Mistaken Canary Chapter 14
Chapter 14
It was dark outside by the time they finally dragged themselves out of bed, their stomachs rumbling loudly. They made their way downstairs to the hotel buffet.
The hotel’s seafood was exceptional, and Ying Tongchen eagerly piled his plate high. He noticed, however, that Zhuo Shu’s plate was empty. "Don’t you like seafood?" he asked, surprised.
Zhuo Shu: "I’m allergic."
"That’s rough."
Zhuo Shu noticed the hint of schadenfreude in Ying Tongchen's "that's rough" and couldn't resist a quick kick under the table. Unfortunately, it was too gentle, and Ying Tongchen completely misunderstood.
"Try to be a little more proper in public, Chairman Zhuo."
Chairman Zhuo: "..." I’m being very proper—just trying to kick you!
Midway through their meal, the manager of the dining area stepped to the center of the venue and announced over the microphone, "Good evening, everyone! Apologies for the brief interruption, but I have some exciting news to share. Tonight is our membership night, and we’ll be selecting one lucky member to have all their expenses waived, including the room charge!"
The announcement was met with excited chatter.
In contrast to the visibly enthusiastic patrons surrounding them, Zhuo Shu remained unmoved.. Ying Tongchen, similarly unaffected, continued his meal, and even gave him a quick glance of admiration.
"That’s not all," the manager continued, "we’re also giving away a box of hairy crabs for free!"
"But there’s one condition: this is a couples’ event. Members interested in participating can bring their significant other up for a couple’s photo, and the best-looking couple will win all the prizes!"
At this, several couples quickly stood up, eager to participate.
Zhuo Shu gave a slight smile, recognizing the promotion as a common marketing tactic, one his company considered outdated. He lowered his head to resume eating, but then his arm was yanked up roughly. He looked up at Ying Tongchen, who was suddenly standing beside him. "What’s up?"
"Hairy crabs," Ying Tongchen grasped his wrist. "Since it’s free, why waste the opportunity."
Zhuo Shu blinked, incredulous. "You think I’d participate in such a silly contest?"
"You won’t but I will,” Ying Tongchen said, tugging at his arm. “Hurry up, stop dawdling."
Zhuo Shu stubbornly pulled his hand away. "I’m not going. Do I look like I need a couple of hairy crabs? If you want them, fine. I’ll buy you some."
"Then I’ll go find someone else to sub in for you." Ying Tongchen turned, scanning the room. He spotted a young woman who seemed eager to join the game, probably looking for someone to team up with, and immediately started walking toward her.
Zhuo Shu: "Halt!"
Ying Tongchen ignored him and kept walking toward the woman, who, clearly understanding his intention, straightened up expectantly.
"Hello, may I—" Ying Tongchen hadn’t finished speaking when he was suddenly yanked back, crashing into a broad, strong shoulder.
Zhuo Shu glared at him, and without a word, dragged him to the center of the room. The air was instantly crackled with excited screams.
Zhuo Shu quietly spoke to a nearby waiter, who hurried over with two pairs of sunglasses.
Zhuo Shu put on his sunglasses, then tossed the other pair at Ying Tongchen. "Put them on. Have some shame. What if someone recognizes us?"
Ying Tongchen glanced around and saw that they were being watched by a crowd of phone-wielding onlookers. He quickly put on the sunglasses. It was better to be safe than sorry, even if he didn't recognize anyone.
Nine couples participated in the event. As the only same-sex couple, they naturally became the center of attention, with cheers and applause ringing out.
The manager approached each couple in turn, saving the most anticipated pair for last. After asking the others their names and how they met, he finally reached the spot where they were.
"Hello, may I ask what your names are?" The manager asked with a beaming smile.
Zhuo Shu pushed his sunglasses up, he was the most handsome man, second to none. "It’s a secret."
Gotcha ✔️
Ying Tongchen, playing along, echoed, "It’s a secret."
Manager: "..."
The manager tried again, "Well, could you share your relationship with everyone?"
Zhuo Shu turned to look at Ying Tongchen. This was a question that should be answered by the man who would stop at nothing for the sake of hairy crabs.
"We were brought together by the same dream..." Ying Tongchen immediately spoke up, his English fluent as he explained in detail how he and the person beside him weren’t really familiar with each other, but were only here for the crabs. He then spent another five minutes elaborating on the deliciousness of the crabs.
