Sweet Temptation: After Rebirth, The Campus Heartthrob Can’t Hide His Feelings Anymore - Chapter 99

Under the night sky, the Ferris wheel slowly ascended.

Xu Zhizhi gazed at the bustling world and said excitedly to Zhou Xuci, “I’ve heard that from the highest point, you can overlook the entire Nancheng.”

From high above, the households of Nancheng shrank into countless specks of light, gathering together to form a sea of twinkling lights.

The entire city was enveloped in the vast darkness, serene and peaceful.

Zhou Xuci wrapped his arms around Xu Zhizhi’s waist, resting his chin on her shoulder like an affectionate puppy.

His eyes sparkled with a brilliant light as he said with a smile, “But what I’ve heard is that when the Ferris wheel reaches its peak, kissing the one you love will bring a lifetime of happiness.”

His warm breath brushed past her ear, tingeing the tips of her ears with a blush.

Xu Zhizhi lowered her gaze to look at him and gently poked his cheek with her fingertip. “Zhou Xuci, you’re a rational engineering student. Do you actually believe in such things?”

“I don’t,” Zhou Xuci replied.

His eyes brimmed with tenderness as he whispered, “But the legend is so romantic, and I wanted to share it with you.”

Their eyes met, brimming with affection.

Just as the Ferris wheel was about to reach its highest point, the sound of fireworks bursting suddenly filled the air.

“Look, how beautiful!” Xu Zhizhi exclaimed excitedly, her eyes reflecting the stunning fireworks.

“Yes, so beautiful,” Zhou Xuci said.

But he wasn’t looking at the fireworks; his gaze was fixed tenderly on Xu Zhizhi.

As the Ferris wheel reached its peak, Zhou Xuci cupped Xu Zhizhi’s face and kissed her passionately, while fireworks bloomed across the sky in that very moment.

Their lips met.

It was the epitome of romance.

After a day of wild fun, it suddenly began to rain as the two made their way home.

Summer in Nancheng was rainy, and the weather could change in an instant.

Zhou Xuci and Xu Zhizhi took shelter under an eave.

Xu Zhizhi reached out her hand to catch the drizzling rain and smiled at Zhou Xuci. “It’s not far. Let’s run back.”

Zhou Xuci wiped the raindrops from her face and said worriedly, “On rainy days, your knees tend to ache.”

“I’ve never been rebellious in my life,” Xu Zhizhi said, lifting her face. “Ever since I can remember, my life has been orderly and disciplined. Every step I took had to follow the rules.”

“During my teenage years, I was quiet and reserved, rarely speaking. Most of my time was spent immersed in the world of painting,” Xu Zhizhi continued, her eyes filled with longing. “I envied the wild lives of others. They were like untamed horses, living boldly, freely, and unrestrained.”

In youth, it seemed as though everyone was rapidly growing and expanding, driven by a rebellious spirit that carried them through their vibrant student years.

“Let me tell you, some people climbed over walls and were chased by the dean. One of them accidentally fell into the dean’s arms and ended up writing a 3,000-word self-criticism.”

“And then, there were the troublemakers who skipped class to buy takeout noodles. They ate with great relish during math class, but one unlucky soul accidentally brought stinky river snail noodles, and the smell filled the entire classroom. The math teacher was so furious his face turned green.”

“Nancheng’s summers are rainy, and the teenagers back then were always so carefree. They would dash into the heavy rain, shouting and laughing, even though they knew they’d be scolded when they got home. They still stumbled and ran all the way.”

Xu Zhizhi turned to Zhou Xuci, her eyes sparkling with laughter. “Zhou Xuci, were you ever rebellious in your youth?”

Zhou Xuci held her hand and smiled. “Yes.”

“How were you rebellious?” Xu Zhizhi asked curiously.

“Controlling my scores,” Zhou Xuci replied.

“How do you control it?”

“I like scoring 99 on math exams.” He blinked proudly, “On purpose.”

“Why 99?”

“Because the math teacher has OCD.” Zhou Xuci recalled his past mischiefs and couldn’t help but laugh. “He’s the type who gets bothered by even a millimeter’s difference, so I wanted to tease him.”

“Every time he handed back my math test, he’d be frowning, looking pained, uncomfortable but unable to criticize me.”

“I still remember him saying to me earnestly, ‘Zhou Xuci, how could you get this wrong? Just one point, only one point away!'”

“Later on, the math teacher got too sharp and realized I was doing it on purpose, so he just gave me a perfect score directly.”

Xu Zhizhi burst into laughter. “Zhou Xuci, tormenting someone with OCD, you’re really something.”

“My teenage years were actually quite restless.” Zhou Xuci looked up at the boundless night sky, his eyes filled with nostalgia for his youth. “But I had strong self-esteem. No matter how rebellious or defiant I felt, I could suppress it because I was a top student, a role model for everyone, so I had to play the part of the exemplary student well.”

Xu Zhizhi broke free from Zhou Xuci’s hand and strode into the drizzling rain, her eyes curving into smiles. “Brother, how about being a little rebellious with me now?”

Let’s make up for the youth we missed together.

Zhou Xuci frowned, worried she might catch a cold. “Xu Zhizhi!”

But Xu Zhizhi had already started running ahead, truly embodying the spirit of adolescence, shouting at the sky, “What kind of person do you want to be in the future?”

Zhou Xuci chased after her.

Xu Zhizhi slowed her pace, turned to look at him, and said with a smile, “I want to be rich, with lots and lots of money.”

“Why?” Zhou Xuci asked.

“That was my thought when I was sixteen.” The smile never left Xu Zhizhi’s face. “Back then, I felt there was nothing more important in the world than money.”

“Because with enough money, I could use it to smash this messed-up world to pieces!” she shouted at the sky.

Her idea was simple and brutal.

“What about you? Do you remember what you wanted when you were sixteen or seventeen?” Xu Zhizhi looked at Zhou Xuci.

Zhou Xuci ran forward, imitating her carefree demeanor, and shouted, “I was really arrogant at sixteen or seventeen. My brother was such a jerk, completely unreliable. I felt so much pressure, I wanted to make something of myself and treat my brother like a dog!”

Xu Zhizhi laughed so hard she could barely stand straight. “Does your brother know?”

“No.” Zhou Xuci took Xu Zhizhi’s hand and pulled her along as they ran through the light rain. “When we were kids, my brother was too mischievous, always playing pranks. I hated him so much. We couldn’t stand each other.”

“What changed your relationship later?”

“Later, our grandmother passed away unexpectedly, and my brother started paying more attention to me. Slowly, our relationship improved. Even though he’s a jerk, he’s fiercely protective, he really loves his family.” When Zhou Xuci mentioned Lu Huaibei, his eyes shone brightly.

Xu Zhizhi was moved, her eyes slightly red. “Was Jing University your first choice?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you choose Jing University?”

“As someone from the south, I wanted to see snow. Back then, I made a spur-of-the-moment decision and applied to Jing University.” Zhou Xuci raised his voice. “Now, I’m really grateful I made that choice.”

“How so?” Xu Zhizhi asked.

“Because I met the girl I like at Jing University,” Zhou Xuci gazed deeply at Xu Zhizhi. “What a coincidence, she likes me too.”

Just like that, he held the hand of the girl he loved and walked forward with her, braving the wind and rain together as they rushed back into the youth that belonged to them.

…