Chapter 30: Yaoxing Academy 30 Part 2

For some reason, he didn’t dare look up into Xun Ji’s eyes. He asked, “So you came to find me just to stop Luo Xunan and shut down the game?”

He had kissed Xun Ji, and Xun Ji had kissed him back. Xun Ji’s lips were still slightly swollen, and his body still carried Xun Ji’s scent. They had clearly…

“Stop Luo Xunan? Shut down the game?” Xun Ji shook his head. “What does any of that have to do with me? I came for you, Lu Zhou.”

The amber eyes held a gentle gaze, as always.

—To get you expelled.

*

【Ding! Key Plot Point Task completed.】

【Successfully caused the protagonist Lu Zhou to be expelled from Yaoxing Academy. Reward: 1000 Points. Current Points: 2641.】

【Warm Reminder: Time limit for the next Key Plot Point Task: 1 hour remaining.】

One hour? Xun Ji reached out from the misty bathtub, sending water splashing. He grabbed his mobile phone from nearby and sent a message to Principal Kong:

[You can let him go back now.]

【Host…】 The System’s voice was listless. Though electronic, it somehow sounded hoarse, like after a big cry.

【This time, the sacrifice was too great. The protagonist pinned the Host down in the filthy mud and took liberties—once wasn’t enough, twice wasn’t enough. A total of 98 kisses!】

Xun Ji: “…”

That many?

Xun Ji grew curious. “I kissed him too. How many times did I kiss him?”

System: 【Once.】

Xun Ji was surprised. “Just once?”

System: 【Yeah, but the protagonist’s were all quick pecks. The Host’s was long… deep…】

Xun Ji rubbed his forehead. “Enough. Don’t count this stuff anymore. Next time something like this happens, lock yourself in the little black room.”

The System wailed: 【There’s a next time?! Waaah, waaah, the Host’s going to keep selling his body, sacrificing himself for tasks, waaah…】

Xun Ji let out a long sigh. Things developing so suddenly with Lu Zhou had indeed caught him off guard. But after two Key Plot Point Tasks in a row, Lu Zhou’s Blackening Value was bound to spike. Rejecting him now might max it out completely—that would be disastrous.

Dating the protagonist, though… might actually be a decent option. Xun Ji pondered. He had previously identified three keys to clearing Lu Zhou’s Blackening Value: himself, Luo Xunan, and Lu Ting.

Now, Luo Xunan wasn’t just black-hearted—he’d touched Lu Zhou’s major sore spot with his gambling ties. Lu Zhou could never rekindle friendship there. And Lu Ting was next…

When it came down to it, only he remained.

In the original story, Lu Zhou’s expulsion stemmed from the Hunting Shadow Game too—just initiated by “Xun Ji.” Luo Xunan restarting it on his own had spared Xun Ji the effort.

For the next Key Plot Point Task, he’d enlisted Xun Qian early on—no need for personal involvement. But the mess from Lu Zhou’s skyrocketing Blackening Value after two tasks? That he’d have to clean up himself.

He’d been agonizing over how, but now a ready solution had presented itself.

Looks like this romance was inevitable.

【How was the Host originally planning to complete the protagonist’s expulsion task?】 the System asked curiously.

Xun Ji flicked a splash from the bathwater.

“What if I told Xun Qian that I love Lu Zhou and want to be with him? How do you think he’d react?”

【The Host planned to use the protagonist’s feelings, force him out via Xun Qian!】 The System realized. 【Then you two play out the ‘Arrogant Heir’s Tyrannical Pursuit, Poor Boy Can’t Escape’ drama, becoming a pair of devoted lovers defying all odds! The protagonist’s Blackening Value wouldn’t rise from the task—it might even drop sharply, making him utterly devoted to the Host!】

Xun Ji: “…Uninstall your web novel module right now.”

【Then, once the protagonist tastes love’s sweetness and his Blackening Value hits zero, dump him hard. Switch to ‘Cold Tyrant’s Plaything,’ leaving him desperate, mad with love, fully blackened! That way, we and the other Tasker both complete our tasks and leave this world!】

The System clapped in praise. 【The Host is a genius!】

Xun Ji: “…”

The logic held, but hearing it from the System felt off.

Water splashed as countless tiny droplets rolled down his perfectly proportioned body. Xun Ji stepped barefoot out of the bathroom.

“Lu Zhou should be here soon. Hurry and finish the next Key Plot Point Task so we can sleep.” Xun Ji yawned while drying his hair. “Don’t dump two tasks at once next time. It’s exhausting.”

In the living room, Lu Zhou had just walked through the door.

Xun Ji was fresh and clean, but Lu Zhou was covered in bloodstains and mud. It hadn’t been noticeable in the dim light of the Abandoned Botanical Garden, but now…

The System had griped on his behalf for ages without moving him, yet now he deeply felt its grievance was justified.

Next time they kissed, Little Dog had to be squeaky clean first. Xun Ji resolved inwardly.

Lu Zhou looked up as Xun Ji descended the stairs and froze for a moment before speaking first.

“The expulsion notice will come down tomorrow. The school is firm on this—all participants are being punished, no exceptions.” Exhaustion bled through Lu Zhou’s voice despite his efforts to hide it.

The previous night’s warm-up for the Hunting Shadow Game, followed by a full day of the Star-Plucking Championship, dangling from the Bell Tower in a brush with death, then hours of frantic flight and combat that evening, capped by harsh questioning from the school—even Lu Zhou’s stamina couldn’t withstand it.

“Mmm.” Xun Ji nodded. “Call me when you get to the new school.”

Principal Kong was now head of a top high school in the neighboring province. She wouldn’t abandon Lu Zhou.

Tumultuous emotions surged in Lu Zhou’s eyes. He suppressed them fiercely and said softly, “I’m sorry.”

“I shouldn’t have joined the Hunting Shadow Game. It was all my fault—the school’s punishment is fair. But…”

“But I don’t want to leave this!” He couldn’t hold back anymore. He couldn’t stay as calm as Xun Ji. On the walk back, his mind had been a whirlwind, his heart in utter panic.

The lofty king had stepped down from his throne for the first time, allowing the kneeling knight to offer a kiss of loyalty.

How could he leave now?

Lu Zhou’s tone grew urgent and fervent. “Xun Ji, I don’t want to leave you. Even if I go to another school, could we…”

“Little Lu, you’re finally back!”

Brother Wang had clearly been woken by the noise in the living room. He emerged from a downstairs room, draped in pajamas.

Xun Ji glanced at the clock on the wall. Exactly five minutes left of the hour.

“Where the hell did you run off to? And your phone’s unreachable!” Brother Wang’s tone mixed thick anxiety with a hint of complaint.

“My phone was… taken by an event. Just got it back.” Lu Zhou pulled out his mobile phone, powered it on, and dozens of missed calls popped up instantly.

Most were from Brother Wang, plus some unknown numbers, and… Xiao Ting’s kindergarten teacher.

Lu Zhou’s heart clenched hard, dizziness crashing over him.

A hand steadied him. Xun Ji said calmly, “Tell him what happened.”

Lu Zhou instinctively refused. “I’m too tired today. If it’s not urgent, we can talk tomorrow…”

“Hey, this isn’t urgent?!”

Seeing him like that, Brother Wang couldn’t hold back his anger and blurted out:

“Xiao Ting’s gone missing!”