Chapter 8: Yaoxing Academy 8 Part 1

The news of Xun Ji’s recovery quickly spread throughout Yaoxing Academy. His desk and Storage Locker were stuffed full of condolence gifts. Although it was just a minor cold, those with ulterior motives clearly would not miss the opportunity to curry favor with the Little Young Master of the Xun Conglomerate.

Yan Feng’s group went even further. They hung up a banner wishing him good health and a long life, and even custom-ordered a one-meter-tall peach-shaped longevity cake to celebrate with him. In the end, under the gazes of the entire school’s students watching the spectacle, Xun Ji chased them all out. Xun Ji even suspected that Yan Feng was not trying to flatter him but rather seeking revenge.

Of course, amid all the insincere gifts, there were also quite a few genuine ones.

“Dear Young Master Xun, without you at Yaoxing, it’s like the stars have lost the sun’s radiance—every day is nothing but dimness and cold. I only wish for your swift recovery and that you never fall ill again. Only when I see you standing before me once more, gracing me with your warm smile, will the pain in my heart be alleviated… Pfft hahahaha!!”

Lin Yule pounded the table, laughing until tears streamed down his face. “I can’t take it—it’s too cheesy! A Xun, to whom did you flash that ‘warm smile’ this time?”

Xun Ji felt a slight headache. “Once you’re done laughing, help me pack up this stuff. I’m hungry.”

Lu Zhou heard Lin Yule’s exaggerated reading from the hallway. He walked into the Senior Year Class 1 classroom and shot him a disdainful glance before saying to Xun Ji, “Uncle Li said you should still eat light foods for the next couple of days. I just went to the cafeteria to get…”

“Let me see who wrote this tearjerker of a love letter!” Lin Yule clearly wasn’t done yet. He wiped his tears and continued reading, “—from your eternally loyal Little Strawberry, Yan…”

“Swish!”

The letter was snatched from Lin Yule’s hand. A handsome boy with chestnut hair rushed at him furiously. “Lin Yule! Why did you open Young Master Xun’s letter!”

“Yan Qian, you wrote this?” Lin Yule suddenly realized something. “No wonder your face was all red that day when you were feeding A Xun strawberries.”

Yan Qian’s face flushed red. “Don’t spout nonsense!”

“It’s you.” Xun Ji recognized him too—this student came from a family that owned a fruit orchard and always sent him strawberries.

Yan Qian placed a food box in front of Xun Ji and lifted the lid. Instantly, a fragrant aroma filled the air.

The food box was designed exquisitely. Inside, the main dish was a bowl of Shredded Chicken Bird’s Nest Porridge, accompanied by sides like Lily Yam Stewed Ribs, Cold Mixed Fish Shreds, Stir-fried Seasonal Vegetables, and Autumn Chestnut Cheese Steamed Cake. Not only did it look appetizing, but the nutritional balance was perfect for someone who had just recovered from illness.

Under Yan Qian’s expectant gaze, Xun Ji took a sip of the Shredded Chicken Bird’s Nest Porridge. The delicious flavor warmed his stomach, and he narrowed his eyes in satisfaction.

“The taste is great. Thanks.” Xun Ji gave him a polite smile.

“Y-You’re welcome!” Yan Qian stammered. “If Young Master Xun likes it…”

“Only when I see you standing before me once more, gracing me with your warm smile, I…”

“Lin Yule!!!”

“Hahahahaha!”

Yan Qian chased the laughing Lin Yule out of the classroom like a bird with exploded feathers.

Xun Ji couldn’t be bothered with them and leisurely enjoyed the feast. After eating for a bit, he noticed Lu Zhou was still standing nearby.

“Do you need something?” Xun Ji asked.

Lu Zhou eyed the exquisite meal. He lowered his gaze and hid the thermos box he was carrying behind his back.

“You need someone to feed you strawberries?” he suddenly asked.

Xun Ji paused with his chopsticks. He recalled that when he first transmigrated, to maintain his School Bully image, he had indeed lived quite extravagantly.

But what was done was done, so there was no point denying it. He nodded. “Yeah.”

“Heh.” Lu Zhou let out a cold laugh and turned to leave.

“What was that ‘heh’ for?” Xun Ji asked the System.

[Uh, maybe the Protagonist wants to eat strawberries?] the System guessed.

Xun Ji thought about it. With Lu Zhou’s family situation, he probably couldn’t afford strawberries of that quality. The System’s guess made sense.

“Later, have Yan Qian send some fresh strawberries home.”

[Why does the Host want to send strawberries to the Protagonist?] The System was puzzled.

“You wouldn’t get it. He scorns accepting handouts, but he can’t resist the temptation of strawberries. Just put them there, and his Blackening Value will rise.”

[I think the Host just wants to eat them himself,] the System muttered softly.

But soon, the System’s doubts about Xun Ji vanished completely.

[Ding! Daily Tasks completed: Humiliate the Protagonist. Reward: 10 Points.]

That evening after school, not long after Lu Zhou entered the house, the task reward notification popped up.

At the dining table, Xun Ji had already eaten half a basket of strawberries topped with fresh cream. When he saw Lu Zhou return, he pushed the exquisite strawberry basket forward.

“Want some?”

Lu Zhou looked down at the basket labeled “Yan Shi Fruit Industry” and said coldly, “No thanks. It’s someone else’s gesture of goodwill—Young Master Xun should savor it himself.”

With that, he turned to leave.

“Wait.” Xun Ji stopped him. “What’s that in your hand?”

Lu Zhou gripped the thermos box tighter. “Nothing, just an empty thermos box.”

“Not that one—the bag in your left hand.”

“…A gift.” Lu Zhou placed a paper bag on the table and pulled out its contents: a finely crafted Glass Toy Ball.

“Luo Xunan sent it for Xiao Ting, to celebrate her recovery.”

Luo Xunan sent it? Xun Ji narrowed his eyes. That scheming other Tasker never missed a chance to farm the Protagonist’s favor.

“Give it to me.” Xun Ji held out his hand to Lu Zhou.

“You want this?” Lu Zhou’s expression was odd.

“Yeah, I want this.” Xun Ji was unreasonable. “I’ll get Xiao Ting a better gift to replace it.”

“Is it… because Luo Xunan sent it?”

“So what if it is?” Anything a Tasker sent couldn’t be allowed into the Protagonist’s hands.

Lu Zhou stared at him for a moment before suddenly asking, “With Luo Xunan, are you…”