Fyren sat frozen in the car, his mind racing.
He remained silent for a long moment before speaking: "Why tell me this? It's your family's business secret."
Xena replied with evident displeasure, "Because I was afraid you'd be angry! You're so devoted to Eliza. Now that we've acquired Qianfeng, you can go ahead and be mad at me all you want. Hmph."
"Thank you."
Fyren ended the call abruptly.
He'd been careless.
The Leng family was in decline. Many coveted Qianfeng's foundation - not just the Xus, but likely the Chens as well. And then there was Hakan...
The situation had spiraled completely out of control.
The Leng family now resembled a defeated fiefdom, with neighboring lords circling like vultures, each eager to carve out their share - the larger the better.
Both the Xu and Chen families had begun their maneuvers.
With Hakan already holding 29% of shares, acquiring just over 20% more would see Qingfeng Group change hands in truth.
Elton Leng had controlled Eliza's entire life, confident his daughter would always obey.
But when Eliza slipped his grasp, panic set in. He desperately needed a shareholder alliance to stabilize his position.
What if Elton stubbornly refused to sell? Could he maintain control as majority shareholder?
No.
Hakan, Fyren, and Eliza all held substantial stakes.
United, they could marginalize him completely. Even divided, the four factions would create chaos, sending stocks plummeting further... The consequences didn't bear thinking.
With all parties operating on different intelligence, Elton's predicament was most dire.
His daughter aligning with Fyren... leaving only Hakan as potential ally.
But Hakan had already bared his fangs - demanding 30% shares, 25% at minimum.
With his existing 29%, selling 25% would effectively end Leng's control. Hakan would command over 50%, becoming Qingfeng Group's new chairman.
Qianfeng would be his.
Xena's call came again.
"Xena."
"Oh, so now you're being civil? That's an improvement."
Fyren sighed. "What do you want?"
"Business to discuss."
"Business?"
"Yes. Let's meet."
Meanwhile, Chloe's phone began ringing incessantly.
Both Hakan and Elton Leng requested meetings.
Chloe politely explained Fyren's schedule remained uncertain, promising replies later.
Hanging up, she turned to Fyren.
He gnawed at his finger.
"Xena first." ...
Their meeting was informal, conducted simply in the pharmaceutical factory office.
"Well? What's this about?"
"Sit," Xena instructed.
Fyren complied.
Xena studied him seriously. "Do you love Eliza?"
"What? I thought this was business."
"It is. Do you love her?"
Fyren looked exasperated. "What kind of business is this? Isn't this just matchmaking?"
"It's very important."
"I don't like her," Fyren said flatly.
"You spent three years as her lapdog. Why? To take over the Leng family's business?"
"I didn't!" Fyren's frustration boiled over. "What's your point?"
Xena crossed her arms. "My dad sent me to negotiate. We can cooperate."
"How?"
"You talk to Eliza. We'll pool funds to buy her shares first—secretly. Meanwhile, my dad will negotiate with Elton Leng or Hakan separately to acquire more. Combined, we'll exceed 50% and take full control of Qingfeng Group."
Fyren frowned. "Why didn't he approach me directly?"
The mention of her father soured Xena's mood instantly. "How could he? You barged into our house, yelled at him, and forced his head down to read a contract! Who treats elders like that? After that, how was he supposed to face you? Or did you expect him to thank you for manhandling me into signing too?"
Fyren burst out laughing. "Okay, I was impulsive—but your dad was insufferable! He wouldn't listen, just shut his eyes and ranted. I went there with a guarantee contract, practically handing you free money, and he kept cursing me!"
"What did he say?"
"That his 'precious daughter' couldn't possibly be with 'scum' like me."
Xena snorted. "And your response?"
Fyren gritted his teeth. "I shoved his head down and said, 'Xena's mine now. Tonight, I'll drag her home for the wedding, and next year, I'll bring you a grandson.'"
"You what?!" Xena lunged, seizing his hand and shaking it violently. "You've got nerve!"
Fyren met her glare. "Obviously nonsense! I meant he should control his daughter—stop her from acting up at my place!"
"I'll murder you!"
"Business. Focus."
Xena huffed. "Whatever. The plan's simple: we team up and devour Qianfeng whole."
Fyren fell silent.
"Hey! This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance! Money—do you want it or not?"
"Of course I want money, but…" He hesitated. "Eliza's our friend."
