FOBTS CH41

Chapter 41: System Has Shut Down

Jian Yuheng started making a second batch of dumplings.

Having rehearsed once, he handled it with ease and even used the leftover ingredients to make some pastries.

He shaped grape-shaped pastries, then began crafting grape vines. Using a fine needle, he carved the veins of the leaves and even added some color with vegetable juice.

“It’s truly a shame that Nuwa didn’t hire you to help when she was creating humans.” A chilly voice came from behind—it was Ms. Rong Xin.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“I’ve noticed you’ve been quite industrious lately,” Rong Xin remarked.

“Not really,” Jian Yuheng replied. “You don’t order my brother around, only me.”

“Your brother has a family and needs to spend more time with his wife,” Rong Xin said. “But you’re different. You plan to spend the rest of your life with inhibitors.”

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Who would want to spend the rest of their life with inhibitors?

Wouldn’t a little lunatic be much nicer?

“Your company’s Secretary Song—calm, intelligent, elegant in demeanor, and quite good-looking,” Rong Xin said. “Both your grandmother and I like him very much. But unfortunately, he said… he already has an alpha with a 100% compatibility match.”

Jian Yuheng: “That’s what he said?”

“I should’ve known. Someone as outstanding as Secretary Song must have plenty of alphas interested in him,” Rong Xin said. “It’s fine—fate can’t be forced.”

Jian Yuheng’s lips curled up slightly.

No need to force it—fate would come on its own.

“You’re smiling so happily. Do you have an omega you like?” Rong Xin asked. “Seeing how ridiculously good your mood is, I knew something was up.”

Jian Yuheng: “Not exactly… like. Just think he’s interesting.”

“Interesting?” Rong Xin was puzzled.

“Hot-tempered, hyperactive, roguish, lazy, cunning, mischievous, always causing trouble,” Jian Yuheng described.

Rong Xin: “…A wanted criminal?”

“Not that bad, not that bad.” Jian Yuheng waved his hand. “Just an overly energetic little troublemaker.”

Fun. He just wanted to keep having fun. And if he got too annoying, well, he could always teach him a lesson.

“You have… quite the unique taste.” After a long silence, Rong Xin commented, “The only image in my head right now is a little black stick figure grinning with all its teeth.”

“Regardless, your father and I respect your choices,” Rong Xin said. “As long as you like him, that’s what matters.”

“It’s not really… like. Just interesting. Very special,” Jian Yuheng said.

Rong Xin smiled, then turned her head and rolled her eyes.

---

The weather was cold today, with snowflakes drifting outside. Song Ruochen didn’t go to the project site. Instead, he stayed in his heated office and took a nap. Even after waking up, he still felt like he hadn’t slept enough, so he rolled over and slept twice more.

[Sleeping Beauty, Grape~]

“System Secretary,” Song Ruochen opened his eyes. “Haven’t I been sleeping a lot these past two days?”

[You always sleep a lot.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

“I feel a little weak in the legs today,” Song Ruochen said. “And my waist is sore, too.”

It felt a lot like the symptoms from that last omega heat period. Very strange. He had an odd sensation, like he needed something, but he couldn’t quite describe it.

[Didn’t you just get an inhibitor shot the other day? It’s supposed to last three months—it shouldn’t be failing this quickly.]

[I’ll book an appointment for you, little grape. Let’s go to the hospital and check it out.]

Song Ruochen: “Okay, okay.”

Suddenly, a chaotic mess of clattering and crashing noises erupted inside the system.

Song Ruochen: “?”

What was with all that racket?

[Phew, I’m back! Got you an appointment.]

[Boss System just dropped by and brutally scolded me.]

“Boss System is mean,” Song Ruochen said.

[It said our 0.5-user troubleshooting speed was too slow and took over my scanning process.]

“Hilarious,” Song Ruochen said. “System, you’re just like us office workers—causing the biggest disasters within your own capabilities.”

[The Main System has taken over the bug scan task, starting from the North Pole. Estimated duration: seven days.]

[Let’s go, little grape, time for the hospital.]

Song Ruochen had just packed up and was getting ready to leave work when his office door swung open. Lu Yunye, still dressed in costume, walked in carrying a script.

“Secretary Song, leaving so early?” Lu Yunye asked. “I still have questions for you.”

“What questions?” Song Ruochen asked.

“I’ve never acted in this type of script before, and I can’t seem to memorize the lines,” Lu Yunye said. “Secretary Song, why don’t you stay and supervise me while I practice?”

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

An alpha like you who likes to make things difficult—Secretary Song had seen plenty before.

“Teacher Lu, if you can’t memorize your lines, it simply means you haven’t worked hard enough,” Song Ruochen said.

“Then how about Secretary Song giving me a demonstration? What exactly counts as hard work?” The young alpha curled his lips slightly.

Song Ruochen: “Sure.”

