FOBTS CH56

Chapter 56: What Do You Want to Know About Me

When Jian Yuheng realized what he’d said, he found himself blurting out “Saviour” again.

Jian Yuheng doubled down: “Saviour.”

“Misfortune Young Master,” Song Ruochen retorted, “You can’t entirely blame me.”

[ Misfortune Young Master, hahaha! Seriously, every time you rewind, he gets so unlucky.]

Song Ruochen: “Yeah…”

Poor Second Young Master, repeatedly reliving unlucky moments.

“Misfortune Young Master,” Song Ruochen said, “Next time, I’ll help you relive some beautiful moments.”

Jian Yuheng: “Painting pies? Pre-selling big pies?”

“You’ll see if it’s a pie when the time comes,” Song Ruochen, with zero credibility, declared confidently.

“Secretary Song, go wash up and eat breakfast,” Jian Yuheng said, giving him a pat on the back. “I’m going to reply to an email.”

“Alright, Misfortune Young Master,” Song Ruochen replied.

Misfortune Young Master had it rough too—hitting his susceptible period, unable to suppress it in time, and still having to take care of him, an Omega in heat.

[Gotta say, the villain’s self-control is insane. He’s ruthless with himself. He didn’t even take advantage of you.]

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

[High compatibility, genetic condition, susceptible period, triggered heat—input those keywords online, and 99% of simulations end in doing it.]

[He didn’t touch you. Are you some kind of tough grape?]

[Misfortune Young Master is truly kind-hearted.]

Song Ruochen: “Bestow a name: Second Benevolent.”

[.]

Jian Yuheng was sitting at his computer, replying to Jian Feng’s message, when a “grapevine” appeared on his shoulder.

“Xiao Jian,” Song Ruochen said, “You still smell really nice.”

“Only you can smell it,” Jian Yuheng said. “It’ll last for a while.”

At the same time, he temporarily gained exclusive rights to the grape scent.

Song Ruochen buzzed around him like a bee.

“…I’m going to eat something,” Jian Yuheng said. “Help me reply to my brother’s message.”

Song Ruochen: “Fine.”

Jian Yuheng sipped his coffee, watching from the side.

[Jian Feng]: Yuheng, how’s the branch company doing?

[Jian Yuheng]: Developed some livestock farming.

Jian Yuheng: “Pfft.”

[Jian Yuheng]: Raised a bunch of fat beasts. Time to slaughter a wave.

[Jian Feng]: …

[Jian Feng]: Secretary Song, is that you?

Song Ruochen: “?”

“What?” he asked Jian Yuheng. “Is there some anti-counterfeit mark in my word choice?”

Jian Yuheng took a sip of coffee: “Secretary Song knows best.”

[Jian Feng]: 0.0…

[Jian Feng]: Chenchen!

[Jian Yuheng]: Huh, Madam?

Why did Jian Feng switch to Yan Ci mid-chat?

[Jian Feng]: Why didn’t you reply to me last night? Were you off playing with Fuzzy Monster? It’s wrong to ditch the old for the new.

Song Ruochen typed—

[Jian Yuheng]: I love the old, really. I can’t bear to throw away a single old bill.

Jian Yuheng, watching: “Pfft, cough, cough, cough.”

[Jian Feng]: Chenchen, why are you with Yuheng so early in the morning? 0.0*

[Jian Feng]: Chenchen, are you in the same room?

[Jian Feng]: Magnifying glass.jpg, Side-eye.jpg

Song Ruochen: “Uh…”

A few minutes later, the system started broadcasting.

[Secretary Song’s reputation dropped by 5 points, then another 1 point.]

Song Ruochen genuinely didn’t get it. The friendship between Da Zao and Fuzzy Monster was so on-and-off.

But Yan Ci’s question reminded him of what happened in this room last night.

Back then, Jian Yuheng was so agitated, like a beast staking its claim, pinning him down and biting the gland at the back of his neck.

At that moment, the Alpha’s scorching breath had brushed past his ear. The tingling itch was stronger than the pain of the bite—and far scarier.

Scary how?

Aaaah, his brain finally caught up, screaming: He’d been marked by his boss!

[Brain finally connected to the local network (.)]

Song Ruochen: “…”

Since morning, both he and Jian Yuheng had been deliberately or unconsciously avoiding last night’s events.

