FOBTS CH45

Chapter 45: No Save Scumming

[There’s a chair behind you, turn left.]

Without looking back, Song Ruochen dodged the chair and continued crawling at a breakneck speed as if his life depended on it.

Jian Yuheng really didn’t know whether to laugh in frustration.

Doesn’t want to get married? This omega is a pure menace—someone who should be locked up.

“Song Ruochen, male, omega, 20 years old.” Jian Yuheng approached step by step. “A scoundrel, lazy, gluttonous, hot-tempered. A workplace actor, a workplace beggar, a workplace panhandler.”

[Good grief. Little Grape, and the Seven Deadly Sins.]

“All charges combined.” Jian Yuheng lifted his foot and intercepted Song Ruochen’s escape route, the glossy tip of his black shoe pressing against the omega’s lower back. He gave a light nudge. “And you’re compensating me with just this worthless scrap of paper?”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Didn’t dare move.

“What even is all this?” Jian Yuheng read aloud. “An empty biscuit container. A potted cactus. A broken umbrella. Am I a junk collector? …A signed date To contract? A signed hairball plushie? What the hell, don’t need it… Three omega suppressants?? A generic pheromone suppression collar you don’t even like anymore?? Do I look like I have any use for these?”

Jian Yuheng let out a half-exasperated laugh. “What is all this junk? What’s next? Are you going to start gifting me the mice you catch at home?”

Song Ruochen: “…”

“Menaces like you should be locked up,” Jian Yuheng declared.

“That won’t do.” Song Ruochen said solemnly.

“And why not?” Jian Yuheng raised a finger and poked him between the brows.

Song Ruochen maintained a straight face. “Xiaoshi without Secretary Song is like a fish out of water.”

“Xiaoshi without Secretary Song is like a fish out of concrete,” Jian Yuheng corrected.

Song Ruochen: “Zha-ge, hold on, I’m reloading my save.”

[Ding~!]

The captured omega vanished, and in Jian Yuheng’s hand, there was suddenly a meeting file.

Good news: He had at least given a heads-up this time.

Bad news: Song Ruochen had escaped again.

“President Jian.”

Song Ruochen had already latched onto Jian Feng. “Come to the office—I need to go over the progress of the new project with you.”

Jian Feng: “Oh, sure, let’s go.”

One by one, the people in the meeting room filed out, leaving Jian Yuheng sitting alone in the now-empty space—

Jian Yuheng: ” :）”

Jian Yuheng: ” :|”

Jian Yuheng: ” :(“

Doesn’t like me. Doesn’t want to get married.

Listen to this nonsense—using me as a test of courage. Does he think I’m some kind of boss fight? A final villain?

Fine. If Grape isn’t all that interested, then there’s no need for me to marry either.

No marriage means saving money, saving effort, and saving time. Ha. Ha. Ha.

Jian Yuheng: ” :[“

From now on, he was once again a man without desire. A heart as still as water.

—

CEO’s Office.

Song Ruochen sat in the chair, reporting on the project’s progress, while Jian Feng stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, taking notes in a small notebook.

“…The filming is proceeding smoothly under my supervision,” Song Ruochen reported. “The people from Haochi will be coming over tomorrow afternoon to discuss the marketing strategy during the shoot. You’ll need to attend the meeting.”

“Got it.” Jian Feng made a note.

“The Madam has a game commentary session tomorrow night,” Song Ruochen continued. “He requested that I accompany him. I won’t be working tomorrow night.”

“Understood, understood.” Jian Feng nodded.

“Oh, by the way,” Jian Feng said, “Xiaoshi’s growth relies on the support of its employees. This year, the company introduced an employee suggestion box. If you have any ideas, you can submit them.”

Song Ruochen: “Can we switch to weekly payroll?”

Jian Feng: “…”

[Ding…]

“Forget it, never mind,” Song Ruochen waved his hand dismissively and left.

He was out of money.

He needed to earn some points—just in case the villain decided to punish him or lock him up in a dark room; at least he’d have a chance to make a run for it.

[Lu Yunye’s side should have a little bit of rewind points available.]

[Let’s see… Oh, looks like there’s a major plot event from the original novel happening over at Da Zao’s side.]

“Let’s hear it,” Song Ruochen said.

[Tomorrow night’s match will have two commentators. One is Da Zao, and the other…]

Song Ruochen: “Xiao Zao?”

[Shut up.]

[The other is a newly appointed alpha commentator named Zou Renhang.]

“That name sounds really familiar.” Song Ruochen started to recall.

