Chapter 11: Yaoxing Academy 11 Part 2

Xiao Ting needn’t be mentioned—she’d never been to such a luxurious amusement park and was thrilled, her little face flushed red. Xun Ji hadn’t had the chance to visit one before either. This time, under the banner of Xiao Ting, he actually enjoyed himself more than she did, going through all the big-kid and little-kid rides.

The two sat in the prime viewing spot, licking ice cream cones as they watched the final fireworks show. Only then, with Brother Wang’s urging, did they reluctantly head home.

Xiao Ting, having played all day, was completely drained and fell into a deep sleep after her bath. Xun Ji tucked her in and was about to leave when his mobile phone rang—it was Lu Zhou calling.

So Xun Ji wasn’t in a hurry to go. He answered and switched to video mode.

Lu Zhou was startled to suddenly see Xun Ji’s face on the phone screen. He unconsciously leaned closer to it. Only when his nose nearly poked the screen did he realize the other could see him too. He quickly pulled back, his fingers stealthily snapping a few screenshots.

“Why video?” Lu Zhou pretended to be calm.

Xun Ji didn’t notice his little move and turned the camera to show the sleeping Xiao Ting beside him.

“She’s sleeping so early today?” Lu Zhou was surprised. Normally, it took him ages to coax her.

“She got tired from playing.” Xun Ji told Lu Zhou about their amusement park trip that day.

“You’re spoiling her again.” Lu Zhou frowned slightly. He’d clearly told Xiao Ting before leaving not to trouble Xun Ji, but it seemed the girl hadn’t listened at all.

Xiao Ting’s initial fear of Xun Ji when she first moved in had completely vanished over this time. Not only did Xun Ji always buy her snacks and pretty clothes, but she got along better with him than with her brother Lu Zhou. Now, she stuck to Xun Ji even more than to Lu Zhou.

“You’re at the hotel?” Xun Ji asked.

Lu Zhou nodded. “Yeah, the event organizers arranged it. All the contestants are staying here. Tomorrow’s venue familiarization, competition the day after, results the day after that. By my count, earliest return is four days from now.”

“No rush. You can play around there for a few days.” Xun Ji suggested sincerely. Neither he nor Xiao Ting wanted Lu Zhou back too soon.

“Ding-dong—”

The doorbell rang on Lu Zhou’s end. He told Xun Ji “hold on” and took the mobile phone to answer the door.

Outside seemed to be another contestant, who handed Lu Zhou a cream cake on a paper plate.

“Lu Zhou, the guy next door is having a birthday and treating everyone to cake. I brought you a piece.”

Lu Zhou said politely, “Thanks, wish him a happy birthday for me.”

The person glanced at Lu Zhou’s video call and teased with a grin, “Video chatting with your girlfriend?”

Lu Zhou instinctively covered the screen. “Not my girlfriend.”

The guy gave an “I get it” look, winked at Lu Zhou, and considerately closed the door as he left.

Lu Zhou glanced nervously at the phone and saw Xun Ji had returned to his own bedroom.

“Strawberry cake?” Xun Ji spotted the paper plate in Lu Zhou’s hand. “Eat it quick. Don’t waste someone else’s kindness.”

Lu Zhou didn’t particularly like sweets, but he hated wasting food even more, so he obediently sat at the table and ate.

On the phone, Xun Ji was recounting the fun from the amusement park with Xiao Ting. Lu Zhou finished the cake base in a few bites, his attention fully on Xun Ji’s face on the screen.

A thin layer of cream and a single strawberry garnish remained in the paper plate. Lu Zhou held the mobile phone in one hand and forked the strawberry with the other. As he brought it toward his mouth, he suddenly remembered Xun Ji liked dipping strawberries in cream. On impulse, he dipped it in the cream at the bottom of the plate.

The cream had perhaps melted a bit and clung shakily to the strawberry. Just before Lu Zhou put it in his mouth, it fell off, splatting back into the plate.

Lu Zhou’s mouth was already half-open. Instinctively, he stuck out his tongue and leaned down to lick the cream from the plate.

Xun Ji’s voice cut off abruptly on the phone.

Lu Zhou held the pose of licking the plate for a good while before realizing what he was doing. He stiffly lifted his head and looked at the phone.

Across the electronic screen, the golden-haired youth looked strikingly handsome, a mischievous smile slowly curling at his lips.

“Little Dog licks the plate.”

【Ding! Daily Tasks completed: Humiliate the Protagonist. Reward: 10 Points.】

In an instant, all the blood rushed to Lu Zhou’s head. He slammed the phone face-down on the table with a “pa” and pressed down hard with both hands.

The poor strawberry fell to the floor with the fork and rolled away.

“I’m glad you still remember to do your daily duty.” Xun Ji’s amused voice came from the phone, burrowing into Lu Zhou’s burning ears.

“I didn’t!” Lu Zhou growled in humiliated fury, then suddenly realized. “You wanted me to call every day just to… just for this?”

“Of course.” Xun Ji admitted readily. “We had a deal. You can’t welch just because you’re at the competition.”

“Xun Ji!” Lu Zhou ground his molars in hatred, reached for the side button, and shut off the phone.

【Host, the Protagonist hung up on you. He must be furious!】 The System said excitedly. 【The Blackening Value will rise again.】

Xun Ji savored Lu Zhou’s reaction from moments ago and finally understood why so many pet vloggers loved teasing their pets.

【Host has been so diligent lately, completing Daily Tasks without fail.】 The System was pleased.

Things had grown increasingly harmonious with Lu Zhou lately. The fierce little wolf cub from their first meeting had sheathed its immature fangs before him, obedient and compliant like a real pet dog. Xun Ji occasionally felt a twinge of doubt—would Lu Zhou’s Blackening Value really reach 100% like this?

Fortunately, the Daily Task rewards never failed, like a reassuring pill that Xun Ji took every day to calm his nerves.

【No need to worry, Host,】 the System comforted. 【We still have the Key Plot Point Task. That’s the main line to spike the Protagonist’s Blackening Value.】

Key Plot Point Task… Right, he’d almost forgotten. He and Lu Zhou were villain and Protagonist. How long could this illusion of harmony last?