Fyren really wanted to curse.
Good grief—Sherry, Otto's personal bodyguard, had been hiding right where he climbed over the wall.
When he fell off the wall, it was mostly because she struck his thigh.
Now with his thigh numb and him limping, escaping over the wall was impossible.
The front door!
By now Otto would be inside the house, making the front door approach useless.
But after just a few steps, Fyren fell flat on his face again and was spotted by the mansion staff, who hurriedly assisted him back to the living room like some VIP.
In the study.
Elton Leng remained seated in the host's chair, of course.
Fyren and Otto sat on the guest sofas, Otto narrowing his eyes to look at Fyren with contempt.
Fyren wore a broad smile while giving Otto a curt glance.
Eliza sat on a side chair, wondering to herself: Why does this Otto keep appearing everywhere? And why does Fyren always regard this man with such disdain?
Elton Leng said, "Mr. Long, please elaborate on this matter."
Otto said, "Dayu Group is a conglomerate in Southlandia—I'm sure you're aware of this, Mr. Leng?"
"Certainly," Elton Leng replied. "Dayu Group has built over forty large-scale amusement city projects in more than thirty Chinese cities alone. They're also involved in developing various projects including hotels, film investments, tourism city development, and art pavilion construction... With assets valued at approximately four trillion dollars, it's undoubtedly a major corporation."
Otto nodded: "They've been conducting covert surveys for this project for quite some time. The location is already chosen, and the information is naturally top-secret. But I can tell you they're nearing negotiation stage. If we act now to purchase that plot, we'll catch them completely off guard. Then we simply wait, and they'll come to us voluntarily."
Elton Leng nodded, gritting his teeth in suppressed excitement. "About two billion—if we secure that land, we could even sell it at triple the price!"
Otto shook his head. "No."
"You think my asking price is too high?"
"It's too low."
Otto smiled. "A one-time land sale is meaningless. With this plot, we can create numerous opportunities."
"Oh? Such as?"
Otto explained: "They have the capital, their designs are underway, and negotiations are in progress—everything's ready except the land. Once we control the land, we can use it as leverage against Dayu Group."
"Please elaborate further."
Otto said, "First, we can demand a stake in the new large-scale amusement city for seven billion dollars, securing up to twenty percent or more. With a favorable deal, it could even reach twenty-five percent or higher. Once the amusement city is completed, the annual net profit will be at least five billion dollars—meaning our yearly dividends would exceed one billion."
Elton Leng hesitated. "But that's a long-term benefit chain. It's uncertain how many years the amusement city will take to complete. Qingfeng Group…" He didn't finish, but his meaning was clear.
His side needed quick returns—they couldn't afford delays or a prolonged wait.
Otto laughed. "Mr. Leng, why are you still uncertain? The long-term profits will come later, but with the land in our hands, we can negotiate far more than just shares. Construction contracts, materials, labor, procurement, publicity—just pick two or three of these and write them into the deal. Would you still worry about not making money?"
Elton Leng excitedly slapped his thigh. "Brilliant! With just over two billion, we'd recover a significant amount during the construction phase alone. And if we can participate in this project, the entire Leng family will be revitalized!"
"Exactly!"
At this moment, Elton Leng turned to Fyren.
"Fyren, you're no outsider. You know Qingfeng's situation, and now that you and Eliza are engaged, you're practically family. That's why I didn't hide this from you today. What do you think?"
Fyren was still rubbing his thigh, thinking to himself:
[What do I think? What does this have to do with me? This is Otto's way of winning your daughter over—this project is his grand gesture.
You'll listen to him, he'll get you the land for free, and you'll be so moved you'll cry!
Besides, Eliza and I are barely on speaking terms—soon enough, you'll betroth her to him instead. From then on, he'll be your advisor, and you'll follow his every word.]
Eliza nearly choked in frustration.
This idiot! At a time like this, he still thinks I like Otto? I obviously don't!
Why does he always misunderstand me? I have to find a way to correct this…
Wait—why do I even care so much about Fyren's 'misunderstandings'?
Eliza had already moved past it, but her pride made it hard to admit what she was truly feeling.
Her aloofness and indifference were merely a shield.
At her age, what girl isn't innocent? Who doesn't yearn for love?
It's just that Eliza couldn't quickly accept these inner changes.
This inability was her flaw.
Fyren stammered, "I... think Otto makes a valid point..."
[Wait!
Fyren suddenly had an epiphany!
[Why am I supporting this? Why am I helping Otto?
I should be opposing Otto!
This man is trying to play the hero! How can he look impressive if everyone agrees with him? It won't have the same impact.
I need to challenge him. I must oppose him. I have to stand against him! That's how he'll really shine.
Yes! I need to give him the opportunity to dramatically turn the tables, so he can feel triumphant like some world-changing hero before he actually does it.]
But be careful! If I overdo it, he might shoot me. Right, right, this is the way to go.]
