FOBTS CH68

Chapter 68: I Want

“Is he sick or something?” Kidnapper E said. “I’m driving, I’m not reversing.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Kidnapper E: “Being a kidnapper already makes me feel inferior, don’t mess with me, I’m about to turn into Kidnapper I.”

“Before I became socially anxious, my last job was as a corporate slave. You wouldn’t get it—bosses’ words always need interpreting,” Kidnapper F said. “Maybe he thinks we’re driving too slow.”

“I’m not driving slow!” Kidnapper E said. “Didn’t he fail to catch up?”

“That’s because we have a hostage, so he doesn’t dare get too close,” Kidnapper F replied.

“If we’re driving slow, he should be happy,” Kidnapper H said, failing to convince himself. “No, he’s just sick, isn’t he?”

[Brother Hawthron ’s reputation takes a hit.]

[Whistling.jpg]

[Thanks to the grape, we’re all victims.]

“I didn’t do anything,” Song Ruochen said innocently. “I just wanted to talk to him.”

Back when they saw each other all the time, he didn’t think much of it. When Jian Yuheng asked him out on a weekend date, he was even reluctant. But now, after being apart for a day or two, he felt like he had a ton of nonsense he wanted to share with Jian Yuheng.

Why did Jian Yuheng sound so irritable, though?

Flap, flap, flap. A garishly decorated helicopter circled above, with photos of Jian Feng and Yan Ci smiling down at the world.

“Chase them,” Jian Feng shouted in embarrassment and anger from the car behind. “Rescue Secretary Song, and I’ll give you 1 million.”

Yan Ci: “Wuwuwu, we have to save Secretary Song.”

“Are you two even sincere about saving him?” Meng Yumian looked up at the helicopter in the sky, sighing with emotion. “…Secretary Song was still too gentle with me.”

“I’m the only one who’s wholeheartedly worried about saving Secretary Song,” Meng Yumian said. “Pure, untainted concern.”

“What’s my brother shouting about?” Yan Ci asked. “Is he taunting the kidnappers?”

“No idea,” Meng Yumian said. “It sounds like he’s afraid the kidnappers won’t kill Secretary Song.”

Jian Feng: “…Yuheng probably has his reasons.”

In the speeding car, Jian Yuheng drove smoothly for a minute, feeling an overwhelming sense of calm.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Why am I feeling calm?

“Second Young Master,” Assistant Gong’s voice came through the call. “The kidnappers contacted us. They said if we keep chasing, they’ll make Secretary Song ‘go to the rats.’”

“We’re approaching a long tunnel. I can’t follow them in there. Should we try to intercept before the tunnel?” Assistant Gong said. “The speed’s a bit high, success rate’s low, and Secretary Song might get slightly fatally injured.”

Jian Yuheng had countless ways to stop the car, but every method risked Song Ruochen getting hurt.

The little secretary could rewind, but getting hurt would still cause pain.

“No intercept,” Jian Yuheng said. “Communicate with them. No crashing or shooting at that car. Prepare the items and negotiate with the kidnappers.”

“Based on their current direction, their destination is likely the abandoned dock ahead,” Assistant Gong said. “We’ll prepare the items and negotiate with them.”

“Stopping the chase for now,” Jian Yuheng shouted through the loudspeaker. “See you later.”

Kidnapper E: “?”

Kidnapper E: “He stops chasing just like that, and he’s so gentle about informing us? Why?”

“Don’t try to understand Xiaoshi,” Kidnapper H said. “Did you see the paint job on that helicopter? Would a normal person do that?”

[How dare they question our grape’s taste.]

“Drag them out and behead them,” Song Ruochen said.

[Current daily rewind count: 40. Single rewind time limit: 10 minutes (temporary). Remaining rewinds today: 22. One rewind dummy coin.]

Now that Jian Yuheng had made contact, Song Ruochen felt at ease. He nestled into a comfortable position, lying flat and waiting to arrive.

[By the way, during this maintenance, I updated an interesting feature.]

“What feature?” Song Ruochen asked.

[Rewind savings. Store our rewind coins, and they generate interest daily.]

