FOBTS CH11

“Ahem, hello everyone, I’m Jian Yuheng.” The alpha on stage paused for two seconds before continuing, “I’ve only recently joined the company…”

Not far away, Jian Feng stood there, perplexed: “…?”

Why is he starting over from the beginning?

In the audience, company employees whispered among themselves—

“Is Second Young Master… turning into a broken record?”

“I think it’s pretty normal. When I forget lines while reciting, I also start over from the beginning.”

“Suddenly, Second Young Master feels much more relatable.”

“What’s worth repeating?” Assistant Gong pulled out a notebook and called to the colleagues nearby, “It’s the key points! Hurry and write them down.”

“Madam, this way.” Below the stage, Song Ruochen carefully guided Yan Ci forward. “Don’t fall again.”

Yan Ci: “?” Again?

Failure is the mother of success.

Having learned from the previous mishap, Song Ruochen absorbed the lesson and locked his toes firmly to the ground, almost rooting himself to the silky-smooth surface selected by some idiot.

“Everyone has worked hard this year,” Jian Yuheng continued his speech on stage. After praising the outstanding employees, he began to thank a few veterans who had weathered the company’s ups and downs over the years. “This year, Chairman Chen has gained a few more wrinkles, and Chairman Wang has a bit more gray hair…”

Song Ruochen held up the white ribbon on Yan Ci’s outfit and stomped forward step by step.

Jian Yuheng: “Chairman Fu also–puff…”

Chairman Fu: “?”

Chairman Wang: “?”

“Did we work so hard that we hit his funny bone?” Chairman Chen frowned.

“Chairman Fu also… like that,” Jian Yuheng continued, “Regardless of seniority or tenure, everyone is a member of Xiaoshi Group.”

“People may have differing opinions, but they all work for the good of the company.” Jian Yuheng’s expression returned to its usual icy demeanor. “I hope everyone can fully relax and enjoy themselves at the annual party.”

For the first time, his performance overshadowed his speech.

All thanks to Secretary Song.

“Madam, please take a seat.” Secretary Song had just guided Yan Ci to the correct spot and gracefully sat down beside him.

Not long after, Jian Feng and Jian Yuheng, having completed their speeches, also took their seats one after the other.

Yan Ci looked at Jian Feng in his white suit and suddenly widened his eyes.

“Madam, look at that. President Jian was thoughtful enough to match outfits with you,” Song Ruochen said.

Yan Ci: “Wow.”

Song Ruochen raised his hand, reached behind Yan Ci, and poked Jian Feng with the pen he was holding.

Jian Feng: “…Yes, very thoughtful.”

He had no idea either. His office wardrobe was full, but by the time he got off work, only one white suit and nine emerald green ones were left.

“President Jian has excellent taste in clothing.” Song Ruochen delivered his secretary lines with relish.

Jian Feng: “:(”

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited: 20 seconds.]

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited: 1 second.]

“Is that 1 second from the protagonist gong? So stingy,” Song Ruochen remarked.

Yan Ci was much more generous.

This year’s Xiaoshi Group annual party was a major departure from tradition. Instead of employees working hard to entertain the leaders, numerous big-name streamers who collaborated with the company were invited to perform.

As the performance was about to begin, Song Ruochen received a message from Yan Ci—

[Song Ruochen]: Is this a raised eyebrow?

Yan Ci: That was a misclick.

Yan Ci: I asked around; the performance lasts over an hour. Shall we grab something to eat first?

[Song Ruochen]: As Madam wishes.

[Song Ruochen]: Will there be tiger skin cake today?

Yan Ci: Let’s look for it. If we can’t find any, I’ll have someone bring it to you. 0.0*

[Song Ruochen]: Great, let’s go.

The once sparsely occupied seats were now filled. As Song Ruochen turned his head, he realized the empty spot beside him had been taken.

“Second Young Master.” Song Ruochen nodded slightly as a greeting. “The annual party you organized is quite interesting, and the venue is magnificent.”

Jian Yuheng: “…Hmph.”

“Madam, let’s go.” Song Ruochen signaled Yan Ci to move.

