Lian and Mei’s expressions were anything but cheerful. The very idea of them going to school made them unhappy. "Look at you two! So smart in your uniforms," exclaimed Old Song, his voice warm and encouraging. "Give me a twirl, let me see how sharp you look!"
Despite their initial reluctance, the twins couldn’t help but smile. They spun around, their skirts flaring out as they laughed. Old Song clapped his hands in delight, his praise lifting their spirits just a little.
"That’s the spirit!" he cheered. "You both look fantastic!"
As the twins settled back down, still giggling, Old Song reached into a shopping bag at his feet. With a flourish, he pulled out two sleek, new phones. Lian and Mei’s eyes widened in surprise and excitement.
"Are they for us?" Mei asked, her voice filled with wonder.
Old Song nodded, a proud smile spreading across his wrinkled face. "Yes, they are. Pick the ones you like best. I even got some cool cases for them."
The twins jumped up, their earlier gloom forgotten. They eagerly chose their favourite colours, their faces glowing with happiness. "Thank you, Grandpa!" Lian said, her voice brimming with gratitude. Mei echoed her sister, "Grandpa, you are the best!"
Xiang Yu, who had been watching the scene unfold with a gentle smile, remained silent. His eyes softened as he observed the joy on the twins’ faces. Old Song, clearly flattered by their appreciation, waved a dismissive hand, though his eyes shone with happiness.
"It’s just a small thing," he said modestly, though the crinkles around his eyes betrayed his pleasure.
Lian and Mei rushed over to Xiang Yu, their new phones clutched tightly in their hands. "Look, Master! Aren’t they amazing?" Mei asked, her eyes sparkling.
Xiang Yu nodded, his smile widening. "They are very nice. Grandpa Song is very kind."
"Master, can we keep them?" Lian asked, her voice tinged with hope. The twins looked up at him with expectant eyes, clearly anxious for his approval.
Xiang Yu didn’t keep them in suspense. "Of course, you can keep them. It’s a gift from Grandpa Song, after all."
The twins let out a cheer of excitement, thanking Old Song once more before dashing up the stairs. "Don’t stay up too long!" Xiang Yu called after them, his tone half-serious. "If I come up there and you’re still awake, you will be in trouble!"
"Yes, Master!" they chorused back, their laughter echoing down the hallway as they disappeared from sight.
Old Song chuckled, his heart warmed by the scene. "They are good kids," he said softly, more to himself than anyone else.
Xiang Yu nodded, his gaze still fixed on the stairs where the twins had vanished. "Yes, they are," he agreed, a hint of pride in his voice.
After chatting for a while, Xiang Yu walked Old Song to the elevator. The soft hum of the machinery filled the silence as they stepped inside, the doors closing with a gentle whoosh. Xiang Yu turned to Old Song, his expression earnest.
"Thank you so much, Old Song," he began, his voice sincere. "I will transfer the money for the phones just now."
Old Song’s face hardened with determination. "No, Yu-er," he said firmly. "Xiang Shu was my friend, and I’m only doing what I should."
Xiang Yu tried to insist, his brow furrowing. "But I really should—"
Old Song cut him off, his tone softening but still resolute. "Are you so eager to make clear boundaries between us? Don’t you consider me family anymore?"
Xiang Yu sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing. He knew when to relent. "Okay," he conceded, a small smile playing on his lips. "But let me treat you to a meal soon."
Old Song’s expression softened, the lines on his face relaxing. "That would be fine," he agreed.
Xiang Yu had specifically asked Old Song to get the twins phones that were extremely secure and age-restricted, ensuring they wouldn’t have access to inappropriate content online. He needed devices that could be tracked even in areas with poor signal, a last-minute request that hadn’t been included in the payment for the documents and school supplies. Who would have thought that Old Song would be so offended when he tried to pay him back?
Old Song continued, "I also arranged security for them for when they drive to and from school."
Xiang Yu’s eyes widened in gratitude. "Thank you so much, Old Song," he said, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and they stepped out into the garage. "Take care, Old Song," Xiang Yu said as they reached the door.
"You too, Yu-er. I will see you soon," Old Song replied, his eyes twinkling with warmth.
As Xiang Yu watched the old man drive off, a wistful sigh escaped his lips. Standing on the sidewalk, he couldn’t help but wonder how different his life might have been if his father had been more like Old Song. The thought lingered in his mind as he turned and made his way back into the apartment.
Inside, the familiar sounds of the twins chatting upstairs filled the air, a comforting reminder of their presence. Little Bai, however, seemed to have already gone to sleep. Xiang Yu settled onto the couch, propping his feet up and pulling out his phone. With a decisive tap, he opened the StarMatch app and, without a moment’s hesitation, uninstalled it. The phone, which had been buzzing incessantly, fell silent.
He leaned back, resting his head on the couch cushion, and his fingers moved unconsciously to the phone’s gallery. Throughout the day, Mei and Lian had been playing with his phone, snapping pictures at every opportunity. As he swiped through the gallery, a smile tugged at his lips. Their camera skills hadn’t improved much; most of the photos were blurry or taken at odd angles.
One picture showed the twins’ chins, another captured Han Zhan reaching for the phone, his face distorted by the terrible angle. There was even one of Little Bai sticking his tongue out at the twins. Xiang Yu’s smile grew wider with each image, the warmth of their antics filling his heart.
Then he noticed a video. Curious, he pressed play. The video began with the twins, then panned to Little Bai and Han Zhan, before finally focusing on the front of the car where he sat in the passenger seat and Han Xin was driving. They were chatting, their conversation light and harmonious. As the car stopped at a traffic light, Xiang Yu had said something that made Han Xin glance at him, the corners of his lips quirking into a small smile.
Xiang Yu paused the video, his finger lightly tracing Han Xin’s side profile on the screen. He bit his cheek, his jaw tightening slightly. It was all just wishful thinking, he reminded himself. How could someone like him, a mere demon, ever hope to stand proudly beside an immortal as their spouse? The divine emperor’s words echoed in his mind, a harsh reminder of his place.
A self-deprecating smile crossed his face as he locked his phone and lay down, his head resting on the armrest. The room was quiet now, save for the distant murmur of the twins’ voices. Xiang Yu closed his eyes, letting the day’s events wash over him. Despite the lingering doubts and insecurities, there was a small, stubborn part of him that clung to the hope that maybe, just maybe, things could be different.