Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 77

Xu Zhizhi’s legs went weak from the intensity of the kiss, and she leaned into Zhou Xuci’s embrace.

Zhou Xuci, usually gentle and refined, now had a sharp, almost fierce glint in his eyes. It was rare to see him so aggressive.

One of his arms held her waist tightly, while the other hand gently lifted her chin. The corners of his eyes were tinged with red as he murmured, “Baby, I’m jealous. Won’t you comfort me?”

Xu Zhizhi’s lips were swollen from his kisses. She pushed lightly against his shoulder and asked, “How should I comfort you?”

“The forum says you’re only with me to make Shen Yu jealous. Hmm?” His tone was laced with unmistakable sourness.

He wasn’t going to be easy to placate.

“How can you believe such nonsense?” Xu Zhizhi lifted her gaze, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Zhou Xuci stared deeply into her eyes. “I don’t believe it.”

“Then why are you still angry?” Xu Zhizhi wrapped her arms around his waist, nuzzling his shoulder like a kitten, a clear gesture of appeasement.

“I don’t believe it, but that doesn’t stop me from being upset.” He lowered his head, planting a scorching kiss behind her ear. “I’m going crazy with jealousy. Why wasn’t I the one who grew up with you?”

Even though he knew Xu Zhizhi and Shen Yu had been childhood friends, seeing snippets of their past on the forum still stirred an uncontrollable envy within him.

He had lost control of his strength, again.

He had crashed the forum once more.

Xu Zhizhi reached up, her fingertips gently tracing the contours of his passionate eyes. “But from now on, it’s you who will be by my side for the rest of my life.”

“I trust you, but I don’t trust him.” Zhou Xuci tightened his arms around her, a shadow darkening his gaze. “He’s full of tricks, deliberately acting like he’s sixteen again just to tempt you.”

His possessiveness was growing stronger.

“It’s not a big deal.” Xu Zhizhi rose on her tiptoes and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of his lips. “I’m only tempted by you.”

“Really?” Zhou Xuci asked.

Xu Zhizhi nodded solemnly. “I guarantee it.”

Zhou Xuci kissed her again, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Zhizhi, when it comes to you, I’m petty. I’ll nitpick over every little thing.”

Xu Zhizhi’s eyes curved into happy crescents. “You petty thing.”

Scattered kisses rained down on her, leaving her blushing and heart racing once more.

Weak from his kisses, Xu Zhizhi shot him a glare and muttered, “Zhou Xuci, you have no sense of restraint. You’re just using jealousy as an excuse to kiss me…”

“I’ve actually been quite restrained.”

Zhou Xuci lowered his head, sealing her lips triumphantly once again.

They spent a full hour in the VIP lounge. By the time Zhou Xuci finally released her, Xu Zhizhi’s lipstick had been thoroughly kissed away.

“Is your project really finished?” Xu Zhizhi asked, linking her arm with his as they walked through the bustling airport. “You originally said three days. Did you rush back because you were jealous?”

“It’s basically settled.” Zhou Xuci gently stroked her hair. “All that’s left is signing the contract. My senior is staying behind to handle the follow-up, so I came back early.”

“Our lab group chat exploded. They kept tagging me, saying my ‘wall’ was sprouting green smoke.” Zhou Xuci snorted, a hint of pride in his tone. “I had to come back and reinforce that wall.”

“It’s all just rumors.” Xu Zhizhi tightened her hold on his arm, her voice laced with a coquettish tone. “I’m deeply rooted in your soil now, impossible to dig up.”

“Unless one day you don’t like me anymore, I would never…”

Zhou Xuci lowered his head and kissed her lips, cutting off her words.

Xu Zhizhi’s face flushed instantly, and she shyly lowered her head. “This is an airport!”

Kissing her in public.

How bold.

Zhou Xuci had gotten his way and whispered, “Who told you to keep saying things I don’t like?”

Xu Zhizhi pinched his arm and muttered under her breath, “You’re so mean, always bullying me.”

Zhou Xuci laughed, his eyes crinkling with amusement. “In matters like this, I only bully you.”

Xu Zhizhi glared at him, her face still red, and said nothing.

…

Sun Xiuya had been unable to reach Shen Yu, and she grew increasingly agitated.

In the past, she only needed to take medication regularly.

Now, her condition had worsened, requiring injections of sedatives.

Shen Yu slipping from her control made Sun Xiuya more and more unsettled.

Finally, after more than a week of silence, Shen Yu called.

Sun Xiuya trembled as she answered the phone. “A-Yu, you’re finally talking to me. Thank goodness, thank goodness…”

Shen Yu’s voice sounded distant. “How many times have I told you not to bother her? Why do you never listen?”

“A-Yu, what’s wrong with you?” Sun Xiuya panicked, her entire body shaking. “You weren’t like this before. You were obedient and filial, so close to me.”

“Is it because of Xu Zhizhi?” Sun Xiuya’s voice turned cold and sharp. “Are you rebelling against me for Xu Zhizhi? All these years, everything I’ve done has been for your own good. I’ve treated you so well, and now, for the sake of Xu Zhizhi, you’re going to oppose me?”

“Stop saying it’s for my own good. It makes me sick to hear it.” Shen Yu’s pent-up emotions erupted like a volcano. “From childhood to now, every path I’ve taken was one you forced me to walk. Did you ever ask for my opinion?”

“I hated every single path you chose for me. I was miserable, but you never gave me a chance to express myself. You only ever thought your arrangements were the best. But what about me? Am I not human? Do I not deserve to have my own thoughts?” he shouted in accusation.

“A-Yu! I’ve always given you the best choices. If you follow my decisions, your life will be worry-free. I’ve done everything I can to shield you from all risks. Haven’t I been a good enough mother?”

Sun Xiuya’s hands gripped the armrests of her wheelchair tightly. Her eyes were frighteningly red, tears welling up in them. “For you, I gave up my career. I’ve devoted myself entirely to your well-being, and now you blame me? How did you become like this?”

“I’m too far from you now. It’s Xu Zhizhi who’s corrupted you, isn’t it? I’ve told you before, you can like anyone, but not Xu Zhizhi. She’s a sinner, born to atone for her sins. She doesn’t deserve your affection.”

“Enough!” Shen Yu let out a low roar. “Now it’s me who’s not worthy, not good enough for her. She doesn’t like me anymore. Are you happy? It was because I listened to your nonsense that I pushed her away! You’re the one who turned me into someone everyone despises, and now you have the nerve to go crazy on me!”

An eerie silence fell between them.

Shen Yu lifted his head, gazing at the colorful sunset sky, and spoke with determination. “I love Xu Zhizhi.”

Sun Xiuya: “I forbid it!”

“I love her so much I’m losing myself!” Shen Yu raised his voice. “I will win her back, even if it costs me everything. I only want her!”

With a loud crash, a decorative vase shattered.

Sun Xiuya let out a painful howl. After venting her emotions, she summoned a servant.

“Go and send my reply.”

“I can attend the centennial celebration of Jing University.”

It was time for her to visit Jing University.

…