[Take note—he plays a key role in the angst section of Chapter 40 in the original novel.]

[He pretended to pursue Da Zao when Da Zao was in a bad mood, deliberately taking suggestive photos at just the right angles and sending them to Jian Feng, which led to Jian Feng getting jealous and saying some nasty things to Yan Ci.]

“How nasty are we talking?” Song Ruochen asked.

[Da Zao: ‘.0.0. Why do you have this? Are you mad? You don’t even come home for dinner anymore.’]

[Yi Mi: ‘Mm…’]

[Da Zao stormed out.]

[Yi Mi: ‘…No, just working late.’]

Song Ruochen: “…”

He couldn’t take it.

“I remember now,” Song Ruochen said. “Wasn’t this the same Zou Renhang who also dug up dirt on Yan Ci’s parents and posted it online, accusing him of being morally corrupt and unfit to commentate on matches?”

[Love life in shambles, career under siege—the heartbroken Yan Ci packed his bags—]

“And holed up at home for a few days?” Song Ruochen asked.

[No, he went mining.]

[That day, Secretary Song descended onto the mining site, carrying his umbrella bag, and found Yan Ci.]

[“Madam, you’ve suffered enough. How much is left? I’ll dig with you,” Secretary Song said.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

“What the hell do I even read in my spare time?” he muttered.

Still, this Zou Renhang was crossing the line. He had to keep an eye on him.

And this had absolutely nothing to do with parachuting or mining—he was just looking out for a friend.

—

“It’s time to eat.”

Glancing at the clock, Song Ruochen got into the elevator and headed to the cafeteria. “I still need to check on Xiao Lu this afternoon.”

It wasn’t quite noon yet, so there weren’t many people in the cafeteria. As soon as he stepped onto the floor, he spotted Jian Yuheng and Gong Huo. The two seemed to be discussing work while eating and hadn’t noticed him yet.

Song Ruochen prepared two scoops of cheese-flavored ice cream, ordered a plate of creamy mushroom pasta, and found a seat in a more secluded corner.

“Second Young Master,” Assistant Gong reported, “starting this year, Xiaoshi will be switching all employees to the new ID badges. Also, the employee database needs its routine update, so I’ll be organizing a retake of staff ID photos soon.”

“Mm.” Jian Yuheng, who had already resigned himself to a life of indifference, nodded. “Just handle it.”

As he lifted his gaze, his eyes happened to land on Song Ruochen, who was currently raising a spoonful of ice cream to his mouth.

Song Ruochen: ” 😀 “

Jian Yuheng: ” 😀 “

Jian Yuheng: ” … “

Jian Yuheng: ” 🙁 “

“Second Young Master, I’ve prepared three sample designs for the new ID badges.” Gong Huo handed over the prototypes.

The badges were still in a rough draft phase, and Jian Yuheng, caught off guard, accidentally scraped his hand on the pin. A small bead of blood instantly surfaced on the back of his hand.

Song Ruochen: “?”

He lifted his head and sniffed the air, scanning the surroundings.

Oh? Did a hawthorn fruit just burst open?

[Ding~~~Dong~~~]

A long chime echoed.

The wound on Jian Yuheng’s hand was suddenly gone.

“Second Young Master, take a look.” Assistant Gong was still holding out the badge samples.

Jian Yuheng, slightly stunned, looked up just in time to see a certain grape making a casual, graceful exit.

That same grape even waved at him—using his back.

“Second Young Master?” Assistant Gong asked. “Did I do something wrong? Why are you blushing?”

“It’s nothing,” Jian Yuheng said.

This little troublemaker… When he’s not being a scoundrel, he’s actually kind of cute?

—

“Mission accomplished. Vanishing into the wind, leaving only my legacy behind,” Song Ruochen made a smooth exit. “System, do you think the villain is starting to soften up?”

[Are you saying this is a fallen grape turning over a new leaf?]

“I’m just farming some favorability points,” Song Ruochen said. “Need to lower his hostility toward us.”

[Let me check the stats panel.]

[Villain’s resentment value: 49%]
[Villain’s ** value: 110%]

[Uh, let me ask the admin system what this ** means.]

[Seriously though, Song Ruochen, let’s not go around gnawing on alphas again. Good thing Zha-ge once said he wasn’t interested—if it had been a different alpha, they’d have executed you on the spot.]

“Never again,” Song Ruochen swore.

The inhibitor’s effect was poor. It had only been a short while, and he hadn’t even reached the office yet. As he walked, his legs felt weak, as if he might kneel at any moment.

