FOBTS CH29

Chapter 29: Rewind Test Begins

Jian Yuheng tossed aside the cleaning cloth.

Ding-ding-dang~ ding-ding-dang~

Jian Yuheng paused instinctively.

“Second Young Master,” Assistant Gong said with a look that suggested he wanted a heart-to-heart, “is there something on your mind today?”

Why did a perfectly fine person suddenly seem like a lagging robot?

“…No,” Jian Yuheng replied. “Send out a notice: we’ll have a meeting in half an hour.”

“Understood,” Assistant Gong said. “By the way, Second Young Master, I’ve already returned Secretary Song’s badge. Losing it twice in three days is really unacceptable.”

If he loses it again, docking his pay might teach him a lesson.

“Agreed,” Jian Yuheng mused. “It’s about time Xioshi switched to badges with safety pins.”

Assistant Gong: “…?”

Taking a step back, could it be that Secretary Song himself isn’t at fault?

*

After notifying the team about the meeting, Assistant Gong left. Jian Yuheng sat at his desk, the incessant ding-ding-dang-dang sounds echoing in his ears.

This stupid system—wasn’t it being a bit disruptive?

As he thought about it, his phone let out a series of howls, signaling another “professional beggar” extending their bowl.

[Corporate Slave]: Dad!!! Save me.

Jian Yuheng: “:c”

Today’s cry for help felt particularly raw and unadorned.

[Corporate Slave]: Do you have a template for a performance report?

[Boss]: .

[Corporate Slave]: Boss, that period is so crisp and well-rounded in shape.

[Boss]: Stop. Your flattery has spilled onto the street.

[Corporate Slave]: 0.0

[Corporate Slave]: Alright, Boss, take a break. I’ll ask a colleague instead.

Jian Yuheng sipped his tea. Assistant Gong’s tea-making skills seemed to have declined—the tea tasted bitter and unpleasant.

Oh well. If Song Ruochen kept talking nonsense, it would embarrass his brother, and if his brother was embarrassed, Xioshi’s reputation would also take a hit.

He decided to consider it a matter of saving face for the company.

[Boss]: [File: Performance Report Guidelines]

[Corporate Slave]: Thank you, Dad!

The needy subordinate finally quieted down.

The relentless ding-ding-dang-dang-dong-dong sounds in his ears continued. With no one to complain to, Jian Yuheng rolled his eyes in exasperation.

Fine, whatever. Song Ruochen seemed unbothered—clearly, the system was undergoing maintenance. Who knew what ridiculous “improvements” it would come up with next?

*

Gathering his files, Jian Yuheng disdainfully glanced at the stairs before taking the elevator to the meeting room.

Song Ruochen was already there, seated upright and staring coldly at his computer screen.

“This month, I completed…” Song Ruochen began, then paused, staring at the screen with a blank expression. “Arranging President Jian’s schedule, hosting clients, drafting… drafting…”

He glanced at the screen again.

Awkward. He hadn’t done it and couldn’t remember. Summarizing the work of three people in one report was, understandably, a bit challenging for him.

“Secretary Song’s report is well-written,” Jian Yuheng commented. “President Jian is occupied today, so I’ll outline this week’s key tasks for everyone.”

*

[Congratulations, Host, on receiving a compliment from the villain x1.]
[Reward: A puff of air.]

“That was probably sarcasm,” Song Ruochen muttered. “Hurry up and finish your maintenance. Stop trying to mess with me.”

[Got it!]

Ding-dang-ding-dang, ding—dang.

Jian Yuheng paused mid-sentence but quickly resumed speaking.

“Hey,” Song Ruochen nudged Assistant Gong. “Why does your boss have an hourglass, a mechanical clock, and a digital clock on his desk? Are these some kind of trendy CEO accessories?”

“An assistant only needs to execute orders. I never question the Second Young Master’s choices,” Assistant Gong replied.

