Mistaken Canary Chapter 26 (Part 1)
Chapter 26.1
Ying Tongchen eventually fell asleep holding the doll, succumbing to sheer exhaustion. When Zhuo Shu retrieved the doll and tucked it back into his arms, the fluffy texture proved surprisingly comforting, and Ying Tongchen instantly drifted off.
But when he woke the next morning, he found himself enveloped in Zhuo Shu's embrace.
He held the doll, Zhuo Shu held him tightly. What a harmonious family.
Ying Tongchen was completely jolted awake by his own vivid imagination. He blinked a few times and noticed a small mole on the left side of Zhuo Shu’s neck. He couldn't help but lean in a little closer to take a better look.
"Early morning, and already trying to take advantage of me," a drowsy voice murmured above him. Zhuo Shu raised his hand to pat his head, then gently pushed it back down. "If you want to kiss me, just do it. No need for these games. After you kiss me, I’ll deal with you."
Ying Tongchen almost suffocated, his face pressing against Zhuo Shu's neck. He let out a couple of muffled sounds and then bit down. Only then did Zhuo Shu release his hold.
"Little thing, you’ve got some strength," Zhuo Shu said as he touched his own neck. "Tsk, sharp teeth. There are even bite marks."
Ying Tongchen ignored him and closed his eyes, attempting to return to sleep.
Zhuo Shu, however, lifted the doll with both hands, carefully examined it, and placed it next to Ying Tongchen’s head. He then sneakily snapped a photo and posted it to his private social media account—setting it visible to only one person.
…
When Ying Tongchen woke again, it was already noon. He noticed Zhuo Shu hadn't left, working quietly outside. The soft tapping of the keyboard suggested he was trying not to disturb him.
A beautiful scene, a pity he has a mouth.
"You’re lazy enough to sleep the whole day away! The sun’s already setting," Zhuo Shu exaggerated.
Ying Tongchen turned and headed to the bathroom for a shower, feeling much more refreshed afterwards.
He had to admit, Zhuo Shu’s skills were undeniably improving. In every way, Zhuo Shu was shaping up to be the ideal friend with benefits. What would he do if one day he couldn’t bear to leave his body?
Ying Tongchen was suddenly overcome by an inexplicable wave of anxiety.
"Come eat," Zhuo Shu called out.
Ying Tongchen walked over to the table, his eyes drawn to the lavish lunch spread, including two plates of crabs. His anxiety instantly dissipated, and he sat down, eager to begin.
"Is that how you're going to eat?" Zhuo Shu glanced at him, then grabbed a dry towel from the bathroom and tossed it at his head. "Wipe your hair, it's still dripping."
Ying Tongchen casually wiped his hair a couple of times and resumed cracking open his crab.
"What kind of wiping is that?" Zhuo Shu insisted. "Do it properly, be careful or you'll catch a cold."
"Wait a minute, my hands are tied right now. I'll blow dry it after I eat," Ying Tongchen said, his focus held captive by the crab, his hands fully occupied.
He ate intently, unaware that the person across from him had gotten up and left. Moments later, he felt a gust of warm air above his head. Ying Tongchen turned to see Zhuo Shu standing beside him. He had plugged in the hairdryer and was aiming it at his head, gently running his fingers through his hair to distribute the heat evenly.
Ying Tongchen instinctively straightened his back, tilting his head slightly and glancing at him from the corner of his eye. "Chairman Zhuo, what are you doing?"
"The water from your hair is about to drip onto the food. How am I supposed to eat then?" Zhuo Shu said, a hint of annoyance in his voice.
Ying Tongchen's eyes curved into a silent smile as he returned his attention to the crab, chewing quietly.
By the time his hair was dry, half the plate of crabs had been eaten.
After putting the hairdryer away, Zhuo Shu returned to the table and noticed a sudden abundance of food in his bowl. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, "Oh? Did Mister Snail* come by just now?"
(TLN: Based on the chinese folklore The Snail Girl (田螺姑娘), she’s similar to the elves in ‘The Elves and the Shoemaker’ story by the Grimm Brothers. Basically a poor man saves a snail and the snail transforms into a pretty girl, and secretly cooks and cleans for him as thanks.)
Ying Tongchen nodded casually, "Yep, he did."
"Well, could you tell Mister Snail I’d prefer he feed me personally?" Zhuo Shu said with a playful smile.
Ying Tongchen returned the smile. "Mister Snail said to get lost."
Zhuo Shu scowled, "Damn Mister Snail."
…
After finishing their meal, the two of them went downstairs to settle the bill. Ying Tongchen watched him swipe his card without batting an eye and quietly said, "We shouldn't come here all the time. It's not cost-effective."
Zhuo Shu blurted out, "Then let’s go to your place?"
Ying Tongchen, surprised that the rented apartment would actually prove useful, nodded. "Sure."
"I don’t want to," Zhuo Shu thought about the cramped space, feeling it offered no room to really do anything.
That thought brought to mind the suburban villa Mi Shu had shown him earlier—balcony, kitchen, pool, backyard...
"Oh, right. Here’s your car key." As they reached the door, Ying Tongchen took out a set of keys, removed the Bentley key, and handed it back. "Thanks. It was a pretty good experience."
"You're really willing to give it up?" Zhuo Shu studied his face closely.
"If I didn’t want to, there’s nothing I could do. After all, you paid for it," Ying Tongchen said with a smile. With work over, there was no need to keep up appearances for clients. Naturally, things should return to their rightful owner.
Zhuo Shu, noting Ying Tongchen's lack of reluctance, furrowed his brows. He took the key, his gaze lingering on the keychain for a few seconds before pulling it into his palm.
"Hey, you swiped my other keys too," Ying Tongchen pointed out.
Zhuo Shu turned his back and fiddled with the keys for a moment. Then, he returned them to Ying Tongchen’s hand
Ying Tongchen checked the keys carefully, ensuring nothing was missing...
Wait a minute, the little figurine from Liu Li'ang’s keychain was gone.
"Why did you take that off?" Ying Tongchen asked, confused. "You’re not planning to stash it for yourself, are you?"
"Of course not. Why would I keep such an ugly thing?" Zhuo Shu said, holding the mini figurine and casually tossing it into a nearby trash can. "What’s the point of having something so flashy on your keychain? A grown man with all that bling—aren’t you afraid people will laugh?"
Ying Tongchen hadn’t really given it much thought; it was more out of laziness that he hadn’t removed. But hearing Zhuo Shu’s point, he considered it and realized it made sense. If a student saw it, he would become a laughingstock. If Teacher Fu saw it, that would be even worse.
"Alright then, I’ll head home now. Bye."
Zhuo Shu watched him hop into a taxi, his brows yet again furrowing slightly, though it was barely noticeable.
Then he had a thought. This might actually be a good thing. It’s easy to transition from being frugal to living in luxury, but far more difficult the other way around. Having been in a Bentley, he doubted Ying Tongchen will ever feel comfortable in a taxi again, and that will push him toward greater ambitions!