FOBTS CH20

Chapter 20: Eating for Free

Ding.

Jian Yuheng: “皿”

“Isn’t this a bit much?” Jian Feng asked, holding a stack of documents.

“More capable people take on more work, President Jian,” Song Ruochen replied, avoiding Jian Yuheng’s gaze and moving closer to Jian Feng. “But I can help you share the load. Let’s talk as we go.”

Jian Feng: “?”

Song Ruochen: “I mean, walk and talk. Quickly.”

Song Ruochen hurriedly ushered Jian Feng away as if his tail were on fire.

I stood up to the villain. I’ve grown up.

Song Ruochen cheered internally.

Now I’m a capable and independent Secretary Song.

[Major error detected. I’m going to upgrade now~]

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited with 20 minutes~]

[Hey, stop shaking~ I’m going to short-circuit~]

Song Ruochen couldn’t help trembling. Jian Yuheng’s earlier glare had been terrifying, as if he wanted to devour him alive.

Thankfully, he had his miraculous rewind system. Otherwise, if he fell into Jian Yuheng’s hands, things would have ended badly.

[Little grape, maybe don’t provoke the villain anymore.]

“I didn’t provoke him,” Song Ruochen argued. “He’s always picking on me.”

“And besides, fear doesn’t solve problems,” Song Ruochen decided. “I’ll face the storm head-on and rise to the challenge.”

Avoidance wasn’t the answer. He’d provoke the villain a few more times, gain experience, and desensitize himself. Then he’d handle things with ease.

“Secretary Song?” Jian Feng stopped at the elevator.

“Coming!” Song Ruochen stepped forward and pressed the elevator button for his boss.

Jian Feng glanced at the stack of documents in his hand, then glanced again—several times. Meanwhile, Song Ruochen was engrossed in the rolling hotpot ad inside the elevator.

“Secretary Song,” Jian Feng finally spoke, “what exactly can you help me with regarding these documents?”

Song Ruochen had already forgotten about that.

“Love your job, do your job. You review them first and make comments,” Song Ruochen said. “I’ll… handle sending them to the board with one click.”

“Good night, President Jian.” Song Ruochen made his escape.

“Wait, Secretary Song,” Jian Feng called him back. “Next week, Meng Yumian will be coming to City A for an art exhibition. I… won’t have time to go out. Please host and take care of him. I’ll give you a raise.”

Hmm? Meng Yumian?

The sickly childhood friend of the protagonist gong? The one who faints at the drop of a hat and only wakes up when the protagonist gong shows up?

The one responsible for 80 chapters of angst-filled drama?

Because of his family’s demands to care for this childhood friend, Eldest Young Master Jian once spent an entire night accompanying him to the hospital. Meanwhile, he wasn’t there for Yan Ci when the internet turned against him, nor did he explain things in time. As a result, Yan Ci ran off crying to a deserted island.

[Secretary Song piloted a ship, sailing across the vast ocean for half a month.]

[“Madam, President Jian knows he was wrong,” Secretary Song said. “Please come home.”]

Song Ruochen: “…”

Song Ruochen’s Drifting Diary? Episode One: Shipwreck?

“…President Jian, please send me Meng Yumian’s flight number,” Song Ruochen said. “I’ll take care of him in your stead.”

As long as he took good enough care of Meng Yumian, Eldest Young Master Jian wouldn’t have to get involved, and Da Zao wouldn’t be left alone in his time of sorrow.

“Leave it to me,” Song Ruochen said. “I’ll make sure he’s well taken care of.”

That concluded today’s secretarial duties. Song Ruochen felt he had done plenty of work and earned his salary from Xiaoshi Group.

*

The next day was the team-building event for Xiaoshi Group’s branch office. Song Ruochen had originally scoffed at events that took up his personal time.

But this team-building event had rented out City C’s theme park, with unlimited free food and drinks at all the park’s eateries.

Song Ruochen, as the boss’s trusted assistant, had to experience it.

One evening, he boarded the company’s bus.

Most of the seats on the bus were already taken, except for the one by the window next to Jian Yuheng. With so many people on the bus, Jian Yuheng certainly wouldn’t dare do anything, so Song Ruochen boldly walked over.

“Secretary Song,” Assistant Gong said, “The team-building event should reflect the company’s collective spirit. Why are you still late?”

“Sorry, I dreamed about you and ended up scolding you a bit more,” Song Ruochen replied.

Assistant Gong: “…”

“Move aside.” Song Ruochen gave Gong Huo a cold glance and sat down next to Jian Yuheng.

Jian Yuheng glanced at the omega beside him and asked his assistant, “How long until we get there?”

“Not long, Second Young Master,” Assistant Gong replied. “It’s about a half-hour drive.”

Jian Yuheng nodded.

Today, the little secretary wore a white shirt and a white sweater vest with light green edges. There was a small rabbit-shaped embroidery on his chest, and a green checkered bow tie at the collar, giving him a youthful, student-like look.

With just a casual glance, Jian Yuheng couldn’t help but think of the fresh scent of grapes and the soft fingers that had rested on his neck yesterday.

Still retaliating, his courage was growing, but… he was quite lively.

Once everyone had boarded, the bus set off.

Jian Yuheng didn’t like bus rides. As soon as the bus started, he put on his earphones and closed his eyes.

Before long, he opened them again.

There was movement.

Song Ruochen was blatantly watching him.

Song Ruochen was thinking about the content of the novel. The author had spent a lot of effort on this villain, skilled in business warfare. Jian Yuheng was indeed a handsome character.

As Song Ruochen thought, Jian Yuheng suddenly turned his head and looked at him.

That scrutinizing gaze felt almost like it was burning, making Song Ruochen instinctively shrink back, then lower his eyes.

