Mistaken Canary Chapter 61
Chapter 61
In the Zhuo Family’s living room, the housekeeper once again refilled everyone’s tea before quietly withdrawing.
On the coffee table were some fruits, snacks, and cups of hot tea, yet none of them had been touched.
The air was quiet—oppressively so.
Mu Qing and Zhuo Fu sat in the center. Zhuo Shu and Ying Tongchen sat on one side, while the four minors sat across from them.
Shi Tiwei and Ban Zhang exchanged a glance, both full of dread. They nervously peeked at Ying Tongchen, then obediently lowered their heads.
Ban Xiaomei wriggled out of her brother’s arms and latched onto Zhuo Zi’s leg.
Zhuo Zi giggled, picked her up, then lifted a cup of hot tea and said, “The reason we’re all gathered here today is for our mutual friend—Zhuo Zi! Let’s raise our cups and celebrate New Year’s Day together!”
Though Shi Tiwei had failed in his confession, he’d still managed to set foot in his goddess’s house fair and square. Brimming with heroic spirit, he grabbed the cup in front of him and downed it in one go.
Mu Qing hurriedly tried to stop him. “Child, that’s freshly brewed tea!”
“Tss—ack, thpth thpth…” Shi Tiwei flinched and trembled from the burn, but still didn’t forget to echo his goddess. “Cheers!” he croaked.
Mu Qing quickly poured him a glass of cold water. “Here, drink some cold water.”
Zhuo Shu’s gaze swept over the two boys. He asked coolly, “Why did you come here?”
Shi Tiwei froze, staring at the teacup like a man going to the gallows.
Maybe… he should just let the boiling water finish him off?
Just then, Ban Zhang spoke up, “We came to study with Zhuo Zi.” As he said that, his gaze shifted to Ying Tongchen. “But why is Mr. Ying here too? Don’t tell me you still make home visits during New Year’s?”
Zhuo Shu paused, his hand moving almost involuntarily to the cup. Doomed I am.
Just as his hand gripped the cup, Ying Tongchen calmly replied, “Zhuo Zi had questions about her homework. I came to explain them.”
“Ah, yes,” Zhuo Zi nodded. “We were just going over a question. Have you finished the cloze part? Didn’t you think it was really hard?”
“I did,” Ban Zhang agreed wholeheartedly. “Teacher, could you explain it to me too?”
Ying Tongchen said, “Of course.”
“I’ll get a table cleared for you,” Mu Qing volunteered enthusiastically. She instructed the housekeeper to prepare a guest room, set up a low study table, and get snacks and treats ready.
Zhuo Shu: How did my meet-the-parents suddenly turn into my sister’s cram school gathering?!
(TLN: Just an fyi, most people in China don’t really go meet the parents of their lover until it's very serious—it usually only happens when the couple are considering marriage. It’s a pretty significant ceremony, so for it to turn into a study session… lool)
In the newly-furbished cram-school, the students all sat down on the carpet and began unpacking their bags.
Zhuo Zi reached into her bag for her homework, and it came with a cascade of posters, fan items, and a CD album she’d stashed inside.
Shi Tiwei, who only had a crossbody sports bag, didn’t even have a single sheet of paper in it. He pulled out a few bruised roses and awkwardly placed them in front of Zhuo Zi.
“What a brutal way to treat flowers,” Zhuo Zi muttered with distaste, then stood to find a vase and gently placed the flowers in it.
While the two of them were talking, Ban Zhang quietly unzipped his slightly faded schoolbag and fished out his own homework from a pile of others’ assignments. He opened it without saying a word, not sparing a glance for the layout or decor of the house.
Downstairs, Mu Qing and Zhuo Fu were happily entertaining Ban Xiaomei, a picture of cozy family life.
Upstairs, Zhuo Shu followed Ying Tongchen and asked in a low voice, “Are you really doing this?”
“Yes. Better to get it over with early so they can go home,” Ying Tongchen remarked.
“Alright then.” Zhuo Shu gave in with a sigh. His well-laid plans for a day out had been completely derailed—and all his frustration was now redirected at Shi Tiwei.
Shi Tiwei suddenly felt a chill down his spine and nervously glanced over at Zhuo Shu.
Shi Tiwilt: “......” So scary!
“Focus on the questions,” Ying Tongchen said as he stepped into the room.
Shi Tiwei suddenly had a flash of inspiration. “Teach, I didn’t bring my homework with me. Can I share with Zhuo Zi?”
