Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 176: ...he can bend any straight man

Han Zhan glanced at his cousin, Han Xin, his eyes filled with exasperation. "I am not simping over him," he declared, his voice firm. "I just think that he is incredible. He is so cool."

Turning to Xiang Yu, who stood hesitantly beside him, Han Zhan’s expression softened. "Come, come, sit," he urged, patting the couch beside him. "Do you play games?"

Xiang Yu shook his head, his face a mask of indifference. "I don’t play games," he replied, his tone flat. He sat down, his posture stiff, not even sparing a glance at Han Xin. He thought that they would immediately discuss business and he could leave but it didn’t seem so. What was the point of bringing all the way here.

Han Zhan, undeterred, patted Xiang Yu’s shoulder in a friendly gesture. "Don’t be such a stickler," he said with a grin. "It’s a shooting game. I can teach you."

Before Xiang Yu could respond, Han Xin’s voice cut through the room, calm and authoritative. "Don’t force him," he said, his eyes never leaving the screen of his laptop.

Han Zhan sighed, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender. "Okay, okay, I will play by myself." He picked up the controller, and the large screen in front of them flickered to life, displaying the vibrant, chaotic world of the game.

Xiang Yu watched as Han Zhan’s character navigated through the virtual battlefield, the screen shaking with each explosion and splatter of blood. The character darted into buildings, switching weapons with practised ease.

Initially, Xiang Yu intended to watch merely to pass the time and distract himself from the thoughts of Han Xin. But as the game progressed, he found himself increasingly captivated by the action.

The more he watched, the more intrigued he became. He started to imagine himself playing the game at home, competing with Lian and Mei. The thought of their competitive nature brought a smile to his face.

Han Xin, who had been engrossed in his work, glanced up just in time to catch Xiang Yu’s smile. His brow arched slightly, a subtle sign of his curiosity and perhaps a hint of amusement.

Their eyes suddenly met but Han Xin wasn’t even embarrassed being caught staring. "Would you like something to drink?" he asked, his voice calm and inviting.

Before Xiang Yu could respond, Han Zhan, lounging on the couch, chimed in. "I would like some rum, please," he said with a grin.

Han Xin’s expression remained unchanged as he replied, "Not you, I was talking to him." He nodded towards Xiang Yu.

Han Zhan huffed, crossing his arms. "Cousin, you are so mean," he muttered, feigning hurt. free𝑤ebnovel.com

Xiang Yu turned to Han Xin, his gaze steady but distant. "I will drink anything, it’s fine," he said softly, then looked away, a shadow passing over his face. Han Xin noticed the change but decided to brush it off for now.

He moved to the bar, pouring whiskey into crystal glasses. The amber liquid caught the light, casting a warm glow. He walked back and handed one of the glasses to Xiang Yu, who accepted it with a quiet "Thanks."

Han Xin settled on the other couch, facing Xiang Yu. Meanwhile, Han Zhan pulled out a cigarette and placed it between his lips. Just as he was about to light it, Han Xin’s voice cut through the room. "Go to the door if you are going to smoke."

Han Zhan, still biting the butt of the cigarette, mumbled something unintelligible. Han Xin raised an eyebrow. "I can’t hear you," he said, his tone firm.

With a sigh, Han Zhan removed the cigarette from his mouth as he stood up. "Cousin, you are too strict. I feel sorry for your future wife," he grumbled, heading towards the door.

Xiang Yu’s gaze remained fixed on the brown liquid swirling in his glass. A fleeting light shone in his eyes, a mix of emotions he couldn’t quite name. He told himself he should be fine with Han Xin marrying anyone, as long as it wasn’t Peng Xiu.

He could be happy for him, he really could. But the thought felt like a dagger to his heart, each imagined scenario a fresh wound. It was more painful than when Peng Xiu had torn at his spiritual roots that fateful night.

Han Xin called out to Xiang Yu, but there was no immediate response. It was as though Xiang Yu was lost in thought, his mind wandering far from the present moment. Han Zhan, standing by the sliding door, puffed out a ring of smoke and glanced over, curiosity piqued.

"Xiang Yu," Han Xin called again, his voice a touch more insistent. This time, Xiang Yu looked up, his eyes slightly unfocused before he answered with a soft hum.

Han Xin hesitated, wanting to ask what was on Xiang Yu’s mind but feeling it might be overstepping his bounds. Instead, he said, "From now on, you will work for me. I will compensate you generously. You don’t have to worry about coming to me; I will call you when you are needed."

Xiang Yu’s long fingers held the crystal glass delicately, his fingertips rubbing the intricate ridges as he listened. His gaze, however, was fixed on Han Xin. In this world, Han Xin’s once flowing hair was now cut short, much like Xiang Yu’s, revealing the sharp angles of his jawline and high cheekbones.

The ethereal beauty that had once softened his features had evolved into something more striking, more potent. His eyes, dark and fathomless, seemed to pierce through the very soul of whoever met his gaze. The short hair framed his face, highlighting the intensity of his expression and the strength in his features. His presence was magnetic, commanding attention and respect without a single word.

Han Zhan noticed the abnormality in Xiang Yu’s behaviour. With a laugh, he walked over and patted his shoulder. "My cousin is so handsome that he can bend any straight man," Han Zhan joked, his tone light but his eyes observant.