Mistaken Canary Chapter 33 (Part 2)
Chapter 33.2
Zhuo Shu was quite pleased with the outcome and found an excuse to steer Ying Tongchen away.
As they strolled, he casually dropped back a step, leaning in to murmur in Ying Tongchen's ear, "Ignore those guys. Let me introduce you to a few more people."
"Sure," Ying Tongchen smiled, turning his head to speak, only for his lips to inadvertently graze Zhuo Shu’s nose.
They shared a stilled moment.
Amusement rippled through the onlookers as they witnessed this brief, intimate contact.
Ying Tongchen, a touch flustered, stiffly turned his head away, "S—So, who should we meet next?"
Zhuo Shu straightened his posture, watching Ying Tongchen's retreating profile, absently rubbing his nose with a hand that trembled imperceptibly. "Let’s go over there."
While Zhuo Shu busied himself introducing Ying Tongchen to various attendees, an unexpected guest made his entrance.
Liu Li'ang slipped into the venue, attempting anonymity behind sunglasses and a baseball cap. His appearance garnered some curious glances, but otherwise their gaze slid past him.
As he scanned the banquet hall, he spotted Sha Bi making a beeline for the center. Liu Li'ang pursed his lips, hoping to avoid an encounter. However, his deliberate disguise ironically drew attention—if the mountain ignored the world, the world would still come knocking.
Sha Bi, squinted in mild confusion, approached Liu Li'ang and greeted him with a puzzled expression. "I haven’t mistaken you, have I? Liu Li'ang?"
Liu Li'ang offered a slight nod. "Long time no see."
"What ill wind blew you in here?" Sha Bi sneered, lowering his voice. "Didn’t you climb up the ranks? Guess you’ve been tossed out and are now trying to crawl back to me?"
"Hardly." A wry smile touched the corners of Liu Li'ang's lips. "I’m finally free, so I came specifically to wish you a happy birthday."
Sha Bi rolled his eyes, dismissing the sentiment. Their history was tangled, but he wasn't one to dwell. Liu Li'ang's success meant little; to him, he was still just a plaything—something to flaunt, nothing more.
Yet tonight, a weary disinterest flickered within him for the very object of his past pride.
Liu Li'ang, worried that Sha Bi might cause a scene, was surprised when Sha Bi bluntly turned and walked away, as if he hadn’t even registered his presence. He let out a quiet breath of relief and resumed his search for his intended target.
Finally, he spotted Director Dao amidst the throng. Yes, his primary objective tonight was to connect with Director Dao, whose new project held immense appeal for him.
However, he wasn’t alone in this ambition—Director Dao was already encircled by a crowd of eager individuals vying for his attention.
Liu Li'ang had just taken a few steps forward when his gaze snagged on Zhuo Shu across the room, smoothly guiding someone directly toward his target.
Liu Li'ang: "!"
Oh my god, why is Zhuo Shu here? Could he possibly be following me?
No, no, why is that man still glued to his side? Haven't they grown tired of each other yet?
Liu Li'ang silently edged closer to the crowd, discreetly observing their movements.
"Director Dao, hello." Zhuo Shu greeted courteously.
Dao Yan looked up, a smile spreading across his face upon seeing Zhuo Shu, "Oh, Chairman Zhuo, I didn’t expect you to be here as well."
"Yes, it's a pleasure," Zhuo Shu replied, shaking his hand warmly. "When is the new film scheduled to begin shooting?"
"In about three months," Dao Yan replied with a smile, "And thank you again for lending us the location."
The new film was a commercial drama, and the filming location had indeed been borrowed from K.W.’s property.
Liu Li'ang and the others present were visibly taken aback. It turned out Zhuo Shu wielded such influential connections, and judging by the current scene, it was clear that Zhuo Shu was introducing his little lover!
Sure enough, after a brief exchange with Dao Yan, Zhuo Shu took the initiative to introduce the person beside him, "This is Ying Tongchen, a friend of mine."
Dao Yan then turned his attention fully to the man at Zhuo Shu's side.
Everyone around them observed the potential competitor—some with open disdain, others with barely concealed envy, a few with genuine curiosity, but most simply bewildered—
Who the hell was this random nobody?!
An exchange of glances rippled through the collective, no one able to place the unfamiliar man.
In other words, the competition was insignificant, hardly a threat. Dao Yan would surely not be swayed.