[While I was gone, I don’t know what Second Young Master did, but the original book’s main attacker and receiver produced a total of 5 hours of rewind coins. I put them all in a fixed deposit for you.]

[Since you saved a lot, they gave a small gift: one rewind dummy coin.]

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

[Rewind dummy coin: Makes someone subjectively believe they’ve gone back one hour. Effective for 30 minutes.]

“Throw it at the kidnapper’s head later,” Song Ruochen said.

[This can only be used by the host or Second Young Master.]

“Then keep it,” Song Ruochen said. “I’ll use it to mess with Second Young Master later.”

He could make Second Young Master temporarily forget about inviting him to dinner, then invite him again. Delightful.

“So now we have rewind dummy coins, second coins, and dummy coins,” Song Ruochen asked. “Is there a rewind ghost coin?”

[No such thing. I’m a proper system.]

Song Ruochen chatted eagerly with the system. Before long, the car stopped. Two kidnappers took him into a building.

His neck was a bit sore. Song Ruochen remembered he’d been cut not long ago.

“The kidnapper got my blood, right?” Song Ruochen asked. “Why didn’t he rewind with me?”

[That’s why I said Second Young Master and you have a special connection. My guess was right—it’s probably related to pheromone compatibility.]

“Let’s report the kidnapping progress to Second Young Master,” Song Ruochen said.

Five kilometers away, Jian Yuheng was negotiating with the kidnapper leader.

“We can give you the research data, but I need to see an unharmed Secretary Song first,” Jian Yuheng said. “Money or other things are fine, but you must ensure Secretary Song’s safety.”

[Ding, I’ve arrived, clank.]

Jian Yuheng: “:)”

Jian Yuheng repeated: “We can give you the research data…”

[Ding, how much am I worth, clank.]

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Say it all at once,” Jian Yuheng roared at the kidnapper. “Stop repeating, be serious.”

Kidnapper E: “…”

Kidnapper F: “We’re professional kidnappers. Important things are said once, no repeats.”

Jian Yuheng rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

“As you said, the items and money are ready. Hurry up and make the exchange,” Jian Yuheng said irritably. “Bring Secretary Song to me.”

“One bold question,” Kidnapper H said. “Were you chasing us to drag Secretary Song back and beat him? Are you secretly one of us?”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Who knows.

This tense kidnapping had been turned into a mess by Song Ruochen.

If he didn’t tie him up and scold him a couple of times, it’d be unjustifiable.

And these kidnappers, trying to buddy up? Who’s your colleague? Have some shame.

In a small house at the abandoned dock, the kidnappers paused negotiations halfway, saying their phone credit ran out, and left. Song Ruochen breathed in the damp sea breeze.

“I’m pretty valuable,” Song Ruochen said, having overheard their negotiations. “Say, if I escape on my own, can I keep the money?”

[I want it too.]

“Did you bring your little toy?” Song Ruochen asked.

[Yes.]

Clang. A short knife fell by Song Ruochen’s hand.

Footsteps approached outside the small house. Song Ruochen leaned against the wall, slowly cutting the tape on his hands, his expression cold.

[You’re using the back of the knife.]

Song Ruochen: “.”

The newcomer was young, about Jian Yuheng’s age, and looked familiar, but Song Ruochen didn’t know him.

“Secretary Song, I’ve heard a lot about you,” the man said, bending down. His gloved hand lifted Song Ruochen’s chin. “No wonder someone as arrogant as Jian Yuheng would fall for you. This face of yours is truly rare.”

He raised his hand and ripped off the black tape on Song Ruochen’s mouth.

“Likewise,” Song Ruochen said humbly. “Your hair is pretty rare too.”

The man’s hand trembled, and he stuck the tape back on.

[Xiang Cong, son of Xiang Cai, age 25, alpha. Above is original book info.]

[I scanned his data: height 185 cm, weight 68 kg, lean, waist size…]

“Stop,” Song Ruochen said. “I don’t care about his waist size.”

[Let me check more.]

[Former Xiaoshi Group employee, no performance, just coasting. After Jian Yuheng took over, he was fired. Now his father’s about to be fired too, so he’s resentful and wants to retaliate against Xiao Shi. He’s also being used as a pawn by Nan Chi.]

