Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 88

After finishing their drinks and barbecue, the four of them staggered back to the dormitory together.

Ling Shuang and Song Jia were drunk.

Xu Zhizhi and Cheng Xiaoxin each supported one of them.

The moon was bright, and the stars were sparse.

Walking on the spacious campus paths of Jing University, the warm evening breeze brushed past them.

“Do you know what my childhood dream was?” Ling Shuang asked Xu Zhizhi loudly.

Xu Zhizhi, who was supporting her, shook her head. “What was it?”

Ling Shuang clenched her fist and raised it high. “I want to overthrow all the evil capitalists and rise up for the oppressed people. Screw the capitalists, they should all die.”

Xu Zhizhi was amused. “Then you’d be a great hero.”

“Of course,” Ling Shuang let out a hearty laugh, but as she laughed, she suddenly grew sad. “I hate oppressive capitalists so much. They already possess far more wealth than most people, yet they still bully others with their power.”

“My family is so complicated. My dad is a poor artist, completely absorbed in creating his landscape paintings. My mom fell in love with his talent and chose to marry him. Everyone said that love without a material foundation wouldn’t last, but they proved them wrong.”

“You have no idea, back in high school, my dad was only focused on painting, and my mom lost her job, oppressed by capitalists. Our family had no income, and I thought I’d have to drop out of school.”

Ling Shuang let out a drunken hiccup. “All my relatives said that girls don’t need to study so much. They said it’s better to go out and work early to earn money and ease the family’s burden.”

Xu Zhizhi’s heart ached hearing this. She patted Ling Shuang’s back and comforted her softly, “Don’t listen to them.”

“Of course, I didn’t.” Ling Shuang grinned, her eyes squinting. “Zhizhi, I’m luckier than others. I have a mom who loves me so, so much. She stood firm against all opposition, working five part-time jobs a day just to support my education.”

“She told me that girls must study, especially girls from families like mine. With knowledge, we’ll have more confidence and more choices in the future.”

“It was her unwavering belief that made me understand, I may come from a poor family, but I’m no worse than anyone else. When I felt like I couldn’t go on, she affirmed and recognized me countless times. That’s how I made it to where I am today.”

Xu Zhizhi smiled too, reaching out to smooth Ling Shuang’s messy hair. “Ling Shuang, you’re amazing, and your mom is amazing too.”

Ling Shuang said happily, “So, I’m a typical mama’s girl. I love my mom so much. If those nosy aunts bully her again, I’ll tear their mouths apart. Hehehehe!”

Fortunately, their family only went through a brief period of hardship. Life gradually improved. Her dad’s paintings, which had lain dormant for twenty years, were finally appreciated, and he later successfully opened a gallery.

“Wuwuwu, I want my mom to love me too, but…” Song Jia suddenly grew sad and whispered, “She only loves my younger brother. I tried so hard to shine, but it seems like no one notices me…”

Cheng Xiaoxin hugged Song Jia and comforted her, “Jiajia, we all see your light. Not just us, so many people see it too.”

“But my parents just can’t see it. Could it be…” Song Jia felt so heartbroken that tears welled up in the corners of her eyes. “Is it because I’m a girl that they’re destined to overlook me?”

Cheng Xiaoxin’s heart ached for her as she gently patted the back of Song Jia’s head. “Don’t be silly. Girls can stand at the summit too, and they can earn the admiration of thousands.”

The alcohol was strong, and Song Jia began to sob uncontrollably.

Cheng Xiaoxin tried to comfort her, flustered and unsure of what to do.

The more she tried to soothe her, the harder Song Jia cried.

Xu Zhizhi and Cheng Xiaoxin exchanged a glance and sighed helplessly.

They came from different family backgrounds, some better, some worse. Their varied life experiences had shaped their distinct temperaments.

Meeting each other was the most wonderful fate bestowed by heaven.

They couldn’t change their origins, but they were willing to strive tirelessly to create a brilliant life for themselves.

There are countless forms of misfortune and suffering.

They were unfortunate, yet at the same time, they were also fortunate.

The future was still long. Their freshman year had ended, but their youth continued, and their radiance still shone brightly.

Summer vacation was approaching.

Xu Zhizhi decided to return to Nancheng for a while, partly to see Shen Yaoxin, and partly because Grandpa Lu was pestering her again to teach him painting.

Shen Yaoxin had overworked himself, and coupled with some heart issues, he had fainted at the company and was rushed to the hospital.

Uncle Shen was ill.

Out of both emotion and reason, Xu Zhizhi had to go back to Nancheng.

She had gradually distanced herself from the Shen family, but she still felt grateful for the ten years Uncle Shen had taken her in.

Zhou Xuci returned to Nancheng every holiday, mainly to accompany Grandpa Lu.

Grandma’s sudden passing had left a wound in their hearts that was hard to heal.

Zhou Xuci had been living with guilt and remorse, so he made every effort to spend as much time as possible with Grandpa Lu.

This time, Xu Zhizhi returned to Nancheng together with Zhou Xuci.

As soon as they landed, Zhou Xuci accompanied Xu Zhizhi to the small apartment she had rented in advance.

A tiny one-bedroom, one-living-room unit on the sixth floor of a walk-up building, rented for a month.

Xu Zhizhi had gained some fame in the art circle and earned a considerable income, far surpassing most of her peers.

The popularity of the art gallery at Jing University’s anniversary celebration had surged onto Weibo’s hot search list, and her clever concepts had won praise from many industry professionals.

As the main artist, Xu Zhizhi became the focus of attention, and more and more people sought her out for commissions.

Xu Zhizhi was diligent, painting every day and producing one piece after another, many of which were selected for art exhibitions.

She had earned quite a bit, but she remained very frugal.

Xu Zhizhi kept a small ledger, meticulously recording every income and expense.

She also had a bank card for fixed deposits.

She was saving money like crazy.

Xu Zhizhi placed her easel and painting tools in a corner of the small living room and took out a few decorative paintings from a package, hanging them on the wall.

Even for a short stay, she wanted to live with style.

Zhou Xuci walked over, wrapped his arms around Xu Zhizhi from behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Baby, I’ve been moving things, lifting, and cleaning. Don’t I deserve a reward?”

Xu Zhizhi turned her head and quickly kissed his cheek. “Thank you, brother~”

“Not enough,” Zhou Xuci said, unsatisfied.

Xu Zhizhi kissed him again.

“Still not enough.”

Zhou Xuci puckered his lips, making his request clear.

Xu Zhizhi cooperatively pressed her lips to his.

She intended it to be a light kiss.

But when she tried to pull away, Zhou Xuci held her tightly in his arms, deepening the kiss as their lips and tongues entwined.

They kissed passionately for a long time.

It wasn’t until Xu Zhizhi bit his lip that Zhou Xuci released her.

Xu Zhizhi’s ears flushed red from the intensity of the kiss. “Are you free tomorrow?”

Zhou Xuci gazed at her intently. “Yes.”

“Then come with me to the cemetery tomorrow,” Xu Zhizhi said.

Zhou Xuci’s expression faltered slightly.

Xu Zhizhi buried her face in the crook of his neck. “Zhou Xuci, I want to introduce you to my parents.”

…