Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 17

Shen Yu got into a fight and had his head smashed by a beer bottle, forcing him to stay in the hospital for three days.

The brawl was serious, and the school issued a disciplinary notice.

Gossip spread quickly.

Rumor had it that Shen Yu had flown into a rage over a beauty, his temper too explosive to control, and his actions too reckless, ending up with a trip to the police station.

As for who this “beauty” was, opinions varied, with no clear answer.

Xu Zhizhi wasn’t interested in Shen Yu’s romantic escapades, but since she had promised Uncle Shen, she made time to visit him in the hospital, bringing a bag of fruit.

“Brother Yu, please don’t be mad anymore. I’ll be good from now on.”

A sweet, soft voice drifted out from the hospital room, making Xu Zhizhi hesitate at the doorway.

It was Zhang Shuqing.

The department belle of the journalism program.

She had been dumped by Shen Yu, but she still hadn’t gotten over him. Taking advantage of his hospitalization, she had rushed over to offer care and warmth, hoping to win him back.

But she had underestimated just how much of a scumbag Shen Yu was.

Shen Yu clearly had little patience left. He pulled his hand free from Zhang Shuqing’s grasp. “How many times do I have to tell you? We’re done.”

In his world of emotions, there was only one word: “play.”

Tears instantly welled up in Zhang Shuqing’s eyes, her pitiful expression enough to tug at anyone’s heartstrings. “Brother Yu, no… I don’t want it to end. We were so happy together…”

“Didn’t I tell you from the start? Just a few days of fun,” Shen Yu said coldly. “You agreed to it. Now you’re backing out? Stop crying. I can’t stand women who cry. It’s annoying.”

“No, that’s not it.” Zhang Shuqing struggled to hold back her tears, pleading desperately. “I… I just like you. I really, really like you. Brother Yu, I don’t want to break up. Let’s not end things, okay? I’ll be good, I’ll be obedient. I won’t…”

Everyone knew Shen Yu liked girls who were sweet and obedient.

She admitted she had a bit of a spoiled temper before, but she could change.

She could become exactly the kind of girl Shen Yu liked!

“Tch.” Shen Yu, already irritated from having his head bashed in, grew even more annoyed by Zhang Shuqing’s sobbing. He cut straight to the point. “I’ve lost interest in you. There’s no point in forcing yourself to fit my type.”

When in a relationship, he was a smooth-talking Casanova, sweet-talking his way into hearts.

When breaking up, he was a heartless jerk, always finding the cruelest words to attack with.

“Miss, who are you looking for?” A nurse’s voice suddenly came from behind.

Xu Zhizhi turned and gave the nurse a polite smile. “I’ve found who I was looking for. Thank you.”

Hearing the voice, Shen Yu turned his head and saw Xu Zhizhi standing at the door.

“Don’t come looking for me again,” he said coldly to Zhang Shuqing.

When Zhang Shuqing noticed Xu Zhizhi, she felt utterly humiliated. Lowering her head and wiping her tears, she rushed out of the ward.

As she brushed past, she bumped into Xu Zhizhi.

Xu Zhizhi took a step back, steadied herself, then cast a cool glance at Shen Yu lying on the hospital bed.

He was still that same bad-boy charmer. Even with a bandage on his forehead, his striking looks remained: sharp features, thick brows, and piercing eyes that gave off an aggressive vibe.

As a sports student, his physique and appearance were flawless.

Plenty of girls were into that rebellious type.

Xu Zhizhi had once been no exception.

When Shen Yu saw Xu Zhizhi, some of his irritation faded. “Come here.”

Xu Zhizhi walked in, placed the fruit on the bedside table, and asked politely, “Uncle Shen is very worried about you. How are you feeling?”

She stood quite far away, maintaining a noticeable distance.

“Standing so far, do I look like I’ll eat you?” Shen Yu’s spoiled young master temper flared up again.

“No,” Xu Zhizhi retorted, having learned to give as good as she got. “It’s just that I’m too shabby, afraid my shabbiness might rub off on you.”

Words like these had once been spoken by Shen Yu to Xu Zhizhi, telling her to stay away from him because he found her presence inauspicious.

“Xu Zhizhi, where did all this defiance of yours come from?” Shen Yu didn’t hold back, raising his voice in accusation. “Who taught you this? The Shen family’s upbringing was meant to make you cultured and courteous, gentle and virtuous to turn you into a well-behaved girl.”

Faced with Shen Yu’s domineering attitude, Xu Zhizhi habitually lowered her head in submission. She didn’t want to argue with him and took a deep breath. “You seem full of energy, so I guess you’re fine. I’ll take my leave now.”

An overwhelming sense of suffocation pressed down on her, making it hard to breathe.

Once again, she felt that being obedient left her utterly lost.

“Xu Zhizhi!”

Just as she was about to turn and leave, Shen Yu grabbed her wrist,

With a loud “bang,” the door was slammed shut.

Xu Zhizhi’s back pressed against the door as Shen Yu braced his arms on either side, trapping her in his embrace.

A wave of scorching heat closed in.

Feeling uncomfortable, Xu Zhizhi turned her face away, her stubbornness evident in her knitted brows. She gritted her teeth. “Shen Yu, what do you think you’re doing?”

“Xu Zhizhi, what the hell has gotten into you lately?” Shen Yu’s sharp gaze bore into her. “If you’re playing some game, just tell me. If I’m in a good mood, I might even play along.”

His hand suddenly gripped her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

“But I won’t allow you to get close to Zhou Xuci.” Shen Yu tightened his grip on her chin. “Do you hear me?”

The mingled scent of tobacco and antiseptic from Shen Yu made Xu Zhizhi frown. With her chin held firmly, she raised her eyes, no longer submissive, but cold and distant.

She had loved madly, hurt desperately, and what remained was absolute calm.

She was no longer that blind, lovesick fool.

Rejecting foolish love could prolong one’s life!

“Shen Yu, let go,” Xu Zhizhi said coldly.

“Answer me,” Shen Yu remained unmoved.

Without hesitation, Xu Zhizhi suddenly raised her hand and pressed hard on Shen Yu’s injured forehead.

“Damn it!”

The pain made stars burst before Shen Yu’s eyes. He released her, staggering back a few steps, teeth clenched. “Are you trying to die?!”

“You’re the one asking for trouble!” Xu Zhizhi couldn’t be bothered with him anymore and turned to leave.

“Xu Zhizhi!” Shen Yu panicked, calling after her retreating figure. “My head hurts.”

He was yielding.

For the first time, he yielded.

He had never bowed his head to Xu Zhizhi before. This cry of pain came because he was scared.

Truly scared.

But it seemed too late.

Xu Zhizhi didn’t turn back. The corners of her eyes reddened slightly as she lifted her chin. “Shen Yu, if your head hurts, take some medicine.”

With that, she strode forward.

She wouldn’t look back again.

This was Xu Zhizhi.

Tamed into obedience, yet her bones would always carry an unyielding stubbornness.

Xu Zhizhi stepped out of the hospital, feeling as though the heavy burden on her shoulders had suddenly lifted.

Blindly loving someone else was so exhausting and draining.

Loving herself felt much lighter.

It wasn’t snowing today, and the school wasn’t far from the hospital. To save money, Xu Zhizhi decided to walk back.

She had been scrimping and saving, hoping that small amounts would eventually add up so she could repay Uncle Shen as soon as possible.

Taking a shortcut through an alley, she suddenly heard muffled sobs coming from nearby.

She paused and saw Zhang Shuqing crouched in the snow, crying uncontrollably.

…