My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 113 Ah He, Long Time No See

Zhou Heming was sitting in Block D, near the aisle.

Lu Bai only glanced at the scenery outside the window with interest at first, but soon put down the small table.

He originally thought Lu Bai was going to start watching a drama, and he had already taken out the novel he had brought with him. Unexpectedly, she pulled out a box of duck necks.

"When did you buy it?"

Zhou Heming pondered that he seemed to have been with Lu Bai the whole time, and he hadn't seen her have time to buy these things.

"I went to the restroom at the station and bought it on the spot."

Lu Bai was very pleased with himself and took out another item from his bag.

It's a paper bag from the McDonald's at the train station.

"I was wondering why I kept smelling fried chicken. I thought it was someone else's. I didn't expect you to be hiding here."

Zhou Heming felt a little sorry for Lu Bai's money; the food at the station was too expensive.

"I was originally thinking of ordering a boxed meal on the high-speed train, but I thought you might find it too expensive, so I just bought some food to take on the train instead."

Lu Bai was smug.

Because it was lunchtime, there was indeed a faint smell of food in the high-speed train carriage.

The people in the rows in front were eating pickled cabbage noodles, which made many passengers who chose to go hungry until the stop to save money swallow hard.

Some people were eating bread and sandwiches, while others were drinking water like crazy.

The flight attendants pushing their shopping carts as they passed by sold several boxed meals.

"I've been wanting to eat this in the car for a while, but instant noodles are too much trouble, so I didn't bring any."

Lu Bai also put down Zhou Heming's small table and set up a table in front of the two of them.

No wonder she's a foodie!

"Actually, I can eat when I get to the station. I can have dinner at 7:30."

Zhou Heming originally thought that Lu Bai wouldn't make do with dinner, so he didn't mention having something quick and easy to eat in the car. He didn't expect that she seemed to be quite fixated on eating in the car.

"Usually others are the ones who envy me, today I'll make others envious!"

Lu Bai felt a strange competitive spirit.

"and."

She looked at Zhou Heming and smiled.

"This is the first time we've traveled together by high-speed rail, so we have to experience all sorts of things, right?"

"That's the first time I've said yes."

This reminded Zhou Heming of his last trip to Ningjiang, also on the high-speed train, in the same seat, when Cheng Shuangjiang was...
As he reminisced, Lu Bai handed him a wireless earphone.

"how?"

Zhou Heming took it and saw Lu Bai pull out a tablet and open a food documentary he had downloaded earlier.

"A video is definitely needed to accompany your meal."

This documentary is about late-night snacks in various places. This episode focuses on a wine city in Sichuan, which is named after its famous wines.

Zhou Heming pursed his lips, smiled, and started eating with Lu Bai.

After a two-and-a-half-hour high-speed train ride, they ate for more than an hour. After cleaning up, Lu Bai became drowsy and soon fell asleep leaning on Zhou Heming's arm.

Zhou Heming paused the video playback, carefully put away the tablet, and opened the book "Narrow Gate" that he had brought with him.

Outside the window, the sun is slowly setting in the west, and the golden afterglow falls on the swaying paddy fields, creating shimmering waves.

The distant, rolling mountains are verdant and deep, like a slow-moving giant beast lingering in the twilight.

As they walked past flight attendants selling goods, Lu Bai frowned, grabbed Zhou Heming's arm, and shifted into a more comfortable position.

Glancing at the girl, he could see the flaxen hair glistening in the sunset, her long eyelashes, her delicate nose, and her alluring, candy-like pale cherry-colored lips.

Today she wore a sweet-style light blue ruffled halter dress, and considering the air conditioning on the high-speed train, she wore a white ice silk cardigan over it. She paired it with blue denim shorts and white sneakers, revealing her fair and slender legs.

As for the baseball cap used for sun protection, it was hung on a hook by the window.

Zhou Heming turned his gaze back to the passionate love story in the book in his hand.

As dusk fell and the last vestiges of the golden sunset faded, the blues began to fall outside the window.

The car windows have been turned into mirrors, reflecting the interior of the car.

