FOBTS CH69

Chapter 69: Requesting a Make-up Exam

[(Fingernails scraping on a blackboard.jpg) Screeech, crack—]

Song Ruochen’s scalp tingled. His hand trembled, leaving five scratches along Jian Yuheng’s neck.

“Stop!” Song Ruochen cried out in pain.

Jian Yuheng covered his neck, confused: “?”

He’d lived a long time, but never seen anyone lose a fight with a scratch card.

[I can’t scratch this thing. I’m exhausted.]
[Seems like only the host can see this data. We suggest the host scratch it open yourself.]

“Alright,” Song Ruochen said. “It’s probably not anything critical. I’ll scratch it on a slow day.”

While he was talking to the system, Jian Yuheng was tugging at his pants.

Song Ruochen: “?”

“Second Young Master, your way of expressing affection is so intense.” Song Ruochen squirmed theatrically. “No, not here.”

Jian Yuheng: “……”

This was unjust. Absolutely slanderous.

“Don’t make me hit you here,” Jian Yuheng said.

He grabbed Song Ruochen’s ankle and rolled up the jeans a bit, revealing a fairly deep gash. Blood had already soaked through the denim.

No wonder Song Ruochen’s ‘seductive’ setting had been turned off—yet he still smelled like sweet, juicy grapes.

“Where did this come from?” A violent aura flared around Jian Yuheng. “Who hurt you?”

Song Ruochen tilted his head and thought for a few seconds. “Let me check.”

[Accessing behavioral record log.]
[When Second Young Master was carrying you on the motorcycle breaking through the siege, you shouted ‘Wahoo!’ and spread out in a star shape.]

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

[…Scratched by a roadside tree branch.]

“Who was it?” Jian Yuheng demanded. “I’ll make them pay back a hundredfold.”

Song Ruochen looked guilty and stared at the sky. “Yes, you should… work more on your wood carving.”

Jian Yuheng: “……”

Somehow, he understood.

“No need to rewind time,” Song Ruochen said.

“Mm.” Jian Yuheng carefully rolled his pant leg back down. “You also think it’s too dangerous to rewind to that moment?”

“Nope.” Song Ruochen pointed at his leg. “Boss, I’m filing this as a work injury.”

The boss’s eyelid twitched.

This work injury was 100% self-inflicted.

“Fine,” said the boss. “Approved. You also get paid leave, psychological compensation, and nutritional subsidies.”

The corporate parasite beamed with satisfaction.

“Chenchen!” a voice cried out. “Wah wah!”

Yan Ci came rushing forward, pushing Meng Yumian in a wheelchair.

“Second Young Master!” Assistant Gong also rushed over, having just parked the pain machine. “Sec—”

Second Young Master carried Song Ruochen in his arms and walked over steadily. “Call the medical team.”

Doctors in dog-blood dramas were always on standby. One opened a kit and started treating Song Ruochen’s wound.

The adrenaline from the chase began to fade. As the disinfectant hit the cut, Song Ruochen started to really feel the pain.

Secretary Song, with his aloof beauty aura, quietly typed on his phone.

[Song Ruochen]: Aw (—) Aw (/) Aw (v) Aw ()
[Jian Yuheng]: ……

Jian Yuheng searched all his pockets but didn’t find any snacks.

He usually carried some around. How could he have forgotten these past couple of days?

While maintaining his cold and aloof persona, Song Ruochen spammed the chat with crying emojis.

“Be gentle,” Jian Yuheng suddenly said.

The doctor froze for a second. “Yes, Second Young Master.”

Assistant Gong: “?”

“It’ll be done soon,” the doctor said.

Jian Yuheng rested a hand on Song Ruochen’s shoulder, fiddling casually with his collar.

His fingertips brushed against the delicate skin on Song Ruochen’s neck again and again. Song Ruochen’s attention slowly drifted from his leg to his head.

He narrowed his eyes slightly and tilted his head, trying to jab Jian Yuheng’s hand with his hair.

“Don’t let the wound touch water this week. Walk less. Watch your diet. Spend more time with a highly compatible alpha,” Jian Yuheng said, patting him. “Doctor’s orders.”

Doctor: “?”

Who’s impersonating a doctor and giving random advice?

Song Ruochen pretended not to hear and turned to admire the clouds.

“All done,” the doctor said, changing gloves. “Secretary Song, I’ll patch up the wound on your neck too.”

Song Ruochen: “Approved.”

“Second Young Master,” said Assistant Gong, “the kidnappers have been completely apprehended. The ringleader had his mask removed—it’s Xiang Cai’s son, Xiang Cong.”

“He kept demanding to see Secretary Song, even with broken ribs, arm, leg, and toes,” Assistant Gong added.

Xiang Cong was dragged over, pinned down in front of Song Ruochen.

