FOBTS CH36

Chapter 36: Did I Just Kiss the Villain?

Jian Yuheng pulled the blanket up, covering himself from head to toe. Lying perfectly flat on the bed, he initiated Nap 2.0.

As drowsiness crept in, he began to dream.

“Little brother,” Dream Jian Feng said. “Let’s go play golf!”

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Get out of my head.

He opened his eyes for two seconds, then shut them again—changing the channel on his dream.

“Little brother,” Dream Jian Feng said. “Let’s go to work!”

This was even worse than the last one.

Fine. He wouldn’t be picky. He’d take whatever dream came next—though it was a bit of a waste.

“Little brother,” Dream Jian Feng said. “Let’s—”

Jian Yuheng fully woke up, cursing in his heart.

This wasn’t how things worked before the reset.

What kind of trash system did Song Ruochen have? Completely useless.

But—

It wasn’t a good dream anyway. No need for a redo, right?

Meanwhile, on the way to the hotel.

[Achoo—]

[Achoo!]

[(Sound of tissues rustling) (Sound of paper folding)]

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

Cyber flu?

“What’s going on?” Song Ruochen asked.

[Someone might be cursing me.]

“Who would curse you? Our system is smart and brave,” Song Ruochen said.

[Hehe, and our Little Grape is too.]

“Spare some pocket money for me then,” Song Ruochen said.

[…The dagger hidden behind the map.]

“Secretary Song, we’re almost there,” Meng Yumian reminded him. “Get ready to get off.”

“Understood,” Song Ruochen nodded.

The car stopped at the hotel entrance. Meng Yumian held onto the car door, pulled out his wheelchair, and smiled as he spread a thick blanket over it, preparing to sit down comfortably.

“Young Master Meng, let me push you,” Song Ruochen offered. It had been a while since he’d last pushed a wheelchair.

“What? Too far, I can’t hear you!” Meng Yumian suddenly propelled himself several meters away and panted. “I am extremely cautious when Secretary Song is involved.”

“Eh? You’re… Meng Yumian?” A voice sounded from the hotel entrance. “You can walk now?”

[Pay attention, classmates are starting to refresh in the scene.]

Song Ruochen followed unhurriedly, just in time to hear the slightly condescending remark.

“Yes, I can walk now. And I’m also famous now.” Fuzzy Monster’s tone was calm but firm.

The classmate was visibly stunned.

This was supposed to be the pampered young master who couldn’t survive without constant care? He seemed… different.

“Well, come in then,” the classmate said. “Everyone’s already here.”

“Secretary Song, let’s go,” Meng Yumian called back.

The classmate glanced at the omega following Meng Yumian, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

Meng Yumian’s new friend was quite good-looking.

Unfortunately, he seemed cold and detached—not the type to provide emotional support to their formerly spoiled young master.

Song Ruochen pressed down on the door handle and pushed it open. “Young Master Meng, after you.”

Meng Yumian wheeled himself into the private room. “Sorry to keep you all waiting.”

“And this is?” someone at the dining table asked.

“My best friend.” Meng Yumian nudged Song Ruochen with his elbow. “And I’m his best friend too, right?”

Song Ruochen: “…”

“Haha, so he’s your friend.” The person chuckled. “But Meng Yumian, this is a class reunion. How can you bring an outsider?”

“I’m not an outsider,” Song Ruochen said. “President Jian—Jian Feng—is too busy with work to attend this reunion, so he hired me, at a high salary, as his designated eater.”

With a flick of his fingers, Song Ruochen pulled out his company ID from his pocket and flashed it in front of everyone.

Xiaoshi Group. Song Ruochen.

“Go ahead, take your seats.” Song Ruochen said.

He pulled out a chair for himself and sat down first. “No need to be reserved. Seeing me is the same as seeing Jian Feng.”

“Have you ordered yet?” Meng Yumian asked. “By the way, Secretary Song doesn’t eat scallions. Everyone, take note.”

The classmates: “…”

Song Ruochen absentmindedly fiddled with his company ID. The previous lanyard had snapped once, and it was about to break again.

Who had replaced it for him?

Just as he was wondering, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

It was a message from [Awo~].

[Boss]: What are you doing?

[Corporate Slave]: Long live the emperor. Your humble son is attending a class reunion on behalf of his boss.

[Boss]: You’re at a reunion, and your boss is working?

[Corporate Slave]: Yes, that’s why he’s the boss—he earned it. 👍

[Boss]: …

[Corporate Slave]: The roads in the city are so complicated. Almost went the wrong way earlier.

[Boss]: .

[Corporate Slave]: Did you need something, Your Majesty?

[Boss]: Don’t drink at the reunion.

[Corporate Slave]: Yes, Your Majesty. Your humble son takes his leave.

Song Ruochen put down his phone and turned to Fuzzy Monster. “Get me a bottle of wine.”

“You’re only allowed one glass,” Meng Yumian warned. “You still have work in the afternoon.”

