My girlfriend was reborn.

Chapter 96 He's been staying at my house these past few days.

When Zhou Heming woke up, he was in a daze for a moment.

The unfamiliar environment gave him a feeling of being transported to another world.

However, he soon recalled what happened last night.

The blanket was still covering me, and the sound of the air conditioner running provided a comfortable background noise.

He took out his phone, which was charging on the coffee table, and saw that the time was 8:05 a.m.

Turning to look at the bedroom, the sliding door was still open, and Lu Bai was still asleep. Because the heating was too hot, only half of his body was covered by the blanket. He was lying face down in a very bad sleeping posture, with a classic shark pillow from the furniture store in his arms.

Feeling the dryness in his throat, Zhou Heming got up, took the dark green mug that Lu Bai had redeemed with points at the convenience store yesterday, poured himself a glass of water, and drank it all in one gulp.

After washing up and getting ready, he went to the kitchen counter on one side of the porch.

Zhou Heming didn't have the habit of eating breakfast. He would only buy fried dough sticks and fried dough fritters when he was with Cheng Shuangjiang. He thought that a foodie like Lu Bai would not miss any opportunity to eat properly.

Thinking of making some breakfast, the boy opened the refrigerator and found only the bottle of soda he hadn't finished yesterday, some canned food, two apples, a box of braised food that he probably bought the day before yesterday, a 1L bottle of milk that had been opened, and a bag of bread that was a third of the way through.

There weren't even any eggs.

As for the kitchen counter, there were no seasonings at all, only a few packs of instant noodles.

The term "lazy person" refers to someone who buys instant noodles in cup form, eats them, and then throws them away without having to wash the dishes.

There was a brand-new rice cooker and an unopened bag of rice in the cupboard. It was obviously a frying pan given away as a free gift during a promotion. There were also a few porcelain bowls that I don’t know when they were bought, and the plastic seals were still on.

Unfortunately, Zhou Heming does not have the habit of eating rice for breakfast.

He could only take out the bread.

Just then, the sound of a girl whimpering came from the bedroom.

Zhou Heming poured two glasses of milk and placed them on the coffee table. Just then, he saw Lu Bai stretching and sitting up from the bed.

"Good morning."

He said hello.

"!"

Lu Bai shuddered suddenly and instinctively covered his body with the blanket. After seeing Zhou Heming clearly, he breathed a sigh of relief and rubbed his hair.

"Good morning, I almost forgot you were here, you scared me to death."

"You only have bread and milk in your fridge, just make do with that."

Zhou Heming sat on the sofa, folded the blanket neatly, and placed it next to the cushion.

"I was even saying I'd go downstairs to eat at McDonald's."

Lu Bai picked up his phone.

"It's only 8:30. It feels like I've suddenly gained a few extra hours in my life."

She was quite surprised.

Not planning to go back to sleep, Lu Bai climbed out of bed and, wearing slippers, hurried to the bathroom to wash up.

After Zhou Heming finished a set of practice questions on his phone, the girl, dressed in short sleeves and shorts and radiating youthful energy, picked up her cup and gulped it down.

"Stop doing your homework! It's a rare holiday, relax for a couple of days!"

Lu Bai went to the bedroom, drew back the curtains, and then snatched Zhou Heming's phone from his back.

"Ok."

Zhou Heming watched helplessly as Lu Bai sat down next to him, half a person's distance away. Her long, fair legs shone brightly in the dim light from the window, dazzling to the eye.

"What are our plans for today?"

Lu Bai returned the phone to Zhou Heming and picked up her own phone, which had been on the coffee table.

"Yes, because my uncle needs help with the preparations, we can go over after lunch."

Zhou Heming opened WeChat and sent a message to Zhou Jianjun.

[Zhou Heming]: Uncle, I'm bringing someone with me to dinner tonight.

[Zhou Jianjun]: [Voice]

Zhou Heming originally wanted to use the voice-to-text function, but his hand slipped and the audio played instead, which was Zhou Jianjun's broken Mandarin.

"Okay, is it the Frost's Descent solar term?"

Lu Bai stopped playing on his phone.

"My uncle doesn't know about her situation yet."

Zhou Heming glanced at the girl beside him. Although she was still looking at her phone, her fingers were not moving, and there was no sound coming from the phone.

He typed immediately.

[Zhou Heming]: It wasn't her, it was another friend. She was spending the New Year alone, so I invited her to spend it with us.

When typing the word "friend," Zhou Heming considered it for a moment, but still decided to describe Lu Bai that way.

Zhou Jianjun quickly replied, asking Zhou Heming to bring him along for lunch as well.

"My uncle said there probably isn't much food in the mall, so let's leave early."

