Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 66

While at the food stall, Xu Zhizhi received a special message,

[Carnival: OMG! Girls! Xinxin got selected for the International Art Troupe! The news came from my friend! It’s legit!]

[Carnival: One of only two spots in the entire country, and Xinxin got one! You’re my idol, ahhh!]

[Suspected Ground Frost: The International Art Troupe! A world-class group where tickets sell out instantly for every tour! My Xin! I knew you were amazing, but how can you be this amazing?!?!?]

[Heart-to-Heart: The official announcement hasn’t been released yet. If it comes out, she’ll transfer to the art troupe in her sophomore year and go abroad.]

Followed by a sticker, a cute little cat with the text:

[We’ll always be good sisters.jpg]

Sophomore year.

International Art Troupe.

Going abroad.

Xu Zhizhi felt as if struck by lightning. A sense of predestined fate, like a massive cage, tightly trapped her.

According to her memories from her past life,

Cheng Xiaoxin also went abroad in her sophomore year, only to perish in a plane crash. The out-of-control aircraft plummeted from an altitude of 4,350 meters, turning into wreckage, with no remains recovered from anyone on board.

The messages in the group chat flashed rapidly.

[I’m going to miss you all, crying.jpg]

[But it’s the International Art Troupe! Comrade Cheng Xiaoxin, you’re the heroine of a satisfying story, you’ve got to focus on your career!]

[When you go on tour, get me tickets! I’ll be your most loyal fan, always cheering for you!]

[What about Zhizhi? She actually missed such big news!]

[@Zhi @Zhi @Zhi]

Xu Zhizhi was in a daze, her mind completely blank and muddled.

The same timeline.

A different reason.

In her past life, Cheng Xiaoxin had chosen to go abroad after breaking up with Shen Yu, sinking into self-destruction and earning a notorious reputation.

This time, what lay before Cheng Xiaoxin was a bright future. The International Art Troupe was her dream, she had shed countless tears and sweat in the training room…

Xu Zhizhi lowered her gaze, her eyes shadowed with melancholy as a sense of unease surged within her.

She feared that the events of her past life would repeat themselves.

But how could she bring it up with Xinxin? Her experience of rebirth felt like a dream, something even she found absurd.

Sensing the shift in Xu Zhizhi’s mood, Zhou Xin asked with concern, “Zhizhi, is there something you need to take care of?”

Xu Zhizhi turned off her phone screen and shook her head at Zhou Xin. “I’m fine.”

Throughout the meal, Xu Zhizhi was somewhat distracted.

The unease in her heart grew heavier, pressing down on her until she could barely breathe.

Not wanting to dampen the mood, Xu Zhizhi continued with the itinerary, taking the Lu couple to visit the planned attractions.

On the way back, they passed by a pagoda temple with a large flow of people coming and going, many had come to sincerely pray for blessings.

Xu Zhizhi paused briefly, her gaze fixed on the majestic, towering pagoda.

Zhou Xin asked, “Would you like to go in and take a look?”

Xu Zhizhi replied, “Auntie, I’m not really one for superstitions.”

But this time, I feel like asking the gods for a favor.

Zhou Xin smiled. “I actually think it has little to do with superstition. Praying for blessings is more like a sincere, heartfelt wish, for peace and smooth sailing, for good health, for academic success. Life feels more comfortable when you have something to hope for.”

Her eyes drifted thoughtfully toward the pagoda. “A-Ci’s grandmother loved praying for blessings.”

For seventeen whole years, she had been praying for Zhou Xuci.

“Let’s go take a look.” Zhou Xin gently nudged Xu Zhizhi forward.

Xu Zhizhi approached the small stall, gazing at the neatly arranged prayer strips.

Her hand lightly brushed against the red prayer strips.

“Young lady, you can only draw one fortune slip per day,” an elderly man nearby reminded her with a kind smile. “Don’t be greedy.”

Xu Zhizhi returned a polite smile. “Alright.”

“What are you praying for, miss?” the old man asked.

Xu Zhizhi looked up at the tree adorned with countless red ribbons and softly replied, “For peace and safety.”

The old man drew out a prayer strip and handed it to Xu Zhizhi, saying mysteriously, “As long as you are sincere, the gods will surely hear your prayer.”

Xu Zhizhi picked up a brush and wrote on the prayer strip:

[Cheng Xiaoxin – Peace and safety year after year.]

Her handwriting was clear.

Her strokes were firm.

Xu Zhizhi walked forward, stopping beneath the tree. She lifted her head and tossed the red prayer strip upward.

The strip fluttered in the wind, catching on a branch, becoming one among thousands of red ribbons.

Xu Zhizhi closed her eyes, praying to the gods with a sincerity she had never felt before.

If gods truly existed, please put an end to all tragedies.

Xiaoxin.

I have always been a staunch believer in science.

But at this moment, for your sake, I am willing to believe in the existence of gods.

You must not come to harm.

Absolutely not.

Zhou Xin had been accompanying Xu Zhizhi the entire time and had also seen the name Cheng Xiaoxin.

She didn’t ask why.

Seeing the faint melancholy in Xu Zhizhi’s expression, as if something was troubling her, Zhou Xin gently stroked her head and whispered, “She must be very important to you.”

Xu Zhizhi nodded. “She is my best, best, best friend.”

She repeated “best” three times for emphasis.

Lowering her head, Xu Zhizhi added quietly, “In my heart, she is just as important as A-Ci.”

Zhou Xin spoke gently, “Zhizhi, you are also very important.”

Xu Zhizhi looked at Zhou Xin with intense emotion in her eyes. “I know.”

So, the reason heaven gave her a second chance was to let her meet better people and see a better world… This life of hers was truly worth living.

Zhou Xin looked at Xu Zhizhi’s slightly reddened eyes, gently touched her cheek, and whispered soothingly, “Our Zhizhi is such an emotional girl, and I like that… I really do.”

No wonder A-Ci liked her so, so much.

She deserved it.

Xu Zhizhi spent the entire day with the Lu family, and in their brief time together, the distance between them gradually closed.

The Lu family gave Xu Zhizhi a whole new perspective.

When she returned to school, Zhou Xuci, who had finally finished his work, was waiting for her at the school gate.

The April weather was warm, and Zhou Xuci wore a light-colored thin shirt. Standing tall and striking among the bustling crowd at the school entrance, he was the most eye-catching presence.

When he spotted Xu Zhizhi, Zhou Xuci cut through the sea of people, striding toward her with a gaze full of deep tenderness.

The entire world blurred in his eyes, his only focus now being Xu Zhizhi.

And so, amidst the crowd, they walked step by step toward each other.

A mutual journey.

Xu Zhizhi threw herself into Zhou Xuci’s embrace, burying her face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his fresh scent. “Zhou Xuci.”

Zhou Xuci held her tightly, his hand gently stroking the back of her head. “You must be exhausted today, aren’t you?”

Xu Zhizhi shook her head, “I’m not tired. I had a great time today.”

“But,” Zhou Xuci lowered his gaze, staring at her profile, then leaned in slightly, his lips close to her ear, “you don’t seem very happy.”

Xu Zhizhi remained silent.

She didn’t know how to bring up the matter about the art troupe.

Rebirth?

It sounded too absurd.

Zhou Xuci didn’t press her further. “If you want to tell me, you can tell me later.”

He was willing to give her space.

“But,” Zhou Xuci said with concern, “don’t bottle it up inside.”

“Xu Zhizhi,” he cupped her face, “remember, I’ll always be here for you.”

…