Mistaken Canary Chapter 43
Chapter 43
The final agenda was for the parents to discuss their children's matters, so the students needed to leave the classroom.
Ying Tongchen glanced at Ban Zhang and his little sister, who was already dozing off in his arms. "Ban Zhang, you can take your sister home now. Go ahead and grab a meal."
"Alright, thank you, Teacher." Ban Zhang carried his sister out of the room.
Zhuo Shu glanced at their retreating figures, noticing how skilled Ban Zhang was at carrying the child.
The teenager then pulled out a sausage from his pocket and handed it to his younger sister. She took a couple of bites, then held it out to him, offering him some. He shook his head, refusing, and lovingly patted her head.
The heartwarming scene of the older brother and his younger sister faded from view as they walked away from the front of the school building, and only then did Zhuo Shu return his attention.
After the discussion with the parents, Ying Tongchen had a rough idea of the parents' thoughts. Once the meeting concluded, it would be free time for the parents, and they could either continue to roam around the school or leave if they had other commitments.
…
"Ge, are you heading back?" Zhuo Zi asked.
"I’ll take a stroll around," Zhuo Shu replied casually.
"Where?"
"Anywhere."
"The dorm?"
"The girls’ dormitory doesn’t allow for men to enter, so no."
"The sports field?"
"Just came from there."
"Then where do you want to go?" Zhuo Zi glared at him.
"Anywhere’s fine."
"....." Zhuo Zi wanted to smack him to death, but was afraid of facing criminal charges. Then, she spotted Ying Tongchen and a few parents walking toward the Freshman Teacher’s office. Inspired, her words flew without thought. "How about a one-day office tour?"
"Why go to the office? You want your teacher to speak to your guardian some more?" Zhuo Shu asked, clearly confused.
"......" Zhuo Zi couldn’t take it anymore and yelled at his departing back, "Hey! If you're so brave, stop walking so fast! Come back here!"
Inside the office, several parents had arrived, hoping to have more in-depth discussions with the teachers. After Ying Tongchen addressed their concerns and escorted them out, Zhuo Shu strode in confidently with Zhuo Zi in his wake. "Mr. Ying, I’d like to inquire about Zhuo Zi’s performance at school."
"Please have a seat." Ying Tongchen guided him to a chair by his desk and began praising Zhuo Zi’s performance. Hearing this, Zhuo Zi felt quite embarrassed and quickly found an excuse to run out and play with her classmates.
Ying Tongchen let out a sigh of relief, his stiff back finally relaxing as he looked at the person across from him. "Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"
Zhuo Shu didn't really have any questions, his gaze casually landing on the assignments on the desk. When he saw Ban Zhang’s name, he asked, "What's up with Ban Zhang? Why didn’t his parents come?"
"They passed away a few years ago, in a car accident. His family gets by on compensation and social welfare. Recently, his grandfather's been hospitalized," Ying Tongchen let out a barely noticeable sigh. "That's why he’s been charging more for his services lately."
"Has the school organized any fundraising?"
"He refused." Ying Tongchen seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, before turning his gaze toward the window. "He’d rather be hated and looked down upon than receive pity from others. I guess that's his way of holding on to whatever little bit of pride he has left."
Zhuo Shu studied his profile, furrowing his brows. "Why do you sound like you really relate to that?"
"Hm?" Ying Tongchen turned back to look at him, his face regaining its usual stoicism, as though the fleeting moment of forbearance had been nothing but an illusion. "After all, he’s my student. I know him a bit better."
Zhuo Shu thought for a moment. "Can I offer some financial aid?"
Ying Tongchen shook his head. "I brought it up to him once before, using the name of Lu Zongcai. He didn’t even think about it, just flat out refused."
"I didn’t say I wanted to subsidize him," Zhuo Shu replied. "He’s got hands and feet, and he’s sharp enough. He doesn’t need anyone worrying about him. I want to help his sister. Do you think he’d refuse that too?"
Ying Tongchen looked at him in slight surprise. "That might actually work. You seem to really like his sister?"
Zhuo Shu glanced up at the ceiling. "Not really."
Ying Tongchen didn’t buy it.
"It’s just... she reminds me of someone," Zhuo Shu sighed.
Ying Tongchen looked puzzled. "Who?"
Zhuo Shu: "Your child."
"???"
Ying Tongchen suspected something was wrong with his hearing, or maybe Zhuo Shu was just running his mouth again.
