My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 143 It's too crowded for three people here.

It's normal to see Cheng Shuangjiang in the big shopping mall next to the school.

Especially at this start of the school year, it's different from the time Zhou Heming heard his parents talk about going to university. Now, many students are arriving lightly dressed, without any unnecessary items. They either shop online or buy things at supermarkets outside the school.

Moreover, as classmates and roommates who have just met, it is reasonable for them to go out for a walk around the school, have a meal, and buy some things at the supermarket.

Zhou Heming glanced at her and realized she was all alone.

Looking into her shopping cart, besides a cloth tote bag, there were some toiletries and a pack of sanitary napkins.

Put it this way.

She should have been doing this around the same time as Ashen.

Zhou Heming had once heard that if girls who are close friends spend a lot of time together, their periods will gradually synchronize. He didn't know if it was true or not, but he knew that A Qian would probably get her period in a couple of days.

"Hey, Cheng Shuangjiang, are you alone?"

Lu Bai also noticed that she was all alone.

"Yeah~"

Cheng Shuangjiang responded and lined up behind them.

"Is this enough for you?"

Lu Bai did not become cold or hostile towards Cheng Shuangjiang because of what she said during lunch. On the contrary, he felt a sense of emotion, as if he were seeing an old friend he had not seen for a long time.

"Let's use it for now, anyway, the supermarket is nearby, and..."

Cheng Shuangjiang smiled and looked at Zhou Heming.

"I still really enjoy shopping at supermarkets. Sometimes when I find discounted items, it feels like I've discovered a treasure."

"Yeah, this seems to be on sale, but I don't usually use this brand. Is it any good?"

Lu Bai and she discussed their experiences using sanitary napkins.

Zhou Heming felt like an outsider, only able to pretend to look around at the scenery, observing the students coming and going, and making human observations.

but.

He glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang's shopping cart.

According to Zhou Heming's impression, Cheng Shuangjiang was not the kind of person who would go to the supermarket specifically to buy shampoo and toothpaste; when they were together, they would buy these things online.

Is it because of the scholarships given by the school that you are not so strapped for cash?
According to the figures Cheng Shuangjiang told him, even if the money was distributed over four years, the amount Cheng Shuangjiang received would be enough to make her a small-time rich woman, so she wouldn't have to be so restrained.

Reading has indeed changed some people's destinies.

Lu Bai gave the cashier his membership points card phone number, paid the bill, and stood outside waiting for Cheng Shuangjiang.

To be honest, Zhou Heming was a little uneasy.

He didn't know how to face Cheng Shuangjiang.

From Lu Bai's reaction, Zhou Heming was able to confirm that the person standing in front of him was his first love, the girl who had once loved him and made vows to him.

She also said that she still loves him.

Zhou Heming once loved her.

If Lu Bai tells Zhou Heming, "I don't like Cheng Shuangjiang, you should stay away from her, and we shouldn't associate with her,"...

Zhou Heming actually felt a bit relieved.

But now, Lu Bai is chatting and exchanging ideas with Cheng Shuangjiang as if nothing happened, just like the three of them used to do back in school.

He could probably understand Lu Bai's thoughts.

For example, even when Cheng Shuangjiang was with him, she was still willing to travel with Lu Bai and the other two.

Lu Bai also believes that the best situation for the three of them is to be together, and no one will get hurt as a result.

Lu Bai believed Zhou Heming and that what he said when he rejected Cheng Shuangjiang at noon was not false, which is why he acted this way.

After all, even disregarding Zhou Heming, Lu Bai and Cheng Shuangjiang are good friends.

The relationship between the three of them was never really normal from the beginning.

"Heming, I just invited Cheng Shuangjiang to our house for dinner."

Watching Cheng Shuangjiang give the cashier her points card number and scan the code to pay, Zhou Heming put all the items in the shopping cart into a plastic bag.

After thinking for a moment, he put the small box at the very bottom.

"When we get back, let's buy some cold dishes on the back street and add them to our meal."

Zhou Heming replied that the shop owner was from Sichuan and the food was quite authentic, which Lu Bai liked very much.

He saw Cheng Shuangjiang put the shampoo, toothpaste, and sanitary napkins into a cloth tote bag, a familiar sight from Cheng Shuangjiang.

