TFRLTOP Chapter 25 Part 1

Chapter 25 – The Overbearing CEO’s Little Sidekick

◎ Winning Is What Matters ◎

The wealthy parents were still holding themselves together on the way to the venue.

Before going inside, a few families happened to run into each other at the entrance. They nodded politely, keeping up appearances.

But once they stepped in and laid eyes on their sons’ bruised and swollen faces, and their daughters rolling around on the ground, their composure cracked instantly—their vision nearly went dark with rage.

They held back their fury long enough to hear what had happened. Once they learned that the two culprits were just ordinary nobodies with no power or influence, their suppressed anger suddenly had a place to go.

“So it was you who beat my son/daughter like this?! Do you have any idea who our family is? You dare use such a heavy hand—believe it or not, I’ll make sure you rot in prison for the rest of your life!”

They were so blinded by rage that they didn’t even notice that one of those “culprits” was the mistress of the very same Fifth Master Huo they so despised.

Not long after, Old Master Ye and the He family parents also arrived.

The Hes were in a tough spot—their son and daughter had each taken part in separate brawls, one as the instigator, the other as the accomplice. It was enough to give them a pounding headache. They had no choice but to split up and weigh in on both disputes.

Old Master Ye, meanwhile, found himself conflicted. On one side was the boy, his own granddaughter had chosen as her future husband. On the other hand was the girl who had snatched away that same “future husband.” He didn’t really want to get involved—but Ye Weiran had also been beaten, and someone had to be held accountable. This couldn’t just be brushed aside.

Most of the unrelated onlookers had already left. The ones who stayed were either the parents of those involved or busybodies eager to watch the drama under the guise of “speaking up for justice.”

Ming Ming and her two allies had their roles well divided. This was the time to play the intimidation card—borrowing power and making a scene. Ming Ming stayed in the back, while Ye Weiran and He Lu took the lead in shouting accusations and dragging the parents into the fight for “justice.” Whenever things stalled or got too chaotic, Ming Ming would suddenly burst into loud wails, playing the perfect victim, her sobs cooling tempers just enough to kickstart a new round of “debate.”

By the time Fifth Master Huo arrived, Ming Ming was howling so loudly it sounded like her cries could carry for miles.

Chen Si twitched at the corner of his eye. Judging from how strong her lungs were, she clearly hadn’t suffered that much.

But the moment he actually saw her, his feelings shifted.

The girl sat slumped in a chair, hair a tangled mess, face and clothes filthy. One shoe was missing, leaving her bare foot exposed. Her ankle was swollen badly, awkwardly propped up so it wouldn’t touch the ground.

Chen Si’s heart clenched. He snuck a glance at Fifth Master Huo’s face. Sure enough, his expression was so dark it looked like it might drip water.

Ming Ming was mid-wail, throat dry, tongue sticking to her mouth. She was looking around for water when she suddenly lifted her head and saw Huo Xiao.

Startled, she thought she was hallucinating. She choked back her sob so abruptly she nearly strangled on it, hiccuping as she struggled to regain her composure.

Huo Xiao’s gaze dropped to her shoes.

She was wearing white low-heeled leather shoes—he remembered them vividly. Chu Yun had been particularly fond of that pair. She never liked high heels, but she adored these, happily parading around the house one afternoon because of the string of pearls on them that somehow perfectly fit her taste. The memory of her cheerful “click-clack” steps had filled the whole house that day.

Now, that same pair was creased and filthy, the leather scuffed beyond repair.

Several of the wealthy parents spotted Fifth Master Huo and immediately thought to curry favor. But the cold aura radiating from him left them unsure of his intentions.

One of them ventured tentatively:
“This place is such a mess, Fifth Master, please watch your step. Kids fight, but that girl really bullied our daughters… By the way, what brings you here?”

Huo Xiao didn’t spare him a glance. He strode straight to Ming Ming, towering over her.

She lifted her eyes to meet his.

In that instant, the arguing and shouting around them fell silent.

Before everyone’s eyes, Fifth Master Huo removed his coat and draped it over the girl’s shoulders.

Then he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, lowered himself onto one knee in front of her, carefully avoiding her injured foot. With steady, meticulous movements, he wiped the grime from her face.

When he finished her face, he gently took her hand and began cleaning it too.

Her fingertips and knuckles were red and raw. His thumb brushed over them lightly, but the contact only deepened the marks. Ming Ming squirmed, wanting to pull back, but Huo Xiao’s grip was unyielding.

He slipped the jade thumb ring from his own hand and pushed it onto hers.

Ming Ming’s eyes widened in shock. She tried to resist, but one sharp, heavy look from him froze her in place.

That ring—symbol of the Huo family’s patriarch—now rested on the slender finger of the girl. The parents of the wealthy young ladies gasped in unison, exchanging horrified glances. Shock… and fear.

But Huo Xiao didn’t care. He calmly lifted Ming Ming’s injured foot and rested it carefully on his leg.

“Hiss—”

Even though he was gentle, the movement sent a jolt of pain through her.

Head lowered, Huo Xiao suddenly asked:

“Got into a fight?”

Ming Ming shrank her neck, lowered her gaze, and murmured, “Mm.”

He already knew, of course.

His fingers pressed and prodded her swollen ankle. The pain made her want to yank her foot away from his “torture,” but then he asked:

“Did you win or lose?”

The question caught her off guard. Her anger flared, and she glared at him, expression vivid, eyes shining red at the corners.

“Of course I won… Ah—!!”

A faint crack sounded. Ming Ming stared blankly at her ankle, still in shock, not yet processing what had just happened.