Mistaken Canary Chapter 51 (Part 1)
Chapter 51.1
At noon, the old man shooed the two out of the hospital room, claiming he needed a nap and instructing them to go find their own meal.
The two men found a random restaurant outside the hospital, where there were quite a few customers, so they had to wait a while.
After they ordered their food, they sat across from each other, neither of them speaking.
Ying Tongchen poured two cups of tea, handed one to Zhuo Shu, then cupped his own. It was a little hot, so he took a few careful sips. When he looked up, he found Zhuo Shu staring at him again.
He sighed inwardly and asked, "What is it now?"
"Why do you look so cute even when you drink tea?" Zhuo Shu asked.
"..." Ying Tongchen rubbed his forehead, unsure of what expression to show. "Is that all you wanted to ask?"
Zhuo Shu replied, "What else am I supposed to say?"
"Did the old man tell you about my past?" Ying Tongchen asked.
"Yeah." Zhuo Shu nodded. "But he only revealed part of it, didn’t go into anything deeper. Maybe he didn’t think I should hear it from him, or maybe he wasn’t really clear about the details."
Such as… After your parents divorced, how did you cope?
During that period when you were bullied, how did you get through it?
What led to your lower score on the college entrance exam?
There were so many questions he wanted to ask, but Zhuo Shu was afraid of reopening old wounds. He cared more than he dared admit—so could only pretend he didn’t care at all.
The waiter brought their food to the table, and they began eating. After a few bites, Ying Tongchen suddenly spoke, "I’ll allow you to ask one question, just one."
Zhuo Shu immediately asked, "How did you deal with that jerk?"
Ying Tongchen seemed to think for a moment before realizing the ‘jerk’ Zhuo Shu was referring to. Calmly, he picked up some food and lowered his head, replying, "I gathered some information and reported his father bribing the director to the Education Bureau. Not long after, he transferred schools. I heard he was caught cheating on the college entrance exam, but I don’t know what happened after that."
A sense of satisfaction washed over Zhuo Shu as he swiftly rewarded more food for Ying Tongchen. As if deeming it insufficient, he nudged the plate closer and, with a smile, asked, "May I ask one more question?"
Ying Tongchen pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized that opening those old notebooks filled with forgotten memories would only reveal yellowed, decaying pages—mere fodder for casual conversation at the dinner table.
He nodded slightly, "Go ahead."
"Teacher said you didn’t do well on your college entrance exam because you were working to support him—what's the story behind that?" Zhuo Shu asked.
"Because at the time, he was the only one who recognized my malice." Ying Tongchen smiled faintly.
At the time when his parents divorced, he believed it was the most agonizing time of his life, which is why he allowed the false tenderness of that boy’s cage to almost suffocate him. But when everyone struck him down, an unfamiliar vengefulness began to take root in him.
Ying Tongchen asked, "Do you know what I was searching for online when he found me at the internet café?"
Zhuo Shu: "What?"
"The law on crimes," Ying Tongchen stated, a half smile on his lips.
Zhuo Shu: "." Suddenly feeling a bit scared.
"After the old man sent me home, worried I’d have mental issues, he found a reason to get the school to grant me leave so I could self-study at home." Ying Tongchen reminisced. "During that time, whenever he had free time, he’d come to my house and use all kinds of methods to force me to study. He even asked the teachers of other subjects to record their lessons and bring them to me."
Zhuo Shu’s eyes widened in realization. "So that’s what he meant by ‘sought out a master, train in all the arts’?"
"He said that?" Ying Tongchen chuckled softly. "Well, that’s one way to put it. He went to great lengths for my studies. He managed everything in daily life as well. When the cafeteria couldn’t serve food, he’d buy a few vegetables downstairs and whip up something hastily. We’d simply eat enough to get by. Even now, the only dish he can prepare is crab—that’s the only thing he learned to make from childhood."
"No wonder you like it so much, "Zhuo Shu mused, ‘so it was because there were no other options to choose from.’
"He constantly motivated me and fed me positive words, eventually convincing me to return to school," Ying Tongchen said. "My life was finally on track, but as the college entrance exams loomed closer, someone reported that I had grown too close to my teacher. They spread rumors that we were having an affair, fueled by the fact that I was gay and the teacher was still single."
"That’s horrible!" Zhuo Shu gritted his teeth.
"The rumors spread quickly. Even though we were in the right, he could no longer work as a teacher. Some parents opposed him continuing to teach. In order to calm the public, the school had a series of discussions with him, and eventually, he resigned on his own."
