Mistaken Canary Chapter 3
My proofreader from Ten Day Ultimatum decided to lend me a hand, he’s already done the first two chapters, this one may be a little late, but all future chapters will be proofed before being posted! Let’s all thank P-chan!
Edit: ok, all proofed~
Proofread by CitrusP
Edited by megane-kun
Chapter 3
Before the new semester began, a flurry of meetings packed the schedule. The morning was taken up by a school-wide faculty assembly, the afternoon by grade-level sessions. A class-specific meeting remained on the agenda for the following day.
In recognition of his previous class's exceptional achievements—namely, the highest college enrollment rate within the grade and English subject averages significantly exceeding those of other classes—Ying Tongchen was appointed homeroom teacher for the freshman Experimental Class 2.
Ying Tongchen did not decline the offer. After briefly exchanging information with the other subject teachers, he confirmed the time and location for tomorrow’s meeting.
Once the meeting concluded, the teachers headed to the cafeteria for lunch. Several female teachers from his team invited him to join their after-hours karaoke outing.
"It’s your girls’ night out. I’d better not intrude," Ying Tongchen politely declined.
"Oh, come on. You’d be perfect for carrying our bags," Teacher Fu teased, her professional attire still managing to accentuate her figure despite the formal occasion. "Mr. Ying, you always bail on our get-togethers. Don’t tell me your girlfriend has you on a tight leash?"
The other female teachers stifled giggles, their eyes twinkling with amusement.
Teacher Fu, a newcomer to the school last year, had a penchant for teasing Ying Tongchen in the office. Ying Tongchen, however, could never quite decipher her true intentions, so he had no choice but to politely decline her invitation.
"It’s not like that," he waved his hand dismissively. "I’m worried if I went out with such a beautiful group like you, jealous folks might get so mad they’d come after me with a knife."
The group burst into laughter, the sound infectious and unrestrained. Teacher Fu feigned a pout. "Mr. Ying, you're making it awfully difficult for your potential pursuers! I’ve heard from the other faculty that you’re still single? Our English department is bursting with beauties, and with your looks, you must have admirers lined up. How do you manage to remain so calm and unfazed?"
How? Simple—just swing the other way.
"Guess I’m waiting for fate," Ying Tongchen replied in an upright manner.
Teacher Fu: "Then what’s your type? We’ll keep an eye out for you."
Ying Tongchen: "Someone taller than me."
The others: "???"
A math teacher across the table stared, incredulous. "You’re practically 1.8 meters already—and you want someone even taller?!"
"Yes,” Ying Tongchen replied, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "The taller they are, the more secure I feel." He rose from his seat. "Enjoy your meal, everyone. I'm off to the gym with a friend." And with that, he left behind a group of teachers reeling under the whir of the ceiling fan*.
(TL: It’s another meme, just standing in the wind, dumbfounded.)
"Wait, is Ying Tongchen's height thing related to his fitness obsession?"
"The director was even thinking of setting him up with his daughter. Well that’s definitely off the table now—hahaha, suddenly my day is looking brighter."
"Does that mean none of us stand a chance either? Are we all out of the running?"
"So short girls don’t deserve love now?"
Math teacher Zheng Zhinan, his face a shade of crimson, timidly raised his hand. "I—I, uh, like shorter girls. Would you…maybe consider me?"
"No thanks, math is our natural enemy! We have no common ground!"
Zheng Zhinan: sob
…
Meng Gong worked at an exclusive, member’s only fitness club in the city center—a large, immaculate space catering to the wealthy and influential. Each client could always get one-on-one time with a personal trainer.
Ying Tongchen got a discounted annual membership there thanks to Meng Gong's employee benefits.
After working out, he grabbed a water bottle and headed to the snack lounge to relax. Soon, Meng Gong joined him on his break.
"How’s Zhen Mingxin doing?" Ying Tongchen asked.
"Pretty good," Meng Gong replied smugly, jerking his chin toward the area behind Ying Tongchen. "Check out my new client."
