My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 140: A Long-Awaited Reunion, or an Instant Connection

Early August.

The city of Wuhan remains sweltering.

Zhou Heming woke up in bed and heard the hoarse sound of the air conditioner echoing in the bedroom.

Beside him, Lu Bai was soundly asleep, a faint smile playing on his lips, as if he were dreaming of something wonderful.

Zhou Heming placed his palm on her lower abdomen, and even through her cotton pajamas, he could feel the delicate skin.

Because Lu Bai's period started last night, the two of them ate at the mall downstairs and then went to the supermarket to buy some brown sugar, ginger, goji berries, and other things to make a pot of sweet soup for Lu Bai.

She probably caught a chill when she was swept away by a flash flood in Sichuan, and this time she experienced menstrual cramps, which was not usually a problem for her. She was also pale and clearly had insufficient blood and energy.

While sleeping, Lu Bai grabbed Zhou Heming's hand and placed it on his lower abdomen, saying that it would make him warmer and relieve his discomfort.

Zhou Heming kept her covered up like that until morning.

Judging from Lu Bai's sleeping face, it must be working.

Without disturbing Lu Bai, Zhou Heming slowly got up, covered her with the air conditioning blanket, and then gently opened and closed the bedroom door.

I checked the time; it was only a little past eight.

After washing up and getting ready, he turned on the stove and prepared to cook a pot of sweet egg soup.

This is what he learned from watching online tutorials.

Boil water, add brown sugar and cook until dissolved, then add ginger slices, red dates, goji berries, eggs, and sesame glutinous rice balls.

They say you can put things like rice cakes in it, but we don't have any at home.

When it was almost done cooking, he heard rustling sounds coming from the bedroom.

The door was pushed open, and Lu Bai, rubbing his eyes, walked out.

"Good morning."

She saw Zhou Heming busy in the kitchen and greeted him softly.

"Good morning, how are you feeling? Are you feeling better?"

Zhou Heming was gently stirring the contents of the pot to prevent it from burning.

"Yes, thanks to Heming."

Lu Bai came up behind Zhou Heming and put her arms around him from behind. The girl's soft body pressed against his back, making the boy's hand holding the spoon freeze for a moment.

"Go brush your teeth, then you can have breakfast soon."

"Uh-huh."

Despite saying this, Lu Bai remained motionless, still holding Zhou Heming.

"Let me cling to you a little longer."

"Yes, you can hug me for as long as you want."

Zhou Heming chuckled softly as the sesame dumplings and half-cooked eggs tumbled in the sugar water, releasing a rich, sweet aroma.

"I'm going to wash up now."

Lu Bai slid into the bathroom in her slippers.

Zhou Heming turned off the stove, filled two bowls with sweet soup, and placed them on the coffee table.

I'm going to pick up my college admission letter today and take a photo as an outstanding graduate, so I need to get ready; I'll probably have to wear my school uniform again.

Thinking about it carefully, this should be the last time they wear school uniforms as high school students.

"what happened?"

Lu Bai, who had just come out of the restroom, saw Zhou Heming sitting in front of the coffee table in a daze and tilted his head to ask him a question.

"I feel a bit emotional. High school life is over just like that. It feels a little unreal."

When Zhou Heming was in his third year of junior high school, his family had a terrible accident, and he felt like the whole world had turned gray.

At fifteen or sixteen, he didn't even think about the future; living in the present was already incredibly difficult.

He lived in a daze for three years until he met Cheng Shuangjiang, who had been reborn.

She took him to see the world, leading him forward, pulling him from the dark and uncertain corners of the shadows into the bright sunshine, and telling him that the world is beautiful.

Then, Zhou Heming encountered Lu Bai again.

She told Zhou Heming that if he didn't want to move forward, he could stop, and she would always be by his side.

Finally, Zhou Heming found Lu Qian, the girl who, seven years ago, paid the price of her own "death" to bring "Lu Bai" back into the world, and now, she has been reborn.

Zhou Heming couldn't help but think of the previous timeline.

He remained in a daze until he was thirty, when he was finally able to move forward after reuniting with Cheng Shuangjiang.

Cheng Shuangjiang felt inferior because of the accident she had caused and her own disability, and she couldn't even recognize Zhou Heming.

Although Lu Bai became a famous actor, the real Lu Qian was forever lost in the flash flood that year.

All these changes stemmed from Cheng Shuangjiang's rebirth.

She has indeed changed a lot.

But she herself...
Seeing Zhou Heming lost in thought, Lu Bai gently took his hand and soothed the boy's mind with a light kiss.

