Susan said, "Back then, you were already college students when I was still in high school. There was a time when some college bullies picked on me. You fought them for me - two against six - and got injured. Have you forgotten?"
Fyren's eyes widened. "Ah! That little high school girl was you!?"
Eason slapped his forehead. "It was you! I remember now!" He turned to Fyren. "Remember that gangster from our university? Hakan? The one who went to pick on high school kids? I happened to run into him that day and stepped in. Halfway through the fight you passed by and jumped right in. Remember?"
Fyren laughed out loud. "Of course I remember! You were so damn reckless that day. Got kicked in the face by six guys. If I hadn't shown up, you'd have ended up in the hospital. There was this one kid who got you right in the ass. You pretended to be fine in front of your little high school admirer, then turned to the wall clutching your crotch with tears in your eyes! Hahaha..."
Eason said, "That bastard Hakan loved bullying people! I can't stand scum like him. Later he even got his friends to ambush us because of that incident, remember?"
"Yeah, and then Asen stepped in to mediate. We all ended up at a nightclub."
"That's right! Our first 'practice session'."
The more they talked, the harder they laughed.
Xena looked at Fyren with a smile. "I can't believe it, Fyren. You were quite the hero in your youth?"
Hale looked surprised. "There was such a thing? Why didn't you ever tell me?"
Susan glared at him. "I didn't want people knowing my brother associated with gangsters!"
Hale nodded. "My bad, man. We never got to talk about this before."
"It's fine, really."
Susan smiled. "I was so scared that day. It was the first time any boy other than my brother had stood up for me. Actually... ever since then, through my last year of high school and all four years of college... I had a crush on Brother Eason."
Eason froze. "Oh... that's... kind of embarrassing."
Susan gave a bitter smile. "But I knew you came from money and wouldn't look twice at ordinary girls. And... later there were so many rumors..."
Eason quickly said, "I know, I know how my reputation is."
"But that day when we met on the street by chance and you asked me out... Maybe it was fate granting a young girl's wish..." Susan blushed. "Anyway, please don't worry. I may like you, but I don't expect forever. Just because you're rich doesn't mean you owe me anything. I won't cling to you, I promise."
Fyren glanced at Eason, who looked thoroughly embarrassed and shy.
"I... don't mean it like that. Actually... you might think I have a bad reputation, but... I can be pure."
Not just Fyren, even Hale looked like he was about to vomit.
"Who describes themselves like that?"
"No, no, I mean it!" Eason began stammering in explanation. "You think I have a bad reputation, but actually... I'm quite lonely. You see, I may be rich, but it's not all fun. Most people only stick around for my money, I know that. At nightclubs I'm the king because I spend freely, but in reality... I don't have... I mean... I don't..."
Fyren couldn't take it anymore. "Okay, okay, I'll vouch for you! You're pure! Happy now?"
Susan listened to Eason's stumbling explanation and smiled dreamily, looking shy and adorable.
What could have been an awkward situation turned into something beautiful instead - a junior girl who'd been protected by her senior, nurturing a crush for years, finally getting her happy ending.
Eason immediately declared he'd quit going to those fancy places from now on.
Susan shyly accepted Eason's advances, and the two officially became a couple.
Hale and Fyren were genuinely happy for them, and the group started drinking together.
As they were drinking, a commotion broke out outside. A woman pushed her way in and went straight to Fyren.
"Brother, can you pretend to be my boyfriend? Someone's harassing me!"
Fyren's heart skipped a beat the moment he saw her.
This woman was stunning!
Not just beautiful, but irresistibly alluring.
Eliza was beautiful - the kind of noble, elegant, and sophisticated beauty.
Cora was very beautiful too - gentle, sweet, and pure.
Xena was also gorgeous - articulate, cute, and lively, the quintessential pretty lolita.
But this girl before him was completely different - the kind that made your heart race uncontrollably!
Her face was delicately slender with a straight nose, small red lips, and captivating narrow eyes.
Her tall figure had perfect curves, accentuated by the tight-fitting dress that hugged her soft body in the most tantalizing way.
And these were just her physical attributes!
The real kicker was the aura she exuded - utterly mesmerizing!
How to describe it? Like a vixen! But without any hint of vulgarity - just pure, ultimate seduction.
Looking at her, you couldn't help but imagine how breathtaking she must look in the throes of passion!
It's as if her body was boneless, radiating an overwhelming maternal allure of softness and warmth!
The epitome of charm, ultimate seduction.
No deliberate posturing, no heavy makeup, not even any obvious flirtatious glances.
She simply stood there naturally, completely still, not making a sound, yet exuding an almost irresistible attraction.
[This girl is something else! How many in all of China could compare?
That slender waist is fucking hypnotic! Those curves seem designed for a man's embrace!
And that perfectly rounded ass!]
