FOBTS CH85

Chapter 85 — End of the Main Story

Autumn came, and the grapes ripened, sweet enough to make hearts bloom with joy.

Song Ruochen: “·3·”

Jian Yuheng hesitated for a moment, and the spoon in his hand clanged as it dropped onto the plate.

[Clang]

“Bad boy, your spoon.” Song Ruochen kindly handed the spoon back to him.

[(Pointing fingers) Such wastefulness!]

[Talking about the most extravagant romance.]

[Not thrifty at all like Second Young Master.]

“System, I want to sell the helicopter that Lu Yunye gave me,” Song Ruochen said. “Should be able to exchange for a lot of rewind coins, right?”

[…]

[The boss won’t accept it.]

“Why?!” Song Ruochen protested.

[It’s a token of Xiao Lu’s goodwill.]

[We’re a serious system, and don’t accept goodwill.]

“Xiao Lu’s goodwill has nowhere to be buried,” Song Ruochen said sadly.

“Song Ruochen, what are we eating tomorrow?” Jian Yuheng asked. “I’ll have someone prepare the ingredients in advance.”

“I’ll keep making hometown dishes for you,” Song Ruochen said. “Second Young Master, just wait for the surprise.”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Still not giving up?

This is true fondness, and that’s a good thing.

Why don’t I smile then?

After dinner, each of them found a table and started their work meetings separately.

Song Ruochen joined the “Fuzzy-Zao-Grape” group chat.

“This month our Fuzzy-Zao-Grape Studio earned a lot of ad revenue,” Yan Ci said in the voice channel. “Everyone, keep up the good work.”

“But I found some studios have started to copy our game,” Meng Yumian said angrily. “Like flies, they come sniffing the scent.”

“Let them copy,” Song Ruochen said. “We should make a new slacking-off game.”

Song Ruochen: “As long as we move fast enough, they can’t catch up.”

“For example,” Song Ruochen gave an example, “the game characters are a couple who argue every day, and the player’s job is to find ways to make them reconcile.”

Yan Ci: “0.o?”

Yan Ci: “What inspired that idea?”

“Well, inspiration comes from sudden flashes of brilliance. You know, it sparks like a firework — a brilliant inspiration,” Song Ruochen explained.

Jian Yuheng, eavesdropping on the meeting: “…?”

“Anyway, that’s the idea,” Song Ruochen summarized. “Anyone here?”

“Here, little grape,” Yan Ci said. “Listening to you.”

“Okay okay, let’s continue. Secretary Song provides ideas, I find the team to draw, Da Jujube promotes in the gaming field,” Meng Yumian assigned tasks. “By the way, grape, the new Fuzzy-Zao-Grape studio is ready. Come visit tomorrow.”

“The new studio is located upstairs on A City’s Food Street,” Yan Ci said. “We’ll call it the Fuzzy-Zao-Grape Food Street Office.”

“Such an important matter, I’ll definitely be early tomorrow,” Song Ruochen promised.

[Our President Song has his own little company now, hahaha.]

“By the way, the summer competition is about to start,” Yan Ci said. “Meng Yu, Mao, and Secretary Song, come watch my commentary then.”

Song Ruochen: “Okay.”

When the three of them get together, they can chat for a long time, and their voices get louder.

Song Ruochen’s volume rose from 3 to 100.

Song Ruochen: “Gahahaha.”

Jian Yuheng, in a phone meeting with subordinates: “?”

“Second Young Master’s home environment is pretty nice,” Assistant Gong said respectfully. “There are also wild ducks.”

Jian Yuheng: “Hmm…”

Assistant Gong has evolved — now adept at subtle banter.

Several chuckles came through the headset.

[Secretary Song’s reputation dropped 5 points.]

“Are you two making fun of me again?” Song Ruochen asked.

“What? Little grape,” Yan Ci said. “We never talk behind people’s backs.”

“Exactly,” Meng Yumian added. “Secretary Song is so perfect, no complaints here.”

Song Ruochen hung up the call half believing it. Jian Yuheng just finished his meeting too.

“Are you done?” Song Ruochen asked.

“Done,” Jian Yuheng said. “The company’s Q1 performance was good. First Young Master and I are planning a company trip.”

“Paid leave?” Song Ruochen was concerned.

“Paid…”

The company’s troublemaker showed a relieved smile: “Where are we going?”

“My brother gave three options,” Jian Yuheng said. “Desert hiking, glacier skinny dipping, or sunbathing at the equator.”

