TFRLTOP Chapter 3

Chapter 3 – The Overbearing CEO’s Little Side Dish

Ming: The Giant of Theory

“What—?!”

The system roared inside Ming Ming’s head.

“What’s going on? He’s supposed to be keeping the female lead, not you!”

Her ears were filled with the furious clacking of a keyboard—the system was frantically scouring the world for bugs.

“Reject it! Hurry up and reject him!”

Ming tilted her small face up and asked sincerely, “Can I even say no?”

Huo Xiao raised an eyebrow, pinching her chin to tilt her head left and right like he was inspecting merchandise.
“Looks like you’d rather keep running from debt collectors?”

He said it as though pricing a commodity.
“If we go nonstop, I could probably get a decent price for you.”

Ming let out two dry laughs and tried to glance back at the smiling tiger behind her, but his grip on her chin kept her from turning.
“…Didn’t you say it was all settled?”

Fifth Master Huo shot her a look that said, That depends on you.

It was either get dragged off to work off her debt in the most degrading way possible… or agree to his “kept woman” arrangement.

To wipe away a debt that wasn’t even hers, those were her only two options.

Ming clenched her back teeth and laughed in fury.

“This guy is disgusting!” the system cursed—echoing her thoughts.

“System, what should I do?”

“Play it by ear. The world can self-correct, but the story might veer into unknown, uncontrollable territory. You’ll have to take the reins yourself.”

“Like what?”

“Like, instead of falling in love through this arrangement, it could turn into some cheap soap opera where the mistress ‘goes straight.’”

Ming sneered. “So, either way, I still end up as his side piece.”

“But it works with the plot. Chu Yun was Fifth Master Huo’s bedwarmer—until Ye Weiran stole his heart. Then he dumped Chu Yun, who became jealous and hostile toward Ye Weiran. The rest of the story still fits.”

She asked, “What’s Ye Weiran like?”

“Innocent, kind, righteous, sunny,” the system summed up.

So Huo Xiao liked sweet, innocent types? Fine. She’d go full seductress.

She had no other choice now, but she could still annoy the hell out of him.

“Should’ve told me earlier,” she said, stepping forward and looping her arms around his neck. Chu Yun was tall, but Fifth Master still towered over her, so she had to rise on her toes. Her upper body brushed faintly against his as she curled her lips into a smirk, eyes smoky, and purred, “So that’s why you saved me. Turns out you’ve got your eye on me…”

She leaned in to whisper in his ear, her breath warm.
“You want me, don’t you?”

Her left hand slid from his neck to hook his tie, twisting it lazily around her fingers.
“Then come on. I’m yours now.”

Huo Xiao’s brows furrowed. He didn’t answer—just looked past her shoulder. The smiling tiger and the others took the hint and left, along with the household staff. In moments, the living room was empty and silent—so quiet that Ming could hear her heartbeat.

Seriously? That didn’t disgust you at all?

Her pulse raced.

But even after a long pause, Huo Xiao still didn’t react. She was still stuck on tiptoe, arms around his neck, her legs and arms starting to cramp.

Tilting her head, she studied him suspiciously, then leaned in to peck the corner of his lips. She’d just begun to pull away when his arm clamped around her waist, pulling her in. He caught her mouth in a hard kiss.

It was like he meant to devour her whole. Ming could barely breathe; he gave her no chance to draw air. Her hands slackened on his neck, and she weakly patted his rock-solid arms.

“Hah…”

When he finally let her go, she threw her head back, gulping air as her chest heaved. Fresh oxygen swept through her lungs, making her feel barely alive again.

Her pale, slender neck was exposed like an offering before his eyes. She couldn’t see the dangerous currents in his gaze—only felt him cradle the back of her head and lower his mouth to her throat.

His lips and tongue were merciless, teeth grazing sensitive skin until she shuddered again and again. Too late, fear set in. This wasn’t a game—this was real. And the man before her had a predator’s glint in his eyes.

“N-no… not here…” That last shred of clarity pleaded through the haze in her mind.

Fifth Master stopped, releasing her. Her knees were too weak to stand, yet her body leaned toward him again, seeking support.

Lowering his head, she felt his chest rumble with a quiet laugh.
“What? You were so bold just a moment ago.”

She snapped her head up to glare at him, eyes reddened and shimmering at the corners. That stubborn defiance only stoked the fire in him.

And she didn’t stop at glaring—she taunted him with words too.
“Good thing you saved me, or I’d be showing off my skills to someone else right now…”

Finding herself clever, she added, “If one day you see me working at a club, would you pay for me? I’ll give you… a five-percent discount.”

His brow creased. “Sounds like you want to be dragged off into the red-light trade.”

“What’s the difference?” Ming nestled against his chest, her touch intimate and teasing, while her words were anything but. “Either way, I’m serving men.”

Huo Xiao pulled her away, gripping her chin so she had to meet his eyes.
“Didn’t think you were so experienced. Show me how you ‘serve men.’”

Then he let her go.

Ming stood there, thinking hard for a moment. Then she suddenly dropped to her knees in front of him and reached for his belt.

Her face was calm, but her hands trembled uncontrollably.

Was she really experienced? Or was this the only experience she had?

The warmth vanished from Huo Xiao’s eyes.

“Do you even know what you’re doing?” he asked.

“No.”

Her bluntness caught him off guard.

Lifting her small face, she recalled her previous life—lonely, but far from chaste—and suddenly felt confident.
“But I’m a giant when it comes to theory!”

“…,” Huo Xiao said nothing for two seconds before hauling her to her feet, bending down, and tossing her over his shoulder.

One second, she was bracing herself mentally; the next, she was upside down, shrieking. He smacked her on the backside.

Silence.

He carried her upstairs to the bedroom and dropped her onto the bed.

Sitting up, she met the storm brewing in his eyes and felt a jolt of fear. She scrambled backward on hands and feet.

It was useless. He reached out, grabbed her ankle, and dragged her back.

There was nowhere to run.

With a snap, his belt hit the floor. The next instant, he was over her. She squeezed her eyes shut in fright, only to feel him pat her cheek twice.

“Stop testing my patience. I don’t want to push you tonight.”

She cautiously peeked up, thinking she might have escaped—
“So that means—”

But it wasn’t that kind of escape.

“No,” he cut her off coldly.

With a rip, her clothes were reduced to scraps. She didn’t even have time to gasp before she was pulled into the depths of his desire.