My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 162 What if I feel guilty?

The last lesson is over.

The production team also allowed time for the guests to say goodbye to the children individually.

Because many children are very reserved when facing the camera for the first time, the production team put away the cameras during this final period, allowing the children to naturally say goodbye to their older brothers and sisters.

Including the families of the herders they had visited before, there were more than twenty children who were crying pitifully at first. It took Lu Bai and the others a long time to calm them down before they finally stopped crying.

They also gathered around their favorite teachers.

Lu Bai was the most numerous. She looked like a queen of the kids, and she taught art, which had the least academic pressure, so she had the best relationship with the children.

There were also quite a few people around Ji Yanshi and Cheng Shuangjiang.

As for the boys...

When the three of them got together, only five children came over to say goodbye right away.

On average, each person has less than two.

Moreover, three of them were looking for Liu Xunzhu, while only one was looking for Xiang Yunlang and Zhou Heming.

It's probably because Liu Xunzhu teaches physical education, so there's not much academic burden and she can have fun.

"If you have any questions in the future, just ask Teacher Fu. She will definitely answer them for you."

Zhou Heming patted the boy on the shoulder.

The boy is ten years old this year. In Zhou Heming's words, he has a good sense of language and a strong ability to express himself in writing. So he also encourages the boy to write some narrative essays and modern poems.

The program crew did not allow them to leave their contact information for the children.

Because there was a similar variety show before, the artists were very moved and left their agency's contact information with the locals. As a result, the locals would call to ask for money for everything, big or small. If they didn't get a timely reply or the money wasn't given, they would report it online.

In addition, apart from Ji Yanshi, these guests are just ordinary students. If they were to encounter this situation again, it would be even more difficult to handle and could lead to public opinion problems, so they were simply not kept.

It can only be said that human nature is complex, and even with good intentions, one may still end up doing bad things.

"Ah."

The boy nodded, glanced at the girl, and then looked at Zhou Heming.

"Teacher Zhou, do you... like Teacher Cheng?"

"?"

A question mark appeared above Zhou Heming's head.

Where did you hear that there was no organized segment for watching variety shows among these children?

Or is it that obvious?
Zhou Heming felt a little guilty.

He felt that he had already kept his distance from Cheng Shuangjiang, and that even a child shouldn't be able to tell.

I glanced over at the other people; everyone was having a great time with their children, and no one seemed to notice us.

Fortunately.

No, what am I afraid of?
Zhou Heming felt a surge of self-righteousness, but soon realized that he couldn't seem to be completely innocent.

Who told you that?

He asked the boy.

“I feel that way, just like my sister and her husband.”

The boy used the word "husband," which is very formal.

"Did you tell anyone else?"

Zhou Heming said in a deep voice.

"No, because they all say that Teacher Zhou likes Teacher Lu, so they definitely don't believe it."

The boy appeared quite mature.

"Teacher Zhou, will you marry Teacher Cheng?"

Phew——

Zhou Heming almost spat out his drink.

"What did you say?"

"Does Teacher Zhou not like Teacher Cheng?"

The boy was clearly a little confused.

"I like it, that's all."

Zhou Heming spoke the truth.

His biggest flaw in life is that he can't lie.

"Then why don't you get married? My sister and her husband got married."

The boy persisted.

Because his Mandarin is actually a second language, his expressions in many places are somewhat inconsistent with his age and sound a bit stiff.

"how to say."

Zhou Heming didn't want to instill strange ideas in the child, but he also didn't want to ruin his beautiful imagination of love.

After hesitating for a moment, he said in a low voice.

"It's not the right time yet, at least not now."

When will Teacher Zhou and Teacher Cheng get married?

The boy followed up with his question.

You're having a hard time getting married today, aren't you?

"Well."

Thinking of this, Zhou Heming suddenly had an inspiration and cleared his throat.

"When sparrows alight on the stone lions."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

The boy didn't understand.

He had never actually seen a stone lion, nor had he ever seen a sparrow.

"When you understand this sentence, you will know the teacher's answer."

Zhou Heming nodded.

