Eliza said, "I need to get engaged to you."
Xena, who already hated Eliza, grew even more jealous and snorted.
"That's rich. Fyren chased you for three whole years while you played the innocent jade maiden. Now that Fyren has become a hot commodity, you're putting the cart before the horse."
Eliza looked coldly at Xena, "I do recall you couldn't even be bothered to speak to Fyren before. What happened these past two days? Stopped studying pharmacology to focus on stealing other women's men?"
This energized Xena.
She stepped closer to Eliza, completely unashamed, "If I want to steal someone, others can only watch."
Eliza laughed, "Give your breasts a rest and develop your brain when you have time."
"You too - wearing such a sexy dress today on purpose. Don't tell me this is your usual style. Do you think I don't know what you're scheming? Showing off your thighs to attract Fyren?"
Eliza's face flushed slightly, "I don't owe anyone an explanation for what I choose to wear or what style I adopt."
"Yeah," Xena said, "And I can't be bothered to hear your explanations. I'm developing my brain, and my brain knows exactly what you're after!"
Fyren rushed over, "Hey okay, okay, enough! Let's hurry up and leave. Don't interfere with the police officers' work."
Walking outside, the sun shone brightly.
A lineup of luxury cars was parked at the entrance.
A Bentley pulled up and its door opened.
As Fyren hesitated, Xena linked arms with him and said, "Let's go, Fyren. Cora is waiting for you in the car."
Eliza's face turned pale. She clenched her fists involuntarily, her fingertips turning white from the pressure.
She just stared at Fyren, desperately hoping he would say he was going with her and let the others go home by themselves.
But Fyren disappointed her.
"Well Eliza, have a safe trip back. Thanks again," he said with a polite smile.
Eliza looked at Fyren, her heart aching.
In the past, Fyren would have abandoned everything to follow her.
But now, he wasn't the same person anymore.
His entire demeanor had changed completely, as if he'd become someone else.
So polite with her.
No longer would he pester her, no longer whisper sweet nothings, no longer obey her every command without question, no longer revolve around her like the sun - tirelessly, without complaint...
His eyes had become clear and bright, yet firm and composed.
The previous cunning and mercenary nature, the impetuousness and frivolity—all had disappeared.
Now he gave the impression of clarity, purpose, and complete understanding of what needed to be done.
Eliza's heart ached as she realized that Fyren would never again obey her unconditionally, never again surround her with warmth, never again greet her morning and night, never again send her daily gifts…
The special treatment she had once taken for granted—even the one-sided adoration and pursuit she had found so tiresome—was gone.
Yet, for some reason, she suddenly felt dependent on him.
An overwhelming emptiness and sorrow welled up in her heart.
Why?
Didn't you always love me? Didn't you promise you'd do anything for me?
Why did you humiliate me in public today?
What were those three years about? Have I really become so insignificant to you overnight?
Eliza stood stubbornly in place, unmoving, her eyes fixed on Fyren.
Fyren grew uneasy under her complicated gaze.
Scratching his head, he forced a smile:
"Well, you go home first. I'll check on Cora's condition and come find you later, okay?"
Only then did Eliza take a deep breath, her lips pursing slightly, as if she had regained some dignity.
"Don't rush back. Rest first—you must have slept poorly last night. Take care of yourself, and call me when you wake up from your nap."
Fyren was stunned.
Damn, in the past three years, Eliza was never like this!
What's wrong with you today? You're actually concerned about me, telling me to rest?
Has the sun risen from the west?
His mouth hung half-open, unable to form a proper response. He simply nodded awkwardly, "Oh… okay, sure."
Eliza then smiled sweetly. "I'll wait for your call."
Her voice, previously cold and indifferent, now carried traces of warmth, softness, anticipation—and even a reluctant hesitation, as if she wanted to stay but had to leave…
Xena, standing beside them, rolled her eyes so hard it seemed she wanted the whole world to know how disgusted she was—like she was about to vomit.
Eliza shot her a blank look before turning and walking to her car.
The Secretary General opened the door, and Eliza glanced back at Fyren with one last smile before getting in.
Fyren stood frozen, a shiver running down his spine.
[What's wrong with this woman? Why is she suddenly… so terrifying?!]
[Could she actually be interested in me now? This can't be real!]
[What did I even do? How did she… suddenly change like this?!]
Xena sneered from the side, "You still planning to be her lapdog? Have some self-respect, will you?"
Fyren hurriedly replied, "What nonsense! Let's go, let's go."
Entering the car, Cora saw Fyren and immediately burst into tears, throwing herself into his arms and sobbing uncontrollably.
Fyren quickly raised his arms above his head in surrender, looking at the woman with a confused frown.
[This is all messed up. Yesterday she wished I were dead, and now this... what sins have I committed!]
[Why won't this woman stop crying? Do I... have to comfort her?]
Xena laughed beside them, "Why don't you hurry up and comfort her?"
