Zaring and Otto look at Fyren together.
Fyren arrives right behind them, takes one look at Otto's outfit, and mentally gives both a thumbs up and a tsk of approval.
Professional! What an absolute professional!
Look at him - dressed in rags, driving a broken tractor, shoes so worn his toes are showing. This is the bearing and temperament of a leading man!
This is how you do it at the beginning. You have to appear as unassuming as possible, so all the snobs and ordinary people in society will wrinkle their noses at you and taunt you with every unpleasant word they can muster!
Then you reveal your true skills at the most crucial moment, stunning everyone present, followed by delivering a long-winded, impassioned speech that rambles yet stirs the soul.
Then the wealthy families are impressed by you, and beautiful women secretly fall for you.
The world begins slowly revolving around you alone...
Ah!
Then look at myself - simply unbearable to look at.
Wearing expensive suits cut by professional designers; handmade premium leather shoes; a collector's edition watch worth over four million... Dressed like some corporate drone sitting in a business car worth over two million, followed by a loyal lapdog and a sexy, provocative female secretary...
Compared to him, what am I?
Besides money!
What else do I have?
Me! Still! Have! Nothing!
Zaring says, "Don't worry Fyren, I'll take care of him..."
"Fuck off!"
Fyren glares at him, "Apologize to Otto!"
"Huh? Fyren, I... I have to apologize to this dog..."
"Shut up!"
Fyren kicks him in the rear and yanks Zaring's arm, "Apologize!"
Zaring says aggrievedly, "I'm sorry."
Fyren quickly smiles and says, "Otto, what an incredible coincidence. That was our fault just now. You go ahead, you first..."
As he speaks, Fyren feels something's not right.
He lifts his nose for a sniff, taking a deep inhale that goes straight to his brain... oof!
Fyren gets such a strong whiff it nearly knocks him out.
Dizzy, he covers his forehead and staggers back as Zaring rushes to support him.
"Fyren, are you alright? I thought this kid might have fallen in a cesspool..."
"Scram! It's... perfume."
"Huh? Perfume... scent?"
Regaining some composure, Fyren looks at Otto: "Otto, take your brother's advice - change your perfume brand. This scent is too overpowering."
Otto pondered to himself: I've been drenched in the downpour for so long, and there's still a smell? Could it be that I've gotten used to the odor and don't notice it anymore? No, I can't face girls like this—I need to clean myself up.
It's all because of that heavy rain that this young master is in such a mess!
Speaking of which, why isn't it raining in the city?
At that moment, Chloe in the car accidentally pressed the multimedia button in the back seat, and a voice came through the radio:
"Today, the weather in our city is quite a spectacle. While the rest of the city enjoys clear skies, a single dark cloud continues to pour heavy rain in one area. What's more interesting is that this dark cloud appears to be moving—traveling from the suburbs along the highway all the way into the city before dissipating. Its speed matches that of a tractor, pausing briefly as it passed by a certain septic tank... Many citizens have captured photos and videos of this unusual phenomenon..."
Everyone turned to look at Otto.
Otto's lips twitched. "That's... really interesting, haha. Such a strange dark cloud, don't you think?"
Fyren glanced at his soaked clothes but didn't dare to comment. "Yeah, strange... I mean, where do you see clouds like that? So unusual."
Chloe turned off the radio and stepped out of the car, surprised to see Otto. "Otto?"
"Chloe," Otto beamed instantly upon seeing her.
She's so beautiful.
My Chloe is truly a stunning beauty—what really sets her apart is her extraordinary grace, the kind that makes people look at her and just want to... heh heh heh heh heh.
Otto said, "I went back the day before yesterday to study the ancient texts, and I've gained some understanding of your mother's condition. I came specifically today to find you and provide a cure for her."
Chloe felt warmth in her heart.
A few days ago, in her rush, she had squeezed into the subway only to encounter a pervert—luckily, he had come to her rescue.
He was the first man in the world who had ever stood up for her.
Though his appearance was unremarkable and his clothes ordinary.
But who was she to judge? Just a nobody herself—a small-time follower of Fyren, someone who had to suck up to secure a decent salary to keep her mother alive.
Otto was brave, smart, wise, determined, and skilled in kung fu.
Having him as her best friend gave her a long-lost sense of warmth—a feeling of being cared for and protected that she'd never experienced before, that comforting happiness of having someone to rely on like a brother.
Fyren took a look.
[Good! Can do! There's no problem with the plot going this way—no issues on my end!
[Next, let this Otto take Chloe away to cure her mom, and then Chloe can just follow him from now on. You can handle the handover yourself.]
[Phew! It's been three days. Finally, we've made some progress. Don't rush—stay steady, control the pace, keep it logical and natural… to pair these two up.]
Chloe froze.
What was Fyren thinking?
Why does he always want Otto to heal my mom? How does he know Otto can heal her?
How does he know so many things—things even I don't know?
