Mistaken Canary Chapter 28 (Part 1)
Chapter 28.1
Silence was today’s breakfast.
After being kicked out of the bathroom by Zhuo Shu, Ying Tongchen left his apartment.
His neighbor, Auntie Lin Ju, a kind-hearted woman, saw him awkwardly pacing back and forth at the door after returning from grocery shopping. Without asking what had happened, she greeted him and then went back inside to fetch him some breakfast.
"It’s just some leftovers. Our kid is picky and wouldn’t eat most of what I make. You can make do with this, Xiao Ying," Auntie Lin Ju said.
"Thank you, Auntie Lin." Ying Tongchen usually ate whatever was available for breakfast, but with a guest at home, he couldn’t be so casual. Thus, he graciously accepted her offer. "I’ll treat you and your family to a meal sometime."
"Aiya, no need for that! The grains and oils you gave us last time haven’t even run out yet," Auntie Lin laughed. "Although your workplace sends you grains and dry goods from time to time, you can’t cook, so it’s better to just exchange them for cash, don’t you think?"
"Right, right," Ying Tongchen agreed.
Once Auntie Lin started talking, she couldn't be stopped. With a sigh, she said, "You still haven’t found a partner, have you?"
Ying Tongchen: "No, not yet."
"Look at you; you’re a grown man, living alone at home, yet can’t even enjoy a simple hot meal," Auntie Lin couldn’t help but worry. "We’ve been neighbors for so long, and I really feel for you. If you ever bring someone home, I can help you by playing matchmaker—"
"Ying Tongchen, where did you go?" Suddenly, the door to Ying Tongchen’s apartment opened from the inside.
Before Auntie Lin could finish her sentence, she looked toward the voice and saw a tall, handsome man standing in Ying Tongchen’s apartment. She found herself struggling to maintain her composure, and stumbled over her words, "Ah, uh... perhaps playing matchmaker might prove to be a bit difficult."
Ying Tongchen’s brows twitched. He quickly shoved Zhuo Shu, but couldn’t quite push him fully inside. He turned to Auntie Lin and explained, "He’s here to fix the plumbing. Just a plumber."
Auntie Lin gave Zhuo Shu a skeptical glance. "The competition in plumbing must be tough these days, huh? Only the good-looking ones get hired."
"Exactly," Ying Tongchen awkwardly chuckled. After bidding Auntie Lin goodbye, he swiftly retreated into his apartment and closed the door.
Zhuo Shu leaned against the door, arms crossed, "Me? A plumber?" he questioned.
"Well, how else do I explain?" Ying Tongchen placed the breakfast on the table, not looking back, "Unless you’re just here to borrow my bathroom?"
The mention of the bathroom silenced Zhuo Shu.
Ying Tongchen: "Time to eat."
The dining table became a stage for their silent meal, the awkward atmosphere hanging heavy between them.
After Ying Tongchen finished, he glanced across the table and saw Zhuo Shu chewing slowly, barely eating. He asked curiously, "Aren’t you hungry?"
"Mm..." Zhuo Shu had only eaten till he was three-quarters full, worried that if he ate too much, he'd need to borrow the bathroom again...
‘That kind of thing wouldn’t happen again,’ he mused.
After breakfast, Zhuo Shu didn’t stay long. He said goodbye to the chibi version of himself and repeatedly warned Ying Tongchen not to hold it ‘for ransom’ again before preparing to leave.
"Want me to walk you out?" Ying Tongchen asked, washing dishes in the kitchen.
"No need, it's not like I haven't been here before," Zhuo Shu replied, slipping into his shoes and stepping out with a suave air. He'd barely taken two steps when the neighboring door unexpectedly opened.
"Well, well, handsome plumber, what a coincidence," Auntie Lin greeted cheerfully.
"Mm," Zhuo Shu nodded politely.
"Perfect, then I won’t need to go downstairs. Handsome, could you help me take out the trash?" Auntie Lin Ju grinned widely, handing him two bags of garbage.
Zhuo Shu: "..."
