Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 278: You don’t want to marry me?

Chapter 278: You don’t want to marry me?

Han Xin bit his lower lip thoughtfully, a playful glint in his eye. "Mum likes red bean buns and dragon beard candy... oh, and she also loves pink lotus flowers."

"Okay," Xiang Yu replied, determination in his voice. "I will get Auntie the flowers." The thought of visiting Han Xin’s mother filled him with warmth, and he felt a sense of belonging that he had never fully experienced before.

Han Xin’s thumb gently caressed Xiang Yu’s warm skin, a soothing motion that sent delightful shivers racing up Xiang Yu’s spine. "I will make the red bean paste buns tonight," Han Xin declared, his voice low and teasing, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes.

Xiang Yu raised an eyebrow, a mix of surprise and intrigue crossing his features. "You can actually cook?" The question slipped from his lips before he could rein it in, genuine curiosity evident in his tone.

"What? You don’t think I can?" Han Xin replied, feigning indignation, his playful smirk betraying the jest.

Xiang Yu let out a throaty chuckle, the sound rich and warm. "You really don’t. You look like you can’t tell sugar from salt." The laughter bubbled between them, filling the space with a lightness that sparkled in the air.

Han Xin joined in, his laughter bright and infectious. "My mum was a terrible cook, so when my grandma wasn’t around, I would cook just so she wouldn’t kill me with her food." The confession was laced with fondness, a memory that painted a picture of chaotic kitchen adventures and culinary survival.

"But did you die?" Xiang Yu replied, his eyes shining with amusement. "I can’t wait to try your cooking." With that, he leaned in, capturing Han Xin’s lips in a gentle kiss, a moment that felt both electric and tender.

"Can you cook?" Han Xin asked, his voice low and teasing, curiosity sparking in his gaze.

Just as Xiang Yu was about to answer, the door swung open, and Mei entered the office, her expression one of playful mischief. "Master doesn’t know how to cook," she said, a teasing tone in her voice.

Lian, standing just behind her, shivered at the memory. "I recall the one time Master made congee for us. Yuck, it was bitter like drinking medicine," she chimed in, a comedic seriousness in her tone. How their master managed to screw up simple rice congee was still so mind boggling.

"Yeah," Mei added with a grin, "he can roast meat on a fire, but that is if you peel off the charred flesh."

Han Xin erupted into laughter, the sound bright and full of life, a melody that filled the room with warmth.

"Hey, hey, hey, it’s not that bad!" Xiang Yu protested, a playful smile on his lips. "You still ate it though." He turned his attention to Mei and Lian, who were both grinning at him with knowing amusement. "Wait, what are you wearing?"

Han Zhan followed closely behind the twins each of them clutching colourful ice cream cones. "They said they will be flower girls at your wedding," Han Zhan announced, a playful grin spreading across his face. "So they wanted dresses, so I bought them." He settled into a chair, a satisfied smile lingering on his lips as he watched the twins swirl around in their excitement.

Just then, Little Bai entered the office, a bag in hand that contained two popsicles. Upon seeing Xiang Yu nestled comfortably on Han Xin’s lap, his cheeks flushed involuntarily. It was a sight that had become all too common, yet it never failed to catch him off guard. With a slight cough to compose himself, he walked to the table and placed the bag down, feeling the warmth of embarrassment creep up his neck.

"Dage," Little Bai began, his voice slightly shaky. "I wasn’t sure which flavour you guys liked."

"Thanks," Xiang Yu replied, his tone warm and appreciative as he retrieved a popsicle from the bag, the vibrant colours reflecting the joy of the moment.

Han Zhan, patted the seat next to him, a silent invitation for Little Bai to join. The younger man understood and promptly took a seat beside Han Zhan, stealing glances at Xiang Yu and Han Xin, who were locked in their own little world.

Meanwhile, Lian and Mei twirled happily in their newly acquired dresses, the fabric swirling around them like petals in the breeze. Mei turned towards Xiang Yu, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Master, master, do you like it? I think pink suits me."

Xiang Yu tore open the packaging of his popsicle, the crackling sound mingling with the giggles in the room. "You look very pretty," he affirmed, genuine admiration in his voice.

Lian leaned against the desk, his head cocked slightly as he asked, "How about me?"

"Very pretty," Xiang Yu replied, though a hint of uncertainty laced his words. "Though there might be no wedding..."

Han Xin, who had been gently massaging Xiang Yu’s fingers, felt a sudden warmth bloom in his cheeks, a rush of emotion that caught him off guard. "You don’t want to marry me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, the vulnerability in his tone palpable.

At that moment, Han Zhan, ice cream halfway to his mouth, choked in surprise. He had never witnessed his cousin, always so composed and stoic, acting so adorably vulnerable. It threw him off balance. Little Bai patted his back reassuringly, "Are you okay?"

Xiang Yu, feeling the weight of the moment, quickly defended himself. "No, that’s not what I mean." He knew they might not have much time left in this world and they wouldn’t have time to get married.

"What do you mean, then?" Han Xin pressed, his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Yeah, master, what do you mean?" Mei chimed in, her innocence adding another layer to the conversation.

Lian, ever the instigator, couldn’t resist stirring the pot. "He means he doesn’t want to marry you."

"You aren’t helping!" Xiang Yu exclaimed, running a hand through his hair in exasperation.

Han Xin, stifling a smile, leaned in closer, his expression softening. "It’s okay. If you’re not ready, I can wait." His words were sincere, yet his tone was so pitiful that it tugged at Xiang Yu’s heartstrings.

Xiang Yu chuckled, shaking his head. "Stop pouting. I never said I won’t marry you." In a playful gesture, he shoved the popsicle into Han Xin’s mouth, eliciting a delighted laugh from him, which echoed like a melody through the room.

Han Xin’s eyes sparkled with joy, his smile so radiant it was as if Christmas had come early. The atmosphere lightened, and Lian and Mei exchanged glances filled with relief, their hearts swelling with happiness at the sight of their master finally finding a semblance of love and companionship.