Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 34

During dinner, Old Master Lu couldn’t stop grinning as he enthusiastically piled food onto Xu Zhizhi’s plate.

His fondness for her was impossible to hide.

Just as Old Master Lu placed a piece of fish in Xu Zhizhi’s bowl, Zhou Xuci intercepted it.

“She’s sensitive to the fishy smell,” Zhou Xuci said.

She wasn’t particularly fond of fish, even the slightest hint of a fishy taste made her uncomfortable.

Xu Zhizhi glanced at Zhou Xuci in mild surprise.

“Just a guess,” Zhou Xuci averted his gaze and explained, “I’ve never seen you eat fish during our previous meals.”

Xu Zhizhi withdrew her curious look and obediently lowered her head to continue eating.

Without missing a beat, Old Master Lu plopped the piece of fish into Zhou Xuci’s bowl instead, muttering dismissively, “Fine, fine, you eat it then.”

Next, Old Master Lu served Xu Zhizhi a piece of eggplant, only to be stopped again.

“The eggplant’s too oily,” Zhou Xuci remarked.

Old Master Lu paused mid-action before shoving the eggplant into Zhou Xuci’s bowl as well.

Xu Zhizhi shot Zhou Xuci another astonished look.

Did he really know her that well?

Then, Zhou Xuci calmly added, “I just think eggplant is too oily.”

With that, he deliberately picked the eggplant out of his bowl right in front of Xu Zhizhi.

“?” Lu Huaibei stared at Zhou Xuci, who was feigning nonchalance, as if he’d seen a ghost. His countless thoughts condensed into one word: “Tch. Bootlicker.”

This was downright shameless.

Braised eggplant was one of Zhou Xuci’s favorite dishes.

Now that he had a girlfriend, he suddenly couldn’t eat it anymore?

Tch, tch, tch, tch, tch.

No sooner had he spoken than Lu Huaibei felt a sharp pain in his calf, Old Master Lu had stealthily kicked him under the table.

The atmosphere at the dining table grew slightly peculiar.

Xu Zhizhi glanced at Lu Huaibei, who looked like he was about to cough up blood from holding back laughter, then at Old Master Lu, who was clearly scheming something, before finally settling her gaze on Zhou Xuci, who was eating with deliberate slowness.

The dynamic between these three was rather amusing.

Oh well. If you’re not enthusiastic about eating, there’s something wrong with your mindset.

Food comes first!

“Zhizhi,” Old Master Lu watched with satisfaction as Xu Zhizhi ate heartily. “Do you think someone my age could still learn to paint well?”

As a teacher, Xu Zhizhi would never crush a student’s confidence. She flashed Old Master Lu a sweet, encouraging smile.

“As long as you’re sincere and willing to put in the effort, you’ll succeed,” she said.

“What do you think of my talent?”

“It’s quite good! You have a keen sense for color.”

“Is that so?” Old Master Lu’s eyes sparkled with inspiration. “How about adding two extra lessons for me every day?”

Xu Zhizhi was stunned. “Huh?”

Adding lessons wasn’t the issue.

The real concern was that painting could be physically demanding, and Old Master Lu’s health might not withstand the strain.

Old Master Lu beamed with vigor. “Here’s the thing, I love learning. Learning motivates me, drives me to work harder, and keeps me feeling young!”

Zhou Xuci watched his mischievous grandfather and sighed, rubbing his temples in despair.

He had known this wouldn’t be straightforward.

“Cough, cough.” Lu Huaibei choked on his soup, hastily grabbing a napkin to wipe his mouth.

Covering his lips with the napkin, he muttered under his breath, “Grandpa, don’t push yourself too hard. Watch out for your old bones.”

Old Master Lu kicked him under the table again. “Who’s old? Shut your mouth.”

Lu Huaibei immediately fell silent. “…”

Turning back to Xu Zhizhi, Old Master Lu declared with unwavering conviction, “I’m only seventy-seven, just at life’s 7:30 p.m. I’m fully confident I can become the next Qi Baishi!”

He sounded utterly sincere.

The key is to maintain a good mindset and refuse to engage in self-sabotage.

