FOBTS CH37

Chapter 37: Farming Rewind Coins

“Yo, you’re here.” Jian Yuheng greeted politely. “Come on in, have a seat—take the sofa.”

“Oh, Mr. Chen is here too.” Jian Yuheng smiled. “Since you made the trip, why not have some tea?”

Jian Feng: “…”

S-So enthusiastic.

Is this the legendary warmth of family?!

“You’re preparing for the New Year celebrations, right? No problem.” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll have my people come over and help in a bit.”

“Mr. Chen, is one cup enough?” Jian Yuheng turned to ask. “Would you like to take one to go?”

Mr. Chen: “?”

He forced a kind smile.

“How about taking some tea leaves with you?” Jian Yuheng continued. “Any tea sets you fancy?”

Mr. Chen smiled even harder, shaking his head as if his life depended on it. He was terrified that the next sentence out of Jian Yuheng’s mouth would be— ‘Do you like the office floor tiles? If you do, I can pry one up for you to take home.’

This kid… how did he suddenly become so considerate after just one birthday?!

At the hotel, at a class reunion dinner, the still-sober version of Song Ruochen—who had only consumed a minimal amount of alcohol—firmly pushed away the glass of red wine in front of him.

“I’m really not drinking.” Song Ruochen said. “Alcohol messes things up.”

He had already lost way too many rewind coins.

However—

Jian Yuheng was seriously appetizing.

That sweet and tangy scent made his mouth water just from the smell.

[Rewind Coin Pouch: +10 minutes credited.]

Song Ruochen: “Where did that come from?”

[The Fuzzy Monster dropped it for you.]

Classmate E—who had just been drenched in sauce—stared in stunned silence.

Meng Yumian was also dumbfounded.

As a child, he had been sickly and frequently absent from school. He missed out on most group activities, was ostracized and ridiculed by his classmates, and had often been bullied into speechlessness.

Now, after absorbing some of the “grape power,” he had grown stronger. In hindsight, all those past hardships suddenly seemed ridiculously trivial.

Didn’t expect—

Besides cursing, there was another way?!

“Meng Yumian.” Classmate A couldn’t stand it anymore. “Control the person you brought.”

“How bold.” Song Ruochen (sober version) said, “Disrespecting me is disrespecting Jian Feng, which is disrespecting the Jian family.”

“He just wanted to have a drink with Mianmian. Why did you splash him? Are you crazy?” Classmate A said.

Song Ruochen: “Yeah, who isn’t crazy at work? Cut me some slack.”

Classmate A: “…”

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited: 10 minutes.]

Song Ruochen: “?”

This works too?

“Forget it, forget it.” Classmate B tried to smooth things over. “Secretary Song, I’m a few years older than you. Give me some face, we’re all classmates, no need to be so aggressive.”

“Who’s your classmate?” Song Ruochen said. “Don’t try to cozy up to me through proxy meals.”

Classmate B: “…”

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited: 10 minutes.]

“Control your thoughts; don’t let all your nutrition go to your face.” Song Ruochen said. “He’s allergic to carrots. Why are you handing him carrot juice?”

“I forgot…” Classmate E defended.

“Such a bad memory.” Song Ruochen said. “No wonder you keep thinking of yourself as a person.”

Classmate E: “…”

“Let’s go, Fuzzy Monster .” Song Ruochen stood up. “We’ve eaten and drunk enough, time to leave. Trash stays, the waiters will take care of it.”

The car stopped below Xiaoshi Group’s building. With a low alcohol content in his system, Song Ruochen strolled leisurely out of the car.

“Little Grape, do you want to see a movie? I’ll pick you up after work.” Meng Yumian asked.

“How bold! Call me Secretary Song.”

“Not tonight, I’m going to a concert. Let’s plan for another day.” Song Ruochen said.

“Tonight?” Meng Yumian thought for a moment. “Is it that Alpha boy band?”

“Yes.” Song Ruochen said. “Young Master Meng, go home. I have work to do.”

Meng Yumian got into the car and opened his chat with Yan Ci—

[Yan Ci]: I’m taking Little Grape to the arcade tonight. Don’t steal my plan.

[Yan Ci]: I planned this two days ago. 0.o

[Meng Yumian]: ? Psychic queuing? Air reservation?

[Meng Yumian]: I’ll turn you into date paste.

[Yan Ci]: 0.0… I took a screenshot; go ahead and hit me.

[Meng Yumian]: Alright, stop arguing. I just asked—Grape is going to an Alpha boy band concert tonight.

[Yan Ci]: Let me check.

[Yan Ci]: Ah, I once did commentary for a game at this stadium. I’ll see if I can get internal tickets.

[Meng Yumian]: Then let’s go watch Grape watching the concert~

[Yan Ci]: Great, great! I’ll get the tickets, Fuzzy Monster , wait for me!

