The entire room fell silent.
What's going on?
What is happening here!
For three years, Fyren Zhang had been pestering Eliza Leng like an obsessive songbird, using every means to keep other men away from Eliza, all just to win her over.
In those three years, Eliza would explode at the mere mention of her engagement to Fyren, maintaining an attitude of "I'd rather die than comply."
Yet today, these two have completely reversed positions?
Fyren doesn't want to marry, but Eliza agrees?
Fyren must have gone completely mad!
He turned his head to stare at Eliza in shock.
His mind raced:
[What are you doing, big sister? Why the hell are you agreeing to the engagement? Big sister, you're supposed to be Otto Long's harem member! Your destiny is to grovel at Otto Long's feet! He'll kill me if you do this!
[That guy is just trying to get close to you so he can play the wolf in sheep's clothing, pretending to be humble while showing off to impress you and your family.]
[Then you'll surrender both your body and your family's assets to him. Please just follow the original plot properly!]
Eliza looked at Fyren and sneered.
You think you can call off the marriage?
Did you ask for my opinion?
You've disgusted me for three years, and now you want to walk away while claiming I'm destined to become some bodyguard's harem?
Today, I'll make sure you're the one who feels disgusted!
Let's see how that so-called Otto Long manages to pull me into his harem!
Moreover, suddenly being able to hear Fyren's inner thoughts had shocked Eliza, and Fyren seemed to know many strange things.
While his true intentions remained unclear, making everything difficult for him was definitely the right move for now.
The adults from both families began chatting enthusiastically, excitedly discussing wedding plans for the couple, their future life together, and even who would take care of their future grandchildren...
Fyren pulled Eliza aside and said urgently, "Eliza, are you feeling unwell today?"
Eliza hummed coldly, "I think you're the one who's acting strange."
Fyren tried to calm her down, "Alright, alright, let's not argue. About this engagement - we can't go through with it. We really need to call it off."
Eliza felt a surge of victory.
After three years, she had finally found a way to confront this bastard.
He had no shame, no dignity—he was a scoundrel who would resort to any underhanded trick.
Eliza had been thoroughly disgusted by him.
But now, seeing him anxious, sweating, and pacing in circles, her heart cooled with satisfaction.
Sister is going to take you down, you trash!
Fyren Zhang: "Eliza, are you being pressured by your elders? Think about it—don't you find me annoying?"
"Annoying."
"Really annoying?"
"Disgusting."
"Utterly disgusting?"
"Absolutely vile."
"Then why would you still agree to marry me?"
"I will."
Fyren Zhang stared at her in shock, suddenly feeling like he didn't know this woman at all.
By now, the two families had finished their discussions and eagerly herded the couple toward Flora Garden.
Fyren's mind was in a daze the entire time.
Standing onstage with Eliza Leng, his thoughts raced:
"This is the fucking end, isn't it? In a few minutes, Otto Long is going to show up, break my legs, and steal Eliza away. Can I really not avoid this? Even though I know what's coming, there's nothing I can do?"
[Eliza's acting way too strange today! She's supposed to despise me—what the hell is going on?]
Eliza narrowed her eyes, listening to Fyren's inner voice, and her shock deepened.
This guy… Not only can I hear his thoughts, but he also "knows what's going to happen"?
Will Otto Long… really interfere?
The master of ceremonies announced excitedly:
"Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of the Zhang and Leng families, I am honored to announce today that Fyren Zhang, eldest son of the Zhang family, and Eliza Leng, daughter of the Leng family, will hold their engagement ceremony on the 10th of next month—"
"I object!"
A security guard stepped forward from the crowd.
It was none other than the novel's true male lead—Otto Long.
The emcee glared at him. "Someone, remove this lowly security guard!"
Fyren's legs nearly gave out at the sight of Otto. He instinctively took a step back.
Eliza, watching Fyren's reaction, was stunned.
He was absolutely right!
Otto Long strode up to the emcee, who tried to push him away only to be thrown off the stage in one swift motion.
Eliza Leng glared furiously. "Otto Long, what do you think you're doing?"
Otto Long grasped Eliza's shoulders with both hands. "Eliza, don't worry. I'll never allow anyone to force you. Your destiny should be in your own hands."
Frankly speaking, if this were following the original plot - with Fyren Zhang being a rogue, the Zhang family using their power to oppress others, and her own parents willing to facilitate this marriage of convenience - Eliza would have been deeply moved by Otto's intervention at this moment.
This bodyguard had indeed impressed her recently with his excellent performance during an accident, demonstrating extraordinary skills that had genuinely caught her attention. That was why she had specifically taken him under her wing as her personal bodyguard, and her opinion of him had indeed improved over the past few days.
But with Fyren Zhang's psychological warning in advance, the entire situation felt completely different.
Now Eliza only felt this man was deliberately getting close to her, scheming for her family's wealth - sinister and disgusting, even more repulsive than Fyren Zhang!
Eliza pushed his hands away. "Otto Long, you're just my bodyguard. My family affairs are none of your concern."
"Eliza, I understand your worries. But today, with me here, no one can force you into this alliance."
Fyren Zhang nodded approvingly.
[Of course, how impressive you are!
[There should be more righteous declarations coming, right? Go ahead, give us your speech. As the God of War, you need to show everyone you stand for justice.]
