Mistaken Canary Chapter 6
TL Note: A public service announcement for all my lovelies, Iβve increased the update rate of this novel to two times a week! Weee!!! ππ₯³ππ And from now on, unless I say otherwise, everything in bold+italics were originally in english, and was most likely kept as is in my translation.
Proofread by CitrusP
Edited by megane-kun and bob
Chapter 6
The start of the school year was always hectic, particularly for a homeroom teacher. Memorizing each student's name was just the first task; he also had to establish discipline and manage a myriad of issues.
This included (student) self-study mornings.
Teaching Freshman Class 2 and also English to the second-year Experimental Class 5 meant waking up early every day to oversee morning study sessions for both.
The Experimental Class, having spent a year with him, was well-acquainted, but the first-year class? They were like a group of restless animals confined in a newly fenced penβeither chattering away or dozing off.
Earlier, while Ying Tongchen was supervising the second-year classβs morning study session, he received a WeChat message from the literature teacher of Class 2, explaining that they were unable to control the students and had retreated to the cafeteria for a quick breakfast.
The schoolβs teaching buildings were separated into front and back sections. When class was almost over, he made his way back to the classroom of Freshman Class 2.
As he stepped into the hallway, he heard Zhuo Zi shout, "Oh my word! How dangerously handsome*!"
(TLN: βOh my word, how dangerously highβ is from Tang dynasty poet Li Baiβs The Hard Road to Shu, Zhuo Zi just changed a word so it's better suited for fun. A detailed explanation will be written below.)
The students of Class 3 responded in unison: "Oh my word!"
Their exclamation was followed by a burst of loud, enthusiastic recitation.
Ying Tongchen: "......"
When the bell rang, signaling the end of class, the βanimalsβ were finally set free. A group of boys rushed past him like a whirlwind, cheerfully calling out, "Mr. Ying, come on!"
Not far behind, the girls squeezed out of the classroom, calling out, "Mr. Ying! Want to come to the cafeteria with us?"
"No need. You all go ahead." Ying Tongchen replied with a faint smile. The literature teacher had already picked up breakfast for him!
The staff cafeteria offered an impressively rich breakfast spread. Ying Tongchen sat down next to the literature teacher, picked up his meal, and quietly began to eat.
A moment later, Zheng Zhinan joined them at the table. His hair was a tangled mess, and his thick black-framed glasses perched precariously on his nose. His eyes barely open, he slurped his porridge and mumbled, "Iβm teaching the first math class in Class 2 later. Mr. Ying, how are your students? Easy to handle?"
Ying Tongchen, maintaining his refined table manners, took another bite. "Easy to handle,"βyeah, rightβ"the girls in my class are quick-witted and eccentric," and incredibly lascivious, already ranking all the teachers by looks, with me, of course, at the top, "and the boys are vivacious and energetic." Just last night, they got caught by the dorm supervisor playing cards and chatting after lights out.
"All in all," he concluded, "a group of⦠promising students."
Zheng Zhinan sighed in relief. "Thatβs good. Oh, by the way, how do I look today? I thought Iβd try dressing sharp, like you."
Ying Tongchen gave him a quick once-over. "Your tie isn't tied properly."
"Ugh, this is so hard," Zheng Zhinan groaned, tugging at the tie a couple of times, only to make it look even worse. "Could you give me some pointers?"
"Sure." Ying Tongchen stood up, bent slightly at the waist, and patiently untied Zheng Zhinanβs tie before demonstrating each step. "Just like this. Got it?"
"Got it." Zheng Zhinan said, his gaze fixed on Ying Tongchen's faceβso close and so focusedβand blurted out, "Mr. Ying, you must look very handsome when youβre teaching."
"Thanks," Ying Tongchen replied, returning to his seat. Only to notice a wave of odd glances directed their way.
Just then, Teacher Fu arrived at their table with her tray and took a seat beside them. The chair creaked under her weight, a sound that seemed to echo her own breaking heart. But she quickly pulled herself together, leaned in conspiratorially, and lowered her voice. "Mr. Ying, you once mentioned you liked tall onesβ¦ You donβt mean someone like Mr. Zheng, do you?"
Ying Tongchen: "Oh my word."
"Hahaha!" Zheng Zhinan, convinced of his own charm, ran his hand through his already messy hair. "No way! How could I possibly be worthy of Mr. Ying?"
Ying Tongchen: "......" Please, just stop talking.
Teacher Fu's face lit up with a look of triumphant understanding, as if a long-awaited puzzle piece had finally clicked into place! Her previous confusion was cleared up in an instant, replaced by a new, focused intensity in her gaze toward Ying Tongchen.
