Mistaken Canary Chapter 5 (Part 1)
Chapter 5.1
The private school's orientation day was exceptionally lively, both on campus and off. A prestigious institution, it catered to the children of the city's elite, most of whom enjoyed lives of privilege and ease.
Outside the school gates, a long line of luxury cars stretched down the street. Some parents had come personally to drop off their children, while others delegated the task to their staff.
In the midst of the traffic jam, a young girl rolled down her car window and leaned out, peering at the congestion. She was promptly yanked back into the car by someone inside. "Sit properly," a voice admonished.
"This traffic is unbearable! I told you we should have taken our bikes, but you never listen," Zhuo Zi complained, pouting. She turned her head to glance at Zhuo Shu, who was sitting ramrod straight, engrossed in handling official matters. Leaning closer, she peered at his laptop screen, which was filled with dense data reports. Her head began to throb. "Can’t you give your eyes a break? Look at the beautiful scenery— and at the stunning me!"
Zhuo Shu didn’t even spare her a glance. "What’s so special about you? You’re not half as charming as the cleaning ladies on the first floor."
"Oh, really?" Zhuo Zi raised an eyebrow, pointing at him. "So, you’ve got a thing for one of the cleaning ladies, huh?"
Zhuo Shu gave her a pointed look. "You best believe I'll be confiscating all your light novels once you get home tonight."
"No way!" Zhuo Zi huffed, crossing her arms and sitting back in her seat. "Oh, and while I’m away, you better be nice to my hubbies."
Zhuo Shu, recalling the sea of idol posters covering her room, sneered. "Oh I’ll be exceedingly nice to them."
The car lurched forward half a meter. An awkward silence settled between them. Zhuo Zi stole a glance at him, opened her mouth as if to speak, but then thought better of it.
They were siblings, yes, but the twelve-year age difference felt like an insurmountable barrier.
As long as she could remember, her older brother had been immersed in the family business. Then, university, and he'd moved out. Their interactions had been limited to weekly, obligatory family dinners.
This time, their parents had gone abroad for vacation, leaving Zhuo Shu to handle her high school orientation. However, he'd spent the entire morning glued to his laptop, barely exchanging a few words with her.
Zhuo Zi tried to show some concern, just like their parents would, and asked, "Ge, why are you still single?"
She directly cut to the core.
"Mind your own business." Zhuo Shu grunted, finally looking at her. "Why are you suddenly asking this? Are you planning on getting a boyfriend anytime soon?"
"No! I’m not!” Zhuo Zi shuddered. “I'm perfectly content marrying my hubbies!" She paused, then her eyes lit up with sudden interest. "Oh, by the way, I heard you’re inviting a celebrity to the mall for an event next month. Have you decided who?"
Their family was engaged in business. When their parents were younger, they ran a supermarket. Over time, they managed to save enough money to buy the whole store. Then, by chance, they were fortunate enough to benefit from a demolition project and received a hefty compensation. This windfall enabled them to relocate and reopen their supermarket. Coincidentally, the city center was undergoing redevelopment, further contributing to the prosperity of their business. Ultimately, their ambition led them to establish a shopping mall.
Upon taking the reins of the family business, Zhuo Shu secured a substantial loan to revitalize the mall. He attracted numerous high-end brands, significantly enhancing its image and prestige. He also commissioned the construction of a massive, eye-catching mascot in the plaza, transforming it into a recognizable landmark. To generate buzz, he employed a team of internet celebrities for street-style photos and promotional events. These efforts proved highly successful, and the mall rapidly gained popularity, becoming a must-see attraction for tourists.
"The planning department is still in negotiations." Zhuo Shu replied, then paused, a thought occurring to him. "You’re always following celebrities—do you know someone named Ying—"
"Oh my god, he's hot!" Zhuo Zi gasped, craning her neck to get a better look. "Which class is he from?!"
