Mistaken Canary Chapter 75
Chapter 75
03: Regarding Valentine’s Day
February 14th was a workday.
Zhuo Shu and Ying Tongchen had already returned to their respective jobs, but Zhuo Shu’s heart still burned with romantic ambitions.
This was their first Valentine’s Day together.
After his proposal ceremony ended in disaster, he was determined this time to give Ying Tongchen an unforgettable Valentine’s Day.
That time, the flowers successfully failed to appeal; this time, he was going to make sure it happened.
He had directly ordered ninety-nine roses from the most reputable and best-selling florist online, having them delivered to Ying Tongchen’s company.
He also booked dinner and movie tickets online and carried a small gift with him at all times, waiting for the perfect moment to present a romantic surprise.
Everything was under control.
“Chairman Zhuo, you’ve been grinning like an idiot for three minutes straight,” Mi Shu reminded him.
Zhuo Shu’s smile faded slightly as he sat up straight and asked, “How are you planning to spend today with your boyfriend?”
“We’re going to the amusement park,” Mi Shu said. “I heard there’s a show tonight.”
“Amusement park?” Zhuo Shu pondered for a moment, finding this location quite suitable. Added to plan.
…
At lunch, he saw Zhen Mingxin’s post on his Moments and suddenly was reminded of the existence of this master of love. He quickly shared his plan and asked for feedback.
Master Zhen’s reply was that it was feasible but not romantic—just a routine date.
So Zhuo Shu asked about Master Zhen’s plan.
“I’m wide awake now that you asked this question, ha,” Zhen Mingxin called him up, chatting nonstop, “I plan to go to the fitness club today, pose as a member, and purchase Meng Meng for an hour. Uhhh, ok that sounded a little off, but you get the idea. I’ll secretly hide the gift on me. While he’s coaching me, he’ll feel up the gift—heeheehee.”
“Brilliant,” Zhuo Shu praised. “And what do you plan to eat?”
“Eat?” Zhen Mingxin laughed, “Of course, I’m going to eat him. Holidays are commemorated through love and applause*.”
(TLN: bc the onomatopoeia for hand-clapping in Chinese is 'pah'. And 'pah pah pah' is also the sound of what happens in bed lmao.)
After hanging up, Zhuo Shu rubbed his chin and added a few more adjustments to his plan.
…
In the afternoon, Ying Tongchen went out to meet a client and only returned to the company building by dusk.
At the elevator lobby stood quite a few young couples, a few ladies holding flowers, all smiling sweetly and affectionately.
Ying Tongchen withdrew his gaze and headed upstairs. Just as he entered the company entrance, the receptionist giggled softly, and other employees turned to look at him with knowing smiles.
Ying Tongchen was puzzled. “What’s going on?”
“Director Ying, someone sent you flowers,” a female colleague said with a smile.
Voices buzzed around him: “Wow, tsk that’s a huge bouquet!” “Director Ying must be in a loving relationship!” “Director Ying, hurry up and set a date! Can we not work overtime tonight?”
Ying Tongchen faked a calm smile but quickened his pace, soon reaching his office door. When he looked at his desk, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Great, it’s not chrysanthemums.
He no longer expected any pleasant surprises from Zhuo Shu—just hoping there wouldn’t be any unexpected trouble, that would itself be a pleasant surprise.
He stepped forward, staring at the large bouquet of roses, suddenly unsure where to put them.
…
“Director Ying, about tonight…” Andy approached the door and suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
The room was lined with small bottles and roses set in water, circling almost the entire office. She nearly thought she had the wrong room, shut the door, and reopened it to double-check.
“Are you planning some kind of ritual?” Andy remarked.
Ying Tongchen smiled awkwardly, putting down the scissors and the half-trimmed flower stems, then asked, “What is it?”
“Oh right, they sent me to ask if we could leave work half an hour earlier tonight? A lot of them already have plans,” Andy said with a playful grin.
Ying Tongchen nodded, “Sure, just help me close the door when you leave.”
“Got it!”
He placed the last rose into the vase and looked around, his expression tightening. “So ugly.”