Song Ruochen grabbed the broom by the door. “Our ancestors’ methods shouldn’t be discarded. Hanging one’s head from a beam and pricking one’s thigh with an awl definitely count as hard work. Given our limited resources, I can only let you experience the same pain!”

Lu Yunye: “? What the—”

Lu Yunye: “Ow!”

Caught off guard, Lu Yunye was hit several times. By the time he remembered he was an alpha, Song Ruochen had already thrown the broom aside and bolted.

Lu Yunye: “…”

The cold and aloof secretary of Xiaoshi—how could he be like this?!

—

At the hospital.

[Patient 117, Song Ruochen, please proceed to Specialist Clinic 3 for consultation.]

Song Ruochen paused his group chat messages and went to see the doctor.

“Any issues?” the doctor asked.

“I feel… the suppressant isn’t working well for me,” Song Ruochen said.

“Even the gland injection doesn’t work?” the doctor asked.

Song Ruochen feared pain. “That… I haven’t tried it yet.”

“Doctor, could a genetic disorder interfere with the effect of the suppressant?” Song Ruochen asked the question he had been wondering about.

“That is indeed a possibility,” the doctor replied in a gentler tone. “Do you have a genetic disorder?”

Song Ruochen: “Apparently, yes.”

Doctor: “?”

“Is there a targeted treatment plan?” Song Ruochen asked.

“Here’s the thing, in-depth genetic testing and treatment require a family member to accompany you,” the doctor said. “Do you have any family members with you?”

Song Ruochen: “I do.”

The doctor looked around. “Where?”

“In my head,” Song Ruochen said.

[Hello, hello! I’m Little Grape’s guardian, Big Grape.]

Doctor: “…”

The doctor’s mouth twitched.

“I’ll issue a test request for you,” the doctor said. “Come back for in-depth testing when you have a family member with you.”

Doctor: “Actually, rather than calling it a genetic disorder, it’s more like you’re naturally highly sensitive to AO attraction. Usually, finding a compatible partner can also resolve the issue. Currently, genetic disorder medications, like suppressants, can only provide temporary suppression.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Song Ruochen said. “Then in a few days, I’ll bring… two family members for the test.”

“Alright, make sure to keep taking your oral medication,” the doctor reminded.

Song Ruochen left the consultation room.

[Are you really that sensitive to AO attraction?]

“I’m pretty sensitive to AO novels,” Song Ruochen said. “There was a time when I was obsessed with reading them.”

[…]

“But each novel has different settings,” Song Ruochen continued. “There wasn’t much practical knowledge for me to reference.”

Who would have thought that reading too many ABO novels would lead to transmigrating into an omega?

[Alright then, let’s come back in a few days~]

His phone vibrated—

[J]: Secretary Song, I received a complaint about you.

[Song Ruochen]: Which bastard?

Ding.

[Song Ruochen]: I, Song Ruochen, only take orders from the young master of the Jian family. Complaining about me is the same as complaining about him.

[Song Ruochen]: Second Young Master, you’ve been complained about.

[J]: …Come to my office tomorrow morning.

[J]: Out in the world, a secretary is like the business card of the CEO. You need to be mindful of your words and actions.

[Song Ruochen]: I’m busy tomorrow.

[J]: There’s overtime pay.

Tomorrow, Yan Ci was going to commentate on a match. Song Ruochen and Meng Yumian had planned to watch it together. Since they’d be passing by Xiaoshi, he might as well stop by the office.

[Remember to tell Da Zao and Fuzzy Monster tomorrow—they should accompany you as your family members for the in-depth genetic test.]

“Oh, right.” Song Ruochen nodded. “Thanks, Secretary System.”

—

The next afternoon, at the city’s esports center.

Meng Yumian rolled his wheelchair quickly to catch up with Song Ruochen and pointed at the stage. “Look, he will stand at the highest point among the crowd. But in the end, I’m the one who will stay by your side.”

“Can you quit it already?!” Song Ruochen kicked at him, but Meng Yumian lifted his wheelchair and dashed away, running as fast as a sprinter.

The screen at the esports center was huge. Sitting in the first three rows meant craning your neck to look up. Yan Ci had reserved their seats in the fifth row.

Just as Song Ruochen settled in, he heard the people in the row behind them chatting.

“This is my first time watching a match live,” someone said. “Will the commentary be intense?”

“This one should be fine,” his friend replied. “There are two commentators for this match, one of them is Yan Ci. He probably doesn’t want to attract too much hate, so his commentary tends to be more refined. I think no matter how intense the game is, when Yan Ci commentates, it just sounds like he’s reciting scriptures. Hahaha.”

“It’s not that bad…” The person sitting next to Song Ruochen defended. “He’s very objective, his camera angles are great, and he explains things clearly.”

Song Ruochen turned his head slightly. The person next to him was holding up a light-up sign with Yan Ci’s name on it.

“I think he’s fine too,” Song Ruochen said.

“Are you a fan of Yan Ci as well?” The light-sign guy suddenly found a kindred spirit and started chatting enthusiastically. “I really like him! I started following this game because of his commentary.”

