My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 135 I'm sorry, Cheng Shuangjiang

After placing the purchased mutton on the kitchen counter, Zhou Heming, who had been busy for most of the day, began to process the ingredients again.

Cheng Shuangjiang also came to the side and put the vegetables in a basin to wash.

Seeing this, Lu Bai, unable to help, could only chat with her grandmother and occasionally wander into the kitchen to bother Zhou Heming.

Feeling a pair of hands wrap around his waist, Zhou Heming, who was picking vegetables, stopped what he was doing.

"what happened?"

Lu Bai's chin rested on his shoulder, and the girl's creamy hair scent wafted over, causing Zhou Heming to unconsciously turn his head to the side.

"Look at the things you've done."

She said softly.

"These are your favorite pea shoots."

Zhou Heming chuckled and resumed his work.

"I'll try too."

Lu Bai released Zhou Heming and picked up a pea shoot from the basin, following Zhou's example.

Nearby, Cheng Shuangjiang, who was peeling carrots, slowed down her movements and glanced over from the corner of her eye.

"Like this, and then like this again."

Zhou Heming demonstrated it once, and Lu Bai followed along, but the result was not ideal.

"Failed."

Lu Bai stuck out his tongue and whimpered.

"It's okay, even if I can't learn it, it doesn't matter, I'll be the one cooking in the future anyway."

Zhou Heming smiled.

"No, I want to learn to cook too. I can't always let you run around doing everything for me."

Lu Bai, undeterred, picked up another pea shoot and tried again. This time, it seemed to work well, and she immediately showed off the pea shoot to Zhou Heming with a beaming smile.

"Look, isn't this one perfect!"

"Wow, you're amazing! You learn so quickly. Maybe you really are a culinary genius."

Zhou Heming praised with a smile.

“It’s the teacher’s good teaching.”

Lu Bai picked up another one.

Cheng Shuangjiang listened to their conversation, then looked away and continued peeling the radish.

I just used a lot more force, which made the skin peel off a bit too thickly.

With the mutton stewing in the pot, Zhou Heming finally had some free time.

Cheng Shuangjiang had finished her work, washed her hands, and returned to the living room.

Grandma went upstairs for a nap earlier and probably won't wake up until dinner.

Lu Bai yawned and prepared to go upstairs for a nap.

Although it's already 4 PM, as long as you haven't had dinner yet, it's still considered a nap.

Zhou Heming didn't know if people from Sichuan liked to lie down for a while at this time.

He wasn't sleepy, so he stayed in the living room, keeping an eye on the cooking in the kitchen.

Zhou Heming sat on the sofa near the kitchen, one seat away from Cheng Shuangjiang.

The TV was playing a drama series that is rebroadcast every summer vacation. Zhou Heming used to like it when he was a child, but after watching it two or three times, he got tired of it. Now that it's on, he pays attention to the dialogue and camera work.

After all, it's a classic TV series, and it's worth learning from for newcomers like Zhou Heming.

As he was looking, a hand reached out in front of him.

Zhou Heming looked down and saw that in his clean palm were washed grapes.

"Very sweet."

Cheng Shuangjiang said in a soft voice.

"Thank you, thank you."

Zhou Heming took the few green grapes, his fingers touching the soft palm, and he thanked her hesitantly.

I put it in my mouth and tasted it.

Really sweet.

And I don’t know if it’s because of the variety, but it has a faint milky aroma.

Like the scent on Cheng Shuangjiang's body when they shared a bed.

Cheng Shuangjiang shifted her position, moving slightly closer to Zhou Heming by about half a person's width.

She picked up two more grapes and handed them to Zhou Heming.

"I'll get it myself."

Zhou Heming didn't take it, but instead reached out and picked up a grape himself.

Zhou Heming glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang's hand, which she had quietly withdrawn, and sighed.

"Actually, you didn't need to do that."

He thought about it and spoke.

Cheng Shuangjiang remained silent, waiting for Zhou Heming to speak.

“I am Lu Bai’s boyfriend now. I like her and she likes me. We will go to university together and rent an apartment together. I want to live a good life with her. I want her to become my wife.”

Zhou Heming lowered his voice and said solemnly.

"If, if I were to betray Lu Bai because of your affections, would I one day betray you because of someone else's affections?"

Cheng Shuangjiang opened her mouth as if to say something, but no sound came out.

"not to mention."

Zhou Heming turned his head and looked at Cheng Shuangjiang.

He knew that what he was about to say might be a bit excessive and sharp, but Zhou Heming also knew that if he didn't make things clear, the ones who would ultimately get hurt would be Cheng Shuangjiang and Lu Bai.

Therefore, he spoke.

"Besides, I prefer Lu Bai to you now."

All of a sudden.

Cheng Shuangjiang looked at Zhou Heming.

She stared into Zhou Heming's eyes, as if trying to find her own reflection in them.

But those eyes did not reflect the eighteen-year-old Cheng Shuangjiang.

"I'm sorry, Cheng Shuangjiang."

Zhou Heming looked at the eighteen-year-old girl without flinching.

