My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 181 Winter Vacation, The First Night in Jiangcheng

Winters in Ningjiang are indeed very cold.

Leaving aside Cheng Shuangjiang, Lu Qian, at this time of year, clearly has a hard time getting out of bed in the morning.

Regardless of whether I had sex with Zhou Heming the night before, I would definitely need more than ten alarms to wake up the next day.

"Just five more minutes, just five more minutes."

Lu Qian was groggily pulled out of bed by Zhou Heming. Her pajamas were disheveled, revealing her smooth, fair shoulders, but she clearly didn't care. She slumped against Zhou Heming like a koala, as if she wanted to pull him into bed with her and sleep for another two or three hours.

"It's already eleven o'clock, and our car left at one o'clock."

Zhou Heming shook himself.

"There are still two hours left, there's plenty of time."

Lu Qian clearly wanted to follow the locals' example and catch the high-speed train on time, showing no intention of getting out of bed.

"what's wrong?"

Cheng Shuangjiang, who had finished tidying up the living room, peeked over and saw Lu Qian with her arm around Zhou Heming's neck, looking languid and tired.

What time did you go to sleep last night?

Seeing this, Cheng Shuangjiang asked curiously.

Because they had to get up early to catch the bus today, the three of them didn't sleep together last night. Instead, Zhou Heming stayed here with Lu Qian. But it seems that the two of them were quite busy last night.

"No, we went to bed early and didn't do anything."

Zhou Heming explained that although Lu Qian did flirt with him last night, he restrained himself for the time being, considering today's schedule.

"Oh, you went to bed early~"

Cheng Shuangjiang responded with a sound of agreement, showing no sign of belief whatsoever.

If I had known this would happen, I would have just given in obediently.

Zhou Heming was helpless.

It is crucial to deeply understand the importance of actually doing something when others assume you have done it.

"I'll do it, Ahe, go pack your things~"

Cheng Shuangjiang didn't pursue the matter and let Zhou Heming continue to pack their luggage.

Their luggage was mostly packed last night; today they're just packing up what they need for daily use.

Standing in the living room, Zhou Heming caught a glimpse of Cheng Shuangjiang sitting on the edge of the bed, gently embracing Lu Qian as if coaxing a child to sleep, whispering something in her ear. After a while, Lu Qian stretched and got up.

"He truly deserves to be called a master of psychology."

Zhou Heming muttered to himself.

Three people, three suitcases, and backpacks, all set off neatly.

Three days ago was the day Cheng Shuangjiang finished her last exam. As for Lu Qian and Zhou Heming, they had actually finished their classes two days earlier.

The last section is even a short film appreciation.

It must be said that compared to the short films from other groups that had a strong student flavor, Zhou Heming's group's short film was a game-changer in terms of quality alone. Coupled with Lu Qian's acting skills and the script that Zhou Heming had worked on with Cui Ming, the overall viewing experience was outstanding. Some sentimental students even secretly wiped away tears towards the end.

Some people even approached Zhou Heming after class, trying to comfort him.

Of course, after seeing Lu Qian or Cheng Shuangjiang come to pick up Zhou Heming from school, they became the ones who needed to be comforted.

For Zhou Heming, this course assignment was nothing special; he was more concerned about the upcoming college student film festival.

However, he can't offer much help with editing, and we have to communicate online. At least he can relax this winter break.

So, after a brief stay in Ningjiang, they boarded the high-speed train back to Jiangcheng.

Most students bought tickets to go home on the day they finished the exam or the day after. They stayed in their rented rooms for a few more days. The reason they chose to go back now is that the Spring Festival travel rush will start soon, and tickets will be hard to buy.

This time, the three of them bought three consecutive seats in the A, B, and C section. Zhou Heming originally wanted to sit on the outermost side, but Lu Qian wanted him to sit in the middle, so Zhou Heming had no choice but to sit in the very middle.

Not long after boarding the high-speed train, Zhou Heming, who was still reading the novel he had brought on board, felt a weight on his shoulders.

Turning his head, he saw that Cheng Shuangjiang had already fallen asleep with her arm around his.

It seems that getting up early in this weather is still quite torturous.

On the other side, because she had slept long enough, Lu Qian was actually quite energetic at this moment, wearing headphones and watching videos on her tablet, with snacks on the small table.

Do you want to watch it together?

Lu Qian noticed that Cheng Shuangjiang had fallen asleep, so she took off one of her earphones and asked Zhou Heming in a low voice.

He shook his head.

Lu Qian nodded and put her headphones back on.

Cheng Shuangjiang seemed to shift her head slightly in response to Zhou Heming's actions, and hugged him even tighter.

The feeling is like a sleeping kitten gently wrapping its pink-pawed paws around your wrist—warm, soft, and with the scent of sunshine.

The three of them were like that; they didn't necessarily have to do anything together. Sometimes they would each do their own thing, but they got along well and didn't find it boring.

For many couples or friends, maintaining their relationship depends on something.

For example, if a friend you used to play games with stops playing, it might be difficult to get in touch with them even once.