He showed the chat interface to Lu Bai.

"Okay, I'll change my clothes now."

Lu Bai got up, took clothes from the clothes rack, and closed the sliding door to the bedroom and the curtains on the balcony.

Zhou Heming realized that his clothes, which he had washed last night, were still wet, and scratched his head.

"what happened?"

Lu Bai changed his clothes and peeked out.

She was wearing a dark green sweater with white prints, slightly loose-fitting dark blue fleece-lined jeans, and carrying a down jacket in her hand.

"My clothes aren't dry yet, it'll be a bit cold if I go out."

Zhou Heming spoke the truth.

Lu Bai pondered for a moment.

"Well then, since your air conditioner hasn't been working properly for the past few days, why don't you sleep here tonight? We'll go to your place and get some things first."

"what?"

Zhou Heming subconsciously uttered a question.

"It's decided then. You're going to spend this Spring Festival with me and you're not allowed to go anywhere."

Lu Bai acted swiftly and decisively, giving him no chance to refuse.

"Alright."

Zhou Heming didn't mind. He was quite comfortable sleeping on Lu Bai's sofa. Rather than freezing at home or squeezing into the funeral home's dormitory, he figured he might as well trouble Lu Bai.

After tidying up, Lu Bai casually grabbed a dark-colored woolen hat, and the two went out.

The weather is terrible today.

The sky was overcast and looked like it was about to weep, as if it could rain at any moment. The weather forecast said that it was very likely to snow today, bringing the first snow of the winter to Jiangcheng. Zhou Heming looked up and wondered whether he should look forward to it or not.

He felt that what he was looking forward to was not snow, but the winter with Cheng Shuangjiang by his side.

Since it was still early, the two decided to walk.

When passing by that public park, you can still see elderly men playing musical instruments.

Today's song is "Auld Lang Syne".

"Wow, that's amazing!"

Lu Bai watched their performance and recorded it on his phone.

“I also recorded ‘Goodbye My Friend’ before.”

Zhou Heming said something.

"Really? Send it to me."

Lu Bai said matter-of-factly.

".good."

Zhou Heming sent the video that he hadn't been able to send out at the time to Lu Bai.

"The level is very high. I feel like I could have been on the company's annual party program when I was younger."

After watching the video, Lu Bai praised it.

“There used to be many steel mills and manufacturing plants here. After get off work, the workers had time and learned to play many musical instruments.”

Zhou Heming recalled what Cheng Shuangjiang had told him before.

"Now, after get off work, all I want to do is lie down and watch some silly short videos."

Lu Bai sighed regretfully on behalf of the migrant workers.

Oh, she's practically a working-class person too, then it's alright.

"The shops here sell fireworks. You can buy some and put them at home to set off downstairs at midnight."

Zhou Heming pointed to a small shop near the entrance of the residential area.

They're going to take the bus later, so it's inconvenient for them to carry flammable and explosive items around.

"Great, I haven't let this go for years."

Lu Bai simply clicked and bought a whole bunch of fireworks.

Her apartment building was located in a high-end area, not suitable for setting off fireworks, so they carried two bags and planned to leave them at Zhou Heming's house first, and pick them up in the evening.

"I checked, and there should be installers available to come and install air conditioners by the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, so I'll only be bothering you until then."

At Zhou Heming's home, as he packed his change of clothes and the test paper system, he said, after thinking for a moment, he also stuffed the copy of "One Hundred Years of Solitude" into his bag.

"Oh, no problem, just don't forget to bring anything."

Lu Bai sat in the living room, in the same spot where Cheng Shuangjiang had been sitting, and took out his phone.

After packing for more than half an hour, Zhou Heming confirmed that he had brought everything. He put his backpack on a chair, placed the fireworks in a corner of the living room, and prepared to pick them up in the evening. Then he and Lu Bai walked out of the house.

As soon as Zhou Heming came downstairs, he saw Cheng Shuangjiang, who was wearing a duffle coat and carrying some snacks and daily necessities, walking towards him.

Good morning, Cheng Shuangjiang.

Lu Bai greeted him warmly.

"morning."

Cheng Shuangjiang glanced at Lu Bai, then at Zhou Heming, her expression indifferent.

"Good morning."

Zhou Heming also greeted them, but for a moment he didn't know what else to say.

Just as he felt the atmosphere was a little awkward and was wondering whether he should leave, Lu Bai suddenly spoke up.

"Let's pack some clean clothes and bring them to my place."

"?"

A question mark appeared above Zhou Heming's head.

Although what Lu Bai said was indeed the truth.

But saying it so sweetly always feels a little strange.

"Cheng Shuangjiang, are you coming to visit during the Spring Festival? He's been staying at my house for the past few days."