“I feel like turning into a puddle of water,” he described.

[Will the hospital’s targeted medication still take another three to four days?]

“Yes.” Song Ruochen returned to the office and injected a regular inhibitor into his wrist. “I’ll make do for now.”

He attached a row of inhibitors to his waist, clipped on the glow-in-the-dark collar that Fuzzy Monster had bought him, and then took a car to the set.

At the short film set jointly invested in by Haochi and Xiaoshi, Lu Yunye was sitting on the ground with the script propped beneath him, staring blankly at the sky.

Song Ruochen walked over, holding a stick, and knocked it on the young alpha’s head with a “thud.”

Lu Yunye (with a bump on his head): “?”

“Has Xiaoshi Group’s business luck improved?” Song Ruochen asked the system.

[No, but its anger level has risen.]

Song Ruochen: “Uh…”

“Why are you here again?” Lu Yunye asked in frustration.

“It was Teacher Lu who specifically requested that I follow up on the project,” Song Ruochen replied. “Did you forget?”

“I also filed a complaint about you later,” Lu Yunye said. “Secretary Song, did you forget?”

“Complaint denied.” Song Ruochen said, “Now, recite your lines.”

Lu Yunye: “…”

The young alpha grumbled as he got up, muttering while reciting his lines.

[Save file reloaded—Wallet balance updated in one second.]

“So little,” Song Ruochen commented.

“Secretary Song, want to have some milk tea?” Haochi’s project manager waved at him.

“Coming!” Song Ruochen responded.

He turned back and tapped Lu Yunye with the stick again. “You’re not allowed to drink. Stay here and focus on memorizing.”

Lu Yunye: “…”

What the hell?

Everyone knew he had been assigned to this new project because of his poor popularity and lack of marketability. His manager had always neglected him, leaving him to fend for himself. Over time, he had grown quite self-destructive.

Why was someone suddenly pushing him to improve?

Song Ruochen chose a grape-flavored milk tea, stuck a straw into it, and took a sip.

Song Ruochen: “:( “

He pulled out his phone and opened Jian Yuheng’s WeChat chat—

[Song Ruochen]: 0.o* Zha-ge, what are you doing? Requesting a 5-second rewind.

[Song Ruochen]: 6 seconds.

[Song Ruochen]: 7 seconds.

[J]: …Ran into trouble?

[Song Ruochen]: Just want to pick a different milk tea. 10 seconds.

[Song Ruochen]: Please, 11 seconds.

[J]: …Fine, go ahead. I was just changing clothes and finished putting them on.

[Ding~]

Song Ruochen chose a peach-flavored fruit tea this time. The taste was much better.

“Good thing I checked first,” Song Ruochen said. “Otherwise, they’d say I stripped the villain again.”

[That’s exactly why Song Ruochen’s reputation is so terrible.]

“I suddenly remembered…” Song Ruochen mused. “The ‘Boss’ on the Awo~ app always asks what I’m doing…”

And thinking about it carefully, it happened every time after he rewind.

So it had been Jian Yuheng secretly keeping tabs on his every move.

[Quite the schemer.]

“From now on, we’ll always check with him first,” Song Ruochen said. “As long as he doesn’t do anything bad, we’ll grant him rewinds.”

Song Ruochen: “Verbal agreements mean nothing. I’ll draft a contract and send it over. All three of us will sign—this time, we’ll show real sincerity!”

[Support!]

“Secretary Song,” Haochi’s project manager called out, drawing Song Ruochen’s attention. “There’s something I’d like your opinion on.”

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

The project manager handed him a tablet.

“This guy, Li Hu, is essentially Lu’s rival,” the project manager explained. “Their fanbases are always arguing. Recently, Li Hu landed a minor role in the big-budget film Another Summer by a famous director. His fans have been mocking Lu for not getting any roles.”

The project manager continued, “Lu… has a strong sense of pride and a fragile mindset. I’m wondering if he should respond to this situation in some way.”

Song Ruochen: “0.o? Fragile mindset? No need to respond.”

Song Ruochen: “I’ll take care of it.”

By evening, at Xiaoshi Group, the busy Jian Yuheng wrapped up his work seamlessly.

As usual, Assistant Gong drove him home. When the car passed near the film city, Assistant Gong gave a prompt: “Second Young Master, Secretary Song is overseeing a project here. Do we need to check on it?”

“That works.” Jian Yuheng agreed.

Jian Yuheng entered the film set with Gong Huo. They had barely stepped inside when they heard a certain “grape” speaking—

“Say your lines louder. Are you a robot? No emotional fluctuation at all.”

