Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 41

Brilliant fireworks exploded overhead, blooming into dazzling sparks of light.

Xu Zhizhi buried her face against Zhou Xuci’s shoulder, her eyes damp, but she stubbornly held back her tears.

She wasn’t tearing up because of Shen Yu.

It was the years of pent-up grievances, bursting forth like a flood, overwhelming her without warning.

After calming down for a moment, Xu Zhizhi whispered, “On the first day of the new year, whoever cries is a puppy and will have bad luck all year.”

Zhou Xuci gently stroked her head, coaxing her tenderly, “You didn’t cry. It’s just that the wind was too strong, and some sand blew into your eyes.”

He carefully guarded her pride.

In his eyes, the girl he liked should be the most delicate flower, meant to be cradled in the palm of his hand.

Xu Zhizhi’s heart warmed, her nose tingling slightly. Breathing in the faint, refreshing scent of cedar on Zhou Xuci, she slowly surrendered to the tenderness that belonged to him alone.

“Zhou Xuci,” she called his name softly.

Xu Zhizhi clung to this embrace. “Why are you so good to me?”

You’re so good.

The you now is someone I can’t reach.

I might have to walk a long, long way before I can stand beside you on equal ground.

“Can you not walk too fast or too far ahead? Sometimes, slow down, look at the scenery along the way… and wait for me.” Xu Zhizhi’s voice grew quieter. “Okay?”

There was a hint of hope in her words.

I’m afraid I won’t be able to catch up to you.

This time, I don’t want to be the one looking up at you from below.

I want to be someone who can truly match you.

Zhou Xuci sensed Xu Zhizhi’s nervousness and patted her back lightly. Though he didn’t fully understand her words, he indulged her completely. “Okay, I’ll walk slowly.”

Xu Zhizhi was comforted, and her mood brightened.

Her ability to heal herself was remarkable, just a little emotional adjustment, and she could bounce back instantly.

Or perhaps, she was just used to it.

Since childhood, no matter how much she suffered, she had always comforted herself alone.

The weather had turned cold, and Xu Zhizhi became a little more delicate. After hesitating for a long time, she finally murmured, “My knees are a little sore.”

Yesterday, a cold front had swept in, bringing a sudden drop in temperature. Xu Zhizhi’s small apartment faced north, turning it into an icy little cellar, making her knees ache faintly.

Xu Zhizhi was stubborn and strong-willed. Normally, even if the pain made it hard to stand straight, she would insist on walking home by herself.

But right now, she just wanted to act spoiled with Zhou Xuci.

Deep down, starved for love, she truly longed to be cherished.

Zhou Xuci lowered his gaze to look at her, his eyes holding galaxies of tenderness. “I’ll carry you,” he said softly.

Worried about crossing a line, he added, “Is that okay?”

Xu Zhizhi rose slightly on her tiptoes, looping her arms around Zhou Xuci’s neck, and obediently replied, “Then I’ll trouble you, Senior.”

A smile touched Zhou Xuci’s eyes as he leaned down, his lips brushing lightly against Xu Zhizhi’s earlobe. “Zhizhi, call me brother.”

Xu Zhizhi felt the warm breath against her ear, turning the tips red. Her voice softened into a whisper. “If I don’t call you, will you not carry me?”

Zhou Xuci surrendered instantly, his heart melting. The corners of his lips curled up as he spoke with utmost fondness, “I’ll carry you even if you don’t call me.”

Bending slightly, he scooped Xu Zhizhi up into his arms.

Xu Zhizhi looked up, openly gazing at Zhou Xuci. The streetlight illuminated his face, while the bursting fireworks reflected in his eyes, his deep and captivating features most striking of all.

Once again, she confirmed it.

She liked Zhou Xuci.

It was an uncontrollable feeling of being lost and infatuated.

Zhou Xuci carried Xu Zhizhi into a pharmacy, set her down on a bench, and went to the counter to buy medicine.

A girl sitting on the same bench lit up like a pair of headlights the moment she saw Zhou Xuci. Excitedly, she turned to Xu Zhizhi and said,

“Holy crap, Big Socks, you’re eating way too well.”

“Your boyfriend is drop-dead gorgeous!”

“His height, those legs, that Adam’s apple, that nose bridge, top-tier hardware and software. You can tell he’s got insane stamina!”

Xu “Big Socks” Zhizhi silently lowered her head, her face flushing red as she whispered a reminder, “Girl, watch your words. This isn’t the no-man’s-land out here.”

It’s the New Year, behave! Such wild talk was making hearts race with indecent thoughts!

But still!

She hadn’t even had a taste yet!

The girl chuckled awkwardly, exuding an air of familiarity. “Haha, sorry about that. I’m such a glutton, can’t control my big mouth when I see a hottie.”

Soon, the bold girl grabbed her medicine and left.

As she walked away, she didn’t forget to add, “Happy New Year, girl! Wishing you two lovebirds forever!”

“Happy New Year.” Xu Zhizhi’s eyes crinkled with joy, her lips curving into sweet dimples. “Thanks for the blessing.”

Zhou Xuci returned with the medicine and walked toward her.

Seeing her radiant smile, he asked curiously, “What’s got you so happy?”

Xu Zhizhi blurted out bluntly, “She said you’re delicious.”

Zhou Xuci paused. “What?”

Realizing her slip-up, Xu Zhizhi turned her head away, her gaze evasive, her tone vague. “She said the medicine tastes bad.”

“Oh?” Zhou Xuci raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Xu Zhizhi insisted loudly.

“Alright.” Zhou Xuci humored her. “If you say so, then it’s true. I believe whatever you say.”

“Your knee’s bothering you, let’s put on this patch.” Zhou Xuci knelt down and took out the medicine.

Xu Zhizhi grabbed the patch, feeling they were getting a little too close. “I’ll do it myself.”

Zhou Xuci nodded and agreed.

After applying the patch, Xu Zhizhi rested on the bench for twenty minutes. The medicine took effect, and she felt much better.

Zhou Xuci escorted her home, worried about her knee, and even climbed eight flights of stairs with her.

He knew her knee had been frostbitten at the orphanage.

In their past life, the orphanage had been exposed for child abuse and molestation, and all those involved had been served hefty prison sentences.

He had walked toward her countless times, deeply feeling her pain.

This life…

Zhou Xuci stared at Xu Zhizhi’s knee, his gaze darkening, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

The click of the door lock snapped him back to reality.

The lights flicked on, and Xu Zhizhi stood at the doorway, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile as she said, “Happy New Year, Senior.”

Zhou Xuci smiled back. “Happy New Year, Junior.”

Xu Zhizhi waved at him, her eyes curved like crescents. “Goodnight, then.”

“Wait.”

“Hmm?”

Zhou Xuci pulled a red envelope from his pocket and handed it to her, saying softly, “It’s the New Year. Kids should get lucky money.”

Xu Zhizhi stood rooted to the spot, motionless. Her eyes grew warm, and she felt the urge to cry.

Zhou Xuci pressed the red envelope into Xu Zhizhi’s hand and gently patted her head. “Goodnight.”

After the door closed, Xu Zhizhi leaned against it, tilting her head back to gaze at the ceiling as tears slowly welled up in the corners of her eyes.

She had thought this year would begin in loneliness, but thankfully, he was there.

…