My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 86 Silence is Beauty

When I got home, I still couldn't see any stars.

As Cheng Shuangjiang got off the bus, she suddenly spoke.

"Ah He, may I take a walk with you?"

"of course."

Zhou Heming agreed without hesitation.

Although the weather was very cold, and it seemed like a freezing winter rain could fall at any moment, the boy did not hesitate at all.

That was a request from my lover; even if it meant plucking the moon from the sky, I had to agree first.

"Hehe, Ah He is so good to me, let's go then~"

She naturally took Zhou Heming's hand and put it in his pocket.

Zhou Heming didn't ask her where she wanted to go, and just followed her.

Cheng Shuangjiang took a different route from their usual way home.

It was almost 10 o'clock, so most of the surrounding shops were closed, and the streets were quiet and peaceful with few pedestrians in the winter.

"So there used to be a farmers market here. No wonder I often see elderly people pushing shopping carts from this side."

Zhou Heming looked at the locked vegetable market in the middle of the night and sighed.

"There seems to be a small park up ahead; I've seen it on the map."

Cheng Shuangjiang pointed ahead.

Sure enough, after walking for a while, they saw a public park. It seemed to have been built in the 1990s. The marble flower bed fences and pavilions were mottled and full of the texture of old times, but the shrubs were still neatly trimmed and there were no fallen leaves.

One can imagine that in the warm afternoon sun, retired elderly people would sit here, scrolling through their phones, chatting, taking care of their grandchildren, playing chess, and enjoying their leisure time.

"We'll come back to check it out when the weather is better during the holiday."

Zhou Heming suggested.

The girl nodded and pointed ahead.

"Do you see those buildings?"

It was a cluster of high-rise residential buildings, seemingly several communities gathered together, along with a CBD, a commercial plaza, and a subway station.

They used to take the subway to the city center, and this was the station they walked to.

"That building with neon lights on its roof is Lu Bai's apartment."

Zhou Heming looked in the direction Cheng Shuangjiang was pointing.

"It looks really high-end."

"Actually, it's not so bad. The rooms in the apartments are not big, and the soundproofing is not good. You can't use gas, and the electricity and water bills are very expensive. It's only suitable for people who don't care too much about the rent but want to rent a single room."

Cheng Shuangjiang explained that, after all, she was reborn and had much more social knowledge than Zhou Heming.

"The shopping plaza in front is a pet-friendly mall, where you can walk your dog inside, but of course you have to follow the rules. On weekends, it seems like a lot of people gather outside the mall with their pets."

Since it was already 10 o'clock when they arrived, and the mall was preparing to close, the two decided to turn back instead of going in.

"I've lived here for three years, and I didn't even know any of this."

Zhou Heming couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

He used to live a very routine life, going back and forth between school, the funeral home, and home, and never thought of taking a stroll around the neighborhood.

"It's not too late to know now."

Cheng Shuangjiang nestled beside him, walking slowly.

"But why did I decide to take a walk today?"

Zhou Heming decided to ask anyway.

"Because I heard a saying before that to see if you get along with someone, you should take a walk with them."

The girl smiled.

"Wandering aimlessly, going wherever the road takes me, without thinking about time or destination, just talking occasionally and walking in silence most of the time."

Is there any explanation for this?

"Because most of life is aimless, and all of that time is spent with you."

She looked ahead.

"The grass is bearing its seeds, the wind is shaking its leaves, and we stand here without speaking, and it is perfectly beautiful."

Zhou Heming murmured, then looked at the girl.

"Gu Cheng's 'At the Door'".

"This is exactly the kind of atmosphere I want!"

Cheng Shuangjiang smiled happily.

"But sometimes adding some goals can make life more motivating. For example, we're going to go shopping at this mall or explore places around here that we've never been before."

Zhou Heming added.

"Hmm, starting tomorrow... well, tomorrow probably won't be enough, let's start the day after tomorrow."

She smiled, her lips pursed.

"Okay."

Zhou Heming nodded.

"Speaking of which, it's unlikely we'll run into Lu Bai on his way home at this hour, is it?"

He glanced around and suddenly wondered what Lu Bai's expression would be if he ran into her at this hour.

"She should have gone home by now, right?"

Cheng Shuangjiang also looked around curiously.

There were hardly any passersby, and naturally, Lu Bai was not among them.

"Let's go home too."

"Ah."

The boy took the girl's hand, and the streetlights stretched their shadows long, intertwining as if they would never be separated.

*
December 30th, Friday, overcast sky.

From early morning, there was a feeling that it was going to rain. Considering the cold weather, it might even snow, which made many people excited.

Jiangcheng's geographical location is neither like the Northeast, where snow falls for thousands of miles every year, nor like the South, where snow is a rare sight in one's lifetime. Therefore, the students have rather complicated feelings about snowfall.

"When I was in junior high school, my favorite thing to do was to watch people wrestle on the playground from the corridor when the ground was frozen."

Qiao Jinchen spoke frankly, saying that the greatest significance of snowfall is simply to have fun.

