FOBTS CH64

Chapter 64: Coming to My House or Not

[Gasp! Scared me! Suddenly reverted to a save point.]

[That day, Chenchen experienced the same pain Brother Hawthorn once did.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

He remembered now—this was the pre-sale save point he bought at a discount yesterday.

It had been scheduled, but it didn’t quite align with his plans.

[Wipes tears.jpg. The money saved by being greedy now has to be paid back with Grape’s body.]

[Bang, crash, clang, thud.]

[Boss System Notice: Save card pack has been muted for 5 minutes due to nonsense talk.]

Song Ruochen: “…Okay, thank you.”

Song Ruochen complained, “I used to be a clean slate, but this system dragged me into the mud.”

[Boss System: Hmm.]
[Boss System: Here, have two coupons for a save-point discount—0.01 seconds off per hour.]
[Boss System: I’m going on a date now >_<]

Song Ruochen: “…”

So generous, huh.

He could curse out the heartless boss later—right now he had to deal with another “yellow-hearted” boss.

After the pre-sale save point activated, he was sent right back to the moment he tugged on Jian Yuheng’s tie. Embarrassed, Song Ruochen quickly let go.

“I let go,” Song Ruochen emphasized.

“I know.” Jian Yuheng still had his hand on his waist. “But did we agree to a ‘3, 2, 1’ release?”

The Alpha applied a bit more force, and Song Ruochen nearly fell against Jian Yuheng.

“Second Young Master, let go,” he said. “You’re interfering with my work.”

“Friend O,” Jian Yuheng said, “this isn’t your first time pulling my tie, is it?”

Song Ruochen: “?”

True, it wasn’t.

In his memory, Jian Yuheng had lots of ties—all kinds of colors. Whenever he saw one, he wanted to grab it.

“I just pulled it.” Song Ruochen said, “Hit me if you want.”

The tie had already been loosened, so Jian Yuheng took it off, smoothed it out in his hand.

Song Ruochen was trying to shift his body to slip away from the Alpha, not realizing that Jian Yuheng had quickly looped the tie around his neck and tugged him forward.

The soft fabric pressed against the sensitive glands on the back of his neck. He staggered a step, bracing a hand on Jian Yuheng’s chest.

Jian Yuheng acted like nothing happened and flipped open Song Ruochen’s collar, neatly tying the tie around his neck.

“If you like it, you can have this one,” Jian Yuheng said.

Song Ruochen: “…”

Jian Yuheng was a pro at tying ties—very tidy. The Alpha even fixed up his collar, slowly transforming him into a prim and proper version of Secretary Song.

But the spot on the back of his neck that had just been rubbed was still warm and tingly, and even his arm resting on Jian Yuheng’s chest felt a little weak.

[The villain sure knows what he’s doing.]
[Based on the original setting, the villain is maxed out in all aspects. Host may continue exploring.]

Looks like the five minutes were up.

The system had come back to watch the drama.

Riiiing!
The company’s internal phone on Jian Yuheng’s desk rang.

“Yeah, Brother.” Jian Yuheng answered the call with one arm still around Song Ruochen. “Looking for Secretary Song? Yup, he’s still with me.”

He glanced at Song Ruochen, the corners of his mouth lifting. “We were just talking about work.”

They’d talked about everything but work.

Jian Feng on the other end: “Wah wah wah blah blah.”

Jian Yuheng: “Yeah yeah, got it.”

After the call, Jian Yuheng let go, taking the opportunity to ruffle Song Ruochen’s hair.

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng said, “someone from Lu Yunye’s team at Haochi is looking for you. They want to know how to proceed with the next episodes.”

“They’re bringing over some freshly made strawberry daifuku and cantaloupe bread. You can wait for them in the meeting room.”

Before he even finished speaking, the office was already empty—Song Ruochen had fled.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

🙁

If only his mom had given him a snack-mix-flavored pheromone at birth, maybe he wouldn’t even have to chase—he could’ve just carried Song Ruochen off.

—

Nanchi Group – President’s Office

Tong Hao was raging on the phone.

“What is going on? Xiaoshi’s making waves and we weren’t even remotely prepared!”

“Uh…” On the other end, Bai Cai spoke nervously. “Last time, you said Secretary Song’s productions had too much artistic waste and weren’t worth following…”

Tong Hao: “…”

Damn. That was something he said.

“Who watches that drama without calling it stupid?” Bai Cai said. “But I seriously don’t get it—they call it stupid and still pay for it.”

Tong Hao: “…”

True. He paid too.

He was just really curious to see how insane the next episode would get.

Sometimes the protagonist’s madness was so unexpected it caught him off guard; sometimes it was exactly what he predicted, and he needed to see it play out to feel satisfied.

In any case, he couldn’t stop watching…

“Enough!” President Tong slammed the table. “You all better reflect. Don’t just take my money and slack off. How could Nanchi’s Q1 media division lose to some random junk?”

