FOBTS CH71

Chapter 71: Pre-Marriage Exam  

“Who dares impersonate me?” Song Ruochen asked.  

[Yan Ci]: Ordered.  

[Yan Ci]: It’ll arrive soon.  

[Yan Ci]: I won’t disturb you two anymore.  

[Song Ruochen]: What’s there to disturb?  

[Yan Ci]: Grape!  

[Song Ruochen]: Grape has some work to handle. You’re dismissed.  

Since earlier, a gray-and-white “little person squatting in a corner” avatar had been flashing on the computer screen.  

Who was calling him?  

Song Ruochen clicked on the avatar—  

[Lu Yunye]: AHHHHH, we won an award.  

[Lu Yunye]: How did this terrible show win an award?  

[Lu Yunye]: Spring Popular Drama Gold Award?! [Image]  

[Lu Yunye]: How is this a gold award? Is the industry out of living people?  

[Song Ruochen]: Gold is gold, even if it’s fool’s gold.  

[Song Ruochen]: Congratulations, Lu Yunye. Gold will always shine!  

[Lu Yunye]: ‘Holding head and crying.jpg’ Never thought my fans and haters would both pay to watch my show.  

[Song Ruochen]: Even if you retire from the industry, your legend will live on in spirit. You’ll achieve immortality in their minds.  

[Lu Yunye]: Are you coming to the awards ceremony tomorrow? I’m a little scared of strangers now.  

[Song Ruochen]: Scared of what? Haven’t they seen all your embarrassing moments already?  

[Lu Yunye]: ……  

Lu Yunye didn’t respond for several minutes, seemingly dead for a while.  

[Song Ruochen]: I’ll go accept it tomorrow. Let’s see who dares laugh at you.  

[Song Ruochen]: I’ll sell them some short drama merch. It’ll definitely sell out.  

Xiao Lu was actually quite nice. During his kidnapping, he’d sent over 100 smiley-face emojis, clearly very concerned about his safety.  

After handling work messages, Song Ruochen, exhausted from his 10-minute work session, lazily leaned back in his chair. “Work is so tiring.”  

Jian Yuheng withdrew his hands from the keyboard and rested them on Song Ruochen’s shoulders, kneading them with just the right amount of pressure.  

0.0  

^.^  

“Xiao Jian’s skills are pretty good,” Song Ruochen said. “A little lower.”  

Jian Yuheng’s hands slowly moved downward, carefully massaging the omega’s slender back.  

The oversized pajama collar slipped to one side due to the movement. His thumb pressed against the omega’s beautifully defined spine through the thin fabric.  

“Ow, that hurts a little,” Song Ruochen stiffened momentarily. “Ouch ouch ouch, Xiao Jian’s salary is docked in full.”  

Jian Yuheng paused, then lightened his touch.  

The omega’s delicate skin reddened easily under pressure. The more it did, the more Jian Yuheng wanted to press harder.  

A perfectly good hawthorn had suddenly turned black-hearted.  

Ding-dong.  

The doorbell of the hawthorn nest rang.  

“It’s probably the milk tea my sister-in-law ordered,” Jian Yuheng said, fixing Song Ruochen’s collar. “I’ll get it.”  

“I’ll go with you,” Song Ruochen said.  

“No need,” Jian Yuheng glanced at him. “Just sit there, Boss Song. I’ll be your ox and horse.”  

Song Ruochen, with his half-dried hair and wearing Jian Yuheng’s pajamas, looked like he was under a filter—too captivating to look away from. Better not let others see him like this.  

Song Ruochen could have snacks, but Jian Yuheng would keep this sight to himself.  

Jian Yuheng walked to the courtyard to retrieve the takeout Yan Ci had ordered.  

“Enjoy your meal. Just a moment,” the beta delivery guy said. “There’s one more thing for you here.”  

Jian Yuheng: “?”  

What else?  

The delivery guy handed over a paper bag labeled “XX Pharmacy.”  

Jian Yuheng: “?”  

What else did his sister-in-law buy?  

He opened the bag. Inside was a box of omega-specific inhibitor gummies, two doses of suppressants, and one box of…  

He checked his phone. Yan Ci had sent him a message—  

[Yan Ci]: The gummies and suppressants were to meet the order minimum.  

[Yan Ci]: That box is for you two.  

[Yan Ci]: I always feel like Little Grape knows just enough about ABO dynamics to be dangerous. Don’t take advantage of him, okay? 0.0、、  

[Jian Yuheng]: I won’t.  

[Jian Yuheng]: What do you mean by ‘knows just enough to be dangerous’?  

[Yan Ci]: He once asked me if newborn alpha babies are as strong as newborn calves.  

[Yan Ci]: Everyone’s secondary gender develops during puberty. There’s no such thing as a newborn alpha. That’s not how the setting works.  

[Yan Ci]: Did Secretary Song wake up as an omega the moment he arrived in this world? LOL, Little Grape is so adorable.  

[Jian Yuheng]: “……?”  

Baffled, Jian Yuheng hid the small box and carried the milk tea back to the living room.  

“Chen?” Jian Yuheng didn’t see him.  

The floor: “Here.”  