But avoiding it wasn’t rewinding.

He slowly lifted his gaze, only to meet a sneaky glance from Jian Yuheng. Their sneaky paths crossed, and Song Ruochen looked away.

Jian Yuheng’s phone rang—it was Chu Jiu.

“Second Young Master,” Chu Jiu said, “I’ve compiled the recent project data for the company. Please review it later.”

“Good,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll be there soon.”

__

After breakfast and a short rest, Jian Yuheng began helping Song Ruochen organize the documents needed for work.

“Second Young Master,” Song Ruochen asked, “Should I wear this gold choker or the silver one today?”

“No need to wear either. You’ve got an invisible one,” Jian Yuheng said. “The temporary marking acts as an Omega’s ‘suppression choker.’ It’ll help mask your scent and ward off any ill-intentioned Alphas.”

Song Ruochen: “That’s so cool.”

Having an Alpha around doesn’t seem so bad, then.

The corner of Jian Yuheng’s mouth twitched.

Bad news: Song Ruochen’s ABO knowledge wouldn’t even pass a pre-marriage exam.

Good news: If he can’t pass the exam, he won’t be marrying any Alpha.

For the first time since his genetic condition flared up, it was fully suppressed. Song Ruochen strolled through the branch office with light, cheerful steps.

The notifications in his head kept chiming—

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited 2 minutes.]

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited 10 minutes.]

[Congratulations, host! Rewind balance exceeds 12 hours, unlocking achievement “Wealthy Tycoon.” Rewind Coin Pouch upgraded to Rewind Cardholder. A Rewind Card has been issued for the host.]

[Card activation fee: 10 hours. Activation gift: “Ding Ding Dang Dang.”]

[Rewind Skill “Ding Ding Dang Dang” allows the host to retain their current state during a rewind, including but not limited to clothing, actions, expressions, and physical condition. Due to its overpowered nature, usage is limited to twice per month.]

[With “Ding Ding Dang Dang,” Second Young Master won’t have to keep jabbing suppressants anymore.]

Song Ruochen: “?”

That’s intriguing.

“After work today, I’m going to try out the new feature,” Song Ruochen said.

[(Counting card intermediary fees.jpg) (Pocketing profits.jpg) Awesome, awesome!]

“Outrageous!”

“If we can’t cooperate, then we won’t!”

Angry roars echoed from a nearby office.

Song Ruochen couldn’t resist transforming into a melon-eating badger and slipped into the office.

“What’s going on, what’s going on?” he asked.

A research and development employee vented: “This Guaiwei company is too much. Every time they lowball us, they’re belittling our efforts.”

“Exactly! They talk down our products like they’re worthless.”

“And yet, headquarters sent people who just want to seal the deal for their own performance metrics. Do R&D lives not matter?”

“Seriously, I’m so annoyed with those know-it-all headquarters folks giving clueless orders. Their leadership experience doesn’t apply to frontline R&D.”

“That does sound annoying,” a voice said.

The roars stopped. A dozen pairs of eyes blinked and turned toward the extra person in the office, who had been listening for who-knows-how-long.

The lead employee: “You’re Song, Song-Song…”

“Song Ruochen,” Song Ruochen said amicably. “Just call me that, no need for echo effects.”

Lead employee: “…”

Many in the room had seen Song Ruochen at the expo last night, where he’d left a certain Jia-surnamed employee speechless. Their impression of him was cool and refined, someone not to be trifled with.

Ding-a-ling. 

The desk phone rang again.

The lead employee’s fist clenched: “Secretary Song, would you like to check out another area first?”

He tended to speak bluntly and worried about scaring this refined secretary or that headquarters might not be on their side.

“No rush,” Song Ruochen said. “Answer the phone.”

The lead employee, Team Leader Jin from R&D, picked up the call from Guaiwei about pricing—

“Made up your mind yet? Just take the price I offered,” a middle-aged man’s voice said. “Your product is only worth that much. It’s full of flaws, no creativity. To be blunt, aside from me, hardly anyone would want it.”

“You can choose not to want it,” Team Leader Jin mustered the courage to say. “Our R&D work is hard too.”

“Your higher-ups are the ones pushing for this deal,” the man sneered. “Don’t talk to me about hard work. Fresh graduates are a dime a dozen. If you don’t do it, someone else will. You’re worth that price.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

Insulting me?