The boy fell into thought, confused, but thankfully didn't press the matter further.

Zhou Heming glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang subconsciously.

He noticed that the other person had inadvertently looked in his direction as well.

The mere moment their eyes met made Zhou Heming feel as if he had been electrocuted, and he immediately turned his face away.

The farewell ceremony ended quickly.

Early the next morning.

The group boarded the bus for their return journey, and after the same transfers they had taken on their way there, they finally arrived back at Ningjiang Airport.

Back at the university by bus, Zhou Heming could still hear the sounds of military training slogans, and he wondered how Jiang Rui and the others were doing in their training.

In three days, it will be the National Day holiday, and the military training will also be coming to an end.

Filming wasn't actually over yet. The group arrived at the classroom where they had first met, and the production team turned on the large projection screen.

"We interviewed each student, asking them what they wanted to do in the future, and recorded it into a video. This video will be played as the ending theme of the final episode. Now, let's take a look."

"As the assistant director said, He Youwu.

Several college students nodded and looked at the projection screen.

The scene begins with a girl who is about eight or nine years old.

She seemed a little shy; when asked a question by a staff member, she hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I want to be a doctor in the future, just like that aunt in town, so I can save people."

The scene changes, and it's another boy.

"I want to be a policeman in the future, to catch bad guys, and to protect the cattle and sheep at home."

"I want to be an actor, a big star like Teacher Ji."

"I want to herd sheep with my older brother and sister and take good care of the sheep at home so they can grow up healthy and plump."

Their wishes were spoken one by one, and they were all kinds of strange and wonderful. Some wanted to be ordinary doctors or police officers, while others wanted to be little princesses or even e-sports players.

The children's words were simple and unpretentious, and their wishes for the future were also very down-to-earth, mostly learned from textbooks, mobile phones, the internet, and adult conversations.

therefore.

Even if some of them have never seen a firefighter or an e-sports player, or even understand what they are, they will still have that kind of desire.

At this age, they dream about the future without any worries.

At this point, the boy who had previously questioned Zhou Heming appeared on camera last.

“I want to be a teacher and teach other children like me, so that the desert can be turned into an oasis. Because, as my teacher said, every word we learn will become a seed, take root and sprout, and eventually bloom into a field of flowers in the desert.”

The video ends.

"Well then, that concludes the filming of this variety show. Thank you all for your hard work!"

He Youwu and the program crew bowed to the six guests.

The six people stood up to return the greeting.

There were some other minor issues afterward, but the actual filming ended there.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

Lu Bai immediately hugged Zhou Heming's arm, looking like a clingy little girlfriend.

"so far so good."

Zhou Heming laughed.

"But the National Day holiday is coming soon, so it feels like there's a long holiday followed by another one."

"Don't you feel tired?"

Lu Bai countered with a question.

"Maybe it's because I don't have any burdens that I'm not tired?"

Zhou Heming glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang, who was still sitting in her chair looking at her phone, seemingly sending messages.

"How about we have a meal together?"

At this moment, Ji Yanshi suddenly spoke up, stopping Xiang Yunlang and the others who were about to get up.

"It's rare for us to meet. How about we have a meal together since there's no filming? It's on me."

She made the suggestion.

"Let's split the bill."

Liu Xunzhu replied.

"Well, let's each pay our own way."

Xiang Yunlang hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Where are the three of you?"

Ji Yanshi almost let it slip, and quickly corrected himself.

"We're fine."

Zhou Heming glanced at Lu Bai, who nodded, and answered. Everyone looked at Cheng Shuangjiang.

She put down her phone.

"it is good."

She reverted to the calm demeanor of an eighteen-year-old girl.

"Let's pack our things first. I'll book a private room at a nearby restaurant. We'll contact each other in the group chat later."

Ji Yanshi waved his phone, having already created a small group chat with the six people.

"Cheng Shuangjiang, shall we go back together?"

Lu Bai extended an invitation.

"You guys go ahead, I have some things to take care of at the school."

Cheng Shuangjiang declined her invitation.

