Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)
Chapter 279: The proposal

Chapter 279: The proposal

The sun hid behind the clouds, casting a gloomy atmosphere across the serene landscape as Xiang Yu stood before Han Xin’s mother’s resting place. The air was thick with the scent of fresh earth and blooming flowers, an atmosphere imbued with both reverence and tenderness.

The tomb was modest yet beautifully adorned, marked by a simple headstone that bore the name Lu Yan, alongside a black and white photograph of a woman with a radiant smile that seemed to transcend time. Xiang Yu felt a pang of emotion as he gazed at her image, the warmth of her expression inviting him into a realm of memories that were not his own.

He watched intently as Han Xin and Butler Qing worked diligently, sweeping away fallen leaves and pulling stubborn weeds that had encroached upon this sacred space.

Their movements were careful, almost reverent, as they planted delicate willow branches and vibrant flowers, a tribute to the woman who had nurtured and loved. Han Xin’s demeanour was sombre, his brow furrowed in concentration, while the gentle breeze whispered secrets through the branches overhead.

Once they had completed their task, they placed offerings of incense and small tokens of remembrance on the tomb, the fragrant smoke curling upwards as if carrying whispered prayers to the heavens. When they finished, Han Xin beckoned Xiang Yu, Lian, and Mei closer, an invitation that felt both solemn and intimate.

Xiang Yu had a memorial hall in the palace dedicated to his own parents, but he rarely visited it. When he did go it was out of spite and a way vent out his anger towards them. This was different. Standing before Lu Yan’s tomb, he felt a swell of warmth, an unfamiliar sense of love and gratitude that washed over him.

As they stood together, Han Xin spoke softly, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken affection. "Mum, this is my boyfriend, Xiang Yu, and these two are Lian and Mei... your grandkids."

Xiang Yu turned to look at Han Xin, and Han Xin showed a slight smile as though saying ’please don’t embarass me in front of my mum’. A slight smile tugged at the corners of Xiang Yu’s lips, a silent understanding passing between them. He averted his gaze, momentarily lost in thought, while Lian and Mei wasted no time in introducing themselves, their youthful exuberance filling the air with a lightness that contrasted the sombre setting.

"I am Mei! See, Nana? I put up my hair today so you can tell the difference!" she chirped, her voice bright and cheerful, as if Lu Yan were truly present before them.

Lian chimed in, her enthusiasm unabated. "And mine has a green barrette! I heard you like green, so I brought one for you!"

Mei’s eyes sparkled as she continued, "I brought you something too. It’s a drawing I drew for you! There is me, Lian, Master, Brother Xin, Brother Zhan, Brother Bai, and Butler Qing."

After hearing Mei called him brother, Han Zhan who was standing a short distance away, felt a surge of joy. For too long, he had been labelled "uncle," a title that made him feel so old and those two only did it to him. The warmth of being called "Brother Zhan" made him want to leap into the air, to touch the sky like he had won the lottery.

Once Lian and Mei had finished their heartfelt introductions, Xiang Yu gently directed them to wait with Han Zhan and Little Bai, a soft smile on his face as he watched the twins bow respectfully before Lu Yan’s tomb. Butler Qing took their small hands, guiding them away, leaving Xiang Yu and Han Xin alone in the tranquil space.

Xiang Yu turned to Han Xin, the weight of their shared moment hanging in the air. "I don’t know what to say to her," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You don’t have to say anything," Han Xin replied, his tone soothing and sincere. "Just you being here with me is enough." He reached for Xiang Yu’s hand, their fingers interlocking effortlessly, a gesture that felt both grounding and exhilarating.

Xiang Yu curled his fingers around Han Xin’s, moving a fraction closer, their connection deepening in that quiet space. "Grandkids," he murmured, a soft laugh escaping his lips.

Han Xin rubbed the tip of his nose in a gesture that was both cute and slightly bashful. "They are your kids, which means they are also mine," he replied, a lightness creeping into his voice. Despite the seriousness of the occasion, Han Xin’s playful words made it hard for Xiang Yu to keep a straight face.

"Actually," Han Xin began, his voice trembling slightly, "I didn’t just bring you here to meet her."

Xiang Yu turned to face him fully, eyebrows raised in intrigue. There was something in Han Xin’s demeanour, a glimmer of anticipation mingled with nervousness, that grabbed his attention.

"I wanted her to witness this special event," Han Xin continued, his gaze fixed on the ground as if the very earth held the answers to his unspoken fears.

Confusion washed over Xiang Yu like a gentle wave. What special event was he talking about? His heart raced, sensing that something significant was about to unfold. Han Xin’s body language betrayed him. He was as tense as a performer preparing to step onto a stage before an audience of millions, the pressure of expectation evident in the way he held his breath.

Suddenly, in a fluid motion that took Xiang Yu by surprise, Han Xin dropped to one knee, the grass beneath him bending slightly. The act felt monumental as if time itself had paused to witness this intimate moment. Xiang Yu’s heart skipped a beat; he was captivated by the sight of the tall man, unbothered by the fact that he would dirty his pants. Not only him but Butler Qing and Han Zhan were shocked. Butler Qing regretted not bringing a cushion.

"Ever since I met you, I have never stopped thinking about you," Han Xin’s voice cracked, the sincerity of his words hanging in the air like a delicate thread. It was a confession layered with vulnerability, resonating deep within Xiang Yu’s soul.

But as soon as he spoke, Han Xin seemed to realise the emotional weight of his words. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, as if trying to anchor his swirling thoughts. Xiang Yu, sensing his nervousness instinctively squeezed Han Xin’s hand. It was a small gesture but it calmed him down considerably.

Han Xin looked up, a nervous smile breaking through the tension, illuminating his features. "My mum would probably make fun of me right now for being so nervous," he said, a soft chuckle escaping his lips, lightening the atmosphere that had been so dense just moments before. He had never envisioned this moment. Him, on one knee, the weight of a proposal heavy in the air, his palms clammy with nervous anticipation.

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