“Here—you can look at mine,” Ban Zhang said helpfully, as he slid his workbook to the middle. Shi Tiwei was about to refuse when he felt an even colder glare from behind and quickly changed his tone. “Alright, thanks, bro. You're a real one.”
Zhuo Shu sat down nearby, eyes fixed on Ying Tongchen. The clean lines of Ying Tongchen’s jaw traced the sharp angles of his face, his tall nose balanced by the glasses perched on it, long lashes gently lowered, and his eyes deep as an ocean.
The more he looked, the more Zhuo Shu felt that this man was growing better-looking by the second. Every little move seemed to tug at his nerves.
For example—Ying Tongchen, I’m warning you, you’re way too close to Ban Zhang!
As Zhuo Shu stared more intently, he noticed how Ying Tongchen’s voice was smooth and clear, patient in his explanations, and every gesture seemed... uncannily like his old homeroom teacher!
“You guys are honestly the worst class I’ve ever had,” Ying Tongchen said, displeased.
Zhuo Shu: “......” Yep, there it is.
Ying Tongchen: “Didn’t we just go over this question in class? How could you forget it already? What were you even doing during the lesson?”
Shi Tiwei immediately tattled, “Teacher, I’d like to report that Ban Zhang was writing love letters in class.”
“How would you know that?” Ban Zhang retorted.
“I watched you for the whole period. Don’t think you can escape my eyes!” Shi Tiwei declared.
As soon as he said that, he noticed Zhuo Zi’s eyes light up, and he proudly lifted his chin. “No need to praise me, I’m just an anonymous little Lei Feng* doing my duty.”
(TLN: Lei Feng 雷锋 was a soldier in the People's Liberation Army who was made into a model of altruism and dedication to the Party by propaganda from 1963 onwards.)
Zhuo Zi’s eyes widened like copper bells, shooting out a lightning-charged, rotten gleam*. “So, A’Wei, you were watching Ban Zhang for an entire class?”
(TLN: There’s two things to explain here—one: ‘rotten’ does not refer to decay here, but the original meaning of Fujoshi (腐女子, "rotten girl"). So yeah, she’s shipping Shi Tiwilt with Ban Zhang. Secondly, the whole description of her reaction is referencing the opening song of a very old Chinese cartoon called Black Cat Detective. Video here: https://youtu.be/Fm1C4zXJo7g?si=IjTUuoF6BQrUFcwb)
“More than just one class!” Shi Tiwei had countless grievances bottled up inside—after all, in his heart, Ban Zhang was already stamped as his sworn love rival. He’d been secretly observing him, biding his time for revenge!
Ban Zhang had just opened his mouth to respond when Mu Qing’s voice rang out from downstairs. “Oh dear, we really should hire someone to weed the lawn.”
“Leave it to me!” Ban Zhang grabbed the tools from his bag and escaped down, and out into the yard. “This kind of task is best left to me!”
Mu Qing was taken aback. “You know how?”
“I do.”
Ying Tongchen: “……”
He looked out the window to the yard, where the little ‘busy bee’ was diligently digging, then turned back to glance at Zhuo Zi, who was diligently solving problems—and at Shi Tiwei, who was diligently sneaking peeks at Zhuo Zi. “Let’s take a short break.”
Zhuo Zi, who had just cracked the final tough problem after racking her brain, beamed with delight. “I’m done! I’ll help with the weeding too.”
“I’m coming as well,” Shi Tiwei quickly added.
“No can do.” Zhuo Zi tossed the last worksheet at him. “You’ve got to finish all of this. Otherwise, I’m not being your one-on-one study partner anymore. A life without homework is just... loose sand!”
Shi Tiwei finally understood what it meant to shoot yourself in the foot.
Heartbreak was a tiny ticket—they’re downstairs while I’m stuck up here.
Ying Tongchen got up to use the bathroom. When he came out, he saw Zhuo Shu standing at the door. He asked in a low voice, “What are you doing?”
“Wanna go on a date?”
“Now?” Ying Tongchen pointed at the living room upstairs and the yard outside. “There are people everywhere.”
“They’re all busy. You go wait for me outside. I’ll go change.” Zhuo Shu said.
Ying Tongchen pressed his lips together, clearly tempted. “Alright.”
The two split up. Ying Tongchen circled the living room once, spent a few minutes playing with Ban Xiaomei and the Zhuo parents, then naturally passed through the front yard. Pretending to just be taking a typical stroll, he completely ignored the two people weeding diligently, and walked right out the front gate.
After lingering nearby for a bit, Zhuo Shu came striding out with long, confident steps. He’d changed into a casual outfit, and when he reached Ying Tongchen, he took his hand and turned off the path, the two of them strolling along the greenbelt.
