My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 101 You're such a jerk!

"It tastes so good!"

It was almost 8 p.m. when the two of them finally had a hot dinner.

A pot of lotus root and pork rib soup, a plate of mild twice-cooked pork, a plate of stir-fried greens, two bowls of rice, and two bowls for drinking soup.

Lu Bai took the photo and casually posted it on WeChat Moments.

The accompanying text reads: "[The first sumptuous dinner of the New Year]".

Zhou Heming glanced at it.

"You even included two bowls of rice in the picture?"

"What is the problem?"

Lu Bai picked up the bowl containing lotus root and pork ribs and took a big gulp of the hot soup.

"Won't there be any scandals or anything? You're an actress, after all."

Because Moments only shows likes and comments from friends you've added, Zhou Heming found Lu Bai's post rather quiet, but Lu Bai's side was probably already in an uproar.

"Nobody cares about the gossip of a nobody like me, and it's only visible for three days. By the time I become famous, nobody will remember this anymore."

Lu Bai picked up a lotus root that had been stewed until it was soft and powdery, and ate it with great relish.

"Even if it gets dug up later, we are both innocent and have a clear conscience, so there's nothing to be afraid of."

"That's good."

Zhou Heming looked away and turned to the food documentary playing on TV. Today's episode was about barbecue, which seemed much more down-to-earth.

"Oh right, you haven't told me the story of the novel you've been reading yet."

Lu Bai remembered his previous agreement with Zhou Heming.

"let me see."

While eating, Zhou Heming recounted the story of "A Hundred Years of Solitude".

Contrary to my initial impression, although this story tells of a large family and seems lively, as you read on, you realize that everyone is alone and isolated.

Like ice blocks under the sun, like a gypsy woman's divination, like houses painted in vibrant colors, like a trainload of corpses, like a telegram being sent out, like a melted and re-carved goldfish, like an unprecedented storm.

Lu Bai listened attentively, occasionally offering his own thoughts.

This meal took a long time to finish.

"So, even after reading the entire 'One Hundred Years of Solitude,' I still don't know what love with the scent of bitter almonds is really like."

After telling the story, Zhou Heming looked lost and dejected.

For the rise and fall of the family in the novel, and also for himself.

"what is that?"

Lu Bai was puzzled.

"It's about Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou. Before, when Shuangjiang described their love in the previous timeline, she said it was a metaphor from 'One Hundred Years of Solitude'."

Zhou Heming explained.

"Let me see."

Lu Bai picked up his phone and searched for it.

She quickly found the source.

"It seems to be this one."

It was a short video containing excerpts of things like "divine openings in literature that start with zero frames."

Zhou Heming quickly saw the quote, which was from "Love in the Time of Cholera".

It's a novel by the same author. If I remember correctly, according to Cheng Shuangjiang's previously planned reading list, they wouldn't be able to read this book until July, after the college entrance examination.

Zhou Heming checked the electronic version on his phone and immediately spotted that sentence.

The very first sentence of the novel is...

"It seems that even Cheng Shuangjiang can make mistakes sometimes."

Lu Bai smiled.

"Is it really a mistake?"

Zhou Heming felt that Cheng Shuangjiang couldn't possibly have misremembered such a classic sentence; she must have had her reasons for deliberately saying it wrong.

But there was no longer a chance to ask.

Not having the habit of reading novels on his phone, Zhou Heming decided that after returning from Lu Bai's place, he would go and flip through the book "Love in the Time of Cholera" that he had taken from Cheng Shuangjiang's house.

By the time I finished washing the dishes and cleaning up, it was almost midnight.

"The second day of the Lunar New Year has passed just like that, time flies!"

Lu Bai lay on the sofa, his two pale legs swinging back and forth, seemingly regretting the end of his vacation.

"Are you going out to play tomorrow?"

"It's so cold, where are we going?"

Zhou Heming suspected that Lu Bai had forgotten that he was a patient who had just recovered from a cold.

"Let's just browse around the mall downstairs, maybe catch a movie or something."

Lu Bai sat up.

"You've just recovered from a cold, so you shouldn't be exposed to drafts."

Oh, I remember.

