Mistaken Canary Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Zhuo Shu stood at the window, wrapped in his own thoughts. It had been years since he’d set foot in a hotel like this, much less possessed a membership card.
Earlier, at the front desk, he instinctively reached for his wallet—only to have Ying Tongchen smoothly produce a membership card with a theatrical flair that rivaled a CEO's. Zhuo Shu was too stunned to react. Who was keeping whom, exactly?
Their room was on a lower floor, the frosted windows offering no view whatsoever. The only furnishings were a bed and a small, functional bathroom.
The sound of the shower ceased. Ying Tongchen emerged, head down as he dried his hair. "Hurry up and take a shower."
Zhuo Shu's gaze drifted over Ying Tongchen's slender waist and long legs, snapping out of his stupor. He maintained a composed facade, but his pace toward the bathroom noticeably quickened.
Relaxed on the bed, Ying Tongchen checked his phone. The usually quiet work group chat on WeChat was suddenly alive with activity.
Two fresh graduates had just joined the company, and they were already starstruck by their yet-to-be-seen boss. Even though Ying Tongchen was rarely in the office, his name was constantly circulating in the group chat, spoken with a mixture of awe and speculation.
[Mandy]: "So when is Boss Ying coming to the office? I only came for the interview because of Senior Ying! His fangirls are still posting about him on the school's confession wall*!"
(TLN: A "confession wall" is a platform where students can post anonymous confessions, typically related to romantic feelings, admiration, or personal experiences, without revealing their identities. It’s meant to allow students to express themselves without fear of rejection or exposure.)
[Halen]: "Wait—you're his junior, from the same university? That’s freaking amazing!"
[Mandy]: "Little dinosaur feeling shy.jpg. Nah, I’m just his junior from undergrad, a regular university student. Back then, Senior Ying got a student exchange spot in his junior year, returned in his fourth year to take the graduate exams, and aced them, gaining admission to one of the top three schools in the field. Then, he teamed up with these two bosses to start the studio!"
[Halen]: "So jelly. I also heard he’s really handsome?"
[Mandy]: "Absolutely! Our English department was tiny—just a handful of guys. But Senior Ying’s looks made him the campus heartthrob! He was our department’s pride and joy! (Even though I missed out on those years, sobs.)"
The chat quickly turned into a praise-fest.
Ying Tongchen, unaware of his face-lifting* qualities, felt embarrassed, so he quietly exited the group chat—only to see a new notification.
(TLN: Sorry I couldn’t find a better term, but just to clarify, we’re not talking about the procedure, but the Chinese use of ‘face’—used to describe one's reputation or dignity. It’s the opposite of losing face/being an embarrassment.)
His senior schoolmate had just tagged him.
[Halen]: "Now I really want to meet Boss Ying!"
[Lu Zongcai]: "He’s busy with his main hustle. We’re just passing faces in his life. @Ying don’t forget next week’s meeting! Or I’ll show up at your house and break down the door!"
Lu Zongcai, who was two years his senior, had attended college with her husband, Gao Da. Back then, the couple had heard about Ying Tongchen’s dedication to his studies and his ambition to earn money. After some discussion, they decided to recruit him.
They had even prepared for negotiations and various convincing tactics—only to have Ying Tongchen agree almost immediately.
Of course, Ying Tongchen wasn’t foolish. Lu Zongcai’s professional skills were top-notch, and Gao Da, despite skipping graduate school, had built experience, connections, and a valuable network. With wealth and good character—evidenced by the way he treated his wife—he was a solid candidate for a business partner.
The studio's early days were marked by hardship. Lacking a proper office, the three partners tirelessly attended trade shows, hoping to secure even a single client. Their meager earnings barely covered gas money, let alone anything else.
But their persistence at the expos paid off. They became recognizable faces, and slowly, orders began to trickle in. Positive feedback followed, bolstering their confidence. Later, Ying Tongchen capitalized on the connections he'd forged during his studies abroad, opening doors to new resources and exciting opportunities.
With the studio now stable and thriving, they had gradually expanded their team. Ying Tongchen's role had evolved to include only scheduled meetings, allowing him the flexibility to manage most of his work from home.
Two years ago, without warning, Ying Tongchen announced his intention to return to school as a teacher, leaving Lu Zongcai and Gao Da completely stunned.
In the group chat, Ying Tongchen replied with a simple "Got it" before sending out several large red packets*. The new hires cheered excitedly, begging him to stay.
(TLN: Yes, you can send money in the form of red packets in WeChat, it’s just a nice treat for formal and informal occasions. It’s first come first serve and the amount grabbed is random, based on how much the sender set the limit to.)
Shortly after, the mattress dipped slightly as someone lay down beside him.
Ying Tongchen quickly typed "gtg" and set his phone aside, turning to Zhuo Shu, whose displeasure was evident. "What’s wrong?"
"The bathroom floor was slippery. I almost fell," Zhuo Shu grumbled, his voice tight. "The shower gel smelled like a cheap cologne, and the water was freezing by the end."
