FOBTS CH60

Chapter 60: Hugs, More Hugs!

Jian Yuheng dashed off a business trip report in five minutes.

“Bro, writing with divine speed?” Jian Feng asked.

“Just scribbling,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’m the boss—who’s gonna dock my pay?”

Jian Feng: “…”

Was his brother always like this?

A polite knock came from outside the office door. It was Meng Yumian.

“Wahhh, Secretary Song!” Meng Yumian lunged forward. “I tossed and turned without you here!”

Yan Ci stretched out a leg.

Meng Yumian: “Oof!”

The fuzzy monster thudded to the floor at Song Ruochen’s feet.

“Yan Ci! This is how you treat me?!” Meng Yumian scrambled up, fuming, and pushed his wheelchair toward Yan Ci. “You two-faced jujube!”

[The original book’s protagonist and his childhood friend have bickered 50 times for you. The ‘Secretary’ badge has been added to the host.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

“One for each.” He pulled souvenirs from his bag. “They’re the same, no picking.”

“Wow, I love it!” Yan Ci gave Song Ruochen a hug.

Song Ruochen: “You haven’t even opened it!”

Yan Ci sniffed, tilted his head in thought for half a second, then signaled Meng Yumian with a “charge!” gesture.

“The short drama project led by Secretary Song goes live this week,” Jian Feng said. “Short timeline, low budget—is this project really okay?”

Jian Yuheng: “Trust Secretary Song.”

“I’m just saying, Xiaoshi’s been openly prepping for this project,” Jian Feng said. “The people you told me to watch, Bai Cai and Xiang Cai, heard it’s Song’s project and didn’t even bother trying to steal it.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Learned their lesson after one slip, huh?

“There’s a joint expo in City A this Friday. Both we and Nanchi will attend,” Jian Feng said.

“Speaking of which, in the AI development field, I got…” Jian Yuheng trailed off, stunned.

Yan Ci was clinging to Song Ruochen’s waist, Meng Yumian to his legs, and together they hoisted the omega out of the office.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Doesn’t sister-in-law have work tonight?” Jian Yuheng asked. “You’re not spending time with her after work? Doesn’t she have other friends?”

Jian Feng: “?”

In the next room, Song Ruochen was pressed into a chair.

“Little Grape, fess up,” Yan Ci said. “What’d you do on the trip?”

Song Ruochen: “Sweated for Xiaoshi.”

“You’ve got alpha pheromones on you,” Yan Ci said. “Hawthorn scent—Jian Yuheng’s scent.”

Meng Yumian’s face lit up with excitement.

“I was on a trip with him. Spending so much time together, picking up some scent is normal, right?” Song Ruochen deflected.

“Some scent,” Yan Ci said. “This isn’t just ‘some’. I can tell the difference between innocent hawthorn and stay-away hawthorn.”

Yan Ci continued, “Little Grape, anyone within half a meter of you can tell you’re an omega who’s been temporarily marked!”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Busted.

Yan Ci: “Grape, was it good?”

Meng Yumian: “How long’s the mark?”

Song Ruochen: “…”

What, are you guys this open?

Song Ruochen shrank like a shrimp, his face red from the questions. “It was… an accident.”

“It, uh, hurt a bit,” he answered stiffly. “Don’t remember how long.”

Do you guys seriously talk about this stuff in private?

“Accidents are great,” Yan Ci said. “Jian Feng and I were an accident too.”

Yan Ci: “Little Grape, accidents are a kind of fate.”

“Secretary Song, you and Jian-bro are kinda perfect,” Meng Yumian said. “Both at Xiaoshi—pretty much a match made in heaven.”

Song Ruochen: “Seeing him at work and after work… how’s that perfect?”

“You can bring work home, and home stuff to the office!” Yan Ci said. “Constant communication.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

“I’ve got an idea for a new sketch,” Meng Yumian said, waving Yan Ci over. “Temporary mark, whisper-whisper.”

Yan Ci shook his head, gesturing. “No, it’s gotta be whisper-whisper-whisper…”

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng’s voice came from outside. “There’s a company safety drill later.”

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

A drill for what?

[Xiaoshi Group’s annual employee safety drill.]

[Includes fire drills and ABO medical safety drills.]

“Oh, right,” Yan Ci said. “When I came by the day before, I caught the fire drill. Ran down the stairs from the 25th floor to the first—nearly died.”

Meng Yumian: “So today’s the ABO medical safety drill.”

Song Ruochen was about to open the door, his hand on the knob, but paused. He turned to the mirror by the wall, smoothing out the wrinkles in his clothes from their earlier roughhousing.

“Second Young Master, what do I need to do?” Song Ruochen (polished version) asked, opening the door.

