Mistaken Canary Chapter 23 (Part 2)
Chapter 23.2
When Ying Tongchen swiped his card and saw the price, his eye twitched.
That girl Zhuo Zi...was such a generous spender?
Looks like he'd have to get her something extra as a thank-you. Perhaps he should seek recommendations from the ladies.
He called Amy and went up to the jewelry store on the second floor, where he found them browsing.
They were examining bracelets, but when he said he needed a gift for a young girl, they picked out a fashionable necklace for him.
Afterward, they went their separate ways: the ladies were off to continue shopping, while Ying Tongchen, with nothing else to do, returned to the penthouse level of the office building.
Most of the employees were out preparing for the event, leaving the spacious office unusually quiet.
Ying Tongchen approached a staff member sitting by the door, handling paperwork. "Excuse me, has Chairman Zhuo arrived?"
The employee looked up, about to reply, but his gaze shifted behind him. "Hello, Chairman Zhuo."
Ying Tongchen turned around and saw Zhuo Shu walking into the office, all confident. His broad shoulders, slim waist, and long legs were hard to miss. As he fastened his suit jacket, he glanced over at the employees behind him, immersed in a discussion regarding company affairs.
Zhuo Shu brushed past him, then, after moving a few steps forward, abruptly made a "halt" gesture towards the employees.
Zhuo Shu took a few steps back, turning his head to meet Ying Tongchen's gaze.
Their eyes locked, and sparks seemed to fly between them.
"Chairman Zhuo, this gentleman is looking for you," the paperwork-handling employee spoke up.
As soon as the words were out, the employees in the room noticed a rare shift in Zhuo Shu's usually stoic expression. It became so intricate that his face seemed to twitch, caught between conflicting emotions.
He feigned a deep, thoughtful gesture by pinching the bridge of his nose, then gave a few orders to the staff. Finally, he turned his attention to Ying Tongchen with a cold, indifferent look. "Follow me."
Zhuo Shu entered the office, lowered the blinds, effectively cutting off the outside world. Only then did he turn to face Ying Tongchen, his eyes falling on the gift box in his hand. "What’s this?"
Ying Tongchen: "Oh, just a gift for you."
Zhuo Shu’s expression softened ever so slightly, and he stepped forward to take the box.
The moment he opened the box, an indescribable joy surged in his heart. But once he saw what was inside, he abruptly slammed the box closed and tossed it into the nearest trash bin.
“Oh, that wasn't meant for you,” Ying Tongchen calmly retrieved the necklace box from the wastebasket.
“Then who’s it for?” Zhuo Shu raised an eyebrow, his eyes glinting with a dangerous light. “A woman?”
“No.”
Zhuo Shu had just begun to relax when he heard Ying Tongchen add, “Strictly speaking, it’s for a little girl.”
“Heh.” Zhuo Shu’s expression hardened, his eyes locking onto Ying Tongchen’s. He lightly lifted his chin, stroking it for a moment, before raising his gaze and saying, “You’re quite the charmer, aren’t you? Even gifts for little girls are this lavish.”
You’re not fit to be a top star. You’re just a top-level player, f*ck.
Ying Tongchen turned his face away, pulled out another box, and presented the deep blue tie. “This one’s for you.”
Zhuo Shu glanced down, and his attention was instantly diverted. “You went out of your way to buy this?”
"I simply happened to be browsing with my colleagues," Ying Tongchen compared the ties, noticing that the deep blue one's perfect complement to Zhuo Shu’s water-blue shirt. He reached up to loosen the one he was currently wearing.
Zhuo Shu tilted his head back slightly, silently granting him forgiveness.
“Mm, looks good.” After securing the tie, Ying Tongchen gave Zhuo Shu’s chest a gentle pat and picked up the tie clip from the box, fastening it neatly. “Now go work hard today.”
Zhuo Shu: “...Doesn't that sound like something a virtuous wife would say?”
“Yeah, it does,” Ying Tongchen lowered his head, pressing his fingers to his forehead. “So, don’t say anything else. I’m feeling really awkward right now.”
Zhuo Shu chuckled softly, pinching his neck before leaning closer to his ear and whispering, “Remember what you said last time?”
Ying Tongchen looked up at him, confused.
"You said, to do it at my company," Zhuo Shu pressed his leg between Ying Tongchen's, his voice laced with innuendo.
"..." Ying Tongchen glanced around the office. The space was large, with sofas and desks, but there was one problem. "Don’t you have work to do?"
"I can be quick— uh." Zhuo Shu abruptly stopped himself, definitely not going to say he could finish fast.
"And there’s another more pressing issue." Ying Tongchen tapped his finger lightly on Zhuo Shu's chest, a playful smile curling his lips as a hint of mischief flickered in his eyes. "Do you have the necessities here?"
Zhuo Shu: F*ck.
"I’ll have them prepared at once." Zhuo Shu turned to leave, but Ying Tongchen stopped him.
"It’s almost nine-thirty, don’t you have a meeting at ten?"
