TFRLTOP Chapter 6 Part 1

Chapter 6 – The CEO’s Little Side Dish 

Wu the Butler: Yearning for the young master’s return (choking up) (wipes tears)

“When does school start?”

The system replied, “Classes officially start on September 3rd. The 1st and 2nd are a weekends, so students return on those days.”

So that meant school was starting soon!

All the part-time jobs she’d had before had fired her for “unexplained absences,” so this summer Chu Yun hadn’t earned a single cent. The money in her account wasn’t even close to covering tuition.

“This so-called ‘agreement’ of his is all inequality and no benefits!” Ming Ming complained weakly.

That night, Fifth Master Huo didn’t come home.

Ming Ming wasn’t worried about him getting bored and going to find a new fling—he was the male lead, after all.

But he couldn’t just disappear before giving her the money.

Shouldn’t I at least get compensated for lost work?

I’ve still got tuition to pay!

Ming Ming thought, perfectly justified: What a great chance to open my mouth wide and ask for a lot—without breaking my cannon-fodder side-character persona.

The next morning, for the first time since coming to the Huo household almost a week ago, she woke up at seven, left her bedroom, and went downstairs…

For some reason, it felt bittersweet.

She asked one of the household staff when Fifth Master would be back. The servant shook their head.

She gestured, then asked about Scarface and Smiling Tiger.

Another shake of the head—no extra words, nothing.

Ming Ming thought for a moment, then rephrased: “If I need something while I’m here, who should I go to?”

The servant considered, then said she could ask Butler Wu.

Butler Wu?

In the maze-like mansion, Ming Ming managed to run into him by chance.

She asked warmly, “Excuse me, when will Fifth Master be back?”

Butler Wu was icy. “Don’t stick your nose into things you shouldn’t ask about.”

Her smile didn’t falter. She pressed on, “Then… did Fifth Master say anything before he left? Like… hmm?”

She rubbed her thumb and forefinger together.

That wasn’t even a hint anymore—it was a blatant request.

But Butler Wu ignored it completely.

“Miss Chu, just behave yourself and wait for Fifth Master to return. Other matters will be arranged by someone else.”

Ming Ming stared at him, expression blank. “I want money.”

“Fifth Master left no such instructions.”

His reply was crisp and cold.

Ming Ming was displeased. She truly didn’t understand how a butler could be this incompetent. “Butler Wu, what am I?” She pointed at herself. “I’m a woman whose problems can be solved with money. Please, don’t complicate things.”

She thought her meaning was crystal clear:

You don’t need to act like you look down on me. I don’t care about that. I’m easy to deal with—give me money and we’re good.

But Butler Wu remained unmoved.

Ming Ming took a deep breath.

Surely he didn’t think so little of her that he’d go this far!

Seething with frustration and an overwhelming sense of helplessness, she turned to leave. But at the front gate, a burly man in a suit and sunglasses blocked her way.

“Let me out.”

The man ignored her, simply standing there to bar her path.

A bad feeling crept up her spine.

“Even if you had the money, it wouldn’t matter,” Butler Wu’s voice came from behind her. “You can’t leave anyway.”

Ming Ming turned, staring at him in disbelief.

“Is your Fifth Master trying to keep me under house arrest?”

“Fifth Master didn’t give any instructions, so until he returns, Miss Chu, you’d better just stay here and behave.”

“When’s he coming back?”

“No comment.”

Inside Ming Ming’s mind, the system spoke dramatically: “Whoa—so this is the start of the forced-love-in-the-dark-room plotline… wait, no, you’re not even the female lead.”

Was that the point here?!

Fuming, Ming Ming stomped into the kitchen and ordered a full imperial banquet for breakfast.

August 16 — Fifth Master Huo wasn’t home.
August 17 — Still not home.
August 18 — Still not home.

When the tiger’s away, the monkey becomes king.
Ming Ming wasn’t sure how that saying applied to her exactly, but in the days Fifth Master was gone, she had indeed stirred up as much trouble as possible at home.

— “Butler Wu, these shoes are pinching my feet. Change them. No, this pair’s too soft—it’s like stepping in… never mind. I want the softness of cashmere, the texture of cowhide, and they should be warm in winter but cool in summer… What’s with that look? I’m not trying to make things hard for you.”

— “Butler Wu, are you trying to starve Fifth Master’s woman? All I want is a simple wish granted—Siberian rock candy pork knuckle. What? Don’t lie to me, this is not Siberian rock candy.”

— “Butler Wu, I want pants. No, a nightgown cannot replace pants. It makes me feel unsafe… Make it lightweight sportswear, thanks.”