Mistaken Canary Chapter 7
Ok! There are now three tiers for this novel on my patreon! For those interested in supporting me and reading ahead check my patreon out here - https://www.patreon.com/c/Purelovetl
Oh forgot to thank auroraRMC for the 5-star review yesterday! Hopefully you’ll come back to read the translation because there’s so much wordplay missed if you just read the mtl!
Proofread by CitrusP
Edited by megane-kun
Chapter 7
‘This lesson was a success,’ Ying Tongchen thought as he lay on the bed, teetering on the edge of consciousness. The movie had played on repeat several times, and just before his eyes closed, he instinctively gripped Zhuo Shu’s wrist.
Zhuo Shu’s forehead was beaded with sweat, the drops as big as beans. He lowered his head and gently bit Ying Tongchen’s collarbone. “What’s wrong?”
“Remember... to scrub me down.” Ying Tongchen murmured, his voice strained, as if in labor. Then, he drifted off to sleep.
“You really are spoiled,” Zhuo Shu murmured, resting beside him for a moment and absently squeezing his hand. “Even the movie characters weren't this demanding.” He then sat up, switched off the movie, and carefully carried Ying Tongchen to the bathroom.
…
The next morning, Ying Tongchen’s eyes snapped open. He checked the time, remembered it was Saturday, and promptly turned over, hoping to drift back to sleep.
As he turned, his gaze fell upon Zhuo Shu beside him, a soft smile playing on his lips, clearly enjoying a dream.
Still exhausted and drowsy, Ying Tongchen snuggled closer, and Zhuo Shu’s arm instinctively reached out to draw him in. They adjusted to a comfortable position, their bodies fitting together perfectly and fell back asleep.
But their peaceful slumber was not to last. It was nearly noon when the insistent ringing of Zhuo Shu’s phone finally woke them. Zhuo Shu carefully disentangled himself and answered with a groggy, “What is it?”
Mi Shu: “Chairman Zhuo, Miss Hu is here at the company again. She'd like to see you”
Zhuo Shu: “Tell her I’m resting and ask her to leave.”
Mi Shu opened her mouth as if to speak, but the phone was abruptly snatched from her hand. Hu Lai’s tone was crisp and demanding, “Zhuo Shu, where are you? Don't forget—you're having dinner with my father tonight.”
Zhuo Shu rubbed his temples wearily. “It’s a business dinner with your father. Why are you coming to my company?”
"I happened to be passing by,” Hu Lai said smoothly. “Thought I'd drop in, and join you guys for dinner."
Hu Lai's father was a long-time business associate, and their families often socialized. However, after Hu Lai encountered him at a certain gathering, he began to nonchalantly propose the notion of a marriage alliance. The more Hu Lai's father mentioned it, the more Hu Lai began to believe that the two were genuinely considering such a union—even going so far as to call herself his girlfriend.
“No need, your father’s presence is enough…”
Bang—
A pillow smacked him in the head, followed by a complaint, “Keep it down!”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, then suddenly, the volume shot up, “Who’s there? Is someone in your room?”
Zhuo Shu rubbed his forehead wearily and hung up without hesitation. He no longer planned to go to the company any time soon. After finishing his morning routine, he sat down at his desk and opened his laptop.
Once the urgent documents were dealt with, Zhuo Shu stretched lazily, his eyes drifting to a pair of glasses beneath the desk. He picked them up, then glanced toward the bed.
Ying Tongchen lay half-exposed beneath the blanket, red marks stark against his skin, yet his countenance remained peaceful.
Zhuo Shu was transfixed.
At that moment, Ying Tongchen stirred in his sleep. Zhuo Shu’s hand jerked, and the glasses tumbled to the floor.
Ying Tongchen yawned, his eyes slowly opening. As he gazed at the sunlight streaming into the room, he tried to speak, but noticed his throat was a bit hoarse. "What time is it?" he asked.
"Almost one pm."
"No wonder, I'm starving." Ying Tongchen sat up, squinting as he fumbled around on the bed for a while.
"Looking for your glasses?" Zhuo Shu asked, standing up and taking a step—crunch. They both looked down at his feet.
He sheepishly picked up the ‘remains’ of the glasses. "Found them, hehehe."
Ying Tongchen: "..."
Ying Tongchen rolled his eyes.
"Don't think I didn't see that eye roll," Zhuo Shu walked over to the bedside. "It's just a pair of glasses, I'll buy you some new ones, no problem."
