Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 46

Today is Saturday. The snow has stopped, and the sky has cleared.

Xu Zhizhi is going to the movies with Zhou Xuci.

The kiss in the snowy night felt like a beautiful accident, and neither of them brought it up, as if by unspoken agreement.

You don’t mention it, I don’t mention it.

So, let’s just bask in the silence together!

Before heading out, Xu Zhizhi carefully applied a beautiful makeup look, appearing fresh and radiant.

Winter break was almost over, and her roommates had all returned to campus.

Song Jia and Ling Shuang were chattering away about lipstick shades.

“Go for Cherry 03, it’s all bling-bling and looks super kissable, a total straight-guy killer,” Ling Shuang said, fishing out the lipstick and gazing at Xu Zhizhi with a dreamy expression. “I guarantee you’ll be kissed breathless.”

“I think an orange shade would be better, fresh and elegant, more suited to Zhizhi,” Song Jia teased with a playful wink. “Plus, it’s super long-wearing. Even a passionate kiss won’t smudge it.”

Xu Zhizhi, utterly defenseless, covered her face with her hands. “…”

How bold!

Spouting such scandalous nonsense!

“Alright, you two, stop teasing her,” Cheng Xiaoxin interjected, walking over with a natural-toned lipstick in hand. She handed it to Xu Zhizhi, her eyes crinkling with a smile. “Both bold and subtle looks suit you, but for a movie, I think something understated works best.”

Xu Zhizhi took the lipstick from Cheng Xiaoxin, her eyes curving into happy crescents. “I’ll go with Xinxin’s pick.”

Cheng Xiaoxin gently stroked Xu Zhizhi’s soft hair. “Let me braid your hair for you.”

Xu Zhizhi sat up straight. “Okay.”

Standing behind her, Cheng Xiaoxin picked up a comb and styled her hair into a simple princess braid, making her look even sweeter and more delicate.

“So pretty,” Cheng Xiaoxin sighed as she admired Xu Zhizhi’s reflection in the mirror.

Xu Zhizhi tilted her head up, her eyes curving into adorable little crescents. “Only because you’re so good at this.”

Cheng Xiaoxin took a small tiara accessory from the makeup box and placed it on Xu Zhizhi’s head.

With makeup done and hair styled, the three of them then turned their attention to her outfit.

Cheng Xiaoxin picked out a pale yellow dress for Xu Zhizhi, one that perfectly complemented the autumn-winter season.

They treated her like a little doll, determined to dress her up as the most exquisite princess in the world.

Once everything was ready, Xu Zhizhi took out an exquisitely wrapped gift box from her drawer, a present for Zhou Xuci.

Inside was a small oil painting.

She had spent a week on it, pouring her affection into every brushstroke.

“Zhizhi.”

“Hmm?”

Leaning against the desk, Cheng Xiaoxin asked, “You really like him, don’t you?”

This was nothing like the way she had liked Shen Yu.

Xu Zhizhi’s feelings for Shen Yu had been less about affection and more about stubborn persistence.

She had charged forward with reckless determination, bruising herself bloody, even her tears shed in quiet caution.

That kind of love had been too humble, devoid of self-respect, like dirt trampled underfoot, utterly insignificant.

But with Zhou Xuci, it was different.

She no longer bowed her head in meekness; her eyes now shimmered with light.

Xu Zhizhi liked Zhou Xuci, no, she adored him.

Her tenacity remained, but now it drove her forward, step by step, toward the summit where Zhou Xuci stood.

How wonderful.

Every step she took now was to become a better version of herself.

“I like him, so much it drives me crazy,” Xu Zhizhi confessed openly to Cheng Xiaoxin, never one to hide her feelings.

Cheng Xiaoxin smiled brightly and gently touched Xu Zhizhi’s cheek. “Then pour your heart into it. Be brave and love him with everything you’ve got.”

Zhou Xuci is wonderful.

“Worthy of My Zhizhi.”

Xu Zhizhi threw her arms around Cheng Xiaoxin, her face blooming with joy. “Xinxin, I love you!”

