A brief meeting was quickly convened at Mayor Ziv's office.
The city council was ecstatic.
Winnie, the secretary, narrowed her eyes. "This Fyren is obviously a dime-a-dozen crook. Why is he being so generous today? He's sure to make demands we'll have trouble accepting."
Mayor Ziv nodded. "That's to be expected. Businessmen can't operate without turning a profit. But this project - someone has to do it. There are already dozens of unfinished buildings standing there. We can't just let them waste away in the wind and rain until people start using them as toilets!"
"With such a major change, we'll need to seek approval from the provincial government."
"I'll handle that part. You focus on keeping Fyren committed. If we get approval and then he backs out of funding, he'll be disgracing his ancestors."
"Understood."
Conference Room.
Mayor Ziv returned to the conference room.
Secretary Winnie resumed chairing the meeting, asking everyone to state their positions.
Nothing had changed - everyone remained stumped, offering pleasantries while avoiding any commitment to contribute funds.
Finally Hogan spoke up again. "Fyren, why do you step out to take calls at the start of a meeting? You're showing no respect for Mayor Ziv! We've all stated our positions. You're the wealthiest in Crystalpeak City - you cover the major costs and we'll handle the minor ones! Declare your stance!"
Hogan was putting Fyren on the spot.
He'd just realized that by surpassing Fyren, he'd inadvertently dragged a dozen other businesses into this predicament. Now his only option was to present a united front: if Fyren pays, we'll pay.
They hadn't needed to voice this originally, and now everyone resented Hogan for forcing the issue and backing them into a corner.
So to save face, Hogan had no choice but to double down on pressuring Fyren.
He was counting on Fyren never agreeing to pay.
That man? A ruthless businessman through and through.
When it comes to speculative profiteering, he's more skilled than anyone. But ask him to fund city construction, especially this kind of project? He'd rather watch the money burn than agree.
If he refuses, then nobody has to pay.
Fyren looked around and smiled. "Is this everyone's consensus?"
A few sparse responses came.
Fyren laughed. "I grew up in Crystalpeak City. This city is my home, and its people are my family. I may not have much, Fyren, but I know the meaning of loyalty and righteousness. I remain devoted to king and country. So for this project, the Zhang family will take the lead and assume responsibility!"
The whole room was in an uproar.
Eliza's eyes widened in disbelief.
She thought Fyren was just bullshitting yesterday – no one would touch this kind of business.
Cora was also surprised, while Xena narrowed her eyes, sensing that Fyren was definitely up to something.
The dozen or so entrepreneurs couldn't sit still and spoke up, throwing the scene into chaos.
Hogan angrily questioned, "Fyren, are you conspiring with Mayor Ziv to screw us over?"
As soon as the words came out, everyone froze and turned to look at Mayor Ziv.
Secretary Winnie immediately snapped, "Hogan, watch your words! Did you even think before speaking?"
Hogan panicked: "I'm sorry, Mayor Ziv, I... I spoke without thinking. But this Fyren... he's a black-hearted businessman, far worse than me. How could he possibly shell out money for this losing venture? There must be a scam!"
Fyren said, "In business, it's true – I, Fyren, never make losing deals. But this shantytown renovation project isn't just business. As an entrepreneur, when faced with matters of right and wrong, focusing only on personal gain shows a lack of vision. I see this project not as business, but as a national plan, a matter of public welfare, a crucial urban development initiative, a path to prosperity for our hometown! Why do I work so hard to earn every penny? So that when the time comes, I can give back to society and benefit my hometown!"
Mayor Ziv, who had remained steady as a rock, now led the applause. "Well said! If all entrepreneurs had Fyren's awareness and integrity, Crystalpeak City would undoubtedly rank among the nation's strongest! Everyone, give Fyren a round of applause!"
The room erupted in reluctant but hearty applause.
Sweat beaded on Hogan's forehead.
This was a trap! Was this madman determined to ruin himself and drag everyone down with him?
"Fyren, you're giving quite the impassioned speech. Let me ask you – how much are you actually willing to pay? Don't say anything less than five billion; that wouldn't even make a dent!"
Fyren scoffed. "Look at you. Our Dasheng Group will contribute at least fifty billion!"
At this, Mayor Ziv's eyes lit up, and he turned to Secretary Winnie.
Secretary Winnie, equally excited, nodded back at him.
This changed everything.
At first, everyone assumed Fyren wouldn't pay a cent.
Then they thought he might just offer empty words, take symbolic leadership, and contribute a token amount to save face.
Fifty billion!
That was an unimaginable fortune – enough to last several lifetimes!
Secretary Winnie quickly interjected, "Quiet, everyone! Quiet! We've all witnessed how Fyren truly exemplifies the best of Crystalpeak City's business community. His generosity in this time of need is truly remarkable. We should all learn from his noble spirit of patriotism and selfless dedication to his hometown."
Then, seamlessly transitioning: "Now that Fyren has declared his position, do you all remember what you just said? Please, let's hear your commitments."
Everyone glared at Hogan, now desperate to skin him alive, chop him into pieces, and feed him to the dogs.
Hogan was utterly bewildered.