“You cooperate just because you’re told to? You don’t even have a price,” Song Ruochen said. “A free dog.”

The other side: “…?”

Team Leader Jin: “?”

“Who the hell are you?” the man raged. “Does your boss know you’re mouthing off to a partner?”

“It’s a bit mouthed-off,” Song Ruochen admitted. “I insulted dogs.”

“Partner? The only thing in all of Xiaoshi you’re fit to partner with is garbage,” Song Ruochen said. “Plenty of it, nice and rotten. Dig in.”

The other side: “You…”

Song Ruochen: “Which leader? Cooperate? More like colluding to ruin Xiaoshi. You two scumbags teaming up to bring the company down?”

Song Ruochen continued: “I’m the current leader. If you’re not convinced, hold it in.”

Click. Song Ruochen hung up the phone, cutting off the other side’s words.

[…]

Uh-oh, maybe he went overboard with the insults.

Song Ruochen: “System, rew—”

He turned his head.

Team Leader Jin and team members: “:0”

“Well… no need,” Song Ruochen said. “Selling your stuff cheap won’t earn their gratitude. They’ll just think it’s low-value and easy to scam, getting addicted to freeloading and coming back for more.”

Team Leader Jin: “Secretary Song QAQ”

Song Ruochen: “…”

—

Half an hour later, the branch office’s all-staff meeting was about to begin. Jian Yuheng stood by the window, on a call, watching the employees file in.

The first employee entered, glanced around, and tossed Song Ruochen a chocolate pie.

The second employee threw him a cheese stick.

The third handed over a box of fruit candies.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

No one mentioned a snack tax for the meeting.

“One, two, three,” Song Ruochen was counting his rations.

Jian Yuheng walked over, sat beside him, pointed to his own neck, and asked softly, “Still hurt?”

The bite was too deep.

“Let me try.” Song Ruochen shook his head side to side, then wildly. “Aaaah, it hurts.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Is it possible I was asking if it hurts when you’re still?

Jian Yuheng rummaged through his pocket and slapped five liqueur chocolates on the table.

Jian Yuheng: “Hm…”

Unknowingly, he’d voluntarily paid the tax.

“Second Young Master, want me to flip through the PPT for you later?” Song Ruochen asked.

“No need,” Jian Yuheng said. “When Secretary Song’s idle, I’m at ease.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

You’re not allowed to steal Fuzzy Monster’s ideas.

“Xiao Jian,” Song Ruochen said, “Perform well.”

“Xiao Song, eat your snacks.” Jian Yuheng lightly tapped Song Ruochen’s head with a few sheets of paper.

The papers brushed his hair, causing a slight itch. Song Ruochen squinted.

[Freeloading Song Ruochen.]

“I’ll share some,” Song Ruochen said. “Except these chocolates, pick whatever you like.”

[Waaah, high-quality grape.]

Good Grape got sleepy as soon as the meeting started, so he covered his eyes and sneakily pulled out his phone.

[Covering your ears to steal a bell? (Munch munch munch)]

“Meetings are so boring,” Song Ruochen said. “I’m gonna scroll some short videos.”

Jian Yuheng strode onto the stage with a CEO’s swagger, noticing the employees’ expressions shift from “fear” to “friendly.”

What’s going on? What did Song Ruochen do now?

His planned intimidation and warning shots seemed unnecessary.

“Good day, branch office employees,” Jian Yuheng began. “I’m…”

A synthetic male voice interrupted, paired with epic BGM: “Jian Yuheng, Second Young Master of Xiaoshi Group, elite graduate, a real-life domineering CEO, an unparalleled high-quality Alpha…”

The audience: “Wow!”

Song Ruochen, who had just opened a short video searching Jian Yuheng, fumbled to lower the volume, but the sound only got louder.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

[Ding dang.]

Song Ruochen buried his head in his arms.

“Good day, branch office employees,” Jian Yuheng restarted.

What was Song Ruochen searching?

Did those online editors write decent articles?

I haven’t done anything villainous, have I?

Focus on the meeting first.

“No need to be nervous, it’s nothing major,” Jian Yuheng said. “Just here to discuss raising salaries and improving employee benefits. As a Xiao Shi branch, your pay should match Xiao Shi’s standards.”

