Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 31

Xu Zhizhi returned to Nancheng and moved into the small apartment she had rented in advance. She spent a day cleaning and tidying up, making the place spotless and cozy.

The next day, she went back to the Shen family.

The first person she encountered was Sun Xiuya.

What caught Xu Zhizhi’s attention first was the imposing dark-colored wheelchair.

For three long years, she had groveled on the ground in humiliation, nearly having her fingers crushed under its wheels, screaming in excruciating pain.

Back then, she was too young, she didn’t even have the right to escape. All she could do was hide in fear and cry.

Sun Xiuya was a renowned classical beauty with an elegant, icy demeanor. Dressed in a black cheongsam, she was well-preserved, still exuding charm.

Yet, the way she looked at Xu Zhizhi was always lifeless, her gaze like that of a wild beast sizing up its prey, as if she wanted to devour her whole.

Sun Xiuya came from a prestigious family and was known for her gentle and virtuous nature. She had been in a severe car accident that damaged her spine, leaving her permanently bound to a wheelchair.

Suffering from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, her emotions were unstable, often accompanied by extreme manic episodes.

The terrifying part was that Sun Xiuya only directed her madness at Xu Zhizhi.

Xu Zhizhi paused at the doorway, meeting Sun Xiuya’s icy stare with indifference.

A silent exchange of glances.

Three seconds later, Sun Xiuya offered Xu Zhizhi a gentle smile and said softly, “Zhizhi’s back. Are you tired? I asked Auntie Zhang to make some soup. You should have a couple of bowls.”

Hypocrisy.

Xu Zhizhi’s gaze shifted past the kindly smiling Sun Xiuya and, sure enough, spotted Shen Yaoxin walking out.

In front of Uncle Shen, Sun Xiuya was the epitome of gentleness and kindness.

In the past, the timid Xu Zhizhi would have been overwhelmed by such pressure, desperate to flee.

But now, she was different. She returned a sweet smile, her eyes curving warmly. “Thank you, Auntie Sun. That’s very thoughtful of you.”

She walked past Sun Xiuya and approached Shen Yaoxin to greet him.

Shen Yaoxin’s eyes brimmed with tenderness as he looked at the poised and graceful Xu Zhizhi, unable to hold back a sigh. “Our Zhizhi is getting more and more beautiful.”

Leading her inside, he said, “I always say, girls should be raised with care and refinement.”

As he spoke, he turned to the butler standing beside him and grumbled, “Old Zheng, where’s that brat Shen Yu? He’s never home, must be out having too much fun.”

The sound of wheelchair wheels approached as Sun Xiuya gently explained, “A-Yu said it’s been a while since he saw his friends, so he went golfing with them today.”

Shen Yaoxin waved his hand dismissively, exasperated by his wayward son. “Cut off his credit cards. He’s got nothing better to do than run around causing trouble.”

Sun Xiuya lowered her head and didn’t respond.

Shen Yaoxin sighed in frustration. “When will he ever learn from Zhizhi? She’s obedient and well-behaved, never giving anyone a reason to worry.”

The corners of Xu Zhizhi’s lips curled slightly, her eyes carrying a faint smile as she maintained a polite silence, her demeanor the picture of a perfect, docile girl.

Deep down, she had been conditioned into this habit.

She was used to pretending to be good.

Shen Yaoxin continued, “Zhizhi, why aren’t you staying at home? Did that brat Shen Yu do something again-”

Xu Zhizhi interrupted gently, “Uncle Shen, I just took on a part-time job. Renting a place closer to my employer’s home is more convenient.”

“Alright, Zhizhi has grown up and has her own ideas. If she wants to take on a part-time job, then let her go. But once she’s done, she must move back home.”

“…Okay.”

Sun Xiuya glanced at Xu Zhizhi, who stood with her head bowed in compliance, a trace of dark malice flickering in her eyes before she fell silent.

Dinner time hadn’t arrived yet, so Shen Yaoxin told Xu Zhizhi to go back to her room and rest first.

