Elton Leng said, "This time you've won, and won spectacularly. I can see that in the future, not just the Leng family, but the Chen and Xu families will surely become meat in your mouth too. Our Leng family is in dire straits now, but we still have value. If you help us just this once, from now on the Leng family will look up to the Zhang family!"
Fyren felt his head swelling: "Uncle Elton, what are you saying? I don't understand."
Elton Leng continued, "Fyren, we're both reasonable men. Between reasonable men, there's no need for these guessing games. Besides, this room is full of your people. I'm genuinely begging you."
Fyren froze, then grew angry. Turning to Chloe, he said, "Those two old men were unhappy with me and lectured me as soon as they saw me. But this one's being so nice it's pissing me off!"
"Fyren, I admit defeat. Do you want me to kneel before you? I will!" Elton Leng began to kneel.
Fyren, shocked and confused, rushed to stop him.
This wasn't unusual—many tycoons had started their rise by enduring beatings and humiliation. To truly powerful figures, suffering such indignities was just part of the game. Being humbled before Fyren now could mean being revered before the world later. They could stomach it.
Before Fyren could stop him, Elton Leng was already on his knees, pleading: "Fyren! Just let the Leng family survive!"
With no alternative, Fyren knelt too, facing him: "Uncle Elton, please let me live!"
Elton Leng kowtowed: "I'm bowing to you!"
Fyren kowtowed in return: "I'll return the gesture—no blackmail here!"
Elton Leng kowtowed again: "Won't you spare us?"
Fyren cried as he kowtowed: "You might as well kill me!"
Elton Leng kowtowed once more: "Isn't there any room for negotiation?"
Fyren roared: "Enough!"
"Damn it! Those other two old fucks at least came at me physically, but you're using psychological warfare? What's wrong with you?"
Elton Leng studied Fyren—this didn't seem like an act.
"Our Qingfeng Group...is finished."
"How is it finished?"
"Our last investment fund was put into the shantytown project by Eliza. Even though you've pulled out now, we won't see profits anytime soon. Qingfeng Group's capital chain has been broken for a long time—we can't even pay employee salaries now... One month of this and morale will collapse; two months and executives will jump ship; in less than three months we'll be an empty shell. Just the compensation payments alone...I'm afraid selling everything we own still wouldn't cover it."
"That serious?!" Fyren rubbed his chin. "That I didn't expect."
Chloe awkwardly interjected: "Perhaps you two could...stand up to continue?"
Only then did Fyren realize they were both kneeling on the floor facing each other in perfect symmetry—an absurd sight.
"Right, let's stand and talk."
Seeing Fyren deep in thought, Elton Leng glimpsed hope: "Fyren, don't you like Eliza? Uncle won't stand in your way this time! If you don't trust me, take her home tonight—let her live with you from now on. How's that? Once the rice is cooked, I can't take it back, right?"
Fyren stared at Elton Leng. "Are you even speaking human words?"
By now, Eliza had pushed open the door and overheard their conversation through the screen.
Fyren continued with clear disapproval: "When there's trouble, you won't trade your daughter for money. Yet when things are fine, you squeeze her dry, terrified someone might take your family's fortune. Eliza is a human being—your daughter. Why can't you treat her well? Having a father like you—she's truly unfortunate."
"Aiya, following you would be wonderful! Truly! You're young and capable. This masterstroke of yours—we completely misjudged you before. Even those two old men will admire you once they realize what's happened! I'd feel completely at ease having Eliza stay with you."
Fyren studied him. "So Eliza follows me, you push her out, crown yourself supreme emperor, and have Otto manage Qianfeng for you. That way your family fortune stays safe from me, while you still leverage your daughter's connection to me for resources to prop up Qianfeng. Am I right?"
"Aigoo, how can you say that? This arrangement benefits us both! I could even give you some Qianfeng shares—you'd receive annual dividends..."
Fyren sighed. "Uncle Elton, times have changed."
"Oh?"
"If ZhiXu or BinChen had said this to me," Fyren said, "I would've spat in their faces and cursed them out by now."
"Then...you're not cursing me because we're on good terms?"
"It's because I'm tired."
Fyren continued: "I don't understand. Your daughter is brilliant—she could've grown Qianfeng stronger. Without her these past years, Qingfeng Group would've collapsed long ago. Why trust outsiders over your own flesh and blood?"
"She controls ten billion dollars—enough to cover Qingfeng Group's capital needs. Just confirm her leadership position for the coming years. She's capable and resourceful—no one could take Qingfeng Group from you! Isn't that ideal?"
"Yet you leave your own gifted daughter unused, coming to beg me—an outsider! Uncle, if I were truly ruthless, I would've devoured you all by now, leaving no crumbs behind. Then I'd have your daughter come massage my back daily!"
"You can't take money to the grave. She's your only daughter—why treat her like some thief to be guarded against?"
As Fyren finished speaking, Elton Leng's face cycled between green and white, rendered speechless.
Eliza smiled faintly in relief.
Not one word Fyren said was wrong. Elton Leng had revealed the family's truth—this was indeed the perfect moment for Fyren to strike if he wanted to take advantage.
