickled into braised chicken feet."

Jiang Chengyu spoke calmly and casually, his slightly upturned lips silently announcing the victory of this battle.

"I didn't!!" He Ziyu released Jiang Chengyu, placed his hands on the table, and tried to refute him from a superior position.

But then, in the next second...

When his gaze met Jiang Chengyu's incomparably handsome face, his throat instantly choked up.

Today, Jiang Chengyu's new hairstyle, with his bangs styled upwards, made his features more defined and captivating. Paired with a restrained suit, he exuded a mature yet youthful charm, a youthful charm that hinted at sexiness, and sexiness that hinted at... the image of his future husband.

He Ziyu admits that he is a "face-value enthusiast".

In his past life, even a fool like Lan Yuan could make him willingly grovel for so many years, let alone Jiang Chengyu, who is a hundred times better than him.

He doesn't have that much self-control.

Jiang Chengyu watched helplessly as He Ziyu's expression gradually turned lewd, and a chill ran down his spine.

Just as she was about to ask him what was wrong, He Ziyu suddenly tossed his hair and said lecherously, "Handsome, give me your hand, I'll give you something."

This overused trope from his previous life hadn't become popular by the time he was reborn, so He Ziyu was certain that he was the first person to use it on Jiang Chengyu.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chengyu obediently extended his right hand.

He Ziyu's mischievous smile vanished, replaced by a deep, affectionate gaze. He placed his hand firmly in Jiang Chengyu's palm. "Me, do you want me?"

"want."

Jiang Chengyu gave his answer almost the instant He Ziyu finished speaking.

Immediately afterwards, he adjusted the direction of his palm, pried open He Ziyu's fingers, and intertwined his fingers with his.

He Ziyu's pupils dilated instantly!

His original intention was to flirt with Jiang Chengyu, but he didn't expect to be flirted with in return.

"I want you." Jiang Chengyu repeated, then gripped her hand even tighter.

He Ziyu's Adam's apple bobbed. He tried to move his right hand, only to find it gripped tightly and he couldn't pull it away at all.

Just as he was blushing from Jiang Chengyu's lewd words, a strange man's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. He?"

The two hands, which were intertwined, suddenly separated. He Ziyu quickly turned around and stretched out the hand that had been clenched so tightly that it was a little red in front of the man: "Hello, my name is He Ziyu, you can call me Xiao He."

"This is my friend, Xiao Jiang."

The man shook hands with them and sat down opposite them.

To gain the other party's trust, He Ziyu dressed very formally today and had Jiang Chengyu accompany him. The two of them dressed like adults, exuding composure in every gesture.

However, when he saw "Fire Seed" in person, he felt a little regretful.

The man appeared to be in his early thirties, with thinning hair, a slightly dark complexion, and wearing a faded plaid shirt. He looked somewhat haggard.

Even though he looked haggard, he was still much better off than when He Ningqiu falsely accused him of plagiarism.

He Ziyu remembered that when he made a public appearance to clarify things in his previous life, he was already skin and bones, and his face was almost bloodless. In particular, his lifeless yet resentful eyes left a deep impression on people.

"Fire Seed" is an artist who is immersed in the spiritual world.

And why would such artists care about their social status?

He Ziyu pursed his lips and quietly tucked the expensive mechanical watch on his wrist into his sleeve.

The outfits they were wearing today were all bought from their father; normally, they would be tools for showing off.

But sitting with someone as unassuming as "Fire Seed" right now seems a bit pretentious.

"Everyone's time is precious, so I won't say any more nonsense." Fire Seed put his backpack on his lap and took out a stack of comic strips. "This is my latest work. I haven't shown it to anyone else yet. If possible, I hope you can be my first readers."

He Ziyu was a little surprised by "Fire Seed's" straightforward attitude, but soon his surprise turned into fear.

The original manuscript is very important to the original author, especially before the work is published. The core ideas, character settings, and subplots are all things that need to be specially protected.

But now, "Spark" is willing to hand over the original manuscript without hesitation, and unconditionally trust their character, all in order to get sincere advice...

He Ziyu seemed to suddenly understand how He Ningqiu got the inspiration for "The Two Sides" back then, and how he copied it so well.

"I haven't decided on a title for this work yet, but I mainly want to express the two sides of human nature, like day and night, midsummer and winter..."

When talking about his work, "Spark" became very talkative, and his eyes shone brightly.

"Let's call it 'front and back'," He Ziyu said. "It's simple, easy to understand, and thought-provoking."

"Front and back..." the spark repeated softly, "This name is good, very good, I like it..."

He Ziyu's inner thoughts: Of course, you chose this name yourself in the near future, how could I not like it!

Later, relying on his memory, He Ziyu extracted the suggestions for He Ningqiu's "Two Extremes" from the market over the years and patiently explained them to "Spark".

The expression on "Fire Seed" went from initial bewilderment to immersion, and finally to worship.

He originally thought He Ziyu was just an ordinary fan who appreciated his work, but he didn't expect that what He Ziyu said was very valuable, and some of it hit him right where it hurt.

Seeing that "Fire Seed" was in a good mood, He Ziyu seized the opportunity and told him about his idea of ​​helping him set up a comic studio.

however……

"No, no way." Upon hearing this, Huozhong shook his head decisively, then pulled the comic book manuscript into his arms. "You should find someone else."

He Ziyu found it a bit strange.

He had considered that "Torch" might hesitate, but he hadn't expected him to be so excited.

Just as He Ziyu was about to ask for the reason, "Spark" took the initiative to provide the answer.

"Every work is my child, my life's work. I can't abandon them. Yes, I'm short of money, but not so poor that I have to sell them..."

Upon hearing this, He Ziyu suddenly realized what was going on.

It turns out he was worried about the issue of authorship.

"It's not a sale," He Ziyu said. "We will retain your copyright, put your name on the publication, and the copyright of the work will always remain with you."

All we want is a percentage of the profits.

"As for the later marketing and promotion, I will find someone to handle it. You just need to produce content, ensure the quality of the work, and interact with fans when necessary."

Upon hearing this, "Fire Seed" looked extremely surprised.

You said... you would keep my name?

"Of course," He Ziyu replied without hesitation. "It's your drawing, so isn't it normal that it's registered under your name?"

Hearing He Ziyu say this, "Fire Seed" was completely dumbfounded.

In all his years of painting, he has met several people who wanted to help him publish his work, but without exception, they only wanted his paintings, not him as a person.

They said his image wasn't good enough and he wasn't suitable for marketing, so he should sell his paintings and honestly become a ghostwriter; that would be better than anything else.

Thinking of this, "Spark" felt a pang of sadness and couldn't help but ask He Ziyu, "Why...why did you help me?"

"Because I believe 'The Two Sides' will be a huge hit." He Ziyu looked at the "spark" and said, word by word, "One day, you and your work will be household names."

……

"Fire Seed" finally agreed to go back and think it over, and then contact He Ziyu after he had thought it through.

After sending off the "spark," He Ziyu's tense nerves finally relaxed.

This was the first time in his life that he had spoken so many serious things to a stranger so fluently!

Like a child who has just finished an exam and is looking for comfort, He Ziyu let out a long sigh, faced Jiang Chengyu, and opened his arms.

"Brother Yu, give me a hug..."