[Situation Analysis Complete.]

While Song Ruochen was listening to the system’s analysis, Xiang Cong, standing in front of him, suddenly frowned at his phone.

“…My Coin Pouch’s empty, and I lost my phone on the mountain,” Song Ruochen said. “Where’d you get Wi-Fi?”

[Heh… hehe.]

[After my upgrade, I don’t randomly deduct money anymore, but it does use a bit of data.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

Xiang Cong hurriedly rushed out. Soon, voices of several people talking came from outside.

“My phone’s out of service. What about yours?”

“Mine too. I sent one message, and it got cut off.”

“Is this carrier just shameless? Let’s call and complain.”

A chorus of complaints erupted outside. Song Ruochen guiltily glanced at the blue sky and continued sawing at the tape on his wrists with the small knife.

Not long after, Xiang Cong returned, this time carrying a laptop, which he placed in front of Song Ruochen.

Song Ruochen: “?”

“There are ten projects pending development here,” Xiang Cong said. “Come up with business plans for them. Miss one, and you’ll regret it.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

“No need to worry about the road ahead without confidants,” Song Ruochen said to the system.

[…]

[Song Ruochen, who could’ve relied on his looks to get by, insists on using his talent. Applause.jpg]

“Keep an eye on him,” Xiang Cong ordered the kidnappers. “He talks, you write. Make sure he finishes.”

“Got it,” a kidnapper replied.

“Get Xiaoshi’s stuff, send it to Nan Chi, and make Xiao Shi issue a letter of understanding for my dad,” Xiang Cong instructed before leaving. “Call me when it’s done. I’ll have people stationed around.”

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

“Get to work on the plans,” Xiang Cong said, raising his leg to kick Song Ruochen.

Song Ruochen, who had practiced moving flexibly while bound, shifted slightly to the right. Xiang Cong’s kick hit the wall.

“I’m working on it,” Song Ruochen said. “He’s disrupting my performance.”

Xiang Cong stormed off in a huff.

In the dilapidated house, four kidnappers surrounded Song Ruochen, pushing the laptop toward him and ripping off the tape over his mouth.

[Little Grape, is this what you get for taking on too many outsourcing gigs? Karma, huh?]

[(Holding back laughter)]

[Pfft hahahaha.]

“Hey, buddies,” Song Ruochen turned to the kidnapper beside him. “Do you know how much I usually charge for one business plan?”

“How much?” the kidnapper asked.

“Seven figures,” Song Ruochen said.

Kidnapper E: “???”

[Company loses seven figures.]

“Don’t ruin my moment,” Song Ruochen chided the system.

“How much do you guys make per kidnapping job?” Song Ruochen asked. “Six figures?”

“The boss might get six figures,” Kidnapper E said. “I only get five.”

“Middlemen are the worst,” Song Ruochen said.

“Tell me about it,” Kidnapper E said indignantly.

“Don’t chat with him too much,” Kidnapper F said warily.

“It’s fine, brother,” Song Ruochen said. “I’m just a defenseless, fragile omega. What threat could I pose by talking?”

Song Ruochen discreetly hid the knife under his clothes.

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime,” Song Ruochen said. “Since I’m here, I’ll teach you how to write proposals. You can switch careers and earn as much as I do.”

The kidnappers fell silent for a moment.

“How do we learn?” Kidnapper E asked.

“Each of you write one proposal first,” Song Ruochen said. “A baseline test. I’ll check your level and give feedback.”

“Sounds good,” Kidnapper F said.

“Once you master writing creative proposals, you won’t have to give money to those awful middlemen anymore,” Song Ruochen said. “You know Lu Yunye, right? He worked on my project, and now he’s so famous he can’t even leave his house.”

“I’ll give it a shot,” Kidnapper E said. “Mr. Song, check mine later.”

The dock was already surrounded, with Xiao Shi’s people negotiating with the kidnappers.

Jian Yuheng paced anxiously. Every minute delayed meant Song Ruochen suffered a minute longer.

[Ding, outsourcing grievances, clank.]

Jian Yuheng: “…?”

What the heck?