Zhou Heming suddenly recalled that the writer in "The Grand Budapest Hotel" seemed to always be traveling, spending his life in hotels and trains.

He now roughly understands that, on a journey, only reading and writing can truly bring peace to one's mind.

Lu Bai woke up at seven o'clock.

"Have we arrived?"

She stretched, felt a little cold, and tugged at her collar.

"There are still about twenty minutes left."

Zhou Heming glanced at the completely dark sky outside the window.

"hey-hey."

Lu Bai smiled broadly, as if he had encountered something happy.

"What are you laughing at?"

Zhou Heming was curious.

"This is the first time I've ever fallen asleep leaning against you on a high-speed train!"

Lu Bai said with considerable pride.

Zhou Heming took the water bottle out of the front seat mesh pocket, unscrewed it, and handed it to her.

"Is this your first time?"

The boy knew that Lu Bai was adding some meaning to everything.

If the things two people do together are of extraordinary significance, then will they also begin to have significance for each other?
Lu Bai gulped down a mouthful of water and handed the bottle to Zhou Heming.

Zhou Heming took it, sipped a small amount, and then tightened the cap.

"You can also fall asleep leaning against me for the first time on the high-speed train."

Lu Bai straightened up and patted his shoulder.

"Wait, um, let's talk about it when we go to Sichuan."

Zhou Heming glanced at the time.

"Did you always take the high-speed rail when you went back to Sichuan? That takes so long!"

Lu Bai was immediately curious.

"I went back a long time ago. I took a green sleeper train back then, and I remember it took a long time."

Zhou Heming's memory was a bit hazy; he only vaguely recalled eating several bowls of instant noodles on the bus, eating and sleeping, then eating again, swaying back and forth.

"The fastest high-speed train takes almost seven hours, it's really a test of endurance."

Lu Bai took out his phone, checked the high-speed rail information, and showed it to Zhou Heming.

"Seven hours, should be alright?"

Zhou Heming had never sat for so long before, but considering Lu Bai, he felt that it might indeed be a bit long for a girl.

"So how did you get back to Sichuan before?"

"I rarely go back; when I do leave, I always take a plane."

Lu Bai said nonchalantly.

"The plane tickets must be expensive."

In Zhou Heming's memory, plane tickets cost several thousand yuan, and he didn't think he had ever flown one in his life.

"If you buy in advance, it can cost several hundred yuan, but it's peak summer season now, let me see."

Lu Bai searched for flight tickets, but this time he didn't show them to Zhou Heming.

"It's okay, I have your ID number, I'll just buy it for you."

"How can this be done?"

Lu Bai said she would buy the outbound train tickets and Zhou Heming would buy the return tickets, but the return tickets are still undecided, which makes Zhou Heming feel a bit uneasy.

Although Lu Bai is a rich woman, Zhou Heming has no intention of living off her.

"There are cheaper options, only around 600 yuan. That's about the price of a high-speed sleeper train. The cheapest one comes from Yannan, but I doubt you can get a sleeper berth there."

Lu Bai quickly provided several options.

Both cost over 600 yuan. You could either fly or take an overnight sleeper train and arrive the next morning. As for taking a regular high-speed train that takes all day or a T-series or K-series train that takes even longer, Lu Bai exercised his veto power.

"Then let's take a plane? I've never been on one before."

Zhou Heming thought for a moment and then made a decision.

Although he knew that Lu Bai would agree to whatever he chose, he still considered the inconvenience of traveling for girls and chose the fastest option.

His savings have recently increased due to several eulogies, so he no longer has to worry about his first year's tuition, living expenses, and potential rent.

The next step is to find a way to make money in Ningjiang.

Zhou Heming was a little curious: if he went to the funeral home in Ningjiang to submit his resume, would he be considered to be causing trouble?
"Great! So your first time on a plane was with me, Lord Lu Bai!"

Lu Bai smiled radiantly.

Taking advantage of this last bit of time, the two bought plane tickets.

On July 13th at noon, Sichuan Airlines' Airbus A320 will take two hours to fly, and lunch will be provided.

"Let me tell you, Sichuan Airlines' in-flight meals are among the best I've ever had. The flight attendants even bring out chili sauce and ask if anyone wants a spoonful."

