Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 208: Cat fight

Xiang Yu got up from the ground, feeling a sharp ache on his back. He struggled to his feet, his muscles protesting with every movement. Once upright, he glanced at the two people standing on the other side of the glass wall. "What are you looking at?" he asked, his voice tinged with irritation.

Han Zhan walked in through the back door, his expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "What were you fighting about?" he asked, knowing Han Xin well enough to sense that something was definitely wrong. "What happened? Why is he so upset?"

Xiang Yu shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "I don’t know. He seems to be in a pretty bad mood."

Peng Xiu finally walked in, her eyes narrowing as she took in the sight of Xiang Yu’s open lapel. "Disgusting," she muttered, her disdain evident.

Xiang Yu, ever the provocateur, smiled slyly. "If I was so disgusting, Xin-ge wouldn’t have blow-dried my hair for me and let me use his shower."

Peng Xiu’s eyes widened in shock. "You what?" she yelled, her voice echoing through the gym.

Xiang Yu turned around coolly and walked out without looking back. As soon as he turned the corner and was out of sight, he grimaced, touching his lower back and walking with a waddle like a penguin. He rubbed his back, muttering under his breath, "Han Xin, you are too excessive."

Just then, he bumped into the butler along the way. Butler Qing was taken aback by Xiang Yu’s dishevelled appearance. He had just seen young master Han Xin dash into his room looking flustered, and now Xiang Yu was walking around holding his lower back, his clothes and hair in disarray, as if he had just been in an intense fight. It was truly hard not to overthink especially after Han Xin let Xiang Yu use his shower yesterday. The butler cleared his throat, his voice gentle yet concerned. "Sir, would you like to take a shower?"

Xiang Yu was puzzled by the old man’s stare. Why did it look like Butler Qing was looking at him like an old father looking at his daughter-in-law. "No need, I will be heading out," Xiang Yu replied, his tone dismissive.

Butler Qing wasn’t one to give up easily. He followed after Xiang Yu, his steps quick and determined. "But young sir, it’s almost lunchtime. The chef made ribs, I think you might like them."

Xiang Yu paused, a flicker of interest crossing his face. Butler Qing was lying, but he knew that Xiang Yu loved food. He could always tell the chef to prepare the ribs quickly, so he didn’t feel too bad about the deception. He had noticed that recently, Han Xin’s mood had been quite good when Xiang Yu was around.

Others might not see it, but he had watched Han Xin grow up. They had been neighbours in the old community before Han Xin was taken back to the Han family. Butler Qing remembered vividly how Han Xin had helped him when his son fell seriously ill. Han Xin had not only provided assistance but had also offered him this job. At that time, Han Xin had said he needed people he trusted, and Butler Qing had been one of those trusted few.

Thus, Butler Qing knew Han Xin very well and was certain that Han Xin wouldn’t mind having Xiang Yu stay around a little longer. To his surprise, Xiang Yu declined. "No, I really can’t stay. I will come eat it next time," he said, his tone firm yet polite.

Butler Qing was a little surprised but knew he couldn’t hold Xiang Yu back. He watched as Xiang Yu left to go change. When Xiang Yu returned, dressed and ready to leave, Butler Qing simply observed as he got into the car with Ran Lan and drove off.

As the car disappeared down the driveway, Butler Qing couldn’t help but reflect on Han Xin’s monotonous life. He did the same thing day in and day out with no particular interests except work abs that potato plant in his office. The young master really needed a wife but since that wasn’t possible he could only hope Xiang Yu’s presence would bring back that spark he had as a kid. With a sigh, he turned back towards the house, already planning to have the chef prepare those ribs for Xiang Yu’s next visit.

***

Han Zhan was a little surprised by the confrontation between Xiang Yu and Peng Xiu. It was like watching a catfight, and he couldn’t help but think it resembled two people fighting over a man. Since Xiang Yu was long gone, he followed after him out of the home gym, only for Peng Xiu to stop him.

Han Zhan turned around, his eyebrows raised. "What?"

Peng Xiu pursed her lips before asking, "Do you know if Han Xin has ever dated anyone?"