Cheng Xiaoxin hugged her back. “Zhizhi, you have to believe, you’re far more amazing than you think.”

Throw away all your self-doubt and submissiveness.

You deserve all the gentleness the world has to offer.

Xu Zhizhi’s eyes reddened slightly, her voice choked with emotion. “Thank you, Xinxin.”

Cheng Xiaoxin patted her back gently, soothing her. “No crying, okay? You won’t look pretty if you cry.”

When the time came, Xu Zhizhi stepped out with a light, cheerful stride, clutching a gift box in her arms, eagerly anticipating her first movie date with Zhou Xuci.

“Xu Zhizhi.”

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the air.

Xu Zhizhi turned to see Hu Chen leaning against a bare tree trunk, smoking.

He was Shen Yu’s closest troublemaker of a friend!

No doubt Shen Yu was up to something again!

“Like a lingering ghost,” Xu Zhizhi muttered, quickening her pace, unwilling to engage with him.

“Xu Zhizhi!” Hu Chen raised his voice. “Do you know Cheng Xiaoxin’s secret?”

Xu Zhizhi halted mid-step and turned back, her gaze sharp with suspicion.

Hu Chen stubbed out his cigarette and strode toward her, pulling a pink envelope from his pocket.

Xu Zhizhi glanced down, her eyes freezing on the paper. She stiffened instantly.

“What? Too scared to take it?” Hu Chen clicked his tongue mockingly. “Don’t recognize your best friend’s handwriting?”

A love letter.

Addressed to Zhou Xuci.

Written in Cheng Xiaoxin’s handwriting.

Seeing Xu Zhizhi turn to stone, Hu Chen smirked victoriously. “Damn, Xu Zhizhi, don’t tell me you had no idea Cheng Xiaoxin likes Zhou Xuci?”

“Here, let me read it to you, listen to your dear friend’s heartfelt confession.” He unfolded the letter as he spoke.

Xu Zhizhi moved swiftly, snatching the letter from his hands and tucking it protectively into her pocket.

She wouldn’t allow anyone to humiliate Cheng Xiaoxin like this.

“Seems you really didn’t know,” Hu Chen gloated, stepping closer with a smug grin. “Aren’t you the queen of self-sacrifice? You and Cheng Xiaoxin are so close, how could you bear to steal the guy she likes? Don’t you think she’d be heartbroken?”

Xu Zhizhi lowered her head, shadows pooling in her downcast eyes.

The lipstick, Xinxin had picked it.

The hairstyle, Xinxin had braided it.

The outfit, Xinxin had chosen it.

Yes… Xinxin must have been hurting all along…

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Her feelings for Zhou Xuci are so genuine, that love letter? Even the punctuation marks ooze affection. She’s totally head over heels,” Hu Chen sneered. “Two best friends falling for the same guy, now that’s a juicy drama. Maybe I should post this online, let everyone weigh in.”

“Hu Chen!” Xu Zhizhi’s expression darkened. “Don’t you dare!”

“Why wouldn’t I dare?” Hu Chen taunted, eyes glinting with challenge. “How about this, why don’t you do the noble thing and step aside for Cheng Xiaoxin?”

The wind felt bitterly cold today, freezing Xu Zhizhi in place, her heart icing over inch by inch.

“Zhou Xuci’s just a rich playboy having fun. Better to bow out gracefully before he gets bored,” Hu Chen continued, relishing her distress. “Cheng Xiaoxin’s the Cheng family heiress, perfect match for the Lu family’s young master. A fairytale pairing.”

Xu Zhizhi drew a deep breath, lifting her gaze to glare at him. “Get lost,” she said coldly. “Who do you think you are? My life is none of your business.”

After throwing down those harsh words, Xu Zhizhi turned and ran, heading straight for the College of Arts.

She sent Zhou Xuci a message.

[Senior, I’m sorry.]

[I can’t make it to the movie today.]

When the message arrived, Zhou Xuci was already at the cinema, holding a vibrant bouquet of fresh flowers in his arms.

He had arrived half an hour early.

Eager to see her, yet she had stood him up.

…