Fyren was instantly panicked.
The situation had reached a life-or-death crisis!
The two female leads had their arms linked with his, Otto stood right behind them, and Iron King blocked the path ahead.
Otto and Iron King couldn't exchange more than three words without both flying into a rage and attacking him.
And that's just those two - even if one of Iron King's four muscular henchmen decided to act alone, they could easily overpower him and send him back to the starting point.
How many days had it been? Four days?
Was his survival limit only four days?
At that moment, Xena gently pinched Fyren's arm and said smugly, "Aigoo, big guy, you look familiar?"
Iron King appeared embarrassed and smiled awkwardly, "Aiya, haha, this is... a misunderstanding, all just a misunderstanding from before."
Otto thought to himself: Why are they still chatting?
That darkest one is Iron King, right? He knows Fyren too?
Otto said, "Let's continue this inside."
Fyren couldn't leave now. How could he? Any attempt to escape would immediately mark him as guilty.
But if he didn't escape... he needed to find a solution.
As Fyren walked, his mind raced while his legs moved unsteadily.
Xena pinched Fyren again, "Hang in there, hang in there!"
Eliza didn't understand the situation but could clearly see Fyren's nervousness - her hand holding his was becoming sweaty.
One of the men approached Iron King and whispered, "Rumors say the Young Lord is a world-class martial artist and prodigy. But look how unsteady his steps are - he doesn't seem skilled at all, more like an invalid?"
Iron King lowered his voice: "You know nothing! The Young Lord fought a fierce battle at the border and achieved great merit, but was seriously wounded. He's not at full strength now. When he returns to Northlandia, he plans to use his wits to annex several major clans here for future use. Don't speak carelessly - offending the Young Lord would bring us all trouble."
"Shouldn't we verify this?"
"Verify what?" Iron King said, "Look at him - so refined yet stealing jade, surrounded by beauties, being supported by two women as he walks - he's the epitome of affectation! In all the world, who else could pretend so masterfully? Step aside!"
They arrived at the café's private room.
Everyone took their seats.
Iron King offered his seat to Fyren, who coughed and winked in response. Understanding, Iron King took the main seat himself.
Otto felt something was wrong!
Why hadn't this guy acknowledged him? Instead showing respect to Fyren - what was going on?
Did he know something? Wasn't this supposed to be Iron King?
Otto smiled and stood up, "Might I ask if you are Mr. Iron?"
"Correct, I am Iron King."
Otto froze, thinking: What kind of name is that? Couldn't you come up with a more convincing fake name?
"Mr. Iron, first let me introduce you. This is the executive president of our Qingfeng Group, Ms. Eliza."
Iron King looked at Eliza and Xena flanking Fyren and sighed in admiration.
As expected of the Young Lord!
Already secured two great beauties from powerful families!
I must say, this Eliza is breathtakingly beautiful, her temperament even surpassing that little lolita's.
Those fools spreading rumors - the Young Lord is clearly advancing steadily with spring in his step. How dare they claim he's facing resistance or that some upstart opposes him?
Who would dare contradict a hero like the Young Master? Who could possibly oppose him? Are they tired of living?
Seems my visit is just supplementary at best. I must perform well to leave a good impression.
My future rise depends entirely on how well I handle this business trip!
Iron King smiled immediately. "Miss Leng is truly a beautiful young lady."
Eliza forced a smile. "You flatter me, Mr. Iron."
Fyren avoided meeting Iron King's gaze directly.
A realization struck him:
[There's only one way out! Keep pretending to be the young master and deceive this guy.]
[If I don't trick him, I die; if the gang sees through me, I die - only by risking death do I stand a chance to live!]
[Commit fully! From now on, I'll hypnotize myself - I AM the Young Master!]
[I'll show them what true acting mastery looks like!]
Eliza now understood the situation.
Xena had known earlier that Fyren tricked the big black man into mistaking him for Otto.
Somehow the ruse persisted even after names were exchanged, so they had to maintain the act.
Fyren deliberately ignored Iron King, instead turning to cup Xena's chin with a smirk. "Xena, I love your scent."
He dared not overact, fearing Eliza beside him might explode.
But unexpectedly, Eliza had already read his intentions and played along perfectly.
"Fyren, Xena smells nice, but I don't? Why don't you check?"
Fyren looked back in surprise at Eliza, seeing determined support in her eyes.
Instantly energized, he understood.
[Excellent! Icy Eliza, my three years of devotion weren't wasted!]
[Just for this quick improvisation today, those three years were worth it!]
"Hahaha!" Fyren turned to cup Eliza's chin. "Well, I'll need a closer sniff to judge!"
"Then... you'd better take a good whiff!"
Fyren glanced:
[Damn, you're really committing to this! No backing down now - hesitation means death.]
