Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 59

Zhou Xuci was born in the gentle embrace of April, when the verdant tips of branches trembled in the breeze, the perfect season for love.

In this time of burgeoning life, the affection hidden in the wind grew wildly, like untamed grass.

After falling in love, Xu Zhizhi changed in many ways.

She developed a fondness for dressing up, loved wearing beautiful dresses, and radiated a vibrant, youthful charm.

In the past, she had been less attuned to the world around her, often lost in her own isolated and humble world.

Now, she embraced the entire world with fervent love.

She adored the last ray of afternoon sunlight that fell upon the corner of the wall, the warm sea breeze carrying its salty, briny scent, and the exhilaration of running along the long campus paths against the refreshing April wind.

Through the passage of time and fleeting shadows, she raced toward her own “April in the world.”

Zhou Xuci’s birthday was approaching.

But even sooner than his birthday came the arrival of his parents.

Xu Zhizhi felt a bit anxious.

Her boyfriend’s parents were traveling all the way to Beijing University, should she go to pick them up at the airport?

A lively discussion erupted in the dormitory.

Ling Shuang was the first to speak up, “Of course you should go! Your boyfriend’s parents are making the trip. It’s only right to show them some hospitality.”

Song Jia disagreed, “But the problem is, they haven’t been dating for long. Isn’t meeting the parents this soon a bit inappropriate?”

As the two argued back and forth, Xu Zhizhi turned her pleading gaze toward Cheng Xiaoxin. “Xiaoxin, what do you think?”

“Do you want to go?” Cheng Xiaoxin asked in return.

Xu Zhizhi lowered her head and whispered, “I don’t know.”

Cheng Xiaoxin walked over and wrapped an arm around Xu Zhizhi’s shoulder. “I think you should go, to show respect for the elders.”

“I’m afraid I won’t make a good impression,” Xu Zhizhi leaned back, resting the back of her head on Cheng Xiaoxin’s shoulder. “My personality is so reserved, I’m not the type elders usually like.”

A fear of the unknown began to creep into her heart.

“Reserved? In what way?”

Xu Zhizhi wrapped her arms around Cheng Xiaoxin’s waist, burying her face in her shoulder without another word.

Song Jia seemed to sense Xu Zhizhi’s inner turmoil. “Actually, I understand Zhizhi’s unease. I’ve heard that Zhou Xuci’s family is one of the top wealthy families in Nancheng. Usually, these kinds of elite families have very complicated dynamics.”

“Oh no, are we about to see one of those cliché dramas like ‘Here’s two million, leave my son’?” Ling Shuang’s mind was filled with melodramatic scenarios.

Xu Zhizhi grew even more worried.

Having been born and raised in Nancheng, she was all too familiar with the Lu family.

The Lu Group was the top-tier elite family in Nancheng. Rumor had it that Lu Huainan, the head of the Lu Group, was a stern and ruthless figure, unsmiling, decisive, and a formidable force in the business world, dreaded even by the most cunning.

He was the ultimate alpha among alphas.

In recent years, the eldest son of the Lu family had taken over the Lu Group, and the “stern and ruthless” Lu Huainan had stepped down.

But even though he had retreated from the spotlight, legends of him still circulated far and wide.

They said Lu Huainan was fierce and intimidating.

Xu Zhizhi began to feel a headache coming on. Just the thought of having to interact with such a person made her mind buzz with anxiety.

And yet, Lu Huainan was Zhou Xuci’s father.

His biological father!

Cheng Xiaoxin reached out and gently ruffled Xu Zhizhi’s hair, offering emotional support. “Xu Zhizhi, have some confidence in yourself. You’re the best in the world, and there are plenty of people who adore you.”

Knowing there was no way to avoid it, Xu Zhizhi mustered her courage and said, “Then I’ll go.”

After all, there was no escaping it.

