Cora and Xena stood in Zhang's yard, both girls flushed with embarrassment.
Cora spoke first, "You... like Fyren?"
"Huh?" Xena's cheeks burned hotter, feeling as if she'd stolen Cora's boyfriend.
"Well... yes."
"Why? You said you hated him before. I thought you were just putting on an act."
"It used to be like that..." Xena sighed. "But... when I went to treat QiushouChen the other day, I... suddenly realized... I could hear Fyren's thoughts clearly. You might think I'm crazy, but I really can hear them, complete with tone and inflection."
Cora gave a bitter smile. "So can I. And from what I've seen, Eliza can too."
Xena said, "Then you understand, don't you? It's just... I used to despise him. He seemed capable of anything vile, especially being disgusting and obnoxious. Then he stopped being vulgar and became a bootlicker instead - that was even more repulsive."
"But later... when I heard his inner voice, I realized he often thinks decent thoughts. He's such a strange person - clearly wanting to do good in his heart, yet pretending to be a villain. He doesn't want anyone knowing when he's done good deeds, deliberately leading others to misunderstand him. It's as if he's desperate to push everyone away, to make them keep their distance."
Cora nodded. "He has changed a lot recently, I've noticed that too. He's mean to me, but I can feel he doesn't actually hate me. I believe he still has feelings for me."
Xena couldn't accept that.
If he has feelings for you, and for Eliza too, then what am I?
Cora, being a girl herself, immediately recognized what Xena was thinking and changed the subject. "How is this strange phenomenon possible? Hearing his thoughts like this?"
Distracted by the new topic, Xena responded excitedly, "I've been studying it! It's really bizarre! Only certain people seem able to hear him - Uncle Zhang, Aunt Zhang, Zaring and the others don't seem to."
Xena decided to put Cora on the spot, saying pointedly, "Being able to hear his heart makes me feel secure. I'm not afraid of him lying or reverting to his old ways. Knowing how kind he truly is inside, how sentimental and filial... And it's true he hasn't fooled around these past three years."
Cora raised an eyebrow. "You're praising him now? Since when did you start singing his praises?"
"That's true." Cora smiled pleasantly, her voice gentle as if in agreement, but her undertone grew darker and more aggressive:
"Actually, when we were young together, he was quite simple. A little mischievous, yes, but careful and considerate. Then... puberty hit. Being handsome and rich made it too easy for him to find girls. The occasional straying was understandable - what teenage boy isn't curious about such things? It was practically inevitable."
The implication was clear: "I've long since figured out what happened in the past, and I don't care. We're the ones with a real childhood bond—a solid emotional foundation."
Xena smiled slightly, though inwardly, she was more than a little smug:
"Even though I've known him for a short time, I've already been through so much with him. Especially today—he pretended to be mean to me, wanting to treat me like… well, but his thoughts in the car gave him away! He was just waiting for me to beg for mercy! Hee hee, but I refused, and now he's stuck in his own game. So cute!"
By this point, the two women understood each other perfectly.
This war was inevitable.
Xena might as well have made a formal declaration: she would never back down from pursuing Fyren. "Don't talk to me about your deep history—what matters is now. The man I see? I'm not letting go."
Cora's smile stiffened, her heart sinking in understanding.
To win Fyren back, she'd have to outshine both Eliza and Xena—formidable rivals.
The two fell silent again. There was nothing left to say.
Xena awkwardly broke the quiet. "Well… I'll head back first. See you later."
"Mm. Be careful on the road."
Just then, Fyren stormed out, barking under his breath, "Zaring! Get the car ready!"
When he spotted Cora, he snapped, "Why are you still here?"
Xena pushed open the car door. "Fyren, where are you going? I can drive you."
Fyren glared. "Just leave! And don't ever come back to my house—you've already ruined my day!"
"Hey! I didn't invite you—why are you taking it out on me?"
Fyren's thoughts blared in her mind:
"You didn't invite me? You're worse than Eliza and Cora combined! One more encounter with you, and I'll lose ten years off my life!"
But he had no time to argue. "I'm in a hurry. No time for this."
Cora's heart ached hearing Fyren's inner voice—and knowing Xena could hear it too only made it worse. Yet, a flicker of smugness sparked inside her.
"Fyren, if you're in a rush, I can drive you."
Fyren's thoughts raced:
[No, can't let Cora take me—she's too soft, too easily scared.]
Out loud, he scowled. "Just go home!"
[No time for this. Standing here with these two is torture.]
Without another word, Fyren yanked Xena's driver out of the seat. "Out. Now."
"Fyren, I—"
"Save the report for later. Keys. Now. Xena, you stay—Zaring will take you back."