“I know my limits,” Song Ruochen replied.

As soon as the dishes were served, Classmate A sighed and steered the conversation toward Meng Yumian. “Time flies so fast. Little Meng has grown up so much.”

“What’s there to sigh about?” Meng Yumian asked. “Did you stop growing?”

Classmate A: “……”

What the hell?

Where was that frail, sickly Xiao Meng?

Song Ruochen took a satisfied sip of his wine.

You dare mess with Fuzzy Monster?

This was someone who had single-handedly destroyed countless trolls in Yan Ci’s livestream chat. He was not the same person they remembered.

“Yumian has changed a lot,” Classmate B said. “Back then, whenever something happened, he’d immediately call for his mom or dad, hahaha. Or he’d cry for Jian Feng, hahaha.”

“You never called for anyone as a kid? Oh… because you didn’t have anyone?” Meng Yumian asked.

Classmate B: “……”

What is happening?!

Wasn’t Meng Yumian supposed to tear up and hide behind Jian Feng?

And why was this designated eater still ordering food?

“Secretary Song, you’re only allowed one glass.” Meng Yumian turned to the waiter. “Get him some ice cream.”

“I only had two sips,” Song Ruochen protested.

The conversation at the table veered away from Meng Yumian and onto relationships.

“The app ‘Awo~’ is pretty useful,” Classmate C said. “That’s where I found my partner. The hospital’s compatibility rating was spot on. My partner and I have a high match and get along great.”

“Oh, that app?” Classmate D added. “I heard they’re updating it soon. Wonder what new features they’ll add.”

“Yumian, I used to bully you a lot,” someone suddenly spoke up. Classmate E slid a glass of juice toward him. “I gave you mean nicknames. Sorry about that. Let’s have a drink together.”

Meng Yumian glanced at Classmate E, took the glass, and was just about to drink—when a hand reached over.

“You bullied him?” Song Ruochen asked. “Yeah, you should be sorry.”

He calmly handed the juice back. “Punish yourself with two drinks.”

“What’s wrong?” Song Ruochen asked. “Don’t want to drink? So are you here to apologize to Green Monster, or are you here to sell swords?”

Classmate E: “……”

The whole table’s attention slowly shifted toward him. Face flushed, Classmate E downed two glasses of juice in silence.

“What’s wrong, Little Grape?” Meng Yumian whispered. “Was there something in the juice?”

“Nothing,” Song Ruochen said. “I just wanted to drown him in it.”

The juice had a bit of carrot in it—and Fuzzy Monster was allergic to carrots.

Good thing the system was reliable.

Xiaoshi Group, Jian Yuheng’s Office.

Jian Feng pushed open the door.

“Little brother?” Jian Feng said. “Why do you look at me with such deep, unshakable weariness?”

Jian Yuheng: “……”

He’d seen too much.

It was bad enough that he kept getting forced into dreams. Now Jian Feng kept dinging his way into his office.

“New Year’s is coming up,” Jian Feng said. “The company will be on holiday soon, so this afternoon—”

“This afternoon, let the employees decorate the office for the New Year. Add some festive atmosphere. Also, prepare some New Year’s gifts for them,” Jian Yuheng interrupted.

Jian Feng: “?”

“Brotherly harmony,” Jian Feng said. “You already know what I’m thinking.”

A peaceful home brings prosperity!

2:00 PM – Xiaoshi Group

Meng Yumian, well-fed and content, pushed a very full Song Ruochen back to work.

“Da Zao doesn’t push you like this, does he?” Meng Yumian grinned. “It’s more fun with me.”

“I’m heading off, Chenchen!” Meng Yumian cheerfully waved. “Message me often!”

After verbally demolishing over a dozen people at the reunion, Meng Yumian went home to paint.

Song Ruochen stood up, folded the wheelchair away, and clipped his ID badge back on.

The office’s first floor was mostly empty—everyone was busy decorating for the New Year. At the front desk, a young omega receptionist stood on a chair, trying to hang a lantern from the ceiling.

She wasn’t tall enough, and after several tries, she still couldn’t reach.

“Here, I’ll do it,” Song Ruochen offered.

“Thank you, Secretary Song.” The receptionist handed him the lantern.

As Jian Yuheng walked down the stairs, he spotted his long-absent secretary standing on a ladder, precariously trying to hang up a lantern.

That ladder… did not look stable.

Halfway through hanging the lantern, Song Ruochen suddenly noticed the ladder was steadier.

He looked down.

Jian Yuheng was holding the ladder with one hand, standing below with a deadpan expression.

If he falls, he’ll just reset. Why do I care? Jian Yuheng thought.

But… falling still hurts.

Why do I care if Secretary Song is in pain?

I’m his boss. Why shouldn’t I care? I will care. Fight me.

Jian Yuheng: “…%@￥#”

Song Ruochen looked down at him.

Ah. So this was what the villain’s head looked like from above. Usually, he never got to see it.

Just as he was thinking this, his foot slipped.