*

For the second time today, Song Ruochen stepped into the company doors and saw the receptionist girl hanging lanterns again.

“Let me do it.” Song Ruochen reached out.

He glanced around, searching with his eyes, and spotted Gong Huo making a call outside the door.

“Assistant Gong.” Song Ruochen carried the lantern over. “Do you want to climb higher and reach the top of the company?”

“Of course.” Gong Huo said. “Secretary Song, do you have a promotion strategy?”

“Good.” Song Ruochen stuffed the lantern into Gong Huo’s hands. “I’m giving you this hands-on experience opportunity.”

Assistant Gong: “…”

If you can’t reach it, just say so. No need for all that fancy talk.

Jian Yuheng came down the stairs, appearing right on time in the first-floor lobby, and placed his hands on the ladder inside the hall.

Standing on the ladder, Assistant Gong looked deeply moved.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Song Ruochen went to Jian Feng’s office, grabbed an apple, and treated it as an afternoon snack.

“Secretary Song.” Before long, Jian Feng knocked on the doorframe. “Perfect timing, come with me to a meeting.”

“Got it, President Jian.” Song Ruochen picked up his laptop.

This was Xiaoshi’s last meeting before the New Year. Many company executives had already arrived. Song Ruochen sat beside Jian Feng and looked up to see a pile of chocolates beside Jian Yuheng—ones he had never seen before.

The executive seating order of A, O, A, B suddenly shifted into A, OA, B.

Jian Yuheng’s lips curved slightly, almost imperceptibly.

So easy to be drawn in?

Wouldn’t that make him easy to marry off?

Song Ruochen had a sharp tongue and rogue behavior, yet was unexpectedly soft when hugged.

Wait.

What are you thinking? Spacing out even in a meeting?

I’m a leader—why can’t I space out?

Wow, so arrogant. Still a leader.

“Brother.” Jian Feng asked, “Is it just me, or does it feel like you’re exuding a silent clamor?”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Ahem.” Jian Yuheng spoke. “Let’s discuss the work arrangements for the holiday.”

“Work arrangements during a holiday?” Song Ruochen said. “If you can’t afford to give a break, just don’t.”

Jian Yuheng: “…皿”

Ding.

Song Ruochen: “President Jian, Mr. Chen, listen carefully. Second Young Master is about to assign work.”

Jian Yuheng took a deep breath. “Xiaoshi currently has several ongoing major projects that can’t be paused even during the break. Assistant Gong has already compiled a list. Everyone is responsible for their respective teams. Of course, those working overtime will receive extra pay.”

“Oh, right, Secretary Song.” Jian Feng reminded, “Make time to follow up on Lu Yunye’s shoot.”

“This project is important to the company, so I’ll keep an eye on it too.” Jian Yuheng said.

“Let me go over a few things.” Mr. Chen started speaking.

Mr. Chen launched into a long-winded speech.

Song Ruochen’s phone screen lit up. He glanced at it—it was a notification from “Awo~.”

[Dear user, we’ve updated a fun new feature for you~]

[This feature will display the direction of your high-match friends in a ‘North, South, East, West’ format.]

“Interesting.” Song Ruochen chatted with the system.

[You think so too, right!]

[Only ¥50/month to activate!]

“Boring as hell.” Song Ruochen said to the system.

[When you activate it, we’ll also gift you an exquisite avatar frame, a premium chat theme, and a dazzling chat font—to blind your chat partners with your brilliance.]

“They’re giving away so much. Are they really not losing money?” Song Ruochen clicked to pay.

Alright.

He was now a nobleman online.

[Activating location feature for you.]

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

Oh, oh, it’s showing up now. Interesting.

The friend with the ID “Fierce A” was west of him.

The friend with the ID “Melancholy” was south of him.

Time to check on “Boss.”

Oh, oh, Boss was in the east.

Song Ruochen opened his phone’s compass and calculated—

His gaze passed over Jian Yuheng beside him, looking toward the distant eastern lands.

Royal Father in the distance, can you hear your son greeting you?

Chairman Chen had been rambling for quite a while. Jian Feng, having sat too long, was a bit thirsty. He threw several glances at Song Ruochen, but the secretary didn’t look up.

The usually reserved Jian Feng poked Song Ruochen. “Ahem… ahem.”

Song Ruochen rummaged through his backpack, pulled out a box of cold medicine, and tossed it over.

Jian Feng: “…”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Secretary Song.” Jian Feng said. “Please pour me a drinkable cup of warm water.”

“Got it, President Jian. One moment.” Song Ruochen said.

[Secretary Song, magnificent!]

[The original novel’s protagonist gong has started speaking up.]

“The protagonist gong is still too reclusive.” Song Ruochen said. “Doesn’t like expressing himself.”

He got up, walked over to the water dispenser, and poured a cup of water for Jian Feng.

