FOBTS CH76

Chapter 76: Compensate Me

Song Ruochen was shocked out of his wits.

“Follow the doctor’s advice,” Jian Yuheng said.

“This advice… is it even proper?” Song Ruochen asked.

[It should be proper.]

[The city hospital doctor also told you that you need an A with exceptional physical strength, pheromone compatibility, and all-around capability.]

[Right now, Second Young Master seems to be at the top of the pyramid in everything but ambition.]

[Ever since he was forced to bind with our host’s system, the villain’s ambition is gone. Only love remains.]

Suddenly, his rusted brain started working overtime, rummaging through all the A/B/O novels he had ever read, pulling out segments about full marking and flashing them before Song Ruochen’s eyes.

What heat period, what knotting, and the physical differences between Os and As…

Song Ruochen: “Hssssss…”

[Grape has evolved into Snake.]

While reading, Song Ruochen never thought much of it—only that the transportation system was too underdeveloped.

He was a seasoned reader who had “witnessed” countless couples bond and marry.

Never did he expect that he, a reader who talked big every day, would get to experience it himself. It was terrifying and exciting all at once.

That feeling of “being scorched by the other’s body heat,” of “belonging to each other forever”—was it his turn now?

In this A/B/O world, Jian Yuheng had been feeding him, rescuing him from kidnappers, letting him live at his place, even calling him “President Song” to play with him. Song Ruochen really liked Jian Yuheng—he liked his scent, too.

But—

Shouldn’t full marking come only after… something else?

All Jian Yuheng did was mention a doctor’s order, and Song Ruochen had already cooked himself over it.

“Wake up,” Jian Yuheng grabbed Song Ruochen’s shoulders and shook him. “I didn’t say it’s happening now.”

Song Ruochen: “Huh?”

Oh, then it’s fine.

“I can, but you can’t right now,” Jian Yuheng said.

Through the damp, thin shirt, the Alpha’s fingertips traced lightly along his lower abdomen. “We have to wait until your heat period. This spot…”

Jian Yuheng pressed down lightly: “Around here, inside, will be more suitable for…”

He thought for a moment and switched to a more delicate, professional phrasing—

“More suitable for being fully marked by an Alpha,” Jian Yuheng said.

Song Ruochen: “Oh…”

“If the timing’s wrong, or the pheromone compatibility is low, or the soothing isn’t done right, the Omega will feel pain,” Jian Yuheng added.

Also, a big size difference could cause some discomfort.

“Ohhh!” Song Ruochen was reassured.

“So don’t be scared.” Jian Yuheng played with his wet strands of hair. “Before your heat, I won’t fully mark you. We’ll just… satisfy each other like normal people.”

Song Ruochen: “That’s great! Ahahaha…”

Wait! Something feels off!

Why does it feel like his bottom line just got lowered?

“Want to learn how to swim?” Jian Yuheng cut off his train of thought.

“Of course I do!” Song Ruochen replied.

“Take off your clothes,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll teach you.”

The little secretary’s water-speckled fingers undid his buttons one by one, revealing a water-soaked, gorgeous body like a little water spirit.

Song Ruochen tossed away his shirt and noticed that Jian Yuheng looked kind of fixated.

“You’re not allowed to look.” Song Ruochen covered Jian Yuheng’s eyes. “Swim!”

“Yes, President Song,” Jian Yuheng said.

—

The next day, Song Ruochen walked sideways into the office, holding his waist for support.

He went to Jian Feng’s office to grab some documents, wincing and rubbing his back and legs the whole time.

Soon after he left, Jian Yuheng entered the office with a few product samples, only to be met with a disapproving look from his older brother.

“What is it, bro?” Jian Yuheng asked. “Did I steal Xiaoshi’s leadership?”

“Well, Jian Yuheng…” Jian Feng said in a grave tone. “Xiaoshi and Xiaoye’s product launch is around the corner. Secretary Song’s been working tirelessly. Don’t bully him anymore.”

