Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 72

Xu Zhizhi had come to a realization.

Zhou Xuci was right, if fate insisted on this path, then they would defy it.

She had been worrying unnecessarily, after all, Cheng Xiaoxin’s specific itinerary hadn’t been finalized yet.

The future may seem to follow a set course, but there were always variables at play.

For now, she would wait.

Zhou Xuci’s birthday arrived, right at the tail end of April.

On the very day of his birthday, Lu Huainan and Zhou Xin made their escape.

They left gifts and blessings for Zhou Xuci, went through the motions of the celebration, and then flew back to Nancheng.

Before leaving, Zhou Xin was a little reluctant to go.

Lu Huainan comforted her, “As parents, our most important role is to guide our children through the first half of their lives. We’ve already accomplished the most crucial part, Xuci is an adult now, and it’s time for him to forge his own path.”

“As parents, we need to give our children space at the right time, gradually stepping back from interference and handing over the reins of their lives to them.”

“Xuci has always been mature and steady, organized in his actions, with his own ideas and a sense of responsibility. He’s fully capable of steering his own life.”

Lu Huainan, who often appeared stern and unapproachable, actually cared about his children more than anyone.

Aside from doting on his beloved wife in daily life, the CEO had also secretly stayed up late reading over a hundred parenting books.

The Lu couple had truly raised Zhou Xuci exceptionally well.

They understood boundaries, recognizing that each person’s life is independent. Parents are guides and companions in the early stages, and they never sought to control their children’s lives.

In addition, Zhou Xuci had grown up with a gentle and affectionate grandmother, which instilled kindness and good manners deep within him.

Zhou Xin wiped the corner of her eye, “I understand all the reasoning, but when it comes time to truly let go, it’s still a little hard.”

“Just think our two sons have grown up in the blink of an eye. I still feel like they just started elementary school. They grew up so fast.”

“Look, I’m even starting to get crow’s feet. I’m really getting old.”

Lu Huainan held Zhou Xin in his arms and whispered soothingly, “What crow’s feet? You’re still just a young girl.”

Zhou Xin glared at him, “You can’t sweet-talk your way out of this. I even spotted a white hair yesterday.”

Lu Huainan gave her his gentlest smile, “Then I’ll keep sweet-talking you forever.”

Zhou Xin couldn’t help but laugh and leaned into Lu Huainan’s embrace, “Our Xuci is so much better. When he likes a girl, he goes after her right away. Look at you, you didn’t have that kind of awareness back then.”

Lu Huainan wrapped his arm around her as they walked into the airport, “When I pursued you, I gave it my all too.”

“Alright, alright, you tried the hardest.”

“Tsk, Xuci knows his limits. We should worry more about what A-Bei is up to.”

“His life is his to live. All I want is for him to always be happy, that’s enough.”

“Okay, whatever you say, dear.”

Chatting casually, the two made their way into the airport.

The Lu couple left in such a hurry that Xu Zhizhi didn’t have time to see them off.

By the time she got the news, their plane had already taken off.

Zhou Xin had left a message for Xu Zhizhi on WeChat, but she happened to be in a sketching class and didn’t see it in time.

Every word was filled with blessings:

My dear Zhizhi, the biggest surprise of our trip to the capital was meeting you. I hereby declare that from now on, you are my favorite little friend. Remember to always love yourself.

[Of course! You must remember to love A-Ci too. If you don’t, he’ll really cry. Let me share a little secret, he used to be such a crybaby!]

[I’ll always be your strongest support. If A-Ci ever bullies you, you must tell me. I’ll fly over immediately to teach him a lesson. We girls help each other!]

Xu Zhizhi felt a warm glow, once again moved by the power of words that touched her heart.

Zhou Xin was an exceptionally wonderful mother, mischievous on the surface, yet remarkably perceptive, able to keenly sense others’ vulnerabilities.

Xu Zhizhi sincerely replied with her blessings to Zhou Xin.

After her afternoon class, Xu Zhizhi headed to the cake shop.

She personally made a cake to celebrate Zhou Xuci’s birthday.

As for Zhou Xuci, he was the chosen workhorse, even on his birthday, he was stuck in the lab, rushing to complete a project.

The deadline was approaching, forcing the entire lab to work overtime.

After finishing the cake, Xu Zhizhi carried it to Zhou Xuci’s lab.

She had also prepared plenty of snacks in advance to reward the lab’s overworked “suffering laborers.”

By around seven in the evening, the sky had darkened.

Zhou Xuci was still rushing the project, with just the final data integration left.

He was thinking of finishing early so he could go see Xu Zhizhi sooner.

Suddenly, there was a commotion at the lab entrance.

Zhou Xuci thought it was just time for dinner and paid no mind, until he overheard snippets of conversation.

“There’s a ‘field snail fairy’ handing out snacks at the door. She’s super pretty, and her smile is absolutely heart-melting.”

“Stop staring, she’s taken. Someone from the lab next door just tried to ask for her WeChat and got shot down. No wonder she stands out even among the beauties in the art academy. She truly deserves the title of ‘little campus flower.'”

Tap.

Zhou Xuci’s fingers paused over the keyboard. He turned and looked toward the lab entrance.

Fang Cheng, holding a snack and a cup of milk tea, waved them at Zhou Xuci. “A-Ci, your beloved little campus flower is here.”

Lin Jin sighed in admiration, “You’ve really got it made, man. She’s incredibly sweet!”

Zhou Xuci immediately walked out and saw Xu Zhizhi standing by a small cart, wearing a lovely floral dress, spreading warmth to the overtime workers in the lab.

The gazes of several overworked colleagues were glued to Xu Zhizhi, and the sight made Zhou Xuci’s blood boil.

Infuriating.

Zhou Xuci raised his voice and called out, “Baby.”

Xu Zhizhi’s hand, in the middle of passing a milk tea, stilled. She turned to look at Zhou Xuci, and the tips of her ears instantly flushed red.

In front of everyone.

Calling her “baby.”

He was definitely doing it on purpose.

Clearly marking his territory.

Sure enough, with that one call from Zhou Xuci, all the lingering glances on Xu Zhizhi instantly vanished.

No one dared to entertain any ideas about her anymore.

Xu Zhizhi shot him a bashful glare and whispered, “You petty thing.”

Before Zhou Xuci could reach her, someone behind him called out, “Professor!”

Their advisor had arrived.

Xu Zhizhi stood obediently in place and greeted the professor.

Professor Lin glanced at Xu Zhizhi, then at Zhou Xuci. “Xiao Zhou, how far along is the project?”

“Just the final data integration left,” Zhou Xuci reported the progress.

“That’s fine, then. You can leave now,” Professor Lin said understandingly.

Zhou Xuci, ever responsible, replied, “It’ll only take about half an hour to wrap up.”

“Today’s your birthday, and I completely forgot with all the busyness.” Professor Lin glanced at Xu Zhizhi again, saying meaningfully, “Now that your family has come to claim you, it would be downright unreasonable for me to keep you any longer.”

Family.

Xu Zhizhi flushed red once more, “…”

The professor knows about it?!

…