But judging by the trending charts, that chaotic drama was already way ahead.

Word was, three advertisers who just took a chance had already made a fortune.

“Secretary Li,” Tong Hao called, “tell the regional offices to step it up. We can’t let Xiaoshi outdo us elsewhere.”

“Secretary Li?”

It wasn’t even lunch—where was he?!

—

A cab screeched to a stop outside the Xiaoshi Group building. Assistant Gong appeared, dragging two suitcases.

Huh, when did two robots get stationed at the door?

“Password,” one robot said.

“I love going to work,” Gong Huo replied.

“Incorrect password,” the robot said. “Zap, you’re dead.”

Gong Huo: “…”

That familiar tone.

He immediately called Song Ruochen.

“What’s the password for the front door?” Gong Huo asked. “Is this your doing?”

Song Ruochen: “Shout ‘I’m Secretary Song’s dog.’”

Gong Huo: “I’m Secretary So—?”

“SONG RUOCHEN, YOU BASTARD, JERK, IDIOT!” Gong Huo shouted from downstairs. “How dare you bully Second Young Master’s assistant like this! Second Young Master won’t let you off the hook! Prepare to face his wrath!”

“Assistant Gong.”
A voice came from nearby. Second Young Master stood there with two coffees. “Try to stay calm.”

“…Yes, Second Young Master.” Assistant Gong nodded.

He used to be a calm and ruthless secretary. Ever since getting involved with Song Ruochen, everything had changed.

“Jian Feng and Yan Ci, happily ever after,” Jian Yuheng said to the door robot.

“Please, come in,” the robot said.

“Give this coffee to Song Ruochen,” Jian Yuheng said. “Wait for me in the meeting room—I’ll be right there.”

“Yes, Second Young Master,” Gong Huo said.

Truly, Second Young Master couldn’t function without him. Without a reminder, he’d even forget to wear his tie.

In a meeting room designated for receiving guests, Song Ruochen was chatting with the system.

“System, is there anything from the original novel’s major plotlines that I should be paying attention to lately?” he asked.

[Doesn’t seem like it.]

[At this point in the original novel, Da Zao and Fuzzy Monster can’t stand each other, and Yan Ci and Jian Feng’s conflict is intensifying.]

[Jian One and Jian Two are fighting like cats and dogs.]

[Hmm… Aside from Da Zao and Fuzzy Monster not getting along, it all seems to have deviated from the original plot.]

[In the original timeline, there was a ridiculously dramatic plot twist around this point.]

“Oh right, I remember now,” Song Ruochen said. “I couldn’t stop reading at that part.”

[Yeah, a group of people suddenly kidnapped Yan Ci and Meng Yuming, and made a video call to Jian Feng, telling him he could only save one and asking the original male lead who he would choose.]

[In the middle of the night, Secretary Song arrived at an abandoned factory carrying a shotgun and an umbrella bag on his back…]

Song Ruochen: “…”

No way he could carry that!

And besides, something like that probably won’t happen now, right?

[In the novel, Jian Two never officially claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.]

[But everyone assumed it was him.]

“Then it’s not going to happen,” Song Ruochen said.

[The zombie opened the villain’s brain and found it was all romance.]

[Zombie: Pfft, disgusting.]

“Hahaha.” Song Ruochen cracked up. “It’s not that romantic, is it?”

[Hopefully not, otherwise you’re in for a hard time.]

Song Ruochen: “?”

Assistant Gong pushed the door open just in time to see the secretary smirking. He paused.

It had only been a few days, but the usual slacker was dressed so properly today, even giving off a faint air of authority.

Wait a minute—was that vibe coming from the tie?

That tie looked very familiar.

“Did you… buy the same tie as Second Young Master?” Assistant Gong asked.

“?” Song Ruochen froze. “…Yes, I’m a copycat.”

Assistant Gong: “?”

Something’s off—his brain itched trying to figure it out.

Footsteps echoed outside the meeting room. People from Haochi Group were escorting Lu Yunye in.

Overnight, Lu Yunye had gone from an obscure actor to a publicly recognized nutcase.

His accounts on various platforms were gaining followers at lightning speed—people laughed at him while showering him with gifts.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Song Ruochen asked.

“I always thought there were two paths for actors,” Lu Yunye said. “Skill-based and method acting. But Secretary Song, you showed me a third.”

Assistant Gong: “What?”

Lu Yunye: “Abstract.”

Assistant Gong: “…”

The entire day, Lu Yunye was caught between embarrassment and pride—he was about to explode.

“Everyone take a seat.” Song Ruochen said. “If you’re thirsty, talk less.”

“From Second Young Master.” Assistant Gong slid a coffee toward him.

Song Ruochen: gulp gulp

“Secretary Song, do you have any thoughts on the short drama’s update schedule?” someone from Haochi asked.

