Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 54

The cold wind howled eerily through the night.

Under the streetlamp, warm-toned light fell upon Zhou Xuci and Xu Zhizhi as they embraced, casting an entwined shadow.

Xu Zhizhi let out a soft “Mmm,” nearly breathless from the kiss, and lightly pounded Zhou Xuci’s shoulders a few times.

Feeling her struggle, Zhou Xuci loosened his grip around her waist, releasing her but keeping his forehead pressed against hers.

His voice was low and husky, “Let me kiss you a little longer, okay?”

He was reluctant to stop.

In an instant, Zhou Xuci regained his lost composure. “Sorry, I lost control.”

He had crossed the line again.

Zhou Xuci let go of her sadly.

Just as he was about to step back, Xu Zhizhi suddenly reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.

She looked up at him, tears welling in her eyes, her pitiful expression enough to melt anyone’s heart. She whispered softly, “…Didn’t you still want to kiss?”

Zhou Xuci paused, “Wh-what?”

“If you don’t want to, then forget it.”

Xu Zhizhi gave him a light push.

Before she could break free from his embrace, Zhou Xuci’s passionate kiss descended upon her once more.

It was fierce and overwhelming.

As if he wanted to devour her.

Xu Zhizhi wrapped her arms around his neck, closed her eyes, and surrendered completely to this moment of irrational intimacy and lingering tenderness.

To hell with reason!

To hell with restraint!

If we’re going to fall, let’s fall together!

After the fervent kiss, Xu Zhizhi buried her face in the crook of Zhou Xuci’s neck, her ears flushed bright red.

“Zhizhi, do you know?” Zhou Xuci gently stroked her hair, “I like you so much, I’ve gone crazy for you.”

Xu Zhizhi felt a pang of sorrow, her emotions complex. “…It takes over ten hours to fly from here to abroad, and the research institute’s offer is for five years.”

Can we really endure such a long separation?

During the honeymoon phase, perhaps.

But all honeymoon phases eventually fade with time, giving way to the mundane routines of daily life.

The future is too distant, and we are both too young.

Zhou Xuci’s anxious heart eased slightly. “Is that why you’re upset?”

The sight of her crying broke his heart.

“Isn’t that reason enough to be upset?” Xu Zhizhi retorted, continuing to mutter under her breath, “…Only a fool would give up an opportunity at a top research institute.”

Logically, she didn’t want him to give up such a chance.

Emotionally, she was torn.

This turmoil had been weighing on her for days, with no outlet until now.

Today, she finally let it all out.

“I never said I was giving up,” Zhou Xuci explained patiently. “I submitted a request to the research institute to delay my start date by a year and a half.”

“Then…” Xu Zhizhi looked up, her eyes red and dim, “You’ll still have to go abroad eventually.”

“Who said I’m going abroad?” Zhou Xuci wiped her tears away tenderly. “Don’t cry, it breaks my heart to see you like this.”

“You’re not going abroad?”

“No.” Zhou Xuci cupped her face in his hands. “The proposal for the research institute to establish a branch in the country has been approved.”

“It’s already under construction recently. If everything goes smoothly with the inspection, it will officially open in a year and a half. I’ll report then. I don’t need to go abroad.”

Xu Zhizhi’s eyes instantly lit up. “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

Did I cry for nothing?!

“The documents are classified, can’t just reveal them.” Zhou Xuci pinched Xu Zhizhi’s cheek, teasing her with a smile, “But family members have the right to know.”

Sure enough, Xu Zhizhi blushed instantly and glared at him, “Wh-what family members? Don’t you try to take advantage of me.”

Zhou Xuci held Xu Zhizhi tightly in his arms as if she were a precious treasure. “I’ve hugged you, kissed you, I’ve taken every advantage.”

“Zhizhi, when can you give me a proper title?”

He lowered his head, his nose almost touching hers.

The atmosphere instantly filled with intimacy.

Xu Zhizhi’s eyes reflected Zhou Xuci’s gentle gaze, her heart pounding wildly. She deliberately teased him, “No, no, because I’m a heartbreaker.”

Just stringing him along.

Zhou Xuci laughed at her antics, tidying her wind-tousled bangs without a hint of anger. “Whenever you’re ready to date, just let me know. I’ll be waiting.”

Xu Zhizhi was so charmed she burst into laughter, then sighed in frustration, “Crying and laughing like this, I must look awful.”

“Not at all,” Zhou Xuci said seriously after a careful look. “Our little campus belle is as beautiful as ever.”

“Zhou Xuci.”

“Hmm?”

Xu Zhizhi cupped his face and began her interrogation. “You’re so smooth with words, are you sure you’ve never had an ex before?”

He was just too good at this.

“No exes,” Zhou Xuci winked at her triumphantly, cleverly adding, “But if I keep trying, I might have a current one soon.”

Xu Zhizhi blushed again, shyly pounding his shoulder. “Hmph, I’m ignoring you.”

She broke free from his embrace and hurried ahead with quick, light steps.

Running into the chilly night breeze, Xu Zhizhi felt an unprecedented sense of ease. She spread her arms, embracing the evening wind.

Zhou Xuci quickly caught up with her.

Suddenly, Xu Zhizhi stopped and stood still, waiting for him to approach.

Zhou Xuci was right.

No matter what, he would always walk toward her, step by step, unwavering and resolute.

Standing by the bench under the streetlight, Xu Zhizhi’s eyes sparkled with a radiant smile.

“Stay right there.”

Zhou Xuci obediently stopped, halting three meters away from her.

Xu Zhizhi’s smile deepened, her little dimples lethally charming. Nervously rubbing her hands together, she called out to him,

“Zhou Xuci.”

“I have a relationship I’d like to discuss with you.”

In this moment, I want to love you with all my might, to share a passionate romance that never fades.

Zhou Xuci seemed struck by lightning. For just a second, he froze, then broke into a brilliant smile and replied decisively, “Let’s do it!”

With that, he rushed over, scooping Xu Zhizhi into his arms and holding her tightly.

Holding her felt like holding the entire world.

He had dreamed of embracing her countless times, and now, at last, that dream had become reality.

Xu Zhizhi spread her arms and hugged Zhou Xuci back with all her strength.

This time, she could finally love him without any reservations.

Though the night wind was cold, Xu Zhizhi felt utterly warm in Zhou Xuci’s embrace, so very warm.

Xu Zhizhi’s mental age was twenty-six.

But she didn’t know that Zhou Xuci’s mental age was already twenty-eight.

He acted with greater thoroughness and caution.

After surviving the car accident, Zhou Xuci woke up once more and found himself back at twenty years old.

His first thought upon waking was to win Xu Zhizhi over.

Shen Yu wasn’t worthy of her at all.

Thus, Zhou Xuci submitted a proposal to the institute to establish a domestic branch. After undergoing multiple rounds of review, the plan was finally approved, he would no longer be going abroad for further studies!

This time,

Zhou Xuci would hold her tightly, shielding her from the storms and snows of a lifetime.

…