"I will always be by your side."

She said softly.

"Yes, me too."

Zhou Heming responds to the girl's kiss.

The minty flavor of toothpaste is sweeter than sugar water.

*
Wearing short-sleeved school uniforms, the two took the bus to school.

At this time, the incoming senior high school students haven't started their extra classes yet, and the entire campus is quiet.

The acceptance letters arrived a few days ago, so most students had already received them by then.

For example, Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou took the money and went out to play as soon as possible, making the most of every minute of their holiday.

As Zhou Heming walked into the familiar campus, he casually glanced at the congratulatory notice posted on the bulletin board at the school gate.

The percentage of students admitted to top-tier universities, the percentage admitted to second-tier universities, and the number of students admitted to key universities all seem to indicate that this year's enrollment is indeed the best in recent years.

Arriving at the door of the teachers' office, Zhou Heming gently knocked.

Cheng Lingjun was already waiting there.

Normally, the homeroom teacher should be the one to give out the admission notices, but that should be for the first few days. Starting today, only Cheng Lingjun will be responsible for distributing the rest.

"Hello, Teacher Cheng."

The two greeted Cheng Lingjun.

"coming."

Cheng Lingjun seemed to have already prepared the two students' admission notices and handed them over directly.

"Thank you, Teacher Cheng."

Zhou He expressed his gratitude to Cheng Lingjun and opened the EMS envelope.

The admission notice from Ningjiang University is very well-designed, with a dark blue background. When you open it, you see a simple line drawing of the school gate, and it also comes with a stamp with an artistic variation of Zhou Heming's name on it.

It's clear that a lot of care was put into its production.

Lu Bai's and Zhou Heming's are the same, only the names on the seals are different.

"Take the photo next door and find Teacher Zhao."

Cheng Lingjun gave a word of advice.

Students who get into top universities will have their photos taken as a memento, and the photos will be posted on the honor roll in the corridor of the senior high school building for a while to set an example for younger students.

Originally, this photo session was supposed to only be held a few days ago, but it was probably delayed until today because Cheng Shuangjiang hasn't come back to collect it yet.

"Teacher Cheng, has Cheng Shuangjiang arrived?"

Lu Bai suddenly asked.

"She has already been here."

Cheng Lingjun answered.

"Ok."

Lu Bai looked slightly disappointed, probably because he wanted to take a picture with her.

It's unclear whether Cheng Shuangjiang will go to Yannan or Huaqing; Zhou Heming had only ever seen admission notices from these two universities online before.

The two went to the classroom next door.

Mr. Zhao teaches art and also enjoys photography. He is the instructor of the school's photography club and often takes photos for promotional purposes during various activities.

In the words of working people, the greater your ability, the more work you get.

"You're here. Come over here and take your acceptance letter."

As soon as Teacher Zhao saw the two, he picked up his camera and pointed to the backdrop that had been set up on one side.

Lu Bai looked at the camera and spoke.

"Teacher Zhao, could we take a photo together and submit it?"

"One?"

Teacher Zhao looked at Zhou Heming and scratched his head.

"I'm not sure if the boss will agree to this, haha, but I can take pictures for you all. I'll ask the boss later."

"Yay, thank you, Teacher Zhao!"

Lu Bai was all smiles.

After taking individual photos of the two of them, Teacher Zhao picked up his camera.

Zhou Heming and Lu Bai stood together, each holding an identical admission notice.

I don't know why, but I always get the feeling of taking a photo with a marriage certificate.

Looking at the girl beside him, Zhou Heming's lips unconsciously curled up.

Teacher Zhao keenly captured this moment.

click-

On the camera screen, Lu Bai smiled broadly, while Zhou Heming smiled faintly. The two stood together, like a couple who had been separated for a long time, or like lovers who had hit it off at first sight. It was a photo that, just by looking at it, made people feel youth and happiness.

"Go for it, and do your best in university."

Teacher Zhao waved goodbye to the two.

They stuffed the acceptance letter back into the courier envelope and went downstairs hand in hand.

Walking along the path where sunlight filters through the trees, Lu Bai stopped.

"how?"

"I remembered something."

"what?"

"Have we ever kissed at school while wearing our school uniforms?"

The girl shyly looked away, her fingers tightening around the envelope.

Zhou Heming did not answer.

Instead, she turned around, came to Lu Bai, and gently pressed her shoulder.

"A-Qian".

He called her by her real name.

"Ah."

The girl closed her eyes, her eyelashes trembling slightly, and raised her face, revealing her moist and alluring pale cherry-colored lips.

