Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 92

As they descended the mountain, Xu Zhizhi felt a faint ache in her knees.

She endured it quietly, but Zhou Xuci still noticed.

“Zhizhi, don’t push yourself,” Zhou Xuci said helplessly, tapping her head lightly.

Her knees couldn’t handle walking for too long.

There were still a hundred steps left.

Zhou Xuci crouched slightly in front of Xu Zhizhi. “Be good, I’ll carry you.”

Seeing that it was getting dark and the mountain path was difficult to navigate, Xu Zhizhi obediently climbed onto his back.

“Have I gained a little weight recently?” Xu Zhizhi wrapped her arms around Zhou Xuci’s neck.

“Not at all,” Zhou Xuci replied with a laugh. “You’re still as light as a feather.”

Xu Zhizhi buried her face in his shoulder. “I’ve gained three pounds recently, you big liar.”

“We’ve been indulging in good food together, yet you never seem to gain any weight,” she said, lifting her head to gaze at his profile. “Have you been secretly working out behind my back?”

Zhou Xuci chuckled. “How would I dare?”

“Besides,” he added, “you’re too thin. With your weak stomach and low blood sugar, gaining a little weight would help strengthen your immunity.”

Xu Zhizhi rested limply against his back and sighed weakly, “I really am so frail.”

“It’s alright,” Zhou Xuci said, his eyes filled with affection. “I have plenty of patience to nurture you slowly.”

I want to raise you into the most vibrant flower.

After descending the steps, Zhou Xuci didn’t put Xu Zhizhi down but continued carrying her as they walked on.

Passersby along the road cast curious glances their way as they walked by.

“How are you feeling today?” Xu Zhizhi asked.

“Why do you ask?” Zhou Xuci countered.

“I secretly went to Hanshan Temple,” Xu Zhizhi said, lowering her gaze slightly, her long eyelashes veiling the light in her eyes. “I was worried that if I did something wrong, it would only add more pressure on you.”

Zhou Xuci stopped at a bench under a streetlamp and gently set Xu Zhizhi down.

They sat side by side.

“Zhizhi, thank you,” Zhou Xuci said, cupping her face with sincere eyes. “Because of you, I’ve finally stepped out of that darkness.”

“For four whole years, I didn’t dare set foot in Hanshan Temple because I couldn’t face the fact that my grandmother had left me. I didn’t have the courage to reopen old wounds.”

“I always thought I would be trapped for the rest of my life, that I would never be able to move on.”

A sense of calm relief settled in Zhou Xuci’s expression. “But today, as I climbed the mountain, I felt no fear… only nostalgia.”

“With every step, I recalled the little moments I shared with my grandmother. She was a gentle and generous person. If she knew I had become someone who evaded reality, she would be disappointed.”

Touched, Xu Zhizhi’s eyes reddened, glistening with tears.

“Walking that path today made me realize that taking the first step isn’t as difficult as I thought. The closer I got to the end, the more at peace I felt.”

Zhou Xuci’s eyes grew slightly moist. “My grandmother was one of the people who loved me most in this world. All these years, she repeatedly wished for me to live a safe and smooth life.”

“If I continued to live blindly in the cage I’d built for myself, wouldn’t I be betraying all her hopes for me?”

Tears fell from Xu Zhizhi’s eyes as she leaned in and kissed Zhou Xuci tenderly.

A soft, lingering kiss.

Zhou Xuci held her face and deepened the kiss, making it even more intimate.

After the deep kiss ended, Xu Zhizhi leaned against Zhou Xuci’s chest. “Brother.”

“Hmm?”

“Don’t blame yourself. You’ve never failed anyone’s expectations.”

Zhou Xuci’s eyes shimmered with emotion.

Xu Zhizhi’s eyes were red-rimmed as she gazed deeply at Zhou Xuci and whispered, “I often wonder, if I hadn’t met you in this lifetime, where would I be headed?”

Zhou Xuci gently wiped away the tear stains at the corners of her eyes with his fingertips. “Baby, in this life, you were destined to meet me.”

“Why?” Xu Zhizhi laughed.

“Because I would cross oceans of people just to deliberately encounter you.” Zhou Xuci kissed the small dimple at the corner of her lips. “Luckily, you like me. Otherwise…”

“Otherwise, what?” Xu Zhizhi asked.

“Otherwise,” Zhou Xuci paused, his voice lowering, “I might resort to any means to have you.”

I love you, to the point of madness.

Without you, I might truly go insane.

“You wouldn’t do that.” Xu Zhizhi lifted her head and gently bit his lower lip. “You’re so gentle; you wouldn’t do something so out of character.”

“I would.” Zhou Xuci’s deep eyes held the image of Xu Zhizhi’s blossoming smile. “My affection for you has reached a point where I could lose all reason.”

Xu Zhizhi’s face flushed at his words, and she buried it in the crook of his neck. “Zhou Xuci, I’m so glad I have you.”

Without you, my life wouldn’t be so vibrant.

I might still strive to shine brightly, but because of you, I feel this life is much more complete.

“Baby.” Zhou Xuci gently rubbed the back of her head. “Does your knee still hurt?”

Xu Zhizhi became a bit melodramatic. “It’s a little uncomfortable, but it doesn’t hurt.”

“Don’t ever secretly climb a thousand steps again.” Zhou Xuci said with heartache. “And you did it behind my back several times.”

“But didn’t they say that praying requires sincerity? Climbing step by step shows my patience and determination.”

“Your knees aren’t good.” Zhou Xuci said helplessly. “Next time, don’t push yourself like that, or I’ll have to scold you.”

“Zhou Xuci, you wouldn’t dare.” Xu Zhizhi said smugly.

Zhou Xuci looked at her with adoration. “Yes, yes, you’re just bullying me.”

In the blink of an eye, half the summer vacation had passed.

Xu Zhizhi received news that Uncle Shen had been discharged from the hospital.

As soon as Shen Yaoxin left the hospital, he invited Xu Zhizhi back to the Shen family for a meal.

In his heart, even though Xu Zhizhi had grown up, she was still the little girl he had watched grow up.

He had always been fond of her.

Even though he knew Xu Zhizhi would be leaving the Shen family, and he was reluctant to let her go, he ultimately had to release her.

Upon learning that Xu Zhizhi was coming back for a meal, the busiest person was Shen Yu.

He was so energized, as if injected with adrenaline, determined to renovate the entire Shen residence.

Shen Yaoxin’s complexion was still quite pale, but seeing Shen Yu so full of vigor lifted his spirits.

“Where is the young master?” Sun Xiuya, who hadn’t seen Shen Yu for several days, asked Aunt Zhang with concern.

“The young master has been buying a lot of things recently, busy redecorating Miss Xu’s room.” Aunt Zhang said cautiously. “From what I see, the young master genuinely likes Miss Xu, it’s not like his usual playful behavior.”

Sun Xiuya listened in a daze, her expression turning cold and sorrowful as she lowered her head. “I know. He’s serious this time.”

“I just never expected that he could be so serious about Xu Zhizhi.”

“Miss,” Aunt Zhang couldn’t help but console her, “You love the young master. If he truly likes Miss Xu that much, perhaps it would be better to…”

Sun Xiuya turned her head away, unwilling to continue the conversation. “Don’t say anymore, I don’t want to hear it.”

…