"Well, being in the top class is busy."

Lu Bai pouted.

"That's the academician class."

Zhou Heming corrected her, looking at Cheng Shuangjiang.

"Then, see you tonight."

"Ah."

Cheng Shuangjiang looked away, not glancing at Zhou Heming.

*
evening.

Zhou Heming and Lu Bai tidied themselves up at home, changed their clothes, and went to a Ningjiang cuisine restaurant near the school.

"I've eaten here a few times before. It's a modified version of Ningjiang cuisine, and the taste is pretty good."

Sitting in the rather refined and elegant private room, Ji Yanshi introduced herself as a local from Ningjiang, who was essentially the owner.

"Could it be something we ate at the wrap party for the film crew?"

Lu Bai flipped through the menu, glancing at items like Boston lobster, Australian lobster, and king crab, before looking at the prices of the dishes at the back.

Restaurants that only have menus and no QR code ordering are usually frequented by wealthy and powerful individuals.

"No, I ate it with my family."

Ji Yanshi smiled.

That's even scarier now.

However, even so, Zhou Heming had secretly checked the average cost per person at this restaurant before he came, which was around 150 yuan, which was considered cheap considering the style of the decor.

It seems to be going for a modern Chinese style, not a purely business meal.

"Xiang Yunlang, take a look and order whatever you want to eat."

She pushed another menu in front of Xiang Yunlang.

".good."

Xiang Yunlang was still a little uneasy. He had hardly ever been to a place like this before, and looking at the prices on the menu, he felt somewhat uncertain.

Zhou Heming could tell that Xiang Yunlang was only going along with the dinner party because he was somewhat reluctant.

After ordering food, the group chatted about school life while waiting.

During their month-long stay in Hanhai Township, everyone had become quite familiar with each other. However, back then, their conversations were mostly about the program because of the cameras, and rarely touched on their personal lives or schools. Now that they are all acquaintances, they are more relaxed.

Ji Yanshi would chat about gossip from the film crew, and she and Lu Bai would exchange knowing smiles.

Liu Xunzhu would tell stories and anecdotes about school that she had heard from her parents.

Even Xiang Yunlang talked about some interesting things that happened to him at school.

Zhou Heming glanced at Cheng Shuangjiang sitting next to Lu Bai out of the corner of his eye. She didn't say anything, but just listened quietly and responded occasionally.

She looked a bit softer than her earliest appearance, but she still didn't have the same ease and confidence as her future self.

Because everyone was young, even without drinking, the conversation became quite heated after a few rounds of drinks.

"That's right, I knew a producer before. The first time I met him, he looked like a proper recent graduate. But when I ran into him a year later, he had a lip piercing, dyed his hair blue, and had several tattoos on his chest. It was a bit scary."

Ji Yanshi chatted about some gossip in the film and television industry, which everyone listened to with great interest.

As we chatted, the conversation drifted to variety shows.

"Actually, I was really worried that you two would start arguing."

Lu Bai looked at Liu Xunzhu and Xiang Yunlang.

Zhou Heming guessed that she wanted to take this opportunity to let the two of them talk things out.

"How could that be? I'm more than envious of Liu Xunzhu."

Xiang Yunlang explained with a smile, glancing at Liu Xunzhu beside him.

Liu Xunzhu did not respond, but took a sip of tea and continued speaking.

Actually, you are the one I envy.

"What are you talking about?"

Xiang Yunlang was taken aback, then realized that Liu Xunzhu was insulting him.

No, I mean it.

Liu Xunzhu paused, seemingly preparing himself, before speaking.

"You might think that because I come from a wealthy family and grew up with a silver spoon in my mouth, I can make those kinds of 'easy-going' remarks, but actually, I have had similar feelings."

Xiang Yunlang did not refute, but listened quietly.

The others at the table also looked at him, but Lu Bai still occasionally picked up his chopsticks and ate a bite of food.

"Because my parents are university professors, all my achievements from childhood to adulthood have been taken for granted. My good academic performance is due to family genetics, my good sports performance is due to good nutrition from childhood, and my calm and sensible personality is due to excellent family upbringing."