Only then did Zhou Heming belatedly realize what was happening.

Could it be.

Did Cheng Shuangjiang come here specifically to buy random things in order to bump into them at the supermarket?

he does not know.

Cheng Shuangjiang walked over with a smile.

"Let's go~"

She seemed quite excited.

The three of them left the supermarket, bought a large portion of mixed cold dishes in the back street, and walked into the apartment complex where they rented a place.

"As expected, Ah He still chose this neighborhood."

Cheng Shuangjiang looked at the retired old men sitting idly at the entrance of the community, playing chess and scrolling through their phones, and said softly.

"Yes, and it's the same set you mentioned before."

Lu Bai said.

"Really? Is that landlord a nice person?"

Cheng Shuangjiang spoke as if she were the one who introduced them to the landlord.

Well, in terms of the results, that's certainly true.

Zhou Heming carried shopping bags in both hands and followed them upstairs.

Lu Bai opened the door.

"Please come in, no need to change your shoes."

"Uh huh, excuse me for bothering you."

Cheng Shuangjiang walked into the room and looked around, as if she wanted to imprint the scene here into her mind.

This is the house where she and Zhou Heming had agreed to live together during university.

"You really do remember to plant some flowers and plants."

Seeing the carefully tended mini potted plants on the kitchen windowsill, Cheng Shuangjiang smiled and pointed.

Zhou Heming, who was taking things out of his shopping bag, paused.

"Yes, I bought this at the supermarket last week; it was on sale."

Lu Bai nodded and picked up one of the basins.

"Look, this is said to bloom in spring, hopefully it will survive the winter safely."

"Definitely."

Cheng Shuangjiang nodded and came to Zhou Heming's side.

"I'm here to help."

"No need, you're a guest."

Zhou Heming blocked Cheng Shuangjiang's hand.

"it does not matter."

She persisted and picked up the ribs.

"I've made something of myself, having the top scorer in the province cook for me."

Lu Bai spoke up jokingly at the right time, leaving Zhou Heming with no choice but to watch Cheng Shuangjiang take out the ribs and rinse them in cold water.

The two were busy in the slightly cramped kitchen, occasionally accidentally touching each other's arms.

Zhou Heming glanced nervously at Cheng Shuangjiang, but the girl didn't seem to care and didn't even look in his direction.

Lu Bai sat at the table next to him, scrolling through his phone.

"Hey, there's a picture of Cheng Shuangjiang on the confession wall."

She called out, then stomped over to Zhou Heming in her slippers.

Zhou Heming glanced at it.

hum-

My heart almost skipped a beat.

Because he belatedly realized that someone had taken photos when he helped Cheng Shuangjiang carry her luggage that morning.

If someone exaggerates or embellishes the story, then their reputation will be ruined.

It seems I'll have to avoid Cheng Shuangjiang at school from now on.

However, the photos on the confession wall were not from that time, but from when she went to report for duty.

[The freshman campus belle is in the running, and she seems to be a top student from a science-major academic class. Does anyone know more details?]

That's what the commenter said.

The confession wall naturally had the most posts about new students, and the post with Cheng Shuangjiang's photo had the most replies, making it a lively and bustling place.

Of course, some people were also asking for information, some were making abstract jokes, and others were saying that the person who posted the thread was a fool.

Some people still have doubts.

[What era are we living in? School beauty? If I had to pick the prettiest girl, I'd say Ji Yanshi from the School of Film and Television. She's a real actress, beautiful inside and out!]

[Wasn't it agreed that film school students wouldn't be included in the campus beauty pageant? How are they supposed to compete now? But judging from these photos taken by passersby, I think this girl's looks are just as good as those from film school!]

There are many pretty girls, but pretty girls with excellent grades are extremely rare. The science academician class only has thirty students a year—the thirty most outstanding students in the entire cohort—and no more than five of them are girls. That gives you an idea of ​​just how exceptional these girls are!

[According to a news report from a neighboring school, this girl is apparently the top science student in the neighboring province, scoring 743 points on the college entrance exam—her raw score without any bonus points!]

