FOBTS CH47

Chapter 47: Testing the Function

Jian Yuheng: “……”

Why did this bowl of rice follow me here?

“Brother? Hungry? Rice?” Jian Feng asked.

Jian Yuheng: “:[”

His ability to think on his feet had always been strong.

“Our team is like… a bowl of rice,” Jian Yuheng said. “Xiaoshi is the bowl that carries everyone. A grain or two of rice won’t fill a stomach. If we want to make the company bigger and stronger, we have to work together.”

Assistant Gong was the first to applaud. “Well said!”

The conference room erupted into applause.

Jian Yuheng: “:[”

I’m going crazy.

The meeting officially ended, and the employees rushed out to find food. Holding his bowl of rice, Jian Yuheng let out a helpless sigh.

Not even a spoon.

Wasting food wasn’t good. He happened to be hungry too, so he might as well take a bite.

Jian Yuheng lowered his head, about to take a bite of the tall pile of rice—

Crunch, crunch, crunch—the sound of biting into air.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Where did my big bowl of rice go?

In the secretary’s office, the ice cream cone in Song Ruochen’s hand suddenly disappeared.

Song Ruochen: “^ ^”

“Fun,” he said. “Once it’s in your mouth, it doesn’t disappear.”

[‘Ding-ding-dang’ has a special feature where, after an item disappears, its effects on the human body remain.]

Song Ruochen’s phone chimed. He picked it up and saw a message from someone saved as Jian Yuheng.

[Jian Yuheng]: Is this a new function?

[Song Ruochen]: Yes, I’m still testing it.

[Song Ruochen]: Did Zha-ge bring anything with him when he rewound just now?

[Jian Yuheng]: A bowl of rice. It appeared in the conference room. :（

[Song Ruochen]: ……

【……】

【Hahahahahaha hic.】

[Song Ruochen]: Do you want me to rewind again to cover it up?

[Jian Yuheng]: No need. I improvised.

[Song Ruochen]: Zha-ge is impressive.

[Jian Yuheng]: ^ ^

“Communication is everything,” Song Ruochen said. “System, see? We can coexist with 0.5.”

【Yes, yes. Oh, by the way, the Boss System just visited and upgraded us with a rather useful function.】

Song Ruochen: “How useful?”

【The Boss System has deeply realized that debtors are the true masters.】

【So, it granted us a new permission: ‘Exchange Non-Living Objects for Time.’】

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

“I’d like to sell the company,” Song Ruochen said.

【Calculating… The company is valued at 999…9999 hours of rewind currency. Drooling.jpg. Exchanging for you now… oh no.】

【Clang! Bang! Crash!】

【Bruised and battered.jpg. The Boss System says you can only sell items that belong to you.】

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

Song Ruochen: “The company is my home.”

【Clang! Crash!】

【No can do.】

【Give me something else. The Boss System occasionally wants some little toys from the ABO world too.】

Jian Yuheng smiled at thin air for ten minutes. Then, he went to the cafeteria to reunite with his bowl of rice. After finishing lunch, he went downstairs to buy some dessert.

A system that honestly reported back after rewinding—Song Ruochen was just too adorable. Jian Yuheng could almost imagine his expression when sending messages: embarrassed, with a hint of reluctance.

Underneath that quirky grape-like personality was—

Jian Yuheng blinked and looked closely. Near the trash bin in the hallway, Song Ruochen was wearing white gloves, dragging a bag, and waving a tool—picking up empty water bottles.

Jian Yuheng: “……”

Still as crazy as ever!

And now, this guy couldn’t even be bothered to rewind for him anymore.

“Oh? Second Young Master, good afternoon,” Song Ruochen greeted.

Jian Yuheng: “:S”

“I have a good idea,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng: “Secretary Song, please go ahead.”

“I’ll copy down all the known rewind commands for you to memorize,” Song Ruochen said. “Next time you rewind, turn up the public alert volume, so you can react in time.”

Song Ruochen: “0.0* Sound good?”

“…That works too,” Jian Yuheng said.

—

Song Ruochen sold a few hundred empty water bottles, exchanged them for a tiny amount of rewind currency, and took a three-hour afternoon nap. He woke up feeling satisfied.

“Secretary System, report my schedule,” Song Ruochen said.

[At 16:00, head to Xiaoshi Group’s 9th floor for a new ID photo.]

[At 19:30, Da Zao has a commentary job. It’s best if you oversee it.]

“Got it.” Song Ruochen glanced at the time. “One more hour of work, then we’ll go take the photo.”

[Better return Xiao Jian’s coat first~]

“Oh, right,” Song Ruochen said. “I almost forgot.”

He clutched Jian Yuheng’s coat and ran all the way to Jian Yuheng’s office, banging on the door loudly.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” Gong Huo came to open the door. “Do you have a grudge against this door, or against Second Young Master?”

“Your worthless life has a grudge against me.” Song Ruochen pushed the door open.

Gong Huo was seething with rage.

