FOBTS CH65

Chapter 65: Does It Still Hurt?

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Song Ruochen: “……”

Song Ruochen clenched his fists and knocked himself on the head.

“No date,” he said.

“You don’t want me to teach you how to swim?” Jian Yuheng asked.

“Seeing you again on the weekend… would feel like I’m working overtime,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

“Have you ever done overtime, Mr. Song?” Jian Yuheng asked. “You reduce your hours every day at Xiaoshi.”

【‘Reduce hours’ has been added to the Song Ruochen Dictionary.】

“I’ve received overtime pay before,” Song Ruochen argued. “No dates on the weekend, but today… fine.”

“But I’m not going to your place!” he quickly added, noticing the amused glint in this Alpha’s eyes.

[(Sound of pouring tea)(Sound of cracking sunflower seeds)]

“Then let’s go,” Jian Yuheng said cheerfully. “I’ll take you to dinner.”

Song Ruochen: “?!”

The A and O exited the company one after another and stopped in front of a flashy sports car. Jian Yuheng felt like he saw an afterimage—it was that fast.

Song Ruochen fastened his seatbelt and sat up straight. Jian Yuheng didn’t rush to start the car; instead, he handed over a tablet.

“These are some restaurants in A City I think are pretty good,” Jian Yuheng said. “Pick one you like, I’ll take you there.”

“I never make decisions,” Song Ruochen replied.

Jian Yuheng: “……”

“Alright then,” he said. “We’ll eat until you’re tired.”

Gong Huo finished his workday, humming along to music as he left the company, just in time to see his boss’s car drive off—with Song Ruochen in the passenger seat?

Uh-oh. That weird feeling just got stronger.

—

After hearing the third “ding-dong,” Jian Yuheng once again drove Song Ruochen to a different hot pot restaurant.

Song Ruochen swayed side to side in the passenger seat, once again cosplaying a sunflower basking in sunlight.

“You always use your archive return like this?” Jian Yuheng asked.

“Hm?” Song Ruochen’s lips curled in satisfaction. “Yeah!”

“Sometimes I use it to play games too,” he added. “I’m a god to my teammates.”

Jian Yuheng: “……”

Using archive returns that often and still becoming a god—his nerves must’ve become divine too.

Still, it was kind of interesting.

Though the system’s functions were limited, in the hands of someone with ambition, it could stir up a lot of waves. There were countless ways to climb the ranks with it.

But Song Ruochen used it to eat cake, play games… and flirt shamelessly with him.

Maybe that’s exactly why the system chose him.

“We’re here,” Jian Yuheng said.

Song Ruochen had already gotten out of the car on his own.

Inside the hot pot restaurant, a TV was playing Lu Yunye’s new drama. Hardly anyone was eating—everyone was glued to the screen.

Even people walking past the restaurant stopped and stared for a few minutes.

Song Ruochen recorded this rare scene and sent it to Lu Yunye—

[Lu Yunye]: I want to die.

[Lu Yunye]: So embarrassing. You even caught my high school homeroom teacher in the video.

Song Ruochen looked back and saw a middle-aged Beta standing at the entrance, staring intensely at the screen.

[Song Ruochen]: It’s an honor for him to have taught you.

[Song Ruochen]: You’re really popular now.

[Song Ruochen]: Everyone’s saying your acting range is limitless. You’re a big star.

[Lu Yunye]: A big dark star.

[Song Ruochen]: Your future’s limitless.

“Stop chatting,” Jian Yuheng said. “Let’s order.”

“Coming, coming.” Song Ruochen tossed his phone aside and picked up the menu.

Jian Yuheng watched him order, the corners of his lips curved in a light smile.

Three archive returns in one night—three times the dating joy. Song Ruochen was happy, and so was he.

This little secretary had surprisingly creative uses for the system, Jian Yuheng thought to himself.

“I’m done ordering,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng called over the waiter and handed over the menu.

“Do you have plans with someone else this weekend?” he asked.

[Smart guy.]

“I’m meeting Daguai and Maozao,” Song Ruochen said. “We’re going to an amusement park.”

“Go ahead,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll ask you out again next weekend.”

[Is it just a meeting? Side-eye smile.jpg]

Song Ruochen: “……”

Autumn hadn’t even arrived, and the system was already toast.

“I’m just asking you to hang out,” Jian Yuheng said. “You know, the books say once there’s a temporary mark, an alpha can’t stand being away from their omega for even a day.”

Song Ruochen: “Oh…”

Now that he thought about it, he kind of felt the same.

Addicted to Jian Yuheng’s scent, loving his voice, and even having some wild thoughts he didn’t dare admit.

So that was the effect of the temporary mark. Well, then he might as well think freely.

After finishing the hot pot, Song Ruochen happily ended the date. The AO pair walked toward the parking lot.

“Why are you walking so slowly?” Jian Yuheng slowed his pace. “Song Ruo… stuffed?”

Song Ruochen: “Q. Q”

He couldn’t move.

“Let me help,” Jian Yuheng said.

