Fyren and Cora went upstairs—they needed a private talk.
Downstairs, Eason and the Zhangs were gathered around the hot pot, chatting as they ate.
"Brother Eason, has my brother gone crazy lately? I've heard rumors that he wants to bring over a hundred thousand people into the shantytown to start a large-scale construction project. A hundred thousand people, Brother! How much money would it even take to feed that many?"
"Haha, you're asking the wrong person!" Eason said. "If you wanted tips on dating girls, I could write a whole stack of books for you to study. But business? I can't even figure out how to sell pancakes and pastries."
Then Eason turned to Hong Zhang. "Uncle, I really think my sister's a better match than that Eliza—she's even better than Xena! And besides, she and Fyren were childhood sweethearts. To this day, my sister still misses him."
Hong Zhang sighed. "Of course I know that! You and your sister—we watched you two grow up. Uncle's well aware of all this. But those two haven't been in touch for years, so we all thought they'd just called it quits. And then… there's Fyren, that boy with no ambition, clinging to Eliza like that. Oh, what can we parents do? We just have to go along with what they want!"
Eason spoke up again. "But now their old feelings are coming back, aren't they? You should tell Uncle—tell your dad to finalize their marriage as soon as possible."
"I actually already talked to your father about this," Hong Zhang said with another sigh. "When I brought it up, he got so angry he almost started a fight with me. He even said that even if all the men in the world were dead, he'd never let his daughter marry my son. Come on, is my son really that bad?"
Eason replied, "My dad's such a two-faced guy. Let me teach you a trick. Since my sister's living at your place now, just let her and Fyren sleep together every night!"
Hong Zhang and Fyren's mother set down their chopsticks, both thinking this kid was… something else.
Eason went on, "In three months, take her pregnancy test results and slap them right in that old man's face. See what he has to say then! He's always acting like he's some nobleman, isn't he? If his daughter's eating, living, and about to have a baby at someone else's house—wouldn't he have to hold a wedding for them then?"
Hong Zhang asked cautiously, "Has… your father ever hit you?"
Eason was mid-chew. "Yeah! He said I was rebellious and sneaky. But he's always been soft on my mom."
Hong Zhang and Fyren's mother nodded in unison. "Ah, then we can rest easy." ...
Cora sat on the wicker chair, head bowed slightly, saying nothing.
Fyren was equally awkward, not knowing how to start the conversation.
It was Cora who broke the silence first. She looked up and asked, "Are you thirsty?"
"Um?" Fyren blinked, caught off guard.
"If you are, I'll go get you some tea."
"Oh, no, that's not necessary. It's just… I'm sorry about earlier."
Cora smiled. "It's all right. I know you've had a lot on your mind lately, and you're under a lot of pressure. I don't pretend to know what's going through your head, but the shantytown project needs a huge amount of money. We'll do everything we can to help you raise funds, but with just the cash our two families have, it's impossible to take on a project this big. You still need to make plans ahead of time."
Fyren nodded. "You've been helping me so much lately."
"It's nothing, really," Cora replied.
A contented smile spread across her face—as if Fyren's words of thanks were the sweetest praise. "It's fine. I know you've been under so much pressure these days. I don't pretend to know what's weighing on your mind, but once the shantytown project launches in full, the costs will be enormous. I'll do everything I can to help you raise funds, but with just the cash our two families have, we can't possibly take on a project this big. You still need to plan ahead."
Fyren nodded again, at a loss for words.
Cora spoke up once more. "I can do something too."
"What do you mean?"
"I can be the wife who stands by your side." Cora reached out tentatively, her hand inching toward Fyren's until her fingers wrapped around his. When she felt no resistance, no trace of aversion from him, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"From now on, I won't pry into your life. You… just… marry me… and I… I can be like my mother—take good care of you."
Fyren looked at her. "Why? Why me, Fyren? Is it worth it? With your looks and character, men all over the world would be crazy about you."
"But I just happen to be crazy about you. What else can I do?"