“Second Young Master.” Song Ruochen faced Jian Yuheng, who was sitting in his chair. “Here’s your coat.”

Gong Huo looked up at the thin little secretary standing against the light, and the lingering fear from earlier in the day crept back in.

That morning, if Song Ruochen hadn’t suddenly gone mad, settling a personal vendetta and starting to beat him up out of nowhere, then according to the original trajectory, he would have been rushing to cross the street in the last ten seconds before the green light ended.

If not for the delay from fighting Song Ruochen, at the very least, he would have ended up half-dead.

His younger brother had just gotten into college, and he had just been promoted—he had taken another step into Xiaoshi’s management level. If he had been even slightly unlucky, so many things would have gone up in smoke.

Looking closely now, this sharp-tongued executive secretary who was always at odds with him was actually a lot younger than him. When he wasn’t putting on his cold and aloof act, he was, to some extent, even a little cute.

“Assistant Gong.” Song Ruochen spoke up. “With a monthly salary of tens of thousands, do you not have any sense? Second Young Master blinked twice—it means he wants two glasses of water.”

Gong Huo: “……”

Jian Yuheng: “…………”

If you’re thirsty, just say so—why drag Second Young Master’s blinking into this? Gong Huo was speechless for a moment before turning around to pour water.

Following Jian Yuheng’s habit, he brewed a cup of black tea. Just as he was about to make another, he hesitated for a moment, switched tools, and made a cup of milk tea for Song Ruochen instead.

“Second Young Master, please enjoy.” Assistant Gong placed the tray on the table. “Secretary Song, enjoy.”

Song Ruochen: “0.0 Wow, it smells great.”

“Of course.” Gong Huo said smugly. “I’m certified in food and beverage service.”

Song Ruochen: Gulp, gulp, gulp.

“Second Young Master, I’ll head back to the executive assistant’s office now.” Gong Huo said.

“Mm-hmm.” Song Ruochen waved a hand. “Come by often.”

Jian Yuheng: “.”

Gong Huo: “.”

Jian Yuheng bent down, pulled open a cabinet door under his desk, and took out a few bags of chips and some jelly.

The chips in this ABO world came in even more flavors than in the original world, and just looking at them made Song Ruochen crave them.

“Can I eat one, then reset and return it to you, and you just pretend nothing happened?” Song Ruochen asked.

Jian Yuheng: “…Or you could just eat it?”

Song Ruochen: Crunch, crunch.

Delicious. Even better than what Da Zao gave him.

“Jian Zha, where did you buy these?” Song Ruochen asked. “I want to buy some too.”

“I don’t know.” Jian Yuheng said. “A… friend of mine sent them. He sends some regularly. I don’t like them. If Secretary Song wants some, you can drop by occasionally.”

Jian Yuheng added, “Consider it a thank-you for saving my assistant.”

That scene had looked clumsy, but it had been quite nerve-wracking.

How could there be such a person, who made him feel both amused and a little distressed?

After eating and drinking his fill in the office, Song Ruochen left contentedly to take his employee ID photo. Somehow, Jian Yuheng’s office didn’t seem as intimidating as before.

“Second Young Master.” Assistant Gong knocked on the door. “I need to go take my photo too.”

“Wait a moment.” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll go with you.”

Gong Huo: “Huh? You’re an employee too?”

“Gong Huo.” Jian Yuheng shut his laptop. “From now on, be nicer to Song Ruochen.”

The moment he got hit by the car… that little secretary must have felt pain too.

Such foolish bravery.

Assistant Gong was stunned for a moment before nodding. “Don’t worry, Second Young Master. As long as it’s not arguing, I’ll let him have his way.”

Jian Yuheng: “Fair enough…”

—

As the end of the workday approached, Yan Ci and Meng Yumian both arrived, chatting away with Song Ruochen outside the photo room.

“Five consecutive days of commentary.” Meng Yumian said. “Our Da Zao is truly a top-tier commentator. A real star.”

Yan Ci: “It’s not a big deal. I just know the competition system well.”

“The spring season awards are coming up. You’ll definitely win Best Commentator.” Meng Yumian said. “Behind every successful Da Zao, there’s always a supportive Grape and Fuzzy Monster who watch games and hang out together.”

Meng Yumian: “Da Zao, go forth with confidence.”

Yan Ci: “0.0”

Yan Ci lifted his foot and kicked Meng Yumian—wheelchair and all—straight out.

Song Ruochen: “……”

Here we go again. They couldn’t even stay united for a single day.

“Secretary Song, please come take your photo.” Jian Feng called.

Song Ruochen: “Mm.”

“Wait a second.” Jian Yuheng stopped him. “Your tie is crooked.”

Song Ruochen raised a hand and tugged at his tie haphazardly. The next second, his hand was slapped away. Jian Yuheng loosened his tie, straightened his collar, and skillfully retied a neat knot.

“Helping the boss maintain his appearance is a basic skill for a secretary.” Jian Yuheng lowered his voice mockingly.

