Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 22

Xu Zhizhi began delivering food and drinks to Shen Yu.

Through heavy snow.

She owed the Shen family a decade of care and upbringing, and she had promised Uncle Shen to look after Shen Yu.

Xu Zhizhi wouldn’t go back on her word.

Shen Yu knew Xu Zhizhi would deliver meals to him at fixed times, so he stood by the window early, gazing downstairs, waiting for her to appear.

Hu Chen leaned against the wall, playing a game while teasing Shen Yu, “Yu, if you wanted to skip class, you could’ve just made up an excuse to go home and rest. Why insist on sticking around the hospital?”

He could’ve been discharged long ago.

But Shen Yu kept complaining of dizziness and headaches, insisting on staying for a few more days of observation.

Hu Chen gave him a puzzled look. “You’re a sports student, strong as an ox. Honestly, you look like you could wrestle a bull to death.”

Shen Yu found him annoying. “Shut up. You talk too much.”

He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, clamped it between his lips, lit it deftly, and took a deep drag.

Not long after, Xu Zhizhi’s figure appeared outside the hospital.

She was saving money diligently, unwilling to waste it on a taxi. Braving the cold wind and heavy snow, she had walked all the way from school.

Shen Yu watched as the wind tousled her hair, leaving her looking disheveled. His brow furrowed slightly, and he muttered impatiently, “Who are you trying to impress?”

Hu Chen leaned in for a look, his words dripping with sarcasm. “See? I told you Xu Zhizhi is a total simp. Acting all aloof is just a ploy to reel you in. Don’t let that innocent face fool you, she’s got a scheming heart.”

Shen Yu exhaled a cloud of smoke, his expression still arrogant.

Hu Chen shrugged. “Tsk, tsk. Wind, snow, rain, nothing stops her from bringing you food. If that’s not love, what is?”

“Hah.” Shen Yu raised an eyebrow, a hint of smugness in his tone.

Hu Chen nudged him playfully. “Yu, she’s so into you. Why not give her a chance? Xu Zhizhi’s pretty, anyway. It’s just for fun, no harm in playing along.”

Shen Yu stubbed out his cigarette and shot Hu Chen a cold glare. “Get lost. I don’t want to see you.”

Hu Chen, finding no amusement, shrugged. “Fine. I’ve got class this afternoon. Later.”

Shen Yu remained where he was, watching Xu Zhizhi with the detached superiority of someone used to her unwavering devotion.

He had long grown accustomed to her relentless pursuit.

Xu Zhizhi had no sense of self.

She was like an obedient dog, running wherever Shen Yu pointed.

The corner of his lips curled slightly, a victor’s smirk.

All it took was one complaint about the hospital food, and Xu Zhizhi would dutifully deliver meals to him.

Shivering from the cold, Xu Zhizhi hurried into the hospital building, only to slip on a patch of snow and nearly fall flat on her back.

By the time she delivered the food and pushed open the door, Shen Yu was scowling.

“You’re slow as hell,” Shen Yu snapped, his tone accusatory. “Trying to starve me? Couldn’t you have taken a taxi?”

Xu Zhizhi ignored him, used to his attitude, and casually set the food container on the table.

Shen Yu frowned as he looked at Xu Zhizhi, noticing her face was red from the cold. He clicked his tongue lightly and said coldly, “Xu Zhizhi, the Shen family isn’t short of money for your taxi fare.”

“The Shen family might not be, but I am.” Xu Zhizhi stepped aside and sized up Shen Yu.

She was observing his mental state to report back to Uncle Shen.

He seemed to be in good spirits.

“The food is here. Eat it yourself.”

With that, Xu Zhizhi turned to leave.

“Stop.” Shen Yu called out to her, his young master temper flaring as he picked a fight. “Where did you buy such awful food?”

“The school cafeteria.” Xu Zhizhi turned back, annoyed. “If you don’t like it, order takeout yourself.”

Shen Yu felt a pang of frustration and gritted his teeth. “You-”

“Take it or leave it.” Xu Zhizhi no longer indulged him, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “If you have the energy to get into fights, surely you can spare the effort to tap your fingers and order takeout?”

Shen Yu watched her cold demeanor, like a prickly little hedgehog, and the corners of his lips curled slightly. “Hah, Xu Zhizhi, you’ve got quite the attitude now.”

“None of your business.” Xu Zhizhi turned her head away, refusing to meet his gaze, and mocked, “With so many admirers, why not just pick one who’s obedient and willing to wait on you?”

Why insist on tormenting her?

How pathetic.

“Hah.” Shen Yu stood up and walked over to her, stopping right in front of her, his voice laced with amusement. “Xu Zhizhi, are you jealous?”

Xu Zhizhi took two steps back, maintaining her distance.

She raised her head slightly and couldn’t help rolling her eyes. “Shen Yu, do I look sick to you?”

Xu Zhizhi didn’t want to drag this out any longer. After speaking, she turned to leave.

If this continued, she might spiral into endless emotional exhaustion.

Shen Yu grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, looking down at her delicate face. “Have dinner with me.”

Before Xu Zhizhi could say “no,” Shen Yu cut her off. “Didn’t you promise my dad you’d help take care of me?” His words left her no room to refuse.

Xu Zhizhi: “…”

Shen Yu ate slowly, nitpicking the entire time, now the rice was too hard, now the dishes were too greasy.

Everything was a problem, yet he finished the meal anyway.

Xu Zhizhi sat nearby, glaring at him and occasionally firing back a retort, but Shen Yu didn’t seem bothered.

Once Shen Yu finished eating, Xu Zhizhi left without another word.

This guy had been acting a bit off lately.

Seven days later, Shen Yu was discharged from the hospital.

Xu Zhizhi’s long stint of meal deliveries finally ended, and her life returned to normal.

The only oddity was that Shen Yu had been showing up at the School of Arts with unusual frequency.

Everyone speculated that the playboy from the School of Sports had probably taken a liking to some beauty in the arts department.

Shen Yu was quite popular at Jing University, a handsome athlete from the sports school who had won first place in a swimming competition, earning him a legion of fans.

Xu Zhizhi couldn’t be bothered with Shen Yu’s gossip, busy juggling part-time work and her studies.

Today, she had an early 8 a.m. sketching class.

Holding an umbrella and carrying her drawing board, Xu Zhizhi walked along the bustling campus path.

In the distance, she spotted Shen Yu talking to a guy with black-framed glasses.

The bespectacled guy was a top student from the School of Mathematics who had been relentlessly pursuing Xu Zhizhi lately, showering her with attention at every turn.

And now, on this freezing, snowy morning…

The top student came over to bring Xu Zhizhi breakfast.

Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on his side, he ran into Shen Yu.

Shen Yu grabbed the top student by his hood and yanked him closer, giving a cold glance at the breakfast bag in his hand, which contained XX soy milk.

“Classmate Shen, is there something you need?” the top student asked timidly, looking at Shen Yu in confusion.

Shen Yu curled his lip and spoke disdainfully, “Xu Zhizhi is allergic to soybeans.”

With a click of his tongue, Shen Yu turned and walked away.

A passerby who happened to be hurrying by suddenly paused in his steps.

Zhou Xuci held a black umbrella, his grip on the handle tightening slowly.

The black umbrella tilted slightly upward, revealing Zhou Xuci’s handsome face. His eyes were dark and indifferent as he watched Shen Yu’s retreating figure fade into the distance.

…