In the days that followed, Ying Tongchen found himself juggling the demands of his studentsβhelping them settle into the new school year and their studiesβwhile also fending off Teacher Fu's persistent and increasingly pointed questions.
"Mr. Ying, have you watched this new BL anime?"
"Mr. Ying, be honest, you secretly want to be the βsisβ in our group, donβt you?"
"Mr. Ying, want some vids? Iβve got several Gigabytes worth!"
"......" Ying Tongchen glanced around the office, relieved that the other teachers were off to their classes. With a weary sigh, he rubbed his brow. "No need, thank you."
Teacher Fu zeroed in on the key detail. "Aha! You didnβt deny it! I knew it!"
"......" Women really are born detectives.
"It's a secret."
"My lips are sealed! And besides,β she added, her tone shifting to one of sudden enthusiasm, βeven though I just got dumped, Iβve found a new life goal! You're now the office's first-class protected species. Iβll make sure to keep you safe!"
"......"
"I knew it! Someone as handsome as you couldn't possibly be single for any other reason." Teacher Fu said, pulling a chair to sit beside him as she opened her cloud drive. "Here, let me share this amazing anime I just discovered. The visuals are stunning, and the story is incredible. Both the top and bottom are absolutely breathtaking."
Ying Tongchen barely managed a 'No thanks' when he received a link via WeChat.
Since it was a thoughtful gesture, he figured it wouldnβt hurt to accept it graciously.
"Thanks."
"Youβre welcome!"
Despite the hectic week, Friday arrived as scheduled.
For his final class, Ying Tongchen held a brief class meeting to summarize the students' performance during the first week of school and go over a few important points they should keep in mind going forward.
After school, the students gradually dispersed, and he returned to the office to tidy up before making his way back to his apartment.
At the usual time, Meng Gongβs call came through. "Got any plans for the weekend? How about a mountain hike?"
"Arenβt you busy?"
"I am, but Zhen Mingxin said heβs free this weekend and asked if we wanted to go. I've got a prior engagement, so I canβt make it, but what about you?"
"I'm tied up as well." Ying Tongchen stood by his wardrobe, staring at the row of neatly hung dress shirts for a long moment. With a quiet sigh, he finally selected a black one, then turned and headed for the bathroom to change. "I have something to do tonight. Talk later."
After taking a shower, he glanced at the time, then went downstairs to enjoy a leisurely dinner before driving to the Wimbledon Hotel.
He mentioned Zhuo Shuβs name at the front desk, and the receptionist, without a word, handed him the room keyβsame room as last time.
β¦
Ying Tongchen walked around the room, noticing a projector on the desk. He sat down, opened his laptop, and casually selected an American movie.
When Zhuo Shu opened the door, he saw the darkened room. Ying Tongchen, slender and refined, sat on the carpet, head tilted back, gazing at the screen. His profile was gentle and serene.
A warmth spread through Zhuo Shu, as if,after a long, exhausting day, he had come home to a loving spouse.
"Youβve arrived. Go take a shower first," Ying Tongchen said, without turning his head, his attention still on the movie.
Zhuo Shu: "......"
That sounded very much like something a devoted spouse would say. :)
Zhuo Shu finished his shower eagerly and stood in front of the mirror, admiring his physique with great satisfaction.
He opened the bathroom door and walked over to where Ying Tongchen sat. "Iβm finished showeringβ"
"Come here."
βSuch an impatient little thing,β Zhuo Shu thought, as he casually opened his bathrobe. "Here I come."
Ying Tongchen switched to a different movie, waiting a moment before turning his head to look.
"......" Did he meet a pervert?
"Put some clothes on before you say anything," he said, though his gaze lingered on Zhuo Shu.
"Why put clothes on if weβre doing it?" Zhuo Shu asked with a suggestive lift of his eyebrow.
Ying Tongchen patted the carpet beside him. "I meant, come sit over here."
Zhuo Shu calmly tied the belt of his bathrobe, feigning nonchalance, then leisurely sat down beside him. "And then?"
"Watch the movie."
"......" Zhuo Shuβs expression turned slightly displeased. "My time is valuable, you know."
"Mine isn't cheap either," Ying Tongchen replied. "A workman is only as good as his tools. Come, letβs learn something."
Zhuo Shu gave him a puzzled look, then turned his attention to the screen.
The two male leads were locked in a tense exchange, clearly on the verge of a fight.
Ten seconds laterβ
Hmm? Something's off about this movie!
"Just what is this?" Zhuo Shu turned his head in disbelief to look at him, only to see Ying Tongchen sitting there, perfectly composed. "I have to admit, I underestimated you. Bold of you to invite me to watch this... in person."
"Donβt be shy," Ying Tongchen smiled faintly. "Think of it asβ¦ a special inclination."
Techniques and such can be practiced.