What a beautiful state of mind.

Xu Zhizhi didn’t know how to respond and instinctively looked at Zhou Xuci for help, her eyes pleading, “Senior?”

Do something about this.

Zhou Xuci placed a piece of chicken in Xu Zhizhi’s bowl, wearing a composed smile as he deliberately teased her, “Don’t ask me, I’ll follow your lead.”

Xu Zhizhi shot him a glare, her expression tinged with resentment.

Zhou Xuci’s smile deepened, and he quickly stepped in to defuse the situation. “Grandpa had a couple of fake drinks in the kitchen earlier and was just spouting nonsense to tease you.”

Seizing the opportunity to save face, Old Master Lu chuckled, “Hahaha, just lightening the mood!”

The atmosphere at the table instantly became lively again.

After dinner, Old Master Lu mentioned there was still dessert, homemade by him.

Xu Zhizhi ended up staying longer.

The Lu family home was spacious, and as she wandered around, she accidentally stumbled into a storage room.

Though “storage room” didn’t quite do it justice, it was more like a hall of honors.

An entire wall was lined with cabinets filled with Zhou Xuci’s certificates, medals, and trophies.

Zhou Xuci had always been an exemplary student, excelling in both character and academics, with countless accolades to his name.

First prize in the National Science and Technology Competition.

First prize in the International Intelligent Technology Competition.

Each trophy was proof of Zhou Xuci’s ascent to the pinnacle of achievement.

These honors had been collected and organized by Old Master Lu, offering a glimpse into Zhou Xuci’s journey of growth.

Standing before the dazzling array of awards, Xu Zhizhi murmured softly, “Zhou Xuci, you really are perfect.”

So perfect it’s almost impossible to catch up.

A faint smile touched her lips as she gazed at a golden trophy. “Maybe one day, I’ll be just as outstanding as you.”

Zhou Xuci, wait for me.

One day, we’ll stand as equals.

After dessert, Xu Zhizhi bid Old Master Lu farewell, sincerely thanking him for his hospitality.

She presented him with a gift she had prepared in advance.

Old Master Lu beamed with delight and proudly showed it off to Zhou Xuci.

In the end, with impeccable tact, he hung the painting Xu Zhizhi had given him in Zhou Xuci’s room.

Zhou Xuci, ever the gentleman, offered to drive Xu Zhizhi home.

As the black car rolled to a gentle stop in front of her, Xu Zhizhi instinctively moved to sit in the back.

The window rolled down, and Zhou Xuci’s voice drifted out, “Sit up front.”

Xu Zhizhi opened the passenger door and climbed in.

She gave Zhou Xuci an address.

Noticing something amiss, he asked, “You’re not staying at the Shen family’s place?”

Xu Zhizhi nodded. “I’m an adult now, it’s time to be independent.”

A home that wasn’t truly hers was a place she’d have to leave eventually.

It was only a matter of time.

Zhou Xuci’s expression remained neutral, though his lowered eyes concealed a flicker of something unreadable. He said nothing more.

This lifetime’s Xu Zhizhi had changed in many ways: stronger, more self-reliant.

In their past life, she had never once considered escaping the Shen family, willingly becoming a caged bird under their care.

She was still herself, yet not the same.

Time marched forward relentlessly, and in this life, every event had deviated due to the characters’ growth, leading to entirely different outcomes.

Zhou Xuci harbored deep uncertainty about the future, but one thing was certain,

This time, he would never let go.

Even if it meant fighting tooth and nail.

The drive took about thirty minutes. Zhou Xuci played soft music, and Xu Zhizhi, who usually struggled with poor sleep, unexpectedly dozed off.

Upon reaching their destination, Zhou Xuci parked the car in the shadows, reluctant to wake Xu Zhizhi.

Gazing at her peaceful sleeping face, he reached out gently to tuck a stray lock of hair behind her nose.

Unable to resist.

His fingertips brushed over the faint crease between her brows.

Finally, they lingered at the corner of her lips.

With the utmost restraint, he lightly traced the small dimple there.

Zhou Xuci murmured softly, “Zhizhi, do you know? Every time I see you, my heart skips another beat.”

…