The listeners were all left mystified, but a large number cheered, captivated by his pleasant voice and flawless pronunciation.
The manager wiped the imaginary sweat from his forehead and asked Zhuo Shu, "Does he really have to speak in English?"
Zhuo Shu silently gave Ying Tongchen a thumbs-up for his quick thinking. Knowing how to mask an identity with language was a skill. He smoothly chimed in, "Yes, he’s Chinese but grew up abroad."
A collective "Ahh" spread through the crowd as they nodded in realization.
The manager then asked, "I see. Well, let me ask you instead, what is your relationship with this gentleman?"
"You still can’t tell?" Zhuo Shu opened his mouth and smoothly fabricated, "I’m his translator."
"And what did he say just now?"
"I don’t know." Zhuo Shu replied with a straight face, "He spoke too quickly, I couldn’t catch it."
Manager: "..."
A significant amount of time had already been wasted, and the manager, not wanting to keep everyone waiting any longer, proceeded to announce the rules. As he did so, Ying Tongchen gave Zhuo Shu a quick, almost imperceptible thumbs-up.
The corners of Zhuo Shu’s mouth perked up.
"Now, let’s begin the official competition. Each couple will strike the sweetest, most loving pose you can think of, and the most-liked couple will win."
Ying Tongchen and Zhuo Shu stood at the back, observing the other couples' photos.
The first couple stepped up and immediately went for a kiss.
Ying Tongchen: "..."
This was something he hadn't expected—right out of the gate, they went for the big move?
Zhuo Shu's eyes flickered, and he realized this entire segment was... somewhat too ‘wonderful’ for words.
Perhaps the first group had awakened a competitive spirit, with subsequent couples vying to outdo each other in daring, verging on R-rated content.
Ying Tongchen: "..." So this is the world of the rich?
He felt numb, and decided to abandon this futile struggle.
Finally, their turn arrived. All eyes were on them, watching their every move. The crowd watched as the "English-speaking Chinese" slowly extended his left hand, forming half of a heart with his fingers before glancing at his ‘translator.’
Zhuo Shu, half-surprised, half-puzzled, reached out with his right hand. Unfortunately, with the sunglasses on, it was impossible to read the other’s expression. He could only tentatively stretch out his hand and completed the heart shape with Ying Tongchen.
Click—
Two tall men in suits, both wearing the same pair of sunglasses, gazed deeply into each other’s eyes. Before the camera, they struck two stern profiles, their hands awkwardly forming a less-than-appealing heart.
Everyone: "..."
Zhuo Shu: "..." This isn't fun at all.
And that wasn’t the end of it. The manager, keen to keep the momentum going, asked each couple to share a sweet anecdote about their relationship. The preceding couples had already started playing the emotional card, recounting charming love stories.
When their turn came, the manager simply extended the microphone to Zhuo Shu.
Zhuo Shu: "..."
Zhuo Shu pointed at their finished photo. "Look at this heart. It’s big and round. It’s not easy to form something like this, so I ask everyone to show some support."
With the results hinging on the crowd's cheers, Ying Tongchen, aware of their slim chances, quietly moved closer to Zhuo Shu and softly whispered, "Does that promise of buying me hairy crabs still stand?"
Zhuo Shu raised an eyebrow. "It depends on your performance."
Ying Tongchen tugged at his sleeve, gently shaking it, his voice softening, "Sexy~ you're so handsome~"
Zhuo Shu couldn’t help but smile, the corners of his mouth lifting as he turned to look at him. "You should’ve done this from the start. All this trouble for nothing."
"I just thought it was fun." Ying Tongchen smiled as well. Although it seemed pointless, when someone was there to be silly with you, it made everything more enjoyable.
The two of them continued whispering, oblivious to how this scene appeared to everyone else. To the onlookers, it was a beautiful, full of chemistry, gay gay moment, with cheers drowning out all the preceding couples.
When the manager presented Ying Tongchen with a box of hairy crabs, he was momentarily stunned. He looked at the delicious prize in his hands, then at Zhuo Shu, his eyes widening with a pure gleam of joy. Overcome with excitement, he threw his arms around Zhuo Shu in a celebratory hug.
Zhuo Shu stiffened for a moment, then his lips curled into a smug grin. "Those people are so nooby. We actually won with that?"
The other contestants: "......"
After a long pause, Ying Tongchen, realizing his enthusiastic embrace, slowly released Zhuo Shu. He then instructed the waiter to bring another box.
