Mistaken Canary Chapter 32 (Part 2)
Chapter 32.2
Just as Qian Duo and Sha Bi were about to unleash their mockery at Zhuo Shu’s non-participation, a ripple of hushed whispers drew their attention to the entrance, where many heads had turned.
They followed the gazes.
A tall, slender man stood in the doorway, the light behind him casting his face in shadow. Yet, an almost radiant aura surrounded him, as if he were bathed in divine illumination.
Qian Duo and Sha Bi were momentarily stunned, captivated by the figure in the doorway, though they exchanged puzzled glances, neither recognizing the newcomer.
Zhuo Shu's brows lifted slightly, a subtle smile playing at the corner of his lips as he effortlessly launched into his boast, "I just told him to come along for fun-fun, and he arrived in five minutes. It’s a bit-bit much, isn’t it? So clingy."
Qian Duo: "..."
Sha Bi: "..."
Everyone around them was impeccably dressed, especially those pasted to the wealthy heirs, exuding sensuality and allure. But this one was different—his dress shirt and suit trousers, paired with gold-rimmed glasses, gave off the air of a visiting professional rather than a lover.
Zhuang Bi suddenly leaned in, asking with curiosity, "Zhuo Shu, is that your little lover?"
"Mhm." Zhuo Shu tilted his chin slightly and called out to Ying Tongchen, "I’m over here."
Ying Tongchen scanned the room from the entrance, and upon hearing his voice, walked directly towards where Zhuo Shu stood.
Approaching Zhuo Shu, Ying Tongchen embraced him in full view of the crowd. One hand shielded them, while the other discreetly pinched his back. With a smile, he teased, "Chairman Zhuo, your clingy little thing has arrived. What are your orders?"
Zhuo Shu’s expression fractured slightly, but he maintained a polite, unaffected smile. He calmly caressed Ying Tongchen’s back, "Only been a short while—miss me already?"
"Of course," Ying Tongchen pinched him again, this time with more strength, then said in a solemn tone, "With so many eyes on us, I’m so shy."
Zhuo Shu: I’m about to crack.jpg
Zhuo Shu sent him a warning glance: Don’t think I won’t hit you just because there’s a crowd.
Ying Tongchen shifted his gaze, the chandelier’s light reflecting off his glasses, and failing to conceal the dangerous glint in his eyes: You’re dead, you damn bastard.
Zhuo Shu’s back was in immense pain. Realizing others were approaching closer, he immediately tightened his grip on Ying Tongchen, whispering, "Alright, alright, stop pinching, it hurts so much, boohoohoo."
Only then did Ying Tongchen relent, patting his shoulder reassuringly. "Don’t worry, Chairman Zhuo, I won’t tell your friends about your constipation issue."
Zhuo Shu: "?!!" What constipation? When did that happen?!
The group that had gathered stopped in their tracks, gazing at Zhuo Shu with pity.
Zhuo Shu quickly refuted, "No, no, it’s not like that!"
The onlookers’ gazes grew even more meaningful.
Ying Tongchen let go of Zhuo Shu and his attention was distracted by the man in Qian Duo's arms. The man was wearing a loose, open-collared pink shirt, and with the slightest movement, a glimpse of his chest was visible.
He turned to Qian Duo, "Is this your person?"
"Yeah, he’s mine." Qian Duo pushed the small celebrity forward. "Do you agree he's good-looking?"
"Good-looking." Ying Tongchen nodded, then frowned slightly, "But it's so cold here. Is this how you look after your people? You don’t care if he freezes?"
Qian Duo: "?"
Without missing a beat, Ying Tongchen grabbed the jacket draped over Qian Duo’s arm, and without ado, threw it over the small celebrity’s shoulders, saying, "It’s autumn now, take care of your body and don’t catch a cold."
Qian Duo: "..."
The small celebrity froze, gazing up at Ying Tongchen's handsome features, slightly dazed. A blush crept onto his cheeks as he stammered, "Thank you... What's your name?"
Ying Tongchen was about to answer honestly when he suddenly felt someone discreetly step on his foot.
He turned to see Zhuo Shu smiling. "When you're out and about, just use your nickname."
"Mm." Ying Tongchen, fond of his nickname, nodded. "Just call me Dah Dee."
"Thank you, Dah Dee," the small celebrity said gratefully.
Qian Duo: "..."
