Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 23

After submitting numerous entries to competitions, Xu Zhizhi won yet another award.

Her latest work was selected for exhibition at the National Art Gallery.

Gradually, she became the center of attention at the art academy.

Professors marveled at Xu Zhizhi’s innate talent, unanimously agreeing that her painting style was truly unique, with a remarkable ability to evoke empathy. Her future was bright.

With the end-of-term assessment approaching, Xu Zhizhi put all her part-time jobs on hold and devoted herself entirely to creating her submission.

She was constantly busy, either in the studio or in her dorm.

Every day away from Shen Yu was a day she spent shining brilliantly.

Ling Shuang burst into the dorm room excitedly, carrying four cups of milk tea. “Girls! I’m in love! I’m in loooove!”

Happily swinging the milk tea, she spun around in place, radiating joy.

Her words were like a bomb, instantly setting the entire dorm ablaze with excitement.

“Who? Who? Who!” Song Jia rushed over and wrapped her arms around Ling Shuang. “Which lucky guy managed to win our Shuangshuang’s heart?”

Xu Zhizhi peeked out from behind her easel, her eyes curved into a smile, eagerly awaiting the gossip.

Ling Shuang couldn’t stop grinning as she handed out the milk tea. “Of course, it’s my senior, Gu Sen!”

They were from the same hometown, and familiarity had gradually blossomed into passionate affection.

Standing to the side, Song Jia sipped her sweet milk tea and sighed. “I was worried you’d become an idiot over Zhou Xuci and never fall in love.”

Noticing the paint on Xu Zhizhi’s hands, Ling Shuang deftly opened a cup of milk tea and brought it to her lips, feeding her considerately.

Xu Zhizhi took a sip of the rich milk tea but before she could offer her congratulations, Ling Shuang declared,

“Zhou Xuci is an impossible dream, I’m firmly grounded in reality! There’s no way we’d ever happen! Just thinking about it is enough for me, hahaha!”

“Besides, my feelings for Zhou Xuci are purely admiration for his strength. Liking someone and admiring them are two completely different things. Admiration is a one-sided chase, while love is a mutual spark.”

“As for me? Hehehe, of course I’m going to choose someone who loves me deeply and just my luck, I love him just as much! Hahaha!”

Such a clear-headed perspective!

Ling Shuang had always been this way, bold in love and hate, with a sharp awareness of where each step of her future should land.

Xu Zhizhi was infected by Ling Shuang’s laughter, a faint smile in her eyes as she picked up her paintbrush and added a touch of pale gray to the dusky sky on her canvas.

“Think about it,” Ling Shuang leaned in to watch Xu Zhizhi mix colors, speaking earnestly. “While I can’t have Zhou Xuci, he’s also lost me!”

Cheng Xiaoxin walked over and wrapped an arm around the confident, radiant Ling Shuang, saying sincerely, “Ling Shuang, your personality is seriously captivating.”

“Xinxin, you’re too late!” Ling Shuang squinted her sparkling eyes, her gaze brimming with light. “I take back all my past insults about love-struck fools, now I think my Gu Sen is the handsomest man in the world! Oh my god, I’m so crazy about him!”

Xu Zhizhi reached out and pinched Ling Shuang’s cheek. “Alright, alright, you love-struck fool.”

Turns out, you can’t just dismiss all love-struck fools outright!

Peals of laughter spilled from the dorm that night as the girls chattered away until 3:30 a.m.

Those endless little stories became the bridges that brought them closer together.

They adored Xu Zhizhi the most because they knew she was an orphan who had long lived under someone else’s roof, making her sensitive and insecure, in need of an abundance of love.

Xu Zhizhi had become much more cheerful than before.

Though not adept at expressing affection, she would rise from countless light sleeps to carefully tuck in Ling Shuang, who had kicked off her blankets.

She would bundle up takeout boxes in her thick down jacket and brave the wind and snow to deliver meals to Cheng Xiaoxin, who was too busy practicing to go to the cafeteria.

She would tirelessly wake up at six in the morning to accompany Song Jia to the chilly North Lake for English speaking practice, insisting on morning and evening readings.

In the blink of an eye, Christmas Eve arrived.

Xu Zhizhi received another piece of good news.

The exhibition hall contacted her to inform her that one of her paintings had been sold.

The buyer was very generous, offering a substantial price.

Xu Zhizhi’s little savings grew even more!

That day, Fang Cheng organized a gathering, enthusiastically inviting the Esports club members to celebrate Christmas Eve together.

