Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 540: Play nice

Han Xin’s voice cut through the chaos, calm but edged with irritation. "I didn’t kill him. He left and didn’t want to talk to me."

Han Zhan rushed back into the lounge, his expression shifting from panic to exasperation. "So it was a couple’s fight?"

Han Xin didn’t reply, but his silence was answer enough. Han Zhan groaned, running a hand through his hair. "What did you do wrong? Tell me so we can fix it!"

Again, Han Xin said nothing.

Han Zhan bolted to the bedroom again, this time checking the closet. "At least he didn’t take his clothes," he muttered under his breath before returning to the lounge. He leaned against the table, staring at Han Xin. "What exactly happened?"

Han Xin finally spoke, his voice flat. "Nothing. He just went back to stay with the twins last night when I didn’t come back. It seems he spotted the assassins while he was heading there."

Han Zhan’s eyes widened. "Wait, wait... did you tell him you were going to be late last night?"

Han Xin frowned. "Why would I tell him that?"

Han Zhan, without thinking, smacked the back of Han Xin’s head, startling him. "You idiot! If Xiang Yu wants this marriage to be real, it means you should tell him when you’re going to be late!"

Han Xin rubbed the back of his head, his expression still confused. "Is it really that big of a deal?"

Han Zhan threw up his hands. "What do you think?!"

Han Xin sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "Fine. What should I do?"

Han Zhan crossed his arms. "Go and apologize. And don’t go empty-handed either."

Han Xin nodded, his expression softening just a fraction. "Fine. And next time, if you smack my head again, I will put you on manure duty for a month."

Han Zhan laughed nervously, raising his hands in defense. "You wouldn’t do that to your only blood relative, would you?"

Han Xin glared at him, the warning clear in his eyes. Han Zhan quickly backtracked. "You are not hurt, right? Let this big brother take a look."

Han Xin dodged his hand, standing up. "Let’s go." Han Zhan sighed, shaking his head as he followed his cousin out the door. This was going to be a long day.

***

Xiang Yu lounged in the chair at the head of the conference table, the room buzzing with an air of quiet tension. His feet were propped up on the table, crossed at the ankles, and his fingers were interlaced, resting lazily on his chest.

The chair tilted slightly as he swung it back and forth, a picture of careless relaxation. Behind him, Lian stood, carefully braiding a small section of Xiang Yu’s hair, her fingers moving deftly. Meanwhile, Mei wandered the room, her eyes fixed on the ornate oil paintings lining the walls.

"Master," Mei called out, her voice curious, "how much do you think this was worth in the past?"

Xiang Yu glanced up, his gaze flickering toward the painting briefly. "Probably tens of millions," he replied, his tone casual.

Lian paused her braiding, tilting her head. "How much is that?"

Xiang Yu shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "I don’t know. Too much to count, I guess."

Mei sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "But it’s probably worth nothing now."

Xiang Yu opened his mouth to say, "Well, it’s still pretty to look at," but the words were cut short as the heavy wooden doors swung open. A group of people filed in, their footsteps echoing in the room. At the forefront were Han Xin and Han Zhan, their expressions unreadable but their presence commanding.

Xiang Yu had sent one of the guards to find Han Xin earlier, and it seemed the message had been delivered. Han Xin had already been on his way to the canteen to grab something to apologize with when he had been intercepted.

Now, he stood in the doorway, a small bundle of items from the canteen clutched in his hands. Because of what happened last night had completely forgotten about the morning briefing which was why all these people into the conference room along with him.

Xiang Yu’s smirk widened as he leaned back further in his chair. "Well, well, well," he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Look who finally decided to show up."

Su Jing, standing among the group, immediately bristled. She took a step forward, her voice sharp. "You—you can’t talk to our lord like that!"

Xiang Yu raised an eyebrow, his smirk never wavering. "Really? Is that so, Xin-ge?"

The others in the group shifted uncomfortably, their faces darkening with anger. Some muttered curses under their breath, ready to defend Han Xin’s honor. But before anyone could act, Han Xin raised a hand, silencing them instantly.

"Let’s talk in the office," Han Xin said, his voice calm but firm.

Xiang Yu shrugged, his smile widening as he dropped his feet from the table and stood. "Okay," he said, surprisingly compliant.

With a last smirk at the group, Xiang Yu sauntered toward the door, his steps unhurried and confident. The crowd parted like a wave, making way for him as he passed. Han Xin followed a step behind, his expression unreadable but his presence steady.

Han Zhan followed them down the hall, his steps measured but purposeful. But after taking a few steps he paused at the doorway of the conference room, turning to the group still standing in tense silence. "Wait here," he commanded, his voice firm. The group nodded, though their eyes flickered uneasily.

Xiang Yu pushed the door open and strolled inside like it was his own domain. He dropped into the plush leather chair behind the desk, leaning back with a casual ease as if he’d been sitting there all his life. Han Zhan lingered by the door, his arms crossed and his expression tight with irritation.

"You really take this as your home, huh?" Han Zhan said, his tone laced with sarcasm.

Xiang Yu smirked, propping his feet up on the desk. "But it is my home," he replied smoothly. "That’s my husband."

Han Zhan’s jaw clenched. "You—"

Before he could continue, Han Xin shot him a look, sharp and silencing. Han Zhan exhaled heavily, biting back his words.

Xiang Yu’s smirk widened as he waved a hand dismissively. "Big brother, you may leave. My husband and I need to discuss... private matters."

Han Zhan looked at Han Xin, his brow furrowed as if seeking confirmation. Han Xin gave a slight nod, his expression calm but unyielding. Reluctantly, Han Zhan stepped back, though not without shooting Xiang Yu a final warning glare. "Play nice," he muttered before shutting the door firmly behind him.

Xiang Yu chuckled softly, turning to Han Xin. "We always play nice," he said, though the door was already closed. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his gaze sharp and amused. "Don’t we get along well, Xin-ge?"