He took the flowers out one by one, unsure where to put them, then rearranged them in the same position again.
“Director Ying,” Andy knocked on the door, “a client has arrived.”
“Have Amy handle the reception first,” Ying Tongchen responded, still dealing with the roses.
“The client said he only wants to see you,” Andy said with a teasing smile, covering her mouth to stifle a laugh. “It’s one of our long-time clients.”
“On my way.”
Ying Tongchen opened the door and followed her toward the meeting room. Just as they reached the doorway, his gaze met the person inside, and his steps faltered.
Then he smiled faintly and extended his right hand warmly, “Mister Zhuo, hello.”
Zhuo Shu stood and calmly shook his hand, “Mister Ying, long time no see.”
‘Long time no see’ my ass. You shamelessly sent flowers to my office this morning.
Andy poured them water and, seeing their calm expressions with no hint of gossip to catch, quietly left the meeting room, disappointed.
It was only then that Ying Tongchen asked, “What brings you here?”
“Just checking up on you,” Zhuo Shu smiled. “With so many beauties in your company, I really can’t relax.”
Ying Tongchen smiled back, “Your company has more people—and they’re better looking too.”
Zhuo Shu: “Thanks for the compliment. Although they can’t beat me, the overall level is definitely top-notch.”
Ying Tongchen: “.” You really don’t know how to humble yourself huh.
“By the way, did you get the flowers?” Zhuo Shu asked.
“Mm.”
“Where are they? Let me see.”
Ying Tongchen stood up, about to lead him to his office, but suddenly remembered how the room was set up like a ‘ritual’ scene and stiffly sat back down. “What’s there to see? It’s just a couple of flowers.”
“I’m scared something went wrong again,” Zhuo Shu paused. “Wait. A couple of flowers? Only a couple? Did the shop shortchange me?”
“Couple dozen. Happy now?" Ying Tongchen quickly changed the topic, “What are we having for dinner?”
“Japanese food okay?”
“Ok.”
They chatted for a while, then cheers rang outside—it was time to clock out. Employees hurriedly packed up and left in groups.
Soon, only the two of them remained in the company.
“I’ve never been around here before,” Zhuo Shu said.
Ying Tongchen showed him around the office, finally stopping in front of his own office door. “Go wait downstairs for me. I’ll grab my things and then we’ll go eat.”
Zhuo Shu gave him a deep look. “Okay.”
After Zhuo Shu turned to leave, Ying Tongchen pushed open the door when suddenly a large hand caught it from behind and stepped in before him.
“You’re definitely hiding something amazing in here,” Zhuo Shu said with a smirk as he took in the room full of roses, then turned to Ying Tongchen with a satisfied, proud smile.
Ying Tongchen blinked and said sheepishly, “Andy said they’ll last longer this way.”
Zhuo Shu: "Oh~"
“I’m serious,” Ying Tongchen insisted.
Zhuo Shu: "Hmm~"
“Try that sarcastic tone again,” Ying Tongchen warned.
Zhuo Shu immediately switched to a fake, boyish smile, not daring to say another word.
He then turned toward the door, pulled it shut, and stepping closer to Ying Tongchen, asked, “Should we go to the amusement park?”
A shadow briefly crossed Ying Tongchen’s face. He tilted his head slightly back and shook his head, “Too crowded.”
“How about the cinema?”
“The movies available recently aren’t any good.”
“Then I’m out of ideas.”
Hearing the sigh, Ying Tongchen pressed his lips and realized he may have come off too cold. After all, his lover had even sent him a couple of roses—no, several dozens.
“How about we go see a—” Before he could finish, Ying Tongchen’s lips were suddenly blocked.
A familiar scent surrounded him, a soft, agile tongue teasing relentlessly within his territory, and he surrendered effortlessly.
He heard a low whisper: “There’s only one choice left—to commemorate the holiday.”
Ying Tongchen blinked in confusion, about to ask, when his neck was suddenly warmed, forced to tilt his head up, hands stroking his head.
Their breaths were uneven, indistinguishable whose was heavier. Moments later, his body was lifted and placed on the sofa.