No matter what, he had to turn this around and appease these two beauties - this wasn't just a positioning match anymore, but a fucking elimination round where only one could prevail!
Like a complete pervert, Fyren buried his face directly into Eliza's chest, taking a deep breath before tilting his head back in exaggerated ecstasy. "Mmmm... divine!"
Xena wouldn't be outdone. She practically draped herself over Fyren, hiking one thigh up against his body. "Fyren, I'm sore here - rub it for me!"
Fyren thought to himself:
"Rub it for me?" My god! I don't need to go this far! I've fully committed to the pervert persona now!
But with the arrow already nocked, he had no choice but to reluctantly play along.
Fyren's large hand groped Xena's thigh, rubbing up and down while seemingly venturing dangerously under her skirt - though in reality, his hidden fingers remained perfectly behaved where no one could see. The outward appearance was pure scandal; the actual contact completely proper.
Xena of course knew the truth.
Eliza did not.
You two are really going this far? Right in front of me? Eliza fumed internally before deciding to one-up them. She pressed against Fyren's other side, draping her own thigh over him. "Fyren, I'm sore here too - won't you rub it for me?"
Trapped between them, Fyren could only oblige both women simultaneously...
Iron King secretly gave a mental thumbs-up:
Young Master, I'm in awe! Who else in this world could tame women like you? Absolutely no one!
Otto looked ready to vomit blood.
His eyes burned with barely contained rage, whites completely bloodshot as if they might literally burst any second.
Fyren, you bastard!
Xena purred, "Brother, feel my breasts - have they gotten bigger?"
Eliza countered, "Brother, I want attention too - don't play favorites!"
As the girls began bickering, Fyren internally cursed:
Not "brother", you lunatics!
You're seriously competing over this NOW?
Is this really the time?!
Waving his hands, Fyren declared: "Enough! Sit properly - we need to discuss business."
Xena immediately clapped excitedly. "Wow, Fyren's so commanding! I love when brother takes charge!"
Eliza added, "So forceful - such masculinity!"
Just kill me now. I'll die by your hands sooner or later.
Xena hating me is one thing, but since when did Eliza have this side too?
...Though I have to admit, her gentle act is kind of adorable.
Clearing his throat, Fyren addressed the room: "Ahem... Mr. Iron, was it?"
"Yes yes, Fyren, at your service!"
Otto took a steadying breath, reminding himself to focus on business first - there would be time for vengeance later.
"Mr. Iron, as newly appointed Vice President of Qingfeng Group, I'm here to discuss the $5 billion investment for our amusement city project. You're already familiar with the details - perhaps we could skip formalities and proceed directly to signing?"
Iron King glanced at Otto before turning to Fyren. "Fyren, what do you think..."
Otto instantly saw red.
Why the fuck are you looking at him when we're discussing Qingfeng's business?!
Suppressing his rage, Otto forced a smile. "Mr. Iron, this deal belongs to Qingfeng Group, not Dasheng Group. It has nothing to do with Fyren."
Iron King immediately caught himself: "Right! What was I thinking?"
Fyren smirked. "Can't you see the president of Qingfeng Group is in my arms? When it comes to Qingfeng matters, I'm practically family."
"Oh, wonderful..." Iron King laughed heartily. "In that case, I'll invest—"
"Wait!" Otto glared at Iron King. If I wasn't desperate for this five billion to strengthen my position, I'd shoot this idiot right now.
Otto carefully reminded, "Mr. Iron, you came to Crystalpeak City under someone's commission, correct?"
Iron King's heart skipped a beat: Shit, does he know about my connection to the Young Master? Play it cool.
"Huh? No, I'm just here to invest. I heard Fyren mention a good project, so I came to look. Haven't decided whether to invest or how much yet."
Otto's fury intensified at this obvious lie.
You dare play dumb with me after I gave you an out!
"Mr. Iron." Otto spoke through clenched teeth, eyes bulging like copper bells, each word dripping with warning. "You came specifically to invest in the amusement city project, didn't you?"
Iron King thought: What's wrong with this bastard? Who does he think he's talking to?
Iron King raised an eyebrow. "Got hemorrhoids in your mouth? Why the teeth-clenching?"
Otto's eyelids twitched violently with rage.
Fyren interjected casually, "Actually, I changed my mind. We've got a shantytown renovation project that's perfect for investment."
"Huh? Really?" Iron King immediately agreed. "Great, let's sign the contract right away."
Otto nearly lost his mind: Are you actually brainless?!
Storming over, Otto slammed his hands on the table. "Do you even know what the shantytown project entails? Understand its situation?"
"I don't."
"And you'd sign without knowing?!"
"Absolutely. If Fyren recommends it, I trust his judgment."
Otto clutched his chest like he might have a heart attack. "You came here specifically to sign the amusement city project! The shantytown project won't turn a profit!"
Iron King scowled. "You telling me how to do my job now?"