“Anyone can blindly follow orders,” Song Ruochen retorted. “Without irreplaceable skills, you’ll be replaced sooner or later.”

Assistant Gong: “…”

*

Jian Yuheng tapped the table twice. “Stop getting distracted. Pay attention.”

Song Ruochen blinked in confusion. What had Jian Yuheng just said? He had no recollection. What was supposed to happen next week?

Song Ruochen: “:0”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Assistant Gong had already opened his laptop to refine the workflow. To his surprise, the Second Young Master repeated his earlier points—this time at half speed.

*

“The group is investing in TV dramas and films while exploring short-form series projects,” Jian Yuheng explained. “During this process, the responsibilities of assistants and secretaries include…”

Assistant Gong: “?”

Why so detailed?

The villain seemed unusually patient during today’s meeting. Song Ruochen finally understood and began snapping pictures of Jian Yuheng’s PowerPoint slides, planning to review them later—just like back in university lectures.

[Sweating.jpg]

[Finally done knocking it out!]

[Roughly tomorrow, I’ll need to test the system. I’ll notify you in advance—find a quiet spot to stand still to avoid dizziness.]

“Alright, alright,” Song Ruochen said. “Remember to use your own private funds for the test.”

[QAQ…]

*

The next day was the weekend, and there was a wedding banquet in the upper-class circle. Early in the morning, Song Ruochen received a message from Jian Yuheng—

[Jian Yuheng]: Assistant Gong is working overtime. Come help out at the wedding banquet.

[Song Ruochen]: How could someone as lowly as me fit in at an upper-class wedding banquet?

Ding.

[Jian Yuheng]: ?

[Song Ruochen]: Understood, Second Young Master.

[Jian Yuheng]: It’s not to make things difficult for you. There might be business discussions at the banquet, and a secretary is needed to assist.

[Jian Yuheng]: My brother will likely call on you too.

[Song Ruochen]: Got it.

Jian Feng didn’t call, but shortly after, Song Ruochen received a message from Yan Ci—

[Yan Ci]: 0.0 Little Grape!*
[Yan Ci]: Come with me to the wedding banquet. This family’s loaded, and there’ll be lots of snacks!

[Song Ruochen]: Perfect, Madam. I do have work to complete at the banquet.

[Yan Ci]: Wonderful!
[Yan Ci]: Jian Feng’s driving. We’ll come pick you up soon.

[Song Ruochen]: Alright.

*

Before long, the reserved CEO silently drove a luxury car to Song Ruochen’s apartment complex. He opened the door, letting the secretary board.

As the door shut, it blocked out the cold wind outside.

“Little Grape, here you go.” Yan Ci handed him a hand warmer. “Your hands are all red from the cold.”

“Why’s it so cold? The heater’s not enough,” Jian Feng said, turning up the car’s interior temperature.

“I also got you a paw-shaped, grape-flavored lollipop,” Yan Ci added, handing over the candy.

Song Ruochen: 😀

*

The car stopped near the wedding venue, and the three of them headed straight for the banquet hall.

“Madam, I’ll start with two chocolates to prep my stomach,” Song Ruochen said.

Not far away, someone heard his voice and suddenly looked up.

“Secretary Song?” Meng Yumian asked.

Song Ruochen: “Huh?!”

Uh-oh. Why was Meng Yumian here at this wedding?

The protagonist and the childhood friend were about to meet—this couldn’t lead to anything good.

If memory served, the first time they clashed, Yan Ci’s eyes turned red, and he asked—

“Jian Feng, who is he?”

Just thinking about it spelled trouble.

*

“This chocolate’s too sweet,” Meng Yumian said. “The roasted marshmallows over there are better. Let me take you.”

Meng Yumian was about to wheel Song Ruochen away when someone grabbed the other sleeve of his coat.

Yan Ci: “0.0.”
Yan Ci: “Secretary Song, who is he?”

Song Ruochen: “…???”