Xiang Cong cursed: “Song Ruochen, if it weren’t for you and Jian Yuheng, my father wouldn’t have—”

“Congratulations to Chairman Xiang on his newly discovered son,” Song Ruochen said. “Now he’ll have someone to visit him in prison.”

Xiang Cong: “…… I—cough, cough, cough.”

“Hmm, Second Young Master,” Assistant Gong nudged him, “he stopped moving.”

“Take him away,” Jian Yuheng said.

What a brain-dead nuisance.

“Thanks for all your hard work,” Jian Yuheng added.

“Second Young Master.” Assistant Gong handed over a document. “This is the calculated loss incurred by Xiaoshi Group due to this kidnapping. Please review.”

Jian Yuheng took it and showed it to Song Ruochen.

“Anything missing?” he asked.

“I—I lost 63 suppressants,” Song Ruochen said. “Will the company reimburse me?”

Jian Yuheng: “……”

“What?” Song Ruochen said. “I gave each one a name.”

The doctor’s hand trembled.

Song Ruochen: “Ah—ow!”

“Gentler,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll check on something. Be right back.”

“Sure,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng led Assistant Gong over to the group of kidnappers.

“Secretary Song.” The doctor behind him spoke up. “I’ll start dressing your neck wound.”

“Alright,” Song Ruochen said. “Thanks, Dr. Liu Cheng.”

“You remember my full name?” The doctor beamed.

[Your name sounds delicious.]

“Of course,” Song Ruochen replied coolly. “I remember every Xiaoshi employee.”

[…]

Dr. Liu dug into his pocket and pulled out a preserved plum candy. “Here, have one.”

Song Ruochen: “:D”

After disinfecting the wound, Dr. Liu started wrapping it.

“Secretary Song,” he said in a more casual tone, “Is Jian Yuheng your boyfriend?”

Song Ruochen: “……Yes.”

“Last time, that emergency mark—he bit you kinda deep, huh?” Liu said. “You two need to pace yourselves.”

Embarrassed by the bluntness, Song Ruochen felt like he was being grilled alive. “Mm… yeah…”

[Poor Second Young Master, didn’t even get to eat and already got told to tone it down.]

“I’m a doctor, nothing to be shy about,” Liu said. “Tell him to be gentler—you’ll enjoy it more.”

Dr. Liu added, “I’ll mention it to him. Alphas shouldn’t be too rough.”

Steam nearly came out of Song Ruochen’s ears.

“All done,” Dr. Liu said, packing up. “I’m off to check on the kidnappers. They keep saying there’s a ghost—sounds fun.”

Carrying his little medical kit, he walked straight toward Jian Yuheng.

Dr. Liu: “Murmur.”

Jian Yuheng: “Hmm? Mur.”

Song Ruochen: “……”

[Poor little grape, getting lectured by a doctor in a trashy drama…]
[Your rewind card pack will be delivered in 30 minutes and stored in a fixed deposit.]

“Why so many?” Song Ruochen asked.

[The pain machine flew from City A to City S—went viral.]
[Current top three trending topics are: “Yan Ci and Jian Feng mental pollution,” “Lu Yunye spiritual youth,” and “Song Ruochen the all-purpose secretary.”]

Song Ruochen: “?”

[Rewind card pack will be delivered in 20 minutes and stored in a fixed deposit.]
[You earned one Rewind Coin.]

“Where is it?”

“Chenchen,” Jian Yuheng returned. “All done. Let’s go home.”

“Okay, okay, okay,” Song Ruochen said.

He missed his bed.

—

[Recently, a kidnapping occurred in our city. The victims were Xiaoshi Group’s CEO’s wife Yan Ci, his childhood sweetheart Meng Yumian, and secretary Song Ruochen.]
[At present, the hostages have rescued themselves. The kidnappers have been completely subdued.]

“Your Majesty, the end is near!” Kidnapper A wailed.

“No middlemen!” Kidnapper E shouted.

“Ghost! A motorcycle ghost!” Kidnapper H screamed.

[Uh… let’s cut back to Xiaoshi HQ.]
[Currently, the CEO is escorting his wife and childhood friend back. Heroic Secretary Song has returned to his post… or just outside it?]
[Let’s switch back to the kidnappers’ feed.]

Kidnappers: “?”

Jian Yuheng carried the injured Song Ruochen in his arms, sidestepping gossip-hungry reporters, and tucked him into the car.

“Second Young Master, I’ll drive,” Assistant Gong said.

“You betas really can drive,” Song Ruochen remarked.

“Too bad the injury wasn’t to your mouth,” Assistant Gong muttered.

“Right?” Song Ruochen replied. “Unlike you—maybe you insured your brain and can afford to damage it.”

Assistant Gong: “QAQ”

“Harsh truths are hard to hear,” Song Ruochen said. “I know you’re a respectful, understanding man.”

“Alright, drive,” Jian Yuheng said. “Why provoke him?”

