The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 994

Chapter 994: 469 Little Fanboy (Second Update)

In the west chamber, Xiao Hen was organizing the chaos that Little Jingkong had created. Ever since he mentioned that he had an even bigger surprise for Gu Jiao, the little guy was convinced that his surprise was hidden within the room.

The little guy had rummaged through boxes and cabinets, flipping them inside out, but never putting anything back himself.

This habit had been pointed out several times by the family, and of course, he always responded well verbally, but would either forget as soon as he turned his head or, if he didn’t forget, his efforts at tidying up were as good as nothing.

It always ended up being either Xiao Hen or Gu Jiao who had to reorganize everything all over again.

Absorbed in cleaning, Xiao Hen was unaware that Marquis Gu had come to the house and was even less aware that Marquis Gu had been bullied by his own chickens.

"Brother-in-law."

A soft, cautious, and slightly cheerful call suddenly came from the doorway.

Xiao Hen had just picked up Little Jingkong’s abacus and turned around upon hearing the voice, asking, "Is that you, Ayan? What is it?"

Today there were no classes at Qinghe Academy, and Gu Xiaoshun had gone to Master Lu and Madam Nanxiang’s house, while Gu Yan had excused himself to stay behind, claiming he felt unwell.

Gu Yan stood at the entrance, hands clasped behind his back, looking a bit constrained.

Ever since Gu Yan arrived home, this was the first time he showed this kind of... well, shyness was the word Xiao Hen was about to use, but it felt unlikely given Gu Yan’s nature to be so thin-skinned.

Besides, what was there for him to be shy about with Xiao Hen?

After all, it wasn’t their first day of acquaintance.

"May I come in?" Gu Yan asked.

Even the tone of his voice turned excessively cautious.

Had the change in attitude been too drastic?

Xiao Hen glanced at Gu Yan weirdly and said, "It’s fine, come in. Is it that you can’t do your homework?"

Among the three young boys at home, Xiao Hen interacted most with Little Jingkong for three reasons: first, the two of them shared a room; second, Little Jingkong was more talkative; and third, Little Jingkong had the most homework and tutorials.

Compared to Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun, he had less communication with them; typically, they came over at this time only to ask about their studies.

Gu Yan’s answer was, however, unexpected. He shook his head and said, "I have something I want to show you, brother-in-law."

"What is it?" Xiao Hen inquired.

Gu Yan approached Xiao Hen, hesitated for a moment, and then unfolded his clenched fist behind his back to reveal a jade thumb ring with a warm quality.

If Gu Jiao were here, she would definitely recognize it as the jade thumb ring that accidentally slipped into her sleeve the first time she rescued Gu Yan.

Gu Yan had cherished this thumb ring very much, not allowing anyone to touch it; Gu Jinyu had accidentally touched it once and was met with a big outburst from Gu Yan.

Only Gu Jiao was an exception; if Gu Jiao touched it, it was as good as him touching it, which Gu Yan didn’t mind.

Xiao Hen, looking at the jade thumb ring in his palm, was momentarily uncertain of Gu Yan’s intention.

Gu Yan saw his expression and felt a flicker of disappointment, dropping his gaze and murmuring with a hint of grievance, "You really don’t remember."

"I remember that it’s your jade thumb ring," Xiao Hen said, unsure if he was correct.

"No, it’s yours," Gu Yan replied sullenly.

"Mine?" Xiao Hen was surprised.

This statement could have two meanings: either the thumb ring had originally belonged to him, or Gu Yan intended to give him the thumb ring.

Considering all the changes in Gu Yan’s behavior after entering the room, Xiao Hen thought the second option was unlikely.

Otherwise, Gu Yan wouldn’t have said, "You really don’t remember."

"Was it a gift to you?" Xiao Hen asked, pausing before adding, "From when I was a child?"

Since becoming Xiao Liulang, he didn’t recall ever giving Gu Yan any piece of jewelry. So it could only be from before both had left Zhaodu.

If he remembered correctly, Gu Yan had been sent to the hot spring villa in Youzhou at the age of four.

"It was before I went to the hot spring villa," Gu Yan said gloomily. "The other brothers in the house wouldn’t play with me, so I ran out of the Marquis Residence by myself."

It was by ditching the servants and squeezing through a doghole that he’d left the residence.

Embarrassed by this method of leave-taking, Gu Yan skipped over the details.

"I got lost, and then I met you."

Getting lost was his impression at the time, but looking back, he didn’t really consider it getting lost since he hadn’t even left the back alley of the Marquis Residence.

Xiao Hen pointed to the jade thumb ring in his palm, "And then, did I give you this?"

Gu Yan shook his head and said softly, "You didn’t give it to me; I asked for it."

Xiao Hen: "..."

Hard to tell that when you were young, you’d also ask strangers for things.