[Who are you kidding? Someone who scored 740 on the college entrance exam would come to our crappy Ningbo University?]

"Ji Yanshi is the girl whose photo I sent you today. Isn't she very pretty?"

Lu Bai put his phone away.

"No impression."

Zhou Heming really didn't remember.

I think you're prettier.

"Tsk tsk, all you do is talk nonsense. How's the ribs coming along?"

Despite her obvious disdain, Lu Bai smiled broadly as she peered into the pot.

"After blanching, pressure cook it to speed up the process."

Zhou Heming pointed to the electric pressure cooker.

Lu Bai likes his ribs to be tender. Normally, they would need to be simmered for a long time, but by using a pressure cooker, it only takes about ten minutes to achieve the effect of stewing for an hour.

"Great."

Lu Bai nodded.

Cheng Shuangjiang turned around and bumped into Zhou Heming's arm.

"Excuse me." Zhou Heming took half a step back and bumped into Lu Bai's chest again.

"It's too crowded for three people here."

Lu Bai took half a step outside.

"I'm done here, you guys just keep an eye on the fire~"

Cheng Shuangjiang had already washed her hands and returned to the living room, leaving Lu Bai and Zhou Heming in the kitchen.

"Can I help you with anything?"

Lu Bai was in high spirits.

"Then, go wash the vegetables, and I'll peel the potatoes."

Zhou Heming dared not let Lu Bai use the peeler; it was better for him to do some simple tasks and have a sense of participation.

"Cheng Shuangjiang, please sit for a while. The tablet is in my room; you can use it to watch some videos."

Lu Bai didn't forget to take care of Cheng Shuangjiang, who was alone at the dining table.

"Okay~"

Cheng Shuangjiang walked towards the bedroom.

From the kitchen came the sound of Lu Bai chatting and laughing with Zhou Heming.

Cheng Shuangjiang didn't turn around. She looked at the bed, which wasn't very tidy. The blankets and sheets were messy, and the pillows weren't in the right positions. It was easy to imagine how the two of them ended up sleeping on this bed.

On the bedroom table were Lu Bai's cosmetics, Zhou Heming's razor charging, and some stationery, paper, pens, textbooks, and so on.

There is a small sofa on one side of the bedroom, with clothes casually placed on it, waiting to be thrown into the washing machine.

On the balcony at the far end, two people's clothes were hanging: T-shirts, shorts, pajamas, jeans, and underwear.

Just like the promise Cheng Shuangjiang and Zhou Heming had made.

On the windowsill, several potted green plants are thriving, reflecting the tender sunset.

"Grow up quickly!"

She whispered to the plants.

With a touch of reluctance, Cheng Shuangjiang withdrew her gaze, picked up the tablet from the table, and returned to the living room.

*
Dinner went fairly smoothly, at least for Zhou Heming.

He discovered that if he treated Cheng Shuangjiang as just a good friend, like Qiao Jinchen and Xu Youyou, then getting along with her would actually be very pleasant.

And in fact.

As Cheng Shuangjiang herself said, she did not force Zhou Heming or Lu Bai to do anything.

She has a very good sense of propriety and boundaries, and will not take the initiative to interfere in the interactions between the two people in their relationship.

If it weren't for his previous remarks, Zhou Heming wouldn't have even thought that Cheng Shuangjiang had romantic feelings for him.

but.

This is precisely what makes Zhou Heming feel uneasy.

because.

He realized that his current unease about Cheng Shuangjiang's presence stemmed from the fact that he still seemed to care about the girl to some extent.

Some people, just by standing there, are enough to stir up a storm.

"Oh right, I also bought a cake, perfect for dessert."

Around 9 p.m., after dinner and helping to clean up, Lu Bai got up and took a lemon mousse cake from the refrigerator.

Cheng Shuangjiang looked at the cake.

Zhou Heming looked at Cheng Shuangjiang.

"Then I'll just eat a little bit. It's been so long since I've had Ah He's cooking, I couldn't help but eat a little more, and I'm still a bit full."

Cheng Shuangjiang smiled.

"It's okay, just try it. It's not big, I can finish it by myself."

Lu Bai said it as if it were just a casual remark.