Zhuo Shu furrowed his brow.
"I failed him," Ying Tongchen deeply regretted. "Had those events not occurred, he could have stayed at that school, and continued waiting. Instead, the entire neighborhood was soon gossiping about his ‘moral failings’. He couldn’t stay there any longer and had to transfer to this city... so I followed and took the transfer exam here."
As Ying Tongchen spoke, his slightly trembling hand was gently enveloped by warm, large ones.
Zhuo Shu’s voice was soft as he reassured him, "It’s all in the past now. You and the teacher are doing well now."
Ying Tongchen quickly nodded, his hands clenched into a fist. "Sorry," he murmured.
Zhuo Shu was about to offer more words of comfort when the waiter interrupted, placing their dishes down. "Gentlemen, the rest of your order is ready. Could you move your hands so I can place everything down?"
"Oh okay."
The two of them awkwardly withdrew their hands, lowering their heads to look at the table. Zhuo Shu quietly clasped his palms together, the cool sensation lingering as if it still resided in his palms.
The next day was Monday, and Ying Tongchen had several classes to attend. Though he considered requesting time off, neither Zhuo Shu nor the old man gave their approval.
"I'll take care of him," Zhuo Shu said, pushing Ying Tongchen out the door. "Don’t worry, go back and rest early. The students are still waiting for you, Teacher Ying."
"Are you sure it’s fine?" Ying Tongchen asked, still uneasy.
"Of course, I get along well with the teacher, and I want to hear him tell stories too."
"Thank you," Ying Tongchen glanced at the time; he needed to let the old man rest soon. "I’ll head back now. I’ll treat you to a meal another day."
Zhuo Shu watched Ying Tongchen’s solitary yet upright figure and, suddenly, caught up to him. He grabbed his arm firmly, pulling him back into his embrace.
Ying Tongchen was caught off guard, being suddenly pulled into Zhuo Shu’s arms. For a moment, he forgot how to react.
It was then he heard Zhuo Shu whisper in his ear, "You've grown up alone all these years, it must've been tough. But don’t worry, you'll meet many, many people who love you."
Ying Tongchen’s heart stirred slightly, his eyes moistening before quickly regaining his composure.
At that moment, a passing nurse, seeing the scene, stepped forward with a smile, "That's right, that's how it should be! You're good brothers; it’s only right to be a little affectionate with each other!"
Ying Tongchen: "......"
Zhuo Shu: "......"
"I’ll head back first," Ying Tongchen pushed Zhuo Shu away and turned, walking toward the elevator.
Zhuo Shu waved, "See you later."
"Mm," Ying Tongchen nodded, then shifted his gaze elsewhere.
It wasn’t until the elevator doors closed that he faced forward again, staring at a certain empty location, offering a faint smile.
…
The hospital room had a fold-out sofa, which, when extended, became a bed. After bringing over the bedding, Zhuo Shu sat down next to the old man and chatted for a while before preparing to go to sleep.
"Zhuo Shu," the old man suddenly called out. "Don't blame this old man for being so meddlesome, but there’s something I want to ask—just to put my mind at ease. You truly like Tongchen, don’t you?"
Zhuo Shu nodded. "Of course."
"That's good," the old man said, gazing up at the ceiling with a faint smile. "I really hope Tongchen made the correct choice this time. He rarely shows his emotions openly, but I can tell from his unconscious gestures that he’s genuinely happy."
Zhuo Shu grinned. "Really? You think he likes me too?"
"What kind of question is that? You’re already his boyfriend, yet you still feel the need to confirm it with me?" The old man gave him a reproachful look before laughing. "Yes, I do think he likes you. Happy now? If it weren't for the fact that you seem so clueless, I’d be a bit more concerned. Perhaps that's what he likes—that simple, silly side of yours."
"I’m not simple or silly," Zhuo Shu protested, slightly annoyed. "I’m good at making money. In the future, I’ll earn enough to take care of both of you."
The old man chuckled, bracing his stomach. "Alright, alright, no use telling me these things."
"True, then I won’t bother you with it. Get some rest," Zhuo Shu smiled. "When he comes tomorrow, I’ll tell him myself."
Consequently, the following day, Ying Tongchen was unable to visit, held up by a series of unexpected meetings.
Zhuo Shu was left feeling deflated, like an eggplant hit by frost. He snapped a few photos of the old man enjoying his meal and drinks, then sent them to Ying Tongchen. The acknowledgement came shortly, but there was no time for idle chatter.