"Actually, it's fine to stay at home, study for a while, or watch TV."

Zhou Heming dried his hands and came to the sofa. Lu Bai curled up his legs to make room for him.

"I haven't felt like I'm in a relationship since I've been staying at home all this time."

Lu Bai sat up.

"We're not dating."

Zhou Heming spoke the truth.

"Although we're not dating, aren't you and Cheng Shuangjiang dating in the script?"

What do you consider to be in a relationship?

Zhou Heming leaned back on the sofa and asked curiously.

He hadn't asked Cheng Guoshuangjiang what dating really meant.

"It's like, um, going out together, eating delicious food together, having fun together, then hugging, kissing or something."

Lu Bai's concept of love probably comes from TV dramas and novels.

"Eating mouth is such a simple and unadorned description."

Zhou Heming sighed and then asked.

Does doing homework together count as dating?

"So going to jail together can be considered dating."

Lu Bai's fear of learning seems unusual.

"Put it another way."

Zhou Heming pondered for a moment, then continued.

"If we were a couple, and I invited you to do your homework with me, would you say yes?"

"Yes."

Lu Bai answered without hesitation.

"Would you be happy doing your homework with me?"

Zhou Heming pressed for an answer.

“I haven’t tried it, so I don’t know.”

"Then let's go downstairs for a walk tomorrow, and when we come back, let's try studying together and doing a test paper."

"Wait, did you bring this up to persuade me to study?"

Lu Bai asked suspiciously.

"How could that be?"

Zhou Heming denied it.

"It's like when we went on a school field trip in elementary school. It doesn't really matter where we go, it's who we go with. I feel that dating isn't about what we do together, but about the act of 'doing things together'."

"That makes some sense."

Lu Bai might be trying to recall where he went on a school field trip during his elementary school years.

"As long as two people like each other, even just sitting together and spacing out can be quite interesting."

Zhou Heming recalled his time with Cheng Shuangjiang.

Most of the time, the two of them were really just doing their own thing, doing tests, reading books, or looking at their phones.

But because the other person was around, these commonplace things began to take on meaning.

"Every action of two people who like each other will bring meaning to the other person. That's what I think love is."

After Zhou Heming finished speaking, he looked at Lu Bai.

"You looked much happier just now than when you were with me. I really envy Cheng Shuangjiang; you like her so much."

Lu Bai pursed his lips.

"Have it?"

Zhou Heming touched his face.

"I'm going to take a shower first."

Lu Bai didn't bring up the topic again, but instead picked up his change of clothes and went to the bathroom.

Zhou Heming picked up his phone and casually scrolled through it. He saw that someone had updated their WeChat Moments. He clicked on it and saw that it was posted by Qiao Jinchen. It seemed that he had gone to Xu Youyou's house for dinner today.

"Are you meeting the parents already?"

Zhou Heming chuckled to himself, scrolled down, saw Lu Bai's post on WeChat Moments, and gave it a like.

From Cheng Shuangjiang.

*
After drying Lu Bai's hair and giving him cold medicine, Zhou Heming felt drowsy, but when he looked at the sofa, there was no pillow or blanket.

Where will I sleep tonight?

"My head is a little numb," Zhou Heming asked.

"Where else would you like to sleep in the bed?"

Lu Bai sat on the edge of the bed and patted the blanket.

"Then where will you sleep?"

Zhou Heming didn't quite grasp the situation.

"Of course I'll sleep in the bed too. Don't worry, there's enough room. There's enough room for Cheng Shuangjiang to lie down as well."

Lu Bai said matter-of-factly, and then instructed Zhou Heming to turn off the outside lights.

Zhou Heming turned off the light and, using the bedside lamp in the bedroom, went to the bedside.

Lu Bai had already lain down inside and was playing on his phone.

"I'm really sleeping in the bed?"

Zhou Heming confirmed it.

"Why don't you sleep on the floor?"

"also."

As Zhou Heming spoke, he was about to lie down on the ground.

"Come up!"

Lu Bai gave the order.

"Oh."

Zhou Heming climbed onto the bed.