“You did a great job.” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng: “皿”

But after his little adjustment, his secretary looked even neater and more handsome.

Wait, his secretary?

Xiaoshi belongs to me—why can’t he be my secretary?

What a fool. An advanced fool.

Off to the side, Jian Feng muttered, “A quiet commotion?”

Jian Yuheng: “Shut up, whispers of a bot.”

Jian Feng: “……”

Song Ruochen’s fingertips lightly pinched the knot Jian Yuheng had tied. Just now, when Jian Yuheng had tightened it slightly, the tie had pressed over the gland at the back of his neck. The needle wound there hadn’t fully healed yet, sending a slight wave of soreness through him.

He glanced at his reflection in the mirror—his cheeks were a little flushed.

Jian Yuheng… was surprisingly good at tying ties. Even better than him, the supposed all-purpose secretary.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Yan Ci gripping Meng Yumian’s shoulders and shaking him violently.

Yan Ci: “Ohhh!”

Meng Yumian: “Hahaha!”

Song Ruochen: “?”

Why were these two getting weirder and weirder?

“Alright, Secretary Song, please look this way.” The photographer said.

It felt a little awkward to act formal in front of familiar people, so Song Ruochen had no choice but to give the camera a slightly aloof yet lively smile. “0vo”

Jian Yuheng turned his head and met Yan Ci’s encouraging gaze.

Jian Yuheng: “Mm.”

—

That evening, at A City’s esports center, Song Ruochen pushed Meng Yumian into the venue, while Yan Ci headed backstage with the staff to prepare.

“Oh, right, Grape,” Meng Yumian said. “Last night after the event ended, we ran into Da Zao’s colleague—Zou Renhang. He was really nice to us, even gave us a ride part of the way.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

As expected, just like in the book, this guy had already started getting close to Yan Ci and had a good relationship with him.

The original novel’s protagonist didn’t have many friends. He considered Zou Renhang, who shared a lot of common interests with him, to be a good friend and confided in him about many things. However, in the end, Zou Renhang ruthlessly betrayed him, using him as a stepping stone to win an award.

“Those who deceive the jujube will inevitably be deceived.” Song Ruochen said.

“Secretary Song, I’m going out to take a call,” Fuzzy Monster said. “Just stay here, okay?”

Song Ruochen: “Do you want me to push you?”

“No need.” Fuzzy Monster shook his head. “If Secretary Song does something, my soul will fly away in fear.”

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

Meng Yumian dragged his wheelchair and ran off.

There were still thirty minutes until the match started. He had arrived too early and felt bored, so Song Ruochen decided to chat with Jian Yuheng.

[Song Ruochen]: Brother Hawthorn, what are you doing?

[Jian Yuheng]: Just finished dinner, taking a walk. [Picture]

[Jian Yuheng]: Had steak, pasta, roast chicken, and toast.

[Song Ruochen]: Have you finished eating?

[Jian Yuheng]: Next time, we can have a company gathering here.

[Song Ruochen]: I have time right now. I want to test rewind training with you. Have you memorized the commands?

[Jian Yuheng]: My memory is excellent. 🙂

[Song Ruochen]: Ready, go.

[Ding-ding-dang.]

Jian Yuheng stopped where he was and rewound back to the lakeside.

Jian Yuheng: “:)”

[Ding—ding-dang—]

Jian Yuheng moved further back.

[Ding-ding-dang.]

Jian Yuheng picked up a pebble by the lake and tossed it around in his hand.

Sure enough, as he moved backward a certain distance, the pebble remained in his hand. It wasn’t until about thirty seconds later that it slowly disappeared.

[Jian Yuheng]: I kind of like this “ding-ding-dang.”

[Jian Yuheng]: I want to try a few more times.

[Song Ruochen]: No problem. I’m free anyway. I’ll keep testing with you until you tell me to stop.

Jian Yuheng picked up a small tree branch and suddenly appeared somewhere else with it.

Jian Yuheng: “:)”

I’m so cool. It’s like I know magic.

He threw the branch away and picked up a small cat.

“Meow,” the kitten mewed softly.

[Ding-ding-dang.]

Jian Yuheng looked at his now-empty hands. Hmm, it seemed that living things couldn’t be carried through the rewind.

[Ding-ding-dang.]

He then, under the horrified gazes of those around him, lifted a large rock with all his strength. This time, it also failed to be carried through the rewind.

It seemed that the objects he could bring with him during the rewind had to be non-living and had a weight limit.

Song Ruochen, who was cooperating with him, was so adorable. Jian Yuheng smiled, then bent down to pick up another pebble and looked up.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Huh? How did he get so far from the park?

[Ding-ding-dang.]

At the western restaurant, by the cashier’s counter.

“Mr. Jian, the payment method is the same as before, right? I’ll swipe your black card now,” the cashier said with a warm smile, reaching out to take the card.

Clatter. A pebble landed in the cashier’s hand.

Cashier: “……?”

Jian Yuheng: “……” Help.