FOBTS CH53

Chapter 53: So Fragrant, So Fragrant, So Fragrant

[System: Mama! Boss System! QwQ The villain’s love meter is leaking!]

[(Work Channel) Boss System: This is an automated reply. I’m on a date. Leave a message if you need anything~]

[Arghhh, why is it always on a date?!]

In his head, the system was wailing like a boiling kettle, so loud that Song Ruochen froze for a moment.

Jian Yuheng… he’s done pretending and is laying it all bare?

Sitting across from him, Jian Yuheng let out a low chuckle. “I wanted to tell you later, at least when you were a bit more… Anyway, this AI is so smart it can even monitor human emotions?”

[It just casually monitored humanoid emotions, that’s all~]

Song Ruochen: “…”

“Secretary Song? Song Ruochen?” Jian Yuheng waved a hand in front of Song Ruochen’s face. “Power outage?”

Song Ruochen slowly raised his hand, long fingers pausing right in front of Jian Yuheng’s eyes.

Jian Yuheng: “Hand-holding segment?”

Jian Yuheng: “(*^▽^*)/”

The next second, Song Ruochen snapped his fingers with a loud crack.

[Ding-dong.]

The steak on the plate returned to its original state, and the two people sat facing each other at the table.

“I rewound it for you,” Song Ruochen said calmly. “You didn’t say anything.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

He burst out laughing, exasperated.

He’d considered the possibility of acceptance (1% chance) and rejection (99% chance), but he never imagined this nutcase would rewind him.

Is this your brilliant solution?!

Oh no, after living so long, he’s met a master of self-deception.

But Little Grape seemed to be blushing a bit, and that face, when flushed, was really quite stunning.

If he’s blushing, doesn’t that mean he cares, at least a little?

“Fine,” Jian Yuheng said leisurely, picking up his knife to cut the steak. “Then I’ll say it again…”

[Ding-dong.]

The steak fused back together.

Jian Yuheng: “皿”

“Your system is a rewind system, not an amnesia system,” Jian Yuheng pointed out. “Does rewinding even work?”

[It doesn’t.]

[Due to Secretary Song’s absurd actions, the villain’s love meter has risen by another 10%.]

[Current value: 520%. Truly auspicious and enviable!]

[Ouch!]

Song Ruochen raised his hand and gave himself a smack on the head.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

What’s with the internal conflict now?

Jian Yuheng cut the steak again. “Eat already. Weren’t you hungry? You wouldn’t abandon this steak anyway.”

“Tch, then don’t talk, you evil young master,” Song Ruochen said, perfectly composed.

Jian Yuheng picked up a clean napkin and waved it like a white flag.

The evil young master stopped talking, but his eyes spoke volumes. He just sat there, staring at Song Ruochen as he ate.

Song Ruochen: “QwQ”

“System, I’ve been so cold to him. Why is he still charging headfirst into this?” Song Ruochen asked inwardly.

[(Bruised head.jpg) Maybe you accidentally hit his sweet spot?]

[The evil young master likes aloof, icy omegas who ignore him.]

[No, wait, he likes rogues.]

[No, wait, he likes nutcases.]

[*%@￥@… Bang! (Sparks flying.jpg)]

Song Ruochen: “…”

“Don’t worry, Secretary Chenchen,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’m just being upfront. I won’t put any pressure on you.”

Song Ruochen: “0.o?” Really?

“I just think Secretary Song has a great personality.” Jian Yuheng pulled two wine-filled chocolates from his pocket. “Really likable.”

Song Ruochen swiped the chocolates. “Oh, oh…”

“And perfectly matches the standards I set for a spouse years ago.” Jian Yuheng dug out two packs of preserved plums. “Naturally, my affection meter would rise. No ulterior motives.”

Song Ruochen: “:D”

Boom! Thunder rumbled outside.

“It’s only March. Why’s there thunder?” an employee said, heading to the window.

“Spring thunder, probably. Everything’s waking up,” another replied. “Or maybe someone deserves to be struck by lightning?”

“Brother Hawthorn, I’m not thinking about marriage right now. No alpha, period,” Song Ruochen said, taking the plums. “Don’t consider me. I really, really won’t respond.”

Jian Yuheng: “No problem.”

“Not marrying is better than marrying an alpha with low compatibility,” Jian Yuheng said, pulling out a lollipop. “The doctor said any alpha below 100% compatibility won’t help treat your genetic condition.”

Song Ruochen: “:0”

The doctor said that too?

Jian Yuheng: “:(“

No more candy in his pockets.

