Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 90

Uncle Shen fell ill and was hospitalized once again.

Upon hearing the news, Xu Zhizhi made a special trip to visit him at the hospital.

Shen Yaoxin lay in the hospital bed, hooked up to an IV drip. Years of overwork had left him with a sickly weariness etched between his brows.

Xu Zhizhi suddenly noticed that Uncle Shen’s temples were beginning to turn gray. It was as if he had aged overnight.

Sun Xiuya sat nearby, peeling an apple for Shen Yaoxin. When Xu Zhizhi walked in, she didn’t even spare her a glance.

“Zhizhi, you’re here! Come, come, let Uncle take a good look at you,” Shen Yaoxin said, his face lighting up with a smile as soon as he saw her.

Xu Zhizhi approached the bedside, greeted Shen Yaoxin, and expressed concern for his health. “How are you feeling, Uncle? Is there anywhere you still feel unwell?”

Shen Yaoxin waved his hand dismissively. “Don’t worry, Zhizhi. Uncle just overworked himself with overtime, and his blood sugar dropped, causing his body to overload. A few days of rest, and I’ll be fine.”

“A-Ya, give the peeled apple to Zhizhi. She loves apples,” Shen Yaoxin said to Sun Xiuya.

Sun Xiuya paused for a moment, then lifted her eyes to look at Xu Zhizhi. Her gaze was cold and detached as she slowly handed the apple over.

Xu Zhizhi didn’t take it. Instead, she smiled and explained to Shen Yaoxin, “Uncle, you should have it. My stomach feels a bit bloated, and I can’t eat anything right now.”

She politely declined.

“Is that so?” Shen Yaoxin took the apple and continued to show concern for Xu Zhizhi. “If your stomach is bothering you, why did you come all this way to see me? Have you taken any medicine?”

“Yes, I have. Thank you for your concern, Uncle,” Xu Zhizhi replied, reverting to her well-behaved, obedient demeanor.

Around Shen Yaoxin, she had grown accustomed to being meek and submissive.

“I saw the coverage of Jing University’s Art Gallery, including your interview,” Shen Yaoxin said, beaming with pride. He gave her a thumbs-up and praised her repeatedly, “Our Zhizhi is so accomplished. Truly outstanding!”

Aunt Zhang, who was standing nearby, chimed in, “Sir, the young master is also amazing. He won a national-level swimming competition championship.”

At the mention of Shen Yu, Shen Yaoxin’s expression visibly darkened with worry. “That brat wins a small award and gets carried away. None of you should praise him. The more you praise him, the more trouble he’ll cause.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than Shen Yu’s cheerful voice echoed from the doorway.

“Dad, what’s the harm in praising me just once?”

Shen Yu was dressed in athletic wear, exuding the vibrant energy of a passionate young college student.

He had cut his hair into a neat, short style that looked clean and refreshing. His handsome face carried a hint of roguish charm, making him the epitome of a dashing sports student.

He radiated youthful vitality.

Shen Yu walked in, carrying a steaming thermos of soup. “I woke up at five this morning just to make this soup for you. If you won’t even give me a nod of approval, I’ll really be upset.”

He had changed a lot.

Gone was his former arrogance and flippant attitude, replaced by a healthy and sunny aura.

“You brat, you’re so unpredictable. You’re being filial these days, but who knows if you’ll turn back into a rebellious son tomorrow?” Shen Yaoxin grumbled. “Let me tell you, your probation period is far from over.”

“When you can learn to be as virtuous and academically excellent as Zhizhi, then I’ll praise you,” Shen Yaoxin said.

Shen Yu opened the thermos and poured out the hot soup, his tone resolute and confident. “Alright, I’ll strive to win the first-class scholarship next semester.”

A flicker of joy flashed in Shen Yaoxin’s eyes, but it vanished almost instantly as he put on a stern face again. “I’ll take your word for it for now.”

Xu Zhizhi glanced at Shen Yu’s hand, noticing a red patch on the back, likely a burn.

He had probably injured it while making soup.

Shen Yu, a young master who had never lifted a finger for household chores and was accustomed to being waited on hand and foot, had actually cooked soup himself for his father.

How bizarre.

It seemed he had truly transformed.

Sun Xiuya sat motionless in her wheelchair, staring intently at Shen Yu, lost in deep thought.

Both of them found this version of Shen Yu unfamiliar.

After chatting with Xu Zhizhi for a while, Shen Yaoxin was called away by a nurse for a check-up.

Xu Zhizhi took her leave.

“Kid, see Zhizhi out,” Shen Yaoxin said.

Shen Yu agreed.

Xu Zhizhi wanted to refuse, but Shen Yu had already walked over.

“Zhizhi, I have something to say to you,” Shen Yu said with a radiant smile.

Xu Zhizhi didn’t respond and strode ahead.

Shen Yu caught up and walked out of the hospital with her.

At a red light.

Shen Yu stepped in front of Xu Zhizhi, gazing at her earnestly. “Xu Zhizhi, I’ve quit smoking.”

The smell of smoke you dislike, I’ve given it up.

It took me a long, long time.

“And there won’t be any other women’s perfume on me anymore,” Shen Yu’s gaze was intense. “I won’t get drunk out of my mind anymore, either.”

“I’ll become better and better.”

As he spoke, Shen Yu pulled a swimming gold medal from his pocket. “I won this. I want to give it to the girl I like.”

He offered it to her with both hands.

Xu Zhizhi stepped back, shaking her head. “Shen Yu, I don’t care if you’re genuinely better or just pretending. Changing is your own choice, it has nothing to do with me.”

“I know,” Shen Yu replied, not upset by the rejection, though a little disappointed. He tucked the medal back into his pocket. “But I still want you to know that I became better because of you.”

“Don’t put me on a pedestal. I had no part in it,” Xu Zhizhi said coldly.

The light turned green. Xu Zhizhi spoke, “You can stop here. Goodbye.”

With that, she walked away resolutely.

Shen Yu stood still, not chasing after her, but called out to her retreating figure, “Xu Zhizhi, I want you to know, I’ll become as outstanding as Zhou Xuci.”

“You don’t have to look back at me, because I’ll run forward on my own until I catch up to your pace!”

“I believe that one day, you’ll personally accept the medal from my hand and walk alongside me.”

A young man’s affection could be just as fervent, brimming with an irrepressible passion.

If she liked someone like Zhou Xuci, then he would strive to become the next Zhou Xuci!

Xu Zhizhi hurried across the crosswalk without looking back, striding forward under the scorching sun.

In the distance, Sun Xiuya sat in her wheelchair, staring absently at Shen Yu’s beaming face.

“A-Yu hasn’t smiled like this in so long,” Sun Xiuya murmured softly.

“He used to be so bright and radiant, daring and responsible… Perhaps he was right. Living in my shadow all this time made him suffer so much.”

“What is so special about Xu Zhizhi? Is she worth A-Yu changing for?” Sun Xiuya lifted her head, gazing at the blazing sun as her eyes slowly reddened, glistening with unshed tears.

“A-Lan, all these years… have I truly been so wrong?” she asked sorrowfully.

Aunt Zhang wiped her eyes and comforted her softly, “Miss, you are also a victim, just momentarily trapped by your emotions. You… are clearly both innocent.”

Yet you are all trapped in the abyss of despair by pain.

Sun Xiuya reached out a trembling hand, touching her numb legs. Tears, like broken strings of pearls, fell instantly, dripping onto her legs.

…