Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 236: Extra 9

In the second year of his work at Richard Rogers, both Zhang Siyi’s and Gu Yu’s company made a bid for the same project. It was for a new elementary school being built in central England. Being both assigned as lead designers for their respective Firms, Zhang Siyi was very excited about this once-in-a-lifetime competitive opportunity.

At that time, Zhang Siyi had a considerable grasp of his own skill level. Being fully immersed in the fun of architectural design, he was eager for the challenge. While hanging up his tie, Zhang Siyi held his chin up confidently and declared: “You are not allowed to peek. No cheating!”

Lying on the bed, Gu Yu crossed his feet, set down his book and looked up at him: “Ok” The two men discussed the household rules over the course of the project and decided that they would not mention the project at home and not exchange ideas. The winner will be decided by their own skills.

In the face of such a strong enemy as Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi actually didn’t have much confidence in winning. After all, Gu Yu has left a deep impression on him not just because they were lovers, but also because he had guided and taught Zhang Siyi so much about architecture. After so many years of hard work, Zhang Siyi wanted to take the opportunity to see just how much he had caught up to Gu Yu professionally. For this reason, he must do his best.

The bidding period lasted a month long. Even though Zhang Siyi had two undergraduate interns working with him, he only handed over simple tasks for them to finish. Whether it was on-site research, understanding the project background, or talking to Party A directly, he did almost all of the work by himself.

During the past thirty days, Zhang Siyi left home early in the morning and returned late. He rode the trains several times to the project site to interview families around the area. He wanted to understand the needs of the people who would attend the school and what requirements the school board had for their new building.

Although the statistical and background information about the site could be shared, in order to achieve absolute independent designs, they wanted to adhere to their agreement so Gu Yu never asked Zhang Siyi about what he learned.

Now that the time has come, in the conference room, along with other firms, the two with their respective teams, presented their works. Since they lived together and looked at the same reference books, Zhang Siyi was worried their design ideas would end up being similar. At this point, they were more interested in what each other created rather than who ‘won’ the bid!

Since the British evaluated proposals and prepared documents differently than in China, the results of the bid weren’t awarded by the end of the day. Having several different firms present plans, it wasn’t until a week later that they were informed of the decision.

When they got home after their presentations, Zhang Siyi couldn’t wait to see the plan Gu Yu created. Fortunately, Gu Yu plans weren’t similar to Zhang Siyi’s at all. Like he had in the past, Gu Yu’s style reflected the Bauhaus movement of the early twentieth century. The forms are classic, the space is compact and the materials are simple. It was conservative to a certain extent and it often meant that new construction innovations couldn’t be implemented.

Zhang Siyi’s design is much more free form. He proposed a hemispherical design. Although it is not easy to construct as compared to Gu Yu’s design, the vision was very distinctive and unique. With large and small rounded shapes and a playful interior, the whole building looked like bubbles emerging from the ground. Moreover, he introduced environmentally friendly materials and implemented windows at specific locations to utilized natural light to create spectacular shadow effects.

Both of them appreciated each other’s plans. Zhang Siyi felt that Gu Yu’s design was superb and worthy of being realized. Gu Yu secretly marveled at Zhang Siyi’s design talent. This time, the plans were mature and very spiritual without any sacrifice. Although it is just a simple bubble shape, the plans give evidence to something greater; a glimpse into the works by a master’s hand.

A few days later, Zhang Siyi’s plan was selected. Holding Gu Yu, he excitedly hugged and kissed him and said: “Not bad, right?”

“Awesome and brilliant.” Gu Yu wasn’t disappointed that he lost the bid. In fact, he gained a sense of gratification because Zhang Siyi finally caught up. He couldn’t restrain his broad smile.

Zhang Siyi’s design was selected by Richard Rogers as the company’s best work of the year, and won the award for Outstanding Young Architects in 2021.

As an Asian living in London, to be awarded a mainstream architectural award that the industry recognized in the United Kingdom, was like a like a pie in the sky; completely unbelievable!

Giving Zhang Siyi some popularity, this good news had spread to the industry in China. Old friends who were still connected to the industry sent their blessings after hearing about it. Although it was the smallest award for architects in England, it was a huge stepping stone for Zhang Siyi’s career.