Putting other matters aside, foreplay was definitely necessary. If they were going to be long-term friends with benefits, it was important to let the other party learnβcooperation for mutual benefit.
Zhuo Shu snorted, reluctantly turning his attention to the movie.
The main characters were indeed good-looking, but this was a Western pornographic film, completely unsubtitled.
And, the dialogueβ¦it just wouldn't end.
"What are they even saying?" Zhuo Shu asked casually, watching the long, drawn-out discussion about acquiring another company. Suddenly, the conversation escalated into an argument.
Ying Tongchen, without missing a beat, began translating. "The top is telling the bottom not to go any more movies with that companyβs boss, or heβs going to get angry. The bottom explains that the person isn't interested in him romantically; theyβre just friends."
"Such a clichΓ©?" Zhuo Shu asked, his gaze drifting to Ying Tongchenβs profile, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Youβre not messing with me, are you? They really said that? Youβve watched this multiple times, havenβt you?"
"No, this was something I just received today."
"Your English is that good? Zhuo Shu asked, a hint of doubt in his voice. βYou could be a professional subtitler."
"Lifeβs tough," Ying Tongchen sighed dramatically.
Zhuo Shu raised an eyebrow, then glanced back at the movie. "So, what are they saying now? And⦠why has he suddenly exposing his willy?"
"The bottom is refusing to admit heβs been flirting with someone else, so the top has decided to administer a little punishment..."
Zhuo Shu: Suddenly excited.jpg
"And then? And then?"
"Then,β Ying Tongchen continued, his voice devoid of emotion, βthe bottom says, βNo, no, donβt come near,β and the top says, βBe obedient,β and the bottom starts crying." Zhuo Shu's enthusiasm visibly waned.
Zhuo Shu: "Could you put a little more feeling into your translation?"
Ying Tongchen cleared his throat, focusing intently on the actions of the two characters on screen, clearly getting into the mood. His voice flowed smoothly and persuasively: "Gege, donβt you love me anymore?" he murmured.
Zhuo Shuβs Adamβs apple bobbed subtly in his throat, and then he heard Ying Tongchen shift into a deep, magnetic voice for the top: "Baby, let me see you move."
Zhuo Shu: "!!"
This was no joke! With those line delivery skills and his uncanny ability to mimic voices, it would be a crime if he didnβt win an award for Best Actor.
The way he spokeβit had nearly sent him over the edge right then and there.
Zhuo Shu forced himself to maintain a facade of calm as he watched the movie, though his attention was now decidedly scattered. On screen, the top gently kissed the bottom. The bottomβs eyes were red and swollen from crying. Then, after murmuring something incomprehensible, the top suddenly paused, his eyes growing darker, more intense.
"What did the bottom say?" Zhuo Shu asked, turning his head to look at Ying Tongchen. "And.. why did the top suddenly become so aggressive?"
Ying Tongchen shot him a sideways glance, both hands pressing lightly on the carpet. He suddenly smiled, leaning forward slightly, causing the collar of his bathrobe to slip open a little.
Zhuo Shu lowered his gaze momentarily, his eyebrows raised slightly in surprise. Then, he felt a gentle pinch on his ear and looked up to meet Ying Tongchenβs gaze.
"Take off my glasses," Ying Tongchen directed.
Zhuo Shu, without hesitation, obeyed, removing the glasses and placing them aside. A warm, soft whisper breathed gently on his ear, "He saidββGege, lick meβ."
Zhuo Shu: "!"
Ying Tongchenβs smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners with amusement. The movie flickered on, oblivious to their reaction.
Soon, they both caught up to the film, their whispered comments and shared gasps almost a running commentary alongside the on-screen action.
.
.
.
Footnote:
[1] Oh my word! How dangerously handsome (ε«εε±οΌεΈ δΉι«ε) - The original reads βOh my word, how dangerously high (ε«εε±οΌε±δΉι«ε)β. Of course, if you were to look up translations thereβs many different variations of this phrase, but I did this for better transitioning (since Mr. Ying uses it again later). The ε«εε± part is actually a set of modal particles, which in Chinese, are words used at the end of sentences to indicate mood, or attitude. Thereβs nothing like these in English, so I picked the expression βOh my wordβ. Here are two renditions of the poem in case anyone is interested - https://28utscprojects.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/079/ https://inklessinseattle.wordpress.com/2020/05/08/the-hard-road-to-shu/
Announcement from Pure: My resident editor, CitrusP, is taking a break, so if anyone who has a good hold of English please reach out to me on discord if you want to help edit this novel. Youβll be able to read ahead! βJust know this will be a long term commitment, you will need to edit a minimum of 3 chapters a week for seven months straight, give or take, so please consider that before dming me~ Thanks so much in advance!