Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 516: What perfume or lotion do you use?

Da Hei’s excitement dimmed, his disappointment manifesting in his furrowed brow, but he held his tongue.

Han Zhan took a moment to glance back at Da Hei, then followed behind Xiang Yu as they exited the greenhouse.

***

Meanwhile, in the living area, Han Xin sat on the couch, feeling a strange sensation gnawing at him. He couldn’t quite place it, but it was unsettling, like a shadow lurking just beyond his reach.

Seeing Xiang Yu so close to Lu Lu earlier had tightened his throat. When he had instructed Han Zhan to end the fight, it felt like a weight lifted, though his heart was still uneasy.

After returning to his place, he had wanted to call Xiang Yu, to discuss how they had found no water. But he had paused when he caught sight of himself in the mirror, filthy and exhausted from driving through the wastelands for days.

He told himself he needed a shower simply to ease his discomfort, but he scrubbed a bit harder than usual, lingering longer under the warm water.

Now, wrapped in the fresh scent of soap, he waited for Xiang Yu to arrive. But the anticipation made him restless. He decided to go into the study to retrieve the map as a means of distraction. As he flipped through the papers, he heard the door creak open and the familiar voice of Han Zhan coming from the living room.

Han Xin felt his heart quicken, an involuntary eagerness rising inside him. He stepped out of the study but halted, realizing he was moving too eager. Instead, he busied himself, feigning focus on the map laid out on the desk.

Moments later, Han Zhan strolled into the study, knocking on the doorframe before entering. "I brought him over," he announced, his tone casual yet brimming with the excitement of a successful mission.

"I will be right out," Han Xin replied, trying to keep his voice steady.

Han Zhan’s gaze fell immediately on his cousin. Han Xin was usually impeccably dressed, but today he wore a loose-fitting t-shirt today, the top buttons undone. The sight was jarring. Han Zhan raised an eyebrow and gestured to the collar. "It’s unbuttoned," he noted.

Han Xin tensed, his expression sharp and guarded. "The button broke off," he replied, his voice clipped.

But Han Zhan could see that at least one button remained intact. "Why not change it? I can give it to Grandma An to mend for you," he suggested lightly.

Han Xin shook his head, urgency in his stride as he moved toward the door. "There is no time," he said, his tone dismissive.

A sense of unease settled in Han Zhan’s stomach. He sensed something was wrong, but he chose not to press further. Together, they stepped into the living room.

Han Xin’s steps halted abruptly as his eyes landed on Xiang Yu, who sat on the couch, gazing out the window. The sight stole the breath from Han Xin’s chest.

The familiar scent emanating from Xiang Yu was just as potent as he remembered. He had hoped that with time, it would have faded, but it still lingered, sharp and intoxicating.

When Xiang Yu turned to face him, Han Xin felt his throat tighten. His hands clenched at his sides as he fought to maintain composure. "Do you need anything to drink?" he managed to ask, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.

Xiang Yu adjusted his position, a smile spreading across his face. "Sure, what do you have?"

"We have water and alcohol," Han Xin replied, doing his best to keep his tone neutral.

Xiang Yu tilted his head slightly, a playful spark in his eyes. "Lord Han, are you trying to get me drunk?" His voice was teasing and light but the implication sat heavy in the air. "Not that I mind."

Han Xin’s expression darkened at the suggestion, the tension in the room shifting. "Then water it is," he said firmly.

He signalled to Han Zhan, who moved to pour a glass of water. Han Zhan took the glass to Xiang Yu and handed it over. "Thank you," Xiang Yu said, taking a sip.

Han Zhan sat down beside Han Xin, who gestured for him to ask the question that he had told him to ask. Han Zhan hesitated, sensing the awkwardness sweltering between them. frёeωebɳovel.com

He felt his cousin’s question might seem trivial, but he knew it mattered to him, so he asked, "If you don’t mind me asking, do you use a fragrance on your body, like perfume or lotion?"

Xiang Yu’s brows arched slightly, an evaluating expression settling on his face as he looked at Han Zhan. It was a look of judgment, as if he were assessing the very essence of the question posed to him. Why would Han Zhan ask such a thing?

"I... it’s just that you smell nice," Han Zhan stammered, blushing slightly under the scrutiny.

Han Xin cleared his throat, a subtle gesture urging his cousin to choose his words more carefully.

Han Zhan felt a twitch at the corner of his lips. He thought he had embarrassed himself asking the question for his cousin more especially when he couldn’t smell anything particularly special from Xiang Yu.

"I don’t use anything other than what the warehouse gave me," Xiang Yu replied, his tone dry, unfazed by the moment. He casually sniffed his clothes, as if to check if he smelt some type of way. A hint of confusion crossed his face when he detected nothing unusual.

Just as Han Zhan opened his mouth to speak, Han Xin interjected, "Where is the water source?"

Xiang Yu’s demeanour shifted as he smirked, his gaze locking firmly onto Han Xin. At that moment, it felt like the rest of the world faded away, leaving only the two of them in the room. Han Zhan shifted awkwardly, suddenly feeling like a third wheel in this peculiar interaction.

"I can show you where it is," Xiang Yu said, his voice low and teasing, "only if we become husband and husband genuinely."

Han Zhan choked on his saliva, the unexpected declaration catching him completely off guard. He coughed violently, a mix of surprise and disbelief flooding through him. What did he just hear? Why was he even here?