Ying Tongchen turned and saw Zhen Mingxin.He wore a tank top that showed off his slender arms and legs. A towel hung over his shoulders, and sweat flushed his face. Despite his embarrassment, he offered a shy smile. "Hello Ying ge."
Ying Tongchen raised an eyebrow. "Sit down."
Zhen Mingxin sat down nervously beside him, placing his hands neatly on his knees. His flushed cheeks made him look even more self-conscious. "Thanks for helping me last time. I didn’t get a chance to properly thank you. How about I pay for your next annual membership?"
"No need," Ying Tongchen replied before asking, "What brings you to the gym?"
"I want to get as strong as Meng Meng*." Zhen Mingxin said, squeezing his skinny arm and sighing.
(TLN: A cute nickname for Meng Gong)
Ying Tongchen chuckled. "What about your manager? Did she give you a hard time?"
"Nope."
Ying Tongchen had barely relaxed when Zhen Mingxin added, "She laid me off. Now I’m stuck with a rookie manager."
Ying Tongchen and Meng Gong sighed in unison.
"But it’s not so bad. My new manager’s young, cheerful, and full of righteous energy. She even says she’ll make me a movie star!" Zhen Mingxin chuckled, then his smile faltered as he glanced around cautiously. "Ying ge, is it true... about you and… him?"
"Mhm, we did."
"Whoa!" Zhen Mingxin gave him a big thumbs-up. "You’re the real MVP—taking one for the team and looking out for your little bro. Don’t say no more! I'm definitely renewing your membership!"
"Focus on getting your name in lights first," Ying Tongchen replied drily.
Meng Gong, who had been listening with barely disguised curiosity, finally couldn't contain himself. "Come on, spill! What about that guy? Are you really not going to meet up with him again?"
"Yeah."
"What about anyone else?"
"Not at the moment. School's starting soon."
The short break ended, and Meng Gong was called away to assist a regular client, leaving Ying Tongchen to keep an eye on Zhen Mingxin.
Ying Tongchen glanced down at his phone and scrolled through his messages. He reached for his water cup, took a sip, and then felt a burning gaze fixed on him. Confused, he turned his head and found Zhen Mingxin staring at him, eyes wide and innocent.
Zhen Mingxin was clearly captivated. "Ying ge, you’re so handsome. What do you think—how about dating me?"
"Pfft—"
Wiping the water from his face, Zhen Mingxin grinned mischievously. "Come on, ge. Can't I at least be on the shortlist?"
"You’re more like a di di (younger brother)," Ying Tongchen replied awkwardly, handing Zhen Mingxin a tissue.
"Alright then." Zhen Mingxin sighed, wiping his face. He noticed a drop of water at the corner of Ying Tongchen’s mouth and instinctively reached out to wipe it away.
Ying Tongchen caught his wrist, about to say something, when a sudden shadow loomed over them.
They both looked up and saw a man with sharp features and piercing eyes staring intently at their intertwined hands. His gaze then shifted to Zhen Mingxin’s face.
Zhen Mingxin nearly shriveled up on the spot, muttering nervously, "Uh, Ying ge... is this your friend?"
"No." Ying Tongchen began, then faltered at the man's frown, "Actually... yes?"
Do friends with benefits count as a friend?
"Ying Tongchen, get over here." Zhuo Shu's face darkened as he turned and strode away. A few steps later, he glanced back, only to find no one was following him. His expression turning furious, he stalked back, seized Ying Tongchen's wrist, and pulled him into a private lounge, locking the door behind them with a snap.
Ying Tongchen struggled to free his hand, but Zhuo Shu, his eyes blazing, pinned him against the door.
"Who the hell was that?" Zhuo Shu demanded, his anger barely contained. He'd snatched a rare moment for himself at the gym, only to find his supposed kept lover holding hands with another man. "Are you cheating on me? Hustling new 'clients' behind my back?"
