Northlandia, Crystalpeak City.
The Zhang family's business cocktail party was in full swing at their villa estate, filled with celebrities and dazzling lights.
In a quiet corner, Fyren Zhang's body shuddered as he regained consciousness.
Quickly processing the flood of memories in his mind, Fyren Zhang felt a wave of despair.
For the seventh time.
He had been delivering takeout when a car accident struck, after which the System pulled him in, forcing him to transmigrate as a villain in an internet cool novel.
According to the System's rules, surviving until the end without being killed by the protagonist would grant him rewards to bring back to the real world.
On one hand, he had no choice. On the other, his mother's illness couldn't wait—he needed the money for her surgery. So, Fyren Zhang had no choice but to accept the challenge.
Yet, his previous six deaths had each been more gruesome than the last.
The protagonist of these web novels was simply insane—completely, unreasonably overpowered.
Gifted with super strength, medical expertise, ancient martial arts, immortal cultivation, gambling mastery, clairvoyance... you name it, he had it.
And the most infuriating part? His absurd luck!
No matter how the villain schemed, he'd always end up crushed, leaving the protagonist to drop a cool one-liner and stroll away with a beauty in his arms.
And all the beauties were his. Without fail. Any woman with the slightest charm was destined for his harem—no negotiations allowed.
Once, Fyren Zhang had been beaten to death by Otto Long's woman just for exchanging a few extra words with her.
Was there no justice left?
No law at all?!
Fyren Zhang quickly turned and rushed to the bathroom, counting on his fingers.
So far, he had died at the hands of: Xiao, Ye, Chu, Chen, Otto Long, and Richard Zhao.
This time, the novel was titled God of War.
What a ridiculous name!
The protagonist was that same Otto Long again.
A legendary Border War God, he had returned to unite all of Northlandia's underworld forces. Now working undercover as a security guard, he was closing in on Eliza Leng.
Today's plot was Chapter 9: during the engagement announcement between Fyren Zhang and Eliza Leng, Otto Long would step in to "protect" her. After humiliating Fyren in front of everyone, he'd break one of his legs, forcing him into a temporary retirement for a few chapters to recuperate.
Otto Long, on the other hand, had captured Eliza Leng's heart, and the two of them had been flirting shamelessly ever since…
Fyren Zhang violently splashed water on his face, gritting his teeth at his reflection in the mirror:
"This time, I'm going to survive until the end—then take the System's rewards back to cure Mom!"
After steadying himself, Fyren Zhang, now determined to play it safe and avoid reckless mistakes, stepped out of the bathroom.
The moment he did, he saw Eliza Leng waiting for him by the door.
She wore an elegant evening gown, her face flawlessly beautiful—radiant enough to outshine the moon.
Petite yet poised, with an icy, arrogant demeanor.
No introduction was needed. This was the female lead:
The eldest daughter of the Leng family.
The young CEO of Qingfeng Group.
The goddess he'd simped over for three years.
And, most crucially: Otto Long's woman!
Fyren Zhang forced a smile. Before he could speak, Eliza Leng cut in coldly:
"Fyren Zhang, I won't marry you. Just give up!"
Fyren Zhang almost laughed.
[Sis, spare me—getting engaged to you? I'd like to live a few more years!]
[Great body, stunning face… too bad you're a brainless heroine. Otto Long played you so hard your IQ flatlined, and now you're happily lining up to join his harem.]
[Once Otto Long claims Eliza Leng, the Leng family's fortune is his. Generations of hard work, handed to that bastard on a silver platter.]
Out loud, he simply smiled. "I agree."
"You… agree?" Eliza Leng blinked in shock.
Something felt off. Fyren Zhang hadn't moved his lips just now—so where had those extra words come from?
The only part she'd clearly heard was "I agree." The rest was… gibberish?
But this made no sense!
He'd been obsessed with her for three years.
Three years of her using every tactic to shake him off, yet he'd clung like a mangy stray.
When his reputation cratered, he'd even strong-armed their families into forcing this engagement!
So why now—?
Fyren Zhang kept smiling. "Eliza, I've thought it over. We're not right for each other. Let's just be… normal friends."
Inward thought:
[Hurry up and go be part of Otto Long's harem! You and the other nine hundred and ninety-nine women can fawn over that man, lick his boots, and proclaim him a great man! Hoo-hoo!
Right now, the top priority is dealing with this idiot. This girl thinks she's a genius, but in reality she's just meat on Otto Long's plate - already ninety percent cooked. All that's left is for me to pounce.]
For the first time, Eliza Leng was certain she could hear Fyren Zhang's thoughts!
Me? Lick someone's boots?
And share a man with nine hundred and ninety-nine other women?