A gust of wind blew.

The wind rustles through the treetops, and the cicadas sing their long, drawn-out songs.

Zhou Heming and Lu Qian shared a kiss in the deserted school courtyard.

With this.

Saying goodbye to their high school days.

Then, let's walk hand in hand towards tomorrow.

*
The two spent the next few days busy preparing for the move.

Although it was a rented apartment, Lu Bai had lived there for three years and bought a lot of clothes, as well as large items such as wardrobes, tables, and chairs. It was also a cross-city move, so the preparations were numerous and fragmented.

Zhou Heming also had to finish packing up the things he had left in his uncle's room and bring them over.

Four days later, the two got up early, made their bed, and waited for the moving company to arrive, load the truck, and then find the landlord to inspect and check out the move.

The moving company's belongings take more than six hours to transport from Jiangcheng to Ningjiang by car, while it takes them three and a half hours by high-speed rail. So, theoretically, they should arrive earlier than these items.

After finishing up the rest, the two took the subway to the high-speed rail station.

After a long journey, I finally arrived at my rented room in Ningjiang at noon.

Because the landlady looked after the house, there was no dust, and it was still exactly the same as when they left.

The movers arrived while we were doing a quick cleaning.

After a long period of busy work, I finally finished tidying up most of the things, and it was barely habitable. It was already past 7 p.m.

Let's go out and get something to eat.

Zhou Heming clapped his hands and made the suggestion.

"Okay, let's go check out the backstreet."

Lu Bai also got up and picked up his phone.

The two walked hand in hand to the back street.

During the summer vacation, there weren't many college students, but there were still quite a few young people living nearby, making it a lively and bustling place at this time.

“I want to eat this. I saw reviews online before, saying it’s a ten-year-old shop and the price has never gone up.”

Lu Bai pointed to the dessert shop located at the entrance of the back street.

"it is good."

Zhou Heming led her into the store, where the owner, whose face was still full of wrinkles when he smiled, was the same person.

"Wow, this is really cheap! I'll have this fruit shaved ice; they say it's their signature dish."

Lu Bai pointed to the price list and saw a five-yuan assorted fruit ice.

"Can you eat ice now?"

Zhou Heming casually asked in a low voice, according to the menstrual cycle calculation app he downloaded, Lu Bai's period should have ended this time, but he was not sure.

"It was fine yesterday. Ugh, I'm so bored. Not being able to drink cold drinks in this heat is torture."

Lu Bai tugged at Zhou Heming's sleeve.

"What else would you like to eat? I'll buy something different."

Zhou Heming nodded and looked at the price list.

"Peach milk oatmeal porridge, please. It can be served iced," the shop owner suddenly suggested.

"That's good too, let's take this one."

Lu Bai nodded vigorously, picked up her phone, and prepared to scan the QR code.

"Oh, no need, I promised to treat you."

The boss laughed.

"Judging from your expressions, you must have passed the exam."

"Ah, yes."

Zhou Heming was taken aback, then remembered the agreement they had made.

"See, I told you I have a great memory. I remember everyone who has bought from my store. Hmm."

Just as the boss was proudly boasting about himself, he suddenly realized that Zhou Heming was still Zhou Heming, but the girl next to him didn't seem to be the same one as last time.

"Oh~"

Lu Bai turned his head and looked at Zhou Heming with a smile.

"Let's pay."

Zhou Heming smiled and scanned the QR code to pay.

The boss was a little embarrassed. He scratched his sparse hair and turned to give instructions to the kitchen staff.

"You came with Cheng Shuangjiang, right? Around the time of the targeted exam?"

While waiting for it to be made, Lu Bai quietly asked.

"Ah."

Zhou Heming nodded, paused, and then looked over somewhat nervously.

"Do you feel unhappy?"

"To be honest, I am a little bit unhappy."

Unlike some girls who would outwardly answer "no" but inwardly sulk, Lu Bai spoke frankly.

"But now that I'm here with you, it's okay."

She hugged Zhou Heming's arm.

"However, you have to make it up to me."

"How to compensate?"

"Well, you'll pay for dinner tonight."

Lu Bai chuckled.

The two bought some food and drinks, packed them up and took them home. They said Zhou Heming should pay, but Lu Bai actually paid for about half of it.

They put on a romantic movie on their tablet to watch while eating, and by the time they finished cleaning up, it was almost 11 p.m.

Lu Bai went to take a shower first. After she came out, Zhou Heming dried her hair before she went into the bathroom to take a shower.

When he came out after drying his hair, he found that the bedroom door had been closed at some point.