Lu Bai has extensive experience flying.

"It's a pity this flight goes to Tianfu Airport, which is very far from the city center, almost to the next city. Flights landing at Shuangliu Airport cost more than a thousand yuan, which is too expensive."

Where in Chengdu was the filming location?

Zhou Heming pondered that his maternal grandmother's home was in a town near Chengdu, and he would have to transfer buses once he got to the city. If the film crew was shooting in the city, he would need to consider where to stay.

"It's in Heming Township."

Lu Bai said leisurely.

Heming Township is the town where Zhou Heming's hometown is located. It used to consist of several villages and towns, but they were merged into one town due to geological disasters such as flash floods. He only heard this when he called his grandmother.

"what?"

Zhou Heming was taken aback.

"My part is at the funeral home in Heming Township, and the hospital part is in the city."

Lu Bai explained, then said jokingly.

"Don't worry, I'll definitely arrange a place for you to stay. If all else fails, you can squeeze into my room."

"We'll see when the time comes."

Zhou Heming decided not to worry about next week.

The high-speed train has arrived at the station.

The two packed their luggage and got off the bus.

The air in Ningjiang, which he hadn't seen in a long time, was even more humid than in Jiangcheng. As soon as he got off the train, Zhou Heming felt a viscous sensation in the air on the platform, as if some invisible creature had brushed past his neck.

The heat in Jiangcheng is often due to the glaring sun; it actually gets cooler at night.

Even now, as night has fallen, Zhou Heming still feels the air is stuffy and hot, and he sweats after walking just a few steps.

They're all stoves, but they seem to have differences.

"What are the arrangements next?"

Because it was a surprise prepared by Lu Bai, Zhou Heming was completely unaware of the itinerary.

"Let's go get something to eat first."

Lu Bai said matter-of-factly.

"Are you eating again?"

Zhou Heming had a feeling that he had just expected this; that meal of McDonald's and a box of duck necks seemed to be completely insufficient to satisfy Lord Lu Bai's appetite.

"Just grab something to eat. Ningjiang is famous for its soup dumplings and duck blood vermicelli soup. Have you tried them before?"

Lu Bai led Zhou Heming into the subway station with practiced ease, then belatedly realized, "Oh, you ate with Cheng Shuangjiang before, and you two even shared a room back then."

Lu Bai knew the contents of the script inside and out.

"Um"

Zhou Heming responded.

"Then I want to share a room with you too."

Lu Bai took his arm; the subway station was air-conditioned, making people feel a little chilly.

"If you ask."

Zhou Heming did not refuse.

The room was also booked by Lu Bai, and he guessed that Lu Bai had only booked one room from the beginning.

"I'll take you to eat something delicious first."

Lu Bai, beaming with joy, pulled Zhou Heming onto the subway.

"Shouldn't we go to the hotel to drop off our luggage first?"

Zhou Heming looked at the suitcase in his hand.

"No rush, I've already made the reservations. We just need to go before midnight. If we go to the hotel now and lie down, we probably won't be able to get out of bed all night."

Lu Bai said with certainty.

What inappropriate and offensive language are you using?
Zhou Heming glanced at the couple sitting opposite him. They seemed to have heard what Lu Bai had just said and were also looking over.

He could only pretend to be looking at the platform.

Last time, he and Cheng Shuangjiang took the subway line 2, which went directly to Ningjiang University.

This time they took Line 3, it seems they were going to the Confucius Temple.

In Zhou Heming's memory, the most famous thing about the Confucian Temple is that you can go inside to draw lots for blessings. After all, it is a temple dedicated to Confucius, so it is reasonable to ask for a talisman for academic progress.

Qiao Jinchen had mentioned before that his family had asked for help for him once, and Qiao Jinchen's assessment was that it was not as effective as two hours of tutoring from Xu Youyou.

"The food in the proper restaurants here is just average, but there are some really good ones in the nearby alleys, the kind of places that the elderly people who live here come to eat in the morning."

They arrived at their destination in just half an hour. After getting off the subway, Lu Bai skillfully led Zhou Heming away from the bustling crowds and into an alley.

