TFRLTOP Chapter 24 Part 1

Chapter 24 – The CEO’s Little Side Dish 

◎ Running Your Mouth Can Bring Retribution ◎

He Lu actually felt a little guilty. The other girls had egged her on to call Chu Yun over, but once she arrived, He Lu realized what they were really planning.

“You guys better not push it. Chu Yun isn’t someone who’ll just roll over. And besides, do you really think the Huo family is that easy to mess with?”

“Oh, come on, Lulu, what are you so worried about? It’s broad daylight—what could we possibly do to her?”

“Exactly! My dad just wants me to get to know her better, to see what kind of girl Fifth Master Huo really likes.”

“Your dad, too? Tch… same with mine.”

He Lu waved her hand impatiently. “Whatever little schemes you’re running, that’s your business. But this is my family’s banquet—don’t drag trouble onto me.”

They all agreed sweetly to her face, but the second He Lu left, they curled their lips.
“The biggest trouble tonight might actually be her brother.”
“No kidding.”

The moment He Lu saw Chu Yun, she pulled her aside and whispered:
“Stick close to me later. If I’m not around, just find some quiet spot by yourself… and stay away from those girls.”

Ming Ming thought: Oh, so this is a trap banquet? Too bad—I’m here on a mission anyway.

She smiled nonchalantly. “Relax, I can take care of myself. You’ve got things to handle, right? No host should be glued to one guest. Go on, go on.”

And He Lu really was busy. Since this wasn’t a banquet organized by the adults, it was up to the younger generation to keep things running. Her brother, of course, had dumped everything on her so he could spend all his time mooning over Ye Weiran.

Even so, she couldn’t help looking back three times for every step forward. “If anything happens, come find me. And seriously, stay away from them!”

“Got it, got it,” Ming Ming waved her off.

“System, where’s Jiang Ming?”

“Hold that thought—those girls are heading your way.”

Ming Ming turned around and saw a few decked-out, sharp-looking young ladies walking toward her.
And behind them… wasn’t that Jiang Ming?

Her eyes lit up. Instead of backing down, she marched straight toward them.

Her sudden, aggressive aura made the girls hesitate. Seizing the moment, Ming Ming slipped between two of them and—perfect timing—stumbled right into Jiang Ming’s arms.

“Young miss, are you alright?” he asked politely.

“I’m fine, I just wasn’t looking where I was going. This has nothing to do with them.” Ming Ming spoke first, cutting off any explanations.

Then she looked back at the heiresses with tearful eyes, brow furrowed, arms wrapped around herself like she’d just been grievously wronged.

Jiang Ming glanced between her and the stunned girls, feeling oddly like they were more shocked than he was.

“Ow,” Ming Ming winced softly. “I think I twisted my ankle…”

Jiang Ming: “…”
Why are you looking at me like that?

“Uh… should I… help you?”

“Yes, please!” Ming Ming answered brightly.

Jiang Ming: …Is this one of He Gongzi’s tricks too?

He helped her over to a quiet corner. The girls didn’t follow. The moment they were out of sight, Ming Ming straightened up—no limp, no weakness, no tears.

Expressionless, she said flatly: “Break up with Ye Weiran, or give me five million. Your choice.”

Jiang Ming: “Who the hell are you???”

Unbothered, Ming Ming continued, “You wouldn’t want Ye Weiran to find out we were sneaking around, holding hands and cuddling in a secluded spot, would you?”

Jiang Ming: “??????”

“And if I don’t pick either?”

Ming Ming cracked her knuckles with a sharp snap, tilting her head with a contemptuous look. “Then I’ll just have to kidnap you, extort Ye Weiran for five million, and as soon as the money’s transferred…”

“…You’ll let me go?” Jiang Ming asked hopefully.

She rolled her eyes. “What do you think? Of course I’d kill you.”

Jiang Ming: “…”

“What the hell do you even want?” he demanded—then suddenly brightened, waving past her.
“Ranran! I’m over here!”

Uh oh. The stage for a love triangle showdown.

“System, why didn’t you warn me?”

System: “…Your acting was so convincing I got completely sucked in.”

Yeah right.

Jiang Ming rushed over to Ye Weiran, clinging to her arm. “Ranran, some woman tried to seduce me, but I stayed faithful! You need to be careful with her—she not only tried to lure me, she also planned to kidnap me and extort money from you!” He deliberately cast a meaningful look at Ming Ming.

Ming Ming: …Stunned.
Wait a second. Heroine, you actually like this kind of guy??

She mulled it over for a couple of seconds, then shrugged internally.
Eh, people’s kinks are diverse. Not my place to judge. I’m not exactly pure myself.

Ye Weiran gently patted Jiang Ming’s hand and strode over to Ming Ming. Her tone softened with concern:
“Chu Yun, I saw them targeting you earlier. Are you okay? I haven’t seen you much lately—how have you been?”

Ming Ming’s eyes welled with tears. As expected of the heroine. She’s truly a wonderful person.

Jiang Ming tried to pull Ye Weiran back in a panic. “Ranran, don’t let her fool you! She literally just said she’d kidnap me and demand ransom from you—then kill me once you paid!”

Ye Weiran’s eyes widened. “What? Chu Yun, are you short on money? How much do you need? I’ll transfer it to you right now.”

Jiang Ming: “…”
My wife and another woman might actually be true love. So I’m… the side piece??