For example, some couples feel they have to do something when they go on a date—eat, watch a movie—if they don't do anything, just take a walk or sit together, they might find themselves with nothing to say.

But the three of them don't have to worry about these things. They don't need to worry about the other being bored, or about having nothing to do. Even when they're not sitting together and going to class, they don't feel uneasy at all.

This is complete trust and a deep bond.

That being said.

The three of them will still do certain things together in a ritualistic way.

such as.

Get out of the car.

The three of them took the subway and then a bus to the residential area where Zhou Jianjun's house was located.

Returning to the place, Zhou Heming was unexpectedly filled with a sense of nostalgia.

Even though it's only been about six months since I last visited, it feels a bit unfamiliar.

The manhole cover at the intersection was under construction and repair, making the already narrow road even narrower. The three people walked in a row and came downstairs.

It snowed in Jiangcheng a while ago, but it's been sunny these past two days. However, the cold wind is biting and makes people's ears hurt.

"Let me do it."

He glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang's suitcase and wanted to help her carry it.

"No need, I can carry it myself, and it's not heavy to begin with."

Cheng Shuangjiang didn't ask Zhou Heming for help, but instead carried the suitcase upstairs on her own.

Zhou Heming and Lu Qian exchanged a glance and followed behind her, occasionally helping to carry things.

Upon arriving at the door, Zhou Heming curiously glanced at the room next door, the one that Cheng Shuangjiang had originally rented.

Coincidentally.

The door to that room had just been opened.

A young couple, who looked like they had just started working, came out, dragging suitcases.

"Oh, do you live next door?"

The girl sized up Cheng Shuangjiang and Lu Qian, two beautiful girls, and then looked at Zhou Heming. This pairing, which she felt would be a twisted and chaotic scene, somehow felt like a family to her.

"Yes, I'm a college student who's back from vacation."

Zhou Heming didn't explain much.

“That’s perfect. We’re renting a place here and we’re heading home for Chinese New Year today. If you’re staying here during the holiday, could you please keep an eye on things, like if we hear any strange noises or if a water pipe bursts?”

The girl was clearly more outgoing. She looked at Lu Qian, then took out her phone and added her on WeChat.

"Okay, the three of us will be here during the Spring Festival, so don't worry."

Lu Qian patted her chest and gave her a guarantee.

"The three of you?"

The girl was taken aback, her gaze shifting back and forth between the three people's faces.

Zhou Heming cleared his throat.

"Well, we'll let you know if anything seems amiss."

"Okay, thank you for your help."

The girl hesitated for a moment before pulling her boyfriend away, glancing back at the three of them as they went downstairs.

Zhou Heming looked at Cheng Shuangjiang beside him. The girl was staring blankly at the door of the house where she used to live.

"what happened?"

He tugged at the sleeve of her horn-buttoned coat.

"Yeah, I was thinking, sure enough, that's not my home."

Cheng Shuangjiang smiled slightly and took half a step toward Zhou Heming.

"This is my home."

She put her arm around Zhou Heming's.

"Okay, stop with the sweet talk and open the door, I'm freezing."

Lu Qian said awkwardly from the side.

Zhou Heming opened the door.

Although the air conditioning wasn't on inside, it was still a bit warmer than outside.

Zhou Jianjun didn't neglect this place either; it's clear that he comes to clean it at least once a week, so the tables and chairs aren't dusty.

The three of them put down their luggage, closed the door, and Zhou Heming found the air conditioner remote and turned it on.

"Fortunately, this is working properly."

He turned around and glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang, who was slowly taking off her blue scarf.

"Is that the one? Because Shuangjiang's air conditioner broke down, she stayed at your house for a few days."

Lu Qian directly recounted what had happened between the two of them. "So, it seems I've never slept in A-He's room?"

She had always come as a guest before.

Zhou Heming slept at Lu Qian's house many times, but Lu Qian never slept in Zhou Heming's bed.

"This bed should be big enough for three people, right?"

Lu Qian touched the bed, which hadn't been covered with blankets yet.

This bed is probably a 1.5-meter double bed, which is more than enough for two people, but a bit crowded for three.

Normally, a bed that is 1.8 meters wide would be enough for the three of them.

"I can sleep here."

Cheng Shuangjiang said firmly.

"Let's make the bed first."

Zhou Heming took out a four-piece bedding set from the cabinet.

I also found another pillow and filled the headboard with it.

Lu Qian and Cheng Shuangjiang had already taken off their coats and checked the refrigerator, stove, and water heater to make sure they were working properly.

"My eldest uncle has already gone to Altay to celebrate the Spring Festival. When are we going to see my youngest uncle?"

Cheng Shuangjiang has already changed her form of address.

Cheng Lingjun is currently in charge of the first year of high school, so the winter break started earlier, while the third year of high school should have started their winter break today.

"Let's wait until New Year's Eve. My uncle and his family are quite busy these days."

Zhou Heming said with a touch of emotion.

It's quite poignant to see Zhou Jianjun so busy with work.

"Then let's ask Xu Youyou and Qiao Jinchen to go out for a meal?"