Begin your performance!
Otto Long turned to address all the guests:
"The four great families of Crystalpeak City - instead of earning profits through legitimate means, you resort to sacrificing a young woman's happiness to secure your interests! Have you no shame? Have any of you ever truly considered Eliza's happiness?"
Fyren Zhang clapped for Otto Long from behind.
[Beautiful! Eliza, now it's your turn to cry!
[After such a speech, there's no way you wouldn't be moved. Come on, cry for me!]
Eliza Leng stared at Fyren Zhang, her icy eyes burning with humiliated fury.
Fyren Zhang met Eliza's fierce gaze and awkwardly lowered his hands, pretending to look elsewhere.
Otto Long continued, "Uncle Elton, Mrs. Leng, Eliza is your own daughter. Can you really bear to push her into the fire? What kind of person Fyren Zhang is - the whole of Crystalpeak City knows, right? To marry your daughter to this kind of scum, don't you feel any heartache or regret?"
Eliza Leng angrily scolded, "Since when does a bodyguard get to meddle in my affairs? You're fired! Now get out of here."
Otto Long was confused.
Eh?
This... seems... a bit off?
Things shouldn't be going this way!
At this moment, the voices around them rose:
"What kind of person is this? So unruly!"
"It's their family celebration - what right does he have to cause trouble? Just a lowly bodyguard coveting the Leng family's young miss!"
"Look at yourself, man!"
"Wow, this guy looks so greasy!"
Fyren Zhang grew nervous.
Why are you all shouting so loudly? He's about to make his move after finishing his villain speech!
[Calm down! Everyone calm down!]
At that moment, a big man from the Zhang family rushed up and grabbed Otto Long's collar: "Kid, today is our young master Fyren's big day. You looking for trouble? See this? Ever seen a fist the size of a sandbag?"
Otto Long sneered.
A mere mortal - I could kill you with a flick of my finger.
Otto Long closed his eyes and tilted his head: My first battle to make a name for myself is about to begin!
Honor! Dignity! Beauty!
From this moment on - they'll all be mine!
Otto Long took a deep breath, snapped his eyes open, and transformed with regal majesty: "Since you want to fight, let me show you what it means when the God of War returns! I will... huh?!"
With a thud, the large man in front of him disappeared.
Looking down, the big guy had been tackled and pinned to the ground by Fyren Zhang.
The big man struggled to get up and fight Otto Long, but Fyren Zhang held him down tightly as the two rolled into a tangled heap.
"Good brother! Calm down! Calm down!" Fyren Zhang desperately tried to pacify him.
He had to calm him down!
This was supposed to be the protagonist's first victim of the day - one move to defeat him, then break Fyren's legs next.
Fyren Zhang really didn't want the protagonist to break his legs!
The kid instantly froze: "Young Master Fyren, you consider me your brother?"
After struggling with him for what felt like ages, Fyren Zhang was already exhausted and gasping for breath: "Yes, good brother, for life."
The kid was moved to tears. "Young Master Fyren, someone of your status treats me as a brother! I'll help you deal with this troublemaker for you today!"
Otto Long shouted excitedly, "Yes! Come on! Do it!"
Fyren Zhang kept pressing down on the kid and gritted his teeth. "If you're really my brother, don't move!"
Sure enough, the kid immediately stopped moving.
Eliza Leng shouted angrily, "Otto Long! Had enough? Get out! I'm telling you to leave right now!"
Otto Long looked shocked.
"Eliza, has someone from the Zhang family threatened you? Don't worry, the Zhang family is nothing but an ant in my eyes."
Eliza Leng felt like she was getting internal injuries from frustration.
This line was so cliché, wasn't it?
"Otto Long, you're fired. You'll receive three months' salary. Leave immediately - I won't waste another word on you."
Otto Long "understood" everything now.
Eliza must have been threatened by the Zhang family! She didn't know he was the Returned God of War and was afraid he'd be harmed by the Zhang family's forces, so she was deliberately cutting ties to protect him!
How touching!
His woman truly had a sense of devotion!
It wasn't just him - even Fyren Zhang was thinking the same thing now.
Internally panicking, he thought:
[Big sister! You don't need to protect him like this! I'm harmless, I definitely won't cause you any trouble!
I'm begging you to go with him! It'd be best if I don't appear in your future storylines - I really can't afford to get involved with you people!]
Eliza Leng looked at Fyren Zhang - currently lying on the ground with a weeping security guard beneath him - and suddenly found the scene rather amusing.
Over the years, she hadn't discovered any redeeming qualities in this man. Yet today, seeing his flustered, desperate appearance somehow struck her as funny and even somewhat... cute?
For the first time in forever, Eliza Leng smiled. "Fyren, get up."
Otto Long turned his head to glare at Fyren Zhang with murderous eyes.
Fyren Zhang startled.
[Shit! No way! Why are you hating on me? I didn't do anything!]
At that moment, a large group of bodyguards came rushing over.
"Brothers! Someone's trying to steal Young Master Fyren's woman! Get him!"
A whole crowd came charging with their batons.
Fyren Zhang was stunned.
He's the God of War!
All of you rushing in are just giving him free experience points! Don't make this worse for me!
After he beats you all up, my reputation as a chivalrous hero will be ruined!
Heavens! Earth! Is following the script really this difficult?!