Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 19

While waiting at a red light, a little girl carrying a flower basket approached Zhou Xuci.

“Big brother, do you have someone you like?” The little girl’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Zhou Xuci expectantly.

Zhou Xuci lowered his gaze, his expression gentle, a faint smile playing on his lips as he answered with certainty, “Yes.”

The little girl eagerly held out her flower basket. “Would you like to buy flowers for the person you like?”

“Grandma says flowers are a romantic way to express feelings. Girls are always happy when they receive flowers,” she added shyly, trying to make her sales pitch.

Zhou Xuci bent down slightly and obligingly picked through the flowers in the basket. “Little one, are you selling flowers all by yourself today?”

Normally, it was an elderly woman who sold flowers here.

“Grandma accidentally fell and had to go to the hospital,” the little girl said, her face briefly clouded with sadness before she lifted her chin bravely. “But it’s okay. I’m grown up now, I can take care of Grandma.”

Though she was only seven or eight years old, life had forced her to grow up too quickly.

“I see,” Zhou Xuci murmured, his smile softening as he took in the little girl’s forced bravery. “Then I’ll take all the flowers.”

The little girl quickly counted the remaining flowers in her basket. After finishing, she looked up curiously. “Big brother, do you like fifteen people? Are you giving one flower to each?”

Zhou Xuci froze. “What?”

“Most people only buy one flower for the person they like,” the little girl explained seriously. “But you bought fifteen!”

Zhou Xuci chuckled, his gaze drifting toward Xu Zhizhi, who was standing across the street waiting for the light to change. “Big brother only likes one person,” he said quietly.

“I’ve liked her for a very, very long time.”

“So long that I want to give her all the flowers in the world.”

The little girl followed his line of sight and asked curiously, “Is it that sister in the white coat?”

The smile in Zhou Xuci’s eyes deepened. “That’s her. Do you think she’s pretty?”

The little girl nodded vigorously, her face lighting up with innocent delight. “So pretty! Really, really pretty!”

Without hesitation, she gathered all the flowers from her basket, tied them into a small bouquet, and handed them to Zhou Xuci.

“May all lovers in the world find happiness together!”

Zhou Xuci paid her and thanked her.

As the light turned green, he cradled the bouquet in his arms and strode quickly toward Xu Zhizhi.

He walked into the light, bathed in the warm hues of the winter sunset.

Xu Zhizhi stood still, the crowd around her blurring in her vision, only Zhou Xuci, running toward her, remained clear.

The cold wind tousled Zhou Xuci’s hair slightly, but the gentle smile in his eyes never wavered. The way he looked at her was always so focused, so full of warmth.

The young man held a bouquet of vibrant, blooming flowers, but Xu Zhizhi thought Zhou Xuci outshone them all.

Perhaps it was the dazzling glow of the setting sun, but for a moment, Xu Zhizhi found herself lost in the sight of him.

Zhou Xuci stopped in front of her and called out, “Junior.”

Xu Zhizhi lowered her head. “Senior.”

Once again, she became the shy, obedient girl.

Zhou Xuci held out the bouquet to her and said sincerely, “For you.”

Worried she might misunderstand, he quickly added, “The old lady selling flowers is sick. If she sells them all early, she can go home sooner. It’s not safe for her to stay out after dark.”

Xu Zhizhi flashed a sweet smile, took the bouquet from Zhou Xuci, and held it in her arms as she said cheerfully, “Thank you, senior.”

It was Sunday.

Xu Zhizhi had originally planned to treat Zhou Xuci to a meal.

They had agreed to meet at a restaurant near the west gate of the school, but they ended up running into each other here.

The restaurant had been Zhou Xuci’s choice, a budget-friendly one near campus.

He knew Xu Zhizhi was working hard at her part-time job and didn’t want her to spend too much, yet he couldn’t bear to pass up the chance to spend time with her.

Zhou Xuci and Xu Zhizhi walked side by side.

He was tall, just enough to block the setting sun’s glow for her.

Once seated in the restaurant, Xu Zhizhi handed the menu to Zhou Xuci. “Senior, you order.”

Just as Zhou Xuci took the menu, a waiter approached, eagerly promoting their specials.

Seeing Xu Zhizhi walk in with flowers, the waiter assumed they were a couple deeply in love.

“We recently launched a new couple’s set meal, very cost-effective. Would you like to take a look?” The waiter handed Xu Zhizhi a flyer and enthusiastically added, “It’s currently on a promotional discount, 12% off!”

Xu Zhizhi glanced uncertainly at Zhou Xuci. “Senior, what do you think…?”

A couple’s set meal? That felt a little awkward.

But it really was such a good deal!

Perfect for someone like her, struggling financially!

Zhou Xuci skimmed the menu and said meaningfully, “It does seem quite cost-effective.”

Xu Zhizhi immediately made up her mind and smiled at the waiter. “We’ll take the set meal, then. Thank you.”

The waiter quickly placed the order and professionally added, “Our premium romantic couple’s set meal, where delicious flavors linger and romance spreads across the table. Wishing you two a long and happy future together!”

Xu Zhizhi buried her face in the flowers, her ears burning with embarrassment.

What cringy lines!

She wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear.

Just as despair set in, she heard Zhou Xuci’s amused voice respond, “Thank you.”

Xu Zhizhi: “?”

Well, she had to admit, Zhou Xuci was truly a man who carried grace in his bones.

Even in the face of such awkward dialogue, he remained unflappable.

Soon, the dishes arrived one after another.

Xu Zhizhi quickly realized that things could always get more embarrassing.

Perhaps because Christmas was approaching, the restaurant’s marketing strategy was to spare no couple in love!

The owner had gone mad, pairing every dish with a romantic blessing,

“Love blooms quietly on the taste buds, affection lingers entwined on the plate.”

“Flirt through food, let love grow stronger.”

“Your smile is the dessert I most want to savor.”

“The aroma of food is the spice of love, may you enjoy it while it’s hot, love passionately, and be happy every moment!”

“…”

Xu Zhizhi ate in constant dread, her ears flushed red, too embarrassed to speak. She kept her head down, devouring her food with single-minded focus.

If she had known it would be this mortifying, she wouldn’t have gone for the discount, total social suicide!

Zhou Xuci, however, remained composed, the picture of an elegant young gentleman. Faced with these painfully awkward slogans, he simply nodded politely.

And smiled.

Zhou Xuci watched as Xu Zhizhi’s face turned pink.

Adorable. Even more so than usual.

Her ears were flushed red.

This shy, flustered look, he loved it.

Noticing that Zhou Xuci hadn’t touched his food much, Xu Zhizhi quickly urged him, “Senior, hurry up and eat!”

She really wanted to escape from this planet!

Zhou Xuci couldn’t hide the amusement in his eyes as he leisurely picked up his chopsticks, coaxing her, “Alright, alright.”

…