Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 58

The frozen Peking University began to awaken with the renewal of all things, the campus brimming with vitality.

During the seasonal transition, Xu Zhizhi fell ill.

She had pulled two consecutive all-nighters painting.

Her constitution simply couldn’t withstand such strain.

The previous night, she had a slight fever, and today she felt completely drained.

Cheng Xiaoxin pressed the back of her hand against Xu Zhizhi’s forehead. “The fever’s gone.”

Xu Zhizhi mumbled groggily, “I’m hungry.”

“Being hungry means you’re almost better.” Cheng Xiaoxin opened the thermos and ladled out some congee for Xu Zhizhi. “Your boyfriend ordered this for you early this morning.”

“Drink it while it’s hot.” She handed the bowl to Xu Zhizhi.

Xu Zhizhi cradled the warm congee, obediently taking small sips.

After finishing the congee, Cheng Xiaoxin passed her the medicine.

“Xu Zhizhi, no more all-nighters from now on,” Cheng Xiaoxin said with a frown.

Xu Zhizhi rested her head on Cheng Xiaoxin’s shoulder. “The major assignment was so difficult. Our whole class pulled all-nighters.”

Cheng Xiaoxin’s heart ached for her. “Still, pulling all-nighters is wrong.”

Xu Zhizhi promised, “I won’t do it again.”

Zhou Xuci’s call came through.

Cheng Xiaoxin glanced at Xu Zhizhi’s phone screen, the wallpaper was a photo of Zhou Xuci and Xu Zhizhi together.

In the picture, Xu Zhizhi was nestled in Zhou Xuci’s arms, flashing a “V” sign at the camera, her eyes curved into happy crescents and her delicate dimples deepening, looking as lovely as a fairy.

Tsk, Zhou Xuci was a lucky guy.

Cheng Xiaoxin tilted her chin toward Xu Zhizhi, urging, “Hurry up and answer it.”

Xu Zhizhi gave Cheng Xiaoxin a sweet smile. “Okay.”

With that, she took her phone and walked out to the balcony.

Watching Xu Zhizhi’s retreating figure, Cheng Xiaoxin allowed a relieved smile to grace her lips.

Zhou Xuci had taken good care of Zhizhi.

He passed.

He had earned the best friend’s approval!

Xu Zhizhi smoothed her messy hair and answered Zhou Xuci’s video call.

“How are you feeling today?” Zhou Xuci asked.

“Pretty good,” Xu Zhizhi replied obediently. “No fever, no dizziness, no sore throat. I’ve revived on the spot.”

“Don’t worry, boyfriend.” She began acting cute.

She had fainted in the studio and was taken to the campus clinic.

Zhou Xuci said, “Change your clothes and come downstairs. I’m waiting for you below.”

“Okay.” Oh no, is he going to scold me?

Xu Zhizhi changed and went downstairs, spotting Zhou Xuci standing at the entrance of the dormitory from afar.

Zhou Xuci was exceptionally handsome, and passing girls frequently turned to look at him.

One bold girl even mustered the courage to ask for his WeChat, but Zhou Xuci coldly refused.

Xu Zhizhi walked over and threw herself into Zhou Xuci’s arms, calling out, “Brother.”

Brother~

Her voice was soft and pleading.

She was acting coquettish.

Zhou Xuci’s expression remained stern, unmoved by her charms. “I was only gone for four days, and you pulled two all-nighters behind my back, Xu Zhizhi. You’ve got some nerve.”

Zhou Xuci had been away attending an experimental conference at another university for a lab project.

Little did he expect that, no sooner had he left, he would hear that Xu Zhizhi had fallen ill from overworking.

He had rushed back, travel-worn and weary.

Xu Zhizhi took Zhou Xuci’s hand and led him to the small garden next to the dormitory.

With no one around, she stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed his chin.

“I was rushing to finish the major assignment,” Xu Zhizhi explained, puffing out her cheeks. “I was worried about missing the deadline. If I fail, I won’t get the scholarship.”