Song Ruochen: “Did the employees commit a serious offense?”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“I think it’s unreasonable too,” Jian Yuheng said. “The planner has strong personal preferences.”

Jian Yuheng: “Secretary Song, any suggestions?”

Song Ruochen: “Hmm?”

Jian Yuheng: “Good ideas.”

“I think, no flashy stuff,” Song Ruochen said. “No team-building or fancy perks. The company should just give employees money and food directly.”

Jian Yuheng: “Uh…”

He threw two bank cards to Song Ruochen, deciding to personally plan the trip.

Song Ruochen loves the world’s delicious food, so food must be included; Ma-luo loves swimming pools, so water must be included; Song Ruochen also likes a certain alpha boy band, so the band can be invited to sing.

Jian Yuheng quietly planned a fully company-paid trip.

When he finished the plan, he suddenly realized Song Ruochen hadn’t spoken for almost two hours.

That was extremely rare.

Was he starting to indulge in extravagance with the bank cards?

At the other end of the house:

[Haha, awesome.]

Song Ruochen: “0.0*”

[This vintage is too young, try the next one.]

Song Ruochen: “Alright~”

The drunkard rummaged through the wine cabinet, his gaze growing hazy.

Song Ruochen had long coveted Jian Yuheng’s wine cabinet — all the wines in this ABO world were incredibly delicious.

So tonight, as he passed by, fate led him to open the cabinet and pour himself a shallow glass.

Gradually, the room filled with the aroma of wine.

“Song Ruochen… you.” Jian Yuheng’s voice came from the door.

Wine cabinet durability -1

Song Ruochen alcohol level +99%

“Is it really that good?” Song Ruochen heard Jian Yuheng ask.

The alpha took the wine glass from his hand and drank it in one gulp.

“Seems pretty good,” Jian Yuheng said.

When he first collected the wine, he didn’t expect this place to also capture a Song Ruochen.

Song Ruochen was carefully examining the wines in the cabinet, selecting his next tasting target, when his waist was suddenly grabbed. He stepped back and bumped into Jian Yuheng’s embrace.

Jian Yuheng held his hand and pointed to the right side of the cabinet.

“This one?” Song Ruochen asked.

“Yes,” Jian Yuheng said. “That’s it. Take it out.”

Song Ruochen hugged the bottle with both hands.

“This one’s alcohol content is a bit lower,” Jian Yuheng said. “After you drink it… you might not get as crazy.”

“Let’s try it,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng brought over two wine glasses and poured a little for Song Ruochen.

The alpha’s wrist moved slightly, and his glass clinked crisply against the glass in Song Ruochen’s hand.

The room instantly filled with a subtle, intimate atmosphere.

Song Ruochen tilted his head, thinking for a moment, and the grapevine wound its way around Jian Yuheng’s arm, twisting and curling.

Jian Yuheng: “?”

“Cross-cupped wine,” Song Ruochen said, “where I’m from, it’s drunk at weddings.”

“We don’t have that here,” Jian Yuheng said.

“I know,” Song Ruochen said, “maybe the author didn’t write about it.”

Jian Yuheng: “?”

Half educating, half joking, Song Ruochen explained the history and meaning of the cross-cupped wine to Jian Yuheng.

Song Ruochen: “gulp.”

Then, Song Ruochen raised his glass and opened his hand in front of Jian Yuheng.

Jian Yuheng placed his hand on top of Song Ruochen’s.

“No,” Song Ruochen said, “you have to play finger-guessing with me.”

Song Ruochen: “It’s a game we often play when drinking.”

Song Ruochen: “gulp gulp.”

Jian Yuheng watched wide-eyed as Song Ruochen drank the red wine like juice.

Before long, Secretary Song froze.

The little secretary leaned back in his chair, eyelashes lowered, eyes reddened at the corners. Jian Yuheng walked over and ruffled Song Ruochen’s hair.

“Drunk?” Jian Yuheng poked him.

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

Song Ruochen: “o.·?”

Jian Yuheng: “Pfft…”

He was luckier than others — able to see a side of Secretary Song that others couldn’t.

The reckless little drunkard half-opened his eyes, struggling to keep up a “I’m fine” cool appearance, but to others it looked adorably stubborn and silly, impossible to look away from.

“Second Young Master, it’s time for bed,” Song Ruochen said.

Jian Yuheng: “..”

Adorable my foot.

“Second Young Master, help me change clothes.” Song Ruochen slapped the table.

