TFRLTOP Chapter 21 Part 2

Huh??

The heroine isn’t even going to question the fact that the hero stole her family’s flight route?

Of course, Ye Weiran questioned it. That was the whole reason she went to confront Huo Xiao—to call him out for being a bandit.

Calmly, logically, she accused him of being heartless and unjust. And Huo Xiao, from beginning to end, didn’t take her seriously at all.

It was only when she asked if he had real feelings for Chu Yun that his eyes flickered.

Ridiculous. His feelings? And she thought she had the right to question them?

Fifth Master Huo raised his hand and ruffled Ming Ming’s hair, never intending to let her know about all the schemes and conspiracies swirling around him.

There was only one thing he did want her to know.

“You can be curious about anything about me.”

Huh???

Ming Ming asked the system, “What does he mean by that?”

System: “Ignore him. He’s just laying the groundwork for a tragic ‘win her back’ arc.”

Ming Ming nodded. “Ah, now that makes sense!”

System: … Thank god, that was close.

Huo Xiao walked in front, and Ming Ming trailed behind him, keeping up step for step. Everywhere they went, people respectfully greeted Fifth Master Huo. Most of the time, he just gave a short grunt or a nod, but occasionally he’d stop to exchange a few words. Every time he did, he would pull Ming Ming closer and casually say, “She’s just a kid. Doesn’t know much. I brought her out to see the world.”

The people immediately showed an “I see” expression.

In truth, Fifth Master Huo was introducing Chu Yun to high society—not as an outsider, but as someone he recognized, someone whose background was the Huo family.

The system realized this, and panic started to set in. Something was going off-script.

Ming Ming, however, was completely oblivious. All she could think about was housing.

When they greeted the He family, Ming Ming noticed He Chengtian’s eyeballs nearly popping out of his head. He Lu, standing beside him, twisted his arm hard enough to keep him from making a scene.

Ming Ming just wanted to drag Huo Xiao away quickly. But then she saw He Lu’s handbag—it was the latest autumn release from Yu Pai.

Wow. High society really did have taste.

Huo Xiao’s gaze lingered on the bag for a few seconds, but he didn’t say anything. When he looked back and saw Ming Ming was totally distracted, he cut the conversation short and led her to a quiet corner.

Ming Ming’s eyes darted left and right. When she looked up, she met Huo Xiao’s deep, probing gaze and quickly lowered her head again.

He sighed. “Alright, out with it. What’s going on?”

Ming Ming twisted her fingers together, silent. The center of the banquet was lively, with Ye Weiran shining like the brightest star, basking in everyone’s admiration and blessings.

Ming Ming stared longingly.

Huo Xiao followed her line of sight. At the center of the crowd, Ye Weiran bloomed dazzlingly. Then he turned back to the girl beside him. Her eyes trembled with envy.

A pang hit his chest. He couldn’t stand seeing her lonely, envious of others.

She was brighter.

Ming Ming: Sigh, Ye Weiran never has to worry about affording a house again. So jealous.

Out of nowhere, Huo Xiao said, “The older generation of the Ye family isn’t much. But the younger generation… they’ve finally got someone with backbone.”

Ming Ming thought, Oh no, he’s starting to praise the heroine. Next, he’ll compare me to her, realize I don’t measure up, get tired of me, and end this sugar-baby arrangement. Hopefully, when he dumps me, he’ll at least be generous—like, say, leave me an apartment.

“You don’t need to envy her.”

“…Huh?”

With a casual, almost indifferent tone, Huo Xiao spoke arrogant words full of disdain: “The Ye family is nothing special.”

“…Of course,” Ming Ming quickly flattered him. “Nothing compares to the Huo family’s power.”

Huo Xiao traced a curled finger along her cheek. His voice dropped low, steady and solemn, almost like he was making a vow.

“Chu Yun, remember this—I’m not the kind of man who splits his affections.”

I’ll protect you. The Huo family will protect you.

You don’t need to envy anyone else.

Ming Ming parsed this and thought, Wait… is he hinting that he’s going to dump me and then be faithful to Ye Weiran instead?

Since he seemed to be waiting for an answer, she decided to take the initiative and make a declaration of her own.

“Don’t worry—I’m the type who can’t stay faithful to one man.”

She patted his hand and grinned. “See? We balance each other out.”

Huo Xiao: “…”

He gave her a cold look, turned, and walked away.

Ming Ming: What’s with this guy? Why is he so moody?

System: You really do overanalyze everything. No wonder you’re a science major.

Huo Xiao stopped after a few steps, shut his eyes, then turned back and gestured for her to follow.

Ming Ming quickly caught up, only for her hand to suddenly be taken in his. Under the subtle gazes of others, the two of them left the banquet together.

On the way back, Ming Ming kept sneaking glances at Huo Xiao’s expression, wanting to say something but hesitating. Huo Xiao noticed from the start. He ignored her for a while, then finally decided to give her one more chance.

“What is it you want to say?”

Ming Ming hesitated for a long time before finally blurting out a cautious question:

“Fifth Master… in the future…”

Something about the word “future” struck him. His eyes burned as he looked down at her. Under his intense gaze, Ming Ming felt immense pressure. She swallowed hard, clenched her teeth, and finally voiced the request that had been tormenting her all night:

“…When you get tired of me, I mean—when we break up… can my breakup fee be… a condo?”

The atmosphere inside the car instantly plummeted.

In the front seat, Chen Si and Chen Jing practically held their breath.

Ming Ming forced herself to keep going under Huo Xiao’s icy glare. Since she’d already started, she might as well finish.

“House prices are insane! Once you and your wife get back together, even if I save enough for a down payment, I’ll never be able to keep up with the mortgage.”

“My biggest dream in life is to own my own place. But prices are just too damn high!”

Huo Xiao clenched his jaw, grinding out a few words: “This is what had you so distracted all night?”

Ming Ming nodded cautiously. “I never paid attention before. But when I heard people talking about real estate, my whole worldview collapsed!”

Good. Very good.

Even Huo Xiao himself didn’t realize that in all these years, he’d rarely been this emotionally shaken.

Chu Yun brought him feelings he never expected.

The truth was, the card he’d already given her had more than enough to cover not just a down payment but the full cost of a luxury apartment.

But he wasn’t about to tell her that now.

Ming Ming, belatedly realizing he was angry, thought: …Wow, you’re really that stingy?

Even the side chicks in these stories get better treatment than this!

Or maybe… it’s because the treatment is so bad that side characters turn into villains.

Ming Ming shot Huo Xiao a long look. Just wait. Your good days are numbered.

The system muttered in her head, I told you not to cling to him all the time. No good comes of it—and it never ends well.

Ming Ming snorted inwardly. Relax. I’ll make sure he knows—this sweet, obedient act? It’s all just for the money.

She shifted to the far side of the seat, pressing herself against the car door.

The rest of the ride passed in silence. Several times, Huo Xiao turned to look at her small, stubborn figure curled against the corner, staring out the window with defiance. Each time, his chest clenched painfully.

If she wanted money, if she wanted a house—fine. He’d give it to her.

It was such a simple wish. Why couldn’t he just make her happy?

But another voice in his heart whispered: She doesn’t care about you. It’s all one-sided.

Huo Xiao clenched his fists, silently vowing:

Then I’ll make her care.