Clothes rustled. Ying Tongchen’s hand touched something hard—he pulled a ring from the breast pocket of Zhuo Shu’s shirt, raised it into the air where it sparkled under the light. Ying Tongchen narrowed his eyes slightly.
“You’re still holding this? Isn’t it too big?”
“I had it resized smaller.” Zhuo Shu kissed him lightly on the lips. “Let’s use this as our wedding ring for now. We still have to go to England to hold the ceremony, or the certificate will become invalid.”
Ying Tongchen curled one side of his mouth. “Then I’ll have to think about it.”
“Think about what? Whether to wear a suit or a wedding dress?” Zhuo Shu gave him no chance to back out. Taking the ring, he slipped it onto Ying Tongchen’s finger. “Whoever backs out is a fool—pinky swear, no take backs, sealed.”
Ying Tongchen was forced to hook pinkies with him, grumbling with a smile, “Could this get any more childish?”
“Of course.” Zhuo Shu leaned in and whispered, “I want to hear you call me ‘ge ge’.”
“Get lost. You should know who’s the ge ge here.”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
On the table beside them, the roses bloomed vividly. One bud, still tightly closed, shyly rested in the vase, nurtured by the water, slowly beginning to blossom.
Opened and then closed, opened and closed again.
…
By the time they left the office, it was already close to ten o’clock. Ying Tongchen slumped in the car, eyes half-closed, quietly admiring the city’s nightscape.
Outside on the streets, couples strolled hand in hand. While there were countless singletons in the city, they dare not venture out at this hour.
Zhuo Shu turned to glance at Ying Tongchen, feeling a warm happiness well up inside.
As expected, Master Zhen truly is an individual of extraordinary talent—definitely need to treat him to a meal someday.
“What are you thinking about?” Ying Tongchen noticed the eerie smile on his face.
“Zhen Mingxin isn’t so bad after all,” Zhuo Shu blurted out.
Ying Tongchen: "."
Hah. So, after applauding for love, this punk’s thoughts turned to Zhen Mingxin. :)
At a red light, Zhuo Shu suddenly took his hand, tracing over the ring on his finger, and whispered with a soft laugh, “I’m really happy today.”
Ying Tongchen’s heart softened, the urge to murder him fading away. “Eyes on the road and drive carefully.”
Zhuo Shu withdrew his hand, catching the redness creeping up Ying Tongchen’s eyes and quietly smiled.
Ying Tongchen glanced out the window and suddenly said, “Isn’t that Zhuo Zi?”
Zhuo Shu looked over and saw Zhuo Zi walking by the roadside, followed by a few rowdy guys who were pointing at her back, laughing and jeering.
When the traffic light turned green, Zhuo Shu quickly circled to the nearest spot where he could park and jumped out of the car.
Ying Tongchen got out slowly, steadying himself on the car before following after him.
By the time he caught up, those guys were just a short distance behind her, while a person in a kangaroo mascot costume was diligently handing out flyers and incidentally hindering the rowdy crowd.
“What are you two doing here?” Zhuo Zi asked in surprise, looking at the two men. “Were you following me?”
Zhuo Shu snapped back, “Who’s following who? What are you doing out alone?”
“I just went out to buy something to eat,” Zhuo Zi replied.
“Get in the car, let’s go home,” Zhuo Shu said, pointing to his car. He glanced back and saw the group of guys cursing as they left in the opposite direction.
He stepped forward and said to the mascot, “Thank you.”
The mascot simply shook its head.
Zhuo Zi followed closely, watching the backs of the boys as they left. Suddenly, she was hit with epiphany, followed by a wave of fear washing over her. Hearing Zhuo Shu thank the mascot, she quickly realized this person had been helping her, so she also said, “Thank you! May good fortune follow you!”
This time, the mascot didn’t shake its head.
Zhuo Zi noticed the mascot still held a bunch of flyers and reached out, “Can I have some?”
The mascot handed her a flyer, then reached into their kangaroo pouch and gave her a rose.
Zhuo Zi exclaimed, “Wow, thank you!”
Just as Zhuo Shu was about to leave with everyone, a little girl suddenly ran up and hugged his leg.
