CHAPTER 657: THEY ARE MY KIDS.

Little Bai’s eyes fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was a pair of gleaming red eyes staring straight at him from behind a curtain of long, dark hair. The eyes were sharp, intense almost predatory. His breath caught, and he yelped, stumbling back slightly.

The figure moved, pulling his hair back to reveal a face so striking it made Little Bai’s heart skip. "Little Bai," the man said, voice low.

Little Bai blinked, then his tense muscles relaxed. Who could blame him for feeling at ease after seeing that face? Being kidnapped by a good-looking man wasn’t on his bingo card, but it wasn’t the worst outcome either.

Xiang Yu rose to his feet, but a dizzy spell struck him mid-motion. He swayed, and Little Bai instinctively stepped forward to help but before he could reach him, a gust of wind rushed past.

Another figure appeared out of thin air, catching Xiang Yu with practiced ease. The newcomer’s arms wrapped around Xiang Yu’s waist possessively, his expression tight with concern.

"Yu Yu, are you okay?" Han Xin asked, voice trembling.

"I’m okay," Xiang Yu murmured, as Han Xin pulled out a handkerchief and gently wiped the blood from his nose. Their foreheads pressed together, breath mingling.

"You scared me," Han Xin whispered.

Little Bai stood awkwardly, watching the intimate scene unfold. He cleared his throat and said, "I, umm... I can wait outside if you like."

Both Xiang Yu and Han Xin turned, clearly having forgotten he was even there.

The Veyrasha bird wasn’t as lucky as Little Bai. It crash-landed outside the Hall with a dramatic squawk, feathers ruffled and pride thoroughly bruised. It limped in, talons scraping against the obsidian floor, wings drooping like wilted petals.

Little Bai gasped and rushed over, scooping the large bird into his arms with surprising ease. "You came for me," he said, voice soft and touched with emotion. "You are so sweet."

Inside, Xiang Yu tilted his head toward Han Xin. "Is that...?"

Han Xin nodded, lips twitching. "Yep. That’s him."

The two watched, mildly horrified and amused, as Little Bai cooed and fussed over the bird, who was, in fact, Han Zhan. The scene was both funny and cringeworthy to watch.

Xiang Yu cleared his throat and the spell between man and bird finally broke.

Little Bai blinked, suddenly aware of the two strangers watching him. He stood, still cradling the bird. "Wh-who are you?" he stammered. "Just because you are handsome doesn’t mean you can snatch people!"

Xiang Yu chuckled. "I am glad you think your brother is handsome."

Han Xin added with a grin, "Enchanting, isn’t he?"

Little Bai froze. "I—I don’t have a brother."

Xiang Yu stepped forward, stopping just a foot away. "Half brother, to be exact. But labels, right?" His voice was gentle, but firm. "We have the same father."

Little Bai’s eyes turned red, shimmering with disbelief. He had dreamed of having a family, of belonging somewhere but it had always felt hopeless. He didn’t even know his mother’s name, let alone where she came from. So how could he know who his father was? But now his half brother had found him.

Xiang Yu had braced himself for resistance, for disbelief, for the kind of guarded silence that came from years of loneliness. But instead, Little Bai had launched into his arms like a comet, hugging him so tightly Xiang Yu almost lost his breath. Tears soaked his shoulder, warm and relentless, and Xiang Yu held him back, stunned by the intensity. Little Bai clung like a boa constrictor, trembling with joy.

When they finally parted, he refused to let go of Xiang Yu’s hand. His eyes sparkled with questions, pouring out one after another about their father, about the where he had been, about everything he would never dared to hope for.

Han Xin stood off to the side, arms crossed, expression unreadable. Wasn’t Little Bai supposed to distract the twins so I could have time with Xiang Yu? He suddenly felt like he had shot himself in the foot.

He turned to the Veyrasha bird and grumbled, "Restrain your man."

The bird tilted its head, eyes narrowing. Who do you think you’re blaming for this?

Little Bai blinked, surprised. "Wait... Mimi’s talking to you?"

