FOBTS CH72

Chapter 72: You Teach Me

[Ding dang.]

Jian Yuheng, experienced and knowledgeable, put down the novel.

No, he couldn’t read too much at once.

He had read a modern ABO arranged-marriage-turned-romance fluff novel, then a mecha power fantasy from outer space, and even a post-apocalyptic zombie story…

Now, the plots were all blending and rearranging in his head—mechas falling in love in the city, zombies piloting spaceships across galaxies.

This kind of chaotic brain activity from binge-reading novels… felt eerily familiar. It reminded him exactly of the short drama scripts Song Ruochen used to cook up.

Jian Yuheng: “…?”

So, had Song Ruochen also read a ton of novels?

When? Where?

The replay session was still ongoing. Jian Yuheng shifted his meditation posture, facing the direction of the exam hall in silent protest.

He cleared his mind of novels and started running different thoughts—like how to beat up Secretary Song in a way that would bring lasting peace to the world.

Maybe it was time to seriously consider Assistant Gong’s idea of “Song Ruochen Injury Insurance.” Xiaoshi’s benefit policy should probably be changed to “Seven Insurances and One Violence.”

—

In City A, at the ABO knowledge exam venue, Song Ruochen once again sorrowfully clicked “Submit.”

[Your exam score is: 66.]
[Congratulations! You’ve achieved a meaningful number. The exam was out of 100, with a passing score of 90.]
[Your final result: Fail.]
[Recommended for you: “ABO Knowledge Training Course,” “7-Day Crash Course for the ABO Exam,” “Top Instructors to Help You Match with a Certificate!”]

Song Ruochen: “…”

Why did this exam system have ads?

He pushed back his chair and went to print his exam results.

“It’s okay,” the staff member consoled him. “You’re young. Don’t let one failure bring you down.”

“Keep your spirits up. You’ll definitely pass next time!”

[Thank you. Bow.jpg]
[Our little grape has taken several ‘next times.’]
[If he takes it again, he’s going to throw up.]

“Taking the exam for love is a noble thing!” The staff member clenched a fist. “Tell you what—I’ve got a limited batch of error compilations for examinees. 20 yuan per copy. Take one and review the common mistakes.”

“Okay,” said the defeated Song Ruochen. “I’ll buy one.”

The staff handed him the error book. “To protect privacy, we’ve anonymized the examinee info~”

Song Ruochen casually flipped it open—

Candidate: JYH. Exam taken three months ago.

[JYH? Jian Yuheng?]
[The villain didn’t get a perfect score? Let’s see what he got wrong.]
[(Sweet voice reading) If your omega makes you angry, what should you do?]
[Damn, the villain said to hang them up and beat them.]
[So he does want to hit you.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

Holding a failing grade and an error booklet, he got into the car driven by Assistant Gong.

“Did you pass?” Gong Huo asked.

“Passed,” said Song Ruochen.

Gong Huo: “…”

Right.

“No… problem,” Gong Huo said. “You just took it at a bad time. They recently updated the question bank, added a bunch of new material, and changed how the questions are drawn.”

It’s not that Song Ruochen didn’t understand—he just couldn’t keep it straight.

The whole exam felt like someone asked him to write down the settings from a random novel he skimmed.

And the questions were so blunt, he couldn’t even sit comfortably answering them.

“I bought roasted chestnuts.” Gong Assistant handed him a paper bag. “You can have two.”

“Thanks.” Song Ruochen snatched the bag and tried one. “This one’s misshapen—I’ll take care of it. This one’s got a weird color—I’ll handle that too.”

Gong Huo: “…”

Does Second Young Master like lunatics?

—

Back in Xiaoshi’s office, Jian Yuheng was finally out of lock-up.

Jian Yuheng: “:)”

Nice. Landed safely.

All the report-writing, meal-eating, and gym-going had not been in vain.

Indeed, knowledge was the one thing that never abandoned him.

The office door knocked.

“Come in,” Jian Yuheng said.

His brother walked in.

“Little brother,” Jian Feng said. “We found all the phones from the Fuzzy-Zao-Grape team. I brought Song Ruochen’s to you.”

In this harmonious brotherly moment, Jian Yuheng smiled politely. “Such a minor task—of course, it’s fitting for you to handle it personally.”

Jian Feng: “Hah? Hahaha.”

“Check the phone to see if it’s damaged,” Jian Feng said.

Jian Yuheng examined it carefully. “No damage, just…”

The kidnappers put on a screen protector. They even changed the phone case.