"It's too distorted!"

Xu Youyou adjusted her glasses and berated Qiao Jinchen.

"But this year is actually warmer. Usually, the first snow would have fallen by now. Is it really the fault of global warming?"

Qiao Jinchen then brought up a claim she had seen in some short video.

"What do you think, Ah He?"

He looked at Zhou Heming, who was engrossed in doing his homework.

In the afternoon, it was time for senior students to study, but the classroom was a little noisy. Many students were already treating it as an early holiday. Even though they couldn't play on their phones, they still chatted with the students in front and behind them.

This is how it is in regular classes. Students in advanced classes only need to think about how to review, while students in regular classes have a lot more to think about.

Moreover, the music and laughter coming from the classrooms of the first and second year high school students had long been making them restless and unable to study.

But Zhou Heming remained focused on his studies.

"Stop studying, relaxing for an afternoon won't cost you many points."

With Xu Youyou's tutoring and his own hard work, Qiao Jinchen has made significant progress. Or rather, he has a decent foundation. He is currently able to maintain a score that is about ten points above the first-tier university admission line. If there are no major problems, it will be easy for him to maintain this level until the college entrance examination.

"Studying helps me calm down."

Zhou Heming put down his pen and picked it up again, twirling it in his hand.

"As you all know, I'm a little nervous about doing 'that' tonight."

Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou exchanged a glance.

"That's right."

They didn't bother Zhou Heming anymore until the bell rang for the last class.

Whether it was a misperception or not, a faint cheer seemed to rise from the teaching building, accompanied by a tremor. Students got up and either rushed to the cafeteria or headed to the back street.

"Shall we leave?"

Qiao Jinchen had already prepared herself and was ready to go.

"it is good."

Zhou Heming took out his phone to check, and it was a message from Lu Bai.

"Okay, no problem."

He put it away and looked at the two of them.

"I'll send another message to Shuangjiang to confirm; the top classes are probably all studying diligently."

"Zhou Heming, someone is looking for you."

Just then, a girl's clear voice suddenly rang out from the classroom door.

Zhou Heming subconsciously looked up and saw the aloof beauty, wearing the same clothes they had worn when they first met, standing at the door, waving to him with a radiant smile.

"Ah He~" The classroom was immediately filled with the boys' good-natured teasing.

Zhou Heming immediately stumbled as he gathered his things and ran towards the girl.

"Hey, aren't you going to help us?"

Qiao Jinchen shouted from behind, then looked helplessly at Xu Youyou.

"Today is his big day, let's go along with him."

Xu Youyou spread her hands.

Qiao Jinchen slung her bag over her shoulder, then picked up Xu Youyou's schoolbag and followed Zhou Heming's pace.

"Ah Bai said he would arrive a little later and told us to go to the place to eat first."

As soon as Zhou Heming arrived at the door, Cheng Shuangjiang immediately took his hand, completely disregarding the stares of the other students around them.

"Okay, let's go."

The four left the school and went to a fresh fish restaurant near the school.

Because Jiangcheng is built along the Lingjiang River, people love to eat fish. Dishes such as fish head rice porridge, fish cakes and fish balls, and braised catfish are very popular. This fresh fish restaurant is a bit pricey, and students don't usually eat here.

But today, perhaps because it's New Year's Day holiday, there are still quite a few students from Jiangcheng Middle School in the store. Zhou Heming recognized a few familiar faces, who were probably students from the top classes, and some were probably junior students from the first and second years of high school.

"Order whatever you want. It's my treat today."

As expected, Qiao Jinchen announced that he would treat everyone as soon as he sat down at the table.

"Thanks, Chen! I wish you even better grades!"

Cheng Shuangjiang didn't stand on ceremony and directly offered her blessings with a smile.

"Absolutely, I'm already looking at the majors offered by Jianghai University."

Qiao Jinchen is full of ambition.

Jianghai University is also a university in Ningjiang, slightly inferior to Ningjiang University of Science and Technology and Ningjiang University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, but it is still a 211 key university.

"Why don't you take a look at the pilots at Ningbo Airlines? They might even become captains."

Zhou Heming made a joke.

"No, if I'm a captain and I'm flying all day without ever landing, how can I spend time with my Youyou?"

Qiao Jinchen glanced at the bespectacled girl beside her.

"What are you saying with so many people around!"

Xu Youyou gently pinched Qiao Jinchen. Out of a sense of being a good student, she was not yet used to showing affection in front of everyone.

"I'll be honest. Don't just stand there, order the food."

Qiao Jinchen invited everyone to scan the QR code to order.

Lu Bai arrived late, just as the first dish was served.

"I'm sorry, the stage preparations were delayed for a while."

She hadn't changed into that formal gown yet; she still looked chic and capable, except her hair was up and she wore a beanie.

"It's okay, we're all looking forward to your performance!"

Qiao Jinchen asked her to sit next to Cheng Shuangjiang and picked up her chopsticks.

"The firewood-cooked rice here is very famous, but it will take a while to arrive. Let's eat the vegetables first."