"Pfft." Ying Tongchen found his complaints strangely endearing. He stretched out his leg and playfully entwined it with Zhuo Shu’s. "Don’t be grumpy. I’ll warm you up."
"..." Zhuo Shu’s eyes narrowed as he gave Ying Tongchen a sidelong glance. "Are you treating me like a kid?"
"How could I?" Ying Tongchen purred, scooting closer and letting his hand glide lower. "Could a kid be this big?"
Zhuo Shu's breath hitched as he flipped over, bracing both hands on either side of Ying Tongchen’s head, his gaze dark and intense.
Ying Tongchen smiled, a hint of anticipation in his eyes, as he removed his glasses and placed them on the nightstand. Before he could move, he was pulled into a whirlwind of passion…
This time was significantly less awkward than their first. Both men were more relaxed—Zhuo Shu, at least, found Ying Tongchen’s soft murmurs sounded genuinely pleasing.
Of course, there was still a degree of performance involved. Ying Tongchen figured he might as well deserve an acting award at this rate, but since the experience was marginally better than last time, he didn’t mind indulging Zhuo Shu a little.
After all, nurturing talent was something he genuinely enjoyed.
"Unm... your bazooka is just so big. You’re amazing... omg."
Zhuo Shu: (*^▽^*)
Ying Tongchen kept his eyes closed and continued to flatter, "You’re the biggest and most impressive man I’ve ever seen!"
"......?" Zhuo Shu paused, a flicker of doubt in his eyes. "Wait, doesn't that sound off? You've seen other—"
"I haven't." Ying Tongchen said softly, pulling him closer and kissing him deeply. Their lips met, breaths intertwined, a glistening thread of saliva stretching between them as he murmured against his lips, "You’re so bad. Why'd you stop?"
Zhuo Shu: (*^▽^*)
…
The next morning, the jarring alarm shattered the peaceful silence.
Ying Tongchen groped blindly for the nightstand, finally managing to silence the insistent buzzing. He glanced at the time—he had to rush to school for a meeting.
The moment he shifted, he became aware of their intertwined position—his chest pressed against Zhuo Shu’s back. He lazily attempted to disentangle himself, but a strong hand yanked him firmly back.
"Where are you going?" Zhuo Shu asked, eyes still closed.
Ying Tongchen turned and pinched Zhuo Shu's cheek, his fingers briefly deforming the soft flesh. "Work. Let me go."
They both released each other. Zhuo Shu winced, rubbing his cheek while muttering, "(I'm) Docking your pay."
"They wouldn’t,” Ying Tongchen said, getting out of bed. "And we had an agreement. Being late reflects badly on both of us." He glanced back to see Zhuo Shu sitting up, his jaw tight, a cloud of morning grumpiness settling over him.
"If you're tired, go back to sleep for a bit," Ying Tongchen said, walking over, and without thinking, ruffling Zhuo Shu’s hair. Zhuo Shu usually wore that sleek, side-parted, neat style, but at night, his hair was softer and messier, making it irresistible for Ying Tongchen to touch.
Zhuo Shu cleared his throat. "Audacious."
Ying Tongchen: I’ll just keep ruffling!
Zhuo Shu silently made a mental note, then closed his eyes, a subtle expression of unconscious comfort softening his features.
After a few more ruffles, Ying Tongchen turned to search for his glasses. "Have you seen my glasses?"
"They’re here." Zhuo Shu lifted the blanket and got up, retrieving his glasses from the corner of the bed. As he turned to give them to Ying Tongchen, Zhuo Shu saw him bent over, rummaging through the nightstand.
Slap—
Ying Tongchen yelped, instinctively patting his backside. As soon as he saw Zhuo Shu's face, the curse he had been about to say got swallowed back down. For some reason, the suffix ‘mmm what a perky butt’ that Meng Gong had set up popped into his mind. Without thinking, he blurted out, "Is it perky?"
"..." Zhuo Shu didn’t respond, carefully placing the glasses on Ying Tongchen's face. In that shared glance, Ying Tongchen suddenly realized how intimate his reaction had been—too natural, too ambiguous!
Feeling a bit awkward, Ying Tongchen pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Thanks."
"Get lost," Zhuo Shu said coldly.
"? Alright then."
After Ying Tongchen closed the door behind him, Zhuo Shu felt a twinge of guilt for his earlier words. He opened the door, watching Ying Tongchen’s retreating figure, and almost called out to him.
Ying Tongchen, as if sensing his inner turmoil, glanced back with a cool, leisurely smile.
Zhuo Shu: "... The farther you go, the better."
Ying Tongchen: "............"
Ying Tongchen: "Oh, right. About last night…I've thought it over. I'm in."
"Good."
"Then give me your phone number too. And for safety’s sake, while this relationship lasts, don’t go looking for anyone else."
Zhuo Shu certainly understood the importance of a 1V1 relationship. But he had sacrificed his integrity for fame. How could Ying Tongchen so confidently dictate the terms?
…
Arriving at school, Ying Tongchen found a quiet corner and sank into a leather sofa. He meticulously checked that the top button of his shirt was fastened, ensuring that his long sleeves concealed his arms, leaving no trace exposed. Only then did he seem to relax.
