My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 124 The person I like now is you

"What does it mean that Xuanjun is Lu Bai?"

Zhou Heming was a little confused. He only knew that the position of "Xuanjun," which was similar to that of a chief priest, was chosen. In ancient times, the chief priest would temporarily become the leader of several towns in the vicinity. But now, it should just be a purely folk activity.

Zhou Heming was even more confused by Cui Ming's description of the "abnormality".

“You know, there used to be a lot of refugees in Sichuan. Some families settled down at the foot of Heming Mountain and continued to live on. They were called ‘Nine Streams’, and Lu Bai’s Lu family was one of them.”

“I’ve seen blog posts from people who came here to participate in the festival, and it seems that Xuanjun was chosen from these families.”

Zhou Heming recalled the contents of the blog he had read with Lu Bai before.

"Yes, originally this festival ceremony was just about choosing one person, having some festive activities, and then having a peaceful meal. But back then, a very serious geological disaster occurred in Heming Mountain, and many people died as a result."

Cui Ming sighed deeply, as if lamenting the impermanence of life.

"But what does this have to do with Lu Bai and Xuan Jun?"

Zhou Heming didn't understand.

If it was caused by a natural disaster, then there was no way to blame anyone, and it wouldn't make Lu Bai feel so guilty.

"At that time, Director Lu was filming at Heming Mountain. He was filming a movie about the Nine Streams and Xuanjun."

Cui Ming said in a deep voice.

"After the filming ended, a geological disaster occurred without warning. Coupled with the strong convective weather in summer, it caused flash floods and mudslides, which trapped many people in the procession who were performing the ceremony on Heming Mountain at the time."

Zhou Heming's heart skipped a beat.

"What about Lu Bai?"

“Lu Bai was also trapped at the time. By the time the soldiers in charge of flood relief found her, a whole day had passed.”

Cui Ming sighed.

"Many people, including the photography team and the townspeople who were performing the ceremony, died as a result. Director Lu was also attacked by public opinion and remained silent for a long time before he could resume making films."

"But this shouldn't be his fault, right?"

Zhou Heming took out his phone and searched for the disaster that had occurred here seven years ago.

It was indeed a landslide and heavy rain that occurred without any warning, and had nothing to do with Lu Ban's filming. Rather, it was thanks to the film crew's vehicles that more people were able to be rescued in the first instance.

“Outsiders who don’t know the truth won’t care about these things. They just want someone to vent their emotions on. It’s easier to blame others than to praise them, isn’t it?”

Cui Ming seemed to have let it go.

Zhou Heming fell silent.

He was thinking of Cheng Shuangjiang and himself in the previous timeline.

Faced with public opinion, they too were battered and bruised, unable even to pursue happiness.

"What's more, Lu Bai lost her family in this disaster and was trapped on the mountain alone for a night. After being rescued, she almost lost the ability to speak and stayed in the house alone for almost half a year before she finally recovered."

Cui Ming felt rather wistful.

"After that, she became much more introverted and didn't smile much. It wasn't until junior high that she recovered a lot. Later, she went to Jiangcheng and became truly cheerful."

Listening to Teacher Cui's story, Zhou Heming felt a tightness in his heart. He couldn't say he felt the same way, but he could understand how much of a blow Lu Bai, who was only in elementary school at the time, must have suffered.

Watching helplessly as loved ones are swept away by flash floods, alone in the dark and deep mountains, listening to the howls of wild beasts from the distant mountains, not daring to utter a sound even when crying, waiting for hope that may never come.

If it were Zhou Heming, he felt he would also become withdrawn.

Lu Bai's ability to recover is already considered exceptionally gifted.

"So, the reason why Director Lu chose to film his new drama in Chengdu this time, and it's still about this subject matter, and he specially invited Lu Bai to film at Heming Mountain, I think he also wanted Lu Bai to face the past directly."

As Cui Ming spoke, he picked up the pipe and ran his fingers along its smooth surface.

Facing death head-on.

"Xiao Zhou, do you like Lu Bai?"

He suddenly spoke.

"like."

Zhou Heming nodded.

"She must like you a lot too. Behind your back, she has put in a lot of effort to make this trip with you happen."

Cui Ming smiled.

"I hope you can, well, become her family."

He emphasized the last two words.

Zhou Heming was taken aback, and then nodded solemnly.

"I also want to become family with her."

*
the next day.

Zhou Heming, Lu Bai, and some crew members, including Director Lu, took a bus to Heming Township at the foot of Heming Mountain.

The remaining crew members stayed in Chengdu to film other, less important scenes involving only supporting roles.

On the bus back, Lu Bai and Zhou Heming sat together, flipping through the script.

On set, Lu Bai seemed to transform into an outstanding student, not only mastering the work of every aspect of the production but also thoroughly understanding the script and being able to act with anyone. Even after filming wrapped, he would still be reading the script instead of playing on his phone and watching short videos like he did when he was in school.

Their filming in Heming Township only lasted one day, this afternoon and tomorrow morning, after which filming will wrap up.