Back in their room, Ying Tongchen opened the box and carefully divided the crabs, ensuring each of them received half. "Here, this is yours. The spoils of our victory belong to both of us."
Zhuo Shu wasn’t particularly interested in the crabs.
“Oh right, you’re allergic,” Ying Tongchen almost forgot. Realizing how Zhuo Shu had stepped up to help him earlier, he gave him a sincere thank you.
"Since you’ve already divided them, just give me a box," Zhuo Shu remarked.
“Huh?” Ying Tongchen looked at him in confusion.
"My family likes these."
“Well, that’s good then,” Ying Tongchen smiled, his eyes curving into soft crescents. In the quiet, warm light, his expression appeared especially captivating.
Zhuo Shu’s thoughts shifted. He wrapped an arm around Ying Tongchen’s waist and, without a word, lowered his head to kiss his lips, tugging at his collar as if to hint, “The renewal has already been waived. If it’s free, why waste the opportunity?”
“Mmm... let’s not.” Ying Tongchen pushed him away gently. “I just ate seafood. What if you get an allergic reaction from kissing me?”
Zhuo Shu paused, “Shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Ying Tongchen wasn't sure either, and while he pondered the question, Zhuo Shu kissed him again. Leaning against the table’s edge, Ying Tongchen instinctively wrapped his arm around Zhuo Shu’s shoulder, only to be lifted and placed on the table. Just as things were getting heated, the crabs caught his eye.
“No.” Ying Tongchen said firmly, pushing him away again, “The crabs. We have to get them home and refrigerated.”
“...”
And just like that, without further ado, Ying Tongchen straightened his clothes, grabbed the hairy crabs like precious cargo, and headed for the door.
Zhuo Shu was dumbfounded.
"By the way, this meeting was really pleasant." Ying Tongchen remarked, turning back to offer a parting smile, "In every sense of the word."
"You're really leaving?"
"Yeah. We'll have plenty more opportunities to get together, but I want to get home. My old man's a big fan of these," Ying Tongchen said, a hint of apology in his voice.
"Then go ahead."
What else could Zhuo Shu say? Of course, he could only forgive him. :)
After Ying Tongchen left, Zhuo Shu quickly scanned the room for anything left behind. That's when he spotted Ying Tongchen’s tie lying there.
With the tie in one hand and the crabs in the other, Zhuo Shu went downstairs. In the lobby, he ran into the dining area manager, who greeted him warmly, “Sir, how did you enjoy your evening?”
Zhuo Shu's expression immediately clouded over. If it weren’t for tonight's mess, he'd be having a much better time right now!
"Your hotel will be one distinguished member short very soon," he muttered angrily as he left.
He threw his things into the car and sped back to the Zhuo Family Residence. His parents were coming back tomorrow.
Zhuo Zi was sprawled on the sofa watching TV. Without bothering to look up, she drawled, "Well well, look who's here."
Zhuo Shu tossed the half-box of crabs at her: "These are for you. Put them in the fridge."
"Wowie! My dear brother!" Zhuo Zi excitedly darted to the kitchen to put the crabs away, then came back, playfully bumping against him. Noticing a tie lying nearby, she asked curiously, "Huh, whose is this?"
"A friend's." Zhuo Shu glanced at her, "Where did you put my tie?"
"Well, you weren’t using it, so I gave it to my homeroom teacher."
"Ugh." Such a waste. This was something that should be given to someone more fitting, used for a more appropriate purpose... like covering a certain someone’s eyes... cough.
"You clearly don’t know how to gift. Why not just send some health supplements?"
"I can’t be bothered to argue with you!" Zhuo Zi huffed, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, I told mom about it. She agreed to the homeroom teacher's visit tomorrow."
"Did you get into trouble at school again? Why is the teacher coming over—oh, wait, fuck." A warning bell rang in Zhuo Shu's mind as he recalled the conversation with the homeroom teacher after he mistakenly sent a scandalous message to the parent group chat. The teacher had mentioned coming for a home visit!
DANGER!!!
Zhuo Zi asked, "What’s wrong?"
Zhuo Shu’s expression turned complicated. "Is there any way to turn down the home visit?"
"Mom already agreed, and I even confirmed with the teacher. Why turn it down?"
Zhuo Shu: "......I’m afraid of unexpected crises."
For a moment, he wasn't sure whether to save his own skin or his dad's.