To woo Song Ruochen, he’d need to borrow Doraemon’s four-dimensional pocket.

His little secretary deserved more tasty treats and fun things.

[Ding. Due to a significant increase in the main characters’ affection meter, the coin pouch system has unlocked a new fun feature.]

“What new feature?” Song Ruochen asked.

[New Partial Rewind Coin: Can rewind a lifeless object to a specified time in the past. The object reverts to normal after 3 seconds.]

[Produces 2 coins per week.]

“Oh, a variant of the silly coin,” Song Ruochen said. “Sounds less useful than the silly coin.”

What can you do in 3 seconds?

[Since this coin can be shared with Second Young Master, it’s been named the “Two Coin.”]

Song Ruochen: “?”

[Now dropping.]

Clink clink. Two coins appeared on the table.

Song Ruochen picked one up and handed it to Jian Yuheng. “Keep it safe. Two Coin.”

Jian Yuheng: “…?”

“Are you cursing me?” Jian Yuheng raised a hand and helplessly ruffled his little secretary’s hair.

Song Ruochen squinted. “Nope!”

He recited the system’s manual to Jian Yuheng.

“Can I use it to smash Bai Cai’s computer?” Song Ruochen asked. “Check his company file browsing history.”

“Secretary Song is clever,” Jian Yuheng said.

Secretary Song turned into a sunflower from Plants vs. Zombies, swaying side to side with a goofy grin, producing sunshine.

“But can you memorize all the browsing history in three seconds?” Song Ruochen asked.

“No,” Jian Yuheng said. “But why don’t we just use a camera?”

Song Ruochen: “…”

—

Just past closing time, the sky was already dark. The advertising department’s empty, pitch-black office welcomed an alpha and an omega.

“His desk is here,” Jian Yuheng said.

Alphas seemed to adjust to the dark faster than omegas. Song Ruochen, led by the hand, stumbled blindly and bumped into Jian Yuheng’s chest.

These past few days, Jian Yuheng seemed to carry a hawthorn scent—sour, sweet, refreshing. To Song Ruochen, it was like a giant hawthorn stood before him.

He really missed that bite from the last courage test.

But the villain was now Jian Desire-Heng. Song Ruochen didn’t dare bite or touch.

Just keep things normal and let time wear down the villain’s love meter!

“Ready?” Song Ruochen asked.

Jian Yuheng opened his phone camera. “Go.”

Song Ruochen flung a Two Coin at Bai Cai’s computer. “Rewind to when Bai Cai was browsing company files.”

The dark screen lit up, displaying a list of browsing records. Jian Yuheng snapped a photo.

“He’s definitely been looking at a lot of files unrelated to the advertising department,” Jian Yuheng said, glancing over.

“This’ll make it easier to track his moves,” Song Ruochen said.

The alpha and omega headed for the door.

“Why didn’t we turn on the light? It’s not like we’re ghosts,” Song Ruochen grumbled. “Feels so sneaky.”

He opened the door. “Where do you think the mole is right now?”

Bai Cai: “?”

Song Ruochen: “??”

[Ding-dong.]

They needed to keep the photo, so no over-rewinding. Song Ruochen dragged Jian Yuheng back into the office, yanked open a nearby cabinet, and shoved Jian Yuheng inside.

“Damn,” Jian Yuheng (HP -20) cursed. “This is a bookshelf.”

He was struck by the power of knowledge.

“Sowwy,” Song Ruochen said.

He was about to find another hiding spot when Jian Yuheng grabbed him, pulling him under a desk and sliding a chair in front to block them.

“I…” Song Ruochen started, but the alpha covered his mouth from behind.

In the cramped space, he curled up, sitting between the alpha’s legs. Jian Yuheng’s scent enveloped him, like being held in his arms.

“…Song Ruochen, stop squirming,” Jian Yuheng whispered urgently, practically against his neck, pressing him still.

“It’s not that, Brother Hawthorn,” Song Ruochen said. “I’m sitting on a pile of suppressants, and they’re kinda pokey.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Nutcase.

“No worries, watch me work.” Song Ruochen’s waist twisted nimbly, shifting the suppressants to the front.

The omega in his arms wriggled like a lively eel. Jian Yuheng rubbed his forehead in despair.

Why was he chasing a nutcase? He’d lost his mind too.

Two shadowy figures entered the dim office.

Bai Cai: “Quack quack?”

Other shadow: “Mm, quack quack.”

A few minutes later, they left.

Song Ruochen crawled out on all fours. The space was so tight—his legs were wobbly, his neck sore, his back aching. He was exhausted from hiding.

