FOBTS CH87

Chapter 87 Extra 2: The System’s Voice Leak Bug

Group Chat [Fuzzy Zao Grape] (3 members)

[Yan Ci]: @Song Ruochen, fans recommended a café in City A with great pastries. Wanna go? [Location: East City Café]

[Meng Yumian]: @Song Ruochen, I found a new private restaurant with good food. You in? [Location: West City Restaurant]

[Yan Ci]: 0.0. I posted first, you know.

[Meng Yumian]: 0.0… Secretary Song, look at Yan Ci being all passive-aggressive. You don’t like people talking like that, right?

[Yan Ci]: Who’s more passive-aggressive here?

[Song Ruochen]: Sorry, he’s got a fever. I’ll hang out with you guys once he’s better.

[Yan Ci]: ?

[Meng Yumian]: ??

[Yan Ci]: 2?

[Song Ruochen]: It’s me.

[Meng Yumian]: You got a fever?

[Yan Ci]: You got a fever?

[Song Ruochen]: ?

[Song Ruochen]: No.

[Song Ruochen]: Probably caught a cold virus. I’ll take care of him and catch up with you when he’s better.

[Yan Ci]: Hurry up then!

[Yan Ci]: Fuzzy Monster, wanna go karaoke?

[Meng Yumian]: Let’s go. I just learned some new songs.

In the bedroom, Jian Yuheng, having replied to the messages, set down Song Ruochen’s phone and placed the back of his hand on Song Ruochen’s forehead, swapping out the cooling patch.

Song Ruochen: “Ahh… ugh…”

“Fever’s got you glitching?” Jian Yuheng asked. “Want to rewind?”

“No way,” Song Ruochen said. “The system says it can’t trace when the virus hit.”

“Then take some medicine,” Jian Yuheng said. “You’ll probably be fine by tomorrow.”

Jian Yuheng mixed a cup of cold medicine and handed it to Song Ruochen.

Song Ruochen downed it in one go.

[Ding-dong.]

Song Ruochen downed it again.

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Tastes pretty good,” Song Ruochen said. “Apple-flavored.”

[Jumping up and down So hot!]

[Butt on fire Running back and forth]

[Smoking]

“Drama system,” Song Ruochen said. “Chill out for a bit.”

“Evil Young Master,” he added, “turn off the light. Let’s sleep.”

“Coming.” Jian Yuheng left a small nightlight on, hugged the feverish grape, and slipped under the covers.

A while later, Jian Yuheng opened his eyes and gently pushed the hot grape aside.

[Ding-dong.]

The hot grape rolled back into Jian Yuheng’s arms.

Jian Yuheng: “:|”

He was about to catch fire himself.

“Sleep well,” Jian Yuheng said. “Your temperature seems to have dropped a bit.”

“Hmph,” Song Ruochen mumbled.

The Next Morning

A barbell-like laugh echoed in Jian Yuheng’s head.

[Not hot anymore, hahaha, I’m alive!]

[Flying Swinging on a swing President Song, get up!]

[This rewind card pack is pretty solid—anti-virus, anti-high-temp. I just checked, and there’s not a single bug, hahaha.]

Jian Yuheng: “…?”

Song Ruochen: “.”

Song Ruochen opened his eyes.

Song Ruochen: “Cough, cough, cough…”

Song Ruochen: “Cough.”

Song Ruochen: “?”

“What’s wrong?” Jian Yuheng asked.

[Lost your voice, huh, little grape?]

[Guess my quality’s still top-notch.]

“You’re not doing so great either,” Jian Yuheng said.

Song Ruochen: “0.o?”

[??]

[Talking about you, right? It’s you, isn’t it?]

“You,” Jian Yuheng confirmed.

[Pointing at self]

[You can hear my voice?]

“Yup.” Jian Yuheng nodded.

[What the—Boss system, Boss! Voice channel bug!]

[There’s a bug! Before, I could only say a few words during the ding-dong!]

[We even chatted when Chenchen got kidnapped.]

[Fake tears So sorry, really disturbing you.]

“It’s fine,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’m used to it.”

[…]

[It’s being fixed, don’t worry, Evil Young Master. This can be patched.]

“Do you call me Evil Young Master in your internal monologue too?” Jian Yuheng asked.

[Shifty eyes whistling]

Song Ruochen: “Cough, cough, cough…”

Jian Yuheng patted his back, soothing him, then poured a cup of warm water and brought it to his lips.

[He says: He’s got an advertising department meeting today.]

[What, I’m a messenger system now?]

“Give me your speech draft,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’ll cover for you.”

[He says: Got it.]

[He says: I nodded, no need to explain. Second Young Master’s not blind.]

[He says: Don’t broadcast everything.]

Jian Yuheng: “…”

The longer he lived, the crazier life seemed to get.