"No way! This is my car!"
Fyren had no patience left. "Fine—then hold on tight!"
With a roar of the engine, the car peeled away.
Xena smirked in triumph.
Hah! In the end, he still ended up with me!
Leaning forward from the back seat, she wrapped her arms around Fyren's neck and whispered sweetly in his ear, "Fyren~ Where are we going in such a hurry?"
Fyren growled in annoyance, "I'm driving! I'm driving! Eason's being ambushed - I have to go save him."
Xena asked, "What do you mean ambushed?"
"It means he's surrounded. Probably outnumbered badly. If we're too late, the kid might get seriously hurt."
"Wow! That's dangerous!"
"I'll drop you off at the intersection up ahead. Call your family to pick you up."
"Hehehe, I'm not afraid of danger. I'm coming with you."
Fyren said irritably, "Then stay put. When we get there, don't get out of the car and keep the doors locked."
Fyren's driving skills were top-notch, and combined with the car's superior performance, they overtook everything on their way to a remote stretch of highway.
Ahead, several vehicles had boxed in a sports car at the center. About twenty people wielding bats were smashing the vehicle, shouting:
"Get out here, fatass!"
"Stop being a fucking coward!"
"You're not getting away today!"
The sports car had clearly been rammed multiple times, its frame completely deformed. The headlights and windshield were shattered, windows smashed full of holes. Some attackers were jabbing bats through the openings, while one kid even pulled out a knife, trying to stab Eason inside.
Fyren was shocked. What kind of grudge warranted trying to kill Eason?
His eyes hardened as he muttered, "Xena, hold on tight!"
"Okay!"
Fyren floored the accelerator. The engine's roar startled the mob, who scrambled aside when they saw the car's terrifying speed.
Fyren's vehicle plowed straight into a sedan, sending it careening into others and knocking down several attackers.
Unbuckling his seatbelt with grim determination, Fyren ordered, "Stay in the car. Lock the doors."
Xena called out worriedly, "Fyren, be careful!"
Fyren shoved the door open, removing his watch as he advanced on the crowd.
A thug brandished his bat. "The fuck's wrong with you? Can't you see we're handling business here?"
Fyren vaulted onto a sports car's hood, then leaped to the roof in one fluid motion.
Xena's eyes instantly sparkled. So handsome!
In this moment, Fyren showed no fear facing twenty-to-one odds. He carried himself with the confidence of someone ready to take on an army!
Xena loved it! Loved this version of him! Like those legendary heroes from epic tales!
And now he was stomping across car roofs toward the besieged vehicle, radiating absolute dominance.
The gang members waved their weapons threateningly:
"You fucking bastard, get down here!"
Fyren stopped atop an SUV and demanded coldly: "Who's in charge here?"
From a distant convertible SUV, a man stood up, arms draped around two beautiful women, speaking through an electronic megaphone: "Well fuck me, you've got some nerve, kid! Who the hell are you?"
The sports car's sunroof had been smashed open. Eason crawled out from above, baseball bat in hand. His head was bloodied, yet he laughed wildly when he saw Fyren, radiating defiance.
"Brother! Fucking knew you'd come! Only got one real brother in this life - and that's you, Fyren!"
Fyren's brow furrowed deeply. "What the hell are you doing out here? You okay?"
"Not dying anytime soon." Eason climbed out and stood atop his wrecked sports car, brandishing the bat. "Hale! You wanna fuck me up? Well my brother's here now! Gonna have to go through him first!"
He turned back to Fyren. "Where's your crew? Don't tell me they're hiding - bring 'em out for a proper fight!"
Fyren stared at him. "Just me."
Eason's eyes bulged. "The fuck you say?" Then realization dawned. "Oh! Playing the surprise attack angle, eh? Alright, listen up fuckers! It's just us two today, no ambush! If you've got the balls, come get some! And you - yeah you, blondie! Don't even think about running, I'm coming for you today!"
Fyren understood - Eason's life had become too dull. Just buying cars, trading yachts, collecting women... The endless luxury had long since lost its thrill. Now, clearly riding an adrenaline high, his middle-aged soul burned with excitement again.
"Shut up," Fyren ordered. Turning to the leader: "Your name's Hale. Why attack my brother?"
Hale tilted his head, megaphone in hand. "Need a reason to beat his ass?"
Fyren remained calm. "I took you for a reasonable man. Let's settle this properly. I'll fight anytime, but first tell me what this is about."
Hale laughed. "Sorry pal, but Hale's style is fuck first, talk later! If you're still standing in ten minutes, maybe I'll explain!"
With a roar, Hale commanded: "Brothers! Waste these fuckers!"