He had a fever before, so his mind wasn't clear, and he inexplicably ended up sleeping next to Lu Bai all day. Now he doesn't have a fever anymore. "Get under the covers, or you'll catch a cold."

Lu Bai slightly lifted the blanket, revealing her slightly disheveled short-sleeved pajamas underneath.

"it is good."

To prevent Lu Bai from catching a cold, Zhou Heming crawled inside and lay down very properly.

"You've taken your medicine, you should fall asleep soon, right?"

Lu Bai turned off the bedside lamp, leaving only the light from her phone screen illuminating her face.

"Yeah, I'm really sleepy."

Zhou Heming yawned.

Lu Bai put down his phone, plunging the entire bedroom into darkness.

"Good night."

Zhou Heming thought she was going to sleep.

"You and Cheng Shuangjiang used to hug every day, didn't you?"

Lu Bai's clear voice came through.

"Ah."

Zhou Heming responded.

"Will it feel special?"

Lu Bai asked again.

"It feels like recharging. No matter how tired or exhausted I am, just a hug makes me feel much better and gives me strength again."

Zhou Heming recalled and described the events as he went.

"So exaggerated?"

Lu Bai seemed unconvinced.

"That's just how it is, it's hard to describe in words."

Zhou Heming yawned again.

"Then, let's give it a try."

Lu Bai's voice came through.

Zhou Heming's yawning motion froze in place.

"Are you serious?"

Didn't answer him.

Lu Bai moved closer amidst the rustling sounds, wrapped his arm around Zhou Heming's waist, and leaned his head in.

Zhou Heming dared not move.

"You should move too."

Lu Bai said in his arms.

"Since we can't see anything right now, just treat me as Cheng Shuangjiang."

".good."

Zhou Heming raised his hand, as if he had accidentally touched something, but Lu Bai didn't say anything. He just rested his head on Zhou Heming's arm and let him pull him into his embrace.

Their feet brushed against each other, their knees touched, their warm bodies pressed together, and even their heartbeats mingled.

"Your heart is beating so fast, are you nervous?"

Lu Bai asked.

"You're fast too, we're about the same."

Zhou Heming retorted, then suddenly laughed.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I just thought that when I hugged Shuangjiang, it definitely wouldn't be like this now, unlike us, where we can still joke around."

"Talking about your ex-girlfriend while hugging a girl, you're such a jerk."

"It would be better if he were a real scumbag."

Zhou Heming sighed.

"The psychologist I know, the one who examined you and prescribed your medication, told me a theory."

Lu Bai slightly raised his face to look at Zhou Heming. Their breaths mingled, and they were very close.

"What theory?"

Zhou Heming looked into Lu Bai's eyes in the dim light.

"All emotions are diluted over time."

Lu Bai did not look away, but instead raised his right hand, which was adorned with a bracelet, and gently stroked Zhou Heming's hair.

"When I was a child, I felt like the sky was falling if I didn't bring my homework. Being scolded by my parents felt like the end of the world. But as I've come this far, I've found that those intense emotions have faded away."

“I’ve heard it before, that all the difficulties a person encounters are only difficulties for themselves at that time.”

Zhou Heming subconsciously combed Lu Bai's hair with his fingers, but the smooth, slightly wavy long hair was always shorter than he remembered.

"Pretty much. Like, you always remember the little things you did with Cheng Shuangjiang, like holding hands and hugging."

Lu Bai spoke frankly and openly.

"That's because you've only done it with her. If you do the same thing with other people more often than you and Cheng Shuangjiang, your feelings, longing, and regret for her will be diluted. Eventually, one day you will be able to face those things that you dare not recall now with equanimity."

Zhou Heming remained silent.

He certainly understood what Lu Bai meant.

"Although I'm not your girlfriend, I'm your life partner, and I have an obligation to help you manage your emotions, plus the need to study the script, so..."

Lu Bai spoke.

"I also want you to hug me once a day."

There was silence in the bedroom.

Their gazes were intertwined, as if a thousand thoughts were swirling within them in an instant.

In the end, it was Zhou Heming who made the move.

He tightened his grip on the back of the girl's head, drawing her close to his chest and holding her tightly.