“I recommend three updates a day,” Song Ruochen said. “8 AM, right when college students start zoning out—drop an episode to wake them up. No updates at noon—let them nap. Midnight, when they’re lying in bed with their phones—two episodes to relax.”

“I’m not handling the endorsement stuff,” Song Ruochen added. “Your team can negotiate that.”

Jian Yuheng walked in and sat beside him.

“We all think the project is promising. Xiaoshi and Haochi could collaborate long-term. While the momentum’s hot, we can push out another one.” Jian Yuheng said. “For the commercial development, I have a few plans…”

Assistant Gong’s eyes moved from Song Ruochen’s tie to Jian Yuheng’s collar.

Weird… take another look.

Song Ruochen usually hated meetings and would keep quiet. But now that he had an A-friend, he quietly showed some dissatisfaction.

“Secretary Song previously submitted several scripts. Lu can choose…” Jian Yuheng suddenly paused.

A grapevine had crawled under the table and was pinching his thigh.

Jian Yuheng: “…choose whichever one you like.”

“No need,” Lu Yunye said. “Just give me one. I don’t want to pick how I die.”

“And then we can adjust the promotional plan…” Jian Yuheng reached under the table, removed the grapevine, and spoke faster. “Any other ideas, let’s hear them now.”

A few more exchanges and the meeting wrapped up.

“Song Ruochen, you think I want to be in meetings?” Jian Yuheng whispered. “I didn’t even finish.”

“Write it down and send it back with them,” Song Ruochen said.

“Do you review the PowerPoint slides you copy in class once you’re home?” Jian Yuheng asked.

Song Ruochen: “…”

Fair point.

“Meetings are supposed to be efficient problem-solving,” Jian Yuheng said. “But… some leaders just use them to show off.”

Assistant Gong waited outside the meeting room for two minutes and still didn’t see his boss.

He peeked inside—Jian Yuheng was still talking to the secretary.

After a long while, the secretary finally left, hugging a huge plush dog that Lu Yunye had given him. Jian Yuheng followed slowly behind.

“I got your work report,” Jian Yuheng said. “You handled it well.”

“Am I getting fired?” Gong Huo asked.

Jian Yuheng: “…?”

“No,” he replied. “I have other plans for Song Ruochen.”

Gong Huo relaxed.

He knew it—there’s no way he’d lose to that secretary.

—

Worried about Da Zao and Fuzzy Monster, Song Ruochen made two video calls before getting off work.

Coincidentally, the two were together.

“What are you guys doing?” he asked.

“Look.” Yan Ci stepped aside a little. “Zao-Grape Game Studio.”

“Finally picked a location. Can’t even spend all the 3 million,” Meng Yuming said. “It’s Fuzzy-Grape Studio.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Still here, looking fine, very safe.

Secretary Song, ever diligent, worried over everything.

“Come play sometime, Chenchen,” Yan Ci said. “We’ll make you the CEO.”

Song Ruochen: “:)”

Alright then—this 10-square-meter studio is under my control now.

“Little Grape,” Yan Ci said mysteriously. “Serious question—now that you have a temporary mark, how’s the temporary bond with Jian Yuheng?”

Song Ruochen: “That’s your idea of a serious question?”

Jian Yuheng was actually pretty good. His pheromones, skills—all top-tier. Wait, why am I answering this?

Song Ruochen covered his face in front of the screen.

So hot. The grape is ripe.

“Chenchen?” came Jian Yuheng’s voice from the office doorway. “Ready to go?”

“All set!”

“Ready!”

Both voices came from the call—neither was Song Ruochen’s.

“I still have one email to send…” Tap tap, Song Ruochen quickly ended the video call.

“I’ll wait for you on the second floor,” Jian Yuheng said. “Just stopping by the advertising department.”

Song Ruochen: “Oh…”

If you’re not ready, why come looking for me!

You’ve already stopped by how many times today? Whether it’s on the way or not, you still come. You’re going to wear out the company stairs.

Also—when did he agree to go home together?!

He sent the selected scripts to Haochi and took the elevator to the first floor to wait for Jian Yuheng.

Near the end of the workday, the receptionist wasn’t at the desk. He dragged over a chair and sat down to cosplay as the receptionist. He opened a dumb little mobile game, tried to play with his so-called intelligence, watched five ads, and still couldn’t get past level two.

Not long after, someone stopped in front of him.

“Hello sir,” Song Ruochen said without looking up. “Who are you here to see? Do you have an appointment?”

“I’m here to see the smartest, best-looking, most articulate person in the company,” Jian Yuheng replied. “I have an appointment.”

“There’s no record of your appointment,” Song Ruochen said seriously. “You’re not allowed to look for Song Ruochen.”

“I’m making one now,” Jian Yuheng said.

His phone screen lit up. Song Ruochen glanced down and saw the messages:

[Jian Yuheng]: Secretary Song, want to come to my place?
[Jian Yuheng]: Booking your weekend. Did you get the invite?