TFRLTOP Chapter 10

Chapter 10 – The Overbearing CEO’s Little Rookie 

◎ Ming Ming: He’s totally into me ◎

Ming Ming didn’t stay out for long before heading home. By the time she got back, it wasn’t even dark yet. At the Huo residence, servants were still bustling in and out. Ming Ming tiptoed around, peeking here and there in search of her Häagen-Dazs.

Fifth Master Huo waved her over. Ming Ming scampered toward him, all eager and bright-eyed, just in time to see servants hauling in two entire racks of clothes into the living room, like a little train. Behind them came two carts of handbags and three carts of jewelry.

“The last time I saw a scene like this was in Romantic Princess…” she muttered under her breath.

She knew it—skipping shopping for clothes and jewelry today was the right choice.

See? Free stuff still comes your way.

Her eyes sparkled at the sight of all those luxury goods.

Things that don’t cost money are the best… and now they’re all mine. Hehehe…

“Pick a few,” Fifth Master said.

And just like that, Ming Ming fell from heaven back to earth.

“Huh…? Y-you mean… not all of them are for me?” she stammered.

Fifth Master gave her a look she couldn’t read.

Chen Si explained, “Miss Chu, starting tomorrow, you’ll be traveling with Fifth Master for a week. He’s asking you to pick a few outfits for the servants to pack.”

Then he added, “Don’t worry, these are all gifts from Fifth Master to you.”

Ming Ming blinked, processing the words. Then, with a sudden flash of inspiration, she rushed to Fifth Master’s side, wrapped her arm around his, leaned close, and cooed, “Whatever style Fifth Master likes me to wear, that’s what I’ll wear.”

She thought she’d seen through his hidden meaning—this wasn’t just about picking clothes. After all, a trophy companion’s appearance should match the boss’s taste.

But Fifth Master stayed silent.

He gave her a cool glance.

The whole living room went quiet.

Even Chen Si decided to keep his mouth shut.

Ming Ming suddenly realized, “Oh… y-you didn’t mean it like that?”

Huo Xie pinched the bridge of his nose. Ming Ming instantly stood up straight, expression blank. “Please forget what I just said. I never said anything!”

A low chuckle came from Fifth Master. He leaned against his hand, looking a little helpless. Ming Ming wanted to crawl into a hole—her face burned, her fur practically standing on end. “Memory wipe! Everyone forget it!”

Then, like dominoes falling, every subordinate and servant in the room started laughing.

Flushed with embarrassment, Ming Ming hurriedly picked a few outfits, handed them off to the servants, and bolted.

Even at dinner, she still hadn’t recovered. Butler Wu thought with relief: This is the quietest meal she’s ever eaten.

After dinner, Ming Ming remembered her Häagen-Dazs and ran to the kitchen. A huge freezer stood just outside the kitchen door. Inside, like in a specialty store, were neat rows of Häagen-Dazs tubs, two lines deep. There were even scoops prepared, and little labels in front of each tub listing the flavors.

She circled the freezer like it was a treasure, peeking and admiring for a long time before finally opening the seals one by one.

A strange, almost secretive satisfaction bubbled up in her chest.

They’re all mine.

Only mine.

If she were an animal, Ming Ming would be a little food-hoarding squirrel, working tirelessly before winter to fill every nook and cranny of her nest with acorns and walnuts, then lying happily in her pile of food waiting for the cold.

Right now, looking at this freezer, she felt that same secure happiness—magnified tenfold.

Holding a bowl and a scoop, she bent over the tubs.

One scoop… two scoops…

She straightened, thought for a moment, then checked the freezer’s temperature.

Bent over again to try…

Her pupils shook.

Why?

Why… won’t… it… scoop?!

How… is… this… possible?!

Frustrated, she kicked the freezer, and in that moment, someone plucked the scoop from her hand.

She hadn’t noticed anyone approach. Startled, she tried to turn, but instead instinctively stepped back—straight into a broad chest.

“F-Fifth Master?”

Huo Xie gave a quiet “Mm” and motioned for her to hand him the bowl.

She blinked and passed it over. He must have just finished handling work—he hadn’t even changed clothes yet, but there was an air of relaxed leisure about him.

“What flavor?”

When she didn’t answer, Huo Xie looked down, meeting her dazed gaze.

He tapped the freezer’s edge.

“Uh, um… anything’s fine. Just one scoop of each flavor…”

“It’s too hard. Can’t scoop it,” she muttered, refusing to admit she just wasn’t strong enough.

A faint smile flickered in his eyes as he began scooping.

“Don’t eat too much cold stuff at night, or you’ll upset your stomach,” he warned.

Still, he gave her three scoops.

Ming Ming’s gaze lingered on his scooping hand, then drifted upward to his solid arm. His muscles weren’t the puffed-up kind from gym sessions and protein shakes—they were tight, efficient, with a hint of violence from real fights. The veins along his forearm shifted with each movement.

She’d gotten bits and pieces of Fifth Master’s past from the system, but no amount of description compared to the real, living man before her.

She reached out and lightly traced a vein on his forearm.

His movements paused. “What?”

She snapped out of it, then slipped her arm around his and leaned on his shoulder.

“Fifth Master,” she called softly. He didn’t respond, but he was listening.

In the dim light, the only sound was the scrape of the scoop against ice cream. A warm, hazy atmosphere curled around them—but Ming Ming, being Ming Ming, went the unconventional route and asked, “Fifth Master, when you get married someday, will you still scoop me ice cream?”

“When that day comes, I definitely won’t be able to live here anymore, so… can I keep this freezer?”

Huo Xie had the feeling that the second part was her real concern. He gave her a sidelong glance. She went on, needlessly adding, “You know, just as a keepsake.”

“You look like such a quiet, demure girl—how can you talk in a way that makes people want to smack you?” He handed her the bowl, giving her cheek a playful pinch.

Ming Ming pouted—stingy.

This was her first time eating Häagen-Dazs. Poor thing—she’d never been able to bring herself to buy it before.

With the spoon in her mouth, her eyes curved into happy crescents, a small, fluttering joy on her face. Huo Xie leaned against the wall, watching her in the dim light. Her playful expression carried a rare peace that made time feel still.

Something itched in his chest.

“Good?” he asked.

She nodded, then scooped a bite and held it out to him. He frowned slightly. “Eat yours.”

“Oh.”

Right—no way he’d share a spoon with her.

She told herself not to overthink it and popped the spoon into her mouth.

The next second, his face suddenly filled her vision, and his warm lips pressed against hers.

Her heart skipped a beat.

He pushed her lips apart, his tongue sliding in, chasing and twining with hers. The heat melted the ice cream, and the sweet liquid passed between them before a drop slipped down her mouth, leaving a pale trail.

He pulled back slightly, letting her breathe, then leaned in again, following that trail back to her lips.

“Mmph…” she whimpered softly, her knees going weak.

Breathing lightly, head tilted back, her eyes smoldered with a teasing challenge. “Sweet?”

“Too sweet,” Huo Xie said with mock distaste.

The words sounded like a complaint, but the smile in his eyes betrayed him. His arm tightened around her waist, locking her snugly in his embrace.

Ming Ming huffed. “I’m super sweet!”