Xena's body proportions could be said to be perfect.
At about 1.6 meters tall, she wasn't exactly short, but she looked petite standing before Fyren.
Especially dressed in a pale pink shirt, pink plaid JK pleated skirt, and a large bow on her chest. With pure white ankle socks and dark brown casual student shoes, her thighs looked strikingly white, as if untouched by dust...
How to put it...
The word "pure" was completely inadequate.
Beyond innocence, there was temptation.
That youthful charm, that visual clash of purity and sexiness - anyone who saw it would feel their heartbeat quicken, longing to take her in their arms.
Fyren exhaled slowly. Despite his inner turmoil, he smiled and sincerely said, "Xena, you're so beautiful."
He spoke seriously yet calmly, conveying that even in his exhaustion, seeing her like this left him awestruck.
Xena had expected Fyren to act like a typical pervert - exaggerating her attractiveness, making unwelcome advances, or cracking lewd jokes about taking advantage...
But she hadn't anticipated this reaction.
Though his tone was even, it rang utterly sincere.
Had Fyren teased her as usual, she could have bantered or fought back easily.
This unexpected seriousness left her flustered.
She actually grew nervous, standing awkwardly with a pounding heart as she shyly murmured:
"Why... why so serious suddenly? It's making me uncomfortable."
Fyren chuckled: "Don't dress like this too often - it's lethal. Every boy in Crystalpeak City might lose sleep over you."
Xena happily pounced to hug him. "What about you? Will you lose sleep over me?"
Fyren stroked her hair. "Too many things keep me awake already. Xena, if you see Iron King again, remember - just say you're Otto's friend. He won't dare touch you then. Understood?"
"But I don't know Otto! Can't I just know you?"
Fyren shook his head ruefully. "I was bluffing today. He only feared me because he mistook me for Otto. If he knew I'm just some rich kid, he'd probably beat me to death."
"Hahaha, you're just bragging online - where would this happen?"
"I'm serious. You must remember what I'm telling you. Remember."
Xena realized Fyren was being unusually serious today. She tilted her head to study his face. "So... you had an emotional breakdown in the car earlier?"
Fyren nodded. "This Otto has complicated connections and is dangerous. Actually... he likes you very much. If you're willing to stay with him, he could protect—"
"Are you fucking kidding me?!"
Xena instantly became upset. "I'm in your arms right now - what are you talking about?"
Only then did Fyren realize how naturally he'd been holding Xena.
Fyren gently pushed Xena away. "Xena, we can only be friends."
Xena frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said." Fyren continued, "There are many things I can't explain, but I have to work alone. You, Eliza, Cora... you all need to stay away from me. What I'm going to do is dangerous. One wrong move and I could die."
"I'm not afraid! What's so great about Otto? Just a disgusting guy! I wouldn't care to be with someone like that!"
"Xena, there's much you don't understand—"
"Then teach me what I don't understand! Is it about business?"
"No, it's not that simple." Fyren said. "Otto is actually somewhat decent, he—"
"He's decent?!" Xena interrupted. "I was treating QiushouChen when he tried to interfere from behind! Luckily you blocked him in time!"
Fyren looked surprised. "You... saw that?"
"Yes!" Xena exclaimed. "A so-called healer who endangers a patient just to show off during another doctor's treatment - you call that decent behavior?"
Fyren sighed. "That bastard really crossed the line doing that."
"And you - destroying an entire batch of unqualified herbs without hesitation, losing hundreds of millions without blinking - you're the decent one."
Fyren groaned. "Decent my ass! That was our family's screw-up."
"But it wasn't your responsibility. You're the one brave enough to take accountability."
Xena continued:
"I realize I misjudged you before. You're incredibly loyal to friends - like taking beatings for Eason at school. You treat your girlfriend well too - Cora often tells me how caring you were, like she was your little sister. And you're filial to your parents - Cora said Uncle Hong often hit you, but you never got angry, always comforting him and Auntie Zhang afterwards... Overall, I think you're actually a good person. You just pretend to be bad on purpose."
Fyren didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
But Xena's words snapped him back to reality.
Right, I can run away—but what about Mom and Dad? They don't even know they're in danger.
If he left and let Dad continue managing Dasheng Group alone, he'd inevitably clash head-on with Otto.
Dad doesn't even know what kind of opponent Otto is or what he's capable of. He'd just charge in blindly and get himself killed.
I can't leave.
I have to stay. Only I know Otto's true nature, and only I might barely find a way to protect Dasheng Group—and Mom and Dad.
Fyren felt cornered.
Leaving isn't an option. Staying is like waiting for death.
Iron King has already entered the game early—is there even a way to survive?