“Is your acting as scarce as your fans?”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Even a dog protecting its food would portray revenge more authentically than you,” Song Ruochen took a sip of water at an unhurried pace. “Try again. Are you just standing there waiting for me to demonstrate?”

“Two hours…” Lu Yunye wobbled and fell to his knees. “He’s been scolding me for two hours.”

“If you have no pride, your mindset won’t collapse,” Song Ruochen remarked. “Trust me, you will rise from the ruins.”

Lu Yunye flopped onto the ground, defeated.

“You really have a fragile mentality,” Song Ruochen commented. “My boss gets scolded more than you.”

“Oh?” A voice sounded behind him.

Song Ruochen: “…”

[Ding—]

[Automatic rewind.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

“Sorry, my apologies, Mr. Jian.” Song Ruochen quickly corrected himself. “I’ll keep my complaints internal from now on.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“How is the project going here?” Jian Yuheng asked.

Song Ruochen glanced at Lu Yunye sprawled on the ground. “Everything is going smoothly, Second Young Master.”

Lu Yunye: “…”

“Assistant Gong,” Song Ruochen said, “It’s just about time to get off work. Would you mind giving me a ride home? You can also, you know… reinforce your driving skills.”

Gong Huo: “Song Ruochen, don’t push your luck.”

“Take me along.” Song Ruochen nudged Jian Yuheng. “I’ve got a little treasure for you.”

Sitting in the car, Song Ruochen pulled out a small notebook from his pocket and started writing by hand—

“Three-Party Agreement: Jian Yuheng, Song Ruochen, and the Coin Pouch”

If the antagonist (crossed out) Jian Yuheng has a legitimate and justified rewind request, Song Ruochen and Xiao Ling must fulfill it.

“Second Young Master, sign here.” Song Ruochen handed over the small piece of paper.

The car entered a tunnel, and the sudden dimness made the glow-in-the-dark collar around Song Ruochen’s neck flicker with vibrant, colorful lights.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

What now? He had already decided not to get married.

So why did missing out on this lunatic Omega feel like a slight loss?

—

There was a meeting the next day, and he also had to accompany Big Jujube to a match commentary session. Song Ruochen went to bed early.

The following evening, he woke up, went downstairs, and found Big Jujube and Fuzzy Monster waiting at the entrance of his residential complex.

“Huh?” Song Ruochen asked. “Why are you here so early?”

“I figured I’d come pick you up and then wait for you after work so we could go to the match together,” Meng Yumian said. “He just copied my thoughtfulness.”

Yan Ci: “0.0… I got here first. You’re the copycat.”

“Stop arguing, let’s head to the company together.” Song Ruochen said.

“Little Grape, here, have a lollipop.” Yan Ci peeled off the wrapper.

“I have one too—eat mine first.” Meng Yumian also held one out.

Song Ruochen: “…”

Jian Yuheng had just arrived at the company when he spotted Song Ruochen outside, holding a lollipop in each hand, shaking his head from side to side.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Here we go again—another episode of madness.

After hesitating for a moment, he opted against taking the stairs and entered the elevator with the ABO trio.

As the elevator ascended slowly, Meng Yumian turned to Yan Ci and whispered.

Meng Yumian pointed at Jian Yuheng, then at Song Ruochen. “Whisper?”

Yan Ci: “Hahaha, whisper.”

“Secretary Song, go ahead with your work.” Yan Ci said. “Meng Guai and I will wait for you in your husband’s office.”

“Alright, madam,” Song Ruochen responded.

Jian Yuheng: “Pfft.“

Song Ruochen: “???”

I didn’t break character—why are you laughing?

Do you know how awkward it is for me when you laugh?

Receiving a glare from Song Ruochen, Jian Yuheng quickly suppressed his amusement.

The elevator doors opened, and Meng Yumian and Yan Ci left while whispering to each other. The doors closed again, leaving only the two of them inside.

“Secretary Song, the meeting room is in 1209,” Jian Yuheng reminded him.

“I know,” Song Ruochen replied.

Jian Yuheng: “.”

The meeting was focused on Haochi’s project, with the entire opposing team in attendance. Jian Yuheng presided over the discussion.

“Haochi can handle the initial promotion independently, while the mid-to-late stage can leverage Xiaoshi’s platforms,” Jian Yuheng said. “The two companies have different promotional styles, so we can compare the effectiveness.”

Across the table, Song Ruochen jotted down notes and poked Lu Yunye beside him.