“Can you go to work today?” Jian Yuheng asked.

[He says: If not going to work when you’re sick is an option, then workers would never want to go.]

[He says: Heh.]

Jian Yuheng: “…”

“Want to rest at home?” Jian Yuheng asked. “I’ll handle work.”

[Today’s Xiaoshi afternoon tea is green grape cheese buns, peach egg tarts, and blueberry fruit tea. Only an idiot would skip that. That one’s from me.]

Jian Yuheng’s temple throbbed.

So noisy. Today, he understood what silent chaos felt like.

“Alright,” Jian Yuheng said. “We’ll go to work, but if you feel unwell, tell me right away.”

Song Ruochen extended a grape vine, patted Jian Yuheng’s shoulder, signaling all was good.

[It’s being fixed, don’t stress, you two.]

[Must’ve gotten fried yesterday.]

[Sound of rummaging tools]

“Where’s the speech draft?” Jian Yuheng asked after breakfast.

Song Ruochen blinked.

[He says: In my heart.]

“Not written, huh,” Jian Yuheng said calmly. “Let’s go, President Song.”

Song Ruochen, dressed and ready, stood at the entrance.

“Wait for me,” Jian Yuheng said.

[He says: Yup.]

“No need to translate that one. I’m definitely waiting for him,” Song Ruochen told the system mentally.

[Clanging sounds You okay, little grape?]

“I’m fine,” Song Ruochen thought. “Just feel like coughing, throat’s a bit sore. I’ll rest my voice today, and it’ll be fine.”

Song Ruochen: “Your bug’s timing is pretty convenient.”

[Hehehe.]

[I told you, I’m a reliable system.]

In the closet, Jian Yuheng was picking out a hat for Song Ruochen’s outfit.

Summer was near, but with Song Ruochen sick, a hat to block the wind seemed like a good idea.

As he chose, a booming laugh erupted in his ears—

[Gahaha!]

[“Secretary Song seems so cool and aloof. Does Jian Yuheng ever bully him?” Hahaha, they’re talking about this in the work group?]

[Sorry, my voice was too loud.]

[Pulling hair Gotta fix this quick. I have no privacy anymore.]

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Song Ruochen, with a lollipop in his mouth, waited by the door as Jian Yuheng handed him a hat and scarf.

“Block the wind,” Jian Yuheng said.

[Good job.]

[Little Grape says.]

[He says: Second Young Master, time to go to work.]

Song Ruochen smiled and nodded.

Xiaoshi Group, President’s Office

Yan Ci was lounging on the sofa, playing a card game on his phone, with Jian Feng watching nearby.

“Xiao Ci, you’re so good,” Jian Feng said.

“I’m a pro at this,” Yan Ci replied. “Last time, Secretary Song lost a round and owed me a lollipop.”

“Ahhh, Jian-ge, get me a glass of water,” Yan Ci said. “My hands are full.”

“On it.” Jian Feng stood, poured the water, and, after a thought, grabbed some snacks for Yan Ci.

“These cookies are Secretary Song’s favorite,” Yan Ci said. “Speaking of, he’s got a fever, right? Wonder if he’ll come to work today?”

“Let me check.” Jian Feng opened the company software. “No leave request in the system, so he’s probably coming.”

“Secretary Song’s amazing,” Yan Ci said. “Working even when he’s sick.”

Yan Ci: “Xiaoshi’s lucky to have Secretary Song.”

Bang! The president’s office door swung open.

Song Ruochen appeared at the doorway, Jian Yuheng by his side.

[He says: Morning, President Jian. Morning, Madam.]

Jian Yuheng opened his mouth: “Morning, President Jian. Morning, Madam.”

Jian Feng: “…?”

Yan Ci: “Huh?”

[Ding-dong.]

Jian Yuheng: “Ding-dong?”

Oh, it rewound for him.

“Morning, Brother. Morning, Da Zao,” Jian Yuheng corrected. “I’m greeting you on behalf of Secretary Song.”

Song Ruochen nodded with a calm, flawless expression.

“Secretary Song, still got a fever?” Yan Ci asked.

Song Ruochen waved a hand dismissively.

“Coming to work with a cold, Secretary Song’s got it tough,” Yan Ci said, turning to Jian Feng. “Shouldn’t we give him a raise?”

Song Ruochen nodded.

Jian Feng: “Raise, raise.”

Song Ruochen lifted his wrist, flashing his shiny watch in front of Jian Yuheng: “Cough, cough, cough.”

[He says: Time for the meeting.]

“Brothe, Da Zao, you guys hang out. I’m taking Chenchen to the advertising department meeting,” Jian Yuheng said.

[He says: Good.]

[He says: Don’t broadcast nonsense.]

[QAQ]

“Go, go,” Yan Ci waved them off.

Song Ruochen was led out by Jian Yuheng.