Zhou Heming had previously read Liu Xunzhu's comments online, and they were indeed as he had said.

"So, if I get a top score, no one will praise me. On the contrary, if I do poorly, everyone will shake their heads and sigh, thinking that I have let my parents down."

Liu Xunzhu spoke calmly, as if he was already used to it.

"People online will say that although we are on the same level now, my future development will probably be better than yours because my family can support me. People will think that you are more worthy of respect."

Xiang Yunlang was slightly taken aback.

What Liu Xunzhu said was true. Even though the two of them were studying at Ningjiang University now, their future development was incomparable.

Some people online believe that Xiang Yunlang, who came from a small mountain village, is more outstanding than Liu Xunzhu.

"That may be true, but sometimes I really envy you, because everyone thinks that everything you have achieved is the result of your own hard work, while everything I have achieved through hard work is attributed to my family."

Liu Xunzhu said in a deep voice, somewhat wistful.

“And I understand very well that I may never reach the heights of my parents in my lifetime, and I will live in their shadow for the rest of my life.”

After all, his parents' success was due not only to their personal efforts but also to the progress of the times, and it is difficult to replicate in this day and age.

"That's why I participated in variety shows. I wanted to see if I could do something well in a field that my parents had never been involved in."

"You did a great job."

Ji Yanshi said, picking up his phone and opening relevant topics on social media.

"Look, there are quite a few people online who support you and think you have a lot of personality."

"Yes, as you said yourself, there's no need to live according to other people's opinions. Just be true to yourself."

Lu Bai placed a piece of meat into Zhou Heming's bowl.

Do I have a clear conscience?

Zhou Heming looked at the meat in his bowl but didn't touch his chopsticks.

"Speaking of this."

Perhaps to change the subject and ease the tension, Ji Yanshi turned his gaze toward Zhou Heming.

"So, what exactly is the situation with the three of you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Yanshi was stunned and immediately waved his hand.

"I was just saying it offhand, don't take it to heart, you don't have to answer."

They noticed that all three of them were looking in their direction.

Zhou Heming paused for a moment, then spoke.

"I used to like her." "I used to like him."

Almost simultaneously, Cheng Shuangjiang also spoke, their words overlapping and spoken in unison.

Does having liked someone mean you've already broken up?

Ji Yanshi recalled the claims made online.

Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang exchanged a glance, and then Zhou spoke first.

"That's pretty much it."

"Oh."

Ji Yanshi didn't dare to ask any more questions. She glanced at Lu Bai and said something as if to make amends.

"Actually, you can still be friends after breaking up, as long as you draw clear lines, stay innocent, and have a clear conscience."

Neither Zhou Heming nor Cheng Shuangjiang spoke.

"Are there any dishes we haven't been served yet?"

Lu Bai then flipped through the bill, shifting the conversation back to the food.

The dinner party quickly came to an end.

Zhou Heming waved goodbye to the three of them and waited downstairs for Lu Bai and Cheng Shuangjiang to come out of the restroom.

In the group chat, Ji Yanshi, who was in charge of settling accounts, posted a message about collecting payments. Zhou Heming clicked on it and found that it was much cheaper than he had expected.

Ji Yanshi said there was a discount with a membership card, but Zhou Heming guessed that she probably cut off most of the cost to avoid embarrassing Xiang Yunlang, who was a bit strapped for cash.

Is this what emotional intelligence is?

Zhou Heming felt he had learned something.

However, he doesn't seem to have many opportunities to treat people to meals.

Hearing footsteps, Zhou Heming looked up and saw Cheng Shuangjiang slowly walking down the stairs.

"Lu Bai will be down right away."

She said.

The two stood on the street, waiting for Lu Bai.

The bustling crowds on the street reminded Zhou Heming of the first time he came to Ningjiang, when the two of them took a walk here.

Turning his head, he saw that Cheng Shuangjiang was looking away, as if she had been staring at him the whole time.

Zhou Heming looked away.

At that moment, Cheng Shuangjiang's voice came.

"if."