Han Xin’s brows shot up. "Wait... Mimi?"

Little Bai nodded earnestly. "Yeah, because he likes to cuddle like a cat." Han Xin stared at the majestic, battle-hardened Veyrasha bird that looked deeply offended.

And then Han Xin burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it. The image of the mighty Han Zhan reduced to a cuddly "Mimi" was too much.

The Veyrasha bird squawked furiously, feathers puffed in indignation as Han Xin called out with a teasing grin, "Little Mimi, come here!"

The bird screeched and flapped its wings, darting into the air in a flurry of glittering plumage. Han Xin didn’t relent, chasing after him with exaggerated steps and laughter bubbling in his chest. Xiang Yu leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching the chaotic pair with amusement. He shook his head finding Han Xin’s childish side interesting.

Little Bai blinked, utterly confused. "What’s going on?"

Xiang Yu smiled and gestured for him to follow. "They know each other. I will explain later. Come, I want to introduce you to someone."

"Okay," Little Bai said, still glancing back at the bird and Han Xin.

They stepped outside, and Little Bai froze. The landscape stretched endlessly. They were crimson skies, jagged peaks, rivers of silver mist winding through obsidian valleys. "Th-this... this is the demon realm?" he stuttered.

Xiang Yu took his hand gently. "And I am its lord. So you don’t have to fear anything."

Little Bai’s eyes widened, but he didn’t pull away. He let Xiang Yu guide him, heart thudding with awe.

They reappeared inside a grand bedroom, overflowing with baby items. There were cradles carved from moonwood, plush toys enchanted to hum lullabies, and clothes in every shade imaginable.

On the floor, Lian and Mei sat cross-legged, sorting through tiny hair accessories.

Lian held up a glittering clip. "Do you think it will be a boy or girl?"

Mei giggled. "If it’s a boy, he can wear this one."

Xiang Yu chuckled, watching them. He found it funny that they were going to put on a hair crown on a bald baby?

The soft chuckle slipped from Xiang Yu’s lips, and instantly the two girls turned their heads. Their eyes widened, and when they spotted Little Bai standing awkwardly by the doorway, they screamed in unison, their voices high with excitement. In a blur of motion, they scrambled to their feet and launched themselves at him.

Little Bai staggered back, utterly unprepared. He had been shocked enough to find himself in the demon realm, but this, being tackled by two squealing girls, was even more bewildering. They clung to him tightly, their arms wrapped around his waist, their voices overlapping as they cried, "We missed you!"

Little Bai blinked, stunned, his gaze darting helplessly toward Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu only smiled, his tone casual. "Long story. They are my kids."

Little Bai’s jaw dropped. Not only had he met his brother, but now his nieces too? His heart swelled with awe, with something dangerously close to joy.

"Have fun," Xiang Yu said with a smirk, slipping out the door and leaving Little Bai to the mercy of the piranhas. No one could save him now.

Outside, Xiang Yu stood at the edge of his palace, gazing down at the sprawling demon realm. The wind tugged at his hair, cool and sharp, and he drew in a deep breath before exhaling slowly.

Then warmth enveloped him. A pair of arms wrapped firmly around his waist from behind, and above them the Veyrasha bird soared lazily across the crimson sky. Han Xin rested his chin on Xiang Yu’s shoulder, inhaling his scent, grounding himself in the closeness.

"What are you thinking about?" Han Xin murmured.

Xiang Yu’s eyes softened. "Umm... I am thinking about when the divine seed will mature... when we will finally meet our little ancestor."

Han Xin was quiet for a moment, remembering his own birth. "It took decades for me to form a body. My mother said she was sick of me by then." He chuckled softly. "Hopefully soon. I wonder what they will look like. I hope they look like you."

Xiang Yu reached back, fingers brushing the back of Han Xin’s hand. "What a coincidence. I want them to look like you."

Han Xin smiled against his shoulder. "Maybe they will look like both of us."

And for a moment, the vast demon realm below seemed small compared to the future they were imagining together.