"I can't accept your feelings. Please don't try to cross the line anymore. At least that way, we can still be friends like this."

These words, which were almost an ultimatum, were undoubtedly like a sharp blade, deeply piercing Cheng Shuangjiang's chest.

Zhou Heming saw that the girl's eyes suddenly dimmed.

The next moment, she pursed her lips and actually smiled.

It was a helpless and self-deprecating laugh, carrying a certain desolation that evoked pity.

Even the resolute Zhou Heming was moved by her appearance and wanted to speak up to comfort her.

Cheng Shuangjiang stood up, turned around and wanted to walk towards the restroom. She paused, her voice hoarse.

"How can you be content to be friends with someone you once liked?"

She walked into the bathroom, and even the sound of the door closing seemed weak and powerless.

The pressure cooker in the kitchen hissed as it released steam. Zhou Heming quickly got up and went to the kitchen to turn the heat down to the lowest setting.

When he came out, he saw Lu Bai standing at the top of the stairs, leaning against the wall and looking at him.

When did you come down?

Zhou Heming had no idea how much of his conversation with Cheng Shuangjiang had been overheard by Lu Bai.

"It all started when you said you wanted me to be your wife."

Lu Bai's expression was more one of melancholy and entanglement than happiness.

What you just said will hurt her deeply.

"Because I don't want to hurt you."

Upon hearing this, Lu Bai lowered his eyes, walked up to the boy, and gently hugged him.

Feeling the softness of the girl in his arms, Zhou Heming glanced at the bathroom. Cheng Shuangjiang was inside, quiet and still, without making a sound.

*
Half an hour later, Cheng Shuangjiang came out of the restroom.

Her long, black hair obscured her profile, making it impossible to see the expression on the girl's face.

Lu Bai and Zhou Heming were busy in the kitchen. Cheng Shuangjiang saw this but did not go in. Instead, she sat in the living room and watched the love story on TV with a blank expression.

During dinner, Cheng Shuangjiang seemed to revert to her original aloof and cold academic star. Although she was still chatting with her grandmother and responding to Lu Bai's words, she didn't look at Zhou Heming even once.

The black bean dace was unopened, and the romaine lettuce was in the refrigerator; none of the three mentioned it.

night.

Cheng Shuangjiang sat alone on one side of the sofa, looking at her phone and occasionally glancing up at the content playing on the TV.

At the other end of the sofa, Lu Bai nestled in Zhou Heming's arms, the two whispering as they watched television.

Late at night, the three of them went upstairs one after another and lay down to sleep.

Nothing seemed to happen tonight. Zhou Heming didn't know what Cheng Shuangjiang was thinking, but for him, he had done all he could.

He can disregard what other people think.

But Zhou Heming couldn't bring himself to abandon Lu Bai and start a relationship with Cheng Shuangjiang. The day of the Xuanjun ceremony arrived quickly.

When Zhou Heming woke up early in the morning, Cheng Shuangjiang had already gotten up and gone downstairs.

Because the ceremony would start very early, he didn't let Lu Bai sleep in, but instead shook her awake.

"Morning."

Lu Bai groggily raised his head, asking for a good morning kiss.

Zhou Heming leaned down and started their day with a long and tender kiss.

"It seems like there's no sun today."

Zhou Heming slightly pulled back the curtains and saw the overcast sky outside, giving him a premonition that it would rain.

"The weather forecast says it might rain today, so I'll have to bring an umbrella."

"The rain shouldn't affect the ceremony, right?"

Lu Bai seemed to recall the heavy rain seven years ago.

Her fear of thunder likely stems from psychological trauma inflicted during that time.

"How about we don't go?"

Zhou Heming turned to look at the girl.

"Going."

Lu Bai shook his head.

"We must always face the past."

"Okay, I'll go downstairs first, you can change your clothes."

Zhou Heming nodded and went downstairs to wash up.

living room.

Cheng Shuangjiang, who had already changed her clothes, stood by the window, looking at the dark clouds outside.

She was wearing those capri pants, and you could see the red string on her ankle. She had changed into a light pink T-shirt, and her hair was tied in a neat ponytail. From behind, she looked exceptionally petite.

"Good morning."

Zhou Heming greeted him.

Cheng Shuangjiang shook her head slightly, waited a few seconds, and then turned her head back slightly.

"morning."

A very bland response.

Zhou Heming glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang again, but she seemed only concerned about the weather outside and didn't seem to care about the boy.

After he finished washing up, Lu Bai was already waiting for him in the living room when he came out.

She wore a chestnut-colored long skirt that covered her ankles, a light gray shirt, a sun-protective jacket, and a small painter's hat.

"Grandma, let's set off now."

The three packed their things and set off, arriving on the street.

Despite the overcast sky, there were many tourists.

The procession for the Xuanjun ceremony starts from the town's public square and carries the sedan chair all the way to Heming Mountain, which is physically demanding for those involved.

Most of the social media influencers would take a video and then drive up the mountain, while tourists without cars would just walk around like they were watching a Disney parade.

The three of them didn't go to the Civic Square to watch the departure, but instead took a bus directly to the foot of Heming Mountain.

