Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 225: Who is bullying who?

Chapter 225: Who is bullying who?

But Han Xin wasn’t letting him off that easily. He suddenly grabbed Xiang Yu’s arm, pulling him back. Xiang Yu’s muscles tensed as he looked up at Han Xin, their eyes locking. Han Xin’s gaze was intense, searching as if trying to uncover the secrets Xiang Yu was hiding.

For the past few nights, Han Xin had been haunted by Xiang Yu’s face whenever he closed his eyes. He dreamt himself in an ancient world fighting with Xiang Yu and supressing him, he dreamt them in a cave sitting near a campfire together and he even dreamt himself kissing him passionately.

He had never experienced such vivid dreams before, but now it was as though he was possessed, dreaming about Xiang Yu. The first night it happened, he told himself he should limit his interactions with him. But he had already made the mistake of bringing him into his home. Who would have thought Xiang Yu would avoid him completely?

By the time Han Xin got downstairs each morning, he would be gone, and when he returned, he would only come back in time to put the twins to bed. At first, Han Xin was relieved that he was avoiding him, but by the second day, he felt a growing sense of unhappiness. He didn’t want to be the one to make the first move, hoping he would come to him instead.

Before he had a chance to wait for him to approach him, his father had asked them to have a discussion with a family friend who was causing trouble. Han Xin didn’t need to think twice about who he would bring. He decided on the smurf and Xiang Yu. Peng Xiu had asked if she could come, but he refused. He immediately went to pick him up, feeling an unexpected surge of happiness at the sight of him.

Just now, Han Xin had waited outside the girls’ bedroom, hoping to catch him before he went to bed. Now, standing so close, he couldn’t just let him leave.

Han Xin watched Xiang Yu with a thoughtful expression, his eyes lingering on the man who had become an enigma to him. "Would you like to have a drink with me?" he asked, his voice casual but his eyes searching.

Xiang Yu hesitated, his mind racing. At any other time, he would have accepted the offer without a second thought. But tonight, he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to hide his plans from Han Xin. "I would like that, but I am really tired. Let’s have that drink tomorrow," he said, forcing a smile.

Han Xin’s face fell slightly, unable to hide his disappointment. He had expected Xiang Yu to agree. Just as he opened his mouth to say "okay," he quickly added, "Goodnight," before turning to walk away.

Xiang Yu picked up his pace, hoping to escape the conversation, but Han Xin suddenly blocked his path, his aura imposing and unyielding. Xiang Yu’s heart skipped a beat, fear gripping him as he wondered if Han Xin had seen through his facade.

"Are you unhappy about something?" Han Xin asked, his voice low and intense. "Is it that you’re upset about the Die clan? I told you we have to hold on and delay exacting revenge on them."

Xiang Yu let out a nervous laugh, shaking his head. "No, I am not upset, not at all. I’m just busy, okay?" He patted Han Xin’s shoulder, trying to appear nonchalant. "You worry too much."

Before Han Xin could respond, Xiang Yu turned and bolted up the stairs, his footsteps echoing in the quiet house. He disappeared from sight in an instant, leaving Han Xin standing there, a mix of confusion and frustration on his face.

If Xiang Yu wasn’t mad at him, why was he avoiding him like snakes and scorpions? It was what he had wanted at first, but now that it was happening, he felt a growing sense of unease.

He walked back to the lounge, his thoughts a tangled mess. There, he found Han Zhan and Little Bai. Han Zhan, still faintly blue though it was fading, was lounging on the couch while Little Bai massaged his shoulders. Han Xin paused, taking in the scene with a mix of amusement and exasperation.

"Why are you bullying the kid?" Han Xin asked, raising an eyebrow.

Han Zhan, groaning in satisfaction, opened his eyes slightly. "Who is bullying who? He offered," he replied, his voice lazy.

Little Bai’s cheeks were flushed from the weird sounds Han Zhan was making. He was already regretting his decision to offer the massage. He had felt bad for what the twins did to Han Zhan and wanted to make up for it. When he saw Han Zhan grimacing and squeezing his shoulder, he had offered to help.

Han Xin shook his head. "Little Bai, you should go to sleep. You have work tomorrow."

Little Bai nodded. "Okay," he said, turning to leave.

"Wait, wait," Han Zhan protested. "He isn’t done. My neck is also a little stiff."

Han Xin ignored him. Just as Little Bai was about to turn the corner, Han Xin called out, "Your boss must be really busy at the tattoo shop these days. It must be tiring."

Little Bai, unaware that Xiang Yu had lied about being busy at the tattoo shop, replied innocently, "Oh, no, it’s not busy. Brother Xiang Yu has been busy at the warehouse these days. Goodnight." He walked away, not realizing he had just sold Xiang Yu and helped count the money.

Han Xin’s expression darkened. He knew Xiang Yu had plenty of warehouses under the old man’s name, but what was he doing there, and why was he lying? He wanted to go up and confront Xiang Yu, but he was afraid that if he brought it up, he would come up with another excuse.

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he looked up the stairs, frustration and concern warring within him. Han Zhan, sensing something was wrong, asked, "What’s up?"

Han Xin shook his head. "It’s nothing," he said, though his mind was far from settled. He had to find out where Xiang Yu was going and what he was doing behind his back. The thought of Xiang Yu in danger or involved in something reckless gnawed at him, and he knew he couldn’t rest until he uncovered the truth.