Looking down, they saw it was Ban Xiaomei, wearing the thick down jacket that Ying Tongchen had prepared at the last gathering.
Ban Xiaomei looked up and smiled brightly at Zhuo Shu, “Big brother, Happy Chinese New Year!”
“Why are you here?” Zhuo Shu was almost melted by her cuteness. He lifted her up and, for some reason, turned to stare intently at the mascot.
Ying Tongchen and Zhuo Zi also followed his gaze.
After a moment, the mascot took off the headpiece, revealing a fair, flushed face—it was Ban Zhang.
“Happy Chinese New Year,” Ban Zhang said sheepishly.
Zhuo Zi looked at him, noticing his sweat-soaked hair, like a freshly steamed bun, and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Ban Zhang’s embarrassment melted away with her laughter as he explained, “My neighbor is hosting a grand opening event, so I came to help out.”
Zhuo Shu handed Ban Xiaomei off to Ying Tongchen, then called Ban Zhang to the roadside. “Come over here.”
He glanced back at Zhuo Zi, who was playing with the little girl. “Do you like her?” Zhuo Shu asked suddenly.
Startled by the unexpected question, Ban Zhang hesitated but then nodded slightly.
“You’re still young,” Zhuo Shu said.
Ban Zhang replied, “I know, that’s why I’ve never told her.”
Zhuo Shu nodded approvingly. Truth be told, he quite liked this kid—at least he was more reliable than Shi Tiwei, and wouldn’t just blare a megaphone outside someone’s home.
He said, “I don’t care about your family background.”
Ban Zhang’s eyes flickered slightly before he heard Zhuo Shu continue, “I don’t care for incompetence, and I won’t accept someone who might ruin her future. You know what you should and shouldn’t do. A man should have a sense of responsibility.”
“I understand.” Oddly enough, Ban Zhang felt a sense of encouragement. With a smile, he asked, “Mister Zhuo, would it be possible for me to join your company someday?”
“How unambitious,” Zhuo Shu said disdainfully. “Can’t you start your own company?”
“I’ll do my best,” Ban Zhang smiled. Suddenly remembering something, he said meaningfully, “By the way, a client once asked me to secretly take pictures of Mr. Ying. Are they someone you’re acquainted with?”
Zhuo Shu: "."
Zhuo Shu suddenly turned around and shouted, “Zhuo Zi, time to go home!”
Zhuo Zi and Ying Tongchen got into the car. Zhuo Shu shot an annoyed glance at Ban Zhang by the roadside, then pulled out a red envelope, slipped in a thousand yuan, handed it to Ban Xiaomei, and patted her head. “Happy New Year, Xiaomei. I hope you grow up safe and healthy.”
Ban Xiaomei smiled brightly, “Thank you, big brother!”
Ban Zhang said, “Thank you, Mister Zhuo.”
“Hmph.”
Ban Zhang held his sister and watched as the car pulled away before turning back toward the store.
After a few steps, a girl suddenly called his name from behind. He turned, slightly surprised—Zhuo Zi had come back.
Ban Zhang looked at her in confusion, then glanced toward the car parked at a distance and asked, “What is it?”
“I... I...” Zhuo Zi stammered but couldn’t form a complete sentence.
Ban Zhang waited patiently, while Ban Xiaomei, unaware of the situation, smiled sweetly and remarked, “Pretty jiejie! Our house! Has a pretty photo of you!”
Ban Zhang startled, quickly covered his sister’s truthful mouth, his ears turning red.
Zhuo Zi’s face flushed as well, still clutching the rose she had just received, stammering, “I heard that conversation you just had with my gege… but it wasn’t on purpose.”
Ban Zhang was taken aback, the redness on his ears spreading to his face.
Their gazes met across the space between them, blushing in turn like it was a match to see who'd flush deeper.
After a long moment, Zhuo Zi blurted out, “I–I’m going now. Happy Chinese New Year.”
Ban Zhang watched her running away and softly chuckled, “Happy Chinese New Year.”
.
.
.
TL Note: omg, Zhuo Zi and Ban Zhang are so f*cking cute. I love it.