“Of course, I’m his friend. Oh, wait—you’re that… streamer?” Meng Yumian asked.

Yan Ci: “0.0?”

“I’m the one behind ‘Painting Boats, Listening to Rain as I Sleep.’” Meng Yumian said. “Thanks to you, ever since I started watching your streams, I’ve never run out of inspiration for painting.”

“Huh? It’s you!” Yan Ci exclaimed. “You’re the janitor in my stream!”

Meng Yumian: 😀
Yan Ci: 😀

Song Ruochen: “?”

What? Aren’t you two supposed to fight over the guy?

“We can head over there,” Yan Ci said, pointing in a direction. “They’ve got crepes.”

“Sure,” Meng Yumian agreed.

Song Ruochen nodded politely and skillfully reached to push Meng Yumian’s wheelchair—only to find it empty.

Meng Yumian had wheeled himself several meters ahead. “Haha! Secretary Song, come catch me!”

Song Ruochen: “…”

[This kid’s way too independent.]

“I feel like I haven’t done anything yet,” Song Ruochen muttered. “The little rascal’s growing up too fast.”

*

Meanwhile, Jian Yuheng had just arrived at the banquet hall and was looking around. He approached Jian Feng.

“The banquet won’t start for a while,” his brother said. “Have a drink.”

Jian Yuheng casually took a glass of red wine from a waiter’s tray and clinked glasses with Jian Feng.

“Brother,” Jian Yuheng asked, “how do you get along with an omega?”

Jian Feng: “As long as your intentions are good, you’ll get along no matter what.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”
“Speak plainly.”

“Well… well…” Jian Feng stammered. “Yan Ci’s clingy and gets upset easily.”

Speaking of which, where was Yan Ci?

He’d been gone for a while.

Both alphas started scanning the room and finally spotted Yan Ci in the distance.

Song Ruochen, lollipop in mouth, was sitting in a wheelchair while Yan Ci pushed him. They followed behind Meng Yumian, who was carrying a large amount of food. The two of them took turns piling items onto the wheelchair.

Jian Yuheng: “…”
Jian Feng: “?”

The supposedly frail and immobile Meng Yumian was standing?

*

“That’s enough,” Song Ruochen said. “Yan Ci, stop grabbing things. I’m about to make a second appearance.”

“Find a table so we can lay everything out,” he added.

He looked up and saw the two alpha men. “Hello, President Jian. Second Young Master.”

Meng Yumian turned and spotted his childhood friend, Jian Feng. “Hi~”

Jian Feng: “Hi~”

Was the original plot about to kick in? Song Ruochen tensed up. Then he was pushed around a corner—straight into the dining area for guests.

“Green Rascal, let’s sit at that table,” Yan Ci said, locking onto his target. “The view there is great!”

Green Rascal: “Sure, just call me Rascal.”

Nearby, a single plastic leaf spun in the air before landing at Jian Feng’s feet.

“Madam doesn’t seem all that clingy,” Jian Yuheng remarked.

*

At the table, the OOB trio began chattering—

“The age gap is ten years,” Yan Ci whispered. “I heard the omega’s family is pretty against it.”

“This omega is my friend,” Meng Yumian lowered his voice. “His family arranged a marriage for him, but he’s not happy about it.”

“This one seems pretty good though,” Yan Ci said. “I think A is really gentle.”

“By the way,” Meng Yumian looked at Yan Ci, “So you’re the lady that Brother Jian married.”

“Oh,” Yan Ci responded, realizing, “You’re his childhood playmate.”

“What do you think of his personality?” Meng Yumian asked, “Isn’t he a bit stubborn?”

“Not really stubborn,” Yan Ci thought for a moment. “He just seems a bit quiet? A bit rigid in his thinking.”

“Exactly, right?” Meng Yumian said. “When we were kids, the neighbor’s kid got pushed and fell, and that person blamed him. He didn’t explain, just said he had a clear conscience and wasn’t afraid of being slandered.”