Zhuo Shu pulled her back with a scowl. "If you stick your head out again, I’ll have the driver roll up the window and you'll get your head stuck."
"Aiya ge, let go!" Zhuo Zi protested, slapping his hand away. She pointed excitedly out the window. "Seriously, look! He's a total heartthrob!"
Zhuo Shu glanced toward the distant school gate. He saw a man enter the campus, exchanging greetings with a few senior students before disappearing inside.
"Isn't he hot?" Zhuo Zi repeated, her eyes still fixed on the direction he'd gone.
"It’s just a back view..." Zhuo Shu’s voice trailed off as he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity. That silhouette, especially the outfit of a dress shirt and trousers, seemed so familiar—he had been seeing it quite often lately.
But the thought was quickly dismissed. Ying Tongchen was a star now. Surely if he chose to continue his education, he'd be attending university, not returning to high school.
Lost in her own starstruck reverie, Zhuo Zi breezed through the registration process without a second thought.
The school dormitories consisted of double rooms. Zhuo Shu helped carry her luggage to her new room, and as soon as she was settled, Zhuo Zi logged onto the campus forum, eager to begin her search.
He couldn't just vanish. Perhaps he was a parent? She scanned the forum and her eyes were drawn to a trending post:
— In the sea of people, I see no juniors or seniors, only this man! Does anyone know who this gege is? Beggin for his contact information! [Image]
Zhuo Zi eagerly clicked on the trending post, only to be met with a backshot of a man in a suit, his hair swept-back, holding a box with a washbasin dangling from it, and a water bucket in his other hand.
Zhuo Zi: "............"
"What are you looking at so intently?" Zhuo Shu asked, putting down her things. He turned and saw her staring at her phone with a blank expression. "Did you leave something behind?"
"No," Zhuo Zi said, giving him a once-over. Setting aside her familial bias, she had to admit, he was quite good-looking. "You can go now, I need to find my classroom."
""Alright," Zhuo Shu replied. “I’ll head to the company."
He turned and began walking toward the office building, already answering a call from his secretary. His forward momentum, without a single glance toward the office, caused a stir among the female teachers inside.
"Ah! That must be a parent, right?" one of them whispered.
"Let me take a look, he’s probably someone's older brother?"
"Goodness, the students here are already so attractive, but their families are just as stunning!"
"Okay, serious question: more handsome—him or Teacher Ying?"
"This is too hard! Let's ask Teacher Ying. Mr. Ying! Did you see that man who just walked by? Handsome, right? But who's more handsome— him or you?"
Ying Tongchen lifted his gaze from the computer screen, catching a glimpse of a departing figure. A smile played on his lips as he adjusted his glasses. "He's definitely more handsome. I'm just your average good-looking guy."
Everyone burst into laughter, gossiping while they worked. "There are so many handsome guys and beautiful girls that have come this year. Have you you spotted any potential candidates for school grass and school flower*?"
(TLN: school grass (校草) is the most handsome boy in the school while the school flower (校花) the prettiest girl in the school.)
"There’s a young boy who's especially handsome, but he's a little on the short side. If he has a growth spurt in the next couple of years, he could make his debut right here."
"As for the girls, I did see one with great looks. I think she’s in Teacher Ying's class...now, what was her name again?"
"Zhuo Zi," Ying Tongchen blurted out.
"Memorized her name already?" a nearby teacher teased, a knowing smile playing on their lips.
Ying Tongchen raised an eyebrow, his gaze drifting to the class roster on his desk. He recalled passing the financial affairs office earlier and glimpsing a vibrant young girl standing next to a tall, strikingly handsome figure. Unfortunately, they had walked off too quickly for him to take a closer look.
In the dormitory, Zhuo Zi unpacked and organized her belongings before heading to the teaching building to collect her textbooks. The rest of the afternoon was spent getting acquainted with her new classmates and taking a leisurely stroll around the campus. But the handsome stranger was nowhere to be seen.
"Sigh..."