"Of course, you'll replace them," Ying Tongchen said. He lifted the blanket and groped his thigh. "You really did give me a bath, huh? Not bad; you deserve praise."
Zhuo Shu: "..."
So, bathing you was optional???
Ying Tongchen, his legs still a little wobbly, got dressed and went to the bathroom to wash up. Zhuo Shu watched him with a self-satisfied grin, thinking I'm so amazing, I'm the best.
In response, Ying Tongchen turned back, returning the smug look with an equally self-satisfied expression: ‘I'm so amazing, I'm the best at teaching.’
They both burst into triumphant laughter.
…
The two men headed downstairs, still debating whether to prioritize new glasses or a satisfying meal.
"Forget the food," Ying Tongchen said casually. "Glasses first. You can eat on your own afterward.”
Zhuo Shu felt a flicker of irritation at Ying Tongchen's casual and dismissive tone. He'd thought more than once that this little thing still didn't realize who was in charge—who was the true financial backer here?
"No, we're eating first," Zhuo Shu said firmly.
Ying Tongchen countered, "Well, I object to your objection. We're getting the glasses first. I'm practically blind without them. I can't tell a human from a…well, you get the idea."
"Is that so?" Zhuo Shu extended his hand, "Then you better hold me."
Ying Tongchen lowered his gaze to his hand—broad, with long fingers, distinct veins—and raised an eyebrow. "Fine, I'll hold you."
And so, Ying Tongchen took his hand, wrapping his fingers around it, holding Zhuo Shu's hand captive within his grasp.
Zhuo Shu froze for a moment, his expression a bit uneasy. He instinctively tried to withdraw his hand, but the movement only caused their fingers to intertwine.
Zhuo Shu: "..."
Ying Tongchen: "..."
Zhuo Shu: "Uh... that's not quite what I meant."
"Mm, I know."
Despite the awkwardness, neither of them let go. Just then, the valet arrived with the car, and they quickly slipped inside.
"Let's eat first,” Zhuo Shu said, his voice a little strained. “It's already so late," he emphasized, starting the engine and heading toward a nearby restaurant.
…
Ying Tongchen surveyed the restaurant’s decor, a dawning realization in his eyes. It was a moderately priced lunch—affordable, but not exactly cheap. He'd cover it; the room had been Zhuo Shu's treat.
As they waited for their food, Zhuo Shu noticed Ying Tongchen fidgeting in his seat. He discreetly signaled the waitress and requested a cushion.
The waitress’s expression as she left was… interesting.
Halfway through the meal, Zhuo Shu looked up and glanced at him. “Consider your trial period over,” he said. “What are your plans? Anything you need?”
Ying Tongchen paused, momentarily thrown by the shift in conversation. He wasn't sure how their comfortable lunch had suddenly become an interview. After a moment, he replied, “I’d like a peaceful lunch.”
Zhuo Shu paused for a few seconds. “That’s it?”
“Mhm.”
“No other requests?”
“Mhm,” Ying Tongchen replied lazily. “This peaceful lunch is proving challenging enough. You really are anything but quiet.”
Zhuo Shu furrowed his brow. “Watch your tone.”
“You* really are anything but quiet.”
(TLN: Lol our mc used the formal ‘you(您)’ in the second line, as opposed to the casual ‘you(你)’ )
“...”
Zhuo Shu huffed, continuing his meal, determined not to say another word directly to him! The silence, naturally, was short-lived.
“Alas,” he muttered, just loud enough to be heard, “some people have a nice face, but their mouths—”
“Thanks for the compliment.” Ying Tongchen said, offering a piece of steak on his fork, poised invitingly near Zhuo Shu’s mouth. “Have some.”
Zhuo Shu blinked, his eyes momentarily crossing as he focused on the offered meat. He opened his mouth and took a bite. "You know how to please people when you want to," he commented. “If you were always this well-behaved, it’d be perfect."
Ying Tongchen sighed helplessly. Was there truly no way to make him shut up?
Zhuo Shu finished his meal, his gaze lingering on his fork for a moment before he lifted his chin, a subtle gesture that didn't go unnoticed.
Ying Tongchen hesitantly offered him one last bite, which Zhuo Shu ate with relish.
“Zhuo Shu!” A woman's voice cut through the air.