Lu Bai gestured with his thumb to Zhou Heming beside him, extending a generous invitation.

Upon hearing this, the aloof and unapproachable beauty showed no change in expression, only glancing at the two of them.

"No."

She responded with a voice colder than the biting wind.

"Uh, because my heating is broken and no one can fix it during the Chinese New Year, Lu Bai invited me to stay in her living room temporarily."

Zhou Heming began to explain.

Without listening to Zhou Heming's words, Cheng Shuangjiang coldly walked past the two of them and climbed the stairs.

The young man glanced at Lu Bai beside him and sighed.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of a door opening came from upstairs, followed by the sound of a door closing.

I don't know if it's just Zhou Heming's imagination.

The sound of Cheng Shuangjiang closing the door was much louder than usual.

*
"Did you say that on purpose?"

On the bus with the heater on, Zhou Heming asked.

They sat in the same spot where Zhou Heming and Cheng Shuangjiang used to sit. Lu Bai, who was by the window, turned his gaze from outside the window to the front.

"Yes."

Lu Bai was quite composed.

"Didn't you say you didn't want to match you two up? But the way you two are acting so ambiguously is really frustrating. So I'll play the bad guy. Didn't I look pretty manipulative just now? Haha."

Looking at Lu Bai's smiling face, Zhou Heming was unable to answer.

The bus only had them in the back row and two elderly women sitting in the front, making the announcements sound rather lonely.

"If we keep dwelling on the past, neither of us can move forward. Let's be decisive; it'll be better for everyone."

she murmured.

"Ah."

Zhou Heming nodded, remained silent for a long time, and then slowly spoke. "If, and I mean if, you have feelings for me, I can try to respond to your expectations."

Turning his head to look at the girl by the car window, Zhou Heming noticed that Lu Bai was also looking over. Their eyes met, and their pupils reflected each other's images.

"do you like me?"

Lu Bai's voice was clear and her expression remained gentle. Before Zhou Heming could answer, she continued.

"I mean, if I stood next to the reborn Cheng Shuangjiang, and we both expressed our love for you, would you firmly choose me?"

Zhou Heming's words were stuck in his throat.

He was unable to answer.

But some questions, not answering them is already an answer.

"Then I don't want it."

Lu Bai did not hesitate.

"I don't want you to make a choice against your conscience because you are bound by someone's expectations, whether that person is Cheng Shuangjiang, me, or yourself."

"I'm sorry, I was presumptuous."

Zhou Heming knew perfectly well that he had been arrogant for a moment just now.

She was so arrogant that she believed she could help Lu Bai get through this and move forward by being with him.

Arrogant to the point of believing that one can "give away" love, save others, and meet their expectations.

"No need to apologize. It was my fault for not explaining things clearly beforehand, which caused you to misunderstand."

Lu Bai chuckled.

"So between us."

Zhou Heming wasn't quite sure.

They could not be lovers.

They can't just be friends.

They are even less likely to become strangers.

"We are, um, partners."

Lu Bai thought for a moment and then answered.

"A partner?"

Zhou Heming was puzzled.

"These days, having a buddy is all the rage—a work buddy, a lunch buddy, a study buddy. Sometimes losing a buddy is more painful than a breakup."

Lu Bai explained in a serious tone.

"So, we're life partners."

"Life partner?"

Zhou Heming pondered for a moment.

A partner who lives together.

Aren't they just people you live with?
"Yeah, so if you ever really fall for someone, you have to tell me first. By then, I won't be able to be your life partner anymore."

Lu Bai smiled brightly.

Zhou Heming nodded.

This topic was not continued.

There were hardly any people taking the bus today, and they arrived at the Jiangcheng City Funeral Home faster than ever before.

"This is my first time visiting a funeral home here."

Lu Bai got out of the car, extremely curious about this place.

"Aren't you scared? Aren't you quite afraid of ghosts?"

"I'm afraid of ghosts? Ghosts are more likely to be afraid of me."

The sun hadn't set yet, and Lu Bai started to act stubbornly.

"Oh, then you should be careful. If someone taps you on the left shoulder, don't turn around."

"?"

Lu Bai's step froze.

"What will happen if I turn back?"

"You will."

Zhou Heming paused for a moment with an air of seriousness.

"Then you'll see the people behind you."

"go away!"

Lu Bai couldn't help but pinch Zhou Heming's arm, but the clothes were too thick and he couldn't pinch the flesh.

"This way, I'll go sweep my mother's grave first."

Zhou Heming smoothed out his sleeves and pointed to the cemetery on one side.

"Why don't you wait here?"

"I do not want."

Lu Bai looked around. The empty funeral home and the rows of tombstones on the back hill were truly unsettling, even at midday.