The once quiet Taoist temple was now bustling with people, and the possibility of rain did not dampen their enthusiasm.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that because there was also a rainstorm seven years ago, tourists who came chasing the legend were even more excited.

Anyway, Heming Temple is located halfway up the mountain, so even if there is a heavy rain, it won't be enough to destroy the temple.

"Who is the Mystic Lord this year?"

Upon arriving at the bustling Taoist temple, Zhou Heming casually inquired.

"I don't know, I'm not in that big group."

After Lu Bai's relationship with his father became estranged, he stopped paying attention to the affairs of the Nine Streams. The Xuanjun Ceremony was handled by a large family group, but Lu Bai was obviously not in the group.

"is her."

Cheng Shuangjiang opened a short video app and searched for videos and live streams related to Heming Mountain. She immediately saw videos shot by other people.

No wonder she's a top student; her mind works so fast.

The woman dressed in traditional clothing and with exquisite makeup was none other than He Mu, whom they had met a few days ago.

"Indeed, she's a third-rate person."

Lu Bai held no resentment towards the girl who had spoken ill of her before; instead, she nodded.

"She looks quite pretty dressed up like this."

"It's raining."

Zhou Heming felt water droplets falling on his head. When he looked up, the sky, which seemed about to weep, finally couldn't hold back any longer and was about to let the cold rain fall.

People opened their umbrellas and took photos with their phones in the rain.

Zhou Heming and the others hid under the eaves, watching the lively crowd from afar.

"Speaking of which, the Mystic Lord Ceremony should just be a formality, right? Will anything mystical happen?"

He asked Lu Bai out of curiosity.

"Probably not. They just made me sit alone in the main hall of the Taoist temple for half an hour, saying they were waiting for the arrival of the Mysterious Lord, but actually I just sat there in a daze for more than twenty minutes."

Lu Bai spread his hands and said.

Cheng Shuangjiang silently watched the sedan chair being carried by the crowd, and He Mu sitting on it. He Mu's gaze swept over indifferently, as if he had also noticed them.

Soon, she was carried into the Taoist temple.

"It takes a lot of courage to be watched by so many people."

Zhou Heming glanced at Lu Bai beside him. She was only ten years old at the time, and it was really not easy for her to take on this kind of job.

Many tourists flocked to the outside of the main hall. Normally, the ceremony here is not for outsiders to observe, but considering the need for tourism promotion, everyone was allowed to come in.

There were eight people, both men and women, wearing strangely shaped masks and different ancient costumes, moving and jumping around He Mu, like some kind of strange dance.

"This is a ritual that imitates the competition among the nine classes for the position of Xuanjun back then. These masks should be called Nuo masks, which are a tradition brought in from outside."

Lu Bai took on the role of tour guide.

"He Mu doesn't look too good."

Cheng Shuangjiang suddenly said.

Zhou Heming looked over in confusion and observed carefully. He indeed found that even with makeup covering her face, He Mu was still covered in sweat, her face was pale, her lips were purple, and she was in very bad condition.

But the tourists around them, unaware of the truth, assumed it was makeup or something done on purpose.

For them, it was just a performance, and nobody knew if it was part of the show.

Would Xuanjun do that?

Zhou Heming asked Lu Bai.

"No, she's probably sick."

Lu Bai bit his lower lip, lost in thought.

After the eight masked people finished their dance, the He family members who were in charge of hosting the event began to recite a prayer.

Perhaps it was because of his solemn and sacred expression and tone, but the Taoist temple fell silent as everyone listened to this ancient prayer, and some even closed their eyes.

Zhou Heming felt as if something had truly descended upon the main hall, giving the once ordinary building a strange and eerie feeling, and he instinctively wanted to stay away.

"It should be, burning incense."

Cheng Shuangjiang then pointed to the incense and candles burning in front of the main hall.

"This incense contains special herbs that emit an unpleasant odor, but the smell is masked by the incense and candles."

She has a distinctly science-themed presenter vibe.

"Now that you say it, all the mystery is gone."

Zhou Heming laughed jokingly.

"Many traditional folk mysticisms are actually scientific in nature."

Cheng Shuangjiang glanced at Zhou Heming and explained calmly.

The prayer had been recited, and He Mu entered the main hall under the escort of the crowd.

Outside, people started dancing and performing, attracting many to take photos and videos.

At this moment, a person dressed in a Taoist robe quietly approached the three of them.

"Excuse me, are you Ms. Lu Bai?"

The middle-aged Taoist priest spotted Lu Bai at a glance.

"how?"

Lu Bai frowned. She did know this Taoist priest; he was from the Heming Temple.

"My surname is Zhang, and I'm from the Zhang family, a low-class family. I'm sorry to say, but there's something I'd like to ask you."

Master Zhang lowered his voice and looked at Lu Bai.

"what?"

Lu Bai raised an eyebrow.

"We would like to ask you to replace He Mu and play the role of Xuan Jun."

Master Zhang's voice was crystal clear amidst the noisy crowd.

*
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(End of this chapter)