“You get it,” Jian Yuheng said. “No benefits, just empty promises and talk of company loyalty? That’s clown behavior.”

The employees’ jaws dropped.

“Details of the benefits are on the screen,” Jian Yuheng said. “Take a look.”

The employees looked. They felt they’d hit the jackpot. Cheers erupted.

Employee 1: “Quack quack?”

Employee 2 nodded: “Quack!”

Employee 3: “Quack quack quack!”

“However—” Jian Yuheng continued, “regrettably, some of you won’t be enjoying these benefits.”

The room fell silent.

“Xiaoshi doesn’t… keep idle workers or those with poor conduct,” Jian Yuheng said. “Those who’ve embezzled, leaked company secrets, or engaged in ABO gender discrimination will not stay.”

In the back row, the Jia-surnamed employee who’d mouthed off to Song Ruochen the previous day paled, turning ghost-white.

Was it that serious just for saying a few harsh words to a headquarters secretary?

“If you’re dissatisfied, come ask me why,” Jian Yuheng said.

Firing a few egregious offenders freed up funds to boost benefits for the remaining staff.

Those who stayed were fully convinced of the new leader’s authority.

Meanwhile, Song Ruochen was practically setting his phone on fire with scrolling.

Following short videos, he stumbled onto Jian Yuheng’s social media account and found old posts.

Things like encountering a sunset-lit forest during a walk, or a Sunday lake beautiful like an unawakened dream.

Even a selfie, captioned: “This time, I’ll take back everything that belongs to me.”

“So magical, System Bao,” Song Ruochen said. “It’s like reading a bonus chapter from the original book.”

The book’s description of Jian Yuheng wasn’t this detailed. His curiosity about the villain grew.

[This proves waiting for updates is worse than transmigrating to research it yourself?]

Song Ruochen: “?”

“What’re you looking at?” The meeting was over, and Jian Yuheng came over.

Song Ruochen: “…”

“Watching funny animal videos,” Song Ruochen said, exiting 2nd Young Master’s social media page and casually scrolling through videos.

Short video: “Jian Yuheng, Xiaoshi CEO’s autobiography, sharing an inspiring life, only 23.85 yuan…”

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Song Ruochen scrolled again.

Short video: “Jian Yuheng, Xiaoshi Second Young Master’s outfit dupes, Alphas, check it out [link].”

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Song Ruochen (sweating buckets version) scrolled again.

Short video: “Xiaoshi Second Young Master’s dream car—how to own one? Lie down and dream.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

This big data.

How did the short video app turn into Jian Yuheng’s clone?

“These are… funny animals?” Jian Yuheng couldn’t hold it in.

Which of those three words applied to him?

[Ding (softly) dang (softly)]

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Just scrolled, so what? What’s there to be shy about?

“I never wrote an autobiography,” Jian Yuheng said. “…Don’t buy it, it’s a scam.”

Song Ruochen stiffly turned his head: “Oh, okay.”

“If you want to know, I can tell you in person,” Jian Yuheng said.

Song Ruochen: “…No, I don’t want to.”

I just wanted some bonus content, really, no other intentions.

“Time to clock out, Evil Young Master,” Song Ruochen said solemnly, packing up his desk snacks, adding weight.

“You ate that much in such a short time?” Jian Yuheng was shocked.

[Shifty-eyed whistle.jpg]

“The system ate them,” Song Ruochen said. “Not all me.”

“Secretary Song, bye-bye,” a few employees passed by, waving at Song Ruochen. “See you this afternoon.”

“Bye-bye-bye,” Song Ruochen waved back.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

This neurotic secretary was so popular.

“Evil Young Master, I’m heading out for fieldwork this afternoon,” Song Ruochen said. “Won’t be at the branch.”

“Oh?” Second Young Master asked softly. “Fieldwork at a snack shop or the food court?”

“Evaluating the food industry for Xiaoshi,” Song Ruochen said seriously.

“Go, go,” Jian Yuheng waved him off. “Come back early tonight.”

—

In the afternoon, with Secretary Song not handling tasks, Jian Yuheng was bored out of his mind.

At dusk, on his way home, he passed yesterday’s cake shop and went in to buy two ice cream cakes of different flavors.

As he was about to press the elevator button, he ran into the neurotic monkey returning to the mountain.

“Wait, wait, wait!” Song Ruochen sped up.