Eliza narrowed her eyes: Well done Fyren, your thought process is utterly bizarre, isn't it?
If I couldn't hear your inner thoughts, who would guess you're entertaining such elaborate schemes?
Honestly, how much do you enjoy annoying me? Why can't you just play the good guy instead of the villain?
What's wrong with you? What are you even trying to achieve?
Fyren stood up suddenly, "While Otto is undoubtedly gifted and talented, his brilliance unmatched in this world—"
Otto thought to himself: Why is this guy so insufferable?
"Hey hey, spare me the flattery and get to the point!"
"Fine. I disagree with Otto's proposal."
"Oh?" Elton Leng was surprised.
This was clearly a golden business opportunity. By asking Fyren's opinion, he'd actually been offering him a chance to gain favor.
What Elton Leng had wanted to hear was Fyren's enthusiastic endorsement - a positive show in front of Eliza, pledging full support, offering financial backing to secure the land, and committing to participate in subsequent operations.
This was Elton Leng's strategy.
A veteran businessman like Elton Leng had been steeped in these games for years.
Could he possibly fail to recognize the commercial value of this information? Would he not understand how crucial this project was for the Leng family?
Big players always speak carefully at critical moments, always aiming to kill multiple birds with one stone, preferably wiping out whole populations with a single strike.
Otto's information was priceless - any of the four major families would trade a lifetime's wealth for such intelligence.
But Elton Leng didn't want Otto to take all the credit. He hoped to utilize the Zhang family's resources through this matter - ideally getting the Zhang family to contribute some funds as well. After all, you shouldn't put all your eggs in one basket!
Yet Fyren, the newest ruthless businessman on the scene, was playing dumb at this crucial moment.
Elton Leng looked displeased. "Fyren, why are you opposing this project?"
Fyren thought to himself:
[Just wait Uncle, I need time to think - I'm making this up on the spot.]
Eliza felt like she might vomit blood.
If this had happened three years ago, with such an opportunity presented to Fyren, he would have been the first to jump at it enthusiastically.
He would have volunteered to negotiate for the land, claimed he didn't want payment, offered to cover half the land cost without interest, renounced any shares or returns - all just to beg for permission to get engaged to Eliza.
That was definitely the old Fyren's routine - shameless and completely capable of such behavior.
But today, he was determined to distance himself, fully aware this deal would be profitable yet choosing to wash his hands of it.
Despicable!
Absolutely despicable!
Fyren thought for a moment. "First, this land will be difficult to purchase. If news leaks, the price will skyrocket immediately."
Elton Leng thought this was nonsense - wasn't that exactly what they were discussing?
"Secondly..." Fyren realized he couldn't fabricate good arguments, so he went for broke: "Secondly... I believe that shantytown renovation project in the suburbs is more cost-effective. I'd recommend pursuing that instead."
Elton Leng couldn't believe his ears.
Was Fyren insane?
What was this? Open opposition!
Couldn't he see this was just a courtesy question when Elton had already made up his mind?
What damn shantytown renovation? He didn't have money to waste on that nonsense!
Elton Leng's face darkened.
"Oh." He forced a smile, "I do think this project is worth trying. Fyren, I remember your Zhang family has good connections with the Land Titles Bureau. Could you help make some contacts, inquire about the situation, and arrange a meeting with the auction person in charge? Later, regarding funding, perhaps you could provide some assistance. We're family - you wouldn't refuse me this small favor, would you?"
Fyren's heart leapt with joy.
[Old man, you're absolutely right! I'm absolutely going to refuse!
[Your family's future will be safely nestled in the hands of Otto, the great Buddha. I won't interfere at all.]]
Fyren sat on the sofa like a leisurely grandfather and said slowly:
"Well now...this isn't very convenient. I do know the auction person in charge, but I really don't think much of this project. As for funding...my side is also too tight, too difficult, too constrained...too hard to manage..."
Elton Leng was nearly furious.
If not for concern about maintaining appearances between the two families, he would have already started cursing out loud.
You little brat! When you were pursuing our Eliza, what did you say to me?
You claimed you'd do anything for Eliza, that the Leng family's business would become yours - whether it required money, people, or connections, it would all be just a word from you. You even said that if Eliza married you, you'd happily change your last name to Fyren Leng.
The same person who uttered such shameless, fawning words is now suddenly playing hard to get!
Elton Leng gritted his teeth, struggling to maintain his diplomatic demeanor as he forced a smile: "Very well, Fyren. In that case, uncle won't trouble you further. It's getting late - you should head back now."
In his heart, he thought: Get out! Get the hell out of here!
"Alright."
Fyren said nothing more and turned to leave.
"Wait."
Eliza could no longer contain herself. With a cold gaze, she looked at Fyren and said resolutely:
"Father, I think Fyren makes a valid point. I intend to invest all my funds in the shantytown renovation project."
Fyren, who had nearly reached the door, turned back in horror to stare at this ungrateful woman.
[Big sister, are you out of your mind!]