She placed the cake on the table, unpacked it, cut it into four pieces with a plastic knife, and handed one of them to Cheng Shuangjiang.

"Thank you, Ah Bai."

Cheng Shuangjiang took it, but didn't eat it right away.

"He Ming, here you go."

Lu Bai handed another piece to Zhou Heming.

Zhou Heming stared at the cake on the paper plate, somewhat dazed.

"Come on, have a taste."

Lu Bai picked up the plastic fork and took a bite.

"The taste seems a bit different from the one in Jiangcheng. It's not as sweet, but the lemon flavor is stronger, and the cream is a bit thinner. I like this one."

She truly is a gourmet; she quickly discerned the subtle nuances of flavor.

Zhou Heming took a bite as well.

Indeed, it wasn't as sweet as it used to be.

He glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang.

The girl carefully scooped out a spoonful and put it in her mouth.

"I think they each have their own flavor, but personally, I think Jiangcheng's is better."

Cheng Shuangjiang gave her answer.

"What does Heming think? Which one tastes better?"

Lu Bai asked casually, and then ate another spoonful.

"I think"

Zhou Heming thought he was probably overthinking it; Lu Bai was probably just asking about the taste of the cake, not using it as a pretext to inquire about something else.

of course.

Even if there was an underlying meaning, Zhou Heming's answer would not change.

"I think the food here tastes better; it's not as greasy as it is."

Finally, he added one more sentence.

"And after all, the price is twice as much."

"That's definitely Ah-He's style of evaluation criteria."

Cheng Shuangjiang smiled gently.

"Then you should eat more; one bite costs several dollars."

Lu Bai smiled and handed his fork, which was filled with cake, to Zhou Heming.

Zhou Heming glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang on the other side, then opened his mouth and ate the piece she offered him.

Cheng Shuangjiang's expression remained unchanged as she focused intently on enjoying the cake.

The three chatted about their experiences at Ningjiang University while finishing their cake.

"I had a lot of fun today, so I'll head home now!"

"The dorm has a curfew, right? Then I really need to go back."

Lu Bai got up to see her off.

"Ah."

Cheng Shuang nodded and then asked the two of them to sit down.

"No need to see me off, it's just a short walk. You still need to pack up."

She arrived at the door.

"Well then, goodbye~"

"Bye-Bye!"

Lu Bai waved.

"Goodbye."

Zhou Heming still got up and came to her.

"How about I take you to the entrance of your apartment complex?"

"No need, you stay with Ah Bai."

Cheng Shuangjiang said softly, casually raising her hand to remove a loose thread from Zhou Heming's clothes.

She opened the door, stood in the doorway, glanced back, and then closed the door.

"The crane cries."

Zhou Heming was still standing at the door when Lu Bai hugged him from behind.

To be precise.

It's Asahi.

Her earlobe was bitten, and a girl's murmured voice came through.

"how?"

Zhou Heming grasped her hands that were wrapped around his waist.

"miss you."

Her voice was sweet and cloying, like the cake she had just eaten.

So Zhou Heming turned around and faced A Qian.

The girl tiptoed and gently kissed Zhou Heming.

This was a passionate, deep, and lingering kiss, with the aroma of lemon mousse cake.

Only now did Zhou Heming finally understand why Lu Bai wanted to buy this cake.

It was simply so that the taste of memories could be imbued with her colors.

When Zhou Heming saw these things again, he no longer thought of someone far away, but of her, who was right next to him.

The two, their breaths mingling, leaned against the door, making a soft knocking sound.

For a long time, the lips are divided.

Aqian brushed the hair that had fallen beside her ear, took off the bracelet, tied her hair up, and then, under Zhou Heming's gaze, slowly squatted down.

The light shining through the cat's eyes was sometimes obscured, and from outside the door, one could vaguely glimpse the long, drawn-out sighs inside the house, which were sometimes drowned out by the calls of wild cats.

Cheng Shuangjiang stood there, staring at the door of Zhou Heming and Lu Bai's rented room for a long time before finally managing a faint smile.

then.

In that moment when the lonely cicada song abruptly ceased at the end of August.

Take out the key.

Insert it into the lock of the door next door and give it a gentle twist.

Click——

The door opened.

*
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(End of this chapter)