My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 106 College Entrance Examination

The bell rang, signaling the end of the last exam. Zhou Heming put down his pen and took a deep breath.

He glanced subconsciously to the side.

Cheng Shuangjiang seemed to have already stopped writing, calmly waiting for the exam to end.

Zhou Heming never expected that his wish to be in the same exam room as Cheng Shuangjiang would actually be fulfilled in the last exam of his high school years, which was also probably the most important exam of his life.

The rain outside had stopped by the time the exam started in the afternoon, but it was no longer as heavy as before. The air was still damp, as if mushrooms would sprout from the base of the wall at any moment.

Turning his gaze away, Zhou Heming glanced at his right hand.

Above is Lu Bai's bracelet.

Lu Bai was in the liberal arts class and took the exam in another room. Before parting, she gave Zhou Heming the bracelet she always wore.

"May it protect you."

The girl said so.

The emotions implied in lending Zhou Heming his personal belongings are self-evident.

Although the surroundings remained quiet, Zhou Heming could sense that a restless atmosphere was brewing.

As the invigilator slowly collected the papers and counted them, Zhou Heming noticed that students from other schools in the same examination room were already shaking their legs, ready to start.

He then looked at Cheng Shuangjiang.

The girl remained calm.

After the first day of exams, she went back with Cheng Lingjun. Zhou Heming didn't ask any questions. For him, after that night on June 6th, he was already very clear that the eighteen-year-old Cheng Shuangjiang was not the girl he loved.

"All right."

As the monitoring teacher announced the announcement, a cheer seemed to come from afar.

Zhou Heming let out a long breath, packed up his stationery, stood up, and his eyes met Cheng Shuangjiang's.

"How did you do on the exam?"

He laughed jokingly.

"not bad."

Cheng Shuangjiang nodded.

"Shall we go out together?"

Zhou Heming extended an invitation.

"it is good."

Cheng Shuangjiang calmly packed her things and walked out with Zhou Heming.

More students are rushing out of the school, perhaps wanting to be the first to leave the exam hall.

Those who used to be so keen on checking answers after exams were now completely different, walking briskly with a hint of excitement.

Zhou Heming's high school life was about to end, but he didn't feel it at all. It was as if it was just an ordinary exam. In a few days, his classmates would return to the classroom, joke around, and spend what seemed like an endless student life.

The clouds dispersed and the rain stopped. The evening sun shone on the playground of the school, which served as the examination site, casting shadows of students walking towards the school gate.

Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang's shadows remained a distance apart, never able to touch.

When does your lease expire?

Zhou Heming asked if Cheng Shuangjiang was renting a place and should move out after the college entrance exam. He didn't know whether she would go back to her hometown or something else. In the future that the reborn Cheng Shuangjiang described to him, she should move into Zhou Heming's house and wait for the start of university with him.

"July, but I'll be moving out this month."

Cheng Shuangjiang replied.

"Where's the acceptance letter?"

I should receive the acceptance letter in August.

"I'll come back again then."

She answered simply.

Perhaps for Cheng Shuangjiang, there is nothing left to cherish about Jiangcheng.

Their conversation was temporarily interrupted until they were almost at the school gate, when Cheng Shuangjiang finally spoke.

Are you going to Sichuan this summer?

"I don't know if I'll pass the exam, but I'll probably go."

"Would you like to meet your grandmother while you're at it?"

"Well, speaking of which, Lu Bai's hometown is quite close to mine, probably only a ten-minute walk away."

Zhou Heming suddenly realized that Cheng Shuangjiang still remembered that Zhou Heming's maternal grandmother lived in Sichuan.

You can pass the exam.

Cheng Shuangjiang said with certainty.

The two arrived at the school gate.

Outside were parents, school teachers, and excited students.

"Then, goodbye."

She said.

"See you."

Zhou Heming waved his hand, glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang one last time, and walked towards Ding Kai.

As for Cheng Shuangjiang, she squeezed the thing she had been keeping in her pocket since earlier, hesitated for a moment, and ultimately did not take it out.

