TFRLTOP Chapter 14 Part 1

Chapter 14 – The Overbearing CEO’s Little Greenhorn 

Cold to the Core, from Morning to Night

The next morning, Chen Si and Wang Duo came knocking on the door. For the past few days, Fifth Master Huo had been sleeping alone in the master bedroom, so after knocking, they usually just went right in.

Today was no different. As soon as Wang Duo knocked and pushed the door open, a low, sharp voice barked from inside: “Get out!”

Wang Duo froze. Through the half-open door, Chen Si caught sight of Fifth Master sitting on the bed with a pale, delicate arm draped around his waist. He reacted immediately, slammed the door shut before Wang Duo could look in, and said quickly:

“Sorry, Fifth Master.”

He dragged Wang Duo away and told the others not to step into the master bedroom.

“What was that about?” Wang Duo couldn’t see anything from his angle, but he could guess. “She’s in there?”

Chen Si thought of the little bet he’d tricked Wang Duo into and smirked like a satisfied fox. “Want to go check that little side room to make sure?”

Wang Duo’s face stayed blank. “No need.”

Chen Si chuckled gleefully. “Then pay up, brother.”

“You knew all along, didn’t you?”

“Come on, how could I? I didn’t know a thing.”

Although Ming Ming never got a clear answer from Huo Xiao, the fact that he was still there when she woke up—sitting by her side, letting her keep her arm around him—told her that whatever had happened was already water under the bridge.

Testing the waters, she leaned over to brush a kiss against the corner of his lips. He immediately pinned her down and kissed her back for a long while.

Taking advantage of the moment, Ming Ming whined, “These past few days, I haven’t even gotten to play properly…”

“Whose fault is that?” Huo Xiao shot back bluntly.

“…So Fifth Master is still mad at me, huh?” Ming Ming fake-sobbed. “I know, I know, I embarrassed you. I’ve never been out in the world, and I messed up. I just thought the chance was rare, and who knew if I’d ever get another… boo-hoo-hoo…”

“If you keep acting, you can forget about leaving this room today,” he cut her off mercilessly.

But he hadn’t denied it. That meant there was still hope, right?

Ming Ming’s eyes lit up like stars.

On the final day, most passengers just strolled around the cruise ship, relaxing while waiting to dock. The ship was expected to arrive by evening.

Before that, though, Fifth Master made time to personally take Ming Ming around to see everything the ship had to offer. Even if it was just a quick walk-through, Ming Ming was thrilled.

Happier than she’d been on the very first day.

If she could put that happiness into words, it would be something like: Fifth Master Huo’s first-ever experience shopping with a woman.

Ming Ming’s focus was just on browsing. She had no intention of actually spending money—though if Huo Xiao wanted to, she certainly wouldn’t object.

Whether he picked up on her little scheme or had simply unlocked some bizarre new interest, he suddenly became enthusiastic about dressing her up like a real-life doll. In one high-end boutique after another, he picked out outfits, handbags, and jewelry for her. Every time she stepped out in a new dress, he’d slip sunglasses onto her face before she could even glance in the mirror. Looking back at her reflection—wow. Clothes really did make the person. Overnight, a scruffy mutt became a pampered poodle.

With just a nod from Fifth Master, Chen Si swiped the card without hesitation.

Ming Ming wasn’t familiar with brands, but the system in her head rattled off details. At first, it went on about heritage and family legacies—boring. Later, it just quoted price tags, strings of zeros that made Ming Ming curse silently every time.

Fifth Master, you’re practically my dad right now!

She was moved to tears. Realizing that Huo Xiao was deliberately splurging on her, she started speeding up her shopping so he wouldn’t “miss out.”

He even played a round of pool with her, patiently explaining the rules.

“Next time, try not to sink the eight ball first,” he teased.

Ming Ming puffed up in embarrassment. “Why do you have to comment on everything?”

They drew a crowd wherever they went.

Most of the ship’s guests were people of status. They didn’t gape, but many still blinked in disbelief.

Fifth Master Huo with a woman was one thing. Fifth Master Huo is shopping with a woman? Now that was shocking.

Who was she? Some wealthy heiress? A relative of the Huo family? How had she caught his eye?

Rumor said she was a “gift” from He Wenhao. That shameless old man!

The schemers among them began taking notes. They’d investigate her thoroughly, then maybe send similar women his way.

Everywhere they passed, people found excuses to linger, trying to get a look. But Chen Si had already arranged bodyguards to clear the way. From the outside, all anyone could see was a glimpse of a girl, while the men—Chen Si, Chen Jing, Wang Duo—trailed behind, arms loaded with luxury shopping bags.

One witness later swore he saw the girl chatting brightly, gesturing with her hands. Huo Xiao naturally caught her hand and held it by his side. His face showed little expression, but he tilted his head down to listen, occasionally responding.

She leaned against him playfully, swinging his arm. He gave her a sidelong glance, lightly scraped her nose in mock reproach, and from the look of things, he probably agreed to whatever she’d asked.

Ye Weiran witnessed the scene too.

And finally, her recent confusion was resolved.

She knew Chu Yun—not because Chu Yun had helped her at the banquet last time, but because Chu Yun was her classmate.

She’d seen her at school before. They hadn’t really interacted, but who hadn’t heard of a pretty, top-scoring student like Chu Yun?

Seeing how close they were, Ye Weiran thought of the rumors at school. She shook her head, brushing aside wild speculation.

It had to be a legitimate relationship. Otherwise, why would Fifth Master Huo—who had no ties to her—offer protection? It must’ve been for Chu Yun’s sake.

Next time she saw Chu Yun on campus, she’d make sure to thank her properly.

He Wenhao also showed up when he heard the gossip, only to discover the girl beside Huo Xiao wasn’t the one he’d sent.

“She looks familiar,” He Wenhao muttered, stroking his chin.

Then he remembered. She was the one who’d poured wine on that nouveau riche Zhao.

So it wasn’t that Fifth Master had taken pity on the bullied girl that night—it was this fiery little wildcat he liked. Well, why hadn’t anyone said so earlier? …Wait. But he hadn’t rejected the one I sent either.

He quickly shrugged it off. Men were like that. When he was younger, he never had fewer than three women at a time.

All the onlookers whispered and speculated in secret.

But what they didn’t know was that the “intimate” behavior they saw was actually Ming Ming negotiating.

“Fifth Master, you really spoiled me, buying so much… um, if we don’t have space at home, could I take some of it back to my dorm?”

She was calculating hard. She couldn’t possibly use it all, so why not flip the extras as second-hand? The system had just told her some pieces were limited editions—surely some rich kids at school would snap them up.

Huo Xiao frowned. “These things are far too valuable to bring to school. Aren’t you worried someone will get jealous and ruin them?”

Ming Ming patted her chest confidently. “Impossible, absolutely impossible. You can trust the quality of today’s college students!”

Master Huo gave her a sidelong glance, saying nothing.

Ming Ming thought: I just trust my own sales pitch. Once I get back to school, I’ll make a name for myself in no time!