Cora smiled softly. "These past three years, I've been messing with you—playing little tricks, trying to test you. I just couldn't bring myself to believe you'd leave me for someone else. But now I see… you've never been the obedient type, have you? You always like to stir up trouble, to turn things upside down."
"I'm not like you. I like peace—quiet days, a stable life. But I can't tie you down with that, can I? And honestly…"
"Enough. Don't say any more."
Fyren's guilt only deepened.
[To marry a woman this gentle, this steadfast—someone who values family and is willing to sacrifice for me… that really is the best choice I could ask for. If I hadn't been so foolish back then, I might even have kids by now.]
[But… do I really deserve this kind of deep, wholehearted love?]
Fyren's worry wasn't unfounded.
She'd always been dead set on returning to her own world, always felt like a stranger passing through this one—nothing more than a traveler.
Glancing around vaguely, she'd once thought: if I can just survive until the story's end, I can take the rewards and go home to see Mom.
But now, everything had fallen apart.
This book—this story—has completely collapsed!
What even is the "grand finale" anymore?
I have no clue!
How much longer do I have to live?
No idea!
Will I ever make it back home in the end?
I don't know!
Everything is a mystery.
I've piled up so many emotional debts here… is that really okay? Or is it that I'll never get to go back, and have to stay here forever?
If it's the latter… maybe that would be simpler.
Just stay here as a wealthy man, fight that bastard Otto to the bitter end, and see who outlives the other.
But right now…
I don't know!
Cora could only make out a few of Fyren's heartfelt words—most of what he said touched on the core secrets of this world, and those parts were inaudible to her. All she saw was Fyren frowning deeply, lost in thought. She assumed he was weighing his options, unable to make up his mind… that he still wasn't satisfied with her.
Gathering her courage, she stood up, walked over to Fyren, and gently settled onto his lap.
Fyren froze, jolted back to his senses from his tangled thoughts. "Cora..."
Cora slipped her arms softly around Fyren and leaned in to kiss him.
Their lips met.
Cora's kiss was gentle, tender, slow—calming, like a soft breeze…
Fyren felt as if she'd caught a wisp of cloud, only for it to slip away; reached for it again, and it drifted off once more…
Down the hallway on the second floor of the house, members of the Zhang family and Eason stood holding their bowls, peeking over at them.
Eason nodded, remarking, "Finally, those two have gotten their heads on straight."
After a long moment, the two slowly pulled apart.
As they separated, Fyren looked into Cora's eyes—dark and shining like polished onyx—and suddenly, a flood of childhood memories came rushing back.
He'd been wearing shorts once, scraped his knee, and sat sobbing pitifully in the garden. Cora had come over like an older sister, comforted him, blown gently on his scraped knee, and even opened her arms for a hug.
When they were a little older, he'd loved playing pranks. He tricked her into climbing down into a dry well, then ran off. She'd cried for ages before the adults found her—but the very next day, she'd come looking for him to play again.
Later still, Fyren had tricked her into a corner, insisting on "checking her body." Even then, she'd known exactly what he was up to, but she'd blushed and played innocent anyway, lifting her skirt for him…
In high school, Fyren was obsessed with sports—swimming, skiing, anything active. Cora, though, hated sports entirely.
When Fyren went skiing, she'd ended up in tears more than once.
When Fyren went swimming, she'd have a whole retinue of servants and maids trailing after her to see to her needs.
When Fyren played team sports, she was his cheerleader—every time he scored a goal, she'd jump up and shout encouragement at the top of her lungs!
And when Fyren lost, she'd get upset on his behalf, then stay right by his side to comfort him, still acting like that protective older sister.
In college, Fyren had taken to picking fights everywhere he went.
Cora had lived in a constant state of anxiety back then. Every time she saw him come home with a black eye, bragging excitedly to anyone who'd listen about how he'd taken down ten guys, her heart ached—and she'd sneak off to wipe away her tears. Fyren, though, had seen it all.
Why hadn't he cherished her back then?