It was a bracelet called "Hope".

*
"Don't go home too late tonight, everyone. Remember to come back in a few days to pick up your graduation certificates. And don't forget the dates after that!"

In Class 7 of Senior Three, Ding Kai gave everyone a final reminder.

"Qiao Jinchen, how did the exam go?"

When he saw Qiao Jinchen, he grinned and asked her a question.

"It should be fine, I definitely won't embarrass you!"

Where is Xu Youyou?

Ding Kai then looked at Xu Youyou next to Qiao Jinchen.

"I'm not entirely sure about a few questions; I might need to check the answers later."

"You can do it, don't worry."

Ding Kai offered a word of encouragement and patted Qiao Jinchen on the shoulder.

"I'm entrusting Xu Youyou to you. If she gets bullied in the future, Teacher Ding will come to your parents' house to visit her directly."

"I bullied her? She's the one who bullied me! Ouch, ouch, ouch~"

Qiao Jinchen's ear was grabbed by Xu Youyou.

Ding Kai then turned to explain things to the other students. It was clear that at this point, he had too much to say and too little time.

Zhou Heming came into the crowd and greeted Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou.

"It looks like you both did well on the exam."

"It's just okay, how about you?"

"I don't know. I'll do my best and leave the rest to fate."

Zhou Heming laughed.

"Looks like you did well on the exam."

Xu Youyou smiled, pursing her lips.

"What are your plans for tonight? How about we go out for a meal?"

Qiao Jinchen asked.

"Wait, let me ask Lu Bai."

Zhou Heming took out his phone and sent a message to Lu Bai.

She must have finished her exams too, and is probably being nagged by her homeroom teacher.

"No matter who your girlfriend is, you're always this henpecked."

Qiao Jinchen joked.

You're probably the most henpecked husband ever.

Zhou Heming didn't address the topic of his girlfriend. At first, when Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou saw him holding hands with Lu Bai, the two were quite surprised, but they gradually got used to it.

Although they were friends, Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou did not interfere too much in Zhou Heming's life. Who he was with was Zhou Heming's own freedom.

Anyway, they both knew Lu Bai, and from an outsider's perspective, it was obvious that Cheng Shuangjiang dumped Zhou Heming.

Therefore, it is perfectly reasonable for him to be with Lu Bai.

At most, one can only sigh that Zhou Heming, when he does talk about someone, is a campus beauty, both his ex and current girlfriend!
I sent a WeChat message, but Lu Bai didn't reply. He probably didn't have time to check his phone.

"I'll go look for them in their class."

"I remember the graduation banquet that night, which was held together by several classes."

On the other side, the squad leader saw Zhou Heming was about to leave and gave him a word of advice.

Zhou Heming nodded and went to the liberal arts class.

As expected, Lu Bai was being nagged by her homeroom teacher.

Zhou Heming didn't disturb them. He exchanged a glance with Lu Bai from a distance and waited patiently.

After listening for a while, it seemed that they wanted Lu Bai to film a short promotional video for the school, perhaps as a guest appearance, because the principal really cared about holistic education.

A few minutes later, the homeroom teacher finally finished giving instructions and began to talk to the other students. Lu Bai immediately waved and walked quickly toward Zhou Heming.

"Sorry for the wait."

She took the bracelet and put it on, then linked arms with Zhou Heming, much to the envy of the boys around them.

Why is it that Zhou Heming can talk to Lu Bai after talking with Cheng Shuangjiang?
This isn't even allowed to involve taking food and goods!

There were actually many more couples around. Some had been dating since high school, and everyone knew it. Others had done a very good job of keeping secrets until after the exams, when they were holding hands, and everyone exclaimed, "So you two are a couple!"

"Qiao Jinchen said she's going out for dinner tonight."

"Okay, then I have to treat you. After all, taking a girl to dinner with your best friend at school is like meeting her parents."

Lu Bai said matter-of-factly.

"You've eaten with Qiao Jinchen before, haven't you?"