Jian Feng added, “That poor guy looked like he was falling apart today.”

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Jian Yuheng: “I didn’t.”

He hadn’t even gotten that far yet.

Sure, last night he did use the swimming lesson as an excuse to hold Song Ruochen a bit, but he didn’t do anything else that could leave someone wrecked.

It was just that Song Ruochen found swimming fun and kept asking him to teach—never realizing that swimming was actually physical exercise and, well, tiring.

Wait, does this mean… if Song Ruochen is pampered enough, he won’t mind exhaustion or hardship?

Jian Yuheng fell into thought.

“Wasn’t me,” Jian Yuheng said. “Didn’t touch your secretary.”

Also, your secretary isn’t exactly overworked day or night.

“The spring product launch for Xiaoye, our subsidiary, is crucial to Xiaoshi.” Jian Feng said, “There were already some troublemakers in action yesterday. Good thing Secretary Song responded quickly. We’ll need to stay alert.”

“Having Secretary Song at Xiaoshi is really reassuring.”

Jian Yuheng: “PR is monitoring. Any issues will be dealt with.”

“Oh, right, bro,” Jian Yuheng added, “Secretary Song wants you to film a commercial.”

Jian Feng: “?” Me?

“Yes, you,” Jian Yuheng replied. “Recently, you’ve had a high visibility in both A City and S City, on the ground and in the sky. People love it. Makes you look grounded as Xiaoshi’s CEO.”

Jian Feng: “…Grounded? I’ve emotionally flatlined all the way to the underworld. Thanks.”

Jian Yuheng ignored that: “Yan Ci and Jian Feng—A City and S City’s local stars. It’s settled. The ad crew will be here soon.”

Jian Feng: “…”

—

With the spring product launch for Xiaoye (a Xiaoshi subsidiary) fast approaching, the next three days were filled with tension. Song Ruochen clocked in and out like clockwork, radiating pressure.

At last, amid eager anticipation from netizens, the Xiaoye launch was here!

The launch was scheduled for a weekday afternoon in March—coincidentally (or not) at the exact same time as Nanchi Group’s launch. Both companies were prepped and ready to livestream.

“Did they have to pick the same day as us?” Song Ruochen asked the system. “Would it kill them to leave each other a shred of dignity?”

[Maybe they just don’t take you seriously.]

“I don’t get Nanchi,” Song Ruochen said. “My standing in their eyes fluctuates too much.”

[…]

[I think I kind of get it now…]

[Our little grape is constantly switching between ‘godlike’ and ‘neurotic’ in Nanchi’s eyes.]

“At least Second Young Master is consistent.” Song Ruochen said, “He always sees me as neurotic.”

The staff chat group was buzzing that day. Curious, Song Ruochen peeked inside—

[Bai Geyi]: I’m a little worried.

[Assistant Gong]: Worried about what?

[Bai Geyi]: The launch is in just a few minutes, and Secretary Song only shot two short clips. There’s no detailed plan at all.

[Bai Geyi]: Are we seriously going in unprepared? None of you are worried?

[Assistant Gong]: If the boss isn’t worried, why should you be?

[Bai Geyi]: I…

[Front Desk – Yue Bing]: Believe in Secretary Song~

[Bai Geyi]: People say Nanchi meticulously planned their event. What is Secretary Song going to fight them with?!

[Assistant Gong]: Believe in Secretary Song~

“Report! Secretary Song!” Team leader Jin from R&D rushed over. “Nanchi started their launch early—5 minutes ahead of schedule. A ton of people are pouring into their livestream.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

[Ding.]

Time rewound six minutes earlier.

“Team Leader Jin,” Secretary Song called. “Start our livestream.”

“Huh?” Jin asked. “Right now?”

Song Ruochen: “Yes!”

Next to him, Jian Yuheng curled the corners of his lips.

The Xiaoye spring launch officially began.

One minute later, Nanchi’s livestream started—too late. The first-mover advantage was gone.

“Loop Lu Yunye’s short film,” Song Ruochen said. “Make the viewers too hooked to leave.”