What’s going on? How did this grape become a middleman again?

“There are twenty-three kidnappers in total,” Assistant Gong said. “Second Young Master, the team is ready. We can start rescuing Secretary Song.”

“Mm,” Jian Yuheng nodded.

In the rundown house, Song Ruochen was imparting his life’s knowledge to four eager “students.”

[One dares to teach, and they dare to learn.]

[It’s getting lively outside. Mr. Song’s rescue team must be here.]

“You guys must be tired,” Song Ruochen said. “Take a break.”

The kidnappers sighed in relief. Writing for so long was exhausting.

“Your tranquilizer guns are impressive,” Song Ruochen said. “How do they work?”

“This?” Kidnapper H pointed to the tranquilizer gun by his side. “Just aim and pull the trigger. Simple.”

“Secretary Song,” Kidnapper F said suspiciously, “don’t get any funny ideas. The four of us are watching you closely.”

“No way,” Song Ruochen said. “I’m just a defenseless, fragile omega.”

The next second, Song Ruochen broke free of the tape on his hands, lunged at the kidnappers, and grabbed a tranquilizer gun.

A sharp pain hit his leg—he’d been shot again.

“Stupid Secretary Song,” a kidnapper said. “Trying to escape right under our noses?”

Song Ruochen (tranquilized version): “System, ding ding clank, rewind.”

[Received.]

[Rewind skill “Ding Ding Clank”: Rewind while carrying one nearby item. Item disappears after 30 seconds, but its effects remain.]

[Ding Ding Dang.]

Six minutes earlier, Song Ruochen broke free of the already-cut tape, raised the tranquilizer gun, and sat up, shooting each studying kidnapper once.

Kidnappers: “Zzz.”

Song Ruochen fired two more shots at each, then picked up another tranquilizer gun from the floor.

Kidnappers: “Zzzz.”

[No need for overkill. These are people, not elephants.]

“Got it.” Song Ruochen stylishly vaulted through the window, only to faceplant into the bushes. “Oof!”

[The door was open… Why go through the window?]

“You don’t get it. The allure of window-vaulting for college students,” Song Ruochen said.

—

S City’s abandoned dock was anything but quiet today.

Two kidnappers, armed with guns, patrolled the container area. The surroundings were silent.

“Hey, hey?” The walkie-talkie on one kidnapper’s waist crackled.

“What’s up?” the kidnapper asked. “He escaped, and you can’t find him anywhere? How’s that possible?”

“My dad was right. Xiao Shi’s president’s secretary is playing the pig to eat the tiger,” Xiang Cong said through gritted teeth. “He’s taken down several of our guys.”

“Find him,” Xiang Cong said. “He needs to learn a lesson.”

Nearby, in a car, Yan Ci and Meng Yumian stared at a tablet, dumbfounded.

The screen showed drone footage: a kidnapper patrolling near the dock’s containers, while Secretary Song calmly hid behind a container, his expression cool and composed.

The kidnapper didn’t look back, walking straight ahead. As he passed, Secretary Song nonchalantly raised the tranquilizer gun, casting a cold glance.

Bang. The kidnapper collapsed.

Song Ruochen’s gaze flicked to the Xiao Shi-branded drone in the sky: “:)”

Yan Ci: “*0.0*”

Meng Yumian: “0.0*”

“I’ll never call Secretary Song unreliable again,” Meng Yumian said.

“Where’s my brother?” Jian Feng asked.

“After watching this, he went with the rescue team to find him,” Yan Ci said. “He’s really worried about his sister-in-law.”

“The signal here is awful,” Meng Yumian said. “During negotiations, the kidnappers kept losing connection.”

“I’m going to look for Secretary Song too,” Yan Ci said.

—

Near the dock, Jian Yuheng’s search quickened.

He’d seen the drone footage before it cut out.

The main clip was cool—a stunning, icy secretary randomly charming a passerby.

But he’d watched the bloopers four times: Song tripping while playing hide-and-seek with kidnappers, accidentally shooting himself with the tranquilizer gun, locking himself in a container, and twisting his neck while posing for the drone after firing.

Since meeting Song Ruochen, Jian Yuheng had learned for the first time that someone could cause so much chaos and stir up such a mess.