This alley has a vintage feel, with blue glass windows, clotheslines extending from the upper floors, cars parked along the roadside, dimly lit stairwells, and shops so old they have a patina-like finish.

After passing through the alley, we arrived at a residential street that was relatively less bustling, similar to the neighborhood near Zhou Heming's apartment building.

He saw that many shops were still open, including small shops selling pork belly noodles, beef potstickers, salted duck, and glutinous rice lotus root. He estimated that these shops were bustling with activity during grocery shopping hours.

Lu Bai led Zhou Heming into a shop with signs for duck blood vermicelli and soup dumplings. There were two groups of customers in the shop: an elderly couple and a mother with her child. They looked like residents living nearby.

"Boss, two medium-sized bowls of duck blood vermicelli soup, and a basket of soup dumplings."

Lu Bai ordered the food directly.

"Oh, you're here again, this time with your boyfriend."

The boss seemed to recognize Lu Bai; he was all smiles when he saw her.

No wonder she's a foodie; she can expand her network anywhere.

Zhou Heming nodded and greeted the enthusiastic boss before finding a table to sit down.

He noticed that the elderly couple ate very slowly, and they didn't say a word, just watching the TV in the store, yet they gave off a sense of harmony.

The child, however, was quite lively and couldn't sit still to eat, which drew repeated scolding from the mother.

Soon, two bowls of duck blood vermicelli soup and a basket of soup dumplings were served.

"This is for you."

The owner also gave the two of them a bowl of sweet fermented rice balls.

"Thank you boss~"

Lu Bai smiled and thanked him, then picked up his chopsticks.

The two began eating their second dinner.

As expected of a Sichuan girl, Lu Bai added a lot of chili to her vermicelli, making her lips bright red and glossy under the light.

This restaurant is indeed certified as delicious by Lu Bai; its flavor is richer than the one Zhou Heming ate at with Cheng Shuangjiang.

After dinner, Lu Bai was completely satisfied.

Zhou Heming didn't ask Lu Bai where they were going next. Since he had entrusted Lu Bai with the arrangements, he felt completely at ease and just followed along. He couldn't very well have the two of them sleeping on the streets.

But then again, sleeping on the streets with Lu Bai might actually be quite interesting.

They strolled around the Confucian Temple, and to Zhou Heming's dismay, the area had been transformed into a commercial pedestrian street. Apart from the Confucian Temple in the center, the other buildings were very modern, like something you'd see in any major city.

The Confucian Temple is next to the Huaiqin River. It is said that every year during the Lantern Festival, there is a lantern festival here where you can see the sound of phoenix flutes, the light of jade pots turning, and the scene of fish and dragons dancing all night.

"On that day, this subway station will be closed off, and passengers will be diverted to the two stations in front and behind."

Lu Bai seems to come to Ningjiang often.

To be honest, Ningjiang is actually closer to the nearby film and television city, while Jiangcheng is a bit farther away. Zhou Heming doesn't understand why Lu Bai chose to transfer to Jiangcheng instead of Ningjiang at that time.

It's probably related to the school's rules?

As we all know, Jiangcheng Middle School is relatively lenient, which may be suitable for students like Lu Bai who often need to ask for leave.

"Let's go check out Ningjiang University. The hotel is conveniently located nearby."

After strolling around the Confucian Temple, Lu Bai made a suggestion.

"Okay."

Zhou Heming wondered if the hotel Lu Bai booked was the same one Cheng Lingjun booked when he brought them to take the orientation exam.

If the room he booked happened to be the same one he and Cheng Shuangjiang had stayed in that night, Zhou Heming felt that the expression on his face would definitely be quite interesting.

Since things have come to this, let's take the subway first.

It takes only half an hour to get from the Confucius Temple to Ningjiang University.

Zhou Heming was initially curious about how young people like them, carrying suitcases, would get into the university campus, but when he actually arrived, he realized he had been overthinking it.

Because it's the end of the university graduation season, there are so many young people carrying suitcases.

Lu Bai calmly linked arms with Zhou Heming, and the two of them successfully blended into the school among the passing college students.