Slightly puzzled, Zhou Heming gently pushed it away.

Then he saw Lu Bai standing in the bedroom, wearing Jiangcheng Middle School uniform and with a somewhat shy smile.

The bracelet has been taken off and placed on the table.

"A-Qian".

Understanding her thoughts, Zhou Heming gently closed the door.

"I told you before that we would give you a gift after we moved in."

Lu Qian's cheeks were flushed, her voice was soft, and her fingers repeatedly pinched the hem of her school uniform shirt, showing some nervousness.

"The gift is here now."

She raised her head and looked directly into Zhou Heming's eyes.

In Lu Qian's eyes, there was a shimmering starry river, a bright spring day, and a hundred flowers in full bloom.

He has the appearance of a young man.

Zhou Heming knew that what Lu Qian wanted to give him was her past, present, and future—all of herself.

"A-Qian".

He called her name softly, put his arm around her slender waist, and saw her lift her face, her eyelashes trembling, her pink lips slightly parted, and then, she stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

It was a tender, steadfast, lingering kiss, filled with love.

At this moment, the weight of a young girl fell upon Zhou Heming's heart.

In the brief moment between breaths, Lu Qian gently bit Zhou Heming's earlobe and whispered something.

"I'm yours."

"you are mine."

Zhou Heming hesitated for a moment, then gently placed Lu Qian on the bed. At that moment, the girl in her school uniform had fair skin with a pinkish tinge, possessing an intoxicating charm that made him want more.

He gently lifted Lu Qian's hair, lightly leaving a faint tooth mark on her earlobe, his breath brushing against her delicate profile, and kissing her snow-white neck.

Then, Zhou Heming paused.

"what happened?"

Lu Qian, who had been immersing herself in the caresses of the young man with her eyes closed, asked somewhat confusedly.

"It seems that it's in the box and hasn't been taken out yet."

After buying it at the supermarket last time, Zhou Heming put the box in his medicine cabinet because he hadn't used it yet. Since he hadn't been thinking about it, it was probably under some big cardboard box to keep it safe.

Did you dig it out? Did you go downstairs to buy it on short notice?
Zhou Heming immediately tensed up.

"Well."

Lu Qian hummed in agreement, then pointed to the backpack on the cabinet.

"Actually, a couple of days ago, when we were eating downstairs, I secretly bought a box, just in case."

Her voice was soft and shy.

Zhou Heming stood blankly in front of the backpack.

"Yes, in the innermost bag."

Lu Qian spoke up.

Zhou Heming opened it, took it out, and looked at Lu Qian as if he hadn't quite come to his senses yet.

"That's it."

The girl gently bit her lower lip.

"Let's continue."

*
Zhou Heming will probably never forget tonight.

The humid air, accompanied by Lu Qian's sticky, low, melancholic yet sweet voice, brushed against his ear. The light sweat made the girl's delicate and smooth skin glow with a delicate pink. In the dim room, her eyes, filled with countless emotions, gazed at him affectionately. The moment when she gave him her whole body and soul without reservation was enough for Zhou Heming to remember for a lifetime.

For no reason.

Zhou Heming thought of the protagonist in "Love in the Time of Cholera," who used physical pleasure to escape the pain of heartbreak, something he didn't understand at the time.

now.

He finally understood that it was like some kind of ancient oath, engraved in his instincts.

The room gradually quieted down.

Zhou Heming gently embraced Lu Qian and left a light kiss on her lips.

Although the air conditioner was still working normally, the two of them were already soaked in sweat and were slightly out of breath, their heartbeats not yet calmed down.

"I'd like to drink some water."

Countless calls of the other's name made Lu Qian's voice hoarse, but this low murmur was like heavenly music played on a harp, stirring Zhou Heming's heartstrings.

"Ah."

Zhou Heming got up, went to the living room to pick up the bottled water he had bought that day, came to the bedside, opened it, thought for a moment, took a sip himself, and then leaned down to feed it to Lu Qian.

"Warm."

A few drops of clear mineral water dripped from the corner of Lu Qian's mouth, and she subconsciously licked her lips.

"Want to drink again?"

"want."

Lu Qian raised her face.

After feeding Lu Qian, Zhou Heming glanced at the slightly soiled sheets and blankets.

a mess.

He then looked at the girl's slender neck, delicate collarbone, smooth shoulders, and countless faint kiss marks on her tender skin as she sat up.

His back was a little itchy. He glanced at it and saw faint scratches left by Lu Qian, which reminded him of the girl's eyes at that moment, filled with determination, happiness, and pain.