“Everyone’s gathering in the first-floor lobby,” Jian Yuheng said.

When Song Ruochen reached the conference hall, it was already packed.

He found a corner to sit in and was promptly handed a handful of cream-filled soft candies by nearby employees.

“This year’s instructor is an official doctor from the ‘Awo~’ app,” Yan Ci said.

“I know him,” Meng Yumian said. “He bought Anger III, a painting I made under Secretary Song’s guidance, for 200,000.”

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng approached. “After the drill, everyone here gets a snack gift bag. You’ll hand them out.”

Song Ruochen: “Sweet!”

Song Ruochen: “Bring one over first—I’ll do a quality check for everyone.”

“Knew you’d say that,” Jian Yuheng chuckled softly, placing a snack gift bag on the table in front of the fuzzy-zao-grape.

“Good afternoon, Xiaoshi employees. I’m Dr. Yuan Zhong from the ‘Awo~’ app and a chief physician at City Hospital,” the instructor began. “I’m here today at Xiaoshi’s request to conduct the ABO medical safety drill.”

“Sometimes, an alpha’s susceptibility period or an omega’s heat can be unpredictable. If this happens in the workplace, how should those who notice respond?” Dr. Yuan said. “Let’s start by selecting a lucky participant.”

He reached into the draw box and pulled out a name: “We welcome President’s Secretary Song Ruochen.”

[Ding-dong.]

He drew again.

“We welcome Group Executive President Jian Yuheng.”

[Ding-dong.]

Dr. Yuan: “Song Ruochen!”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Buddy, is our names the only ones in that box?

“Secretary Song, come on up,” Dr. Yuan said. “Please play the role of an omega in heat and choose an alpha from the audience you’re willing to work with. I’ll guide you both through the drill for everyone.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Ugh.

He was pretty popular, and seeing his hesitation, several alpha employees in the audience raised their hands voluntarily.

Song Ruochen didn’t mind demonstrating, but he wasn’t keen on getting too close to alphas. Since transmigrating as an omega, he’d kept his distance from all alphas—except one.

He suddenly realized he didn’t mind Jian Yuheng’s proximity. He was fine with him sitting close, hugging him, patting his head, or… temporarily marking him.

“Secretary Song?” Dr. Yuan asked. “Have you chosen?”

Below the stage, Bai Cai raised his hand with ill intent.

Jian Yuheng’s mood soured instantly, his hawthorn-like temperament turning from tart to furious as he shot Bai Cai glare after glare.

“Brother?” Jian Feng asked. “Your anger’s burning me now.”

“I choose Second Young Master,” Song Ruochen declared.

“Second Young Master,” Dr. Yuan said, “Secretary Song has chosen you. Please come up.”

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited with 10 minutes.]

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited with 15 minutes.]

Song Ruochen didn’t need to check to know the jujubes were going wild.

He walked onto the stage with a cool demeanor.

“Now, you’re an omega who’s suddenly gone into heat,” Dr. Yuan said. “You can start performing.”

Song Ruochen swayed, clutching the wall, then staggered as if his legs were giving out.

He was a pro at this.

Jian Yuheng instinctively reached out, catching him in one swift motion.

“Wow!” The audience erupted in cheers. “Nice!”

Employees loved watching their bosses perform.

Nice, my foot, Song Ruochen thought, sneaking an eye-roll.

“Second Young Master reacted quickly,” Dr. Yuan praised. “Preventing the omega from falling—just like that.”

Jian Yuheng subtly rolled his eyes.

Quick? I’ve caught him plenty of times. 100% Song Ruochen catch rate.

He let Song Ruochen lean against his shoulder.

“As we all know, an omega in heat can affect alphas,” Dr. Yuan continued. “At this moment, our alpha employees must restrain themselves, suppress their pheromones, and avoid harming the omega.”

Jian Yuheng clenched his fist, demonstrating restraint.

Song Ruochen began flopping like a fish in boiling water.

“Secretary Song,” Dr. Yuan said, “Normal omegas… don’t act like that.”

Jian Yuheng: “Hahahaha.”

[Ding-dong.]

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Not even allowed to laugh.

Secretary Song hung his head, leaning on Jian Yuheng’s shoulder, looking uncomfortable.

“Second Young Master, now check his temperature, breathing rate, and heartbeat,” Dr. Yuan instructed.

Song Ruochen closed his eyes, feeling Jian Yuheng’s hand gently touch his forehead. The hand soon moved away, and the alpha’s fingertips rested on his wrist.

“High temperature, rapid heartbeat,” Jian Yuheng reported.

Such a familiar routine.

This was… exactly how Jian Yuheng had handled him before.

It seemed like every time, Jian Yuheng was careful and patient with him.