“Second Young Master,” Assistant Gong said, “I suggest we add ‘Ruochen Injury Insurance’ to the company policy.”

“Agreed,” Song Ruochen said. “So I can scold you on the company’s dime.”

Assistant Gong: “……”

Secretary Song seemed in fine spirits—no signs of trauma from being kidnapped.

“In any case,” Assistant Gong sighed, smiling helplessly, “Welcome back, Secretary Song.”

Assistant Gong: “When we’re back to work next week, I’ll make you some fruit tea.”

“Okay.” Song Ruochen replied. “Assistant Gong is so dedicated to Xiao Shi—he deserves a reward.”

The drive from S City to A City took about three hours. Song Ruochen leaned against Jian Yuheng’s shoulder and slept soundly.

Jian Yuheng gently nudged him, letting him lean more comfortably—his head resting on Jian Yuheng’s lap. Jian’s fingertips paused on his beautiful lips, tracing circles, outlining their lovely shape.

“Assistant Gong.” Jian Yuheng called out.

“Second Young Master?” Assistant Gong replied calmly. “Do you need something?”

“Drive straight,” Jian said. “No more zigzags.”

Assistant Gong: “……”

“Second Young Master, are you and Secretary Song…?” Gong asked.

“Mm, just as you’re thinking,” Jian replied.

“Secretary Song’s a good one,” Gong said. “If only Second Young Master could get him to talk a little less, he’d be perfect.”

Assistant Gong: “So should I call him Second Madam from now on?”

“…Call him Secretary Song.” Jian Yuheng replied. “Otherwise I’m afraid you won’t make it to retirement.”

—

The car drove into A City.

“You’re off duty now,” Jian said. “Go find my brother and get your special overtime pay.”

“Understood, Second Young Master,” Gong said. “I’ll go next week. Eldest Young Master is a little shy right now.”

Just as Assistant Gong got out, a peacefully “zzz”-ing Song Ruochen was awakened by his phone ringing.

“Something up?” Jian asked politely.

The call was from Lu Yunye, for Song Ruochen.

Instead of handing the phone over, Jian turned on the speaker.

“Song Ruochen?” Lu Yunye shouted. **“Still alive?”

“Alive,” Ruochen replied. “Unlike you—you’re not just alive, you’re a household name now.”

Lu Yunye: “Don’t even start. I just got home and now my relatives want me to act out a scene live.”

“Hahaha.” Ruochen laughed.

“He’s fine,” Jian Yuheng added. “Just a minor injury. His phone’s dying, I’m hanging up.”

Click.

[Hawthorn.]

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

“Second Young Master,” Song said, “I want ice cream.”

“Sure.” Jian stopped the car at a convenience store and got out to buy it.

When he came back, he found that Song Ruochen had moved from the back seat to the front passenger seat.

“Want to sit beside me?” Jian asked.

“I want… to learn driving from you,” Ruochen said. “Observe you more.”

“Trying to convince yourself?” Jian handed over the opened ice cream. “Here, eat.”

[We know you do. Why tear down the pretense? Our little grape is a reserved out-of-towner!]

[(Artificial rainfall for the brain)]

By the time they arrived at the apartment complex, Ruochen had just finished a chocolate ice cream.

It was delicious. Jian Yuheng really had good taste.

“Thanks for escorting me all the way, Xiao Jian,” Ruochen said. “I’m going home now.”

He missed his bed—but going back meant being alone in that whole apartment.

“Wait a second.” Jian unfastened his seatbelt, leaned over, and touched the back of Song Ruochen’s neck with his fingertip. “Did I bite too hard last time?”

Ruochen, who had been slowly opening the door, froze mid-motion—caught red-handed.

The glandular sensation made his lower back twitch involuntarily.

“It’s okay…” Ruochen replied.

It did hurt, but also…

[Indescribably wonderful.]

[(Munching sunflower seeds.jpg)]

[System’s save-state card pack has been muted for five minutes.]

[Shutdown complete.]

The bandage around the omega’s neck was loose. Jian gently tugged, and it came off easily.

As heat flushed the back of his neck, Ruochen tilted his head slightly.

Jian Yuheng kissed the nape of his neck.

This time, there was no provoking pheromone—just two people drawing close out of pure affection.

“What did Dr. Liu say to you?” Jian asked.

The alpha’s canine teeth rested against the soft gland at the back of the omega’s neck, pressing against his pale skin.

Ruochen turned his head slightly, awkwardly accommodating Jian’s position in the tight space.

The alpha’s body temperature was higher than his, and the hand slipping under his shirt was so warm it made his waist instinctively twitch away. He blinked slowly, long eyelashes veiling his eyes.

“Didn’t say… much,” Ruochen answered.

Inside the car, Jian Yuheng’s voice was low and clear—

“I think I failed last time. Let me retake the test.”

“President Song, one more mark? Okay?”