Chapter 20: Yao Xing Academy 20 Part 2

Tsk tsk, the Little Dog pup had started mutating—holding words back instead of speaking them outright.

Lin Yule had told him that Lu Zhou’s Blackening Value had once dropped to 30%, but after the hearing loss from the Winter Sports Meet, it had risen back to 60%.

Rumors were flying around school that he had harmed Lu Zhou, and Xun Ji didn’t believe for a second that Lu Zhou had no thoughts about it deep down.

But since Lu Zhou wasn’t pursuing it openly, Xun Ji was happy to let it slide. After all, he couldn’t tell Lu Zhou he was completing System Tasks, nor could he rat out Lin Yule, who had nearly killed him.

“Young Master!” Brother Wang rushed upstairs hurriedly. Seeing Lu Zhou there, he smiled. “Lu Zhou’s back?”

Lu Zhou nodded to him. “Thank you for taking care of Xiao Ting during this time, Brother Wang.”

Brother Wang slapped his forehead. “I was just about to tell Young Master about that. I went to pick up Xiao Ting from school earlier, but the kindergarten teacher said her dad had already picked her up.”

Lu Zhou’s expression changed instantly. “Impossible. He’s never cared for Xiao Ting!”

Xun Ji grabbed Lu Zhou, who was about to rush out recklessly, and said gravely, “Confirm it first.”

Lu Zhou barely steadied himself and pulled out his Mobile Phone to make a call.

It connected shortly.

“Where’s Xiao Ting?” Lu Zhou asked coldly.

“It’s Xiao Zhou? Xiao Ting’s with me.” A man’s voice came from the other end. “Winter break’s here, so I brought her back to the old home for New Year. Come join us.”

Lu Zhou took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. “Where are you? I’ll come get her now.”

“Xiao Zhou,” the man sighed, “Dad was wrong before, leaving all the family burdens on you alone and making you suffer.”

“But Dad’s quit gambling now, for real. From now on, Dad just wants our family to live well together.” The man’s words sounded sincere. “You’ve grown up, but Xiao Ting’s still so little. She needs me.”

Lu Zhou was speechless for a moment, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the phone.

“Besides, it’s been so long since she’s seen Grandpa and Grandma. She misses them.” The man’s voice choked up a little. “After your mom passed, our family hasn’t sat down for a proper meal. Xiao Zhou, come home.”

“Brother,” Lu Ting’s timid voice came through the phone, “can Xiao Ting go to Grandpa and Grandma’s for New Year?”

Lu Zhou’s throat moved. “Of course.”

“Can Brother come with me?” the girl asked expectantly.

“…Okay.”

After hanging up, Lu Zhou met Xun Ji’s probing gaze.

“Do you really believe your dad quit gambling?”

Believe or not, what did it matter? Lu Zhou said hoarsely, “I can’t leave Xiao Ting alone.”

“Fair enough.” Xun Ji agreed. “Brother Wang, mind giving him a ride?”

“No need, the old home’s pretty far. I can manage…”

“No need to be polite.” Brother Wang clapped Lu Zhou on the shoulder heartily. “Young Master’s not heading home for a few days anyway, and I’ve got nothing else.”

“…Thank you.”

“I’ll go get ready. We’ll head out soon.” Brother Wang turned and went downstairs.

Lu Zhou kept his head down. “Young Master Xun, then I’ll…”

“Oh, right,” Xun Ji suddenly remembered something. “Before the Winter Sports Meet, you said if you got the gold medal, I’d grant you one wish. What was it?”

Lu Zhou’s fingers trembled uncontrollably.

“I didn’t get the gold medal.” He forced a ugly smile. “So that agreement doesn’t count.”

Xun Ji had known from the start that Lu Zhou couldn’t win gold. Even without Lin Yule’s setup, his own Sonic Bomb would have stopped him. He was just curious—Lu Zhou had valued that agreement so much, so the wish must have been something he desperately wanted.

He wondered what it was.

“Speaking of which, about Young Master Xun wanting me to dress up every day…” Lu Zhou paused. “That agreement—I couldn’t fulfill it while hospitalized. I’m very sorry. I’ll continue afterward…”

“No need.” Xun Ji waved it off casually. “Don’t do that daily routine anymore.”

Lu Zhou’s eyelashes trembled. “Why?”

“Why’s there a why?” Xun Ji teased him. “Don’t tell me you want to keep doing it?”

“Has Young Master Xun… gotten tired of it?”

“Something like that.” Xun Ji didn’t know how to explain. “Just pause it for now.”

“…I understand.”

Lu Zhou left Xun Ji’s room and returned to his own bedroom.

He walked to the desk, opened a drawer, and took out a Gift Box from inside. The box was exquisite and small, emblazoned with the logo of a certain luxury brand.

He opened it, revealing a pair of simple yet elegant and luxurious Earrings lying quietly inside.

Xun Ji had pierced ears—Lu Zhou had noticed early on.

Once, he had accidentally entered his walk-in closet and seen a cabinet full of dazzling accessories, including many flashy earpieces. But Lu Zhou had never seen Xun Ji wear any.

During the Physics Competition out of province, after the event, the contestants had gone shopping together, saying they wanted to check out the country’s largest commercial center. Unable to resist their enthusiasm, Lu Zhou had tagged along.

He followed them into a lavishly decorated store, boredly waiting for them to finish browsing. He didn’t know fashion or brands, only vaguely aware it was a famous luxury label he couldn’t afford. As the group finished and left, Lu Zhou’s gaze suddenly caught a poster inside the store.

The poster featured a close-up side profile of a blond model wearing a particularly beautiful Earring. The luster of the precious metal made his blond hair look even more regal.

Lu Zhou’s heart thudded heavily. He couldn’t help imagining how stunning those Earrings would look on Xun Ji’s ears. Xun Ji was better-looking than the model, his blond hair even more radiant, and his aura superior.

He would definitely suit them perfectly.

On impulse, Lu Zhou bought them. Back at the hotel, he belatedly felt the pinch—the price had nearly wiped out his work savings. But thinking it was for Xun Ji’s birthday next month, and that he might like it, Lu Zhou felt it was worth it.

Lu Zhou closed the lid and tossed the Gift Box, packaging and all, into the trash can.

Xun Ji’s birthday had passed a month ago.