Who do you think I am, Eliza Leng? How could I possibly stoop so low?
What kind of nonsense is this dog Fyren Zhang thinking?
Wait - Otto Long? That security guard I hired a few days ago?
Me, Eliza Leng, acting like some lovestruck fool for him?
Eliza's expression grew increasingly furious as she glared at Fyren Zhang, her fingers itching to claw his face off.
Fyren Zhang froze and thought:
[What's wrong with this idiot? I'm not even teaming up with her anymore, and she's still this mad?
But she's Otto Long's woman now - definitely can't afford to offend her. Thankfully heroines are dumb as rocks - should be easy to placate.]
Putting on a hasty smile, he said, "Let's go explain things to the elders. Go on, you go first..."
Eliza Leng stormed toward the inner room, her chest heaving with rage.
Fyren Zhang!
You're really something!
Three years! For three whole years you showered me with gifts and pursued me relentlessly...
Were all those years of groveling and flattery just an act?
Now you're calling me a "stupid bitch" in your heart, saying I've got a hole in my brain, looking like you can't wait to be rid of me...
What do you take me for?
I'll get to the bottom of whatever scheme you're running!
Fyren Zhang followed behind her, thinking:
[It's over - three years of effort gone to waste. But once I break off this engagement with this dumb woman, with my villain status, I can have my pick of eight or ten pretty sisters to play with!
If she wants to be part of some harem, that's her business - some people are just born to be harem members.]
I need to cut ties with this idiot immediately - no room for hesitation!
Eliza Leng couldn't take it anymore. She whirled around abruptly, shooting Fyren Zhang a look of pure fury.
Fyren Zhang froze, then immediately laughed: "You're worried I'll trick you? I, Fyren Zhang, swear on my life—I won't cause any trouble! When I say I'll break off the engagement, I mean it!"
"And I won't bother you ever again. In fact, you'll hardly even see me. You and I will never cross paths—we'll vanish from each other's lives! Aren't you happy to be rid of me?"
Eliza Leng was furious.
What's wrong with him? I, Eliza Leng, used to be his goddess, and now I'm nothing but trash to him?
Is he that disgusted by me? So much that he can't even wait a single minute?
This kind of man—absolutely infuriating!
At that moment, the gate was pushed open. Members of the Leng and Zhang families saw them standing at the entrance, locked in a tense standoff.
"Aiya, why are you two making a scene again?"
"That's right, if you have something to say, go inside! Don't just stand at the door!"
Fyren Zhang entered the house and shook hands with Eliza Leng's parents. "Hello, Uncle, Auntie."
Before the elders could speak, Fyren Zhang declared: "Auntie, Uncle, Mom, Dad—Eliza and I have already discussed it. We've decided not to get engaged."
He put on a sincere expression:
"Eliza is strong, independent, intelligent, and bold. She deserves someone who truly suits her, understands her, and—most importantly—someone she genuinely loves with all her heart. We should support her and wish her happiness!"
Fyren Zhang feigned sadness, pounding his chest dramatically. "Even though I adore her, cherish her more than myself… true love means letting go!"
He was so moved by his own performance that his mind played that cheesy song as background music: There's a kind of love called letting go, sacrificing everything for love…
Everyone stood frozen.
Hong Zhang didn't believe his son could be so reasonable.
I'm his father—I know exactly what kind of person he is!
This little bastard must be up to no good again!
Fyren Zhang was satisfied with his acting.
Pity the Leng family, their fortune destined to be handed over to that Otto Long for generations.
[These so-called elite family heads—even if their daughters are going to be part of some harem, they're still willing to hand over billions in assets. Absolutely brainless.]
Eliza Leng didn't know why she could suddenly hear Fyren Zhang's thoughts.
But if Fyren Zhang truly knew something unimaginable, and if things played out as he expected… then this situation was downright terrifying.
I'm going to become part of a harem? For that bodyguard I hired just days ago?
No way I'm letting Fyren Zhang off the hook—he's definitely hiding something!
Fyren Zhang continued his act, passionately explaining that he was refusing the engagement out of nobility and decency—for Eliza Leng's sake, and for the good of the Leng family.
Eliza Leng stood beside him, watching coldly as he performed, her anger simmering to the point of explosion.
Everyone was baffled.
Hong Zhang looked at Eliza Leng. "Eliza, what do you think?"
Eliza Leng smiled slightly and dropped a bombshell:
"Uncles, aunties, Mom, Dad—I agree to be engaged to Fyren."
Fyren Zhang whipped his head around, eyes widening to their absolute limit.
He stared at Eliza Leng as if he'd seen a ghost.
Eliza Leng's expression was icy, her lips curling into a faint, mocking smirk.