He couldn't even remember what he'd been thinking at the time. He'd wanted to try everything, was curious about anything and everything. His love for fighting, drinking, chasing girls, and racing cars had outweighed everything else.
He'd thought having a girlfriend was a nuisance—someone who followed him around constantly, telling him not to do this, not to do that. She'd nag him like a maid, repeating the same warnings day in and day out.
When he'd lost his temper and shouted at her, she'd cry—but then she'd still stick to him like glue, refusing to let go.
Young people, he thought to himself. So reckless, so careless. They can't hold onto what matters, can't cherish what's right in front of them.
The more his girlfriend had doted on him, the more clingy she'd been—the more he'd ached for freedom, craving the things she'd forbidden him to do.
A jumble of emotions swelled in Fyren's chest, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. In that moment, it hit him like a wave.
All these years… he'd never truly treated her well.
He'd always taken her tenderness for granted—as if, for as long as he could remember, she'd been his. As if she'd always followed him, always belonged to him, and that was just how things were supposed to be.
So… I never once thought to cherish her, or to truly care for her.
[A scumbag like me—you don't deserve to love someone like this. You fool.]
[Cora, I'm so sorry for what I've put you through.]
When Cora heard those unspoken thoughts, she suddenly broke down in tears. She clung tightly to Fyren, sobbing loudly.
"I thought… 呜呜呜… you really… 呜呜呜… didn't want me anymore… 呜呜呜… you scared me to death!"
Fyren held her, patting her back gently. "No, I didn't. I just… I just had a fog in my head, that's all."
"You hate me so much!" she wailed, pulling back just enough to glare through her tears. "I hate you! Hate you! I'll hate you for the rest of my life!"
Fyren slowly eased her away, his voice soft but steady. "The things I did before—they were all my fault. But now… the situation's different. I really… 唔唔唔." His words dissolved into a mumble, cut short.
Down the hall, Fyren's mother frowned, craning her neck to peek. "Are they at it again?"
Hong Zhang nodded, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "With that kind of charm? He's just like me when I was young—always stirring up something."
Fyren's mother shot him a sideways glance. "Is that so?"
"Oh? Ha ha—young… just young and foolish, that's all." He laughed it off, scratching the back of his neck.
Sullivan Zhang leaned in, eyes bright. "That's how it should be! I'm so sick of Eliza! This one's my real sister-in-law!"
Fyren's mother pinched his arm lightly, chiding. "Your sister spoiled you rotten as a kid—sneaking you money to spend whenever you wanted. Of course you're taking her side!"
Eason, who'd been watching quietly, wiped at his eyes—misty with emotion. "I'm getting teary-eyed! Let's not waste time—let's have them get married tonight!"
At that, the Zhangs exchanged a helpless look.
This was going too far, even for them!
They already had Eliza, Xena, and Cora all staying under their roof.
Which one of them was actually going to be the mistress of this house?!
Fyren, what on earth are you doing? Can't you just pick one and stick with her?
Do you really think you can "catch them all" in one go?
You've brought home daughters from three of the biggest families—what are we supposed to do when we're old? What are we going to do! ?
You might as well quit being CEO. Chasing girls all day would keep you fed, anyway!
Back in the room, Fyren held Cora close again, his tone turning grave. "Cora, my… the days ahead are going to be dangerous. Really dangerous."
"I'm not afraid," she said firmly, pressing her forehead to his chest.
"You don't even know what kind of danger we're talking about."
"I don't care. I'm not afraid of any danger—none of it."
Fyren hesitated, then made up his mind. "You… come back to my place first. I have something I need to tell you."
"Um," she nodded, her cheeks flushing pink. She thought Fyren meant he was going to take her to bed tonight—her voice dropped to a shy whisper. "Then I… I'll go pack some clothes and things first."
Fyren, oblivious to her train of thought, just nodded. "Okay. Hurry."
At that very moment, seven kilometers away from Fyren's villa, one of the four shadowy women—Flora—was already on her way to assassinate him.