Zhuang Bi and Sha Bi visibly struggled to suppress their laughter, turning slightly to exchange amused glances with others.
Qian Duo: "..."
With a sigh, Qian Duo nudged the small celebrity aside, "Go play by yourself."
The small celebrity walked away, still glancing back with reluctance. "Dah Dee, can we add each other on WeChat?"
Qian Duo shot him a glare, his friendly demeanor fading as he turned to Ying Tongchen. Although his looks were undeniably impressive, Qian Duo had been humiliated by this canary. With a touch of disdain, he sized Ying Tongchen up and gave a fake smile. "So, you're Zhuo Shu's person?"
Ying Tongchen glanced at Zhuo Shu, who subtly blinked in acknowledgment.
Understanding, Ying Tongchen replied, "Yes."
Qian Duo pressed aggressively, "Why did you come out dressed like this? Don't you know how important today's event is? Do you have no respect for Young Master Sha?"
Ying Tongchen casually scanned the room, noting the glamorous and confident figures around him. The men and women, adorned in their finest attire, exuded an air of superiority—each one seemingly ready to "slay the scene."
Zhuo Shu’s exaggerated getup was one thing, but even Qian Duo was just as ridiculously ostentatious.
Ying Tongchen's gaze shifted to the banner above the stage, and in an instant, the true nature of the occasion dawned on him.
Without missing a beat, he took a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, raised it, and said, "Mr. Sha Bi, a pleasure to finally meet you. Truly, you live up to your name*. Wishing you a very happy birthday. I came in a rush and couldn't bring a gift, but I’ll make up for it next time. You can blame anything but my attire. Could it be that a man of Mr. Sha's stature judges others solely by their appearance?"
(TLN: Sha Bi’s name is a homophone to 傻屄, which means Stupid Cu.nt.)
Qian Duo was about to retort, but before he could, Ying Tongchen smoothly answered his own rhetorical question. "Certainly not. It is because of Mr. Sha’s broad heart, his impartiality, and his sharp eye for talent that he has risen to such heights, standing out as the rare gem among men."
Sha Bi was thoroughly pleased by the flattery, laughing heartily. "Zhuo Shu, where did you find such a person? Truly, one in a million!"
Zhuo Shu smiled slightly, casting a satisfied glance at Ying Tongchen. He took a sip of his empty glass.
Ying Tongchen immediately offered a fresh drink. Their gazes locked in silent understanding as Zhuo Shu accepted the glass.
"Seems like you two have quite the bond," Sha Bi remarked with a smile. "I wonder what this gentleman's full name is? Could I have your contact information?"
Zhuo Shu's gaze turned cold, and with a slight tilt of his head, he responded, "Dah Dee." His voice held a quiet authority. "His full name is a bit hard to remember, so just use his nickname."
Sha Bi: "......"
Just then, a cake-covered child with frosting smudges suddenly darted toward them, shouting Sha Bi’s name and demanding a hug.
Startled, Sha Bi turned and stumbled backward, colliding with a passing waiter. A wine glass tipped from the waiter's tray, splashing its contents as Sha Bi began to topple.
With a startled exclamation, Sha Bi was saved just in time by someone who swiftly supported his waist, preventing him from falling.
Sha Bi blinked, looking up at Ying Tongchen, who held him effortlessly. With his back to the chandelier, Ying Tongchen's features seemed to illuminate, framed by a golden light.
The surrounding atmosphere seemed to hold its breath. Sha Bi felt a strange flutter in his chest, as if he had glimpsed the glow of love, the rapid beat of his own heart echoing in his ears, his breath catching in his throat. "You...?"
"Well, aren't you going to thank your Dah Dee?" Zhuo Shu's voice suddenly cut through the moment, a stern edge to his tone as he looked at Sha Bi.
"Thank you... Dah Dee?" Sha Bi hesitated, still slightly dazed.
"Good boy," Ying Tongchen said, gently helping him to his feet before being pulled away by Zhuo Shu, who led him toward the balcony.
As they walked off, Qian Duo leaned closer to Sha Bi, following his gaze toward Ying Tongchen's retreating figure. He heard Sha Bi mutter, "Did you see a... glow of love?"
"Yes," Qian Duo responded knowingly, "A father's love, as deep and solid as a mountain."
Sha Bi: "..."
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Author’s Note: Come, repeat after me—Dah Dee (daddy).