"Yours, not mine!" Xena shot back. "I don't care! Qingfeng Group will be mine. You have to help! Once we take it, Eliza'll be at your mercy anyway—what's there to fear?"
"Stop talking rubbish. Even bankrupt, Eliza would rebuild from scratch. She'd never depend on anyone—let alone submit to me."
Xena rolled her eyes. "Please. Qingfeng's not even bankrupt yet, and she's already volunteering as your mistress." She yanked his sleeve. "Do what you want with her, but don't you dare marry her!"
"You're delusional!"
"You could marry me, but you'd have to be my subordinate! Hehe, having a sister like that to serve me would be perfect. Every day she'd bring tea, pour water, wash clothes and fold the bedding. Mmm, just thinking about it excites me."
Fyren grabbed her ears forcefully. "Listen carefully. Even if I married you, you'd be the one serving. Eliza would be my empress, and you'd be her maid—bringing her tea, pouring her water, washing her clothes... and giving my wife foot massages..."
"Get lost! You're hurting me!"
Neither Fyren, Chloe, nor Xena realized Eliza was in the inner suite at that moment.
Eliza moved through Dasheng Group with unquestioned authority.
Though she'd rarely visited during those three years, when she did, it was either to use the conference rooms or attend government symposiums hosted there.
Yet whenever she entered this building, she carried herself with absolute dominance.
Everyone knew the building's owner wielded immense power in Crystalpeak City—yet he was Eliza's devoted follower. Here, she was the true queen.
Fyren's suite included a bathroom. Eliza went straight in to bathe as if it were her own home.
Mid-bath, she suddenly remembered Fyren transforming into Otto, tumbling into her tub to tease and flirt. The memory flushed her cheeks and warmed her skin.
Hearing Fyren enter, she'd planned to surprise him—maybe showcase her beauty. With luck, a successful seduction might secure her place as the Zhang family's second wife.
But seeing Xena trail behind him changed everything. She stayed hidden, eavesdropping.
The more she heard, the hotter her anger burned.
Xena—that idiot! When Eliza was famous, this girl hadn't even graduated! Now she played genius while competing for her man!
Eliza had approached Qianfeng's acquisition with icy rationality.
She wouldn't hesitate now—not even for Fyren.
In business, you acted or were crushed. No room for complaints. A defeated general could only bare their neck to the blade.
Yet Fyren's hesitation struck her like a betrayal.
For a businessman, that momentary pause was itself remarkable—proof he valued her.
But hearing Xena demand she become some "little sister"? Rationality shattered. Fury flooded her chest, scalding her brain.
She wanted to storm out and strangle the brat.
But she couldn't.
Fyren was there.
However much he bullied Xena, one truth burned clear: these two... they fit.
The more casually Fyren treated her, the more it showed that in his heart, he had no defenses against Xena—he could truly relax around her.
In contrast, with others, Fyren was always tense, measuring his words and guarding his responses.
Thinking this, Eliza realized she held no advantage over Xena. In looks, they were evenly matched, but Xena had wealth and a powerful father backing her. Not that it mattered—Fyren had still forced her into that damned contract... But having support and having none were two entirely different things.
And what did she, Eliza, have?
Now, beyond her face and figure, what else remained?
Nothing. She was like a discarded orphan. Meanwhile, Xena knew how to pout and rebel, making Fyren laugh, seizing every chance to flaunt her feminine wiles—her wildness so brazen it made even Eliza blush just watching.
And Fyren? He ate it up.
Eliza sighed inwardly. Playing the little girl? If I ever acted like that, you'd regret it!
This delusional woman... She'd sooner prop Cora up as the big sister than let Xena win.
But then Fyren declared her the Empress Dowager, ordering Xena to serve her—bring tea, wash clothes, fold quilts, massage her feet... A sudden warmth bloomed in her chest.
Damn brat.
...Still, she cared.
Xena rubbed her ear. "Just eat the Qianfeng already!"
"No!" Fyren was even more stubborn.
"You sick or something? Eat it now! If my dad takes Qianfeng, I'm yours for life!" Xena feigned boldness, but her face burned red anyway.
Fyren smirked. "Who wants you? I've got Eliza—my precious, long-legged, slim-waisted beauty. Way more fun than some scrawny-armed brat like you."
"Wh—What did you say!? You've... played with her?"
"Sure have." Fyren's grin turned wicked. "And it was amazing. Beats your twig limbs any day."
Xena stared at him, silent. Then two tears rolled down her cheeks.
Fyren froze. "...Why are you crying?"