“Finally, some fresh air.” Zhuo Shu said, slipping their clasped hands into his coat pocket. “Those third wheels seriously don’t know when to leave.”
Ying Tongchen’s lips curved slightly. “Oh come on, the students are adorable. And your family’s really sweet too.”
“You like them?” Zhuo Shu asked with a grin.
“Mm.” Ying Tongchen nodded, looking up at the sunlight and clouds overhead. “I really do.”
“My parents like you too. You’re always welcome.” Zhuo Shu paused, then turned his head to glance at him. “By the way, why did you become a teacher?”
Ying Tongchen looked straight ahead and said, “Because teacher... couldn’t be one anymore. But whenever we talked, he’d always end up bringing up his teaching days. Just a few sentences and he’d be full of regret. So I figured I’d give it a try—and I’d tell him little things about school whenever I could... What about you? Why’d you turn down your mom’s Nezha cosplay idea?”
Zhuo Shu: “......”
Why did the conversation take such an abrupt turn?
“No way, she told you that too?” Zhuo Shu helplessly held his forehead. “Ugh.”
Ying Tongchen couldn't help but chuckle. “A man who missed every graduation photo because he turned down Nezha cosplays.”
Zhuo Shu: “Stop laughing, let me have my last bit of dignity.”
Ying Tongchen: “Haha.”
“Tsk.” Zhuo Shu leaned over and kissed his lips.
Ying Tongchen took a step back. “Alright, careful, someone might see us.”
“Don’t worry, there’s no one here.” Zhuo Shu wrapped his arms around his waist, pulling him forward, just as he was about to kiss him again, the gate beside them suddenly creaked open.
The two men froze and turned their heads, facing the equally stunned unfamiliar auntie.
After a long silence, Zhuo Shu reached up and touched the other man’s eye. "Don’t worry, just a little sand, you won’t go blind."
Ying Tongchen: “......”
Zhuo Shu nodded at the auntie, then grabbed Ying Tongchen and started jogging.
They covered some ground before finally stopping.
After catching their breath, Zhuo Shu took a couple of steps forward, only to spot an enemy force ahead!
He made a quick leap and jumped onto Ying Tongchen’s back, shouting, “Quick, run!!!”
Ying Tongchen almost twisted his back, holding onto Zhuo Shu’s legs and glancing ahead, where he saw a stunning woman... walking two leashed golden retrievers towards their direction.
“Hurry up!” Zhuo Shu urgently patted his shoulder. “There are dogs!”
Ying Tongchen gritted his teeth and started retracing their run, carrying Zhuo Shu piggy-back.
He didn't stop until they couldn't see the woman and the dogs anymore. Panting heavily, he tossed Zhuo Shu into the bushes.
…
After finishing up with the weeds in the yard, Zhuo Zi and Ban Zhang took a break. Ban Zhang suggested, "How about we plant some flowers?"
"Sure." Zhuo Zi said, about to grab some seeds, but then suddenly remembered something. She pushed open the gate. "Let’s go take a walk nearby. I remember last time I saw a family move out, and they had daylilies planted at the entrance."
"Alright."
As the evening sky darkened, the sunset reflected on the surface of the lake.
The two of them walked along the road, occasionally chatting, but somehow, the conversation fell into a quiet silence.
Zhuo Zi turned her head and glanced at him, then pressed her lips together decisively. "I’ll have Mom give you the money for your work."
"No need." Ban Zhang said, "Your parents helping to look after my younger sister is already a huge favor to me."
Zhuo Zi flashed him a smile, her eyes curving. "Thanks."
"It's nothing." Ban Zhang looked away awkwardly.
In the next moment, Zhuo Zi suddenly grabbed his wrist. He looked at her in surprise, but she wasn’t looking at him. Instead, her gaze was fixed intently on something ahead.
"Shh." Zhuo Zi pointed towards a patch of tall greenery in the bushes that blocked their view. They could only see the plants slightly trembling. "What’s that?"
Zhuo Zi tightened her grip on the small shovel in her hand, cautiously approaching when she suddenly heard a familiar, deep brotherly voice. "Ugh, could you be a little gentler? Ow, my butt."
Zhuo Zi: “!”
Ban Zhang froze for a moment, then whispered, "Sounds like your brother?"
Right after, they heard a ‘smack’, followed by a faint voice. "Who told you to jump me suddenly? I'm exhausted. Let me rest for a while."
Ban Zhang froze, completely stiff.