“I… guess you could say that,” Song Ruochen replied.

“Then I’ll give you a few materials.” The guy holding the light sign said, “I even have Yan Ci’s autograph.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, good evening. Welcome to the semifinals…” The host started speaking.

Suddenly, a burst of crackling sounds echoed in Song Ruochen’s head.

[No target detected in the North and South Poles.]

[The main system has eliminated all uninhabited areas and will continue a full-scale search. Estimated time remaining: 5 days.]

“So fast.” Song Ruochen said. “As expected of the main system.”

This ability was way too powerful.

“But we should just observe.” Song Ruochen said. “Once the work is done, new work will come. The more capable you are, the more you’ll have to do.”

[That is true.]

However, Song Ruochen had some other thoughts.

“Fuzzy Monster, have you ever thought about starting a business?” Song Ruochen asked.

Meng Yumián shook his head repeatedly. “No, my mom said that as long as I don’t start a business, our family can stay rich for three generations.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

“Little Grape, do you have anything you want to do?” Meng Yumián asked.

“Working for others only earns a fixed salary. Becoming capital is the way to wealth.” Song Ruochen said. “I’m wondering if I can become a boss.”

Meng Yumián pondered for a moment. “Actually, we could make a game. Big Jujube understands the industry, I can do the art, and Secretary Song… Secretary Song has some leadership skills.”

[With a self-sustaining business, the protagonist won’t have to live under someone else’s roof.]

[An equal romantic relationship can counteract dramatic clichés.]

[Little Grape, you’re brilliant.]

“No.” Song Ruochen said. “I just want to keep them busy so they stop messing with me.”

[Your reputation score is currently negative.]

“The No. 3 player executed a beautiful ambush,” Yan Ci’s voice came from the stage. “Let’s check the replay—approaching from the side, dashing in with Skill 2, effortlessly engaging three opponents, and practically dancing on their heads…”

“His commentary style is actually pretty good.” Meng Yumián said. “Who said it sounded like chanting? The other commentator can barely get a word in.”

Song Ruochen: “:)”

Confident Da Zao.

—

The match was intense and lasted the full duration, ending close to 6 PM.

“Didn’t you say you had something important to tell us?” Yan Ci chased after him.

“I’ll tell you tomorrow.” Song Ruochen jumped into a taxi. “I have work to do. Need to stop by the company.”

“Bye, Secretary Song.” Yan Ci waved.

Secretary Song’s taxi sped all the way to Xiaoshi Group’s building. Song Ruochen pressed the elevator button and rushed into Jian Yuheng’s office.

“Sec—Second Young Master.” Song Ruochen leaned against the doorframe, panting. “I’m here.”

“Where were you playing?” Jian Yuheng looked up.

The little secretary was wearing an inhibitor collar today—black leather, which made the skin on his neck look even paler.

“I went to audit Madam’s commentary.” Song Ruochen said. “0.0?”

The villain’s desk had so many snacks.

“What do you need from me?” Song Ruochen asked.

Jian Yuheng actually had no urgent matters—he just hadn’t seen this little lunatic for two days and felt a bit bored with the extended break.

Happened to be that Lu Yunye had complained about Song Ruochen, so he called him over.

After all, Song Ruochen didn’t seem to mind seeing him, right?

But every time, Song Ruochen would subconsciously lean toward him, then step back—was it because he was shy?

“Secretaries must not hit business partners.” Jian Yuheng said.

“I didn’t hit him.” Song Ruochen said. “I was teaching him perseverance.”

Hmm, hawthorn cake?

Let’s try one.

Song Ruochen casually picked up a piece of hawthorn cake and took a big bite.

Song Ruochen: “:( “

Not tasty.

“Jujube Brother, I want jujubes like yours.” Song Ruochen said regretfully.

Jian Yuheng: “You…”

Ding-dong.

Cookies? Let’s try one.

The freeloading veteran began his unlimited snack sampling. After eating, he would reset.

The system sighed helplessly. Whatever—since it all reset, Jian Yuheng wouldn’t remember anything.

The system was idling when suddenly, it received a work report from the main system.

It was finally in a leadership position—the main system was even sending it reports.

The system opened the report—

[This is a troubleshooting report.]

[Detected the existence of 0.5 individuals. Scanning has been paused.]

[Details below. For system “Rewind Coin Pouch” only.]

[User permissions: Passive functions only.]

[User authorization reason: Unknown.]

Rollback Wallet: “Hmmm?”

[Username: Jian Yuheng.]

[User location: Xiaoshi Group.]

System: “…?”

“Your tie looks pretty nice today.” Song Ruochen tugged at Jian Yuheng’s tie.

System: “…………!”

“Take it off and let me try it on.” Song Ruochen said.

Ding.

Ding.

System: “…?”

[*……@￥@]

[Function malfunction detected.]

[System “Rewind Coin Pouch” has shut down.]