“President Jian, here’s your water.” Song Ruochen said. “By the way, shouldn’t my salary also go up?”

Jian Feng: “…”

Jian Yuheng quietly rubbed his forehead and secretly chuckled.

[Little Grape~]

[I just counted our coins.]

[Only a little over two hours left.]

[I want to listen to the concert twice~]

“What should we do?” Song Ruochen said. “Shall we grind some coins?”

[I think that’s a good idea.]

Song Ruochen turned his gaze to Jian Feng.

By evening, Jian Feng was off work. He and Jian Yuheng walked out of Xiaoshi Building, one after the other.

“Brother,” Jian Feng asked, “Golf?”

Playing golf every day was making Jian Yuheng sick. At this point, he would rather take the national college entrance exam than play golf.

“No.” Jian Yuheng said. “If you have free time, go spend it with your wife. Or invite Young Master Meng to a meal—he’s been in A City for a while now.”

“Neither of them are around.” Jian Feng said. “I think they said… they’re accompanying Secretary Song to an all-Alpha boy band concert tonight.”

Jian Yuheng: “!!!”

“What’s on the company’s electronic billboard today?” Jian Feng asked. “Why so many spectators?”

“No idea.” Jian Yuheng hadn’t paid attention. “Is there a partnered movie or TV drama coming out? Or an ad? I think Secretary Song is in charge of this?”

Lately, Song Grape seemed to like investing in wine ads.

Jian Feng: “Haha, no clue.”

The two Jian Alphas took half a step forward, then simultaneously turned back.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Jian Feng: “…”

On the electronic screen of Xiaoshi Building, a giant image of Jian Feng was displayed.

A colossal Jian Feng extended his palm, and sitting in his hand—enhanced by five-cent CGI effects—was Yan Ci (in esports commentator mode).

Caption: This is the person I hold in my palm.

Jian Feng: “…”

Jian Yuheng took a step back and vanished into the vast sea of people.

*

[Just enough now—we can use one ticket to hear the concert twice.]

[Maximizing its value.]

“My system is so smart.” Song Ruochen said. “Merging similar items, the intelligent ones always cross paths.”

His phone let out an “Awo”—the AO matchmaking app had just recommended him another 80% compatibility Alpha.

He gave it a quick glance. At this moment, the “Boss’s” position had shifted to the north.

Worthy of being a leader—flying all over the place. In just this short while, he had already headed to the vast north.

“Chenchen!” Someone called him.

Song Ruochen: “Huh?”

Da Zao and Fuzzy Monster had both come.

“I got tickets for the stands.” Yan Ci said. “Fuzzy Monster and I will listen from the back rows.”

“Not bad.” Song Ruochen said. “Listen properly, no whispering.”

Yan Ci turned his head and whispered something in Meng Yumian’s ear.

Meng Yumian turned his head as well: “Whisper, whisper.”

[Secretary Song’s reputation dropped by 1 point.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

For what reason?!

“Bye-bye, Little Grape.” Yan Ci waved. “We’re heading to the stands.”

Meng Yumian: “Bye-bye, let’s discuss later which Alpha is the hottest.”

[Let’s go, Little Grape. We should head in too and grab some merch.]

[Secretary Song’s reputation dropped by 2 points.]

[For the first round, we sing along. The second round, we just listen.]

“Let’s go, let’s go.” Song Ruochen said.

*

At 7:30 PM, Jian Yuheng dragged Jian Feng into the concert venue and sat at the highest point in the stands.

“Brother,” Jian Feng said, “you disappeared, and now you’re back?”

“I had urgent business at the time.” Jian Yuheng said.

Jian Feng: “Why are we at this concert?”

Jian Yuheng: “First, they’re popular. Xiaoshi has business in the entertainment industry—understanding trends benefits future company growth. Second, your wife is here. Learning about it gives you common topics to talk about. Third, didn’t you want to spend time with me? Now, all is well in the family.”

Jian Feng: “?”

Not a single word about yourself?

Jian Feng: “Mm, alright, then listen carefully.”

They arrived just in time as the concert was starting, and Jian Yuheng began listening.

Ten minutes later, Jian Yuheng couldn’t sit still.

The singing was so piercing, and it all sounded the same note. The dancing was… absurd.

The two-and-a-half-hour concert felt like being in prison for Jian Yuheng.

Does Song Grape like this kind of Alpha?

What on earth is in Song Ruochen’s little brain?

The concert venue was quite large, and Jian Yuheng looked around. The lighting was too dim, so he couldn’t spot Song Ruochen.

Finally, the concert ended, and Jian Yuheng let out a sigh of relief.

Ding.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Next, we’re bringing you our first song!” The person on stage said.

Jian Yuheng: “…oh no.”

Jian Yuheng began to fidget in his seat.

“Listen carefully, little brother.” Jian Feng sat upright. “You listed so many reasons; there must be something good about it.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

I’m not good.