Jian Yuheng shifted his legs slightly to make way.

These two were like little fish swimming back and forth in a goldfish bowl, sitting down only to stand up again.

“Wait, I forgot my phone,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng retracted his stretched leg.

Song Ruochen swam out again.

“Oh, I forgot my marriage certificate sticker,” Yan Ci said.

“I’ll get it,” Song Ruochen offered.

Jian Yuheng began a game of stretching and retracting his legs, his movements gradually losing coordination until he finally missed his timing.

“Ah… ouch.” Song Ruochen stepped squarely on Jian Yuheng’s foot.

A wicked smile appeared on Jian Yuheng’s lips.

Secretary Song made another mistake. Time to rewind, just so he could see how this cheat worked up close.

A flicker of panic crossed Song Ruochen’s eyes, but he quickly masked it with a cold and disdainful expression. His starry gaze swept over Jian Yuheng, chin slightly raised, as he walked away.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

What? Am I not worthy of your cheat?

[Mistake detected. Not rewinding?]

In his ear, the system’s voice echoed.

“No, I’m not rewinding. It was Jian Yuheng’s fault for failing to dodge,” Song Ruochen replied.

[…]

“Besides, I think my reaction just now was very in-character for Secretary Song.”

Maintaining the original Secretary Song’s persona while not overly antagonizing the antagonist? It was a win-win.

__

“Second Young Master.” Assistant Gong handed over a tablet beside Jian Yuheng. “The live stream of the company’s annual party has started, and the bullet comments are quite positive.”

Jian Yuheng took the tablet and put on headphones.

The live stream, initiated by attendees, had shaky visuals and mediocre quality, but the number of viewers was high.

[Wow, so many celebrities and streamers are part of Xiaoshi Group.]
[The performances are great. So this is what a big company’s annual party looks like.]
[Are the two bosses sitting in the middle? Such a strong alpha vibe.]
[Wait, isn’t this Yan Ci’s husband’s company? I heard there’s a legendary secretary here.]
[According to internal sources, Secretary Song is beautiful, aloof, and fiercely independent.]

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Fake. All of it.

He reverses cars into parking spots, gets drunk after one glass, insists on eye contact for translations, and can kick the boss half a meter away.

This so-called “perfect secretary” was riddled with flaws.

Although he wasn’t sure why Secretary Song’s cheat seemed to target him, the culprit had been identified. It was time to deal with him.

How should he handle this so-called “formidable rival,” as Assistant Gong put it?

Capture him, tie him up, and lock him in a dark room? Would that work?

Or eliminate him entirely?

Not knowing enough about the cheat’s mechanics left too many uncertainties. Jian Yuheng didn’t want to act rashly or expose himself. He needed to observe further.

After all, he wasn’t crazy, the company wasn’t haunted, and he had plenty of time to deal with this rival.

“Yuheng.” Jian Feng turned his head. “Who arranged the lottery segment for the annual party?”

“It was Assistant Gong,” Jian Yuheng replied.

“President Jian.” Assistant Gong nodded as a greeting. “Rest assured, the prizes for this raffle are exceptionally generous. The employees will definitely love them.”

Assistant Gong added, “I even added a uniquely creative grand prize at the last minute.”

“We still need to consider costs,” Jian Yuheng reminded.

“Don’t worry, boss,” Assistant Gong replied. “The costs are very low.”

“I’m always confident when Assistant Gong and Secretary Song handle things,” Jian Feng said. “Right, Yuheng?”

Jian Yuheng responded, “As for Secretary Song, not so much.”

Jian Feng: “?”

__

The buffet at the annual party was indeed well-arranged, with a variety of unique little cakes not available on the market.

Song Ruochen tasted a lychee-flavored cake and then tried a strawberry one.

“Chengcheng,” Yan Ci approached with a chocolate cookie crumble dessert in hand. “This one smells great too.”

“I can’t eat any more,” Song Ruochen refused.

“I’ll pack it for you,” Yan Ci said. “We’ll eat and take some home.”

“Well, well, if it isn’t the madam President Jian picked up from the civilian district,” a voice said, not too loudly. “In such a grand setting, if it were me, I’d stick to President Jian like glue.”