Jian Yuheng held the door-open button: “No rush.”

Song Ruochen tumbled in, squinting.

He caught the hawthorn scent again—exclusive (trial version) hawthorn.

“Where’d you go to play?” Jian Yuheng asked. “Don’t pretend.”

The back-to-basics Song Ruochen said: “Went to a tourist spot. Expensive and bad food.”

Jian Yuheng chuckled lightly.

He always felt that Song Ruochen brought a fresh sense of excitement to every place he went, somehow making Jian Yuheng himself look forward to the city a bit more.

Infectiousness—this must be the legendary infectiousness.

Bullshit, are you really into the city?

“Stop talking,” Jian Yuheng said.

“You have a system too?” Song Ruochen tilted his head.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“What’d Second Young Master buy?” Song Ruochen pointed curiously at the plastic bag in Jian Yuheng’s hand.

“Omega medicine,” Jian Yuheng said.

“Can it cure poverty?” Song Ruochen asked.

“It… treats bite wounds,” Jian Yuheng said.

Song Ruochen touched the back of his neck: “Ah, oh, ouch, eek.”

It still hurt a bit.

The Omega and Alpha entered Song Ruochen’s room, one after the other.

O: “?”

A: “I’m putting some medicine on it. It’s hard for you to do it yourself.”

“Okay, okay, okay.” Song Ruochen’s eyelashes lowered, his pale cheeks slightly flushed. He raised a hand, unbuttoned the top two buttons, and parted his “grape skin” a bit, exposing his neck.

Jian Yuheng’s hand, holding the medicated cotton, trembled.

He really bit too deep!

The wound wasn’t bleeding anymore, but the area around it was bruised, looking a bit pitiful and somehow stirring something in an Alpha’s heart…

Jian Yuheng’s left foot stepped on his right.

“It might sting a bit,” Jian Yuheng said.

Song Ruochen: “Hah, I’m not afraid of pain.”

The cool medicated cotton pressed against his neck, and amidst the tingling soreness, a sharp sting emerged.

Song Ruochen: “…Kidding.”

Jian Yuheng was speechless. He lightened his touch, gently pressing the cotton around the gland and giving it a soft rub.

Song Ruochen squinted, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. He instinctively tilted his head back, his hair brushing against Jian Yuheng’s wrist.

Brother Hawthorn’s got some skills.

Jian Yuheng’s fingertips toyed with the soft strands of hair a few times.

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng began, “what were you trying to find out about me today? You can just ask me directly.”

“It’s… not the same,” Song Ruochen said, his gaze dodging. “You know what eating melons is? Nobody listens to the main character’s words. The juicy stuff you dig up yourself is the best.”

Jian Yuheng: “?”

“Alright.” Jian Yuheng tossed the cotton into the trash and patted his head. “Rest early.”

“I’m gonna shower,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng: “Me too.”

Thirty minutes later, Song Ruochen was done. Soaking in the bathtub, he played with his phone—

[Jian Yuheng]: Forgot to give you the ice cream cakes. They’ve melted into ice cream pancakes.

[Jian Yuheng]: Wanna rewind and eat?

If he rewound to eat, wouldn’t the bath be for nothing?

“System,” Song Ruochen said, “Use the new feature ‘Ding Ding Dang Dang.’”

[New feature “Ding Ding Dang Dang” retains the host’s current physical state during a rewind, including clothing, expressions, and actions. Due to its overpowered nature, it’s limited to two uses per month.]

Song Ruochen: “Go.”

[Ding Ding Dang Dang]

[Detecting host is naked. Designating the nearest object, water, as clothing.]

Song Ruochen: “? Wait, what…”

In the next room, Jian Yuheng, not getting a reply, went to work out on the treadmill.

He was almost done, feeling hot. Time for a shower.

[Ding Ding Dang Dang.]

Jian Yuheng: “?”

New code word?

The next second, still in his running stance and dripping with sweat, he was transported to Song Ruochen’s room.

And then—

Splash.

A wave of water poured from above, drenching him.

Jian Yuheng: “…?”

“Aaaaah!”

Song Ruochen dropped from the sky, crashing into his arms.

The two stumbled and collapsed onto the sofa together.

Song Ruochen, sprawled on top, frantically stretched out his dripping hands and covered the Alpha’s eyes.