Jian Yuheng glanced at the computer screen on the coffee table—  

“Follow-Along Push-Ups: Achieve an Eight-Pack in One Week.”  

“What you’re doing is more like ‘lie-flat-and-struggle,’” Jian Yuheng said.  

Song Ruochen climbed up from the carpet and sat cross-legged. His pajama collar slipped to the side again, this time even more. When Jian Yuheng handed him the milk tea, he didn’t even need to look down to see inside the loose fabric.  

Jian Yuheng: “……”  

He was a man of the world.  

So why did his boyfriend’s half-covered state make his heart race even more?  

Jian Yuheng’s fingers, hidden in his pocket, scraped against the packaging of the small box, making a crinkling sound.  

Song Ruochen: “Candy?”  

“No,” Jian Yuheng changed the subject. “Why suddenly start training this?”  

“Next time I get kidnapped, I can defend myself,” Song Ruochen said.  

“There won’t be a next time,” Jian Yuheng stated firmly.  

He wouldn’t let his lover fall into danger again.  

[Villain: Who dares touch him?!]  

“Besides,” Jian Yuheng added, “some drone footage from the kidnapping rescue was leaked. From now on, no kidnapper with half a brain would dare lay a finger on our Secretary Song.”  

He inserted a straw into the milk tea and handed it to Song Ruochen.  

Song Ruochen: “:D”  

Sitting cross-legged on Jian Yuheng’s carpet, he savored the gift from his sister-in-law.  

“This milk tea is like porridge,” he tugged at Jian Yuheng’s pant leg. “Want to try it?”  

Jian Yuheng sighed and sat down on the carpet beside Song Ruochen.  

The scent of shower gel mixed with fresh grape teased his nerves.  

“Tomorrow, I need to figure out how to accept the award… Ow.” Song Ruochen said, “……”  

Jian Yuheng wrapped his arms around him from behind and kissed his right shoulder.  

“Fix your clothes,” Jian Yuheng said. “Hurry up.”  

Song Ruochen’s face flushed red. He yanked the oversized pajamas up, wrapping himself up like a dumpling.  

“I’m… going to sleep,” he said. “Yuheng, find me a guest room.”  

“? Why does my name sound so weird when you say it?” Jian Yuheng asked. “Is it still the same two characters?”  

[Shifty eyes, whistling.jpg]  

Song Ruochen guiltily looked away.  

—  

Regardless, Jian Yuheng was still a domineering CEO from a dogblood novel—one of them, at least.  

The scale of this villa was more than enough, with plenty of guest rooms.  

Song Ruochen ran around all three floors and picked a guest room he liked.  

“Young Master Tyrant,” he said sleepily. “Where’s your master bedroom? You can go back to sleep now.”  

“Yesterday, it was on the first floor,” Jian Yuheng said. “Today, it’s next to yours.”  

Song Ruochen: “……”  

Before he could react, Jian Yuheng considerately closed the door for him.  

“Goodnight. Get some rest,” Jian Yuheng said.  

Song Ruochen slept for what felt like seven or eight rounds. When he woke up, it was already 3 PM.  

There was a spare phone by his pillow that seemed to have appeared out of nowhere today. He turned it on—there was only one contact.  

[Jian Yuheng]: Awake yet?  

[Jian Yuheng]: Alive yet?  

These messages were from three hours ago.  

[Song Ruochen]: Fully revived.  

[Jian Yuheng]: Good.  

[Jian Yuheng]: Working late tonight. I’ll be back later. I’ll have Assistant Gong take you to the awards ceremony.  

[Jian Yuheng]: Congrats on the award.  

[Scanning the villa, found Assistant Gong slacking off.]  

Downstairs in the living room, Assistant Gong was leaning on the sofa, playing a mobile game.  

Recently, these inexplicable little games had become popular among colleagues—perfect for a quick tap during work breaks.  

Though he hadn’t achieved much in the game, it gave him a sense of illicit satisfaction, as if he were getting paid to slack off.

Hearing footsteps, Assistant Gong quickly put away his phone.  

“You really can sleep, Song Ruochen,” Gong Huo said. “I was worried the awards ceremony would turn into a ‘moving ceremony’—having to bring the award home to you.”  

“Dreamt of beating you up,” Song Ruochen replied.  

“You dream of beating me up every day,” Gong Huo grumbled.  

Song Ruochen: “Yep. Showing up to work every day is hard, but showing up to insult you? Easy.”  

“Fine, I’m not driving you,” Gong Huo said. “Run there yourself.”  

Logically speaking, this guy was now the Second Young Master’s partner—effectively his future boss—so Gong Huo should show some respect and keep his distance.  

Gong Huo understood the reasoning, and he wasn’t usually one to argue, but whenever he ran into Song Ruochen, the two of them always ended up bickering.  

It was strange. He got verbally attacked by Song Ruochen so often he could barely hold his head up, yet deep down, he actually… respected Secretary Song.  

Gong Huo drove Secretary Song at breakneck speed toward the awards ceremony venue.  

On the way, Song Ruochen received a message from Yan Ci.  

[Yan Ci]: Good afternoon, Little Grape. 0.0*  

[Yan Ci]: Did you have a pleasant night?  

