Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 102

Xu Zhizhi’s eyes grew warm, threatening to spill tears again. “How did you…?”

“I attended your high school coming-of-age ceremony,” Zhou Xuci said, taking the photo and gently tracing the young girl’s face in the picture with his fingertip. “I was too cowardly, I only dared to watch from afar, never approaching you.”

“That day was so lively, but you were the only one quietly sketching in the corner, stroke by stroke.” Zhou Xuci sighed. “I stood under a tree, stealing glances at you for a long, long time. I didn’t dare disturb you, so I took a few photos and left.”

In truth, they had missed each other many times.

Countless times, he had passed through Xu Zhizhi’s world, always playing the role of a stranger.

It was his first crush, but the girl who stirred his heart had someone else in her eyes…

Later, during those five years abroad, Zhou Xuci often thought of Xu Zhizhi, the girl who had captivated him with just one glance.

Falling for someone takes only a moment of heart-fluttering excitement.

Forgetting someone, however, requires countless long years to wear away that initial thrill.

In his previous life, Zhou Xuci endured such a long eight years.

Fortunately, in this life, they did not miss each other again.

Zhou Xuci felt that the greatest blessing of his life was returning to his university days, as if heaven had given him a chance to throw caution to the wind and run to her.

Xu Zhizhi sniffled, hugged Zhou Xuci, and buried her face in his shoulder. “Zhou Xuci, you’re such a big fool.”

“Yes, I am,” Zhou Xuci replied, ruffling the back of her head. “And I’m a big idiot too.”

“How so?” Xu Zhizhi asked.

“I was so foolish that even though I knew you weren’t happy, I still magnanimously stepped aside and let someone else have you.”

Zhou Xuci thought of Shen Yu’s past misdeeds and the loneliness Xu Zhizhi felt each time she was hurt, it felt like a knife twisting in his heart.

“It was me who was blind,” Xu Zhizhi said, lifting her head to look at him and shaking it. “I didn’t like such an outstanding top student, insisting on stubbornly running into a brick wall.”

“Brother, I’m the big fool, the absolute idiot,” she lamented.

Zhou Xuci gently stroked her face, comforting her softly. “You’re not foolish. It was me who wasn’t proactive enough, so you never noticed me.”

Xu Zhizhi lifted her head and lightly kissed his chin. “Zhou Xuci, how can you be so wonderful? So wonderful that my affection for you is overflowing.”

“Baby, say more. I love hearing it,” Zhou Xuci said, his heart blooming with joy.

“I’m not just saying it to flatter you,” Xu Zhizhi said earnestly. “I really, really like you a lot.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Xuci suddenly teased. “Do you like Cheng Xiaoxin more, or do you like Zhou Xuci more?”

Xu Zhizhi paused, thought seriously for half a minute, and didn’t respond.

“Is it that hard to choose?” Zhou Xuci feigned displeasure, frowning. “Xu Zhizhi, can’t you just lie to me?”

Competing with her best friend for affection, how impressive.

“Only children make choices. I want both,” Xu Zhizhi said, her eyes curving into smiles. “I like both of you super much.”

“No, you have to choose me,” Zhou Xuci pouted. “I won’t be appeased.”

Xu Zhizhi placatingly kissed Zhou Xuci’s lips. “You’re wonderful, and Xinxin is wonderful too. You’re wonderful in different ways, I can’t choose.”

“Brother, it’s my birthday today.”

“Alright, alright,” Zhou Xuci said, patting Xu Zhizhi’s head, immediately giving in. “I won’t make it difficult for you.”

Xu Zhizhi was amused, her eyes curving into adorable crescent moons. Zhou Xuci handed her the gift for her nineteenth birthday.

She held it in her arms and was about to unwrap it when her phone rang, a group message from her best friends sending birthday wishes in the form of a pre-recorded video.

The video was filmed at school during the vibrant days of spring.

“Has it started? Is my hair messy?” Ling Shuang asked anxiously.

Song Jia, excitedly directing, replied, “No, no! Shuangshuang, move a bit to the left, you’re crooked, crooked!”

“All set! Hurry up! It’s starting!” Cheng Xiaoxin’s voice came from off-camera.

Song Jia flashed a peace sign at the lens, grinning so widely her eyes disappeared. “To my dear Zhizhi baby, may you have this day every year, this joy every year, always beautiful, always confident, and always by my side as we take on the whole world!”

Ling Shuang leaned in and whispered, “Jiajia, our Zhizhi has a gentle style; rough words like ‘take on the world’ don’t suit her.”

Then, she turned to the camera, her eyes and brows curving into a smile. “What day is it today? It’s our Zhizhi’s birthday! My little fairy! Happy birthday! May you live freely and boldly forever, living out the most beautiful life!”

“Come on, come on, Xinxin, it’s your turn!” Song Jia waved her over.

In the next moment, Cheng Xiaoxin twirled into the frame with a dance move and performed a short routine.

“Zhizhi! Happy birthday! We’ve spent so many birthdays together, but this one is the most special for you. Besides me, you’ve made so many new friends!”

“You’ve changed a lot, and I’m so happy. My Zhizhi has finally become a little sun, shining brightly in her own world and gaining the power to light up others’ worlds too.”

“At nineteen, you’re even more radiant and brilliant. You’re in love, you’ve found someone who loves you deeply, and I’m thrilled, but even more, I’m glad you’ve learned to love yourself.”

“Xu Zhizhi, no matter how time changes, I want you to always be radiant, always bright, to be your own little sun. You’ve always had the ability to shine; you don’t need to rely on anyone!”

Xu Zhizhi couldn’t hold back her tears, moved to the point of sobbing.

Cheng Xiaoxin suddenly flashed a mischievous grin, pointed at the camera, and threatened, “And one more thing! If Zhou Xuci asks you who’s more important, him or me, I don’t care, you have to choose me!”

Xu Zhizhi burst out laughing again and glared at Zhou Xuci. “Did you guys plan this on purpose?”

Zhou Xuci shrugged. “I don’t care either; you have to choose me.”

He pinched her cheek gently to comfort her. “Baby, don’t cry.”

Xu Zhizhi’s gaze returned to the video.

Her three roommates stood shoulder to shoulder on the school’s colorful, bright track, wearing beautiful smiles,

“Zhizhi! Happy birthday! Forever eighteen! The video ended with a still shot of the roommates’ smiling faces, warm and healing.

They had chosen to record the birthday wishes in spring, hoping that in the season of all things growing, Xu Zhizhi would also remain full of vitality, living as freely and boldly as the spring breeze.

After watching the video, it took Xu Zhizhi a while to calm down before she finally unwrapped the last gift box Zhou Xuci had prepared.

Inside was a diamond ring.

Under the light, it refracted a dazzling brilliance.

Exclusively customized.

Xu Zhizhi looked at Zhou Xuci with a hint of confusion. “This…”

Zhou Xuci had already taken out the ring, holding it out before Xu Zhizhi. His eyes brimmed with sincere tenderness as he softly said, “Baby, let’s get engaged, okay?”

…