Yan Ci’s hands trembled slightly as he held the packing box, looking up at the speaker.

Song Ruochen: “!”

Here it was—the green tea troublemaker.

In the original novel, this person was the young master of a rival company, who had secretly loved the protagonist gong for years but never succeeded. Ever since, every time he saw Yan Ci, he would pick on him, often turning Yan Ci’s insecurities into an inferiority complex pro.

“Young Master Xu,” Song Ruochen raised a hand and handed over a small wedding photo card of the protagonist. “This is for you.”

Xu Xiao: “???”

“Our madam and President Jian’s photo cards are very popular right now,” Song Ruochen said. “This is the last one. It’s black, just for you.”

Xu Xiao: “???”

“I’m sorry…” Yan Ci whispered, hiding behind Song Ruochen. “Please don’t be angry with President Jian and me. I’ve always wanted to be good friends with you, but you’re always so harsh with me.”

Yan Ci wiped his tears. “Am I not good enough? I’ll ask my husband later.”

Xu Xiao took a step back. “Don’t.”

“I wasn’t harsh with you! Stop exaggerating and tattling!” He clenched the small card and stormed off angrily.

“Secretary Song,” Yan Ci said softly, “Are you disappointed in me? I still can’t be harsh with them.”

Song Ruochen: “…No, no, not at all.”

Not harsh, but the tea was spilling everywhere, and the quality was leagues above the original novel’s green tea troublemaker.

What was going on? Did the author write this story while being out of character?

“Ah, Chengcheng,” Yan Ci pointed toward the stage. “The raffle is starting. Hurry up!”

When it came to free things, Song Ruochen was full of energy.

He grabbed Yan Ci and practically launched toward the stage.

“Jian Feng said he added a grand prize,” Yan Ci said. “A month of paid vacation. If you win, let’s go on a trip.”

“Madam, you don’t understand,” Song Ruochen replied.

My luck with raffles is pretty average.

[I can help you.]
The system spoke.

“If you assist me,” Song Ruochen said, “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

In the audience, Jian Yuheng watched with interest as Song Ruochen walked onto the stage and placed his fingers on the keyboard used for the raffle.

His phone buzzed—a call was coming in.

“Hello, Mom?” Jian Yuheng answered.

“Yuheng, you’re not getting any younger. Shouldn’t you start thinking about finding an omega to marry?” His mother asked. “Do you have one you like?”

“I’m only 23, Mom,” Jian Yuheng replied. “No rush. I don’t have anyone I like right now.”

Having just returned to the country, his mother’s nagging felt oddly comforting.

Song Ruochen tapped the keyboard, and the scrolling text on the screen stopped—
Fourth Prize.

“Secretary Song, you’ve won the fourth prize,” the host announced from the stage. “A pack of tissues.”

Jian Yuheng almost laughed. The fourth prize category included several items, but Secretary Song managed to get the least impressive one.

Ding.

“Yuheng, you’re not getting any younger,” the voice on the phone repeated.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Secretary Song, you’ve won the third prize,” the host continued. “A glass water cup.”

Ding.

“Yuheng, you’re not getting any younger.”

Ding, ding.

“Do you have an omega you like?” his mother asked for the fourth time.

“Not getting younger? I’m a hundred years old now,” Jian Yuheng said. “I don’t have an omega I like, but there’s someone I’d like to punch.”

The phone: “?”

“Secretary Song, the grand prize!” the host exclaimed. “You’ve won one of the two grand prizes!”

“System Dad, my luck today is skyrocketing!” Song Ruochen said. “Forget the glass cup. I want the grand prize.”

[Yay, I have a filial child.]

“Secretary Song, your prize is—” the host began to reveal.

Song Ruochen had already decided where to go for vacation.

The host continued, “An exclusive professional skills training session with your new boss, Jian Yuheng.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Excuse me,” Song Ruochen turned to the host. “Can I exchange this? I’d like the glass cup instead.”

__

Author’s Note:

Assistant Gong (adjusting glasses): The cost is really low. Truly low.