"You’re even aware of that?" Zhuo Shu looked at him in surprise, chuckling. "As expected of you, truly a man with extensive experience; you’ve got it all figured out. Came to the company to stifle me first thing in the morning, huh?"
"?" Ying Tongchen froze for a moment. "You don't know I’m...mm!?"
Zhuo Shu suddenly launched an attack, smoothly prying open Ying Tongchen lips with his own, the onslaught was far from gentle. He gruffly asked, "How’s the car?"
"Pretty good, mm."
"Not even a thank you? You’re so heartless." Zhuo Shu gave his head a playful pinch as punishment, then instinctively began to caress the soft fuzz at the nape of his neck.
Ying Tongchen mumbled, "Then, thank you?"
"Perfunctory!" Zhuo Shu's caresses turned more insistent.
Ying Tongchen ceased his struggle. It was simpler to close his eyes and surrender to the moment, actively responding to Zhuo Shu's advances. What began as a punishment gradually morphed into something more intimate.
Time slipped away unnoticed until a knock resonated on the door. Reluctantly, they broke apart.
Zhuo Shu gazed lingered on Ying Tongchen’s increasingly dewy and crimson lips, unable to resist the urge to lean in for another fleeting kiss, as if he had tasted some earthly delicacy and became addicted.
"Alright, that's enough." Ying Tongchen gently pushed his shoulder away, pursing his lips. He noticed the tie on Zhuo Shu was now crooked, so he adjusted it for him. "Time to work."
Zhuo Shu hummed, "Little temptress."
"I'm not ‘little’." Ying Tongchen smiled helplessly, "How old are you?"
"Not telling." Zhuo Shu made a face that clearly said, ‘Keep asking dumb questions, and I'm kicking you out.’
Ying Tongchen’s curiosity only grew.
Zhuo Shu quickly changed the subject and opened the door.
Mi Shu stood in the doorway, instantly spotted Ying Tongchen sitting on the sofa, leisurely drinking tea. Sitting up straight, he smiled at her calmly before returning to his tea.
Something was off.
Mi Shu's gaze shifted to her boss, scrutinizing him with a tactical eye: Well well, the tie had been changed, and there was a slight crease at the collar. A strand of hair had fallen onto his forehead, his lips slightly more flushed than usual—about a centimeter thicker. His eyes darted nervously, avoiding hers.
She offered a polite nod and a warm smile as she stepped into the office, standing directly before Ying Tongchen. Once again, she employed her tactical eye: His hair was naturally voluminous, so no visual sign of dishevelment. His expression was calm, his eyes meeting hers without hesitation, as though it were his own office. His legs crossed, and with an air of quiet authority, he asked if she wanted tea. His lips had changed, but they didn’t appear swollen.
There is always only one truth!
The boss and his little lover, who's also his translator, had engaged in some unspeakable activities within the confines of the office.
And, she had reasonable suspicion that the boss was the shou.
"What’s the matter?" Zhuo Shu suddenly snapped her out of her daydream, which was playing its own little Detective Conan theme song.
"Oh, yes. Xiao Zhu has already gone to the hotel to pick up our clients. The meeting is scheduled for ten o’clock sharp."
"Got it." Zhuo Shu nodded, indicating she should leave. "I need to tell him a few things."
After Mi Shu left, Zhuo Shu pulled out a card and placed it on the coffee table in front of Ying Tongchen. "Go home. Next time, let me know you're coming." So I can have c*doms ready in advance.
"Go home?" Ying Tongchen glanced at him. "You don’t need me anymore?"
Zhuo Shu: "..."
Did he have to be so blunt?
"Of course, I need you. Is that better now? Take the card and go—I’ve got work to do."
Ying Tongchen carefully examined the bank card. "You’re offering remuneration in advance?"
"Sure, if you want to look at it that way." Zhuo Shu started tapping his toes on the floor again, without thinking.
"Alright, what’s the password?"
"My birthday."
"Great, what’s your birthday?" Ying Tongchen asked.
Zhuo Shu: "…I’m not telling you."
Ying Tongchen just stared at him, like he was an idiot.
After a long pause, Zhuo Shu took the card back and swapped it for a different one, handing it over. "Use this one instead. The password is my mom’s birthday. I’ll send it to you on WeChat later."
"Alright." Ying Tongchen took the card and turned to leave, looking like a heartless jerk cutting things off after getting what he wanted.
Back in the conference room, Mandy and Amy had been waiting for quite a while.
"Senior, where did you go? We’ve been trying to call you for ages. We couldn’t get through, and we thought something happened to you," Mandy asked.
"I’m fine. I ran into an old acquaintance and chatted for a bit." Ying Tongchen went into the cubicle. "Give the equipment one last check."
About ten minutes later, Mi Shu jogged over and stood at the door, calling out, "Mr. Ying, are you all set on your side? The clients will be downstairs soon."
"Yeah, we’ll be there in a minute." Ying Tongchen gestured to his team, following Mi Shu as she led them to the Chairman's office.
"Chairman, the accompanying translators are here."
"Mm." Zhuo Shu responded, then opened the door, only to see Ying Tongchen standing at the front. In the next second, he quickly shut the door.