What kind of brainwashing did Song Ruochen do to them?

“Nanzhi denies involvement in the kidnapping,” Jian Feng said. “They only disciplined two managers, claiming those two had personal grudges with Secretary Song.”

“Yeah, I know,” said Jian Yuheng. “Nanzhi’s in a rough spot lately.”

Secretary Li, once diligent and reliable, had suddenly adopted a shockingly chill attitude, making the whole management team feel disorganized.

“Nanzhi held two events recently, and both were mediocre,” Jian Feng added. “People inside are furious. They say the people writing the plans might as well go be bandits.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Is it possible the event plan was outsourced to a bandit?

Nanzhi, always youthful. Forever putting faith in Secretary Song.

“I’ll take care of it,” Jian Yuheng said. “This quarter’s revenue will teach them a lesson.”

The wall clock pointed to 8:30 PM.

“Time to go home,” Jian Feng said. “Only you and I are left in the office.”

Jian Yuheng: “… :(“

“Sometimes I feel fame and fortune aren’t that important,” Jian Feng said. “If I weren’t CEO, I could be traveling with Yan Ci through rainforests, snow mountains, and deserts.”

“This company—” Jian Feng began.

“Don’t romanticize a path you never walked,” Jian Yuheng said with a smile.

Jian Feng: “.”

“Golf?” Jian Feng offered.

“No.” Jian Yuheng refused firmly. “Someone’s waiting for me at home.”

—

Except Song Ruochen wasn’t at home. He was at a bar.

Yan Ci and Meng Yumian had planned a celebration for his perfect exam score. But when they saw his 66-point paper, they changed the theme to “Surviving the Ordeal.”

“Hello, one sour plum juice please,” said Song Ruochen politely.

“Sour plum juice? Really?” said Yan Ci. “We’ve climbed mountains, crossed seas, fought kidnappers, and chased cars. You’re not allowed to drink like a child.”

“Fuzzy Monster, order him something low alcohol,” Yan Ci added.

“On it,” said Meng Yumian.

“Xiaoshi is prepping a new product launch for Xiaoye, right?” Yan Ci asked. “Will Secretary Grape be attending?”

“Yes,” said Song Ruochen.

The Xiaoye R&D team had even messaged him saying they’d brought some snacks from City O for him.

“My husband said the launch plan still isn’t finalized,” Yan Ci said. “It got delayed because of the kidnapping.”

“Which means,” said Meng Yumian, “our Secretary Song is Xiaoshi’s ultimate brain!”

Rumble rumble.

Thunder rolled over City A.

“I heard Nanzhi’s recent events got roasted,” Yan Ci said. “Their product launch is around the same time as XiaoShi’s. They’re bringing in pros, high-tech features, and big-name celebrities.”

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

He didn’t have high-tech—but he did have a dark horse.

As for popularity, who could challenge Lu Yunye these days?

“Second Young Master,” he called Jian Yuheng from his backup phone. “I want to try planning the product launch.”

“You sure it won’t become a product memorial?” Jian Yuheng asked.

“I don’t think so,” said Song Ruochen.

“Then go for it,” said Jian Yuheng. “Xiaoye’s team trusts you. No need to call—I’m almost home. We’ll talk face to face. Did you pass your exam?”

“My house sounds noisy,” Jian Yuheng added.

“Oh, I’m at a bar,” said Song Ruochen. “We’re celebrating Fuzzy-Zao-Grape Studio’s first earnings.”

“Which bar?” Jian Yuheng asked. “I’ll come get you.”

Song Ruochen gave him the name. “I’ll be waiting, Jian-ge.”

While he was on the phone, Yan Ci and Meng Yumian huddled together, pointing at a tablet screen.

“What are you two doing?” asked Song Ruochen.

“Planning your outfit for the launch,” said Yan Ci. “This brand’s suit looks amazing.”

“With this tie and tie clip,” added Meng Yumian. “Cool, professional vibe.”

For once, they actually agreed on something.

Feeling touched, Song Ruochen raised his glass and chugged.

Delicious. Instantly soothed the trauma of failing his exam.

On the bar’s suspended TV screen, the news was playing—

“Xiaoshi Group’s BOO kidnapped…”

Clink! A bottle shattered on the floor. The bar went quiet.

A drunken alpha, acting up, moved closer to a lone omega.

The sound wasn’t loud. The alpha assumed no one would notice and kept approaching.