Zhuo Shu felt as though he was practically encased by a green aura*. Even the lounge's décor was bursting with vibrant shades of green—how infuriating!
(TLN: Wearing a green hat, or having something green over you is basically the same as being cuckold.)
Ying Tongchen blinked, quickly piecing together what was going through Zhuo Shu’s mind. A beat later, he let out a short, amused laugh. "He’s just someone I recently met—a di di, that’s it."
"Yeah, right," Zhuo Shu snapped through gritted teeth. "Isn’t it trendy now to call them ‘daddy and baby’ or ‘ge ge and di di’?"
"Pfft." Ying Tongchen chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief as he looked up. "You’re surprisingly well informed, aren’t you? Am I right... ge ge?"
Zhuo Shu: "!"
Zhuo Shu paused, a slight frown creasing his brow. "What did you just call me?"
"Ge ge,"Ying Tongchen repeated, the corners of his mouth perking up into a playful smirk. "Or did you actually want me to call you daddy instead?" As soon as the words left his mouth, he noticed the fierce-looking man in front of him suddenly flush red at the ears.
Ying Tongchen bit back a grin but a small laugh slipped out. Then, he heard Zhuo Shu deliberately lower his voice, trying to sound serious. "I am your daddy."
A financial backer was basically a sugar daddy. With that thought, Zhuo Shu’s confidence returned. "Go on. Let me hear it."
"Don’t push your luck," Ying Tongchen said, a mixture of exasperation and amusement in his voice as he pushed Zhuo Shu away. He straightened his collar, then self-consciously remembered he was still in workout clothes.
Zhuo Shu noticed it too. Despite Ying Tongchen wearing nothing more than a white T-shirt and workout pants, the damp fabric clung to his chest, turning slightly translucent. His exposed skin was fair and smooth, and there was even a faint mark near the collar.
With a casual air, Zhuo Shu tugged at Ying Tongchen’s neckline, revealing a few lingering traces that had yet to fade completely. There were no new ones, which made him smile with satisfaction.
Ying Tongchen slapped his hand away, walked over to the sofa, and sat down. Crossing his long legs, he looked up at Zhuo Shu. "While we’re on the topic, since when do you get to dictate who I talk to?"
"Of course, I do." Zhuo Shu shot him a glare, but his expression softened as he observed Ying Tongchen’s composed demeanor. A hint of admiration flickering in his eyes.
Zhuo Shu loathed the constant competition within hissocial circle. Surrounded by wealthy second-generation heirs, obsessed with drinking and partying, he'd grown weary of their constant flaunting of lovers—day in and day out—while they subtly mocked his own solitary status, joking about his wealth but no one to warm his bed. He’d seen enough of those sultry, attention-seeking types who shed their clothes at the slightest provocation, and he found himself utterly disinterested in such displays.
It was precisely that air of restrained asceticism and effortless composure that made him willingly embrace the role of a keeper of a gilded canary.
With this thought, Zhuo Shu straightened his posture and sat upright across from Ying Tongchen. "You’re mine now, and fooling around is absolutely off-limits. While we’re at it, let’s clear the air. Don’t worry—I might be new to this whole arrangement, but I’ll make an effort to adapt, practice more, and settle into my role quickly."
"Mm, where there’s a will, there’s a way," Ying Tongchen also felt he needed to put in more practice when it came to technique—otherwise, finding new hookups in the future might become a real problem.
Zhuo Shu: "?" Did he just—encourage me?
Clearing his throat, Zhuo Shu adopted the stern tone of a financial backer laying down the law. "As for me, I’ve been rather busy recently, but I’m aware your schedule is quite open at the moment."
"Mm, not too busy," Ying Tongchen replied with a hint of regret. September was nearly here, and his paid leave would be over before he knew it.
Seeing the slight downturn in his expression, Zhuo Shu thought, ‘Ambitious.’ He silently added a point to his mental scorecard. "Don’t worry, you'll be working—and excelling—before long."
"Thanks for the good word."
"But the premise is that you need to be obedient."