“Teacher Lu, both Haochi and Xiaoshi will fully support your new work,” Song Ruochen said. “You don’t need to worry about online gossip.”

“Secretary Song is very considerate,” Haochi’s project manager said with a smile.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Right. Compared to Song Ruochen’s relentless scolding and beatdowns, online gossip was nothing.

Lu Yunye, looking utterly exhausted, muttered, “…That’s not what I’m worried about right now.”

“Second Young Master,” Song Ruochen said, “I’ll get you some tea.”

He stood up and headed toward the break room.

Sitting for too long had made his legs sore. This was a perfect excuse to take half an hour fetching tea for Jian Yuheng.

Jian Yuheng was used to a certain someone slacking off during meetings, so he didn’t expect the tea anytime soon and continued speaking.

Feeling thirsty as well, Lu Yunye got up and walked toward the break room. As he pushed open the door—

“Secretary Song?” Lu Yunye paused. “Song Ruochen?”

The venomous secretary was gripping the sink, cold sweat trickling down his pale face.

“What’s wrong? Feeling unwell?” Lu Yunye sneered. “Weren’t you acting all high and mighty just now? Xiaoshi’s secretary really is a hypocrite. Serves you right.”

Song Ruochen ignored him, his slightly bowed neck appearing fair and fragile.

It was the first time Lu Yunye had seen this sharp-tongued, heavy-handed secretary in such a vulnerable state. It made him realize that this man, who never held back with words or actions, was still, at times, an Omega who needed protection.

“Grape-flavored?” Lu Yunye frowned. “Wait… you’re in heat?”

“System?” Song Ruochen called out. “Can I roll back? I just injected an inhibitor, but it’s completely ineffective.”

[…No. Can’t use it. Ow, so hot, hot.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

“E-Emergency treatment for an Omega’s heat…” Lu Yunye struggled to recall his textbooks. “Inject an inhibitor…”

The delicate-looking secretary wobbled like a sapling swaying in the wind before suddenly collapsing against him.

“Inhibitor…O-use inhibitor,” Lu Yunye caught him, frantically reciting the instructions. “Where do you inject it again? The neck?”

Lu Yunye: “Ahhhhh!”

You never realize how little you’ve studied until you need it.

“Song Ruochen,” Lu Yunye fumbled, “I only have A-use inhibitors!”

He started searching him. “Do you have any on you?”

“What’s in your pocket?” Lu Yunye rummaged. “Cotton candy? Preserved plums? Bubble gum?”

Suddenly, Song Ruochen’s misty, unfocused eyes snapped open. He lifted his right hand—and slapped Lu Yunye across the face.

“Ow! Song Ruochen!” Lu Yunye gritted his teeth. “You’re more possessive than a dog guarding food. Forget using one as a reference—I should just study you!”

“What’s going on?” A deep voice came from behind them.

Lu Yunye looked up and saw Jian Yuheng. “Secretary Song, he…”

“Give him to me.” Without hesitation, Jian Yuheng reached out and took Song Ruochen from him, letting the Omega lean against his shoulder. “If a heat isn’t treated in time, there’s a 1% chance of it leading to shock. Did you even study your textbooks?”

Lu Yunye: “…”

I mean, I found out less than a minute ago. And it’s a 1% chance—why the panic?

“Get out.” Jian Yuheng’s voice was cold.

Lu Yunye stared, dumbfounded, as Jian Yuheng lifted Song Ruochen’s sweater, revealing two rows of inhibitors strapped beneath.

Lu Yunye: “…”

What kind of lunatic—

“Get rid of your scent,” Jian Yuheng ordered.

“I know,” Lu Yunye muttered. He could already feel his own body heating up. He swiftly exited the break room.

“Song Ruochen?” Jian Yuheng called. “Bringing a pocket full of candy to work—you’re definitely not here to suffer.”

“Don’t touch my… snacks!” Song Ruochen kicked and flailed.

“…” Jian Yuheng pressed him firmly against his shoulder, restraining his movements. With a sharp snap, he broke the glowing collar around Song Ruochen’s neck.

Steeling himself, he flipped open the metal cover of an inhibitor and pressed the needle against the Omega’s gland.

“Ahhh—!” Song Ruochen thrashed violently. “I’m gonna kill you!”

In his mind, he commanded, “System… rewind.”

“System, do not rewind,” Jian Yuheng ordered coldly.

[…]

The cool medication was directly injected into his gland. Song Ruochen opened his mouth and bit down—hard—on Jian Yuheng’s neck.