He scattered a bit of that sour hawthorn scent on Song Ruochen.

“Effective,” Song Ruochen said. “Very effective.”

Jian Yuheng: “……”

He never thought he’d have medicinal value someday.

By the time they got in the car, Song Ruochen was nearly soaked in that sour hawthorn scent.

He wasn’t actually that full—he just wanted a reason to soak in Jian Yuheng’s scent a little longer.

Suddenly, the Alpha’s burning hot hand reached over and pressed against his chest.

“Still hurts?” Jian Yuheng asked.

“My stomach’s… not here!” Song Ruochen said.

Finally—a weakness in this villain’s skills?

“Then where is it?” Jian Yuheng moved his hand left, then right. “Here? Or here?”

Song Ruochen: “……”

Damn.

Jian Yuheng’s hand finally rested on his lower abdomen. “Does Secretary Song still feel uncomfortable?”

“Get lost.” Song Ruochen swatted his hand away. “I’m fine now.”

Jian Yuheng withdrew his hand, buckled his seatbelt for him, turned on a song by a certain alpha boy band, and hit the gas.

Song Ruochen turned his face to the window, his cheeks burning.

[(Splashing cold water)(Splashing ice water)(Artificial rainfall) Aaaa stop burning—I want to hear this song.]

[(Tilting headphones and swaying) Second Young Master’s car speakers are too good.]

[(Cold compress on brain)]

Song Ruochen: “……”

This system could be sold cheap. Anyone want it?

He went home drenched in that sour hawthorn scent. Even after a shower, he still felt like he smelled like Jian Yuheng.

There was an old message on his phone.

Group chat [Zao Zao Zao] (3 people)

[Yan Ci]: 0.0

[Yan Ci]: Still not done with your date?

[Meng Yumian]: 0.0..

[Meng Yumian]: Probably not till tomorrow morning.

[Song Ruochen]: What’s this group name?

[Meng Yumian]: Double-date group is Zao Zao Zao. Single-date is Monster Monster Monster.

[Song Ruochen]: Madam, Young Master, which amusement park are we going to this weekend? I’ll book the tickets.

[Yan Ci]: I’ll look for a guide.

—

The next day was Friday, and Song Ruochen had no motivation to work.

[When do you ever have motivation to work?]

Early morning, he was physically at work but mentally usurping the throne.

Idle Jian Feng felt so stared at he panicked, dropped his magazine, and opened his computer.

“No one wants to work on Fridays,” Song Ruochen said. “Working on a Friday is disrespectful to the weekend.”

“And no one works on Mondays either,” he added. “Mondays are for mourning the weekend.”

[Speaking of which, I’m off tomorrow. Hee hee.]

[I’ll use an hour’s worth of archive coins—consider it paid vacation.]

“You earn more on vacation than at work,” Song Ruochen said.

[Trained by Master Song. Respect.]

“…Get out of here.”

[I’ll take the archive system to the boss for maintenance too. I didn’t fix it properly last time—it’s been deducting too many coins.]

“Then yeah, definitely needs fixing.”

[Due to system maintenance affecting the host’s usage, you’re compensated with three 10-minute archive vouchers. Just say the code words to use them.]

[Also, I’ll leave you a few sand coins and two regular ones. Be right back soon.]

As the system’s voice faded, two torn slips of paper and a few coins appeared in Song Ruochen’s hand.

[Also, Little Grape, I have an inappropriate request.]

“If it’s inappropriate, don’t request it.”

[Um (fiddles fingers)… While I’m gone, please don’t have anything too exciting happen, okay? I want to watch the drama when I get back.]

What counts as too exciting?

In twenty-something-degree weather, Song Ruochen stood in the hallway thinking so hard he nearly smoked.

He rushed upstairs to the cafeteria to get ice cream, and ran into the front desk girl looking troubled near the machine.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Our department has a team-building event this weekend,” she said. “I don’t want to go.”

“If it’s not a five-star resort, who wants to go,” Song Ruochen replied.

“Secretary Song, that’s not fair,” said Bai Cai, who overheard them. “It was my idea to organize a team-building for the advertising and admin departments. It’s so people can become friends with coworkers.”

“I work to earn money,” Song Ruochen said. “Not to make friends.”

“You want to be friends with me?”

Bai Cai: “……”

Pfft.

“This is a company activity,” she said. “It’s what Director Xiang wants too. Are you defying the board?”

“Whoever wants team-building can go. I didn’t agree, Second Young Master didn’t agree, and neither did Director Jian,” Song Ruochen said. “Weekend team-building? That’s asking for a lightning strike. I think you’re the one going against humanity.”

Bai Cai: “……”

“Vice President Bai Cai,” someone rushed over, “President Jian and Second Young Master are looking for you.”

Bai Cai: “?”

She hesitated, then walked away.

The front desk girl held out an ice cream cone she’d just made. “Thanks for complaining, Secretary Song.”

“No problem,” he replied.

He couldn’t stand those pretentious managers who treated employees’ time off like their own property.