“I’ll go up with you.”

"Okay, let my mom bless you for the college entrance exam, so you don't score less than 300 points."

"Thank you so much, Auntie."

"My mom graduated from Jiangcheng University, so I guarantee you'll get 300 points, no problem."

Zhou Heming took the incense, candles, and paper money, and led Lu Bai up the back hill of the cemetery.

Lu Bai followed him stealthily, occasionally clasping his hands together and muttering to himself.

"Many offenses, no taboos."

I was clearly very scared.

Zhou Heming chuckled softly.

"Can you climb this steeply? I can help you up."

He reached out his hand to Lu Bai.

"Don't underestimate me."

Lu Bai scoffed.

But she still reached out and firmly grasped Zhou Heming's hand.

Does this count as holding hands?

Lu Bai followed behind Zhou Heming and said jokingly.

Does having a crush count as being in love?

Zhou Heming gave an irrelevant answer.

"That's true."

Lu Bai did not press the matter further.

Zhou Heming led Lu Bai to the highest point of the back mountain, in front of a clean tombstone, and immediately let go of Lu Bai's hand.

The woman on the tombstone has a smile on her face; she looks gentle and serene.

This is a burial site for two people buried together; the other side is still empty.

"mom."

Because the cemetery is cleaned year-round, he didn't need to do anything extra and immediately started burning incense and paper money.

Lu Bai stood a little distance away, watching Zhou Heming do these things.

Zhou Heming stood in front of the tombstone and said a lot, like a wanderer who had not returned home for a long time reporting his experiences to his parents.

He had thought that when he said these things, he would break down, cry, and sob uncontrollably.

But Zhou Heming remained surprisingly calm.

As if he were talking about someone else's story, perhaps because he was writing a script, he would even carefully consider the choice of words and the order of narration to make the story sound more dramatic.

After saying that, Zhou Heming turned around and smiled at Lu Bai.

"Would you like to offer a stick of incense as well?"

Lu Bai stared intently at Zhou Heming, then nodded hesitantly.

"Wait, in what capacity should I offer incense to Auntie?"

She asked this question while lighting incense.

"Under the guise of being life partners?"

Zhou Heming was in a bit of a dilemma.

"I see."

Lu Bai suddenly had an idea.

Afterwards, she solemnly offered incense to Zhou Heming's mother.

"Auntie, I'm Lu Bai, and I'm Zhou Heming."

She glanced at the boy beside her.

She was once Zhou Heming's future wife.

Zhou Heming remained silent, only coughing incessantly.

Lu Bai made a wish and then came to Zhou Heming.

"See? Isn't my description very accurate?"

She took credit for it.

"This is the first time I've ever been completely confused about Chinese tenses."

Zhou Heming has read the random reply.

Under the gloomy sky, the two did not immediately descend the mountain, but instead sat down in the pavilion at the summit.

Do you know Su Shi?

Zhou Heming looked at the bungalows, trees, and roads in the distance and suddenly asked a question.

"Even though I'm a terrible student, your question is really hurtful to my self-esteem."

Lu Bai joked.

"Su Shi wrote a poem called 'Jiang Cheng Zi,' which expresses his longing for his deceased wife."

Zhou Heming smiled and continued.

"Oh, I saw it online, something about 'ten years apart in life and death,' right?"

Lu Bai remembered.

"Yes, but what I remember most vividly now is its last two sentences."

Zhou Heming paused for a moment, then spoke.

"I know that every year, on a moonlit night, my heart will break at the short pine hill."

"I can understand its meaning."

Lu Bai nodded and looked ahead at the densely packed tombstones.

Lu Bai was actually quite scared at first, but as she climbed up, she saw many portraits on the tombstones.

Especially double tombs where two people are buried together.

What impressed her most was a tombstone for a joint burial, in which the man was very old and had a full head of white hair, while the woman was in her prime and in the prime of her youth.

The two passed away decades apart.

They were buried together, which means the husband did not remarry.

Perhaps throughout these decades, every time this husband visited his grave, this place became a source of heartbreak for him.

Several of their children erected the monument for them.

Seeing this, Lu Bai felt that the rows of tombstones were not so terrifying anymore.

On the contrary, it will feel somewhat warm.

Because every tombstone is erected by the living for the deceased, carrying endless longing in their hearts; it is the embodiment of their remembrance.

Just like Zhou Heming and Lu Bai.

They are proof that the girl once lived with such pride.

"Alright, we should go down now."

Zhou Heming stood up and reached out his hand to Lu Bai.

"Ah."

Lu Bai nodded happily and took his hand in hers.

Together they walked through the shadow of death and into the vibrant world.

*
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(End of this chapter)