Zhou Heming recalled the dinner on the day of the Double Egg Gala, which was also the last day he and Cheng Shuangjiang spent together.

“Your status was different back then; you were still with Cheng Shuangjiang.”

Lu Bai smiled.

"That's true, but I didn't explain our relationship to them."

Now that things have come to this, Zhou Heming is able to talk about what happened back then quite frankly. "Let them think it's just the two of us talking."

Lu Bai spoke frankly.

The two had already walked over to Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou.

"It's been a long time since I've had dinner with a big star."

Perhaps because she had spent a lot of time with Xu Youyou, Qiao Jinchen was not as nervous as before when facing Lu Bai.

"We've only eaten together once in total."

Lu Bai laughed generously.

"It's my treat tonight. Consider it a joint treat from Zhou Heming and me. Eat whatever you like."

"Alright, then I won't fight you for it."

Qiao Jinchen thought about it.

"I remember a pretty good barbecue restaurant, but you two probably haven't eaten there."

He gave me an address.

Zhou Heming discovered that the place was right next to the shopping mall where he, Cheng Shuangjiang, and Lu Bai had roasted marshmallows before; it was a large shopping mall that had only opened at the beginning of this year.

"Then let's go here."

Qiao Jinchen hailed a taxi, and the four of them quickly arrived at the mall entrance.

Zhou Heming glanced at the old shopping mall, only to find that it had long been demolished, leaving only a fenced-off area of ​​ruins.

Her favorite used bookstore couldn't survive the summer either.

Noticing this, Lu Bai silently took Zhou Heming's hand.

As Qiao Jinchen said, this is a well-rated barbecue restaurant. At this time, there are many students in school uniforms in the restaurant, which means they all came directly after finishing the college entrance examination in the vicinity.

The barbecue restaurant also put up a sign offering a 20% discount to those who present their college entrance examination admission ticket, so it seems that its business will be good for quite some time to come.

Zhou Heming flipped through the menu. The prices here were reasonable, but surprisingly, he also saw roasted marshmallows.

"Our boss heard from the owner of the barbecue stall next door that someone was roasting marshmallows when he was inspecting this area. Our boss tried it himself and thought the taste was very unique, so he turned it into a dish."

Seeing this, the waiter kindly explained.

Zhou Heming and Lu Bai exchanged a glance.

The barbecue stall owner this boss encountered was probably the same one from the three of them who borrowed charcoal to roast marshmallows.

A sense of destiny welled up inside me.

"Then let's order one."

Zhou Heming said.

The meat we ordered arrived quickly, and the waiters were very helpful in grilling it, so we hardly had to lift a finger.

"My homeroom teacher told me to bring my school uniform when I picked up my graduation certificate, and then film a few clips in an empty classroom to be used as a promotional video for the next graduating class."

Lu Bai looked at the grilled meat that had produced a Maillard reaction and was emitting an enticing aroma.

"Then I'll go with you."

Zhou Heming picked up the grilled meat that the waiter had placed on the plate, dipped it in some chili powder, and ate it.

"Of course you have to come with me."

Lu Bai said with a grin.

"You have to wear your school uniform too, and take pictures with me."

"what?"

Zhou Heming delivered the most memorable comment of the year.

"It looks like Ah He is going to become a star."

Qiao said happily this morning.

"It took me a long time to convince the homeroom teacher. We should leave something behind during our high school years."

Lu Bai said it as a matter of course.

"Ok."

Now that things have come to this, Zhou Heming felt there was no room for refusal.

"Oh right, there was a teacher appreciation banquet on the day we received our graduation certificates. They said several classes were having it together, and it seems our class and your class were having it together."

Lu Bai muttered again.

"The honors classes are included too."

Xu Youyou added a sentence.

"Oh."

Zhou Heming responded.

What a coincidence.

"The roasted marshmallows are ready."

The waiter brought out a plate of roasted marshmallows.

Because these things are easy to burn, they are baked in the kitchen and served directly. Bamboo skewers are also inserted into the marshmallows so that you can continue to bake them if you feel they are not hot enough.