“Why’re you running?” the alpha slurred. “I work at Nanzhi. Not just anyone gets into that company. Once the product launch is over, my bonus will be at least this much.”

He held up a pudgy hand. “Let’s be friends, yeah?”

“Ghosts and humans don’t mix,” a cold voice interrupted. “It’s not the Ghost Festival—who let you out?”

“I’m talking to my friend. What’s it to you?” The drunk alpha sneered, looked up—and froze. “You… you look familiar. Have we met before?”

“Maybe in a pigsty in a past life,” said Song Ruochen. “Can’t blame pig brains for forgetting textbooks. After all, the book clearly says alphas can’t be rude to omegas.”

[This is one of the few questions our little grape answered correctly.]

Jian Yuheng arrived just in time to witness Song Ruochen’s heroic act—

Bloopers:
– Song Ruochen kicked a chair.
– Song Ruochen accidentally punched the victim omega.
– He tried to quote someone cool but forgot halfway through.

Main scene: Song Ruochen raised his hand and splashed wine on the rude alpha.

“Look—it’s Lu Yunye!” Song Ruochen shouted.

Instantly, all eyes in the bar turned toward the alpha.

Blushing with embarrassment, he didn’t dare retaliate and slunk away.

“You’ll regret this,” the alpha said before leaving. “You don’t know who you just rejected!”

“Thank you,” the omega said to Song Ruochen.

“No problem,” said Song Ruochen. “Thank Xiao Lu.”

Lu Yunye: the all-purpose black horse, now successfully crafted.

“Secretary Song, you’re amazing,” Yan Ci clapped. “Justice Grape!”

“Secretary Song can’t pass exams, but he’s great at dealing with people,” said Meng Yumian.

“Don’t make me slap you both in the world’s best-tasting bar,” said Song Ruochen coldly.

Yan Ci: “0.0…”

Jian Yuheng, having finished watching the scene, smiled to himself and strode over.

“Little brother’s here,” said Yan Ci. “Here’s your grape—take him home.”

“It’s getting late.” Jian Yuheng picked up the slightly tipsy Song Ruochen. “You two should head back early too.”

Yan Ci turned to whisper to Meng Yumi.

“Can you draw this?” Yan Ci asked.

“Yes,” Meng Yumi replied. “I’ve just gained new inspiration.”

Song Ruochen only started feeling the alcohol hit him after getting into the car. He sat quietly in the passenger seat, letting himself slowly ferment into a vat of sweet wine.

“The wounds on your neck and hooves haven’t healed yet,” Jian Yuheng said. “Technically speaking, you’re not supposed to drink.”

“You sound just like a leader,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Jian Yuheng gave a crooked smile, like a dragon king smirking: “Drink again and I’ll break your legs.”

Jian Yuheng: “Still sound like a leader?”

Song Ruochen: “:D”

Song Ruochen: “Nope, now you sound like an idiot.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Anyway, it’s not good,” Jian Yuheng said. “It’ll slow down your healing.”

“Then I’ll just load a previous save to remove the effects,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng: “…Fair enough.”

He waited a few seconds but didn’t hear the familiar “ding” sound.

“What’s wrong?” Jian Yuheng asked.

“What do I do,” Song Ruochen said, his voice tinged with drunkenness, “I just want to see you right now. I don’t want to go back.”

Jian Yuheng felt like Cupid or someone was chasing after him with a quiver of love arrows, jabbing him right in the heart.

“Stop flirting with me in the car,” Jian Yuheng said, trying to sound calm but failing. “You’ve loaded the save ten times already. Did you pass the exam?”

Song Ruochen: “No…”

[Embedded Homeroom Teacher Voiceover—
When underachievers do badly on exams, a common excuse is:
“I didn’t perform well this time.”
But the truth is, if you don’t know it, you don’t know it. Even if you get another chance, or the next one after that, you still won’t pass.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

He was still arguing with the system by the time they pulled up to the small villa.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

What were they talking about? Did he just get emotionally wrecked?

“That exam isn’t hard,” Jian Yuheng said, unbuckling his seatbelt. “Technically, all AOs have to pass it before marriage. Just memorize it and you’ll pass.”

[Our little grape isn’t a local, okay?
The knowledge points clash with his common sense—it’s hard for him to answer correctly.]

“If it’s that easy, then you teach me,” Song Ruochen said.

__

Author’s Note:
Song Ruochen: I’m an academic failure. Let me learn from the top student.