FOBTS CH3

The alpha who came over to strike up a conversation took a big step back.

“Th-then forget it,” he said regretfully.

“Yes,” Song Ruochen pressed on relentlessly, “Opening the windows for ventilation every day is very troublesome.”

Yan Ci: “…”

In the past, when Secretary Song accompanied him to various events, his exquisite face often attracted people trying to strike up conversations.

But Secretary Song usually just responded coldly with a “I’m working,” without any further reaction.

He glanced over and was stunned.

“What’s wrong?” Song Ruochen, who had just dealt with a cherry cake mini-monster, turned his head.

Yan Ci gently shook his head, looking a little embarrassed: “Secretary Song hasn’t smiled like this in a long time.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

My lines?

The protagonist shou is so great? Even classic lines are being stolen?

“This… the cherry cake is just average,” Yan Ci said softly. “The lemon cake over there is better. Would Secretary Song like to grab one?”

This melodramatic story wasn’t appealing, but the snacks in the book were so tempting they were making him dizzy.

Just as Song Ruochen was about to say “Sure,” a voice filled with slight amusement came from behind him.

“Secretary Song, earning twelve thousand yuan a night, and you’re going to eat cake?” Jian Yuheng asked.

Song Ruochen replied solemnly, “I’m simply performing my duties as a secretary.”

“What duties?” Jian Yuheng asked.

Song Ruochen calmly smiled, “Testing food for the madam.”

“Then let’s test these merciless cakes for the madam.” Song Ruochen was being pulled by Yan Ci toward the cakes, but he didn’t forget to toss a line back at Jian Yuheng: “Second Young Master, you can move about freely.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

This banquet was a social gathering for the upper class. Jian Yuheng hadn’t been back for a long time, so quite a few people came to network with him. After exchanging pleasantries with a few, he encountered his older brother Jian Feng, who was speaking with someone.

“You’re here?” Jian Feng greeted him. “How’s Secretary Song’s driving?”

“Very powerful acceleration,” Jian Yuheng replied. “Like driving on mountainous terrain.”

Jian Feng: “?”

Jian Feng didn’t quite understand but said, “Coming here this time, Secretary Song has apologized to you, so let’s leave the matter from the afternoon meeting at that.”

Jian Yuheng chuckled softly.

There was no apology, but a whole set of reverse drifting maneuvers instead—his cold and indifferent eyes almost seemed to have “stubbornness” and “defiance” written in them.

For someone so calm and intelligent, his pheromones had a surprisingly sweet scent.

But at the end of the day, he was just a cold, stubborn, and utilitarian secretary.

He hadn’t really offended him much anyway, so letting the matter slide wasn’t entirely out of the question.

“Where did Secretary Song go?” Jian Feng asked.

Jian Yuheng gestured with his chin toward the self-service dining area. “Accompanying my sister-in-law.”

Jian Yuheng’s phone screen lit up—it was a call from his assistant. He stepped aside to answer.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Boss,” Gong Huo said, “I checked the company’s intranet and found something quite interesting.”

—

At the banquet’s dining area, Song Ruochen was enjoying his reprieve from the [Villain’s Gaze] debuff.

Yan Ci, true to his role as the hapless protagonist shou of a melodramatic story, had already dealt with three groups of people who came over to provoke him while he sampled desserts.

“So this is the lucky small-time streamer who got drugged and ended up having a one-night stand with President Jian?” someone sneered. “Not much to look at. President Jian will toss you aside soon enough.”

“Here’s proof.” Song Ruochen handed over a photocopy of a marriage certificate. “Till death do them part.”

The other person: “…”

Not long after, someone else came by.

“What’s going on with this banquet? Even small-time streamers can get in now? Do you even have an invitation?”

“Uh, hello…” Yan Ci nervously handed over another photocopy. “Coming to my husband’s banquet doesn’t require an invitation.”

The other person: “…”

The melodramatic story had an endless supply of antagonists, and Song Ruochen was growing numb from dealing with them. He didn’t even bother letting people speak anymore—he just handed out marriage certificates like talismans.

Yan Ci went from stunned to composed, finally finding a bit of peace in the wolf-pack-like environment of the banquet. He even opened his phone and played two rounds of a game.

This reminded Song Ruochen of some plot points. The original book’s protagonist shou was a gaming streamer and also worked as an e-sports commentator. His career was riddled with setbacks due to constant emotional turmoil and meddling by minor antagonists.

The early chapters of the book seemed to focus all the suffering on Yan Ci.

Footsteps approached again. Without looking up, Song Ruochen slapped a photocopy of the marriage certificate onto the approaching figure… only to realize he’d hit someone’s abdomen.

He looked up in confusion to find Jian Yuheng towering over him.

Through the thin piece of paper and the fabric of the shirt, his fingertips seemed to sense the firm contours of the other’s abdominal muscles.

Solid, Song Ruochen thought.

Jian Yuheng clasped his wrist and removed the paper from his abdomen. “Secretary Song, come with me.”