No…
Wait—the first one who ever took care of me, the first one who protected me, the first one who cared about me… was actually my boss! It was Fyren!
He was the one who hired me despite my lack of a good diploma.
He said he hired me because I was good-looking, sexy, and had long legs.
But now that I think about it… are there really so few pretty, sexy, long-legged girls around him? He totally gave me this job on purpose—so I could earn a good salary to support my mother!
He made me wear stockings and short skirts every day, saying it was for eye candy.
Now that I think about it, he was actually encouraging me secretly! He knew I had low self-esteem, so he let me show off my figure and charms freely. He wanted me to believe in myself, appreciate myself, and embrace my strengths!
He said I had a "slave mentality," so he always bullied me.
Now I realize—he was training me, refining me into someone tough, strong, independent, and self-reliant! He wanted me to withstand workplace pressure, even boss harassment, and live my own life!
He knew from the start that I was enduring all this for my mom!
Instead of lecturing me or helping me outright like some lofty benefactor, he deliberately bullied me, harassed me, even pushed me to the brink.
All so I'd feel like everything I earned was fought for by myself—not handed to me by him!
He's making himself the villain so that one day, when I have other options, I can leave him guilt-free and chase my own future.
What a magnificent person Fyren is!
What a noble soul Fyren has!
What a man to adore—my Fyren!
Fyren watched Chloe's emotional outburst, her eyes brimming with grateful tears, and nodded.
Good. The fire's ready.
Fyren said, "In that case, Chloe, you should go back with Otto and wish your mom a speedy recovery. Oh, and one more thing—I think Otto is a genius. He'll be a great man in the future, so you might as well quit your job and follow him around the world. Anyway, once your mom gets better, your financial pressure won't be so heavy. I'll have finance pay you two years' salary—that should be enough for you."
Otto scratched his head: Holy shit! Is this guy really this easy to talk to?
I… I was still holding my breath, ready to cut you down if you screwed up, but you're being… way too reasonable, aren't you?
And you're nothing like the rumors outside!
Otto smiled and said, "Young Master Fyren is remarkably understanding today."
"That's… that's… that's how it is. Learn from Otto."
Otto looked at Chloe. "Chloe, since that's settled, let's go back as soon as possible to treat your mom."
Chloe smiled slightly. "Otto, thank you for your kindness—I appreciate it. But for my mom's illness, Xena has already promised to heal her, and the operation is scheduled for next week. As for my job…"
She turned to Fyren gratefully. "I've received so much favor from Fyren that I can never repay it. I won't leave Fyren. I won't leave Dasheng Group. I'll follow Fyren faithfully through fire and water!"
Fyren suddenly felt… Are you guys fucking teaming up to mess with me?
Did I push this drama too hard? What's wrong with that?
Just follow the damn plot!
I've been kneeling here, risking getting slapped to death by the male lead, clarifying my stance and paving the way for your future sweet life—and now you're turning him down? What the hell? Is this some kind of joke?
Otto was clearly surprised too.
"Sister Chloe, do you not trust my medical skills? With all due respect, in the entire Snow Country, no one but me can cure your mother's illness."
Chloe shook her head with a smile. "Xena is a medical expert, and her family has abundant medical resources. She promised to operate on my mom, so there shouldn't be any issues. Thank you for your concern, Otto."
Fyren rubbed his temples in frustration and raised his head. "Look, how about this—just try it first. Go back with Otto, and if he can cure your mom's illness in three moves, then we won't need that girl Xena. Okay?"
"I'd rather wait until next week. It's already settled with my mom. If Xena's treatment doesn't work, then I'll trouble Otto again."
Fyren instantly exploded: "Just go when I tell you to go! Stop dawdling! This is a golden opportunity! He's right here, I've already agreed, and I'm even giving you money! He can definitely cure your mom's illness, and he'll treat you well in the future—your status in his harem won't even be that low! What more do you want?!"
"Harem... harem group?"
Fyren clenched his fist against his mouth.
Got too excited.
Said what I shouldn't have said.
Otto spoke up, "Young Master Fyren, one may eat carelessly, but one shouldn't speak carelessly. Chloe and I are just friends—I only consider her as a sister."
"I know, I know... I got carried away. Sorry about that."
Chloe, you're so stubborn!
Fyren gritted his teeth, his heart snapping with frustration.
"Chloe, you're fired."
Chloe hadn't expected this.
"Why?"
Fyren smiled coldly. "No reason. Go with Otto."
Chloe grabbed Fyren's hand. "Fyren, please—don't fire me. Mom needs money for her surgery, for her medicine... I can't afford to lose this job..."
"I'll pay for your mom's surgery. I'll cover her medicine too—as long as you quit."
At that moment, a voice cut in loudly: "She doesn't have to leave her job."
Fyren whipped his head around angrily. "Who the hell is interrupting? Got the guts to say that to my face!"
But when he saw who it was, Fyren instantly deflated.