Jian Yuheng sighed and bent down to scoop him up from the chair, heading to the bathroom.

Song Ruochen was stripped of his grape-skin clothing and tossed into the bathtub filled with warm water. The gentle flowing water patted his shoulders and neck softly, making him close his eyes comfortably.

“Bath yourself?” Jian Yuheng asked. “I’ll come get you later.”

He was just about to leave when his clothes were grabbed from behind.

The beautiful water monster sat up in the tub and grabbed Jian Yuheng’s clothes, leaving wet handprints on his clothes’ hem.

“Come back,” Song Ruochen said. “Are you not able to leave?”

Jian Yuheng: “Ah??”

Probably startled by the alpha’s force, the water monster slowly sank back into the water.

The water covered the omega’s fair stomach and chest, reflecting broken, shimmering light. A slender hand, slightly pink from the warm bath, rested loosely on the edge of the tub.

Song Ruochen gave Jian Yuheng an innocent glance and comfortably closed his eyes.

The next second, the bathtub became shared space.

Song Ruochen: “Ah??”

Water splashed everywhere as Jian Yuheng tightly hugged him.

Song Ruochen: “Wait…”

Song Ruochen: “Save…”

Song Ruochen: “Ah…oooh.”

—

The next day, the first official meeting of the Fuzzy-Zao-Grape Studio at the Gourmet Street office started, and Song Ruochen was late.

Almost 3 p.m., Secretary Song slowly appeared at the conference room door, with a black collar around his neck.

“Little Grape, you’re here,” Yan Ci warmly greeted. “Oh, brother is here too.”

“You guys have your meeting, I won’t disturb,” Jian Yuheng said cheerfully. “I’ll come pick up Xiao Chen later.”

“Okay,” Yan Ci said.

“One, two, three… seven, hahaha,” Meng Yumian couldn’t hold back laughing and finally burst out when Jian Yuheng turned around. “Second Master has seven scratch marks on his neck.”

“Second Master is too much,” Yan Ci said. “Our grapes are being bullied fiercely.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Not exactly.

He reviewed what happened after waking up. He was reckless when drunk — no grape-skin clothing, grabbing Jian Yuheng’s clothes, and randomly provoking.

Last night, Jian Yuheng had pinned him in the bathtub and then dragged him to the floor-to-ceiling window.

The wine made him dizzy; he didn’t think to resist, only holding the curtains weakly. The curtains fell down, layers of white gauze draping over his head.

At that moment, Jian Yuheng seemed stunned for a second, then hugged him tighter, as if to press him into his very bones, fiercely teasing him.

Then Jian Yuheng got scratched.

On purpose.

How shameless.

“Then why are you wearing the collar?” Yan Ci asked. “Are you a walking, delicious grape today?”

“I’m not,” Song Ruochen said.

[Already completely eaten by Second Young Master.]

“Shut up,” Song Ruochen told the system.

He wore the collar because Jian Yuheng gave him several kiss marks that were hard to hide, so he used the collar to cover them.

“Alright, alright,” Meng Yumian said. “Don’t trouble our little grape; he’s already blushing.”

A phone rang.

“Hello? Mom?” Meng Yumian answered. “Yes, I’m still in City A. I want to stay a while longer, not going home for now.”

“I’m not lonely,” she said. “No need to find someone to take care of me. I still have several art exhibitions I want to hold.”

She had become an independent and self-reliant Mao monster, no longer relying on others.

“Yes, yes, Eldest Master’s Secretary Song has been taking care of me,” Meng Yumian said. “I’m hanging up now. Ah, pocket money is still necessary — being independent and pocket money are two different things.”

Meng Yumian hung up.

“You flatter me,” Song Ruochen said. “I didn’t really take care of you much, you’re mostly fending for yourself.”

“It’s fine,” Meng Yumian said. “It feels more like I’m self-destructing when you take care of me.”

Song Ruochen: “???”

“You two,” Song Ruochen said, “have you always had complaints about me?”

“Nope,” Yan Ci said. “You’re the best little grape in the whole world.”

You make everyone better.

The Fuzzy-Zao-Grape team discussed food for 3 hours, studied the game for 20 minutes, and finally ended the meeting as work time was over.

“There’s a cheese pancake place nearby,” Meng Yumian looked at the map. “Let’s buy some to take back and eat.”

“Sounds good,” Song Ruochen said. “Points for Mao monster.”

Yan Ci: “0.0..”