Han Zhan laughed, finding the question amusing. "Who would he have dated, a ghost?" He turned to walk away, but as he laughed, he turned back and added, "The only thing he has the longest relationship with is his potato plant."

Peng Xiu’s face fell. She knew that potato plant all too well. Han Xin didn’t let anyone touch it or water it. It got more attention than she ever did.

Han Zhan left the home gym and called out Xiang Yu’s name, but Butler Qing intercepted him. "He is gone, he already left."

"Really? Why?" Han Zhan exclaimed, puzzled.

Butler Qing couldn’t answer that. Just then, Peng Xiu walked out, putting on a smile that sent a chill down Han Zhan’s spine. She looked so innocent that one might think she was an angel.

"Uncle Qing, I would like to make some food for Han Xin today," Peng Xiu said sweetly.

Butler Qing hesitated. "Young miss, I don’t think that is a good idea."

"It’s fine," she insisted, walking towards the kitchen.

Butler Qing looked to Han Zhan for help, but Han Zhan raised his hands in surrender. "I can’t help you, old man," he said before walking away, leaving Butler Qing to deal with the determined Peng Xiu.

***

Han Xin came downstairs a little later and found Han Zhan sitting outside, smoking. The salty breeze from the ocean rustled the leaves of the nearby trees, creating a soothing backdrop. Han Xin stretched out his hand. "Give me one."

Han Zhan took out the case and opened it, offering a cigarette to Han Xin. "That’s unusual. You rarely smoke."

"I need it," Han Xin replied, sitting down next to Han Zhan. He accepted the lighter and didn’t say anything else as they both enjoyed the view of the ocean. The waves crashed rhythmically against the shore, a calming contrast to the turmoil in Han Xin’s mind.

With a click, Han Xin lit the cigarette and took a few drags, the smoke curling lazily into the air. After a moment, he asked casually, "Is he gone?" By "he," he was referring to Xiang Yu.

Han Zhan blew a puff of smoke, watching it dissipate into the sky. "He has left already."

Han Xin lowered his head lazily, the cigarette butt pausing at his lips as he thought about the moment he had pinned down Xiang Yu during their scuffle. His heart began to beat faster, recalling the intensity of that image. His blood began to surge again just thinking about it.

"You know that Peng Xiu and Xiang Yu had a fight over you just now," Han Zhan said, breaking the silence.

When Han Xin didn’t respond, Han Zhan glanced at him and saw that he was lost in thought. "Are you even listening?" freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Han Xin snapped out of it, his eyes refocusing. "What?"

Han Zhan chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I was saying that Peng Xiu and Xiang Yu fought over you just now."

Han Xin furrowed his brow, looking a bit confused. Why would Xiang Yu and Peng Xiu fight over him? He knew they didn’t like each other, and the feeling was mutual, but why would they fight over him?

Han Zhan glanced back, checking if Peng Xiu was nearby, before leaning in and saying, "Peng Xiu called Xiang Yu disgusting, and Xiang Yu bragged that if he was disgusting, would you let him use your shower and blow dry his hair?" Han Zhan looked like an old auntie who loved gossiping.

Han Zhan asked again, "By the way, did you really blow dry Xiang Yu’s hair?"

Han Xin didn’t reply. He just blew out a puff of smoke silently. Han Zhan didn’t mind his cousin icing him out. He continued to ask, "How did his hair feel? It looks like it’s so soft."

Han Xin subconsciously rubbed his fingertips, recalling how soft Xiang Yu’s hair was. Han Zhan didn’t notice Han Xin’s abnormality and continued, "I should touch it next time I see him. It must be so soft."

Suddenly, Han Xin put out his cigarette and got up, looking gloomy. The ocean, which had been calm, now stirred with aggressive waves. Han Zhan watched his cousin walk away with an air of gloom, confusion etched on his face.

"Why is he so moody?" Han Zhan muttered under his breath. He put out his cigarette in the ashtray and ran after him, calling out, "Cousin cousin, wait!" But Han Xin ignored him, as he slid the sliding door shut and locked it.

Han Zhan, "..."