Lu Bai tightened his grip around the boy's waist, as if trying to meld himself into him, making their bodies press even closer together, even their knees were separated.

"I really feel recharged."

After a long while, Lu Bai mumbled in Zhou Heming's arms.

She looked up and saw that Zhou Heming was already half asleep, half awake.

"Good night."

she whispered.

*
The holiday is coming to an end soon.

On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, the air conditioner installer called Zhou Heming and installed the air conditioner that same day.

Zhou Heming felt embarrassed to continue using Lu Bai's house for heating, and since he had to return to school early for make-up classes on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year, he moved back to his own home.

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, to repay Lu Bai for her support during this period, Zhou Heming treated her to a meal out.

Then Lu Bai said that he had a lot of cakes and snacks at home that were about to expire, so he dragged Zhou Heming home, ate some, and gave some to Zhou Heming.

Incidentally, we gave each other a hug.

The seventh day of the new year.

Just as Zhou Heming was leaving, he heard the sound of a lock being opened next door.

Good morning! Have a happy day today!

He greeted Cheng Shuangjiang.

The girl wearing a light blue scarf simply nodded, said good morning, and went downstairs without looking back.

Zhou Heming followed not far behind her.

Once on the bus, Cheng Shuangjiang sat in the side seat, and Zhou Heming, after thinking for a moment, sat down next to her.

Cheng Shuangjiang glanced over here, said nothing, and took out her phone to start doing the questions.

Zhou Heming vaguely sensed that the girl beside him seemed a little absent-minded, but he didn't ask any further questions.

As Zhou Heming passed the honor wall on the first floor, he saw his final exam score: 611 points, ranking 67th. With a little more effort, he could reach the number one exam room.

Cheng Shuangjiang remains the top student in the grade.

743 points.

The score makes one suspect cheating.

She still used the photo that Lu Bai had taken for her before, but her motto was no longer the same as before, a confession.

The road ahead is treacherous and shrouded in mist; when will I finally be able to knock on the pine-covered gate?

It's a line of poetry whose origin is unknown, but it sounds very inspiring.

No one at school was discussing Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang anymore. The pressure of the college entrance examination made everyone more focused on studying. Under that tangible pressure, even Qiao Jinchen had toned down her usual cheerful demeanor.

As evening self-study was about to end, Zhou Heming received a WeChat message from Lu Bai.

[Lu Bai]: I had insomnia last night. It's true what they say, it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality. Don't leave after school, you'll sleep with me tonight.

"Don't leave after school."

Zhou Heming thought to himself that he had also been said that to others.

He waited for the liberal arts class to finish school at the foot of the teaching building. The senior students passed by one after another, but Zhou Heming didn't pay attention and just looked at his phone.

Until someone stopped in front of him. He initially thought it was Lu Bai, but when he looked up, he found it was Cheng Shuangjiang.

"Wait for her?"

Cheng Shuangjiang asked in a cool tone.

"Ah."

Zhou Heming wasn't lying; he nodded.

Cheng Shuangjiang said nothing, only stared at Zhou Heming for a few seconds before looking away and preparing to leave.

"I'm coming."

Just then, Lu Bai came downstairs. She didn't notice Cheng Shuangjiang, who had already walked away, and skipped directly to Zhou Heming.

"I still have your clothes at home, let's go straight home."

She said it without any hesitation.

"I need to go back to get some things. I was busy installing the air conditioner and tidying up the past two days and didn't have time."

As Zhou Heming spoke, he turned around and walked side by side with Lu Bai toward the school gate.

Then he saw Cheng Shuangjiang standing not far away, seemingly having overheard the entire conversation between the two.

"Oh, it's Cheng Shuangjiang~"

Lu Bai spotted the other person and waved to greet them.

Cheng Shuangjiang didn't look back, but quickened her pace and walked a long way in the blink of an eye.

"Maybe you didn't hear me?"

Lu Bai tilted his head and looked at Zhou Heming again.

"By the way, I have something to discuss with you."

"what?"

Zhou Heming glanced in the direction Cheng Shuangjiang had left and casually asked.

"How about you move in with me?"

Lu Bai said it casually.

*
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(End of this chapter)