“The guy he was talking to was Xiang Cai from the board. Director Xiang,” Jian Yuheng said. “Let’s go, Grape. Time to get you home. Rest up, and we’ll meet tomorrow morning.”

“I’m taking the subway alone today. Bye, Second Young Master!” Song Ruochen zoomed off.

Jian Yuheng: “皿*”

The omega who’d been fidgeting in his arms moments ago vanished in a flash, leaving only the lingering warmth of his touch on Jian Yuheng’s fingertips.

Song Ruochen, the culprit who’d turned his life upside down, who’d teased his heart and taken no responsibility—this rogue ought to be locked up and properly punished. So—

Jian Yuheng: “:)”

He’d wash his hands later.

—

Song Ruochen leisurely headed home, packed five outfits in a jujube style and five in a furry monster style, and stuffed them into his suitcase.

Then he received a message from Assistant Gong—

[Assistant Gong]: Mr. Jian prefers green tea, coffee with less sugar, and plain water around 45 degrees.

[Song Ruochen]: 0.o?

[Assistant Gong]: I’m telling you about Second Young Master’s habits so you don’t mess up, make him mad, and get chewed out.

[Song Ruochen]: If I don’t do it, he won’t get mad.

[Assistant Gong]: …

[Assistant Gong]: If you’re at a group dinner, make sure Second Young Master blocks drinks for you.

[Song Ruochen]: 0.o?

[Assistant Gong]: Don’t get drunk again, acting all goofy and embarrassing Xiao Shi.

[Song Ruochen]: Assistant Gong, go to bed early. Rest that brain that’s goofy drunk or sober.

[Assistant Gong]: Middle finger.jpg

Song Ruochen flopped onto his bed and lay there.

At Jian Feng’s place, Jian Feng was about to rest when he got a message from his brother.

[Jian Feng]: Evening, little brother.

[Jian Yuheng]: All good.

[Jian Yuheng]: I wanted to ask what Secretary Song usually prefers for tea, coffee, and water?

[Jian Feng]: Let me think.

[Jian Feng]: He likes black tea, half-sugar coffee, cold water, and ice cream.

[Jian Yuheng]: Great, thanks.

[Jian Feng]: Haha, no trouble.

“What’s up?” Yan Ci leaned over. “Not sleeping yet?”

Yan Ci: “If you don’t sleep with me, does that mean you don’t love me? 0.0.”

Jian Feng quickly handed over his phone.

Yan Ci: “Oh, oh! Let me see too, 0.0*”

Yan Ci and Jian Feng exchanged a smile and started whispering.

—

Song Ruochen didn’t sleep well. He dreamed of Jian Desire-Heng.

In the dream, the alpha was super intense, calling him a rogue, demanding he take responsibility, hugging him tightly, refusing to let go, and then pinning him to the ground—

And then nothing.

After all, the stories he usually read were censored versions, full of ellipses and periods, leaving little room for imagination.

But—

Why would he have a dream like that?! QAQ

Even awake, it was the same. He kept feeling a distinct hawthorn scent clinging to him, one only he could smell. Jian Yuheng had been getting more and more fragrant lately, tempting him to get closer.

But… the guy was kind of pursuing him, wasn’t he? Getting closer wouldn’t exactly be appropriate.

[Rewind coin pouch credited with 5 minutes.]

Still rising?

Yan Ci and Jian Feng’s relationship must be doing great lately. Thanks to them, he’d saved up a hefty stash of rewind coins and even upgraded to the Two Coin.

No good, he was still sleepy. He needed to catch up on rest to head out in top form.

[Song Ruochen]: Jian Zongzi.

[Jian Yuheng]: ?

[Song Ruochen]: I need a rewind. I didn’t sleep well.

[Jian Yuheng]: Sleep in the car later?

[Jian Yuheng]: Just finished my morning run, making the bed now. Want me to grab breakfast for you on my way?

[Song Ruochen]: I’m really sleepy, Brother Hawthorn. Let me rewind, please?

[Jian Yuheng]: Alright.

“System rewind,” Song Ruochen said. “Breakfast…”

Song Ruochen: “:p”

“Sleep first,” Song Ruochen cooed. “System-system, ding-ding-dong.”

[Ding-ding-dong.]

“Aaah, use ding-dong,” Song Ruochen said. “Not that one.”

In the morning park, filled with people exercising, all eyes turned to Jian Yuheng standing in the middle of the path, holding a pillow. Whispers spread.

Jian Yuheng, hugging a pillow: “:D”

“He looks so happy,” passersby commented, pointing.