Zhuo Shu leaned over the desk and spoke in a low voice. "Don’t you think that when you hold her, you look like a father and daughter pair? At least, that’s the vibe I get."
"Don't. Think. So." Ying Tongchen made a gesture, signaling him to leave. "Mr. Zhuo, please take care."
Zhuo Shu had no choice but to get up. After walking a couple of steps, he heard a call behind him, "Hold on."
As he turned around, a set of keys was suddenly thrusted into his hand.
"?"
The parent-teacher meeting was finally over, and Ying Tongchen had the chance to discuss their new arrangement. He whispered, "Go wait for me at my place, I'll be back tonight."
Zhuo Shu: "!"
Damn, so daring?
As someone entered, Zhuo Shu subtly palmed the keys, offering a smile as he said, "I won’t take up any more of your time, Mr. Ying. I’ll head out first."
…
After a few minutes of rest, Ying Tongchen searched for Shi Tiwei in the group chat. Ten minutes later, Shi Tiwei rushed in. "Teacher, what did you need?"
"It's about your mock college applications. I asked and found out that your parents know you’re into sports, but you always claim you like business. So, it looks like this is just a miscommunication. You need to go home and clear things up."
Shi Tiwei was incredulous. "Really? They know I’ve been lying to them?"
"Well, they're your parents. How could they not see through such a little trick?" Ying Tongchen smiled.
"Ahh! Teacher, you're like my second parent!" Shi Tiwei almost wanted to kneel right there. "Once a teacher, always a father. Calling you ‘Daddy Ying’ isn't too much, is it?"
"Don't kneel, a man’s knees are as precious as gold*," Ying Tongchen glanced at his knees, hoping they’d be fine. "Now, let’s talk about those two love letters of yours."
(TLN: A Chinese proverb meaning that a man’s dignity is valuable and should not be demeaned by kneeling to others unless absolutely necessary. It signifies that men should maintain their self-respect and not lower themselves in front of others, symbolizing the strength of a man's character.)
Shi Tiwei's face stiffened, a nervous shiver ran through him, and with a thud, his knees gave way, shattering. "Mr. Ying, can you just pretend you didn’t see them?"
Ying Tongchen raised an eyebrow. "Who were they for?"
"I won't say, not even if you beat me to death!" Shi Tiwei said resolutely.
"Good, you’ve got spirit. Are you really willing to do anything for her?"
"Of course, I'm a man of steel, I fear no risk!"
"Though I don't believe you, just get up first," Ying Tongchen said.
Shi Tiwei reiterated his determination. "I'm dead serious. I'd do anything for her."
"Good spirit, I really admire that," Ying Tongchen said, pulling out ten sets of test papers. "Do these for me. Let’s see if your resolve is as strong as you say."
"?"
"What? You’d die for her, but you can't do a few sets of papers for her?" Ying Tongchen’s disdain was evident. "Is a man of steel only as tough as words?”
"Who says?!" Shi Tiwei, full of ambition, grabbed the papers. "I’ll do it."
"Bring them to me next Monday. Do them yourself. If I find out you got Ban Zhang to do them for you, you’re in for a rough time." Ying Tongchen smiled casually.
Shi Tiwei: TAT This isn’t how things were supposed to go.
…
In the evening, Zhuo Shu treated Zhuo Zi to a big meal before sending her home. Afterward, he found an excuse to leave the house and drove straight to Ying Tongchen's apartment.
He was at the door, trying the keys one by one when the neighbouring door suddenly opened. Auntie Lin stood in the doorway, and they locked eyes.
"Ah... I..." Zhuo Shu stammered, unable to get a clear sentence out. Flustered, he let go of the keys he had been holding in mid-air, and it clicked securely into the lock. "I’m not here to do anything suspicious, I just came to..." do the deed.
"Haiya, I remember you, you're that plumber, right?" Auntie Lin boomed with a hearty laugh. "What's the matter, is there another problem with the pipes at Xiao Ying’s place?"
"Yeah, yeah," Zhuo Shu nodded rapidly.
"Well, go on and take care of it then. I’m off to dance! Next time, I’ll definitely call you when my pipes are broken too," Auntie Lin said with a smile, leaving.
Zhuo Shu finally opened the door and stepped inside. He sat upright in the living room. After a few moments, he changed his posture to casually cross his legs. A few more minutes passed before he uncrossed his legs.
He glanced at the time, about to phone Ying Tongchen, when he heard footsteps approaching in the hallway.