Mi Shu: "?"
The three translators: ? ? ?
A beat later, the door swung open, and Zhuo Shu's eyes landed squarely on Ying Tongchen, widening just a touch. "Why are you here again?"
He was definitely talking to Ying Tongchen.
Again?
Amy and Mandy exchanged a quick look, and a rather alarming idea blossomed in their minds.
Just a few minutes ago, Ying Tongchen had casually mentioned running into an old acquaintance, and now Zhuo Shu commented "here again".
Could it be that the ‘old acquaintance’ Ying Tongchen just met was actually Zhuo Shu?
Mandy suddenly got excited, while Amy’s face fell into a look of dread. Oh no, hadn't she just bad-mouthed Chairman Zhuo in the car?
Though usually composed, Amy felt a flicker of panic at the prospect of impending disaster.
Of course, one of the people involved was equally bewildered. Ying Tongchen, since earlier, had been holding onto a question.
"Don’t tell me you didn’t know I’m the translator for this job?"
Zhuo Shu: ?
Zhuo Shu: ! ! !
Zhuo Shu’s expression shifted to a mask of shock, his eyes reflecting three parts surprise, three parts confusion, and four parts disbelief. He opened his mouth and let out a soul-deep question, "What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t understand."
Mi Shu was completely baffled as well. She glanced from the puzzled Ying Tongchen to the dazed Zhuo Shu.
Given the presence of outsiders, she couldn't directly mention Ying Tongchen's... dual employment, where he was both supported and employed by her boss. Instead, she opted for a more diplomatic explanation. "Mr. Ying doesn’t just have his main job; he also works part-time as a translator."
"Part-time translator?" After a long pause, Zhuo Shu looked Ying Tongchen up and down, then remembered those late nights watching untranslated films, the day they fought over the hairy crabs, and the latter’s "life’s tough" phrase resurfaced in his mind. Slowly, the pieces fell into place.
"I see now," Zhuo Shu said, his voice heavy with understanding, clearly feeling the overwhelming complexity of life.
Ying Tongchen politely handed over his business card. "Hello, Chairman Zhuo. I’m Ying Tongchen from Yale Lexis Studio."
Zhuo Shu took it and glanced at it: Well, I’ll be damned.
A part-time gig and you’re already a Deputy Director?!
Has it really come to the point where one has to be this multi-talented nowadays?
Was he underestimating the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry, or had he simply underestimated Ying Tongchen’s abilities?
No wonder Ying Tongchen rarely asked him for resources. It turned out he had other professional commitments. He must have been too busy with part-time work.
But if he's already a Deputy Director, why is he still driving a ten-thousand-something car and compelled to seek sponsorship? There is always only one truth!
"Are you really that short on money?" Zhuo Shu suddenly asked.
Ying Tongchen instinctively replied, "Of course, I am."
"Alright, got it. Work hard." Zhuo Shu glanced at the time. There was no time for further conversation. "You will all accompany me to meet the clients."
The group entered the elevator, each person deep in thought, their minds preoccupied with various concerns.
Zhuo Shu stared at the elevator's mirror, though he was primarily observing the expressions of those around him.
He gave Ying Tongchen another once-over, this time with a different perspective.
Just a moment ago, they had been passionately kissing in the office, and now, they were seamlessly transitioning into professional partners.
...How exciting.
He turned his head, about to ask a question, when he suddenly realized the proximity between them felt surprisingly intimate. It was as though, with the slightest movement, he could pluck that tempting, soft lip.
At that moment, a collective gasp filled the air.
Zhuo Shu immediately straightened up, glancing around. Everyone else, however, simply lowered their heads, pretending to be engrossed in their phones.
"Mr. Ying," Zhuo Shu called out, attempting to cover his tracks only to make matters worse, "Does your main job not earn you much?"
"Indeed," Ying Tongchen said, his gaze unwavering, "I mentioned before that my earnings are modest."
"But you still have plenty of opportunities, you're just not willing to seize them," Zhuo Shu replied. "You have a primary job that you could excel at, yet you divert your focus to another industry. If you're not dedicated, how can you expect to make it big? And when great opportunities present themselves, you don't even make an effort to fight for them—how useless."
The corners of Ying Tongchen’s mouth curved up. "Then, tell me, how should I fight for them?"
Just then, the elevator doors opened, and the others filed out one by one.
The two of them were the last to exit. As Ying Tongchen reached the entrance, he suddenly heard Zhuo Shu's voice, light and almost playful, whispering in his ear: "Just fight for me, and everything will be alright."
Yin Tongchen paused, giving him a meaningful look, but all he saw was Zhuo Shu's back.
After a brief moment, Zhuo Shu turned around, his tone irritable. "What are you standing there for? The clients are here. Can you move a little faster?"
"Coming."
.
.
.
TL Note: Lol I’m loving the Detective Canon reference in this chapter. And for those who want to know which soundtrack Mi Shu has playing in her mind - It’s Detective Conan Main Theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjFU9QHdx1g