On the big screen, Lu Yunye’s short ad ‘Me, the Boss in an Infinite World Equipped with Xiaoye Smart Tech’ started playing.

In an instant, viewers surged in—

[What the heck is this? I have to see it.]
[…This is insane.]
[Another one produced by Secretary Song? Is he even from this planet?]
[So freaky. Where’s the next episode? Why did it stop here??]

“Please stay calm,” said Assistant Gong, hosting the event. “Let us introduce the featured product from this episode. Now, let’s welcome…”

Welcome who? Song Ruochen didn’t say.

Assistant Gong looked at Second Young Master with pleading eyes.

“Don’t rush,” Jian Yuheng shook his head.

Assistant Gong: “?”

He tried to keep the show going: “Uh… okay, then let me tell you a story. A long, long time ago… How long? So long that…”

He was sweating bullets.

On Jian Yuheng’s tablet, Nanchi’s launch was playing. They were starting with product appearance.

“Team Leader Jin said our tech is way ahead of Nanchi’s,” Jian Yuheng said. “That’s why they were so desperate to snatch it during the kidnapping incident.”

“Secretary Song is amazing,” he said, casually patting Song Ruochen’s head. “He didn’t let them get an inch.”

“Xiaoye’s strength is in its tech, features, and service,” Jian Yuheng explained. “But our craftsmanship and design are weaknesses. Our design team is still very traditional. The aesthetics are mediocre. We’re planning to improve that next year.”

“So, Secretary Song,” he asked, “got any tricks?”

“We’ll play the rewind,” Song Ruochen said with a wicked grin. “When Nanchi talks about tech and services, we hit back directly. But when they show off their craftsmanship and design, we distract the crowd with our mini-drama.”

Jian Yuheng: “…:)”

He never thought corporate warfare could get this chaotic.

[Ding.]

“Team Leader Jin,” Song Ruochen called. “You go up and introduce our tech.”

“Got it!” Jin went onstage.

[Little Grape is a genius!]
[But I must remind you—this plan eats a ton of rewind coins.]
[Are you planning to empty out Second Young Master’s house too?]

Song Ruochen: “Uhh…”

No.

When he thought of Second Young Master’s CEO-style mansion, the keywords “warmth” and “security” came to mind. That was home now.

“Can I get a loan?” Song Ruochen asked.

[No! We’ve defaulted too many times! Loans are blocked!]

“Then there’s no choice.” Song Ruochen clenched his fists. “I’ll pay on the spot.”

Luckily, this launch was important—both Jian Feng and Yan Ci were present—

“What’s wrong?” Jian Yuheng asked. “You seem troubled.”

Song Ruochen explained the coin-burning problem.

“You want my brother to confess to Yan Ci in front of everyone?” Jian Yuheng asked. “I’m afraid he’d drill a hole through the Xiaoshi building.”

“Can we have a painted helicopter hover outside?” Song Ruochen asked.

“This is the ground floor,” Jian Yuheng replied. “Hovering might be… a little tricky.”

The A and O, both stunning, sat in the front row whispering intimately.

The livestream chat exploded—

[AHHH what are those two in the front row doing whispering to each other?!]

 [OMG, isn’t that Xiaoshi’s cold-faced super secretary? He’s smiling! So rare!]

 [Second Young Master too! All the media says he’s stoic and serious—but he’s smiling too?!]

[They look so good together! Ahhh what are they talking about? Jian Two even touched Secretary Song’s hand!]

[Wait, isn’t Secretary Song Jian One’s secretary? Why is he with Jian Two?]

Song Ruochen and Jian Yuheng discussed several plans but still couldn’t figure out a way to “farm coins.”

However—

[Time-rewind coin pack credited: 10 minutes.]

Song Ruochen: “?”

Jian Yuheng: “…?”

Song Ruochen turned his head. Not far away, Yan Ci and Jian Feng were both staring at them. Yan Ci had grabbed Jian Feng’s wrist and was shaking it back and forth, nudging Jian One hard with his elbow.