His original plan was to play it safe, grind in the "newbie village," and stockpile resources to prepare for the late-game battles.
But now? The enemy team is already invading.
Otto alone could already crush him in a one-on-one fight—and now he's bringing his whole squad? Was this even necessary?
Was it really fucking necessary?!
Fyren felt like his head was about to explode.
The people around him weren't following the script. The storylines that should have played out smoothly were now completely scrambled because of his "transmigration awakening."
So far, he hadn't been hurt—but his goal wasn't just to avoid injury. It was to survive till the end!
Yet the plot was spiraling into deeper danger.
He'd stolen the protagonist's girl—a capital offense.
He'd ruined the protagonist's heroic moments multiple times—another capital offense.
And now he'd even impersonated the protagonist and recruited one of his lackeys…
Short of outright villainy, he'd already done every death-worthy thing possible.
Just then, Eliza called again, saying she had something urgent to discuss and needed to see him immediately.
Fyren didn't know whether to agree or refuse.
Meeting any of the female leads right now is dangerous.
Especially Eliza!
She'd already openly declared she was pursuing him.
[Hah! Thanks a fucking lot!]
Fyren couldn't figure it out—what kind of creatures were women, really?
[I chased you desperately for three years, and you treated me like trash.]
"Now I can't wait for you to stay eight feet away from me—I don't even want to talk to you anymore, but you're suddenly coming on to me!"
Xena watched Fyren's expression change and, sensing his inner turmoil, felt both annoyed and amused.
"Hey, is it true you don't like Eliza anymore?"
"Bullshit."
"Hey, hey! Then be my boyfriend! I'm dying to experience love for once!"
Fyren looked at Xena and thought, Is this any better?
Why the hell am I even responding like this?!
What's the difference between you and her?!
Fyren said, "You—ah, just go back where you came from. Walk around the company more and stop hovering in front of me all the time. It's annoying."
Xena immediately kicked Fyren's calf. "Then why did you save me today?"
Fyren rubbed his leg. "Because I'm sick! Happy?"
"No! If you're going to be sick, then be sick to the end! Let's go—I'm coming with you to see Eliza!"
"What are you planning?"
"To show her she's outdated, and I'm your new girlfriend!"
"What did you just say?"
"Let's go!"
"I'm warning you—don't mess around!"
"Don't worry, I'll make sure you look good!"
Qingfeng Group.
Conference Room.
Eliza sat in the boss's chair, her presence domineering despite her calm expression.
Elton Leng occupied the seat beside her, his face stern and unreadable.
Fyren thought, Are these two fighting again? Why do I keep getting dragged into their family drama?
"Uncle Elton, Eliza... something's wrong, isn't it?"
Eliza said, "Sit down first."
Xena smiled sweetly. "Hello, Uncle Elton!"
Elton Leng quickly forced a smile. "Aiyo, Xena's here too! Sit, sit, sit."
The moment Fyren took his seat, Elton Leng declared, "Fyren, there's something I need to make clear—your engagement with Eliza is off."
"Oh."
Elton Leng sighed. "I know you won't agree, but your money never reached my account. Bottom line—I, Elton Leng, never do losing deals. So I'm firmly against you two being together! I'll make it clear to your father later."
"Uh-huh."
Elton Leng was baffled. What's going on with this kid?
He's taking this news way too calmly!
Wasn't he supposedly obsessed with Eliza? For three years, this brat has been sucking up to me so disgustingly I could barely stand it!
This news should be devastating for him!
What's going on here?
"I'm warning you—I'm not trying to scare you. I'm dead serious."
Fyren nodded. "That's perfect. In that case, you should call my father right now and settle this, so our family doesn't have to prepare for next month's engagement ceremony."
Elton Leng was stunned.
Is this kid calling my bluff? Does he really think I won't dare?
"Fine, I'll call right now."
Eliza stared at Fyren. "Fyren, what do you mean by this?"
Fyren smiled. "Exactly what I said. Uncle Elton and I agree—aren't you sick of me too?"
"Did I say that today? I clearly said..."
Eliza looked at Fyren's indifferent expression, torn between frustration and anger.
"I don't care what you two decide. After today, let's go our separate ways."
Elton Leng's call didn't go through. Awkwardly, he muttered, "I'll talk to your father later."
"Okay. If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Just then, a man pushed the door open and entered with a smile.
It was Otto.
After surveying the room, Otto addressed Elton Leng: "Uncle, I've found a financier willing to provide five billion in cash at just one percent interest. They're ready to invest in Qingfeng Group."
Elton Leng burst into laughter, nearly clapping his hands. "Excellent! Now the situation is under my control!"
He shot Fyren a contemptuous glance and announced loudly:
"See our guests out!"