Wait—Song Ruochen had been fine a moment ago, but now, with his temperature and heartbeat being called out, he actually felt them rising.

Jian Yuheng: “Doctor, no breathing.”

The audience burst into laughter.

Song Ruochen: “?”

Sorry, forgot to breathe from nerves.

He shot Jian Yuheng a glare and regulated his breathing.

“Breathing… short and rapid,” Jian Yuheng said. “Consciousness hazy.”

“Now, we need to move the incapacitated omega to a safe place,” Dr. Yuan said. “You can use a stret—”

Jian Yuheng didn’t hesitate, scooping Song Ruochen up in a bridal carry and placing him on a demo medical bed nearby.

Dr. Yuan: “…cher.”

Dr. Yuan: “…?”

“Stretchers aren’t always easy to find. Carrying… carrying works too,” Dr. Yuan said.

This was the second time Song Ruochen, fully conscious, was carried like this by Jian Yuheng.

Second Young Master’s strength was incredible, carrying him with ease, yet he set him down on the bed with utmost care.

Jian Yuheng was highly capable, physically strong, yet never abused his power—a powerful and restrained alpha.

“Find an inhibitor and administer it to the omega,” Dr. Yuan said. “In a company this size, someone’s bound to carry inhibitors.”

Jian Yuheng plucked a string of them from Song Ruochen’s clothing.

Dr. Yuan: “…I have a prop inhibitor.”

“There are three spots for injecting an omega’s inhibitor,” Dr. Yuan explained. “Arm, back of the neck, or hip. I recommend the neck gland—it’s most effective.”

Dr. Yuan continued, “But the gland is fragile. The sharp pain from injection can cause the omega to struggle, potentially injuring someone, so the injection must be quick, precise, and firm.”

Song Ruochen blinked.

The time Jian Yuheng injected him was beyond quick, precise, and firm—it was downright forceful, pinning him so thoroughly he hadn’t even had a chance to struggle.

Come to think of it, Hawthorn Bro’s knowledge of this stuff was impressive. He’d even diligently taken the pre-marital exam for this ABO world.

Jian Yuheng was… genuinely caring. He’d probably be a great partner too.

Living on a new planet, somehow entangled with Jian Yuheng, who didn’t find him annoying and even said he liked him. It seemed like every time Song Ruochen was at his lowest or most embarrassed, Second Young Master was there.

“Secretary Song, Second Young Master,” Dr. Yuan said, “Let’s demonstrate an inhibitor injection to the gland.”

Jian Yuheng deftly took the prop inhibitor bottle from the doctor, popped the cap, and held Song Ruochen close. He brushed aside the omega’s collar with the back of his hand, subtly turning to shield Song Ruochen completely.

Dr. Yuan: “Yes, it needs to be quick…”

“Ah…” Song Ruochen’s neck was lightly tapped by the needle-less bottle, and Jian Yuheng steadily mimicked the injection process.

The temporary mark’s trace lingered, making the skin on his neck hypersensitive. Even the slight bump and friction sent a tingle through him, weakening his legs and leaving him draped over Jian Yuheng. The alpha’s hold and deliberate motions felt like reliving the moment he’d been pinned for an actual injection.

“No less from Second Young Master and Secretary Song,” Dr. Yuan said. “This was a textbook demonstration.”

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited with 2 minutes.]

[Da Zao steadily dropping Rewind Coins.]

Dr. Yuan: “With this drill, you’ll know how to handle emergencies in the future.”

Second Young Master: “…”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Sorry, we handled the emergency first, then came to do the drill.

“Now, the omega who received the inhibitor is gradually calming down,” Dr. Yuan said.

Song Ruochen closed his eyes, playing dead.

Calm, my foot. His genetic condition meant inhibitors often acted like stimulants, with only special meds working somewhat. The most effective? Second Young Master’s temporary mark.

[Rewind Card Wallet credited with 5 minutes.]

[Sorry, sometimes I can’t tell if I’m a coin or card wallet—just know it’s credited.]

“Now, everything’s handled,” Dr. Yuan said. “You can take the omega to a safe place to rest and recover. That concludes our first drill…”

Jian Yuheng lifted Song Ruochen from the bed and carried him to an empty seat next to his own below the stage.

Jian Yuheng: “Sit.”

Dr. Yuan: “…”

The drill’s over, and you’re still carrying him? You even carried him away!

Alphas and their endless strength.

But… why are these two volunteers so practiced?

“Why’d you carry me here?” Song Ruochen asked.

He’d been sitting in the fuzzy-zao-grape zone earlier.

“The doctor said to find you a safe place,” Jian Yuheng replied.

“I found it,” he added in a voice only Song Ruochen could hear. “I’ll stay with you, keep you safe.”