[Ahhh husband look look look!]

[I see it, I see it. What are your brother and Secretary Song doing?]

[Your brother touched Grape’s hand. They’re so in love.]

[So sweet! We could chat forever about this ship.]

Song Ruochen: “?”

“Drama system,” Song Ruochen said, “stop dubbing the scene in my head.”

[Hehehe.]

Still—

Song Ruochen thought he might’ve just figured out a way to farm coins.

No wonder celebrities all go into ‘fanservice mode’—turns out there are real benefits.

He reached out and hooked Jian Yuheng’s wrist.

[Time-rewind coin pouch credited: 2 minutes.]

Song Ruochen: “Hahaha.”

“You rogue,” Song Ruochen said. “Let’s farm some coins to use during the product launch.”

Song Ruochen: “Farm, rewind, no trace.”

It’s his own boyfriend anyway—holding hands, cuddling, hugging, that’s all baseline interaction.

After all, in the original novel, the main CP was totally ship-worthy.

Soon, as Jian Yuheng was listening seriously to Team Leader Jin explain the new product tech, he felt Song Ruochen scoot closer and gently rest his head on his shoulder.

Jian Yuheng: “……”

[Time-rewind coin pack credited: 3 seconds.]

[Ding-dong.]

[You’ve spent 3 seconds.]

Song Ruochen: “……”

“Balanced input and output?” Jian Yuheng asked.

“Yes,” Song Ruochen said. “You’re so smart.”

He was an economic genius.

Throughout the entire product launch, Song Ruochen managed his part of the presentation while sneakily making little moves on Jian Yuheng.

Sometimes he scratched Jian Yuheng’s palm, sometimes he picked up Jian Yuheng’s bottled water and took a quiet sip, sometimes he acted cold from the AC and pulled Jian Yuheng’s jacket over his own shoulders. He even unfastened Jian Yuheng’s watch and played with it on his wrist.

[Time-rewind coin pack credited: 3 minutes.]

Not long after—

[Earned: 30 minutes.]

[Meeting cost: 20 minutes. Face-saving cost: 10 minutes.]

[Not bad. Just enough to keep our rewind system running.]

Under Song Ruochen’s madcap antics, the viewership for Xiaoshi Group’s livestream shot up dramatically. It gradually doubled, then tripled Nanchi’s audience when they released the product ordering link.

Meanwhile, back at Nanchi Group, Tong Hao was furious again.

“We spent so much money hiring a top planning team,” President Tong said. “How come our viewer count is still so low?”

And Xiaoshi’s ads? Absolutely insane.

You try to beat them with technology, they beat you with sheer chaos. And the audience? They can appreciate class, but first, they want chaos.

“Understood, President Tong,” said Secretary Li. “I’ll submit an analysis report next week. I’m off now.”

Secretary Li clocked out on the dot, leaving Tong Hao behind in stunned silence.

—

At Xiaoshi Group, after pulling off his final round of antics, Song Ruochen had clearly rediscovered a bit of his rogue-era talent. He grabbed Jian Yuheng’s hand and pressed it against his own cheek.

[Time-rewind coin pack credited: 5 minutes.]

[Ding-dong.]

Another rewind.

Jian Yuheng: “—.—”

The launch event officially ended. As everyone began leaving, Song Ruochen stood up cheerfully, ready to tally the rewards—when suddenly—

A hand pressed hard on his shoulder, forcing him back into the chair. Jian Yuheng turned his face and kissed him.

Soft lips pried his open, the other’s breath invaded aggressively. Song Ruochen instinctively struggled, only to have his earlobe pinched.

Around them, the crowd buzzed with excitement.

[Time-rewind coin pack credited: 1 hour.]

[Ding-dong.]

[Spent: 10 seconds.]

Song Ruochen: “……”

Aaaaaah!

So many people were still here—and Jian Yuheng just kissed him like that—this this this—

Even if the rewind erased the moment, the heat of the kiss still burned on his cheeks.