Xu Zhizhi’s room had been redecorated in a romantic princess style, all soft pinks and delicate hues. A section had even been set aside specifically as her painting area, likely arranged by Shen Yaoxin himself.

She took out a sheet of paper, clipped it onto the drawing board, opened her paintbox, dipped her brush into the colors, and began to paint.

For a full three hours, Xu Zhizhi painted without feeling tired, layer upon layer of colors blending into a magnificent, vast landscape on the paper.

Suddenly, her phone, placed to the side, buzzed with a notification.

Xu Zhizhi checked WeChat, it was a new message from Ling Shuang.

[Zhizhi, someone has made an offer on your painting.]

[But I think the price is too low.]

[I believe your work is worth much more. Should we wait a little longer?]

Xu Zhizhi quickly replied,

[No need to wait.]

[I need money, a lot of it.]

Only with enough money would she have the confidence to leave the Shen household for good.

Though eager to earn, she refused to compromise her integrity by creating art solely for profit.

Xu Zhizhi followed her heart, drawing inspiration from her experiences to produce one exquisite piece after another.

Ling Shuang’s father, an avid collector of calligraphy and paintings, owned an art gallery where he displayed and sold some of Xu Zhizhi’s works.

Though her paintings still carried a touch of youthful naivety, their beauty and unique style made them sell for impressive prices.

“Zhizhi, it’s time for dinner,” Shen Yaoxin knocked on the door, his voice gentle.

“Thank you, Uncle Shen. I’ll be right there.”

After tidying up her painting supplies, Xu Zhizhi headed downstairs, only to run into Shen Yu at the stairway.

She turned her head away and walked toward the dining room.

Shen Yu stretched out an arm, pressing it against the wall to block her path.

“Move,” Xu Zhizhi said quietly.

“Xu Zhizhi, weren’t you always the epitome of politeness? Why can’t you even greet me now?” Shen Yu lowered his gaze, displeasure evident as he looked at her.

Xu Zhizhi tried to step around him, but he grabbed her arm and shoved her against the wall.

“Shen Yu, you-!”

With one hand braced against the wall and the other gripping her shoulder, Shen Yu left her no room to evade. “That cold attitude… is it because of the painting last time? Name your price. I’ll buy it.”

They stood so close that Xu Zhizhi could clearly smell the faint scent of tobacco on him.

Shen Yu had quite the smoking habit.

She lifted her eyes, her indifference unwavering, and casually threw out a number. “A million. Will you buy it?”

The corner of Shen Yu’s lips curled into an amused smirk. “You’re a vampire, aren’t you? So greedy. Do you really think that painting is worth that much?”

“Hmph.” Xu Zhizhi turned her head away. “Can’t afford it? Then stay away from me.”

She shoved him aside and stepped past him.

Shen Yu clicked his tongue lightly, watching her retreating figure. “Fine, I’ll buy it.”

“Will that make you stop being mad at me?” His tone carried a hint of pleading.

Was he… trying to appease her?

Xu Zhizhi paused mid-step, her heart utterly calm. “Shen Yu, I was never mad at you to begin with.”

It was a clean break, a decisive and complete severance of ties.

A sober awakening, free from any lingering illusions.

“Zhizhi…”

Ignoring Shen Yu’s attempts to stop her, Xu Zhizhi walked forward and lifted her gaze to meet Sun Xiuya’s gloomy scrutiny.

Their eyes locked, and an eerie tension froze the air between them.

Xu Zhizhi smiled faintly at Sun Xiuya, then calmly strode toward the dining room.

Seated in her wheelchair, Sun Xiuya watched the composed and unyielding Xu Zhizhi, her eyes darkening layer by layer. Her hands, resting on the armrests of the wheelchair, slowly clenched into fists, faint veins surfacing on the backs.

She had changed so much.

She didn’t seem as obedient anymore.

Shen Yaoxin’s voice suddenly rang out from behind. “Dinner is ready.”

Sun Xiuya turned her head, instantly transforming into a gentle and considerate demeanor. She gave Shen Yaoxin a sweet smile and replied softly, “Alright.”

…