Just as a sense of ease settled over the small crowd, Dao Yan’s voice cut through, "You're... Tongchen?"
"Yes, it's me. Long time no see, I didn’t expect you’d remember me." Ying Tongchen replied with a warm smile.
Zhuo Shu: "?"
Others: "???"
"It truly has been a long time." Dao Yan sighed, a hint of nostalgia in his tone. "The last time you were on set was several years ago."
"Yes, it was a very valuable experience for me." Ying Tongchen said, genuinely surprised. Dao Yan had risen to prominence so quickly. When they first met, Ying Tongchen’s minor role was as an accompanying translator on Dao Yan's first film, a student-abroad theme.
Dao Yan chuckled. "How have you been? Back then, I even offered you a supporting role, but you turned it down. Who knows, you might have been a star by now."
"I'm doing well, thank you. I'm not professionally trained as an actor, so I wouldn't want to hold you back," Ying Tongchen replied with a polite smile.
Zhuo Shu was stunned, his eyes wide with undisguised disbelief as he stared at Ying Tongchen.
The onlookers were equally shocked. Not only did this nobody know Dao Yan, but he had also turned down a role in one of Dao Yan's films?
Ying Tongchen chatted casually with Dao Yan for a few more moments, then concluded by handing over his business card, not wanting to take up any more of the director's valuable time.
Dao Yan glanced at the card, his face lighting up with genuine pleasure.
The surrounding young stars were stunned, curious to see what was written on the card that elicited such a positive reaction from Dao Yan.
Could it be that Dao Yan had a thing for people who handed out business cards?
Noted. I'll print some business cards when I get back—’Eighteenth-tier ___.'
Liu Li'ang, who had witnessed the entire scene, kept his gaze in the direction where Zhuo Shu and Ying Tongchen had gone.
Not long after, the two lovers parted ways. Zhuo Shu remained in the banquet hall while Ying Tongchen headed to the restroom.
As Ying Tongchen was washing his hands, a fleeting white figure caught his eye in the periphery.
He glanced up at the mirror. "Liu Li'ang?"
"Good memory," Liu Li'ang replied, his tongue treacherously shaping the detestable nickname. He restrained himself but the name escaped anyway, "...Dah Dee."
"Of course I remember, my dear eldest son," Ying Tongchen acknowledged.
"You!" Liu Li'ang angrily pointed at him, gritting his teeth. "Don't get too cocky. Just because Zhuo Shu’s being nice to you now, don't think you can do whatever you want. Someone like you won't last. Once he's bored, you'll be worthless."
Ying Tongchen glanced at him, displeasure entering his voice. "What kind of person do you think I am?"
"What kind of person? Do I have to spell it out for you?" Liu Li'ang looked around to ensure no one else was nearby, then lowered his voice conspiratorially. "You're just a nobody who sold themselves for favors."
Ying Tongchen’s brow furrowed deeply. "Explain yourself more clearly."
Liu Li'ang paused, taken aback by his genuinely serious and confused expression. He didn’t seem to be faking it. He scratched his head, perplexed. "Why are you pretending? You don't even know you're being kept?"
Ying Tongchen stared at him silently, his gaze darkening. "What do you mean?"
"Everyone can see it—you’re Zhuo Shu’s little lover. He’s dragging you around, trying to build connections and secure resources for you. I even asked my manager—Zhuo Shu recently took someone under his wing. Who else could it be, if not you?" Liu Li’ang scoffed impatiently. "Quit acting all high and mighty. In this industry, laozi’s got way more experience than you."
Ying Tongchen remained motionless for a long moment, unaware of when Liu Li'ang had finally left.
When he regained himself, he immediately called Zhen Mingxin.
Zhen Mingxin was at the airport, preparing to leave with the filming crew. Tucked away in a corner, he was sharing a lingering goodbye kiss with Meng Gong when his phone vibrated. He pushed gently to create some distance between them. "It must be Ying ge."
Sure enough, the caller ID confirmed it was his Ying ge, with impeccable timing to interrupt their intimacy.
"Hello? Ying ge, what’s up?"
Ying Tongchen's tone was level, devoid of any discernible emotion. "Back at the bar, you said that man wanted you to go with him. Now, answer me honestly—was it an invitation for a date, or did he intend to keep you?"
Zhen Mingxin: "!"
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TL Note: Dun dun dun!! The cat’s finally out of the bag!