Saving the Heartthrob Frenemy-Chapter 702: The end...

Qie Xieling and Luo Muchen held their breath as the twins moved away. The cabinet was cramped, and Qie Xieling’s knees protested. But he couldn’t risk being discovered.

Unsurprisingly, the cabinet door opened and they were met by three pairs of eyes. The twins were taking a victory lap while Qie Ranzhe asked them, "Still not coming out? I came to take the kids. I heard from your dad that you didn’t sleep well last night."

"Grandpa, let’s go fishing," yelled Li and Ruwen chimed in,

"Let’s go catch big fish and cook it on the fire!"

Qie Xieling was a little ashamed of being caught hiding but he was also grateful. He had insomnia recently and had just mentioned it to his dad in passing but his father immediately drove over after work.

"Thanks, Daddy. I will pack their things," he said but Qie Ranzhe shook his head no.

"Auntie Jun will take care of it. Besides they have plenty of clothes at my place. You guys continue. If the insomnia continues I will call a doctor for you and Mu Mu, send me the contract for mass production," he said.

"Yes, I will send it right away," replied Luo Muchen after clearing his throat. Qie Ranzhe closed the cabinet door before walking away with a grin. He knew they were stuck and they were too embarrassed to ask for help.

"Is he gone?" asked Qie Xieling and Luo Muchen pushed the door open to check.

"Yep, I will try to get out first... Damn it. I think we are really stuck."

"Whose fault is it? Ahhh baby, where are you touching? Stop groping," replied Qie Xieling as the two of them struggled to get out of the small space. Qie Xieling pushed up against Luo Muchen as they tried to find a way out.

"We will have to call the firemen," suggested Qie Xieling and Luo Muchen’s face darkened. The last time they had a field trip at the local fire station with the twin’s toddler class two firemen were being a little extra in front of Qie Xieling. Who could blame them? His husband could attract bees and butterflies with no effort.

That was motivation enough for him. After some pushing and shoving they tumbled out onto the floor. Luo Muchen landed on top of Qie Xieling with a groan, while Qie Xieling let out a yelp of surprise. They both lay there for a moment catching their breath.

It was then that Ruwen walked into the laundry room. He wanted to say goodbye to his daddy and papa when he saw his parents lying on the ground together. He thought they were playing some kind of wrestling game. With a laugh, he jumped onto Luo Muchen’s back.

Qie Xieling couldn’t help but chuckle too, despite feeling a little flustered at being caught in such a compromising position. The three of them turned it into a mock wrestling match with Wen Wen the Great tackling his papa and claiming victory.

But their laughter was cut short when Qie Ranzhe walked into the room, holding Li’s hand.

Qie Ranzhe chuckled softly before saying, "Wen-er, it’s time to go."

Qie Xieling and Luo Muchen scrambled to their feet, trying to smooth out their dishevelled clothes. Ruwen continued to giggle. "Grandpa did you see? I was like boom and I won."

"Papa let you win," said Li bursting her brother’s bubble.

"Looks like you two are having fun," Qie Ranzhe said with a wink. "But perhaps next time, try not to get stuck in the cabinet."

The two of them shared an embarrassed smile as they bid farewell to their children. They definitely planned on having fun alone in the bedroom tonight but what ended up happening was that they fell asleep on the couch with the TV playing in the background.

This was truly a happy ending to a very long emotional journey.

AN: This is it. The end. I am very sad and happy at the same time. Thank you so much for being here with me. I appreciate it so much. I hope you enjoyed this journey as much as I did. The new project I introduced below. The title is Venerable Demon King & The Doting Immortal.

***

In the shrouded darkness, the nearby villages were dead silent. Their doors and windows bolted shut as though abandoned. The rivers that were once lively with fishermen casting their nets, women washing clothes by the banks and children jumping in for a swim were now still and lifeless. Mountains held their breath, their ancient contours etched with trepidation. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

What were they so afraid of? The blood-red moon hanging high in the night was all telling. It was an ominous event that only took place once a year and for centuries the rivers would be turned to blood and bodies would be strewn all over the villages with the choking smell of death lingering in the air.

