Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 21

The cold wind swept by, rustling the branches of the trees.

Zhou Xuci walked Xu Zhizhi all the way back, side by side along the long campus path, and gallantly escorted her to the dormitory building.

Xu Zhizhi returned the freshly washed men’s scarf to Zhou Xuci and once again expressed her sincere gratitude.

“Goodbye,” Xu Zhizhi said with a sweet smile.

Standing under the streetlamp outside the dormitory, Zhou Xuci waved at her. “See you next time.”

Not a farewell, but an anticipation of their next meeting.

“Mm, see you next time,” Xu Zhizhi replied with a smile, hugging the flowers as she ran back into the dorm.

Once inside, she continued to keep the fresh flowers in a vase.

It was still early, and none of her roommates were around, Cheng Xiaoxin had gone to dance practice, while Ling Shuang and Song Jia had left for a concert.

Xu Zhizhi set up her easel, opened her paint box, and began mixing colors with her brush.

She painted a simple oil painting.

Just as she was about to finish, the dorm door creaked open, and Cheng Xiaoxin walked in, bringing a gust of cold air with her.

Seeing Xu Zhizhi painting, Cheng Xiaoxin leaned in to take a look at her latest work.

“It’s beautiful,” Cheng Xiaoxin said, standing behind Xu Zhizhi and resting her chin on her shoulder. “The tones are unified, the colors harmonious, the whole composition feels so soothing.”

Xu Zhizhi’s painting now carried brighter hues.

No longer as dark and cold as before.

The paint on the palette was still wet, so Xu Zhizhi shifted slightly. “I’m messy, if the paint gets on you, don’t blame me.”

In the painting, the little flower girl was the protagonist, holding a basket of flowers and counting them with her head lowered.

The supporting character was a handsome young man slightly bending down, his eyes smiling as he watched the little girl.

It was Zhou Xuci, buying flowers.

Xu Zhizhi hadn’t realized it yet, but her oil paintings were gradually beginning to feature Zhou Xuci’s presence.

Cheng Xiaoxin clung to Xu Zhizhi like a little raccoon, leaning against her softly. “You’re not messy at all. Our Zhizhi smells so nice.”

Xu Zhizhi laughed and patted Cheng Xiaoxin’s head. “You must be exhausted lately, huh?”

She knew Cheng Xiaoxin had been practicing nonstop for the school festival performance and must be worn out, so she let her lean on her.

Cheng Xiaoxin was always like this, driven, demanding perfection from herself in everything she did.

“Dead tired,” Cheng Xiaoxin pouted, burying her face in Xu Zhizhi’s shoulder. “You seem to be in a good mood today.”

Xu Zhizhi blinked. “Do I?”

“Yeah,” Cheng Xiaoxin tilted her head, squinting at her. “Xu Zhizhi, you’ve been smiling this whole time.”

Xu Zhizhi’s smile didn’t fade. “Have I?”

“Mm.” Cheng Xiaoxin tapped Xu Zhizhi’s forehead lightly with her fingertip. “Smile more. Your little dimples are adorable when you do.”

The old Xu Zhizhi wasn’t like this.

Her innate shyness had made her withdrawn, often keeping her head down, lost in her own world.

Her world used to revolve entirely around Shen Yu, that fickle, heartless scumbag who brought her nothing but endless sorrow.

But ever since Xu Zhizhi said she no longer liked Shen Yu…

At first, Cheng Xiaoxin hadn’t believed her. Now, she was starting to be convinced.

Xu Zhizhi picked up her brush again, adding more color to the young man in the painting, enriching his presence.

Cheng Xiaoxin watched from the side and raised an eyebrow. “Who’s this guy?”

It had been a while since she last painted a man.

Something was off.

Xu Zhizhi paused her brush and explained, “I saw something really heartwarming and beautiful on the street today, so I wanted to paint it.”

Cheng Xiaoxin didn’t press further and simply sat beside her, patiently watching Xu Zhizhi paint.

She was always like this, quietly keeping Xu Zhizhi company.

Though Cheng Xiaoxin came from a wealthy family, she had once gone through a dark period in her life. At her most isolated and helpless moment, it was Xu Zhizhi who pulled her out of the abyss. They had always been there for each other, without hesitation.

At 11 p.m., an official post from the university’s public account suddenly went viral.