“Waaah—”

Jian Yuheng, still processing his internal debate, suddenly rebooted. With alpha-level reflexes, he reached out to catch the falling omega—

Missed!

Ding.

Ding-dang.

Ding… dang.

Song Ruochen flipped back and forth between Jian Yuheng’s arms and the ladder like a malfunctioning NPC.

Song Ruochen: “Yue.”

Jian Yuheng: “……”

How was he supposed to catch him like this?

[AHHHH STOP RANDOMLY PRESSING BUTTONS.]

[I KNOW YOU’RE PANICKING, BUT CALM DOWN. STOP HITTING WHATEVER LIGHTS UP LIKE IT’S A VIDEO GAME.]

[Requesting permission to take control. Switching to automatic mode.]

Song Ruochen finally landed in Jian Yuheng’s arms, instinctively tightening his grip around the alpha’s neck.

Jian Yuheng held him close—catching a faint whiff of grape wine.

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng said. “Drinking during work hours—do you want to be punished?”

The usually sharp-tongued omega didn’t argue back. Maybe he was still dazed from falling (multiple times). His eyes were slightly open, looking almost startled.

Alpha pheromones have a calming effect on omegas.

This key fact jumped into Jian Yuheng’s mind.

“I’ll take him to rest,” Jian Yuheng said, tossing the words behind him as he carried Song Ruochen into an empty office on the first floor.

A faint, sweet-and-sour scent drifted through the air, poking at Song Ruochen’s foggy brain.

Song Ruochen: 0.-

Song Ruochen: 0.o

Song Ruochen: 😀

“You smell like… hawthorn today.” Song Ruochen suddenly sat up straight on the couch, instantly revived.

He grabbed Jian Yuheng’s collar. “Give me more, give me more!”

“Secretary Song.” Jian Yuheng took a step back, his expression icy. “Where are your manners?”

He accidentally let himself get pulled down onto the couch. Supporting himself with one hand, he ended up kneeling on one knee beside the omega’s waist.

“Haven’t I told you not to drink?” Jian Yuheng asked.

“When did you tell me that?” Song Ruochen asked.

Jian Yuheng: “.”

Your Emperor Father told you that.

“Don’t be stingy.” Song Ruochen’s long fingers lightly patted Jian Yuheng’s cheek. “Let me try the hawthorn…”

He abruptly sat up in a movement that looked very bad for his lower back.

Jian Yuheng instinctively reached out to steady him—but miscalculated.

Song Ruochen, moving in too fast, accidentally brushed his lips against Jian Yuheng’s cheek.

Jian Yuheng: “……”

Jian Yuheng: “?! .”

[HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT HOLY SHIT.]

[WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! RUN!]

[Requesting admin privileges—automatic reset to before Little Grape got drunk.]

Ding-dang.

Jian Yuheng: “No, don’t—”

“Meng Yumian,” Classmate E said, pushing a full glass of juice toward him. “I was rude to you in the past. Let me toast to you.”

Song Ruochen snatched the glass out of Meng Yumian’s hands and splashed it right back at Classmate E.

“I’M SOBER NOW!” Song Ruochen declared.

[…]

Classmate E: “You—!”

“You bullied him before. Now he bullied you back once. Just endure it,” Song Ruochen said. “Consider yourself lucky.”

Classmate E: “……”

[Do you realize what you just did?]

“…Oh my god,” Song Ruochen whispered. “Did I kiss the villain?”

[Mm-hmm…]

“Why would I suddenly—? HELP, I was a little drunk.” Song Ruochen groaned. “We’re not even pure friends.”

[More like lip friends now.]

Song Ruochen: “……”

[If it weren’t for me, you’d have been eaten alive by him.]

“Good thing he doesn’t remember!” Song Ruochen said. “Otherwise, I’d be so embarrassed—AHHHHH.”

Xiaoshi Group, Jian Yuheng’s Office.

Jian Yuheng lay flat on his nap bed.

Did I dream about the grape, or did the grape dream about me?

His audacity was growing—he was flirting this hard, but then running away?

And even rewinding a whole scene?

If I were to marry Song Ruochen… life would never be boring.

And he actually seems to like me quite a bit too.

Jian Yuheng (Stealthy Fondness 80%): :]

Outside his office, one of the company elders was following Jian Feng, nagging.

“Young Master, you should reconsider.” The elder huffed. “I still think Jian Yuheng is ambitious and untrustworthy. He never gives you a good attitude.”

The elder continued, “Instead of giving him more responsibilities, why not hand them to Secretary Song? Secretary Song is loyal to Xiaoshi and would handle everything perfectly.”

“My brother doesn’t smile much.” Jian Feng sighed. “I know his personality.”

Jian Feng continued, “I’ll judge for myself what kind of person he is. The upright need not fear shadows.”

With that, Jian Feng stepped forward and pushed open the office door.

“Little brother, I need to talk to you.”

Jian Yuheng: :]

Jian Feng: “?”

Jian Feng: :]