Zhuo Shu immediately leaned back, resting one hand on the sofa, crossing his legs in a casual manner, and looked at the person who had just entered with an expression of mock displeasure. "What took you so long? Didn’t you know I’ve been waiting forever?"
Ying Tongchen ignored him, closing the door and changing his shoes. He placed two lunchboxes on the table. "Have you eaten? I brought some food from the cafeteria."
"Already ate."
"Well, I’ll eat then." Ying Tongchen opened the lunchbox and began eating.
Zhuo Shu waited for a moment, feeling increasingly irritated as he watched him eat without acknowledging his presence. "You called me over just to eat in front of me?"
"Just a second, I’ll be quick." Ying Tongchen picked up the pace with his meal.
"Didn’t you eat lunch?"
"No, there was too much going on," Ying Tongchen said, not looking up as he continued eating.
"It smells pretty good."
Hearing this, Ying Tongchen pushed the other lunchbox toward him. "Do you want to eat some more? It’s quite tasty."
Zhuo Shu glanced at the food, then at Ying Tongchen enjoying his meal, and, feeling a bit curious, sat down to try a bite. His face immediately stiffened. "It’s already cold."
"So what?"
"Stop eating," Zhuo Shu snatched the lunchbox from his hands and tossed it into the microwave, shooting him a glare. "Is this how you usually eat?"
Ying Tongchen couldn’t help but feel like he was being lectured. He felt a bit guilty. "It’s just once in a while."
"Occasionally is still not okay," Zhuo Shu said, his face cold and his tone stern.
Ying Tongchen froze for a moment. After a while, he chuckled softly. "Don’t you think this scene is a bit... weird?"
"Weird? How?"
"This nagging feels too much like we're dating," Ying Tongchen said, shaking his head with a helpless smile.
"..."
Zhuo Shu didn’t initially think it felt like dating, but then, slowly, it dawned on him—he's hinting at something.
He lifted his chin slightly. "Dating is impossible."
Ying Tongchen nodded, his smile widening. "Exactly. That’s actually why I called you here, to talk about this. Since we won’t be dating, why not be... friends with benefits?"
"Friends with benefits?" Zhuo Shu paused, quickly calculating the pros and cons in his head.
It seemed like a foolproof deal—no need to spend money, while still fulfilling the need.
But why would Ying Tongchen suggest this in the first place?
Zhuo Shu glanced at him, seeing that Ying Tongchen was smiling like a spring breeze—he was clearly up to something.
In that split second, it all made sense—his lack of response made Ying Tongchen take a step back, realizing that the old-fashioned love letters weren’t working. So now, he was resorting to new tactics.
He couldn’t win my heart, so now he’s trying to win my body.
That was the cunning plan Ying Tongchen had devised.
"Alright, good suggestion," Zhuo Shu nodded in agreement. "But I’ll make it clear upfront—I’m not easily moved, so don’t go thinking this friends-with-benefits thing will turn into something more."
"Understood," Ying Tongchen said, equally aligned with the idea. "Then I should mention that I have just one condition."
"Go ahead."
Ying Tongchen said, "During our... arrangement, no seeing anyone else."
Look at that! He’s jealous!
Zhuo Shu could see right through his scheming mind.
He gets to have me, but no one else can? This possessiveness is definitely on full display.
What other choice did he have? It was rare to find such a perfect and versatile bed companion. Changing partners wasn't an easy task, so he had no choice but to constantly keep his heart in check.
As long as his resolve was firm enough, he wouldn’t be easily tempted.
Since he had this figured out, Zhuo Shu pretended to reluctantly say, "O k a y..."
The two fell into silence for a moment. Zhuo Shu broke it by asking, "So, what do we do now?"
Ying Tongchen's gaze dropped, tugging at Zhuo Shu’s tie and pulling him closer, "What do you think we should do? How many days has it been?"
Zhuo Shu answered, "Fourteen days."
*Ding*
The microwave’s chime interrupted their kiss, and Zhuo Shu softly said, "Time to eat."
Ying Tongchen replied, "Have you decided what you want to eat?"
Zhuo Shu thought to himself: Can't think about it. If I do, my junior will rise.
However, pressured by the looming threat of censorship, Zhuo Shu pushed Ying Tongchen away. "Let's eat first. Health should be prioritized above all else."
Ying Tongchen: "..."
Zhuo Shu: "Once you're done, I'll eat. I promise."