“But that doesn’t mean you should skip meals and sleep.” Zhou Xuci stared at her, his tone a mix of anger and concern. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard lately.”

Xu Zhizhi’s recent work had been gaining considerable attention at the art exhibition, receiving widespread acclaim.

Many people had been commissioning paintings from her.

She had been pushing herself relentlessly, painting like mad.

Xu Zhizhi was doing everything she could to earn money.

She truly wanted to repay the Shen family as soon as possible.

Nowadays, she was like a snail carrying a heavy shell, moving slowly and laboriously.

Not free at all.

“I won’t dare do it again,” Xu Zhizhi lowered her head and whispered, “Being carried to the campus clinic was so embarrassing.”

Zhou Xuci was both annoyed and amused, tapping her head lightly, “You’re worried about embarrassment?”

Xu Zhizhi spread her arms, her eyes bright and fixed on Zhou Xuci, “It’s been four days. Why aren’t you hugging me?”

She was sick.

And even more clingy than usual.

Zhou Xuci pulled Xu Zhizhi into his arms, stroking the back of her head, “What am I going to do with you? You take advantage of the fact that I can’t bear to be hard on you.”

Xu Zhizhi hid in his embrace, secretly smiling, “Then let me act cute again, and you won’t be mad anymore, okay?”

She really knew how to coax him.

Without waiting for Zhou Xuci’s response, Xu Zhizhi looked up, her brows and eyes curved like blooming flowers, her crescent-shaped eyes sparkling brightly, “Brother~”

So well-behaved.

So well-behaved it made him want to devour her.

Zhou Xuci lowered his head, wanting to kiss Xu Zhizhi.

But was rejected.

Xu Zhizhi quickly covered his mouth with her hand, “No, you’ll catch my cold.”

Zhou Xuci kissed her palm instead, “Have you eaten breakfast?”

“Mm.”

“Taken your medicine?”

Xu Zhizhi nodded, “Yes.”

“Submitted your major assignment?”

“Done.” Xu Zhizhi blinked, speaking softly, “I finished the painting before I passed out.”

Zhou Xuci assessed her condition, “Come with me somewhere?”

Xu Zhizhi nodded, “Okay.”

They left the campus and went to a residential building on the neighboring street.

“Whose place is this?” Xu Zhizhi asked curiously.

“A studio.” Zhou Xuci led her inside, “A senior who’s about to graduate wants to start a business, open a studio, and invited me to join.”

“I’ve reviewed their entire proposal. I think it’s highly feasible, so I want to give it a try with them.”

“The research institute branch is still being established, so I have about a year and a half free.”

Xu Zhizhi walked to the balcony, feeling the warm afternoon sun on her skin, the gentle breeze bringing comfort and ease.

The place didn’t look big, but it had been renovated, with neat desks arranged throughout.

It seemed empty now, but more things would gradually fill the space.

Xu Zhizhi could almost imagine a group of passionate recent graduates working hard and striving in this small space.

Those chasing their dreams shine the brightest.

“What do you think of this place?” Zhou Xuci came over and hugged her from behind.

Xu Zhizhi looked up at his profile, “My previous thinking was so narrow-minded.”

“How so?”

“I thought someone like you, from a wealthy family, would just go back and inherit the family business after graduation, sitting in a skyscraper, controlling everything.” Xu Zhizhi lowered her gaze, “Some people are born at the peak of the pyramid, a height we ordinary people could never reach in our lifetime.”

Zhou Xuci pressed his cheek against hers, “Zhizhi, reaching the summit is good, but if you can’t climb anymore, then stop and rest for a while.”

“I feel that you’re putting in the effort, and so am I. We’re moving at the same pace.”

Xu Zhizhi looked up and kissed Zhou Xuci’s cheek, utterly enchanted. “You know what? You really make my heart flutter.”

Thankfully, you’re mine.

…