Yet he hadn't.
Eliza thought to herself, He still cares for me. He's speaking up for me.
She held little hope for her father now.
Stepping forward calmly, she said: "There's no need to panic about the funds. I've repaid the high-interest two-billion-dollar loan you took out. Simultaneously, I've transferred five billion from my personal account to Qianfeng's finances—this should cover all operational needs. We're already collecting the outstanding payments. Qianfeng will be fine."
Elton Leng, who hadn't seen his daughter in days, stood up abruptly. "Really?"
Eliza's heart had already turned cold toward her father.
His primary concern remained Qingfeng Group—not a single word of gratitude for her, nor any inquiry about how she'd been these past days.
Seeing the expression on Eliza's face, Fyren felt a pang in his chest.
[The mightiest warrior stands alone—no armor, no supplies, no supporting allies. Challenging the world single-handedly.]
[She's lost weight. These days must have weighed heavily on her. Aiya...even when exhausted, one must eat properly. Seeing her this thin breaks my heart.]
Eliza looked at Fyren, her eyes shimmering with gratitude, the corners moistening despite herself.
Fyren might be the only person in this world who cared solely for her happiness, indifferent to her wealth or status.
Under Eliza's gaze, Fyren grew slightly flustered. "Ah, about that...the guaranteed contract you all refused to sign—I went directly to your family elders. All three families have signed now. Don't worry, you won't lose money."
Eliza nodded calmly. "Thank you."
"Don't mention it."
Addressing Elton Leng, Eliza said, "Currently, Qingfeng Group's accounts hold five billion dollars. I've repaid the two billion bank loan. Combined with the two billion you possess, you now have seven billion at your disposal. From now on, Qingfeng Group is yours. I resign."
Elton Leng stared in shock. "You...what?"
"Isn't this what you wanted?" Eliza smiled bitterly. "I'm done fighting. If you're determined to replace the president, do it. I'm out."
Turning to Fyren, she asked, "I'm feeling low. Will you walk with me?"
"Huh? Uh..." Fyren stammered, "I've got...that thing I need to..."
But seeing the sorrow in Eliza's eyes pierced his heart.
Those were utterly pleading eyes.
The stronger a woman normally is, the more devastating her vulnerability—this helpless, despairing yearning for affection.
[Damn it! I can't withstand this kind of feminine gaze!]
[Why does her sadness pain me so? Elton Leng's a colossal fool. Had I such a remarkable daughter, I'd wake laughing from dreams! I'd give her my very life if she asked!]
Fyren nodded. "Let's walk."
Their car stopped at a park.
Eliza sat on a bench, breathing in the floral and grassy scents, watching distant children at play. Finally, a faint smile surfaced.
Chloe brought drinks for both, then tactfully withdrew to join Zaring.
"Why does my heartache always affect you? You've never been particularly kind to me," Eliza suddenly asked.
"Doesn't matter." Fyren pretended to brush leaves from his trousers. "I'm stone-hearted—capable of scheming, profiteering, womanizing, gambling, bungee jumping, street racing...just not heartache."
"Is that so?"
"Absolutely."
"Then why are you willing to help me?"
"Hey, because I'm horny and want to take advantage of you. When women are helpless, sick, or heartbroken, that's when men find it easiest to take advantage."
"You know a lot about that."
"Not really."
"Now that you've told me, aren't you afraid I'll get angry?"
"I'm not." Fyren said, "If you can give up on Qianfeng after years of hard work, I can give up on you too."
Eliza nodded, "How about this: you hire me. I'll work for Dasheng Group."
Fyren looked at her and laughed, "You're holding back. You've got capital—you could easily start your own business and build your own empire. Me? I can't afford to hire you."
"I don't want money. I'll just work for you."
"Huh? I... I already have a vice president. Very capable..."
"I won't take her job. I'll be your secretary or assistant."
Fyren laughed: "Pull back quick. I've never heard of Sun Wukong asking Guanyin to be his secretary."
"That secretary of yours likes you."
"Which one, Chloe? No way." Fyren said, "She only sticks around part-time because her mom's seriously ill and needs piles of cash. Honestly, she annoys the hell out of me."
Eliza said, "You—you seem clever, but you're actually stupid. She likes you. A lot. I can tell."
Fyren laughed.
[Wouldn't I know if she liked me? I vet every one of you down to your backgrounds.]
"Fine! If she likes me, I'll take her someday. Anyway, I'm the big-shot CEO of the Hundred Billion Group. Nobody'll bat an eye if I fool around with a sexy little secretary."
Eliza said, "I'll be your secretary. Fool around with me."
Fyren choked on his drink and spat it out.
He bolted upright, staring at Eliza. "Don't you—don't pull this shit. It's fucking creepy."
"If you had a daughter like me, wouldn't you treat her extra well?"
"Better than your father ever did." Fyren blurted, then winced apologetically. "Sorry. Talking nonsense."
Eliza leaned closer, making Fyren's pulse race.
"Fuck, what now?"
"Dad."
Fyren's scalp prickled.