Chapter 4 The Ice Prince's Silent Claim

The room fell into silence.

Everyone in the Leng estate was stunned as they watched the three-year-old boy gently touch Qingxue's cheek, his dark eyes locked onto her with an intensity far beyond his years.

No one had expected this.

No one had ever seen him act this way.

Leng Qingxue, in her crib, remained still, her silver-blue eyes observing him. This boy… there was something about him.

His aura was cold.

Not the casual coldness of someone indifferent—but the deep, suffocating kind of frost that could freeze an entire room.

And yet, when he looked at her—

The ice melted.

"…Xiao Xue."

His small voice, though soft, was absolute. As if he had already claimed her as his.

A tall, dignified man stepped forward. He had the same sharp features as the boy, his expression calm yet authoritative.

This was Gu Linyuan, the head of the prestigious Gu family, known for their old-money wealth and terrifying power in both business and politics.

And this child—Gu Zeyan—was his son.

The heir to the Gu family.

His only son.

And yet, the moment he saw Leng Qingxue, the coldness surrounding him faded instantly.

Gu Linyuan's sharp eyes narrowed slightly. His son was notorious for his unapproachable nature, even as a child.

He rarely spoke.

He rarely showed emotion.

He never let anyone get close.

Yet this tiny girl had completely captured his attention.

"Zeyan." His voice was calm, but there was a trace of curiosity in his tone. "What are you doing?"

The three-year-old ignored him.

His small fingers remained against Qingxue's soft cheek, his dark gaze unwavering.

Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned his head slightly and spoke—his voice unwavering despite his young age.

"I like her."

His declaration was clear.

Leng Yuxian, the eldest of the Leng brothers, raised an eyebrow. "Like her?"

Gu Zeyan didn't hesitate. "Mn."

The entire room fell silent.

This boy—who never liked anyone—had just claimed their baby sister.

Leng Jiuhan, who had been standing beside Qingxue's crib, suddenly moved.

His small figure stepped in front of her, blocking Gu Zeyan's view. His silver-blue eyes were eerily calm.

"She's ours."

His voice was chillingly soft, his small fingers tightening into a fist.

Gu Zeyan blinked once, his expression unreadable.

For a moment, the two three-year-olds locked eyes.

The air grew heavy.

Despite being toddlers, Leng Jiuhan and Gu Zeyan's confrontation sent a chill through the room.

Neither spoke.

Neither looked away.

It was as if an invisible battle of dominance had already begun.

Leng Qingxue, watching from her crib, found the situation both amusing and unexpected.

She had just been reborn, and already, two powerful little boys were fighting over her?

How ridiculous.

Still, she wasn't surprised by Gu Zeyan's sharp gaze.

She recognized that look.

It was the same look that geniuses had when they found something they weren't willing to let go of.

And it seemed… that "something" was her.

Leng Yuxian, observing the silent exchange, finally spoke.

"I see," he said casually, his deep voice breaking the tension. He turned to Gu Linyuan. "Your son has good taste."

Gu Linyuan let out a low chuckle. "It seems so."

Zhaoyan, Haoyu, and Yichen exchanged glances.

Then, finally, Yichen—the playful fourth brother—smirked.

"Well," he drawled, his voice light, "Zeyan, right? If you like our baby sister, you'll have to earn her favor first."

Gu Zeyan finally pulled his gaze away from Jiuhan and looked at him.

"…Mn."

The boy nodded without hesitation.

His meaning was clear.

I will.

Leng Jiuhan's grip on Qingxue's hand tightened slightly, his cold expression unreadable.

As if he had no intention of letting that happen.

Leng Qingxue closed her tiny eyes.

It seemed her new life was going to be far from peaceful.

Two powerful boys—one her twin, one her so-called "childhood sweetheart"—had already begun staking their silent claims.

And she was still just a baby.

Her fresh start had only just begun, but one thing was certain—

She was going to shock the entire world...