This afternoon's filming focused on the scenes when Lu Bai's character was still healthy, and also on the scenes shortly after he fell ill. Tomorrow morning's filming will cover his return when he is seriously ill, as well as the final wedding scene.

"However, I didn't expect you to act so well, Zhou Heming. You weren't nervous at all."

Lu Bai looked away from the script and at Zhou Heming.

Their scenes at the hospital were filmed two days ago. As a newcomer, Zhou Heming actually performed very well, at least he could speak his lines fluently in front of the camera.

He said that thanks to the focus he developed at the funeral home, he was able to temporarily ignore the crew members.

"so far so good."

Zhou Heming looked at the surrounding scenery and felt a little unfamiliar.

He couldn't remember when he last came back; it might have been the summer after his first year of high school, or it might have been even earlier.

Because of their parents' work, the family rarely gets together, let alone go back to their elderly parents who live thousands of miles away for the Lunar New Year.

When I was a child, Zhou Heming would come over to play during summer vacation, but I forgot why he stopped coming for a long time.

Therefore, everything before him was more unfamiliar and novel than nostalgic.

Due to a geological disaster seven years ago, many villages at the foot of Heming Mountain were destroyed. The villagers regrouped in the still well-preserved Heming Township, which became the only town at the foot of the mountain. Public institutions such as hospitals and schools are located here, as well as funeral homes.

They went directly to the funeral home.

The funeral home here is much more dilapidated than the one in Jiangcheng City, but it has everything you need, so Zhou Heming, out of professional habit, began to comment on the facilities and environment.

However, before he could produce a complete and detailed assessment report, filming began in full swing.

For Zhou Heming, it was less like filming and more like a date with Lu Bai at the funeral home.

The two filmed scenes of playful fighting, flirting, arguing, and breaking down. Zhou Heming didn't know how much he was immersed in the role; he only felt as if he had really gone through those ups and downs with Lu Bai as the filming progressed.

No wonder some people say that male and female actors who film romantic scenes together for a long time will develop feelings for each other. They are all handsome men and beautiful women, and they are intimate every day. It is hard not to have some different thoughts.

At the same time, Zhou Heming was also a bit slow to realize it.

It's important to know that Lu Bai didn't film these kinds of romance dramas in the previous timeline; he was an actress who specialized in playing leading ladies. So, roughly speaking, he was Lu Bai's first serious on-screen partner.

"Partner."

Zhou Heming murmured the word, somewhat stunned.

The afternoon filming had ended, and there were no night scenes. The crew members took a bus back to their hotel in town.

For the sake of convenience during filming, Zhou Heming and Lu Bai did not go home, but stayed at the hotel with them.

Lu Bai patted his shoulder after he came out of the shower.

"What, still getting into character?"

The girl, with wet hair and wearing short-sleeved pajamas, teased.

"No, I was just wondering if these two characters are the first on-screen couple you've ever played?"

Zhou Heming spoke frankly, and then went with Lu Bai to the sink to dry her hair with the hotel's hairdryer.

"It seems so. They are indeed the first couple who are mutually in love."

Lu Bai recalled that the roles she had played before were at most supporting characters who had a crush on the male lead, and she was mostly a passerby or a female villain. This was the first time she had ever played a couple with her co-star.

"Hehe, you got my first time, you're lucky."

She suddenly turned around and laughed.

"Don't put it so ambiguously, okay? This is the first time we've played a couple."

Zhou Heming corrected her, making her turn around obediently, and fiddled with her damp hair. "Anyway, my first time will always be yours."

Lu Bai looked at Zhou Heming in the mirror and smiled shyly.

"I need to get up early tomorrow, so I can't stay up late tonight."

Zhou Heming cleared his throat and said seriously.

They've been very restrained these past few days, perhaps because they're too tired from filming during the day. At night, they just hug and kiss for a while before falling asleep in each other's arms, achieving a very healthy relationship between young people.

"So I can stay up late tomorrow night?"

Lu Bai asked with a smile.

After filming tomorrow, they'll be done with their work. They can stay in Heming Township or go back to Chengdu to visit museums, pandas, and so on. In short, their holiday will begin.

"We'll talk about tomorrow night."

Zhou Heming deliberately avoided letting his mind wander.

"Oh right, we're filming a wedding scene tomorrow, and we'll be kissing in front of the camera."

Lu Bai said something seemingly out of the blue.

"shy?"

Zhou Heming stroked her hair, which was only slightly damp.

"Why would I be shy? We'll be participating in a variety show and showing off our love on the show."

Lu Bai smiled.

Cui Ming gave feedback today, saying that the variety show producer thought Zhou Heming's suggestion was excellent and happened to be short of people, so they agreed to let Lu Bai participate as well. They probably also considered that Lu Bai's previous role as a pianist had some popularity, so it could indirectly boost the variety show's popularity.

In the adult world, it all comes down to self-interest.

"Then why did you bring this up?"

Zhou Heming found it strange.