The pancake shop was popular and required a queue. Song Ruochen, with the rare mindset of a diligent worker, wanted to let the lady and the young master wait aside while he queued, but the two insisted on joining him.

The three chatted away, unaware that someone was approaching.

“Xiao Ci,” the approaching person spoke.

Song Ruochen turned his head and recognized the people in front of him — they were Yan Ci’s biological parents. It had been so long since they last met that he almost forgot what they looked like.

“Long time no see,” Yan Ci’s mother said, her face tired. “How have you been?”

“Pretty good,” Yan Ci replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.

“Your brother’s been looking for a job lately, could you possibly…” The woman trailed off.

“No, I can’t,” Yan Ci said with a smile. “You never gave me anything before, so don’t expect anything from me now. If my brother wants something, he should fight for it himself.”

“If next time you see me, you’re still trying to say these things,” Yan Ci said firmly, “then don’t bother greeting me.”

He had Little Grape, Fuzzy Monster, and Jian Feng — he really didn’t care about that insincere “long time no see.”

He wasn’t sure when, but he had stopped shedding tears over family difficulties and emotional blackmail.

A place with true companionship — that was a real home.

“Your three cheese pancakes, please take them,” the clerk called to them. “Secretary Song, we’ve sent you two extra pancakes.”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Damn, he’d been recognized.

“Wishing Song Ruochen and Jian Yuheng a lifetime of happiness!” the clerk loudly cheered.

Song Ruochen covered his face and accepted the blessing.

“Oh?” Yan Ci looked at his phone. “Little Grape, Xiao Shi’s group trip plan has been finalized.”

“None of the ones I suggested were chosen,” Yan Ci said disappointedly.

“As expected of you,” Song Ruochen gritted his teeth.

He glanced at the message Jian Feng sent Yan Ci. Good — none of his plans were selected either.

The company finally decided on a cruise trip.

Song Ruochen: “Wow!”

He had never been on one and liked the idea!

[Wow! When one succeeds, the whole family benefits. I’m going on a cruise!]

—

Jian Yuheng’s reliable plan was quickly put into action. On the first day of the holiday, Song Ruochen pushed the air as Jian Yuheng pushed a suitcase. Together, they boarded a large cruise ship at A City’s seaside.

The cruise set sail, heading out to sea, carrying a curious Song Ruochen.

He stood on the deck, blinking not once as he watched the seagulls.

“Bro, good luck!” Jian Feng shouted from a distance, clenching his fist.

“Little brother, good luck!” Yan Ci called out.

“I can do it.” Jian Yuheng weighed two rings in his hand and started walking toward Song Ruochen.

He was about to approach and propose — this cruise trip would be their engagement ceremony.

Jian Yuheng set off.

[Ding dong.]

Jian Yuheng returned to where he started.

Jian Yuheng’s mood was good, so he tried again.

[Ding dong.]

Song Ruochen kept watching the seagulls flying back and forth, observing them repeatedly.

“So cute,” Song Ruochen said. “Turns out our system can be used this way.”

He kept watching the lovely seagulls.

[Ding dong]xN

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Bro?” Jian Feng asked. “Chicken?”

“You’re chicken,” Jian Yuheng said.

Seriously? Just staring at a seagull repeatedly? If he couldn’t walk over, then don’t go.

Song Ruochen was enjoying nature when he suddenly heard Jian Yuheng’s voice.

“Song Ruochen!” A one hundred decibel shout rang through the sky. “Marry me!”

“Ah ah ah ah!” The seagulls scattered chaotically.

The sky: “No cliché, no cliché!”

Song Ruochen: “Ah…”

The sea breeze blew the black hair on his forehead. He looked toward Jian Yuheng with a faint smile.

“Alright!” he shouted. “Second Young Master, let’s go!”

[From then on, Song Ruochen and Jian Yuheng lived happily ever after.]

[You also have your own happy ending.]

[Ding dong]

[?]

Jian Yuheng: “?”

“Let’s change the camera angle.” Song Ruochen called out to Jian Yuheng. “Second Young Master, propose again! I want to see it from this side.”

Jian Yuheng: “:)”

Jian Yuheng: “Okay.”

Living long means you can propose to one person many times.

But that’s fine — he liked every moment with him.

Under the distant blue sky and sea, Song Ruochen smiled and waved —

“I said yes again!”

“Behind the scenes and the main show aren’t always the same.”

“For example,” Song Ruochen said, “I love you always!”