The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 42

Chapter 42: 42 New Year’s Eve

Fen Lin’s financial situation was only slightly better than Xiao Liulang’s once was, but it was really not that great, which could be seen from his daily living expenses.

However, when it came to things concerning Xiao Liulang, he had always been unconditionally generous. Just take the red paper for this occasion, a dozen pieces costing almost half a tael of silver.

Normally, all he ate at the academy was pickled vegetables with a steamed bun.

In the evening, the sky started to snow again.

Fen Lin was alone at the academy.

He was reading in his bedchamber, a single oil lamp not bright enough, but he didn’t want to light a second one.

There was a cold wind blowing through the door cracks, causing him to shiver.

He didn’t light a fire because the academy didn’t allow it, and he was too frugal to do it.

The dormitory was shared by four people, and the chill was less noticeable when his classmates were around. But now, being alone, he felt as if all the cold wind blew directly into his stomach.

This was his first Lunar New Year away from home.

He missed his parents, his sisters back home, but he couldn’t go back.

Home was so far away, and the travel expenses could be saved. More importantly, he wanted to spend all his time studying, not wishing to stay idle for a day.

Being the only son in his family for three generations, his sisters were married off to accommodate his education: one to a widower as a second wife, another to a tea merchant over fifty years old.

They had sacrificed their lives for him, he couldn’t afford not to try, he could not fail to return home with honor.

After warming his hands with his breath, Fen Lin wrapped himself up a bit tighter in the quilt, and continued to read.

Thunk, thunk, thunk!

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Strange, who would come looking for him at this time?

Everyone had already gone home for the holidays, even the teachers had gone home for the New Year. An empty academy was remaining, with only him left.

“Could it be a ghost…” he scared himself, his face paling as he wrapped himself tighter in the quilt, “Who… who are you?”

“It’s me.”

A familiar girl’s voice came from outside.

Fen Lin threw off the quilt, put on his shoes, walked over and opened the door. Seeing Gu Jiao covered in snow, he thought he would rather see a ghost!

This is a boys’ dormitory!

What was she, a woman, doing here?!!!

“Why are you here? Did something happen to Brother Xiao?” Apart from this, Fen Lin couldn’t think of any other reason. Without waiting for Gu Jiao to answer, he immediately put on a cloak and asked Gu Jiao, “Where is Brother Xiao?”

“At home.” Gu Jiao said.

Fen Lin left the room without a word.

Looking at his hurried back, Gu Jiao calmly said: “There’s no carriage.”

During the Lunar New Year, coupled with the snowy weather, it was impossible to hire any ox or horse carts.

Without thinking, Fen Lin replied: “If there’s no carriage, can’t we walk? Hurry up!”

Gu Jiao: “Oh.”

The one who couldn’t move wasn’t her.

Gu Jiao shrugged: “You said that, I didn’t say anything.” _{freeωebnovēl.c૦m}