Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 141: "I love you,"

Chapter 141: "I love you,"

Xiang Yu reached into his sleeve and pulled out something. It was the jade pendant hanging from a slender silver chain. He held it up, letting the morning light streaming through the window illuminate its beauty. It was a good thing he bought it; otherwise, how was he supposed to coax this big cat?

Han Xin’s breath caught in his throat at the sight. He had no particular interest in jewellery except the prayer beads his mother brought for him from the temple, but if it was from Yu Yu, he would love it. The peace was especially exquisite. Without thinking, he reached out, his fingers itching to touch the cool jade. But Xiang Yu, with a playful smirk, pulled it away, dangling it from his finger.

"Uh-uh-uh," he teased, his voice low and sultry. "Unlock the handcuffs first then you can have it."

Han Xin’s face flushed with embarrassment. He had indeed handcuffed her earlier in a fit of passion, wanting to keep her close. Now, he realised how possessive and impulsive he had been. He pressed his lips together, fighting the urge to tell her not to run off again. With a slight blush, he reached for the key and unlocked the cuffs, rubbing Yu Yu’s wrists where the metal had left a slight impression.

"Next time you handcuff me," Xiang Yu said, his voice laced with amusement, "it better be for some steamy role-play in the bedroom."

Han Xin’s cheeks burned, and he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of desire at the thought. "I am sorry, Yu Yu," he whispered, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I got carried away."

Xiang Yu’s expression softened, and he leaned forward, capturing Han Xin’s hand in his own. "It’s okay... just remember you agreed to be mine no matter what. This means you are my man now."

Han Xin nodded, his heart warming at her words. He took a steadying breath and reached for the pendant again, his fingers gently caressing the smooth jade. "May I?" he asked, his eyes pleading.

Xiang smiled and placed the pendant in Han Xin’s outstretched hand. "Of course. It’s yours. I want you to have it."

Han Xin’s fingers trembled slightly as he took the pendant, feeling the weight of her affection in his palm. He lifted it, admiring the way the light played on its surface. "It’s breathtaking," he whispered, his voice filled with awe.

Leaning in, Xiang Yu’s breath tickled Han Xin’s ear as he whispered, "Just like you, General Han."

Han Xin felt his heart melt in his chest. Xiang Yu took it from him and carefully placed the chain over Han Xin’s head, his fingers brushing against the soft skin of the man’s neck. Han Xin closed his eyes, savouring the intimate touch. The pendant rested perfectly on his chest, the silver chain contrasting against his smooth, tanned skin.

He opened his eyes, gazing deeply into Yu Yu’s. He breathed; his voice thick with emotion. "I will cherish this forever. It’s the most precious gift I have ever received." His fingers found their way to the back of Yu Yu’s neck, gently rubbing the sensitive skin as he pulled her closer. Their lips met in a tender kiss, Han Xin’s tongue tracing the contours of her mouth, tasting the sweetness he had come to crave.

"I love you," Han Xin murmured against her lips. "I am so sorry for my outburst. I couldn’t control myself earlier."

Xiang Yu smiled; his eyes sparkling. "Don’t stress about it. Now, let’s go outside. Lian and Mei brought some food for you, and I know you must be hungry," he said while his thumb gently rubbed Han Xin’s soft lips.

"Yu Yu, you are always so good to me," he said, his fingers still playing with the pendant while staring at her like he was staring at his whole world.

"How is your arm?" Xiang Yu suddenly asked and Han Xin looked down at his arm that had been redressed by the physician. "It’s getting better," he assured her, not wanting to worry her further.

Xiang Yu’s hand gently covered Han Xin’s, his thumb stroking the back of Han Xin’s hand. "Good, just give it time to heal."

As they stepped out hand in hand, they found Lian, Mei, Baihe and Han Zhan scattered nearby, feigning nonchalance but clearly having eavesdropped on them earlier. Xiang Yu burst into laughter when he saw Mei pretend like she was picking weeds while Lian pretended like she was teaching Baihe how to fight.

"Oh, come on, you sneaky devils!" Xiang Yu exclaimed, pointing at them. "Did you really think I wouldn’t notice?"

The four of them, "..."

***

Xiang Yu sat cross-legged on a log laughing softly as Lian animatedly recounted how they reacted when he fell into that underground tunnel. Mei interjected, saying that she didn’t cry, and Baihe, who cried the hardest, couldn’t even deny it; he even called himself an unlucky star. They exchanged playful banter while eating their steamed buns and egg and scallion crepes.

A few feet away stood Han Xin, his gaze drifting toward Yu Yu. He was intoxicated by the way her laughter danced in the air and how her eyes sparkled with mischief. But buried deep within his heart was an unshakable worry that was gnawing at him.

"Where did she go earlier? Did she tell you?" Han Zhan’s voice cut through Han Xin’s reverie.

Han Xin blinked slowly, tearing his eyes away from Yu Yu to face his cousin, whose brow furrowed with concern. "I didn’t ask her yet," he admitted quietly, but even as he spoke those words, his mind drifted back to the love of his life.

Han Zhan stepped closer, blocking his view of her entirely as if trying to shield him from whatever spell had ensnared him. "You have to ask what her plan is," he urged earnestly. "If her plan is to commit treason... It won’t end well for our family."

Frustration bubbled within Han Xin. "That’s not her plan," he asserted firmly despite uncertainty coiling around him like mist. He could feel Han Zhan’s disapproval hanging thick in the air between them.

"You should ask her by tonight because by tomorrow afternoon we will be in the capital. Don’t forget your identity as the General."

Han Xin nodded, then changed the subject. "Is that soldier talking yet?"

Han Zhan shook his head. "No, it seems our training made him endure the torture."

"Make him talk, otherwise I will have to handle it myself," he said, his voice hardening. Han Zhan knew that if his cousin got his hands on him, the man might wind up dead, and they wouldn’t be able to get anything out of him.

"I will handle it," he replied and Han Xin turned abruptly toward Xiang Yu. As his cousin walked away, Han Zhan threw one last glance back toward where Peng Xiu sat, blissfully unaware of their conversation.

Han Xin felt a knot of anxiety tighten in his chest. He knew he had to talk to Yu Yu, but he was afraid of the answer he might receive. Approaching her, he sat down beside her, his hand hesitantly moving towards Yu Yu’s waist. When she didn’t pull away, Han Xin’s fingers curled around her waist, gently brushing his leg against hers.