He didn't understand—couldn't understand at all.
What was wrong with Fyren? Crazy? Stupid? Out of his mind?
How could he possibly pay that kind of money? Was the Zhang family trying to destroy itself?
Fyren smiled and said, "Hogan, I won't make any other demands of you. I've taken on all the major projects and programs. You just need to contribute to some charity."
"Huh? Charity? How… what kind of charity?"
"Here's the deal—I'll give you two options. First, you can contribute proportionally: I invest fifty billion, and you invest five billion. If we profit, you'll get your share accordingly. Second, we've planned over two hundred public toilets here, all funded by you—two hundred thousand each, totaling around thirty million. Take your pick."
Hogan nearly burst into tears.
Fifty billion? Fyren shelling out fifty billion was no big deal for him, but Hogan coughing up five billion would hurt.
And there was a high chance that money would vanish into thin air!
On one side: five billion in high-risk investment.
On the other: thirty million in charity.
Thinking of the possibility of losing five billion, Hogan gritted his teeth.
"Fine! A man's word is his bond! I'll fund the toilets in the shantytown!"
Just as Fyren and the others expected—Hogan was broke. He'd rather spend thirty million on charity than join Fyren's madness with five billion.
Mayor Ziv was sharp as ever. The moment Hogan agreed, he shot Secretary Winnie a look.
Secretary Winnie immediately brought over the funding contract:
"Excellent, Hogan. Now, please sign here."
Hogan was crying inside.
What kind of twisted play was this? He came for a meeting and ended up throwing away thirty million!
His father would scream his head off when he got home.
Besides, Mayor Ziv and Secretary Winnie were a formidable pair—Ziv was shrewd, Winnie was cunning, and the moment you agreed to something, they'd have the contract ready.
Without realizing it, Hogan had become their pawn.
At this point, Hogan was effectively leading the charge.
He was the one who first suggested everyone contribute, and now he was the first to sign the contract.
With Hogan setting the example, the others had no escape.
Want to leave this conference room? Well, thirty million was the entry fee!
Hogan signed the contract, his face turning ashen.
"Gentlemen, I've signed! For the sake of my hometown! It's the least I, Hogan, can do."
Mayor Ziv smiled and applauded again.
"Thank you, Hogan, for your noble sacrifice."
Now all the others were confused.
Secretary Winnie saw the opportunity clearly. With Fyren having taken the lead and Hogan serving as the sacrificial lamb, the next step was to apply pressure one by one, starting from the biggest players down.
"Xena," he looked at Xena, "Houde Group - isn't it time to declare your position?"
Fyren smiled. "Mayor Ziv, Secretary Winnie, there's no need to ask anyone else. For this entire shantytown construction project, I, Fyren, will cover all the funding myself. Other business friends who are interested in taking equity can come discuss it with me. If you're not interested, I won't force you. I only hope that when the Zhang family executes this project and needs your assistance, you'll lend us your support."
Mayor Ziv was moved to tears.
In the past, everyone criticized Fyren of the Zhang family as being unreasonable - just another black-hearted businessman who could squeeze blood from a stone and would run faster than a rabbit when actual work was needed.
But today's development truly surprised him.
He had come prepared to strongarm all the business leaders into contributing, yet here was Fyren single-handedly solving everything, saving him from alienating all the top entrepreneurs.
The other business leaders were equally thrilled.
No need to pay up!
What luck!
Hogan had turned men into ghosts, but Fyren was turning ghosts back into men!
From the bottom of their hearts, they all stood to shake Fyren's hand, offering their gratitude.
Fyren smiled graciously as he greeted each one in turn, every bit the magnanimous leader.
Mayor Ziv also approached and shook Fyren's hand warmly. "Fyren, on behalf of the municipal committee, the city government, and the three million citizens, I thank you!"
"You're too kind, Mayor Ziv."
At that moment, Eliza suddenly stood up. "Qingfeng Group wishes to take equity in the shantytown project. I hope Fyren will give us this opportunity."
Today's strange developments kept coming one after another.
Fyren's death-defying move of not forcing participation or dragging others down had already left everyone's heads spinning.
Now Eliza was stepping forward too.
Someone was actually volunteering to jump into this pit!
Eliza continued, "However, the Leng family currently doesn't have much liquid capital available, so I hope Fyren won't mind."
If Fyren's grand gesture alone was surprising, Eliza voluntarily stepping forward before Mayor Ziv and Secretary Winnie signaled something more significant.
Fyren froze, at a loss for words.
Mayor Ziv glanced between Fyren and Eliza.
His mind raced: They're engaged, so they're practically family. But is today's development really that simple?
Just then, Xena also rose to her feet. "Fyren, why didn't you invite me for this good deed? The Xu family is willing to participate in the shantytown renovation project."
Dozens of heads swiveled in the room as people searched each other's faces for answers, only to find equally bewildered expressions.
Finally, Cora stood as well. "The Chen family certainly won't stand aside. I'll be seeking Fyren's guidance moving forward."
Fyren was utterly perplexed.
[What are you all doing?
[Are you being serious right now?
"You're all rushing to be the first to die!"