Only he could see it.

It was both adorable and worrisome.

Song Ruochen’s quirky system had a limited number of daily rewinds. He had to find him quickly.

—

Secretary Song was still playing cat-and-mouse.

Xiang Cong seemed furious, bringing a group to hunt for him.

“System, that aloof smile I pulled off—did Xiao Shi’s infiltrator drone catch it?” Song Ruochen asked.

[The aloof smile you rehearsed four times.]

“The original Secretary Song’s cool persona—I’ve nailed it,” Song Ruochen said.

[Nailed it (crossed out). Completely collapsed (checked).]

“Ugh, dead end,” Song Ruochen said, hitting a wall. “It’s so hard to get out. Can you navigate?”

[I can’t. At best, I can scan the kidnappers’ physical stats.]

[Kidnapper K has the best physique, but he’s no match for our Second Young Master.]

Song Ruochen: “Shut up, shut up.”

Running around aimlessly wasn’t working, and he was running low on rewinds. He needed a way to let Jian Yuheng know his exact location.

[Ding, near the fishing village, clank.]

[Rough location secured!]

[Any other way to help Second Young Master pinpoint you faster?]

“I’ve got it,” Song Ruochen said, closing his eyes. “Here we go—my exclusive pheromones!”

Song Ruochen: “Soothe, soothe, soothe!”

Not far away, Jian Yuheng had just knocked a kidnapper to the ground.

“Secretary Song might be in the south,” Assistant Gong’s voice came through the earpiece. “He’s probably hiding. The drone can’t spot him.”

Jian Yuheng’s movements suddenly froze.

Jian Yuheng: “…I think I know where he is.”

What was with this pheromone scent screaming “seduce, seduce, seduce” and “force into susceptibility”? 

Every alpha on the scene, friend or foe, went wild.

Jian Yuheng (flaming berserk mode) hopped onto a motorcycle and sped toward the south.

“Soothe, soothe, soothe,” Song Ruochen chanted.

The ground beneath him suddenly started trembling.

[Are you sure you’re using “soothe”? Why do I feel… a ton of alphas are charging over here?!]

Song Ruochen: “…?”

A motorcycle roared in. Jian Yuheng reached out to grab him, and Song Ruochen leaped lightly—

They missed each other.

Jian Yuheng: “.”

[Ding dang.]

The motorcycle sped back. Jian Yuheng reached out again, and this time, without Song Ruochen even moving, he was successfully scooped onto the back seat.

The bike kicked up a cloud of dust, pursued by several kidnapper alphas and a string of rescue alphas.

Song Ruochen clung tightly to Jian Yuheng’s waist, nestling into a comfortable position.

A burst of gunfire erupted behind them.

“Aaah, Second Young Master!” Song Ruochen started yelling.

“Don’t be scared,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll protect you. I’m your solid shield.”

“Aaaaah!” Song Ruochen wailed amid the hail of bullets. “From this chase formation, I’M the shield!”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Tone down your pheromones,” Jian Yuheng said. “You’re broadcasting ‘seduce’ plus ‘forced susceptibility.’ It’s making alphas chase you. Not many omegas use that.”

Jian Yuheng: “And I didn’t teach you that. Don’t go saying I did.”

It had a chaotic vibe, turning allies and enemies alike into foes.

“Reel it in, reel it in,” Song Ruochen said.

[This just proves our Grape’s got some serious natural talent.]

Jian Yuheng sped along the highway outside the dock with Song Ruochen in tow. Their allied alphas had snapped out of it, but a few kidnapper alphas, including Kidnapper A, were still in pursuit.

“Whoa!” At the road’s end, Jian Yuheng made a sharp turn with Song Ruochen in tow.

In Jian Yuheng’s hand, a shiny coin flew out.

It was the only rewind second coin Song Ruochen had given him.

[Rewind Second Coin: Rewinds the time of an inanimate object to any point in the past. State lasts only three seconds.]

Snap. The second coin hit the lead kidnapper’s motorcycle.

[Rewind to before factory assembly.]

The motorcycle shattered into parts, and the kidnapper, along with Xiang Cong, was thrown off.

