The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80: 80 Old Friends

On the fourth day at dusk, the examination ended.

Fen Ling arrived early in the morning and stood guard the entire day. All other examinees had trickled out, but there was no sign of Xiao Liulang. This made him uneasy.

Just as he was contemplating asking those inside about his friend, he saw Xiao Liulang emerge, his expression icy.

Fen Lin hurried to meet him and found his face pale. “What happened?” he asked. “Are you feeling unwell? Or did the exam go poorly?”

“Nothing.” Xiao Liulang said dismissively.

Fen Lin gathered from the sound of his voice that it was not a health issue. “I overheard some of the students who finished saying that this test was especially difficult. Don’t get discouraged; you may have done better than they did!”

“Let’s return to the Inn.” Xiao Liulang turned and headed towards the Inn.

Fen Ling hesitated, at a loss for words.

He felt like he had never seen Xiao Liulang like this, so cold that it made people hesitate to approach him. He felt an intimidating aura radiating off Xiao Liulang, as if he might do something terrifying any moment.

“Li…Liulang, wait for me!”

Despite his fear, Fen Ling gritted his teeth and chased after him.

Now he no longer addressed him as Brother Xiao, although he was actually older than Xiao Liulang. Using “Brother Xiao” stemmed from Xiao Liulang saving him and was merely a respectful address.

But after spending New Year’s Eve together, their bond had strengthened. Continuing to use “Brother Xiao” would seem too distant!

Xiao Liulang was moving slowly with his crutch, so Fen Lin quickly caught up.

The two men continued on their way to the Inn.

As they were passing a tea house, two middle-aged men dressed in splendid attire stepped out. One of them glanced at Xiao Liulang absentmindedly and initially paid him no mind. However, after a moment, he seemed to realize something and turned his head to look at Xiao Liulang again.

At this time, Xiao Liulang and Fen Lin had crossed the road and were on their way to the inn on the opposite side.

The man’s gaze trailed Xiao Liulang, all the way until he disappeared around the corner.

“Master Zhuang, what’s wrong? Did you spot someone you know? Want me to greet them for you?”

The one who asked was the Governor of Pingcheng, family name Luo.

Zhuang Xianzhi shook his head: “No need, he’s not someone I know. There’s just a slight resemblance.”

The young master is already dead. He had personally excavated the young master’s body from the ruins of Guozijian, the body charred beyond recognition by fire. That ghastly sight was one he would never forget, no matter how much time had passed.

Perhaps, it wasn’t that they even looked alike, he could just be seeing things.

In the six nations across the world, another individual with the looks and talent of the young master was impossible to find.

“Shall I confirm it for you?” Governor Luo offered, noticing Master Zhuang seemed quite interested in the man he had mistaken.

Zhuang Xianzhi shook his head again, “No need. That old friend of mine is dead.”

“Ah…” If the man was dead, then confirmation was not necessary.

Xiao Liulang and Fen Lin returned to the Inn, just as they entered, they heard a voice shout: “Fen Dunzi!”

Fen Lin’s hair stood on end!

Shadows of a childhood bully flashed before his eyes!

He wasn’t the same old Dunzi anymore!

He… he had lost weight!

Looking up, Fen Lin saw a young scholar energetically descend the stairs, he approached Fen Lin with a smile on his face, “It really is you, Fen Dunzi! You’ve changed so much, I almost didn’t recognize you! Wait, who’s this?”

The young man’s gaze landed on Xiao Liulang.

Xiao Liulang was breathtaking, even more so than a woman, one could not help but take a second look at him. Frankly speaking, and speaking without fear of Fen Lin punching him, it was Xiao Liulang who first caught the young scholar’s attention, followed by Fen Lin standing beside him.

Fen Lin recognized the young man after a moment, “Du Ruohan?”

The young man laughed, patting Fen Lin on the shoulder, “It’s me!”

“It really is you!” Fen Lin laughed, then turned to Xiao Liulang to introduce him. “Liulang, do you remember him? Little Du! We three used to attend a private school together!”