"We thought it was terrible food last time so we didn't order it, but now it looks alright?"

Xu Youyou adjusted her glasses and picked up a string of pearls.

"It's actually quite delicious."

Qiao Jinchen had already eaten one, and her expression was surprised.

"By the way, you can bake this at home, right?"

"It's easy to burn the food when you bake it yourself, so you have to keep bringing it back to check on it like this, sigh!"

Lu Bai originally wanted to demonstrate the technique of extending and retracting the marshmallow, but in an instant, the marshmallow was burned into charcoal due to overheating.

"Some money still needs to be earned by others."

Xu Youyou, who had been leaning close to the oven, immediately pulled the marshmallow back.

As Zhou Heming examined the exquisitely crafted roasted marshmallow, the image of what seemed like the end of the universe resurfaced before his eyes.

He took a small bite.

Sweet, bitter, soft, crisp, and complex in texture, almost identical to that day.

Like love with the scent of bitter almonds.

*
For Zhou Heming, the end of the college entrance examination didn't really feel real.

So much so that after he and Lu Bai got home, Zhou Heming subconsciously wanted to take out the problems to work on.

Upon realizing this, a faint sense of emptiness enveloped him.

It's like a ship sailing at sea suddenly losing its direction.

For senior high school students, they have about three months to waste, to travel, to enjoy themselves, and to do things they've never done before. After twelve years of hard study, this may be the freest time for them.

However, sometimes, absolute freedom means a lack of freedom.

Fortunately, Zhou Heming still has a script to finish.

He spent the rest of the day in front of that old laptop.

Lu Bai didn't go out to play; instead, he stayed with Zhou Heming to discuss the content and offer his own thoughts.

The third day after the exam.

In the afternoon, Zhou Heming and Lu Bai changed into their summer school uniform shirts and arrived at Jiangcheng Middle School.

Today is Friday, and the first and second-year high school students are still in class.

The proper graduation ceremony was actually held before the college entrance examination, along with graduation photos, so coming to pick up the diploma today is just a formality to sign in at the homeroom teacher's office.

But Lu Bai accepted the invitation, as he needed to film some footage in the senior high school classroom.

The two arrived at the classroom of Class 5, Grade 12.

This is Lu Bai's class.

Zhou Heming saw that there were many things written and drawn on the blackboard in the classroom, including a line drawing of a puppy, a clumsy cat head, SpongeBob SquarePants, and an abstract image of the homeroom teacher.

In the middle is a huge, bold "Graduated!" sign.

More often than not, there are names and various messages.

Funny, heartwarming, inspiring, and a few confessions.

It appears to have been drawn by a student who had just received their graduation certificate, which makes for a suitable background.

Zhou Heming then realized that "a bright future" actually meant goodbye.

Seeing this, Lu Bai picked up the chalk and wrote his name in a corner of the blackboard.

"Hello, senior."

Just then, a greeting came from the doorway.

Zhou Heming turned around and saw a boy in a school uniform, followed by a boy and a girl carrying equipment.

"I am Yu Xin from Class 5, Grade 11, and I am also the head of the broadcasting station."

He introduced himself.

"Hello, I'm Lu Bai, and this is Zhou Heming. We were asked by Teacher Cai to help with the school's promotional filming."

Lu Bai immediately flashed a bright, spring-like smile.

"I have admired you for a long time."

Yu Xin's gaze fell on Zhou Heming, and he scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.

"Shall we begin filming now?"

Lu Bai asked.

"There's another senior student here; she'll be here shortly."

As Yu Xin spoke, he helped set up the equipment.

It wasn't the autofocus bird brand. Zhou Heming glanced at the shooting equipment and secretly remembered that the senior from Ningjiang University hadn't sent him the photos yet.

But it seems that it no longer matters.

As he was thinking, Zhou Heming heard footsteps coming from the doorway, and he looked up.

Cheng Shuangjiang was standing at the door.

"Sorry, I'm late."

As she spoke, she made eye contact with Zhou Heming.

*
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(End of this chapter)