The girl heard Fyren's inner monologue and froze.
This guy... he didn't actually say that out loud, did he?
But... I clearly heard his thoughts about me!
Fyren chuckled, "What's wrong? Don't worry, I've got you."
Xena's face darkened, "Hey! Hey! I'm your girlfriend here, behave yourself!"
In her heart, she fumed:
Fyren! You big horndog! See a pretty girl and your mind goes straight to the gutter!
Before, you said I was "playable"! Wanted to take me from behind!
Now you're drooling over this vixen's waist and ass!
You're truly... an absolute scumbag!
Xena said sternly to the beauty, "Miss, there are three men here. This nerd and this fat guy both have girlfriends. Hale should still be single - ask him to be your fake boyfriend."
Before the woman could respond, the restaurant door was pushed open as a group of men barged in.
"Little girl, when our young master invites you for drinks, it's an honor. Why run away?"
The girl nervously said, "Stop harassing me! My boyfriend is right here - I'm not drinking with you!"
With that, she clung to Fyren's arm. Xena stood up, furious, "Who are you people? How dare you crash our private room? Get out!"
"Well, well! The little lady's got quite the mouth!"
The leader stepped forward - clearly wealthy by his attire.
"Holy shit! If it isn't Fyren and Eason!"
Fyren looked up and indeed recognized him - Hakan Hou, the very person they'd just been talking about.
Hakan was ultra-wealthy second-generation rich.
The Hou family's assets surpassed Fyren and Eason's combined wealth.
His family business was based in Southlandia, but Hakan attended university in Northlandia, where he'd clashed with Fyren and Eason several times before a mediator helped them reach an uneasy truce.
But the resentment had always lingered beneath the surface, with both sides avoiding each other since.
Fyren stood up: "Hakan... hasn't changed much in these years, I see. Heard your Hou family's been expanding its Northlandia operations."
Hakan laughed, walked in, and shook hands with Fyren and then Eason.
Susan saw her former bully again and felt instinctive hatred and fear, keeping her head down without speaking.
"Still surrounded by beautiful women, I see!" Hakan said. "So? I've got my eye on this one. We're classmates - you wouldn't spoil my fun, would you?"
"Coincidence," Fyren said. "She's my girlfriend. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."
Hakan laughed. "Fyren, that's not funny. You've been dining for hours and I saw her just enter."
Fyren wrapped an arm around the sultry beauty. "I just fell for her too. What a coincidence."
Hakan's expression darkened. "Fyren, you might have misunderstood that incident years ago. If Asen hadn't intervened, I'd have taught you a proper lesson."
Eason retorted, "Wrong. Asen asked us to spare you. Otherwise, our brothers would have educated you with their fists throughout your college years."
Hakan narrowed his eyes. "There's never been a woman Hakan Hou couldn't have! Anyone who stands in my way gets removed. Don't say I didn't warn you, old classmates."
Eason laughed. "You're hilarious! Ask around - I'm the king of Crystalpeak City! Watch your tone with me!"
As Hakan bristled with anger, Fyren interjected with a laugh, "Alright, alright!"
Fyren looked between Hakan and Eason. "You two haven't changed since graduation - still acting like schoolboys. It's embarrassing. Hakan, I'm taking responsibility for this girl. Give me this face. Let's have a reunion soon to welcome you back to Northlandia."
"Fyren, if you ask for my courtesy, shouldn't you return it? I came all this way - you'd send me away empty-handed?"
Hale stood up. "You're Hakan?"
"What about it?"
Hale demanded, "Were you the one who bullied my sister back then?"
Hakan blinked. "Which sister?"
Fyren shot Hale a look. "Sit down. This doesn't concern you."
Hale obediently sat after meeting Fyren's gaze.
Hakan pressed, "Give me an answer. I can't just leave like this."
Fyren said, "Brother, how can I possibly comply? If I let you take my girlfriend, how could I show my face afterward?"
Hakan grew furious. "Fyren, your girlfriend? Are you joking? If she's truly yours, I'll drink three glasses in apology to you both! But she obviously just met you! You're deliberately stealing my prize!"
Fyren insisted, "She really is my girlfriend. Wait, I'll prove it." He pulled the beauty close and kissed her.
The moment their lips met, Fyren's mind buzzed.
This woman - not just beautiful to look at, but her kiss was heavenly!
When she actively slipped her tongue into his mouth, Fyren felt his brain short-circuit. The dizzying sensation nearly made his knees buckle.
No! How could a mere kiss feel like this?
Fyren hastily broke away. The girl showed no shyness, her bright eyes gazing at him with a teasing, soft expression.
Still dazed, Fyren asked, "What's... your name?"
"Sabrina."
The moment she spoke her name, Fyren's heart screamed:
[Oh no! I'm done for!]