Last time I came, the ground was covered with golden sycamore leaves, but now it's lush and green.

Since it was already the holidays, the school wasn't as lively, but there were still quite a few groups of students on the playground.

Zhou Heming even saw that it might be a graduating class of students forming a circle, with the person in the middle playing the guitar and singing "My Deskmate".

A gust of wind blew.

He looked up and realized he was standing where that senior student had taken his and Cheng Shuangjiang's picture last time.

A sense of sudden realization lingered over Zhou Heming.

"what happened?"

But at this moment, he was with another girl.

"I'm just a little emotional; I never thought I would actually get into this university."

Zhou Heming told only half the truth.

"There are still four years to go, and we will remember every corner of this place."

Lu Bai loosened his grip slightly, took Zhou Heming's hand, and intertwined their fingers.

"Ah."

Zhou Heming nodded and walked forward with the girl.

He heard students singing loudly with washbasins in their hands, students whispering on benches, and students standing by the roadside, saying goodbye to their classmates with tears in their eyes.

Unbeknownst to them, they arrived at another school gate, the one leading to the back street and the hotel.

Zhou Heming glanced at Lu Bai.

"You shouldn't."

"Shh, don't ask."

Lu Bai led Zhou Heming through the bustling backstreet, where the sounds of bottles falling and students shouting could be heard. They passed the hotel where Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang had shared a bed for the first time, and arrived at a quiet and secluded residential area where the sounds of children shouting, yelling, television dramas, and families cooking could be faintly heard.

On one side, a simple neighborhood is surrounded by old three-story residential buildings. Under the trees at the entrance, several elderly people are sitting and chatting while listening to the radio. When they notice Zhou Heming and Lu Bai, they wear a kind of calm smile that is unique to the elderly.

Zhou Heming's heart skipped a beat.

He looked at Lu Bai, and a certain suspicion began to swell within him.

Lu Bai smiled.

Continue to lead the boy forward.

They walked into the simple residential area, came to a building, carried their suitcases to the second floor, and stood in front of a security door.

At this moment, Lu Bai took out two keys from his bag.

She opened the door.

"Welcome home, Zhou Heming."

Lu Bai extended an invitation with a smile.

Zhou Heming walked into the house in a daze.

He had never been here before.

But I am very familiar with the scenery here.

Zhou Heming had seen photos of the house and its layout several times on online rental agencies, and they were very impressed with it.

This is the house that Zhou Heming rented in the previous timeline, as mentioned by Cheng Shuangjiang.

This is the house the two of them had agreed to rent and live together during university.

This is also what Zhou Heming told Lu Bai: that they should rent a suitable and inexpensive house together.

"The timing should be perfect, let me check."

Lu Bai opened the refrigerator's crisper compartment and took out a cake.

"This is what I asked my landlady to prepare. Hehe, we just happened to arrive at the right time."

She placed it on the table in the living room.

"Zhou Heming, close your eyes."

The girl said.

So Zhou Heming closed his eyes.

After losing their sight, all sounds became clearly audible.

The sounds of a television in the distance, children playing, the noisy chirping of cicadas in the height of summer, and the rustling of the wind through the treetops.

The soft, rustling sounds of a young girl unwrapping a cake.

In the distance, the faint sound of a train whistle could be heard.

Immediately following was the distinctive clanging sound of wheels rolling over the joints of the rails.

Someone's wall clock started chiming the hour.

zero point.

The first second of July 7th.

"All right."

He opened his eyes upon hearing the girl's voice.

On the table is a lemon mousse cake decorated with foxes and roses.

Zhou Heming saw that the girl, who had prepared for him for a long time, had a boy's image reflected in her eyes.

"Happy birthday~"

Then, using a string of beads as a hair tie, she tied her hair into a neat ponytail, and with a bright smile, she was the first to offer her blessings to the boy.

"Ah He, long time no see! Have a happy day today!"

As if he had traveled through a long period of time and returned, the woman he had longed for day and night was now standing in front of him, within reach.

That sweetness, like the call of death, like the whisper of Mephistopheles, tempted Zhou Heming to say, "Please stop, this splendid time."

*
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(End of this chapter)