Soon, other teachers began trickling their way into the office.
"Mr. Ying," a sharp-eyed language teacher observed, "that shirt…weren't you wearing the same one at yesterday's meeting?"
The smile on Ying Tongchen's face stiffened.
The language teacher’s eyes twinkled, "You mentioned having dinner with a friend last night—are you seeing someone?"
"No," Ying Tongchen shook his head.
Zheng Zhinan*, sitting across from him, puzzled, said, "What's the big deal? Us grown men go two or three days without changing clothes—nothing special, right, Mr. Ying?"
(TLN: His name 郑植楠 (zhèng zhí nán) is a homophone to 真直男 (zhēn zhí nán), which means a ‘real straight male.’ And by straight, I mean those "straightforward thinkers". Basically a man who lacks sensitivity to subtle cues, is not skilled in flattery, or is indifferent to romantic nuances.)
Ying Tongchen managed a weak smile. "Exactly."
Language teacher: Hmm, what an interesting meeting!
…
Meanwhile, after a long day at the office, Zhuo Shu's secretary informed him, "There's a gathering at 'Opulen' tonight."
The moment Zhuo Shu heard this, he felt an incoming headache.
Opulen was a playground for the city's elite, a high-end nightclub where a single bottle of liquor could cost a fortune. It offered an array of entertainment and catered to its clientele with high-end services, often including some discreet... special services.
He wasn’t fond of conducting business in such places, but others were, especially the spoiled rich second-gens who had no better way to spend their time.
The familiar scene greeted him as he entered the private room: several men drinking, surrounded by a mix of young and attractive men and women.
"Hey, long time no see, Young Master Zhuo~"
"Young Master Zhuo, alone again? Want me to call a few for you?"
"You really need to stop working so hard, Young Master Zhuo. All that money, but you're always alone, hahaha!"
Zhuo Shu found a single sofa and sat down, attracting the attention of the young men who quickly surrounded him. After a few drinks, the conversation shifted to potential business deals.
As they chatted, a pretty boy accidentally spilled his drink on Qian Duo's clothes. With teary eyes, he apologized profusely and began to wipe the stain off with his bare hands.
Qian Duo pulled the boy onto his lap, grinning impishly. "You stoked this flame, so you’ll have to put it out yourself."
The boy nodded shyly.
Soon, the two headed upstairs and booked a room.
Zhuo Shu: "......"
The remaining guests in the private room encouraged the pair, with Sha Bi offering a boisterous laugh. "Qian Duo’s quick—dumped his old lover and already found a new one."
Another person smirked. "You really think that was an accident? These types love to play the innocent card, pretending to be pure, and always have a 'chance encounter' that seems a little too convenient. They then act all high and mighty, playing hard to get to tug at your heartstrings, before finally making their move. The best part is the classic Cinderella act—'I’m poor, but I don’t want your money, I just love you for who you are'— when in reality, they’ve already planned to use both you and your money for all they're worth."
Zhuo Shu paused for a moment, raising his glass. "Cinderella act?"
"Yeah, these little vixens are quite clever these days."
..
The party was finally over. Zhuo Shu, smelling of alcohol and other people's perfume, slumped into the back seat of his car. He couldn't shake the image of Ying Tongchen and the cynical remarks of his superficial friends.
He rubbed his temples, then pulled out his phone, unfolded the piece of paper where Ying Tongchen had scribbled his number that morning, and dialed.
The call was quickly connected, and Ying Tongchen’s lazy voice came through. "Hello, who is this?"
"It’s me."
"Excuse me, who is this?" Ying Tongchen asked politely. The voice sounded distinctly slurred, clearly intoxicated.
"It’s me!" Zhuo Shu repeated.
"Oh, I recognize you now." Ying Tongchen stifled a smile at the edge of his lips. "It’s quite late. Is something the matter?"
"You tell me—what else could it be at this hour? Go to the hotel and wait for me."
"You’re drunk," Ying Tongchen replied, idly spinning his pen as he glanced down at his lesson plan. "I’ll have to pass, I have work to do."
"What work could you possibly have at this hour?" Zhuo Shu asked, tilting his head back against the seat. "Are you pretending to be busy to fool me?"
"Why would I lie to you?" Ying Tongchen chuckled softly. "You’re really drunk. Don’t believe me? Go sleep it off, and when you wake up, you’ll know if you were truly drunk."
There was a brief silence on the other end, as if Zhuo Shu was considering this suggestion. Ying Tongchen laughed faintly.
Zhuo Shu, listening to the pleasant sound, instinctively said, "Laugh again."
"No," Ying Tongchen glanced at the time. "I’m going to sleep now. Goodbye."
"You’re not allowed to sleep, come to the hotel!"
"Sleepy sleepy."
"..."
Half a minute later, Zhuo Shu: "Good... night!"
Ying Tongchen hung up and continued preparing his lesson plans. After a long while, he paused, twirled his pen thoughtfully, and a soft chuckle escaped his lips.