"Cheng Shuangjiang might also see us when we film the wedding scene tomorrow."

Lu Bai's voice became a little softer.

"Ah."

Zhou Heming ruffled Lu Bai's hair to make sure it was dry. He turned off the hairdryer, put it aside, and then turned Lu Bai around to face him.

The girl slightly raised her face, her clear, dark eyes filled with the image of the boy.

"The person I like now is you, Lu Bai."

Zhou Heming whispered.

"Therefore, I am willing to let anyone see us in love, no matter who she is."

"Ah."

As Lu Bai listened to the boy's words, he closed his eyes slightly and stood on tiptoe.

A moment.

Inside the room, only the lingering, ambiguous breaths intertwined and swirled, like wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.

*
The news that a film crew was coming to shoot a movie quickly spread throughout the entire Heming Township.

After all, this is a small, remote place. The last time someone came to film here was seven years ago.

To Zhou Heming's surprise, no one held any prejudice against the film crew because of the natural disaster seven years ago. Instead, they gathered around the funeral home as if they were just joining in the fun.

He estimated that if this weren't a funeral home, which was somewhat unlucky, those elderly folks who came to watch the spectacle would probably have come in and gathered around at close range.

In the morning, after getting up and washing up, Zhou Heming and Lu Bai started putting on makeup together.

The props team set up the wedding scene yesterday, and this was the first time Zhou Heming had ever seen the double happiness symbol properly pasted in a mourning hall.

Fortunately, they opted for a Western-style wedding; otherwise, it would have been considered a promotion of feudal superstition.

Zhou Heming needed to wear a groom's suit, have his hair styled, and have his makeup done. It was probably the most presentable thing he had ever done in his life.

"Teacher, you actually have a very elegant appearance. You look very stylish after tidying yourself up."

The makeup artist praised Zhou Heming while doing his makeup.

Once you join a film crew, regardless of your status or age, it seems like everyone becomes a teacher.

"I did your makeup according to the standards of a proper wedding. If you get married in the future, it will be about the same level."

She was quite proud of it.

Zhou Heming only realized after joining the film crew that makeup is sometimes not just about looking good, but more about compensating for flaws that are easily exposed on camera, especially in close-up shots where even the most perfect person will have flaws.

Moreover, most scenes require lighting, and natural light alone may not be enough to achieve the effect the director wants. Therefore, under strong lighting, bare face can easily look yellowish and requires light makeup to correct it.

"Do we have to get up at six in the morning to get married?"

“In some places, you have to get up at five o’clock. When I don’t have any work, I also work part-time as a wedding makeup artist.”

The makeup artist put down her eyebrow pencil.

"Alright, go confirm with Director Lu."

She gestured for Zhou Heming to stand up.

Zhou Heming approached Lu Ban, who was busy making arrangements.

"Director Lu, the makeup artist asked me to confirm this for you."

"That's great, why don't you get your marriage certificate today?"

Lu Ban patted Zhou Heming on the shoulder.

"They're not old enough yet."

Beside him, director Xia Hupo smiled and encouraged him.

"Indeed, thinking about it this way, isn't today the chance in my lifetime to see an eighteen-year-old girl in a wedding dress?"

Lu Ban had a sudden inspiration.

Where is Lu Bai?

After hearing what he said, Zhou Heming also became curious about how Lu Bai was doing.

"Girls need a bit more preparation time."

Xia Hupo explained.

However, after looking around, he didn't see Lu Bai, but he did see a lot of onlookers coming into the mourning hall.

"This is."

"As for the extras, the script says that it's a wedding where two people invite passersby to witness it, so we chose some locals to be extras to make up the numbers. It's a matter of adapting to local conditions."

Lu Ban explained in a very serious tone.

Although Zhou Heming felt that he might just think it would be more festive and lively.

As Zhou Heming watched the uncles and aunts in the town curiously enter the funeral hall that had been decorated as a wedding scene, he felt a slightly surreal sense of disorientation.

Such a scene certainly creates a lot of dramatic conflict.

As he was thinking this, he saw a girl in a beige dress walk into the mourning hall directly opposite him and meet his gaze.

"Cheng Shuangjiang".

After calling out her name, Zhou Heming said something to Lu Ban and then stepped forward.

"They say they're short of extras."

Before Zhou Heming could continue speaking, Cheng Shuangjiang began to explain on her own.

She wore a neat ponytail.

The hair tie she wore in her ponytail was the panda hair tie that Zhou Heming had bought for her.

He wanted to say, "I'm so glad you came," but the words felt strange coming out of his mouth, so Zhou Heming hesitated for a moment.

"We finished filming in the morning, so we can go out for a walk together in the afternoon."

Finally, he decided to inform Cheng Shuangjiang of their itinerary.

Cheng Shuangjiang didn't answer immediately, but instead pursed her lips, seemingly thinking about how to reply.

At this time.

The attendant led Lu Bai in through another door of the mourning hall.

The once noisy and chaotic funeral hall suddenly fell silent.

Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang looked over together.

*
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(End of this chapter)