Lu Zhou did not stay for the New Year but instead took Xiao Ting back to school.
Xun Ji did not try to keep him there. During the New Year period, he had to face a horde of distant relatives from the Xun Family whose connections went back who-knows-how-many generations. He found it overwhelmingly annoying himself and even somewhat envied Lu Zhou for being able to escape and find some peace.
If not for Xun Qian’s insistence that he stay home, Xun Ji probably would have slipped away long ago.
【The Host has truly had it rough.】 Seeing the Host wilted and dejected after another round of attacks from the relatives, the System expressed deep sympathy.
【If not for the Tasks ahead, the Host wouldn’t need to stay here and maintain a good relationship with Xun Qian.】
After learning about the original plot, Xun Ji had a rough idea of the Key Plot Point Tasks that might come later. Since his current goal was to reset the Protagonist’s Blackening Value to zero first, paving a way out for Lu Zhou while completing the Tasks became crucial.
Xun Qian was one such path.
Xun Qian was undoubtedly a doting older brother who had spoiled the original body into an arrogant and lawless temperament. But due to his busy work, the two brothers rarely saw each other throughout the year and weren’t particularly close.
The first time Xun Ji returned to the Xun Mansion and saw him, he tentatively made some affectionate gestures. Xun Qian had clearly been surprised but responded awkwardly anyway.
To add an extra layer of insurance to that doting affection, Xun Ji stuck especially close to him every time they met, actively fostering their brotherly bond. Xun Qian appeared on the surface like a shrewd business elite, but in reality, he ate up Xun Ji’s approach completely. After a few times, Xun Ji had him wrapped around his finger—any request Xun Ji made, Xun Qian agreed to without batting an eye.
“Brother, what do you think of Xiao Ting?” Xun Ji asked.
“Xiao Ting?” Xun Qian thought for a moment before reacting. “Lu Zhou’s little sister?”
Xun Ji nodded expectantly.
Xun Qian actually didn’t remember her much, but seeing Xun Ji like this, he still gave face and replied, “She’s cute, with a sweet personality. Not bad.”
“You know, if you had a daughter like Xiao Ting in the future, that would be great,” Xun Ji hinted subtly.
Xun Qian laughed helplessly. “What are you talking about? Don’t think so far ahead.”
“It wouldn’t be that far off, actually,” Xun Ji muttered.
After the New Year, school would start again soon. The unstoppable plot was fast approaching.
He saw Lu Zhou again on the first day of the new semester.
The Lu Zhou who had been especially clingy at the Xun Mansion seemed like an illusion. Lu Zhou became even more silent than before, leaving early and returning late. Xun Ji rarely crossed paths with him.
If not for the breakfast and dinner Lu Zhou prepared every day, Xun Ji might have even felt like he no longer lived in the house. Uncle Li had once advised Lu Zhou that going to school and working was exhausting enough, so he should leave the cooking to him. But for some reason, Lu Zhou insisted on doing it himself.
Not long after school started, Yaoxing Academy welcomed a major event—the school anniversary celebration.
The school anniversary was an important showcase for Yaoxing Academy’s external promotion. In addition to students’ parents and alumni, it invited dignitaries from government, academia, business, and enterprises to gather for the festivities. Every year, the school put on a grand show, and this year, being an anniversary milestone, the administration emphasized it to the extreme, starting preparations early.
“Young Master Xun, can I team up with you for the Star-Plucking Championship?” Yan Qian asked full of anticipation.
At the previous Winter Sports Meet, he had spent a fortune to buy an Ice Hockey slot hoping to team up with Young Master Xun, but Young Master Xun had gone off to participate in the Ice Marathon instead. Later, he practiced Ice Hockey bitterly, hoping to catch Young Master Xun’s eye in the match, but he inexplicably got a stomachache right before and couldn’t compete, leaving him deeply frustrated.
For this school anniversary event, he was determined to team up with Young Master Xun!
“The Star-Plucking Championship?” Xun Ji was somewhat puzzled.
Although the original plot dwelled quite a bit on the school anniversary segment, it focused on another matter involving Lu Zhou’s participation. Lu Zhou skipped all the overt anniversary activities, so the original plot glossed over them as well.
“Tell me about some fun things from last year,” Xun Ji said, resorting to his old trick of pumping Yan Qian for information.
The Star-Plucking Championship was a traditional event at Yaoxing Academy’s school anniversary. Teachers from various subject groups set up checkpoints, and students teamed up to tackle the challenges. The first team to crack all the checkpoints would have every member awarded the Star Crown.
The Star Crown was made of pure gold inlaid with colorful small diamonds, valuable in itself. But what students valued wasn’t just its worth—it represented Yaoxing Academy’s highest honor.
“Young Master Xun, I have some confidence in literature and history questions. I’ve also found a really useful helper,” Yan Qian said as he waved to someone in the corner.
“Yu Fangbai, come here!”
The person had a slender build and pale complexion. His tall frame was slightly hunched, and his gaze looked listless when he glanced over.
Xun Ji had some impression of him because he often heard classmates gossiping about him.
Rumor had it he was the illegitimate son of the Yu Family. His mother had a one-night stand with his biological father, gave birth to him, dumped him on his father, and ran off. Thus, Yu Fangbai’s position in the Yu Family was extremely awkward. Though he never lacked for food or clothing, he wasn’t favored by his father and always kept to himself at school, with no friends.
“The Yu Family is an artistic dynasty. Don’t let his appearance fool you—he’s profoundly skilled in art and music,” Yan Qian said confidently. “Just leave those subjects to him.”
Yu Fangbai shuffled slowly over to them and nodded slightly at Xun Ji. “Young Master Xun.”
“Now we have three people,” Yan Qian counted on his fingers. “We just need two more who are strong in science and athletics to make five.”
Science and athletics? Speak of the devil.
Xun Ji pulled out his mobile phone, opened a chat window, and sent two words:
![No Redemption for Dark Protagonists [Quick Transmigration]](https://i0.wp.com/dobynovels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/quickkk.jpg?resize=151,215 "No Redemption for Dark Protagonists [Quick Transmigration]")