"I'd heard of this place before, but I've never been here in all this time since I was at school. I'm so lucky today."

Lu Bai immediately chimed in, livening up the atmosphere.

"Then you must try rice porridge, rice cooked over a wood fire in fish broth, the taste is absolutely amazing."

It seems that after Qiao Jinchen got together with Xu Youyou, he became less hesitant when communicating with other girls, which may be a kind of courage training.

The remaining three people exchanged glances and then picked up their chopsticks.

Stir-fried green tomatoes, braised tofu with fish roe, dry-pot peanut sprouts, stir-fried braised pork, and the signature big pot of fish head soup—in terms of abundance, this was the most luxurious meal Zhou Heming had eaten in the past month.

"Oh, right, I also brought some shredded beef from home, which my grandma makes. Everyone should try it."

Lu Bai took out the homemade shredded beef that he had given to Cheng Shuangjiang and the others yesterday from his bag, asked the waiter for a pair of chopsticks and an empty bowl, and took out half of it.

"Wow, this is amazing! I've never had Sichuan-style food before. It smells so good!"

Qiao Jinchen immediately picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks and put it into Xu Youyou's bowl.

"Youyou, you should try it."

"I can use it myself now!"

Xu Youyou muttered to herself, but the expression on her face betrayed her.

Isn't this great?

"It's delicious, very fragrant, and not very spicy. Ah Chen, you should have some too."

Xu Youyou took a bite, and her eyes immediately lit up.

"okay."

Qiao Jinchen took a small bite and immediately praised it highly.

While the food was indeed delicious, the two of them also provided ample emotional value.

Around seven o'clock, Lu Bai got up first.

"Excuse me, I need to go get my makeup done. Enjoy your meal!"

She waved and left quickly.

The remaining people had almost finished eating and got up to leave after a while.

When I arrived at the school auditorium, many students were already seated.

The seats were arranged according to class, with the top classes of the senior year in the front row, while Class 7, perhaps by luck, was right next to the top classes.

"I'm going to the bathroom."

Qiao Jinchen put her and Xu Youyou's bags on the chair and then left.

"What a coincidence! We can sit right next to each other now."

Cheng Shuangjiang found the location where the two classes met, turned around and waved to Zhou Heming.

Zhou Heming responded and placed the two students' backpacks on the chairs.

"whee."

As soon as they sat down, Cheng Shuangjiang immediately hugged the boy's arm.

"The past two years, I was backstage when I was going to perform, so I didn't watch the show much. This is the first time I've watched it from the audience!"

She looked very happy.

"And it was my first time watching it with A-He!"

Cheng Shuangjiang leaned on Zhou Heming's shoulder, giving meaning to the ordinary.

"Indeed, we should remember today."

Zhou Heming nodded, though his tone was somewhat tense.

Many students from Class 7 and the top classes took their seats one after another. When they saw the young couple, they all turned their attention to them, but their eyes were full of admiration.

As everyone knows, if the couples at Jiangcheng Middle School had names, they would definitely be "A thousand sails pass by the sunken ship".

Almost half of the senior students, along with many freshmen and sophomores, were working on it.

Ultimately, it was because Cheng Shuangjiang was too beautiful, her score was too high, and Zhou Heming's progress was too obvious.

If any of these aspects were lacking, it wouldn't have garnered such a high level of discussion.

During our school years, grades were a symbol of ability and the most discussed topic.

Grades combined with romance are bound to pique the interest of students.

Time quickly passed to 7:30.

The Double Egg Festival party has officially begun.

The hosts were two members of the senior high school student council. They were dressed up and introduced the program skillfully and fluently, giving the impression of being professionally trained.

Most of the programs were rehearsed by the students themselves, so they were full of the awkwardness of a campus gala, including crosstalk, skits, singing, and dancing.

Zhou Heming had previously seen online that many companies' annual meetings required performances, which made working people complain endlessly. However, during his student days, such performances were something to look forward to and feel excited about. It's hard not to be curious about what exactly changed everyone.

As the shows came to an end, after a skit filled with internet memes that had the students laughing non-stop, Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou both got up to go to the restroom.

"The next one seems to be..."

Zhou Heming looked up and saw that several students had pushed the piano to the left of the center of the stage, at the golden ratio point.

hum-

"It's Abai!"

Cheng Shuangjiang raised her voice slightly, shook Zhou Heming's arm, and pointed to the stage.

"Next, please enjoy the performance by Lu Bai from Class 5 of Senior Three, entitled 'Piano Medley'."

After the introductions ended and the host stepped off the stage, Lu Bai, dressed in a silver-gray evening gown, walked onto the stage.

She confidently surveyed the room, bowed, and then sat down at the piano.

At this moment, all eyes were on her.

After a moment of silence, Lu Bai raised his hand and played the piano keys.

*
Thank you everyone for your subscriptions, monthly tickets, and recommendation votes!
Three chapters will be updated tomorrow, marking the end of Volume 1.

(End of this chapter)