“Wow, you’re really good at making ice cream,” he said after a bite. “Where’d the raisins come from?”

“Huh? You didn’t know?” she said. “Second Young Master’s always been in charge of the ice cream here. He added machines before, and now he’s added a DIY toppings bar. Everyone loves it. Some people even say they want to join our company just for the ice cream.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

What?

Jian Yuheng, why are you modifying this too?

No wonder he’s been indulging in so much ice cream lately.

“But I’m not very good at judging people,” the young omega girl said with a smile. “I always thought Secretary Song was a cold and aloof person, but lately he greets me every day when he comes into the office.”

Song Ruochen: “:D”

That’s because you’ve been paying a hefty snack tax.

Still, Jian Yuheng had quietly done quite a lot without saying anything.

“Oh right, there was also the New Year’s gift bag,” the omega girl added. “I heard it was Second Young Master who told them to include a big snack bundle.”

Song Ruochen: “Ah…”

That didn’t sound like something Jian Two would do—he wasn’t exactly the reserved type.

He complained endlessly about the hardship of rolling back time, didn’t hold back at all.

But when it came to doing good deeds, he kept them all to himself. Or maybe he just did what he wanted and never thought about asking for anything in return.

“Huh?” the omega girl suddenly widened her eyes. “Secretary Song, look at the company group chat.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

“Board member Xiang Cai, Deputy Director of Advertising Bai Cai, and five other employees were just taken away by the police for investigation?” the omega girl read aloud from the chat.

Song Ruochen paused, clenched his fist, and felt a rush of satisfaction—sweet revenge.

Those traitors who not only stole his perfect proposal but even looked down on his stunning project were finally getting what they deserved!

During lunch break, Song Ruochen tiptoed into Jian Yuheng’s office.

“Secretary Thief,” said Jian Yuheng, lounging on the sofa. “Hide your smugness.”

“You… you’re not asleep?” Song Ruochen said. “Call me Secretary Song.”

“Here for the hammock?” Jian Yuheng asked. “Go ahead, it’s in the inner room.”

“What’s the story with Bai Cai and Director Xiang?” Song Ruochen asked as he found a spot on the sofa.

“We followed the trail and found the rest,” Jian Yuheng said. “Time to start rounding up the moles. How dare they look down on President Song’s proposal—they must be punished.”

Song Ruochen grinned.

He leaned in and quickly pecked Jian Yuheng on the cheek.

“Nice work, Xiao Jian,” Song Ruochen said. “The ice cream was great.”

He darted off after the kiss, slipping into the inner room and locking the door.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

He waited a few seconds. No rollback.

Alright, no grape pie from the heavens today.

—

The hammock in Jian Yuheng’s office was surprisingly comfy. Song Ruochen lay there for an hour and felt refreshed for the entire afternoon.

Friday ended, and the long-awaited weekend finally arrived.

On Saturday morning, Song Ruochen changed into clothes with a jujube motif, slung a monster-themed backpack over his shoulder, and waited at the subway station.

[Yan Ci]: The driver’s picked us up. We’re about to pass the subway stop near your place.

[Yan Ci]: License plate xxxxx.

[Meng Yuming]: Secretary Song, I bought you some baked biscuits. Unlike Yan Ci—he came empty-handed.

[Yan Ci]: [Photo] I brought stuff too.

[Yan Ci]: We’re here!

Song Ruochen looked up and saw a business van pulling up.

He opened the door and got in.

“Hello, President Song,” Yan Ci and Meng Yuming greeted him.

“…Call me Secretary Song,” Song Ruochen replied.

The car carried the three of them toward the amusement park.

Song Ruochen turned the seat into a throne—on his left, the monster fed him biscuits; on his right, the jujube gave him dried fruit.

It was just past 8 AM, the streets were quiet, and the driver was going a little fast.

There was an overly strong fragrance inside the car.

“Which of the Jian family’s drivers are you?” Song Ruochen asked.

“Secretary Song might not know—I’m the new driver who started this week,” the driver replied. “I’ve driven President Jian a few times already.”

“What’s the company gate access code?” Song Ruochen asked.

Driver: “Secretary Song, I’m just the driver. I don’t drive into the company premises.”

“What’s the extra tax you have to pay when working at Xiao Shi?” Song Ruochen asked.

Driver: “?”

Driver: “There’s more?”

“Yan Ci and Jian Feng are ____?” Song Ruochen said. “Fill in the blank.”

Driver: “Uh… a family?”

“Secretary Song handles things. I ______?” Song Ruochen prompted.

Driver: “Can rest easy?”

The strong fragrance spread through the car, making people dizzy and lightheaded.

Damn. A kidnapping plot? Seriously?

“Wrong,” Song Ruochen said, pulling out a rollback voucher. “Ding-dong.”

Jian Yuheng’s house.

Jian Yuheng had gotten up early and was frying himself an egg.

Just as he was about to eat, he heard a strange “ding-dong” in his ear.

Hm? That was Song Ruochen’s voice.

He returned to the kitchen, holding two raw eggs.

Jian Yuheng: “??”