“3, 2, 1,” Jian Yuheng counted down.

Snap. The restored motorcycle, now without a driver, crashed into the vehicle behind it. Both bikes hit the road, sparking wildly. The trailing vehicles couldn’t stop in time and plowed through.

[Holy crap, bro’s more villainous than the kidnappers.]

Jian Yuheng turned the bike around, speeding away with Song Ruochen. Behind them, the rescue team swarmed in, pummeling the kidnappers.

“Don’t let him escape!” Xiang Cong’s voice shouted from behind.

Ahead, a container was pushed from a height, blocking the road.

Song Ruochen flicked a rewind dummy coin forward.

[Rewind Dummy Coin: Rewinds a single inanimate object’s time to a specified point, consuming corresponding rewind coins. State lasts half an hour.]

Ding dang. The dummy coin hit the container in the road, and it vanished. Jian Yuheng sped through with Song Ruochen, clearing the area.

“A ghost… there’s really a ghost,” a kidnapper screamed from behind. “It just disappeared like that!”

As the bike roared out of the dock area, the rewind Coin Pouch in Song Ruochen’s mind spoke up.

[Congratulations, Host. With your divine… brilliant intellect, you’ve altered Secretary Song’s fate of exiting at this stage.]

[Rewind Coin Pouch credited with 10 hours, deposited into fixed savings.]

[Rewind Coin Pouch daily usage limit increased to 45 times. Single rewind duration cap raised to 5 hours. Dropped: 2 Rewind Second Coins, 1 Rewind dummy Coin.]

[In this original book kidnapping event, you and Second Young Master fully utilized the value of dummy and second coins, proving they’re no longer mocked as useless.]

[From now on, they’ll be known as “Rewind Gold Coins” and “Rewind Silver Coins.”]

Song Ruochen: “…”

What kind of lousy names.

But still, he’d made it through this kidnapping arc!

On the seaside highway in S City, Jian Yuheng slowly brought the bike to a stop. He was about to get off when he noticed Song Ruochen still clinging to his waist from behind.

“Not thrilled enough?” Jian Yuheng’s voice carried a hint of amusement.

“Nope,” Song Ruochen said. “I kinda missed you.”

He buried his head in the alpha’s neck, catching the familiar scent of hawthorn.

Song Ruochen: “:p”

“I think… I might like you a little,” Song Ruochen said.

He also liked this world within the book.

“Didn’t you say you weren’t sure?” Jian Yuheng swatted his hand away, turning to push him down onto the motorcycle seat. “Now you like me?”

The alpha’s fingers grazed his cheek, then slid to his neck, fingertips pressing against the back of his nape.

“Back then… I thought it was just the temporary mark’s effect,” Song Ruochen said, arching slightly under the pressure. His toes instinctively kicked at Jian Yuheng’s leg, only for Jian Yuheng to catch his ankle with his free hand.

“Anyway…” His gaze flicked to the side. “I like you now. Take it or leave it.”

“I’ll take it,” Jian Yuheng said, leaning down to kiss his lips.

Song Ruochen: “Awoo…”

[0.0*]

[(Applying cold compress to brain) (Fanning self)]

[Don’t get too heated. I don’t want to shut down right now.]

Perhaps due to the intense chase or the pheromones’ influence, the alpha’s kiss was different this time—rougher, almost aggressive.

“The temporary mark… it’s fading,” Jian Yuheng murmured.

Amid ragged breaths, Song Ruochen didn’t resist. The alpha kissed fiercely, urgently. Song Ruochen parted his lips, accepting the deep kiss, his lips growing more vibrant. He tried to respond but was overwhelmed by the sudden surge of sweet-tart pheromone scent.

“I’ve liked you for a long time,” Jian Yuheng said.

You’re adorable, so the world should be loved too.

[Updating stats panel.]

[Former Villain (crossed out) Song Ruochen’s Alpha Friend Jian Yuheng: 190cm, cm, 85kg, 99…99999w, 520%]

Song Ruochen: “?”

What’s that? Hidden stats? Is there something he’s not allowed to see?

Author’s Note:

Remember this rewind dummy coin~