[The value panel updates, the protagonist’s reputation just dropped by 20.]

Song Ruochen, who was eating strawberry daifuku: “…?”

What the heck.

“Madam, don’t gossip about your husband behind his back,” Song Ruochen smiled. “And you, Young Master Meng, don’t gossip about your childhood friend either.”

This is ridiculous. He only ate two pieces of dessert, and now his reputation is ruined.

“Mr. Jian just isn’t very good with words,” Song Ruochen said. “As his secretary, it’s my duty to be his spokesperson and do my job well.”

Da Zao and Fuzzy Monster clapped.

“Secretary Song, come here for a moment.” Just then, Jian Feng called. “Come with me to meet the board members of ‘Bao Le.'”

“Okay, Mr. Jian.” Song Ruochen stood up. “Madam, Young Master, I’ll be right back.”

At the table, Yan Ci and Meng Yumian exchanged glances.

“Fuzzy Monster,” Yan Ci whispered, “Do you think Secretary Song is reliable?”

Meng Yumian looked around. “Sister-in-law, come over here to talk.”

[The value panel updates, Secretary Song’s reputation just dropped by 40.]

Song Ruochen: “?”

[The value panel updates, Secretary Song’s reputation has risen by 80, with a final score of 40.]

Song Ruochen: “?”

Are they gossiping about him?

He followed Jian Feng through the crowd and stopped in front of a middle-aged man.

“Ah, Mr. Jian, long time no see,” the middle-aged man said. “Is the company really busy lately?”

Jian Feng started thinking carefully about his words.

“It’s okay,” spokesperson Song Ruochen said. “‘Bao Le’ is only about 300 meters from Xiaoshi, so if you really want to meet, you won’t have to wait long.”

Jian Feng: “…”

Jian Yuheng, who was with them: “Pfft.”

The middle-aged man wiped his sweat. “The last collaboration, our side didn’t do well. This time, I wanted to ask Mr. Jian if we could get another chance to work together and improve through mutual cooperation.”

Jian Feng: “We can give it a try.”

“Mutual improvement is not the point. Since you’re still willing to cooperate, your side made a lot of money last time,” Song Ruochen said. “Empty promises won’t work, Mr. Jian doesn’t buy them. Where’s your sincerity? How about compensating for the previous mistakes?”

Jian Yuheng: “:)”

Fun.

The middle-aged man: “Yes, we do have that in mind.”

Jian Feng: “In that case, let’s start with a concrete proposal. After Xiaoshi evaluates it, we can decide on the cooperation. No need for more pleasantries.”

Jian Feng: “Phew…”

“Alright, alright,” the other man said.

Song Ruochen: “?”

Isn’t this just a bunch of empty talk?

Well, he’s leaving now.

He left the terrace and headed downstairs, planning to find Da Zao and Fuzzy Monster and eat more snacks.

The stairs were a bit shaky, and he was walking too fast. His foot slipped, and he tumbled down the stairs.

Jian Yuheng, who was not far behind: “…”

He quickly walked over, picked up the grumbling Song Ruochen, glanced at the omega’s bruised ankle, and hurried to find a doctor.

Wait a minute.

Where’s the backup? Shouldn’t Song Ruochen be able to heal himself?

Forget it, almost there.

[Ding, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, rewind test starting.]

Ding.

Jian Yuheng, holding the little secretary, returned to the starting point.

Song Ruochen: “0.0.”

This test only gives a 5-second warning?

Jian Yuheng: “…”

To avoid suspicion, Jian Yuheng continued to hold him.

Ding.

Jian Yuheng returned to the starting point again.

Song Ruochen: “0.0…”

Song Ruochen was so light, his waist so thin, holding him… not heavy, just a workout.

Song Ruochen, does he like being held?

Jian Yuheng: “：（”

Jian Yuheng: “:|”

Jian Yuheng: “:D”

__

Author’s note:

Song Ruochen: “0.0…”