Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 529: Crossing the line

AN: I am taking a mental break for Easter break. I haven’t had a break longer than a day for a long time. This is why I have been lagging behind. I appreciate you guys so much and promise I will he back soon.

Han Xin met his gaze, his thoughts unreadable, his silence lingering like a challenge.

He finally spoke, his voice measured and sharp. "So, unless I agree to be in a relationship with you, you’ll keep this from me, won’t you?"

Xiang Yu chuckled faintly, shaking his head. "I never thought you would be the type to go back on your word, Xin-ge."

Han Xin leaned back, tapping the armrest lightly, as though considering the weight of Xiang Yu’s words. Meanwhile, Han Zhan settled down nearby, his tone steady but resolute. "That water is good, but that alone isn’t enough... not after what happened on the wedding day."

Xiang Yu’s expression flickered briefly. He tilted his head, lips curling into a thoughtful smirk. "You’re right," he agreed smoothly. "Get me a pen and paper."

Han Zhan glanced at Han Xin. He hesitated, searching his cousin’s face for a hint of approval. Han Xin met his gaze, his expression neutral, yet his eyes betrayed a whirl of emotions. With a slight nod, Han Xin gestured for him to proceed.

Han Zhan stood and walked to the desk. He retrieved a notepad and a pen, the sounds of paper rustling and the pen clicking echoing softly in the silence. As he handed the items to Xiang Yu, he noticed the intensity in the other man’s eyes. Xiang Yu took the notepad and began to write, his hand moving with swift certainty.

Han Xin watched Xiang Yu, his gaze like a rope tightening around a secret. The air was thick with tension, and though his face remained unreadable, inside, chaos stirred like a storm.

When Xiang Yu finally set the notepad down, Han Zhan eagerly picked it up, his heart racing. His brows arched in surprise as he scanned the list. "How do you know all of this?" he asked, unable to mask his disbelief.

Xiang Yu leaned closer, a shadow of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. "Do you really want to know?" His voice was low, almost conspiratorial.

Han Zhan’s pulse quickened. The weight of Xiang Yu’s words hung in the air like a delicate promise. "Yes," he replied, barely above a whisper.

"Come closer," Xiang Yu beckoned, drawing Han Zhan in until their faces nearly met. Han Zhan leaned forward, curiosity igniting in his chest.

"I am a soul from another world," Xiang Yu whispered urgently. "I came here to save your cousin." His words were almost a breath, yet Han Xin caught them, his expression hardening at the revelation.

Han Zhan’s brow creased, uncertainty flooding him. "If you don’t want to tell me, then just say it. There’s no need to make fun of me."

Xiang Yu’s smile faded, replaced by a serious glint in his eyes. "This is why you shouldn’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to," he replied, his tone grave.

A chill crept up Han Zhan’s spine, a shiver of fear and intrigue. He glanced around at the closed windows as though seeking refuge from an unseen draft. The room felt suddenly colder, unsettling.

Taking a breath to steady himself, Han Xin took back the notepad, his thoughts racing. He pointed at something on the list. "What is this abandoned bunker in the city?"

Xiang Yu leaned back slightly, regarding him with a mixture of anticipation and warning. "You should go check it for yourself," he replied, his tone cryptic.

Han Xin glanced at Han Zhan, determination lining his features. "We will go tomorrow morning," he declared, his voice firm.

"Okay, let’s head out then," Han Zhan replied, turning to Xiang Yu with a hint of impatience. Xiang Yu sensed the tension but didn’t resist. Since Han Xin seemed unwilling to let him stay, he decided to just leave.

Just as they reached the door, Han Xin’s voice rang out again. "Xiang Yu, you stay."

The sudden shift made Xiang Yu’s heart soar. If he had a tail, it would be wagging. A smile spread across his face, brightening the dim room.

Han Zhan opened his mouth to complain, but Xiang Yu chimed in, "Goodnight! We need to sleep now."

A look of surprise crossed Han Zhan’s face. "You—" But then the door clicked shut, cutting off his protest.

Xiang Yu turned the lock, a playful glint in his eyes. "So you agree?" he said lightly.

Han Xin’s expression shifted to something more serious. "I don’t know what your obsession is with this relationship. But since you’ve given up a lot for it, I’ll give it a shot. Just know, if you cross the line, I will call it off."