Then, they heard Zhuo Shu hum a little. "I didn’t want to either, but as soon as I saw that beast, my legs just gave out."
Zhuo Zi & Ban Zhang: "...!"
Ying Tongchen snapped, "What’s there to be afraid of?"
"Two big…" Zhuo Shu gestured with his hands, still shuddering at the thought. "—Too big for my heart to handle. And you were so fast earlier, and so vigorous ... you didn’t even warn me before you—"
Ying Tongchen: "Shut up."
Zhuo Zi and Ban Zhang glanced at each other, their faces filled with shock, too stunned to say anything.
Zhuo Zi’s heart was filled with a deep sense of resentment. Why?! Why must she be the one to sink her own CP ship?! Zhuo Shu, you good-for-nothing!
What to do now? Ban Zhang knows the secret, should she silence him?
She raised her small shovel, trembling, about to strike Ban Zhang on the head when suddenly, she felt her ears being covered.
Zhuo Zi: "?"
Ban Zhang pointed to the road on the other side and silently mouthed, "Let’s go-go, ba.”
(TLN: Raws read: 我们先走吧 (Wǒ men xiān zǒu ba))
Zhuo Zi was perplexed. ‘Just nine-nine-eight?’ What does that mean?
(TLN: She lipread it as: 只要九九八 (Zhǐ yào jiǔ jiǔ bā))
Suddenly, she understood! Ban Zhang wanted hush money!
No problem, as long as 998 could shut his mouth, everything was negotiable.
The two of them immediately sneaked away.
…
When Zhuo Shu and Ying Tongchen returned, they saw Shi Tiwei and Ban Zhang standing at the door, bidding farewell to Zhuo’s parents.
After an afternoon of grueling exercises, Shi Tiwei had become a man who wouldn't cry easily. He held Mu Qing's hand and solemnly said, "This is too hard, this problem is just too hard!"
"Hang in there, child," Mu Qing encouraged, then turned to hold Ban Xiaomei's hand, "Come visit us often."
Ban Xiaomei giggled, kissed her cheek, causing the couple to beam with joy.
Zhuo Zi, on the other hand, pointed to Ban Zhang's mouth and made a throat-slashing gesture. Ban Zhang nodded in agreement.
"What kind of secret code is this? I feel so left out!" Shi Tiwei's heart broke into pieces. He turned around, and upon seeing the two men returning, called out, "Mr. Ying, are you coming back with us?"
Zhuo Zi and Ban Zhang both looked over. Ying Tongchen's expression was calm, but Zhuo Shu's steps were unsteady, occasionally touching his waist. The girl and boy couldn't help but glance at him sympathetically.
"We'll leave first. Mr. Ying will head back on his own," Ban Zhang said without hesitation, pushing Shi Tiwei into the cab before sitting with his sister on the other side.
"The third wheels are finally gone," Zhuo Shu muttered, watching the car drive away. He then rubbed his waist, grimacing at the pain from the fall earlier. "Ugh, I can't take it. Can you give me a massage?"
"Let's go," Ying Tongchen followed him upstairs.
"What happened to them?" Mu Qing asked, puzzled. "They were fine when they left, but why is A’Shu’s back suddenly giving out when they come back?"
Zhuo Zi’s face turned red, and she quickly covered her ears as she ran inside. "I didn’t hear anything! I’m still just a pure and beautiful child!"
…
After Ying Tongchen gave Zhuo Shu a brief massage, the two of them went to tidy up the things in the ex-cram school.
Zhuo Shu picked up the megaphone Shi Tiwei had left in the corner of the room. He turned around and suggested, "Stay the night."
Ying Tongchen paused for a moment, tossing the trash on the table into the bin. "It’s fine, your home is not far from my place; it’s just a short drive back."
"Tsk, I just got a little hurt, and now you’re abandoning me?" Zhuo Shu sighed dramatically. "Hah, men, always like this."
Ying Tongchen: "..."
Zhuo Shu casually fiddled with the megaphone in his hand, already having a good grasp of Ying Tongchen’s temper. A few more playful complaints, and he knew he would give in.
"Would you abandon me in the future?" he asked, feigning a sense of vulnerability. He walked up to Ying Tongchen and asked, gazing at him with exaggerated affection, "If I get injured, or if I go bankrupt, would you still want me?"
Ying Tongchen’s brow twitched slightly. He looked up at him, parted his lips to speak, but was suddenly interrupted by the megaphone.
"Pesticides of all kinds! Roach—Mice—" the prerecorded proudly blared.
Zhuo Shu angrily threw the megaphone aside.