AN: Happy mother’s day too all the precious mummies here. Here is yummy snack for you.
Han Xin halted, impatience written all over his face, his brow furrowed. "What now?"
"You seem to be falling for Xiang Yu," Han Zhan said cautiously. "This is not good."
"Falling for him?" Han Xin repeated, annoyance creeping into his voice. "What do you mean?"
Han Zhan stepped closer, his eyes earnest. "Tell me honestly. You aren’t feeling anything for him?"
"I am not feeling anything for him," Han Xin shot back defensively. "It’s just an arrangement."
"Really?" Han Zhan pressed. "So this is just a contractual relationship and you are not getting dickmatised by him?"
"Don’t be so vulgar. And what else would it be but contractual?" Han Xin replied, exasperated.
Just then, the doors of the canteen swung open, and Xiang Yu stepped out with an easy smile, the kind that masked a more complex emotion. Han Zhan felt a chill run down his spine at the sight of him.
"Ah, yes," Xiang Yu began, his tone smooth and casual. "This is a contractual relationship. He does what I want, and I provide him with useful information."
He moved to Han Xin’s side, wrapping an arm around him and placing a swift kiss on his cheek. "Zhan-ge," he continued, glancing at him with a playful glint, "you should stay out of other people’s marriages. Perhaps you should get him a girlfriend."
Mei chimed in, her voice bright, "Or a boyfriend!"
Lian nodded with enthusiasm. "We really do," she added, glancing at Mei with a shared sense of nostalgia. They missed Little Bai so much that they couldn’t help but talk about him a lot. It was for this reason that Xiang Yu pushed for their departure from the city while secretly ensuring its safety.
"Come, husband," Xiang Yu said, pulling Han Xin a little closer. "Let me get you some food." Han Xin seemed like a puppet in the hands of his master, following without complaint. Han Zhan stood flabbergasted, his heart heavy with unanswered questions.
"You should really find someone to love on," Lian said, her tone softening. "Brother, you are too nosy."
"Yeah, too nosy," Mei echoed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Han Zhan, already feeling ostracised and scolded, simply stared at them, disbelief etched on his face. He entered the canteen, spotting Han Xin already seated next to Xiang Yu, their closeness unsettling. Gripping his tray, Han Zhan took a seat across from them, heart pounding.
Xiang Yu leaned in close to Han Xin, a smile plastered across his face, eyes gleaming with something deeper, a connection that sent ripples of discomfort through Han Zhan. It was both interesting and unsettling to watch.
Around them, others noticed too, their expressions mirroring Han Zhan’s disbelief. It was an unbelievable spectacle, far more surprising than the arrival of zombies. Whispers spread like wildfire, and the air thickened with incredulity.
Han Zhan realised that choosing to sit opposite them was a mistake. He was going to be fed dog food to death while watching his cousin sink further into Xiang Yu’s trap.
In just a few short days, the once desolate city underwent a truly remarkable and astonishing transformation, evolving from a simple, small city with basic security into a formidable, impenetrable fortress.
Da Hei expertly harnessed the latent energy of the land, skillfully raising mutated plants that twisted and curled in unnatural shapes, now thriving and surrounding the sturdy, newly erected walls of the city.
With the invaluable assistance of his mentor, a man whose strength and capabilities in their shared mystical abilities surpassed even Da Hei’s own, they brought forth a dense forest of toxic, venomous vines, creating an intimidating protective barrier that shimmered with an ominous glow, casting long shadows as the light waned.
Not only that, but the tall walls had heavily armed defence posts, manned by vigilant sentinels, dotted the perimeter, ensuring that no threat could approach unnoticed.
Fierce, mutated beasts controlled by several awakened patrolled the grounds with an air of predatory grace, their guttural growls echoing menacingly through the air, adding to the fearful atmosphere that enveloped the fortified city.
After three intense and gruelling days of tireless labour, sweat-soaked and weary, the city stood resolute, ready to face any intruders. This meant that Han Xin and his party could leave the city and not worry about it being taken down in their absence.
Han Xin trudged back to his abode, fatigue wrapping around him like a heavy cloak, each small movement calling attention to his weariness. Each step was deliberate and measured, his strides long and burdened by the weight of exhaustion.
Upon reaching his door, he turned the key in the lock and pushed it open, the creak resonating in the stillness that awaited him inside.
As he crossed the threshold, a shroud of darkness enveloped him, casting shadows that danced playfully across the walls. The lights were off, but Han Xin was not surprised by a certain someone’s absence.
Xiang Yu had informed him earlier that he would be with the twins for the evening and would return very late. With a sigh of resignation and a desire to cleanse away the fatigue that clung to him like a second skin, Han Xin made the decision to take a shower, hoping the steaming water would wash away his exhaustion and provide him with a moment of respite.
Stripping off his clothes, he let the fabric slide off his body and tossed the garments into the washing machine, the sound of the fabric thumping against the sides echoing in the quiet room.
He added a generous amount of soap and initiated the cycle, allowing the soft hum of the machine to fade into the background as he made his way. He took a step toward the bathroom, his bare feet padding silently against the cool tile floor.
Han Xin closed his eyes, letting the water soothe his muscles, his mind drifting to the tasks he had completed that day. His fingers, calloused from years of wielding weapons and strategising battles, moved methodically as he began to scrub his body.
The steam clung to his skin, accentuating the contours of his physique. Broad shoulders, a chiselled chest, and a lean waist that tapered down to narrow hips. His movements were efficient, almost mechanical, a partial reflection of his personality. Yet, beneath the surface, there was a tenderness, a softness that only a few had ever glimpsed.
Unbeknownst to him, the shower door slid open silently, revealing a figure that made his heart skip a beat. Xiang Yu’s dark eyes sparkled with mischief as he took in the sight of Han Xin, his gaze lingering on the wet, glistening skin.