Xiang Yu stepped closer, his curiosity piqued. "Xin-ge, what counts as crossing the line?"

Han Xin raised an eyebrow; his demeanour was unyielding. "Calling me Xin-ge for one."

With a playful gleam, Xiang Yu inched even nearer, fingers brushing the buttons on Han Xin’s shirt. "Then should I call you husband?"

Han Xin quickly caught Xiang Yu’s hand, a firm grip but lacking aggression. "That is also crossing the line." The warmth of Xiang Yu’s skin lingered in his palm, an intoxicating scent clouding his judgment.

"I won’t sleep on the couch," Xiang Yu said, a teasing brightness in his voice. "No married couple should sleep separately."

They locked gazes, and the spark between them crackled like electricity. Han Xin finally relented, a resolute nod escaping him. "Fine. But take a shower first before getting in my bed."

As Han Xin turned to leave, Xiang Yu couldn’t resist one last quip. "Our bed!" he laughed, enjoying the way Han Xin’s steps quickened.

Once Han Xin was inside the bedroom, Xiang Yu kicked the air in triumph, pumping his fist. "Yes!" But the moment he turned, he caught Han Xin’s gaze again, and his confidence faltered. Embarrassment washed over him, causing him to mutter a curse under his breath.

"I am going now," he said, sheepishly backing away. Han Xin merely turned and shut the door behind him, leaving Xiang Yu to smile awkwardly to himself. He scratched the back of his head, nerves fluttering, before making his way to the bathroom.

He stepped into the shower, the warm water enveloping him like a welcoming embrace. He loved this fleeting moment of solitude, even as his thoughts raced ahead of him.

The shoulder wound that had once throbbed and ached was now completely healed. His body was like a well-tuned machine in this world, had healed remarkably fast. He scrubbed his skin, washing away the remnants of the day, and let the steam swirl around him like a soft cloud.

With each sweep of his hand, he relished the sensation of cleanliness. Water streamed down, tracing the contours of his muscles, making him look undeniably attractive. He stepped out, feeling exhilarated, and wrapped a towel securely around his waist.

It was a simple act, yet it filled him with anticipation. His plans for the night loomed large in his mind. He couldn’t wait to tease Han Xin.

As he stepped out of the bathroom, a few droplets danced down his chest, glistening in the muted light. He felt powerful and a little mischievous. Xiang Yu crossed the threshold into the bedroom, half-expecting to see Han Xin still awake, brows furrowed in thought.

But the sight that greeted him was different. Han Xin lay cocooned under the covers, seemingly asleep.

Xiang Yu stood there, a playful glint in his eyes as he called out, "Han Xin?" The quiet lingered, thickening the air around him. There was no response, just the soft sound of their breathing in the stillness. Xiang Yu frowned slightly, suspecting Han Xin was pretending to be asleep.

"Xin-ge, I am going to wear your clothes," he declared his tone teasing.

Still, there was no reply. Xiang Yu waited, counting the seconds as the silence stretched. He was confident that if Han Xin were really feigning sleep, he wouldn’t still be so completely after that. The thought made Xiang Yu smirk. The Han Xin now would not be pleased about him wearing his clothes.

With a burst of mischief, he decided to go ahead. He strode over to the closet, the floor cool beneath his bare feet. He pulled open the door and began flipping through Han Xin’s clothes, each fabric a familiar soothing his heart. His fingers ran across shirts, jackets, and pants until he found an old oversized t-shirt, one that was faded but soft.

"Perfect," he said softly, a smile creeping onto his lips.

As he pulled the towel from around his waist, it slipped down his legs. It pooled at his feet, exposing his long limbs, the air brushing against his skin. He felt both liberated and a bit audacious.

What Xiang Yu didn’t know was that Han Xin, only half-awake, had propped himself up slightly in bed. From the angle of the mirror across the room, he had a clear view of Xiang Yu in all his naked glory.

His heart raced as he watched, curiosity mingling with admiration. Xiang Yu’s carefree confidence radiated from him, a sight that stirred something warm and fierce in Han Xin’s chest.

Xiang Yu slipped the oversized shirt over his head, the fabric hanging loosely on him. He laughed softly to himself, oblivious to the eyes that were watching him with increasing intensity.