TFRLTOP Chapter 1 V3

“He seems so cold. Will he help her?”

She paused, then answered herself, “Well, he is the male lead. Of course, he’ll treat the female lead differently. That’s true love for you.”

She glanced back at Huo Xiao, surprised to see he was still staring at her.

“Ugh, creepy,” she muttered, pouting. Just thinking about how he and the female lead would torment her in this world filled her with sorrow. So she decided to mess with him a little.

She raised her wine glass to eye level, half-covering her face, tilted her head, and smirked flirtatiously. Maintaining eye contact, she slowly took a sip, exuding charm and mischief. As if that wasn’t enough, she even threw him a wink. Seeing his face grow darker, she turned away, satisfied.

If she had to play the villain, she might as well start early and make him uncomfortable.

Ming Ming felt triumphant.

She even gave herself a poetic excuse for her behavior: Master Huo, consider this a trailer. Watch closely. Your big hero moment is coming up.

Sure enough, Ye Weiran was talking to Director Zhang. She looked sincere; he, flushed with alcohol, kept sneaking glances at her chest.

Disgusting pig, Ming Ming cursed inwardly.

Do they need me to step in? That guy’s sleazy enough already.

“You missed your cue. If you hadn’t, the male and female leads would already be connecting,” the system scolded.

As she got closer, she heard Ye Weiran pleading: “Director Zhang, I know I’m asking too much, and you don’t owe me anything. But my mom needs emergency surgery. I have no choice. I swear I’ll repay every cent—I’ll work, save, live frugally… please, help me. My mom can’t wait.”

The greasy man grinned lecherously. “It’s fine, it’s fine. Money’s no big deal.” But his hand was trying to grope hers.

“I’m just a rough guy, but I know a good deed when I see one, right? You don’t need to call me Director Zhang—too formal. Just call me ‘Brother.’ Anything you need, I’ve got you covered, sweetheart.”

Ming Ming was dumbfounded. This pervert is seriously disgusting.

Ye Weiran’s face was stiff, but for her mother’s sake, she kept a polite smile. Zhang grasped her hand, rubbing it suggestively.

“I know you’re in a rush, and so am I. If I hadn’t had a few drinks, I’d wire you the money right now. Oof… feeling a little dizzy…”

He leaned toward her. “Why don’t you help me to a room to rest? I’ll transfer the money first thing in the morning.”

“No, Director Zhang, that’s not appropriate. I’ll get a waiter to help you.” Ye Weiran could tell he had bad intentions and just wanted to get away. But Zhang wasn’t letting go.

Their scuffle drew attention. People started watching.

Ming Ming glanced at Huo Xiao. He was looking this way too, but not moving an inch.

“Why isn’t the male lead doing anything?” she wondered, asking the system if skipping the wine spill would count as a failed mission. Before it could reply, Ye Weiran cried out.

Ming Ming turned around—Zhang had splashed wine on her, conveniently soaking her chest. The fabric clung to her body and even trickled inward.

The crowd might’ve thought the scene was seductive, but for Ye Weiran, it was pure humiliation.

“That’s too far!” Ming Ming exclaimed, just as the system was about to agree, only to hear her add, “How dare she steal my moment!”

System: “…”

Ye Weiran stood frozen, arms crossed over her chest, pale with embarrassment. The room had gone quiet. No one stepped forward to help. Everyone just watched.

Zhang still wore a smug grin, like he was saying, That’s what you get for not playing along.

Ming Ming looked at him pitifully. You’re so screwed. She’s a long-lost heiress, and her man is Master Huo the Fifth. You’re toast.

She waited, arms crossed, wine in hand. But Huo Xiao never stepped in. He didn’t even send someone.

“What, do I have to publicly humiliate the female lead to trigger his hero mode? Don’t side characters have rights too?!”

The system was confused as well. “You messed up the plot, now everything’s a mess.”

Ming Ming pouted.

Zhang’s drunkenness and the crowd’s indifference emboldened him.

He pried her hands away and said loudly, “Aww, your dress is all wet. Let me take it off for you.”