Ling Shuang, who had been wearing a face mask, jumped off her bed in excitement, spinning around in a frenzy. “Wahhh! Zhou Xuci is absolutely legendary! First prize in the National College Student Technology Competition!”

Song Jia looked at her phone with awe. “A god is a god, three years in a row dominating the rankings! The university’s homepage banner has been replaced with Zhou Xuci’s photo again! He’s so handsome it’s out of this world, ahhh!”

Zhou Xuci had once again topped the university’s trending list!

By the time Xu Zhizhi clicked on the link, the post had already surpassed 300,000 views, with over 50,000 likes. The comments section was flooded with adoration.

[Marry me!!!]

[I’m literally kneeling right now, HUSBAND!]

[I don’t want to lose my mind, but it’s Zhou Xuci we’re talking about!]

[My inner stan is drooling, how can someone be so perfect and hit every single one of my weak spots?!]

The comments were overflowing with shameless love!

“I knew it! I never misjudged him!” Ling Shuang was so moved she was almost in tears, clutching her phone. “Back then, I pulled all-nighters for 600 days just to get into Jing University, the best school in the capital, all because of Zhou Xuci!”

Her admiration was just as open and unapologetic.

She had idolized Zhou Xuci, endured 600 grueling days of her youth, just to catch a glimpse of him.

Xu Zhizhi watched Ling Shuang’s teary-eyed excitement and gently patted her shoulder.

Perhaps, this was the true meaning of liking someone.

Ling Shuang sniffled. “Honestly, if it weren’t for Zhou Xuci, I’d probably be slacking off somewhere, completely lost in life.”

“I know my limits, I’m not good enough for him. But because of him, I became a better version of myself.” Her eyes were red. “Wahhh, he’s Zhou Xuci! The absolute top-tier idol in my heart!!!”

Xu Zhizhi ruffled Ling Shuang’s hair and said earnestly, “Ling Shuang, you’re amazing too!”

Ling Shuang grinned goofily and admitted without hesitation, “Haha, of course I am!”

That was just her personality, always bold and unrestrained.

As Xu Zhizhi watched Ling Shuang’s silly smile, something inside her seemed to light up.

She realized that liking someone should be a force that pushes you toward a brighter future.

Just like Ling Shuang, who had fought for 600 days fueled by pure admiration…

And what about her? Silently pining for Shen Yu, step by step sinking deeper into endless darkness.

She had been so wrong.

After reading the post, Xu Zhizhi quietly tapped the like button.

Based on her memories from her past life, Zhou Xuci would complete all his coursework by the second semester of his junior year and choose to study abroad…

Sometime around March next year.

It made sense.

Someone as dazzling as Zhou Xuci deserved an even more brilliant future.

Xu Zhizhi recalled that rainy night in her past life when Zhou Xuci stood there in his tailored suit, exuding the restrained elegance and aloofness of a successful man.

No matter how many times life repeated, Zhou Xuci would always be that dazzling, untouchable figure.

He was, without a doubt, the undisputed campus heartthrob.

“Wait, wait, wait!” Song Jia suddenly exclaimed as if she had stumbled upon a treasure, slapping the bed frame excitedly. “Zhizhi, you made it onto the school’s official post too! First prize! A ten-thousand-yuan reward!”

In the bottom right corner of the university’s official announcement was the award-winning exhibition from the College of Arts.

Xu Zhizhi’s painting had been selected for the National College Student Calligraphy and Painting Competition, earning her first place and even praise from renowned artists.

Unlike Zhou Xuci, who shone like the sun, Xu Zhizhi had her own small corner where she radiated her own light.

She had been working hard, climbing step by step, determined that one day she would cross towering mountains and reach the summit, embracing a brighter future.

As Xu Zhizhi gazed at the confident image of Zhou Xuci in the official post, her eyes sparkled as if illuminated by countless stars.

She wanted to become someone like him.

To stand at the peak.

Not to be admired by the crowd, but because the summit offered more choices and control over one’s destiny.

In her life, she had been dealt a bad hand, but she refused to be disheartened. Instead, she vowed to turn the tables and play her cards right.

A soft buzz sounded.

A WeChat notification.

Zhou Xuci had seen the news of Xu Zhizhi’s award and immediately sent her a message,

[Congratulations, junior.]

He was carefully, step by step, entering Xu Zhizhi’s world, no longer just a distant observer.

A faint smile touched Xu Zhizhi’s lips as she typed back a simple thank you.

…