[Song Ruochen]: Had a night where I slept like a dead pig.  

[Yan Ci]: ……  

[Yan Ci]: Alright, I won’t rush you.  

[Yan Ci]: There’s a short holiday coming up. Are you and the Second Young Master coming home together?  

[Song Ruochen]: ?  

He’d been there plenty of times before, but this time, it felt different.  

He’d have to think about it.  

[Oh right, if he goes this time, it’ll basically be meeting the parents.]  

[Yan Ci]: Have you never taken the ABO knowledge exam?  

[Song Ruochen]: Actually, no.  

[Yan Ci]: I knew it. Do you want to take it?  

[Yan Ci]: I checked the exam schedule—tonight is the last session this month in City A. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait till next month.  

[Song Ruochen]: What happens if I pass?  

[Yan Ci]: Every adult alpha and omega with marriage intentions has to take it. It’s a sign of respect for your partner and a subtle way of expressing affection. 0.0*  

[Yan Ci]: Want to sign up? It’s super easy. You’ll pass without even trying.  

[Song Ruochen]: Sign me up.  

He’d transmigrated during his freshman year of college, so his brain was still relatively fresh and functional. This kind of exam shouldn’t be a problem.  

[Yan Ci]: I’ll register for you! After the awards ceremony, you can head straight to the exam!  

[Song Ruochen]: 0.o? Sure.  

Because he’d woken up so late, he arrived at the awards ceremony venue just in time, right as the host called Lu Yunye’s name.  

The insecure Xiao Lu stood up with an air of exaggerated stealth, scanning the room. The moment he spotted Song Ruochen, his eyes lit up like oversized lightbulbs, sparkling with emotion.  

“Secretary Song was the producer of our project,” Lu Yunye said. “Let him deliver the acceptance speech on my behalf.”  

Perfect. Finally, a moment where Song Ruochen could be useful.  

As long as he didn’t open his mouth, he wouldn’t embarrass anyone.  

Song Ruochen calmly took the microphone.  

“We never expected to win this award,” Song Ruochen said. “Thank you for giving us this opportunity, and for letting the world discover our previously unknown Xiao Lu.”  

Song Ruochen: “Xiao Lu is a great actor. His skills are undeniable—if he can pull this off, what can’t he do?”  

Lu Yunye: “QAQ”  

Human words. Secretary Song was speaking human words.  

His battered self-esteem recovered a little, and his confidence began to rise, teetering on the edge of a rebound.  

“What are your plans for the next project?” the host asked Song Ruochen.  

“Next, I’ll be directing ‘After Transmigrating Into a Zombie, I Took the Gaokao in a Cyberpunk World and Got Rich Live-Selling Merch’,” Song Ruochen announced. “Please look forward to Teacher Lu Yunye’s passionate performance.”  

Lu Yunye: “.”  

What the hell?!  

Is this something a human can even act out?  

“Thank you, Secretary Song,” the host said. “Does Xiao Lu have anything else to add?”  

“Maybe a last will and testament,” Song Ruochen said.  

—  

Fresh off claiming the award, Song Ruochen received another message from Yan Ci.  

[Yan Ci]: Registration successful! You can go take the exam now.  

[Yan Ci]: Looking forward to your perfect score. My husband and I both aced it.  

[Song Ruochen]: I’m very confident. I think I’ll pass easily. I can do this. Really.  

[.]  

He had Gong Huo drive him to the exam center. Standing at the entrance, he called Jian Yuheng.  

“Want anything for late-night snacks?” Jian Yuheng’s voice was unusually gentle over the phone.  

“Second Young Master,” Song Ruochen said, “I’m about to take an exam. I might reset once or twice.”  

“What exam?” Jian Yuheng asked.  

“The ABO premarital knowledge test,” Song Ruochen said. “Just a trial run first.”  

Jian Yuheng: “……Go ahead.”  

Jian Yuheng nervously opened his work report, then decided he shouldn’t be working.  

So he apprehensively went to the cafeteria upstairs, then decided he shouldn’t be eating.  

Jian Yuheng restlessly headed to the gym, then decided he shouldn’t be working out.  

No matter what he did, it felt like a waste. In the end, he chose to sit on the sofa and open a novel.  

Jian Yuheng: “:D”  

The correct way to use resets.  

Before long.  

[Ding]  

Jian Yuheng flipped the novel back to where he’d left off and kept reading.  

[Ding.]  

Jian Yuheng continued reading.  

[Ding ding ding ding]  

After finishing two novels and writing book reviews, Jian Yuheng—  

[Ding]  

Having plowed through five novels, Jian Yuheng: “……”  

In just one night, he’d gained a wealth of life experience.  

__

Author’s Note:

—Here’s a little extra—  

This was what happened back then—  

“System?” Song Ruochen asked. “Why did Da Zao stare at me wide-eyed when I asked about newborn alphas?”  

Song Ruochen: “Do I not understand ABO well enough? I’ve read so many books.”  

[Is it possible you’re mixing up settings from other books?]  

[Shifty eyes, whistling.jpg]  

Song Ruochen: “……”