Lu Qian walked into the bedroom.

"Hmm, I'll ask later."

Zhou Heming spread out the quilt, and saw Lu Qian suddenly plop down on it.

"Why are you lying down again?"

"Let me try it out and see if this bed can fit three people."

Lu Qian rolled over, lay down on the bed, and patted the side next to her.

“Ahe and Shuangjiang should also give it a try.”

Before Zhou Heming could answer, Cheng Shuangjiang walked in.

"I miss that bed so much."

She lay down as well, but kept a distance from Lu Bai, with another space between them.

"You really want to try?"

Zhou Heming scratched his head and lay down as well.

As it turned out, with three people lying flat, the bed was indeed too cramped; Cheng Shuangjiang, who was on the edge, almost fell off.

She immediately turned to the side and hugged Zhou Heming.

On the other side, Lu Qian also turned to the side and hugged Zhou Heming from the other side.

"Wait, you two didn't plan this all along, did you?"

Zhou Heming had a feeling that he had been set up.

"What are you thinking? This is just a rehearsal for when you go to sleep tonight."

Lu Qian rubbed her face against him.

"That, that's good."

Zhou Heming thought to himself, "If only it were a rehearsal."

However, unexpectedly, the two of them only lay down for a short while before sitting up.

This left Zhou Heming feeling a little disappointed.

Wait, could this be some kind of psychological trick?
After tidying up the house, Zhou Heming received a message from Qiao Jinchen: the two of them were going on a road trip to the surrounding area after their winter vacation started and wouldn't be back until the day after tomorrow. They would meet up for dinner then.

Cheng Shuangjiang suggested that they go grocery shopping together, so the three of them went to the large supermarket that Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang used to frequent when they were together.

Zhou Heming didn't even get a chance to use the shopping cart; Lu Qian had already taken it.

As the Lunar New Year approaches, supermarkets are decorated in festive red and have begun selling New Year's goods.

For example, classic Hsu Fu Chi candies, Want Want gift packs, as well as Sachima, peanut brittle, and various melon seeds and nuts were all snacks that Zhou Heming's grandparents would prepare for Chinese New Year when he was a child, snacks that would last for a month.

People online are saying that the Spring Festival has lost its festive spirit. Some think it's because firecrackers and fireworks can't be set off anymore, some think it's because the Spring Festival Gala is outdated, and others think it's because the internet is too developed.

But Zhou Heming felt that it might be because the people he used to spend New Year's with when he was a child were no longer around.

They bought lotus root, spare ribs with cartilage, pork bones, and some small packets of seasoning to make spare rib soup.

Lu Qian had been complaining that the lotus root in Ningjiang was not tasty, but she really wanted some.

They bought some vegetables and meat dishes for tomorrow, and then went to the baking section.

"Yes, we have this."

Lu Qian picked up a box of lemon mousse cake.

"Buy it, we have to buy this."

Zhou Heming immediately took it and put it in the shopping cart.

"hey-hey."

Cheng Shuangjiang didn't say anything, but just smiled and hugged Zhou Heming's arm.

Now, they can have lemon mousse cake whenever they want.

They pushed their cart to the seafood section. Since they had already ordered their main course for the day, they didn't plan to buy anything; they just wanted to take a look.

King crab and lobster are ridiculously expensive, while seafood nearing its expiration date or that has just died is relatively cheap.

Lu Qian took several bags of potato chips, as well as spicy strips, seaweed chips, konjac snacks, and bagged chicken legs, which are more suitable for modern young people's New Year's snacks.

Previously, Zhou Heming's understanding of such large supermarkets was simply that they were places to buy things.

But now, as he strolled with the two girls, he had a new feeling.

It's like when one person comes here to shop, it's just about shopping, but when the three of them come here, they're building their own home.

It's not just about what they buy; even things they don't buy exist to some extent in their future.

They would consider whether the pots, pans, and tableware in the kitchenware section were suitable for their home, and they would buy matching pajamas and slippers, as well as large bottles of laundry detergent for the three of them.

For Zhou Heming, buying these things is the same as buying a ring for his lover.

That night, Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang cooked a pot of lotus root and pork rib soup in the slightly cramped kitchen, and also made two stir-fried dishes. The three of them sat at the dining table and enjoyed their first meal back in Jiangcheng.

Fortunately, the bathroom in this house was not big, so the plan for Lu Qian and the other two to shower together failed. After the three of them took turns washing up and drying their hair, it was almost ten o'clock.

Lu Qian crawled onto the bed and picked up her tablet to watch a movie.

Cheng Shuangjiang also pulled Zhou Heming over, and the three of them sat on the edge of the bed, with Zhou Heming in charge of holding the tablet.

I only saw half of it.

Zhou Heming felt as if Lu Qian was gently rubbing his feet against his.

"?"

He looked at Lu Qian.

"how?"

Lu Qian looked completely innocent.

"No."

Zhou Heming looked at the screen.

after awhile.

He also felt that Cheng Shuangjiang's hand, hidden under the covers, was sneaking under the hem of his pajamas and pinching the flesh on his waist.