Dazed, Song Ruochen got up and followed.

Whether it was the alpha’s strength or his own delicate skin, a faint red mark appeared on his wrist where it had been gripped.

Yan Ci looked up. Jian Yuheng was much taller, making the figure in the white shirt seem even thinner and more frail.

In the hallway, away from the banquet’s noise, Song Ruochen stopped warily.

“What does Second Young Master want to say?” he asked. “Say it here.”

He leaned against the wall. The stark physical disparity between them made him feel anything but safe.

“Scared?” Jian Yuheng asked.

Song Ruochen didn’t reply. His lashes lowered as his gaze floated lightly to the ground.

‘Help, help, help, help, help me,’ Song Ruochen screamed internally. ‘Just because I didn’t drive him doesn’t mean he has to go this far, right?.

“Take a look at this,” Jian Yuheng said, lighting up his phone screen and holding up a document for Song Ruochen to see.

What is this?

Song Ruochen widened his eyes and read it aloud.

“Analysis report on Jian Yuheng’s sudden appointment at Xiaoshi: Jian Yuheng… ambitious, unruly, tyrannical… Two tigers cannot share one mountain; he may be detrimental to the company.”

Who wrote this? They’re so good at insults.

But with each word he read, the surrounding temperature seemed to drop, and an invisible pressure made his legs feel weak.

“Song Ruochen, shut up,” came Jian Yuheng’s voice.

The alpha’s fingers rested against his cheek, applying just enough pressure to make him tilt his head back slightly—enough to see the signature at the bottom of the document.

Evaluator: Song Ruochen

Song Ruochen: “…” Oh no.

Secretary Song lacked a moral compass, leaving a 19-year-old college student like him to face the villain’s wrath.

His cheek ached slightly from the grip, and the height difference forced him to look up into Jian Yuheng’s sharp gaze.

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng asked, “Did you enjoy the insults?”

“I may not be your direct superior, but I’m still your boss,” Jian Yuheng said. “You insulted and plotted against your boss today. Don’t you think some punishment is warranted?”

[Behave yourself!] the system shouted.

“What do you think is an appropriate punishment?” Jian Yuheng asked.

“How about a raise?” Song Ruochen suggested.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

[?]

Jian Yuheng chuckled angrily. “Reason?”

Song Ruochen replied, “‘Any official or citizen who dares to criticize you shall be richly rewarded.’”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

The hand gripping his cheek relaxed slightly.

Under the dim hallway lights, the omega’s side profile looked stunning, with a red mark now visible on his cheek.

He hadn’t used much force, but the mark stood out sharply against the omega’s pale skin.

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng said, pausing briefly before mocking, “You don’t need to play dumb with me.”

“Secretary Song…” A soft voice came from the end of the hallway. “Are you done? I need you.”

Yan Ci?

“Coming,” Song Ruochen replied.

And he slipped away.

The original protagonist shou must be a little angel.

Yan Ci turned his head to glance at Jian Yuheng, who was standing deep in the corridor, shivered, and pointed to the dining area. “The little bread over there is also really good.”

“Let’s go, time to eat.” Song Ruochen’s legs were weak.

__

The banquet lasted quite a while, but with Song Ruochen present, not many people dared to trouble Yan Ci tonight.

Just after midnight, he heard the system’s notification sound.

[Ultimate skill is ready.]

[Rewind Coin Pouch will activate in 3 minutes.]

[The daily usage limit for Rewind Coin Pouch has been adjusted to 3 times.]

“Woohoo!” Song Ruochen cheered, feeling elated. “System, you’ve grown up!”

[Hehe, it’s because the emotional value between the original novel’s protagonist shou and gong has shifted.]

“The trial version yesterday didn’t feel satisfying,” Song Ruochen said, rubbing his hands eagerly. “I’m going to test out the new feature!”

[Go ahead! I’m very useful!]

Meanwhile, at a luxury residence, ripples spread across a private swimming pool.

Jian Yuheng had already swum two laps. The icy water calmed his emotions, and the restlessness caused by that faint grape-scented omega pheromone gradually subsided.

He loved swimming and loved the feeling of controlling the waves, where both his body and mind could relax. No matter how long he swam, he never felt bored.

Alright, he was calm enough now. It was time to get out of the pool.

The pool’s edge was right in front of him. Jian Yuheng reached out to grab the ladder.

Clang.

The ladder, just within reach, suddenly moved far away.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

What? Was he hallucinating?

He swam again, gradually approaching the ladder. Victory was in sight.

Clang.

He was back in the center of the pool.

Jian Yuheng: “???” Was he dreaming?

This time, he sped up, swimming fiercely toward the edge and grabbing the ladder to climb out. Transparent droplets of water trickled down the alpha’s chest and abdomen.

The next second, splash, water splattered everywhere, and he was back in the center of the pool.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

He didn’t want to stay calm anymore. He just wanted to get out.