But over the past decade, there had been no incidences except for the ghostly sounds of gongs and drums coming from beyond the mountains. It was for this reason that some villagers didn’t temporarily leave but they were still huddled in their homes not daring to breathe too loud.

Beyond the mountains at the forest’s edge was a mist-shrouded valley. The mist was like a sinister veil clinging to every twisted tree and withered blade of grass. The air itself tasted of decay, a poison seeping into the very soil. Here, there was no life, its last breath stolen by the insatiable maw of darkness.

The thick mist coiled around ancient stones and gnarled roots. Its tendrils reached out like a parasite seeking something to devour. This was the gateway to the northern demon realm. Any foolhardy mortal who dared venture here would find themselves ensnared.

The mist would wrap around their limbs, their breath stolen, their senses dulled. They would stumble deeper, eyes wide with terror until the world outside faded to a distant echo. And then, they would be lost, never to be seen again.

Far beyond the mist was the infamous demon realm. The streets, despite their ominous backdrop, were filled with life. It was a great disparity when compared to the valley of death.

Demons of all kinds walked over the cobbled paths, their grotesque forms swaying to an otherworldly rhythm. Horned imps with eyes like molten gold danced alongside sinewy demons, their skin shimmering in the eerie glow. The scent of incense and roasted meats hung heavy, masking the underlying decay.

The parade was a macabre carnival. Gongs and drums reverberated, their rhythm discordant yet intoxicating. A procession of demons, their faces painted in grotesque masks, pushed a large statue. It was a twisted model of their demon king. Its eyes glowed with malefic intent, and its fingers clutched a serrated whip its length, sinuous and cruel, bearing jagged edges that seemed to hunger for flesh.

The hilt, wrought from twisted serpents, coiled around the demon king’s hand, their scales slick with venom. At its core, was a blood gem forged from the lifeblood of the master himself.

As the parade wound toward the Shadowed Jade palace gates, the crowd’s fervour intensified. They chanted the demon king’s praise in an ancient language, their voices a dissonant chorus. The statue’s eyes flared, and its stone lips seemed to twist into a cruel smile.

The palace doors opened and the crowd walked into the main hall the sonorous sounds of their singing getting louder. Suddenly the festive air shifted and the gongs and, drums fell silent.

Xiang Yu, the Demon King, emerged from the dark shadows his every step deliberate and echoing through the cavernous space. The blood-red lanterns hung in uneven intervals along the corridor, cast elongated shadows on the black silk of his robe with a canvas of golden dragons that writhed like flames.

Xiang Yu stood tall, his ethereal visage both captivating and terrifying. His skin, as pale as moonlight, seemed to absorb the very essence of life. But it was his twisted smile that sent shivers down spines.

His neck and hands were covered in ancient symbols etched in obsidian ink. Each mark told a story: conquests, pacts, and the souls he devoured.

As he stepped into the main hall, the demons fell silent fearing that they would unwittingly step on a landmine. His oppressive aura pressed upon them. It was like an invisible weight was stifling their breath and silencing their tongues.

Xiang Yu flicked his sleeves before lowering himself onto his throne. Beside him stood the twin sisters Lian and Mei. They were mirror images with porcelain skin and obsidian hair. Their eyes, though seemingly normal, buried a chilling aura hard to ignore. Tattoo runes adorned their necks, pulsing with blood cultivation. Lian’s smile was sweet, but her teeth gleamed like daggers. Mei’s eyes sparkled, yet they held the hunger of wolves.

And so, the demons bowed their fear palpable, their loyalty unwavering. Xiang Yu leaned back his fingers tracing the armrests. His nails, crimson as fresh wounds tapped rhythmically against the armrest creating a sinister rhythm.

His eyes glinted with an ominous light as he surveyed the room. His subjects shifted uneasily not daring to meet his gaze directly. His power was absolute, his cruelty legendary. But today, something amused him. A wicked delight curled his lips into a sinister smile.

"Why so serious? Please... carry on," he commanded, his voice smooth yet as sharp as a blade. The demons resumed their performance, bowing low and pretending not to notice the tremors in their hands. Xiang Yu was a halfling, half demon half man but he more terrifying than any demon to walk on this land.