Fyren gently patted Cora's back, "There, there, it's all over now."
"I'm sorry."
Cora finally pulled away from Fyren.
Fyren breathed a sigh of relief. Only he in the world knew clearly that being this intimate with the female lead was like stomping on the accelerator on the highway to death.
Cora looked at Fyren, "Fyren, I'm sorry, I was too emotional yesterday."
"No, it was all my fault," Fyren said. "I just have a bad habit of running my mouth. I shouldn't have said those things I thought were funny but ended up hurting you. I'll watch what I say in the future."
Cora managed a small smile. "You know what? Any girl would lose her temper after hearing you talk about people like that behind their backs. But from what Xena told me, I feel embarrassed now - you spent most of the night tossing and turning to save me, then got arrested and spent the night in a cell."
Fyren didn't like where this conversation was heading.
This didn't feel safe for him!
[Wait, what am I doing? Why am I getting along so well with them?
Why am I in their car?
Now that we've met and everything's fine, I shouldn't worry.
Otto, you've seen it all - I've taken good care of your wife. She hasn't been touched by anyone, so don't blame me if something happens to her later.]
Cora felt very puzzled.
Who was Otto? She didn't know him at all. How had she become his wife?
"Fyren, actually... I don't have a boyfriend."
"Ah, I know."
"I'm serious, I've never had one."
"Uh-huh, got it."
Fyren said, "Alright, since you're not having any health problems, I won't worry. You guys can do whatever you need to do. I'm heading home now."
"You're... leaving just like that?"
"Gotta go, I've got things to do. Bye."
Fyren got out of the car and walked away.
Cora sat in a daze. From last night until now, so many things had happened - it all felt like a dream.
Once again, Fyren had appeared in her life playing the leading role, making waves in the sea of her heart.
The events of her childhood resurfaced before her eyes, and the innocent Fyren who used to lead her to catch loaches, dig mud pits, play hide-and-seek, and share snacks was resurrected in her heart.
The Fyren who fought with other boys for her, who was always the first to share snacks with her, who avoided her out of shyness after entering middle school, and whom she later chased - had now grown into a truly proud young man.
They were no longer children. Love, hate, sweetness, and sorrow...
After going round and round, was it still him? Well, that might not be so bad.
Xena looked at Cora, "Cora, you're not falling for him again, are you?"
"Huh? No way." Cora said hurriedly, "I have lots of work to do. I need to get back to the office."
"Oh. Really?"
"No, how could I?"
"Well, that's good."
...
Otto wasn't feeling right.
He squatted on the toilet, his stomach screaming in pain.
From yesterday morning until now, he had spent most of his time in the company of the toilet.
I haven't eaten anything bad, so why do I suddenly have diarrhea?
As the saying goes, even the strongest man can't withstand three bouts of diarrhea.
It's true that I'm a strong man, but this diarrhea has definitely exceeded three bouts.
Otto considered himself medically talented beyond compare, yet against this twenty-four-hour nightmare of relentless diarrhea, he had no clues or solutions.
Acupuncture, hot compresses, elixirs, internal energy... nothing worked.
The toilet! Only the toilet!
Only the toilet was his friend now, only the toilet shared his suffering and didn't abandon him.
Otto was becoming dehydrated.
God! I still have so many things to do, so many girls to pursue. You wouldn't let a great hero like me, a champion of the world, die from dehydration on a toilet, would you?
At that moment, outside the toilet door, a beautiful female assassin knelt on one knee:
"Young Master! It's time to go."
Otto cried without tears: "Yes, I'm fucking on my way."
"Dare I ask, Young Master, are you still... having diarrhea?"
Otto's forehead beaded with sweat, "Don't use such formal language now, just say what you need to say."
"The Supreme Leader has ordered Young Master to unify the four major clans of Crystalpeak City as soon as possible."
"No problem! Everything is under control!" Otto said with difficulty, "Though Eliza's side has encountered some setbacks, and Xena's side is a bit tricky too. But today I'll turn things around, so help me arrange my schedule."
"Yes."
"I need to help Chloe's mother with her treatment first. Her mother's illness can't be delayed any longer - if we wait, something could go wrong at any moment."
"Yes."
"Today should be the day Eliza and Jason sign the contract. I need to expose his deceit and save Eliza's business!"
"Understood!"
"Tonight, I have to stop Hogan's scheme and save Cora."
"Okay."
"As long as these three things are handled, everything will be back on track."
"Young Lord is mighty! Should I bring your portable toilet? Or perhaps a diaper?"
Otto raised his head and glared at the toilet door. "Think you're funny, don't you?"
"Young Lord, please don't be angry. I don't understand humor - I only follow logic. You know how I am."
Otto rolled his eyes. "Just... just cooperate secretly. Today is my... day..."
"Young Lord? Today is what? I didn't catch that."
"Wait... wait..."
"Today is your diarrhea day?"
"Get lost."