[Rewind card pack credited: 20 minutes.]

“Where’d that come from?” Jian Yuheng asked.

[From your brother and Da Zao.]

[They’re shipping you two out of nowhere.]

In the office, Yan Ci and Jian Feng were whispering—

“They’re so in sync,” Yan Ci said. “How come Little Grape doesn’t even need to talk, and your brother just gets him?”

“Seems like it. It’s called a soul connection,” Jian Feng said. “Oh, a couple of days ago, I saw them on the company rooftop…”

“Tell me more,” Yan Ci urged. “Details.”

[Rewind card pack credited: 15 minutes.]

[Hey, they’re still chatting.]

“So many coins, I don’t even need to grind,” Song Ruochen said. “Happiness.”

[Save them up for the next vacation.]

“Use them at an amusement park. I want to take my time with a ton of rides,” Song Ruochen said.

[Smart Grape, Great Grape!]

In the quiet advertising department meeting room, Jian Yuheng sat in a daze.

So… so noisy.

He already knew the system wasn’t reliable, but now he realized it was downright unhinged.

What were these two even talking about?

[Fuzzy Monster’s picture is kinda spicy.]

[Let Second Young Master play with you.]

[Alright, I’m out, I’m out. Don’t miss me.]

Jian Yuheng: “…”

What picture?

In the meeting room, the advertising team had mostly arrived. Song Ruochen sat up straight, tapped the table twice, and pressed his fingers downward, signaling the meeting to start.

“Secretary Song’s throat isn’t feeling well today,” Jian Yuheng said. “I’m sitting in on this meeting.”

Employees: “:0”

“Tell him to be more specific,” Song Ruochen instructed the system.

[He says: Tell him to be more specific.]

“Secretary Song has a cold and a slight fever,” Jian Yuheng said. “The weather’s been rough lately, so everyone take care of yourselves.”

The employees nodded.

“I’ll be presenting Secretary Song’s advertising ideas for this meeting,” Jian Yuheng said.

It was simple enough—just relay Song Ruochen’s thoughts.

[He says: This and that.]

Jian Yuheng: “?”

“What?” Song Ruochen asked with his eyes. “Is my idea too hot to handle?”

[Hahahaha.]

“Secretary Song’s advertising concept is called…” Jian Yuheng struggled to say, “called… ‘With the Xiaoshi System, I Became the Champion of Palace Intrigue’…”

Jian Yuheng was overheating.

“It’s the kind of thing I’d click on,” an advertising team member said. “We can flesh out the details.”

Following this idea, the team dove into discussing the concept.

“So thirsty, I want juice,” Song Ruochen told the system.

[Sweating buckets Patching furiously I want some too.]

“What do you two want to drink?” Jian Yuheng asked.

[Hawthorn juice for him.]

“Got it,” Jian Yuheng said. “Anything else?”

[A chocolate cookie.]

“Alright.” Jian Yuheng smiled.

Employees: “?”

Whoa, who’s Second Young Master talking to? Secretary Song didn’t even open his mouth.

[He says: Get Second Young Master a juice too.]

[He says: My idea’s pretty cool, right?]

[Sweating buckets Clanging noises It’ll be fixed by tomorrow!]

[But the main system says it’s fine to leave it. This won’t last long and will reset on its own.]

“Then what are you clanging around for?” Song Ruochen asked.

[Just pretending to work hard for the higher-ups to see.]

Song Ruochen: “…”

Like master, like system.

Right after the meeting, Song Ruochen got a call from Team Leader Jin from Xiaoye R&D, saying they’d sent him some specialties from City O.

Song Ruochen to the system: “Say thanks.”

[He says: Second Young Master, say thanks.]

[I’m a microphone system now.]

“Thanks,” Jian Yuheng said on the phone. “My Song Ruochen says thank you.”

Jian Yuheng: “:)”

I’m the microphone’s microphone.

Yup, another unhinged day.

Xiaoshi Group Employee Chat (2499 members)

[Employee 1]: Wow, just came out of the advertising meeting. Secretary Song gives one look, and Second Young Master knows exactly what he means.

[Employee 2]: Never seen an AO pair this in sync.

[Employee 3]: Second Young Master even covered the meeting for him. They’re so interesting.

Afternoon, Dr. Cheng’s Private Clinic.

Jian Yuheng: “Sore throat, coughing, can’t talk much.”

Jian Yuheng listened for a few seconds, then added, “Wants more of that apple-flavored cold medicine.”

Jian Yuheng: “It’s medicine, not a snack. What do you mean ‘more’?”

Dr. Cheng: “?”

Dr. Cheng, sincerely: “So, which one of you is the patient?”

Jian Yuheng: “…”

Song Ruochen: “…”

Song Ruochen beckoned.

[Here we go, wiping out this dark history for you two.]

[Ding-dong.]