He reached for her bodice. Some bystanders even pulled out their phones to record.

“Let go of me!” Ye Weiran struggled. The scene was pure nightmare fuel.

He was about to strip her in public, flaunting his power.

And to everyone else, she was just a plaything that needed to be “taught a lesson.”

A powerless beauty at a fancy party? They thought they knew her kind.

“Okay, now I’m mad,” Ming Ming muttered. “If the male lead won’t do it, I will!”

“What are you doing?! Don’t mess things up!” the system screamed, but it couldn’t physically stop her.

Ming Ming strode up and kicked Zhang hard in the crotch.

“Aaaargh!” Zhang screamed, collapsing.

She shielded Ye Weiran, planted a foot on his belly, and said coldly, “What happened to being tough? Hands off, now.” She pressed down. He obeyed instinctively.

Ming Ming looked down with disdain, then slowly poured her drink onto his crotch, soaking his pants and leaving a yellow puddle.

She turned to the gawkers. “Since Director Zhang loves attention so much, make sure you get a good shot.”

That slapped everyone across the face. How could someone like her talk back?

“Who is this girl, exactly?” A middle-aged man stepped forward, eyes sharp and cold.

The system whispered that this was Hong Shida, the new head of the Hong family and the host of the event.

“A Hong family banquet shouldn’t be open to just anyone,” Hong Shida sneered at the girls.

At that moment, a black-clad man from Huo Xiao’s side stepped forward and tossed Ming Ming a coat. She quickly draped it over Ye Weiran.

She remembered this man—he’d been standing by Huo Xiao’s side all night. He had to be one of his people.

Looks like the male lead has come to stand up for the female lead.

“What kind of trash do you let pollute Fifth Master Huo’s sight?”

His voice wasn’t particularly loud, but to everyone watching, it was like a thunderclap.

His appearance represented Fifth Master Huo himself. Since he had given that girl his jacket, his words weren’t directed at those two clueless girls, but at the disheveled Mr. Zhang still sprawled on the ground.

Hong Shida’s expression changed instantly. He forced a smile while ordering someone to drag Mr. Zhang out, then quickly echoed the man in black, “Yes, yes! My old eyes must be going blind. I was careless and disturbed everyone’s mood. My sincerest apologies.”

He then turned to ask Ye Weiran if she was alright, face now full of warmth and concern like a completely different person—but as he spoke, he kept sneaking glances at Fifth Master Huo in the distance, afraid of making a single wrong move.

Ming Ming clicked her tongue inwardly. In the face of absolute power, everyone was a hypocrite.

All her little tricks couldn’t hold a candle to a man just sitting still and exuding an aura of command. She glanced directly at Fifth Master Huo, only to realize he was looking right back at her.

But they were far apart. Ming Ming assumed he was looking at Ye Weiran, so she shifted a bit to the side to avoid blocking his view of the female lead.

The banquet wasn’t over yet, but clearly, they couldn’t stay here any longer. Ming Ming turned to the man in black and said, “Would you be so kind, big brother, as to escort me and this young lady a bit of the way?”

The man in black turned slightly, seemingly awaiting instructions. Fifth Master Huo gave a small nod, granting permission. So the man in black led them out of the venue. Ming Ming wrapped an arm around Ye Weiran’s shoulders and patted her gently, silently thinking:

Don’t worry, your good days are right around the corner.

“When will she get her identity back?” Ming Ming asked the system in her mind.

“Hmm… soon, probably.”

The system’s answer was vague, but Ming Ming didn’t push.

In truth, the plot had already strayed from the original trajectory. It was supposed to be that Chu Yun poured wine on Ye Weiran, and the usually cold and distant Fifth Master Huo suddenly stood up and placed his coat over her shoulders. Chu Yun would then be thrown out, and Ye Weiran would be personally escorted out in his arms.

Though events hadn’t played out quite as expected, at least Huo Xiao still performed the classic “hero saves beauty” move. Who knows how much the deviation would affect what follows?