“Grape?” Yan Ci came over. “Why are you blushing?”

Song Ruochen: “…Nothing.”

He snuck a glance at Jian Yuheng. The other man looked back with a smug half-smile.

Alright, Song Ruochen thought, this whole “rewind after farming, zero-trace coin grind” plan might have one tiny flaw.

It wasn’t totally trace-free. Jian Yuheng had turned into Jian “Marked.”

Still, the launch had been a success. The promo short from Xiaolu and Xiaoshi’s presentation both drew a lot of attention.

Time to go home and rest.

—

Xiaoshi’s main artery comfortably rode back home in Jian Yuheng’s car, enjoyed a delicious dinner cooked by Jian Yuheng, and watched a hand-picked TV show.

He sprawled lazily on Jian Yuheng’s new sofa, eyes narrowing in satisfaction.

Song Ruochen: “?”

His lower back was smacked lightly. Jian Yuheng tossed a small box at him.

Song Ruochen: “Candy?”

The packaging was in a foreign language he couldn’t read—imported, apparently.

He opened it and sniffed—a fresh fruity scent.

Song Ruochen: “Ah…”

Not candy.

[Updating Villain Stat Panel.]

[Net worth: 100… 0 million; Desire Level: 5200%.]

“Wait—hasn’t that number changed?” Song Ruochen asked.

Wait a minute—how many zeroes?

5200%?!

What the hell!

An alpha’s hand clamped around his waist, lifting him off the sofa and flipping him onto his back. Hawthorn scent surged.

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng pinched his earlobe, “when you were using me to farm coins, did you ever think about compensating me?”

“It was all for the company…” Song Ruochen muttered guiltily. “Why are you asking for pay now?”

“How many times did you tease me during the launch today?” Jian Yuheng asked. “Can you recall?”

Song Ruochen: “(0, +∞).”

Crap—was that super-stable stat value suddenly doubling now?

Come to think of it, he had been quite the flirt today.

“You’re a black-hearted middleman. I’m a shrewd businessman,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll let the outsourcing slide, but if you’re going to use me like a coin-farming tool, shouldn’t there be some kind of… compensation?”

Jian Yuheng leaned down, pressing the slender, pretty omega into the sofa, pinning his legs to prevent escape.

Song Ruochen was lazy at work, lazy with chores, and even lazy in love. Cowardly, weak, yet loved to play games—if he wasn’t punished, he’d just tease and run again next time.

Pinned down, Song Ruochen started flailing like he was swimming. But under the alpha’s absolute strength, his struggling only served to stoke a deeper hunger.

He realized it—and Jian Yuheng definitely realized it too.

[Blackened Hawthorn.]

[You made this yourself.]

[(Crunching sunflower seeds) This is great. I wanna see Second Young Master punish you properly today.]

Song Ruochen: “……”

This system is sounding more and more like one of those literature students.

Jian Yuheng pinned him down, loosened his tie, and undid the top button of his shirt. He looked down at him, eyes filled with undisguised desire.

The blackened hawthorn was intense. It reminded Song Ruochen of the first time they met at Xiaoshi.

“Second Young Master…” Song Ruochen whispered, “let’s go to the bed.”

Jian Yuheng: “Sure, President Song.”

Jian Yuheng: “……”

He chuckled, scooped him up, and carried him into the master bedroom.

[System “Time-Rewind Coin Pouch” forcibly shut down.]

[Noooo!!!]

[Why can’t I watch?!]

Song Ruochen was dropped onto the soft bed.

He propped himself up, looking around.

So this is what it’s like to be in a CEO’s novel bedroom.

Thud—Jian Yuheng shoved him down again. Song Ruochen climbed back up and looked around some more.

Jian Yuheng couldn’t help it anymore: “Is my room really more interesting than me?”

Why’s he so curious about everything?

Song Ruochen got pushed back onto the big bed again.

“Secretary Song,” Jian Yuheng murmured in his ear, “can you be curious about something else, please?”