With a dark face, Zhuo Shu threw the trash in the downstairs dumpster. He looked back at the apartment building, his impression of it worsening.
Truly a perfect experience can only be enjoyed in a private villa. He’d never heard of a rich bankroller helping their canary’s neighbor take out the trash.
Since he had some free time today, Zhuo Shu decided to personally inspect a villa.
…
After Ying Tongchen washed the dishes and returned the plates to Auntie Lin, he received a call from Zhuo Shu.
"Is there something else?"
Zhuo Shu: "Come downstairs."
Ying Tongchen: "You haven’t left yet?"
"Come down already, I’ll give you a ride."
"Where are we going?"
Zhuo Shu mysteriously replied, "Somewhere you’ve always dreamed of."
Ying Tongchen paused for a moment, not quite sure. "I don't think there's a place I’ve always dreamed of."
"Keep pretending, keep pretending," Zhuo Shu leaned against his car, glancing at his watch. "I’ll give you ten minutes. Get ready and come find me right away."
Without waiting for a response, he hung up, climbed into the car, and calmly started the timer.
Ten minutes, eight minutes, five minutes, three minutes...
"Why aren’t you here yet?" Zhuo Shu craned his neck, looking toward the community entrance.
Two minutes—
"Little thing, if you drag your feet, a donkey’s kick will be your treat.."
One minute—
Zhuo Shu, irritated, honked the horn. Just then, a figure appeared in the rearview mirror. He let out a sigh of relief, then adopted a serious expression as the person approached.
"Why are you so late?"
"My apologies for being late." The man knocked on the car window, his tone even more serious. "This is illegal parking. You need to leave immediately, or you might get a fine."
Zhuo Shu turned to look at the traffic officer: "..."
He started the engine and drove at a snail’s pace, inching his way toward the community entrance. Just as he was about to leave, Ying Tongchen finally strolled out, walking casually. Zhuo Shu rolled down the window and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Hurry up! Run!"
Ying Tongchen startled, nearly jumping. He stared at Zhuo Shu, whose impatience was so palpable he looked as if he might at any moment launch himself from the car window, then his gaze flickered to the traffic officer steadily trailing the vehicle. He hastily quickened his steps and climbed into the passenger seat.
Only then did the car regain its original momentum, making a sharp turn as it bid farewell to the pursuing traffic officer.
"Where are we going?" Ying Tongchen instinctively gripped the armrest.
Zhuo Shu calmly replied, "To see a house."
"Are you buying a house?"
"Mm."
"Why are you taking me if you’re buying a house?"
Zhuo Shu gave him a slightly amused look.
"Why are you looking at me while driving? Watch the road!" Ying Tongchen said nervously, his voice rising with anxiety.
Zhuo Shu returned his gaze casually back to the road and asked, "Are you happy?"
Ying Tongchen: "Why should I be happy?"
Zhuo Shu turned his head and stared at him, his gaze scrutinizing, as if trying to find a breach in his face.
Soon, Ying Tongchen's expression began to show a slight crack, "Can you f*cking drive properly? You're about to hit the grass on the roadside!"
Zhuo Shu showed his perfect side profile, remaining unfazed, elegantly turning the steering wheel.
It’s said that men look their most handsome when they’re turning the steering wheel while driving. Zhuo Shu subconsciously glanced at the rearview mirror, his gaze focused, his Adam's apple subtly moving, as if intentionally.
"You turned the wrong way! Over here!" Ying Tongchen started yelling, "Stop the car, I’ll drive!!!"
Zhuo Shu found a parking spot, his expression clearly displeased. "You dare yell at me?"
"I’d dared to hit you too," Ying Tongchen grumbled, unbuckling his seatbelt. He walked over to the driver’s side and knocked on the window. "Hurry up and get out, or I’ll personally send you off...for good"
"...." Zhuo Shu gave him a resentful look, got out of the car with a resentful sigh, and resentfully slid into the passenger seat. He grumbled resentfully, "If you dare speed, I’ll strangle you."
Great, neither of them was reliable behind the wheel.