Hu Lai, her high heels clicking a staccato rhythm against the floor, marched toward their table. Her eyes, narrowed with anger, were glued to the fork in Ying Tongchen's hand. She took a sharp breath, pointed a finger at him, and turned to Zhuo Shu. “Who is he?”
Ying Tongchen calmly withdrew his hand, watching the sudden appearance of the peach blossom* with a detached expression and not wanting to get involved. He wiped his mouth, stood up, and said, "You guys chat. I’ll head back.”
(TLN: peach blossom 桃花 is usually indicative of a lover)
But as he passed Zhuo Shu, his wrist was seized and he was pulled back sharply, landing heavily on Zhuo Shu's lap.
Ying Tongchen: “...”
Uh-oh.
Zhuo Shu eyes locked on Ying Tongchen's, completely disregarding the woman beside them. "Tell her," he commanded. "What are you to me?”
Ying Tongchen met his gaze, saying nothing.
Zhuo Shu subtly pressed his hand into Ying Tongchen's back, a clear message both suggestive and threatening.
Ying Tongchen’s brow furrowed, shrugged off Zhuo Shu’s hand, and stood up. Just as Zhuo Shu looked ready to lose his temper, Ying Tongchen muttered, with evident irritation, “Your legs are too hard, it's uncomfortable.”
He returned to his seat, patted the soft cushion, and feigned annoyance. “This is much better; it’s all your fault.”
Zhuo Shu's frown softened slightly.
Hu Lai’s eyes widened, the shock registering slowly. Her trembling finger pointed at them accusingly. “You! You two... Zhuo Shu, is everything they said true? For the sake of excitement, you went and... chose this...”
She gestured vaguely toward Ying Tongchen, but the words "pet" or "plaything" died on her lips as she took in his appearance. After a visible struggle, all she could manage, through clenched teeth, was, "You're so young—how could you…degrade yourself like this?!"
“It’s a mutual choice, nothing more.” Ying Tongchen said evenly.
In such a situation, a lingering woman inevitably draws attention. Hu Lai needed to be escorted out, and soon.
But reason rarely prevailed in such heated moments. A more…persuasive approach was necessary.
With that in mind, Ying Tongchen poured a glass of water, placed it gently on the table, and offered a disarming smile, “It’s quite warm out. Please, have some water.”
Hu Lai, grabbing the glass, was suddenly faced with Ying Tongchen’s calm, collected, almost…imposing figure—as if she were the mistress in the relationship. Enraged, she splashed the water in his face.
“Hu Lai!” Zhuo Shu’s voice was like ice. "Apologize to him immediately, or the partnership with your family is finished."
“You'd end our deal for someone as insignificant as him?!” Hu Lai’s gaze was disbelieving. “Have you lost your mind?!”
“I think it’s you who’s lost your mind,” Zhuo Shu said coldly. “Apologize.”
“Impossible!” Hu Lai ignored his words and stormed off in anger.
Zhuo Shu handed him a tissue. Water droplets clung to Ying Tongchen's face, and his hair was damp.
The waitress, scenting a juicy tidbit, practically sprinted to the table and began clearing it with exaggerated efficiency. The expression on her face as she looked at the two of them was even more suggestive.
Ying Tongchen dabbed at his face with the tissue, casually pushing his damp hair back.“I’ll forgive the drenching,” he said dryly, “but what about this lunch bill...?”
“I’ll pay.”
“Deal.”
“Your clothes are soaked through; we should go to the mall and buy a new set.”
"No need."
"Listen to me," Zhuo Shu said, rising to pay the bill.
…
On the drive to the nearest mall, Zhuo Shu thought for a moment, weighing his options, before saying, "I have no personal relationship with her, and I'm done with her family's business. I just didn’t want to be impolite, out of courtesy."
"So, you're using me, someone completely unrelated, to be your scapegoat?"
"Mhm." Zhuo Shu paused. "Are you… angry?"
"I’m fine." Ying Tongchen dropped his humble demeanor and walked straight into a men's clothing store. "Bring out your most stylish clothes, no matter the price."
Zhuo Shu chuckled to himself. ‘He hasn't even hit the big time yet, and he's already acting like a superstar. If he really becomes famous, he'll be out of this world.’
But compared to solving this issue with the Hu family, what were a few clothes? It was like gifting a couple of houses—ah, no, wait. He’d heard that gifting houses too early was a bad idea. Otherwise, this little one might get too cocky.