There were about three used, torn packaging bags on the ground.

Zhou Heming, you're a real piece of work.

Zhou Heming cursed himself inwardly.

"Go take a shower first, otherwise you'll catch a cold. I'll change the sheets and duvet cover later."

"Ah."

Lu Qian nodded gently, then raised her hand, and the blanket covering her body slid down as she asked for a hug.

"My legs feel a little weak, I can't walk anymore."

The girl's soft, nasal voice stirred a flutter in Zhou Heming's heart.

He gently embraced Lu Qian's beautifully shaped back, and with his other hand he reached between her knees and lifted her up in a princess carry.

Once they arrived at the bathroom, Zhou Heming put it down.

However, just as he was about to go out to get Lu Qian a change of clothes and slippers, the girl grabbed his wrist.

"Bring yours too, let's wash them together, and then..."

Her voice was soft and shy.

"Bring in another one of those."

*
end of August.

Ningjiang University.

People come and go on campus.

Students with suitcases arrived in droves, and volunteers wearing armbands greeted and guided new students at the entrance.

"Then I'll go report over there first."

Lu Bai pointed to the other side, the girls' dormitory area.

Because they live off-campus, they need to apply for off-campus accommodation. Although many schools do not allow freshmen and sophomores to live off-campus, the art college is special and does not have this problem. Zhou Heming's application was approved quickly because he knew Cui Ming.

However, to submit a report, you still need to fill out the form at the registration desk in your respective dormitory.

"Okay, send me a message when you're done."

Zhou Heming responded and waved until Lu Bai and many other freshmen disappeared around the corner before turning back.

During this time, he and Lu Bai prepared for the start of the new school year, spending the last part of their summer vacation before their senior year of high school.

During the day, they would go to tourist attractions in Ningjiang City or stay at home watching TV, buying groceries, and cooking.

In the evening, take a walk around the neighborhood, and then, amidst intertwined love, fall asleep in each other's arms.

It was as if the two were already married.

According to director Lu Ban, the series should be released in mid-to-late September.

Coincidentally, the college student variety show that Lu Bai and Zhou Heming are going to participate in will also start filming in September.

Therefore, the two of them only need to do some simple related learning and can avoid military training, which is a fortunate thing.

"This is the science faculty side, for the science faculty freshmen."

"Those from the School of Humanities, this way, junior."

Are there any new students from the Computer Science department? Are there any female students from the Computer Science department?

Along the sycamore-lined road, volunteers enthusiastically called out, and many freshmen dragging suitcases went over to ask how to get to the dormitory building. Zhou Heming didn't need to ask; he and Lu Bai had already figured out the specific layout of the school during their evening walks in the previous days, so he headed familiarly towards the registration area.

His phone vibrated; he saw it was a message from Lu Bai.

[Lu Bai]: Wow, I saw a celebrity!

[Lu Bai]: [Image]

She seems to be a girl who acted in a theatrical film during high school, and she's also a freshman this year.

[Zhou Heming]: I didn't see it.

[Lu Bai]: It's the one in the middle of the picture wearing a blue dress.

[Lu Bai]: I don't know which class she's in, but I have quite a few friends who are her fans.

[Zhou Heming]: I didn't see any celebrities in the photos.

[Zhou Heming]: I guess the celebrity is the one taking the photo.

[Lu Bai]: Hahahaha, you don't need to praise me every time you get the chance, or I'll get arrogant.

[Lu Bai]: I've gone to report for duty!!!
[Lu Bai]: Let's talk later!

[Zhou Heming]: Okay, don't forget the things.

Zhou Heming replied to messages as he climbed the stairs.

Ahead, a girl was struggling to lift her suitcase and climb up this section of concrete steps.

Zhou Heming put his phone back in his pocket, then casually helped the other person grab the handle of their suitcase and lift it up.

Let me help you.

"Thank you~"

The girl spoke in a light and bright voice.

Zhou Heming stood there, stunned.

Because he saw that Cheng Shuangjiang was responding to his gaze, standing there with a smile on her face. She was no longer the indifference and coldness of her eighteen-year-old self. Instead, she seemed to have been reborn, with a gentleness like moonlight.

Just like when we first met.

"Ah He, it's been a long time."

She looked at Zhou Heming with a clear smile, as if they were reunited after a long separation, or as if they had known each other for a long time.

Let's have a happy day today!

*
(Volume 2, A Journey of Intermittent Movements, The End)
Tomorrow I'll be updating with a free volume-end summary, briefly discussing Volume 2, and also a preview of Volume 3.

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(End of this chapter)