No, he couldn’t back down. He had to act.

So, Jian Yuheng saw the little secretary suddenly raise his hand and touch his head.

“Your hair is really stiff,” Song Ruochen said. “Not easy to touch.”

“…” Jian Yuheng grabbed the omega’s wrist.

Song Ruochen winced in pain: “Ah…”

Ding.

The bus had returned to the starting point, and the song in his earphones started over. Jian Yuheng rolled his eyes at the ceiling of the bus.

Secretary Song sat by the window, looking cold and distant. His black hair fluttered gently in the wind, and his thin lips were pressed into a line, giving him the appearance of a beautiful, icy figure.

Song Ruochen’s wrist was delicate, and his skin soft. It felt surprisingly pleasant to hold…

Jian Yuheng felt a little itchy to touch again. No matter what, if Song Ruochen wasn’t happy, he would be.

The bus stopped at the entrance of the theme park, and the employees from the branch office began to get off.

“Everyone, feel free to play,” Assistant Gong, who had planned the team-building event, said. “There’s no set schedule from the company. Just have fun.”

The employees cheered and began to form small groups, heading off to enjoy the attractions.

“Secretary Song, do you want to join us?” someone invited.

Jian Yuheng paused and glanced over.

“No,” Secretary Song replied coldly, as always. “You go ahead.”

The inviter reluctantly walked away.

“I’m going to play, boss,” Assistant Gong said. “Do you want to ride the free-fall tower?”

“I don’t even ride elevators. Why would I ride the free-fall tower?” Jian Yuheng replied. “You go ahead.”

“Alright!” Assistant Gong dashed off.

Jian Yuheng followed Song Ruochen from a distance, watching as he finished an ice cream, then a crepe, and finally nibbled on a small cake.

Was he planning to eat his fill before playing?

Jian Yuheng decided not to let Song Ruochen be too happy.

After finishing the small cake, Song Ruochen set his sights on some baked cookies.

[Still eating, still eating!]

[Now I want to ride the carousel!]

“We have the whole day, we’ll have time,” Song Ruochen said. “But I won’t eat anymore, I’ll get too full.”

“Let’s go, we’ll…” Song Ruochen stood up.

“Secretary Song, I was just about to call you.” Jian Yuheng raised his phone and walked into the theme restaurant. “There’s an urgent matter. At 2 PM, you need to come with me to meet a client.”

“Whose killjoy client?” Song Ruochen asked.

Ding.

“Alright, Second Young Master,” Song Ruochen replied.

Jian Yuheng glanced at his watch: “2 PM, we leave on time.”

Disappointment and shock finally appeared on Song Ruochen’s face, and Jian Yuheng couldn’t help but smile.

With only 10 minutes left until 2 PM, Song Ruochen had only enough time to play half a ride, while Jian Yuheng still had time for lunch.

Song Ruochen was off, and Jian Yuheng leisurely ordered fried rice, watching as Song Ruochen dashed toward the roller coaster.

Did he really love playing this much? Even a few minutes?

Playful little secretary, he was a bit cute, though a bit too noisy.

After satisfying his hunger, Jian Yuheng leisurely wiped his mouth, time to call the little secretary back.

Ding.

Song Ruochen dashed past him again, this time heading toward the carousel.

Jian Yuheng: “.”

My food.

It probably wasn’t over yet.

Jian Yuheng took a symbolic bite.

Sure enough, a few minutes later, another “ding.”

Song Ruochen was heading toward the pirate ship.

Jian Yuheng: “:(“

Hungry.

The theme park’s signature attraction left the giant swing, probably with one more chance to go back.

Jian Yuheng pushed his food aside and didn’t touch his chopsticks.

He didn’t want to keep “eating and drinking for free.”

However, Song Ruochen came back.

“Second Young Master,” Secretary Song said. “It’s exactly 2 PM. Shall we depart on time?”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Why didn’t you eat the food you ordered?” Song Ruochen asked. “Assistant Gong, take care of it.”

“Just got hungry,” Assistant Gong said, chewing. “It’s pretty good.”

But there was an odd chill creeping up his back.

Song Ruochen quickly finished a few rides without leaving any regrets, then got into the company’s business car without looking back.

Jian Yuheng was about to get in the car when something suddenly crossed his mind, and he stopped.

“Secretary Song, you go ahead,” Jian Yuheng said. “We’ll take a different car.”

Sometimes, an Alpha just wants to look out for himself.

The grape scent was too tempting. He didn’t want it to trigger his sensitive phase.

“Mm.” Inside the car, Song Ruochen nodded coldly, his expression like ice.

The two business cars drove off, one behind the other.

[Good news, little grape, I leveled up.]

[No more worrying about too many rewind points. If the coin pouch balance is enough, we can now set save points.]

[The bad news is the upgrade costs money. It took me 40 minutes.]

“Check balance,” Song Ruochen said.

[30 seconds remaining, 5 attempts left today.]

[Want to try the new feature?]

Song Ruochen: “Try it. Set save point at 14:23:05.”

In the car behind, Jian Yuheng unscrewed his thermos and took a sip of water. That should take away his hunger.

The car hit a small bump, causing the vehicle to sway. The water didn’t make it to his mouth, spilling a bit onto his leg instead.

A small, unlikely accident, but it didn’t matter. He’d still get to drink the water.

It was actually safer not to be in the same car as Song Ruochen.

Jian Yuheng took another sip.

Two seconds later, ding, Jian Yuheng fell into a pit.

Five seconds later, ding, Jian Yuheng fell into another pit.

One second later, Jian Yuheng kept falling into pits…

“Mr. Jian?” After another bump, Assistant Gong asked, “Is the water not to your liking?”

Jian Yuheng replied, “Mm, the water’s a bit… bumpy.”