He booked an Esports room.

Xu Zhizhi, who wasn’t much for socializing, was practically dragged by Song Jia to join the lively Esports club event.

A group of young boys and girls passionate about gaming immediately started battling upon meeting.

Xu Zhizhi, the least skilled among them, lost five matches in a row, successfully dragging club president Fang Cheng down in rank.

Fang Cheng was utterly shocked by Xu Zhizhi’s lack of skill, his gaze turning almost transparent with disbelief.

This junior was both terrible at the game and refused to follow instructions.

In truth, Xu Zhizhi was just nervous, fumbling around and unable to keep up with the pace.

Embarrassed to the point of blushing, she apologized desperately, “Senior, I’m so sorry. I did warn you I was terrible from the start.”

“No worries, no worries. It’s just a rank, a couple of matches and it’ll bounce back,” Fang Cheng waved it off magnanimously. “Tonight’s all about fun, don’t stress over it.”

He then enthusiastically invited her for another round.

Xu Zhizhi made an excuse and temporarily escaped.

As soon as she opened the door, she ran into Zhou Xuci, who was walking toward her, carrying a chill from the outside.

“Senior,” Xu Zhizhi asked curiously, “What brings you here? I thought you said you were busy today.”

Zhou Xuci looked at her slightly troubled expression and said softly, “Fang Cheng told me you were getting bullied pretty badly.”

Xu Zhizhi covered her face. “No one’s bullying me. It’s just that I’m terrible at this. Can’t blame anyone else.”

Zhou Xuci found her gesture adorable. “Come on.”

“Where to?” Xu Zhizhi asked.

“To get your revenge,” Zhou Xuci replied.

“Huh??? That’s not really necessary…”

Xu Zhizhi thought he was joking, but he was dead serious!

Zhou Xuci was unstoppable on the battlefield, effortlessly carrying a flustered little teammate.

Three matches later, he had dominated the entire game, crushing everyone.

Xu Zhizhi had been running around chaotically the whole time, her only contribution being holding up the trophy at the end!

After the matches, the group started eating, drinking, and having a blast.

The Esports club had a great atmosphere, a bunch of gaming enthusiasts being silly, playful, and full of laughter.

Some were howling along to songs, others were playing a lively round of Truth or Dare, and a few were still dominating the virtual battlefield.

The loud music made Xu Zhizhi dizzy, so she stepped out of the private room and onto the balcony to cool off in the winter breeze.

Leaning against the railing, she felt an unprecedented sense of ease.

Below was a small courtyard, decorated with a cozy, artistic vibe under romantic lighting.

Xu Zhizhi stumbled upon a confession scene.

The girl gazed with tender affection, pouring her heart out as she handed over the love letter,

“Brother Yu, I’ve liked you for so, so long. From the very first moment I saw you.”

Shen Yu, standing beneath the tree, stubbed out his cigarette and suddenly noticed Xu Zhizhi on the second floor. He lifted his eyes, meeting her gaze with a provocative look.

Xu Zhizhi watched numbly as the unrestrained Shen Yu acted out.

Then, as if out of spite, Shen Yu abruptly pulled the girl who had just confessed her love into his arms.

As the girl looked up in surprise, Shen Yu kissed her passionately.

There was a hint of vengeance in his actions.

Though it was unclear who he was trying to spite.

After a while, Shen Yu swaggered off with the girl in his embrace.

The love letter, brimming with endless affection, fell to the ground. Shen Yu didn’t spare it a glance, stepping on it as he walked away.

He was always like this, trampling on sincerity.

Xu Zhizhi felt a little dizzy. She had accidentally opened a bottle of beer earlier and, not wanting to waste it, had forced herself to finish the entire bottle despite only taking a sip.

She was usually well-behaved and obedient, never touching alcohol.

Rubbing her throbbing temples, Xu Zhizhi murmured softly, “It tastes awful.”

She hated the taste of alcohol.

Zhou Xuci walked over and stood beside her, noticing the unusual flush on her face. “Are you feeling unwell?”

Xu Zhizhi shook her head. “No, I just had a little to drink.”

She swayed slightly, unsteady on her feet.

Zhou Xuci steadied her, watching as her face grew redder and her eyes gradually glazed over.

The cold wind slowly scattered Xu Zhizhi’s consciousness. Motionless, she stared at Zhou Xuci, who was standing so close, and suddenly called his name,

“Zhou Xuci.”

“I’m here.”

“Tell me, what exactly is love?”

…