TFRLTOP Chapter 2 Part 2

Ah yes, mental preparation… Bald sugar daddy…

…Come on, Ming Ming, you’ve got this!

With a heavy heart, she got into the car. It was her first time in such a luxurious vehicle, but she was in no mood to enjoy the experience—only nervously awaiting what felt like a trip to the execution ground.

The car drove into a lavish estate. After passing through the main gate, it took another ten minutes before they reached the mansion. Ming Ming stepped out, and the smiling man led her inside.

Even now, she was still racking her brain for a way to escape. Her heart pounded, but her mind was blank.

She had no idea how massive this castle-like mansion was. All she knew was that after entering, they passed through a vast open hall before arriving in what seemed like a reception room—something she had never seen before.

Inside, a few people were in the middle of a conversation. As soon as they entered, the voices ceased. Two men standing looked over at them, while another person sat on a sofa with his back facing them. The smiling man walked over to that seated figure and said in a low voice, “Fifth Master, I’ve brought her.”

Ming Ming: ???

Who?

She froze in place. The man with the scar on his face grabbed her arm and brought her to stand in front of him.

Seated on the sofa was none other than Huo Xiao—Fifth Master Huo.

“You?!” Ming Ming blurted out.

Fifth Master Huo looked at her coolly. He didn’t speak. There was no emotion in his eyes either. Just a glance—calm and indifferent—yet it made her feel like she couldn’t breathe. She was the one standing, and still, it felt like she was being looked down upon.

Ming Ming did her best to appear composed, but her legs trembled uncontrollably.

After a moment of silence, the smiling man broke it with a laugh. “Then who did Miss Chu think it was?”

Ming Ming pressed her lips together and didn’t answer.

“System, what’s going on?”

“I don’t know either. This world seems to have deviated from the intended path. It’s strange… Why would the male lead be looking for you?”

He saved me, so he probably won’t do anything to hurt me… Wait. Was that guy not implying that his boss wanted to keep me as a sugar baby?

Was it just an invitation to sit and talk?

Ming Ming let out a slow breath and gave Huo Xiao a deep, formal bow. “Thank you for saving my life today, Fifth Master Huo. I’m all alone in this world and truly don’t know how to express my gratitude. If there’s anything I can do for you…”

“So, now that it’s not a bald old man with performance issues, you’re relieved?”

She didn’t even finish before Huo Xiao cut her off.

Ming Ming turned to the smiling man, shocked, her eyes clearly saying: “Are you seriously this bad at relaying messages?”

She forced an awkward smile. “Misunderstanding. That was just… one big misunderstanding.”

“Oh? Then why don’t you explain, Miss Chu? What exactly was misunderstood?”

Huo Xiao shifted in his seat, leaning back on the sofa. He seemed a little more relaxed now. Ming Ming gauged his expression and, sensing he looked less intimidating, straightened her back and spoke with sincerity:

“Fifth Master Huo, I failed to recognize someone of your stature. If I’d known it was you inviting me, I would’ve shown up even if I had to crawl here through knives!”

“It’s just… I’d offended someone recently and got chased by debt collectors. I’ve been a little jumpy lately, thinking enemies are behind every tree…” She repeated, “Yes. Enemies behind every tree.”

Huo Xiao didn’t react. He just stared at her in silence.

Ming Ming met his gaze, confused.

Then, as if losing patience, Huo Xiao tapped his fingers twice on the armrest of the sofa.

The smiling man reminded her, “Miss Chu, the Fifth Master asked what you misunderstood.”

“Right…” Ming Ming snapped back to reality, but this was extremely hard to say out loud.

“…Do I have to say it?”

“Answer what you’re asked!” Scarface barked coldly, startling her into a flinch.

“It’s just… I thought someone suddenly popped up trying to get me to sign an… unequal contract,” Ming Ming said, nervously twisting her fingers. She tried to make it sound polite.

Her eyes darted to the side as her voice grew quieter and quieter, “…Can’t help it, I was just born this good-looking.” A tiny, smug expression crept onto her face.

Huo Xiao seemed slightly amused, as if he’d just heard something novel. There was a faint hint of a smile in his eyes.

Ming Ming blinked, trying to flatter him, “Turns out… I just ran into a kind-hearted man.”

“You weren’t wrong.”

“…What?” Ming Ming thought she had misheard.

The next second, Huo Xiao stood up and walked over to her. This time, he truly was looking down on her—both figuratively and literally.

He didn’t lower his head, only cast his gaze downward. Anyone else doing so would appear arrogant, but on Huo Xiao, it came with a natural sense of authority. Ming Ming couldn’t meet his eyes. The moment she looked away, his voice came again, right beside her ear.

“I said, you weren’t wrong.”

“I do intend to make you sign an unequal contract.”