On the day of the airport pickup, her dear roommates spent a whole hour fussing over Xu Zhizhi, transforming her into the kind of sweet, charming girl that everyone would love.

Xu Zhizhi, with a heart full of unease, accompanied Zhou Xuci anxiously as they waited at the airport.

Zhou Xuci held Xu Zhizhi’s hand and noticed her palm was slightly damp.

Nervousness had made her sweat.

“Don’t be afraid, I’m here,” Zhou Xuci said softly, gently patting her head. “If you’re really too scared, I can take you back first, okay?”

Xu Zhizhi tightened her grip on his hand and shook her head. “No, your parents rarely visit. How can no one be here to greet them? That would be impolite.”

Zhou Xuci stroked her cheek, his gaze firm. “I promise, they’ll like you very much.”

“Why?” Xu Zhizhi asked.

Zhou Xuci smiled, his eyes crinkling. “Because I like you.”

Xu Zhizhi couldn’t help but laugh, though her nerves remained. “Is this outfit appropriate? Is the color too bright? Is it not modest enough?”

She had tied her hair into a neat bun and wore a cream-colored dress with a small shoulder bag. Her makeup was natural, giving her a fresh and elegant appearance.

“Not at all,” Zhou Xuci replied, his eyes full of sincerity as he admired her. “You look absolutely beautiful.”

Xu Zhizhi met his gentle gaze, her ears turning slightly red. “And… what about the dark circles? Did I cover them up? I was so nervous yesterday, I couldn’t sleep at all!”

Just as she finished speaking, a woman’s voice rang out beside them,

“A-Ci!”

It was Zhou Xin.

Zhou Xuci’s mother.

Instinctively, Xu Zhizhi hid behind Zhou Xuci, like a startled little kitten.

Zhou Xin wore a simple white dress, exuding an understated classical beauty. Though in her fifties, she had been blessed by time, with few traces of age on her face.

She looked incredibly young.

A true classical beauty, as if she had stepped out of a traditional painting.

Lu Huainan pushed a large pile of luggage, staying close to Zhou Xin. He shot deadly glares at anyone who dared to glance at his wife, scaring off any onlookers.

Zhou Xin had spotted the young girl hiding behind Zhou Xuci from afar. She seemed quite shy.

“Lu Huainan.”

“Here.”

Zhou Xin glanced at his serious expression. “From this moment on, keep a silly grin on your face.”

“Huh?” Lu Huainan felt that grinning foolishly didn’t suit his personality and blurted out, “But, my dear, I’m just not naturally inclined to smile.”

Zhou Xin gave him a gentle smile. “Tonight, you’ll be sleeping in the bathroom, hugging the toilet.”

The sweetest tone, the harshest words.

“Hahahaha!” Lu Huainan burst into laughter instantly, immediately changing his tune. “I love to smile! Laughing is my innate instinct, hahaha!”

“Don’t scare Zhizhi,” Zhou Xin warned.

“With my kind and gentle face, how could I possibly scare anyone?” Lu Huainan grinned from ear to ear.

Xu Zhizhi clutched the hem of Zhou Xuci’s shirt, steeling herself once more.

Zhou Xuci took her hand first, giving her courage.

“I’m just a little socially anxious,” Xu Zhizhi murmured, lowering her head.

“I know,” Zhou Xuci reassured her, offering a sense of security. “I’ll handle it for you.”

“Mm,” Xu Zhizhi nodded, too nervous to look ahead. She cautiously inquired, “Zhou Xuci, I heard your father is a bit… stern.”

“Stern?” Zhou Xuci’s expression tightened. “Look up.”

“Okay.”

Zhou Xuci leaned in slightly, resting his chin gently on Xu Zhizhi’s shoulder. “Look at that grin of his, can you see even a hint of seriousness in it?”

Xu Zhizhi stared blankly. “Huh??????” O.o

No, but I really heard he’s supposed to be fierce and intimidating!

Why is he smiling as if he just won hundreds of millions?!

…