Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal (QT)-Chapter 525: Potato plant saga

"You could fake being in a relationship," Han Zhan suggested, his tone calculated. "Get closer to him. He must know things... important things. You could use him."

Han Xin’s voice was sharp. "Let’s not talk about it." He knew from that kiss that this wasn’t something he could take lightly. There was a weight to it, an undeniable pull that complicated everything.

A brief silence settled between them until Han Xin broke it, his voice quieter. "What has he been doing?"

Han Zhan smirked, his expression teasing. "Oh, now you care."

Han Xin’s glare was enough to silence him. Han Zhan raised his hands in mock surrender, but the amusement lingered in his eyes. "He has been going to the greenhouse... a lot."

Han Xin didn’t react immediately, his focus fixed on the pipes. Then Han Zhan added, "That reminds me. That Da Hei’s been acting strange. Each time Xiang Yu is there, he’s wagging his tail like a dog who just got a bone."

Something twisted in Han Xin’s chest. The subtle discomfort turned sharp, and his grip tightened on the tool in his hand. That was all it took to break his resolve.

Without another word, Han Xin left, his steps firm and unyielding as he headed back to the city.

***

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a relentless glare over the desolate wasteland that stretched endlessly in all directions. Dust spiralled in lazy eddies, swirled by the hot winds that cut through the arid landscape. Han Xin stepped out of the rugged all-terrain vehicle, the metallic clang of the door echoing in the stillness around him.

Even in the rough and tumble of this unforgiving terrain, he cut a striking figure not the perfect image of the leader that everyone expected, but one shaped by the harsh reality of their quest. His meticulous nature was often his hallmark, but now there was a certain rugged charm about him.

The dust that clung to his clothes did little to tarnish his appearance, rather, it accentuated the hard work he had put in. His forearms were bare, glistening with perspiration, the muscles clearly defined as they flexed slightly with the motion of his movement.

With a quick flick, he removed his gloves, revealing hands calloused but strong. Signs of fatigue whispered from the slight flush of his face, but it only served to draw attention to the intensity of his gaze.

The crimson hue of his skin gave him an elemental look, as though he had been moulded by the very earth he treads upon, and Su Jing and the other girls who drove back with him couldn’t help but steal glances, their eyes lingering just a moment longer than they should.

"Get some rest," he called over his shoulder, his voice steady and commanding despite the exertion. As he turned, catching the curious stares, his expression became more serious. The hint of charisma he exuded seemed almost amplified in the wasteland. It was a paradox, a delicate balance of roughness and allure.

One of the younger members of the team, a bright-eyed engineer named Fan Fan, found herself blushing as their eyes met. She quickly averted her gaze, clearing her throat and resetting her focus on the gear scattered around the vehicle. "Yeah, we wi—will," she stammered, cheeks betraying her thoughts and Su Jing nudged her to stop.

Han Xin was about to head back and take a bath first before looking for Xiang Yu but Han Zhan’s offhand words rang in his ears. The thought that Xiang Yu was hanging at the greenhouse gnawed at him. His feet turned as if deciding on their own. His strides, brisk and resolute, betrayed the storm within. Anyone watching might think he was a disgruntled husband rushing to catch his wife cheating.

His face was calm, his heart anything but. Each step tightened the coil in his chest. He clenched his jaw, the weight unbearable, like a stone pressed into his ribs. By the time he reached the greenhouse, unease twisted into anger.

The place was quiet when he stepped inside, the air heavy with damp earth and faintly sweet. He scanned the space, expecting the pair’s hushed laughter or the pair flirting. There was silence. For a moment, no one seemed to be there. His steps slowed, each one deliberate and tense.

Then the sound of a door creaked behind him. Turning, he caught sight of Da Hei entering, arms full of seedling pots. The man froze for a fraction before relaxing into a crooked grin. "Phew," Da Hei said, awkwardly laughing. "I thought one of the beasts broke loose."

Han Xin didn’t smile. His brow furrowed, dark and foreboding, causing Da Hei to stammer. "N-no, I just mean—it’s rare to see anyone here."

"Except Xiang Yu," Han Xin shot back, his voice a sharp edge.