"?"
"When I want to see you, you must appear immediately and satisfy my desires."
"Uh..." Ying Tongchen wondered if other flings were also like this—just openly demanding the other person fulfill their needs?
He shrugged it off, "Depends on the situation."
"Depends on what situation?" Zhuo Shu furrowed his brows.
"I'm just worried you'll wear yourself out," Ying Tongchen said, a flicker of genuine concern in his eyes.
"It’s fine," Zhuo Shu replied. I'm not even tired!
He added, "Leave your number. Someone will reach out when you're needed."
Ying Tongchen paused, a thoughtful look on his face.
Zhuo Shu, on the other hand, was utterly baffled: Is that solemn, sacrificial expression of yours actually serious?
"You mean…we're doing this long-term?" Ying Tongchen asked, his voice laced with confusion.
Zhuo Shu nodded. "That’s the plan. But no more bath scrubs." Seriously, who requests bath scrubs from their sugar daddy?
Ying Tongchen pursed his lips, looking somewhat troubled. While the suggestion was practical—it would address his physical needs, and having a regular partner would ensure safety and health—but that sensation…
"Ah, well..."
"You have reservations about this?"
Just as they were talking, a knock came at the door, and Meng Gong poked his head in. "Tongchen, when are you leaving? Need a ride?"
Hearing this, Zhuo Shu furrowed his brow. He turned to face the tall, muscular man in the black tank top, his presence radiating raw masculinity. "Who are you?"
Meng Gong's eyes widened. His heart gave a nervous flutter as he gazed at the strikingly handsome man. He responded shyly, "He–Hello, I'm Meng Gong. Are you a friend of Tongchen's?"
Zhuo Shu turned to look at Ying Tongchen, his hands propped up on the armrest. He assumed the posture of a wealthy patron, awaiting an explanation.
Ying Tongchen rubbed his nose and quietly walked Meng Gong to the door, whispering, "He's the one who requested for Zhen Mingxin."
"!" Meng Gong turned back to Zhuo Shu, his words tumbling out in shock, "If I'd known he was this handsome, I could've... ahhhh!"
"Keep your voice down." Ying Tongchen whispered, glancing outside. "We still don't know if he recognizes Zhen Mingxin. Don't forget, Zhen Mingxin is still here."
"!!!" Torn between beauty and friendship, Meng Gong decisively chose beauty. "You go hide Zhen Mingxin. Leave this to me."
"......"
Seeing them whispering, oblivious to his presence, Zhuo Shu's rage ignited. Green light seemed to crackle around his head as he rose and stalked over, silencing them both with his presence.
"Come with me," Zhuo Shu said, casting a sharp glance at Ying Tongchen.
"Where to?"
"You decide."
Ying Tongchen felt his daisy slightly tightening.
However—
He lifted his gaze slightly, allowing it to linger on Zhuo Shu's striking features for just a moment—only a moment—before declaring with righteous certainty, "Let's go. I'll pick the place this time."
Meng Gong watched their retreating figures, and suddenly, Zhen Mingxin leaned closer. "Meng Meng, what’s wrong? You look like you're about to cry."
"Boo hoo, I just got dumped," Meng Gong sniffled dramatically.
"What a coincidence, me too!"
…
Outside a hotel, Zhuo Shu stood stubbornly in the cold wind, refusing to go inside. "Are you still half asleep, or am I dreaming? Seriously, you expect me to sleep in a place like this?"
"It's just a place to sleep. Why make a big deal out of it? You think this is free?" Ying Tongchen said, rolling his eyes as he pushed Zhuo Shu forward. Unwilling to waste money at a five-star hotel, he added impatiently "Hurry up. Or are we doing this or not?"
Zhuo Shu held firmly to his principles. "I'd rather die. I’d rather jump off this building than do anything in there."
"Then don’t," Ying Tongchen turned and walked away without hesitation.
Zhuo Shu: "......"
Zhuo Shu: "You stop right there!"