Da Hei’s smile wavered, then froze entirely. "And, uh, the twins," he said, forcing the grin to return.

Han Xin’s eyes narrowed. The forced cheer grated against his nerves. His gaze caught on a familiar potato plant, leaves wide and green under the soft light.

He recognized it instantly. Xiang Yu had insisted on digging it up, determined to take it back despite his assurances that the plant wasn’t worth the effort.

Now, seeing it here, a knot formed in his stomach. It wasn’t about the plant. It was about Da Hei. Every smile, every glance, every laugh Xiang Yu shared with this man at the cafeteria and anywhere else he couldn’t see, it all snapped into focus. Anger flared, heat prickling up his spin and he began to see.red.

Han Xin swallowed hard, his annoyance spilling into the air like smoke. The weight in his chest hadn’t lifted. If anything, it had sunk deeper.

Han Xin stood like a statue, his gaze fixed on the plant. Its vibrant leaves swayed slightly, as though mocking his turmoil. Da Hei, noticing the intensity in Han Xin’s eyes, broke the silence. "Oh, Brother Yu gave it to me," he said casually, his voice carrying an almost smug undertone. "He asked me to take great care of it."

As Da Hei spoke, his fingers danced over the leaves, stroking them with a peculiar tenderness. The look in his eyes wasn’t one of mere appreciation. It was possessive, obsessive as if the plant were an extension of Xiang Yu himself. Han Xin’s chest rose sharply, then fell in a trembling exhale. He turned on his heel and left without a word.

The greenhouse door swung shut behind him with a thud. As Han Xin walked away, his stride was stiff, deliberate. It was a reflection of the decision crystallizing in his mind. Xiang Yu’s insistence on binding them together as husband and husband was now an absurdity he could no longer entertain.

He would settle their debts, compensate Xiang Yu for finding water for the city, and send him back to wherever he came from. There was no room for betrayal within his circle of people and he didn’t like sharing.

Behind him, Da Hei watched Han Xin’s retreating figure, his brow furrowing as confusion briefly flashed across his face. But as the man disappeared from view, Da Hei’s expression twisted, the corners of his mouth curling downward in fury.

His hand lashed out, slapping the tray of potted seedlings perched nearby. The delicate pots tumbled, soil spilling onto the ground, exposing fragile roots.

Da Hei crouched, his movements frantic yet calculated. He scooped the soil back into the pots, cradling the damaged seedlings like wounded soldiers. His lips moved in a quiet mutter, but the words were lost in the stifling greenhouse air.

***

Meanwhile, the person Han Xin was about to comfort had been having a hard time. For days, Xiang Yu had waited with restless anticipation to see Han Xin again. His patience grew thin, his disbelief thicker with every passing day. The idea that Han Xin might be avoiding him pricked at his pride. Surely, Han Xin wouldn’t dare to renege on their deal.

Fuming with impatience, Xiang Yu decided to act. The hesitance and decorum of waiting gave way to resolve. He broke into Han Xin’s place, his movements confident and unrestrained, as though this intrusion was his right. His lips curved in a faint smirk, one step closer to forcing Han Xin into keeping the promises he had made.

Xiang Yu wasn’t worried. If he got caught, he already had a reason ready. He would use the plant as a way to explain himself. It was a harmless excuse, one that would keep him out of trouble.

Approaching the back of Han Xin’s house, he found an open window and climbed in. He tumbled awkwardly, landing with a thud in the bathroom. Dusting himself off, he straightened and began exploring the house.

It was eerily quiet. Room after room, he searched for Han Xin, but the house was empty. Frowning slightly, Xiang Yu wandered into the living room. He placed the potato plant on the coffee table, but after a moment, his lips twisted in dissatisfaction.

It looked out of place, and worse, it wouldn’t get any sun. Picking it up, he carried it to the bedroom and set it down on the windowsill. There, it basked in the soft light filtering through the glass. Perfect.

Xiang Yu sighed, taking a seat on the edge of the bed. His eyes drifted to the plant, and an unconscious smile tugged at his lips. He pictured Han Xin’s reaction when he saw the gift. Would he frown? Look confused? Maybe even smile, just a little? The thought amused Xiang Yu.