In the RIBA exam six months later, Zhang Siyi successfully passed the examination and final interview. He achieved his lifelong dream and obtained a Royal Registered Architect’s license.

Since then, Zhang Siyi has been like a person possessed of divine light; bold and full of confidence!

After working in England for another half a year, with a total of five years living together in London, Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu felt homesick and wanted to return to China. Shortly thereafter, they resigned from their respective jobs and moved back home.

While Yuanshan Garden remained their home and Haicheng was still Haicheng, Borderless was no more.

With the ups and downs of the domestic construction industry, when the former director retired, Borderless was merged with Firm X four years ago. Since the design philosophy of Firm X wasn’t like Borderless, Tao Fei couldn’t come to an agreement. As a result, he left the company to pursue his own ambition.

Fortunately, they live in the era of the internet and the distance between people was irrelevant.  For a long time, they chatted through their old group chat that Zhang Siyi originally established from Borderless.

It took Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu several months to find the whereabouts of their old colleagues including the ballpoint-pen-combo, Yuan Zhicheng, Zhu Hongzhen, and Bi Lele, as well as Xu jia, and three members from design group B.

Over the last six years, they all have been married. Be Lele’s baby was two years old. Zhu Hongzhen even started his own small architect business. Even so, when they learned that Gu Yu and Zhang Siyi were going to create a new architectural company, they did not hesitate to resign and return to working under Gu Yu.

It was a pity that not everyone could join them. The chicken-wing-couple, Ji Feiyu and Du Ruixuan, as well as Qiao Mai were abducted by the Fat Peach. Together they have established a small firm that specialized in Feng Shui. Although Gu Yu was unwilling to apply pressure and uproot them, he wanted to keep in touch.

The new company’s name was called “GSY architectural design firm” written with the three English letters, GSY, that reflect their names. They might not be able to bare children, but GSY was their baby.

In August of 2022, three months before Zhang Siyi’s 30th birthday, they opened the new office.

In the blazing sun of summer, GSY’s floor-to-ceiling windows, radiated warmth. The spacious office space was dotted with organic-shaped design tables.

On all the walls, there were many display boards with various drawings and random diagrams pinned up. There were pruned plants on each desktop. Architects gathered together in the conference room to discuss the interior in whispers. Sometimes, a loud dispute was heard.

“The columns of the interior space need to be removed.”

“All of them? Are you fucking kidding me?”

“The roof beams can be adjusted to span eight meters and they can be covered with synthetic resin tiles. Doing so will expand the space and save costs.”

“But after adjusting the span, the lower structure will have to be redone …”

Not far away, Gu Yu came out of the office and called Zhang Siyi’s name.

Hearing his name, Zhang Siyi looked in that direction. Before going over to Gu Yu, he turned his head back to the person and said: “Since it’s not feasible, then redo it. Why not try to meet the function of the space?”

Struggling structural engineer: “% ￥ # ……”

“What’s the matter?” Zhang Siyi asked and smiled happily as if to counter Gu Yu’s strict attitude towards the engineer.

Gu Yu flipped through the two pages of information on the clipboard then handed it to Zhang Siyi: “A recent undergraduate is applying for the position of assistant architect. Here, he is waiting in the reception room now. Go interview him.”

Zhang Siyi took it, glanced at the photo at the top of the application and laughed: “Oh, you like the applicants to be handsome, huh?”

Gu Yu glared at him and said in a deep voice: “Go. Be serious.”

Zhang Siyi smirked at him then walked to the meeting room. Wearing a thin T-shirt, the candidate was sitting upright at the small table, looking nervous. Although the air conditioner was turned on, there was a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead.

Zhang Siyi coughed lightly and the man immediately looked up and respectfully said: “Hello.”

“Hello.” Zhang Siyi smiled and took out his business card from the shirt pocket and handed it to him. The card was printed with:

张思毅

Siyi Zhang

Royal Registered Architect (member of RIBA Association)

Chief Architect

GSY Design Director

The young man looked completely surprised. He glanced at Zhang Siyi several times to compared his face with the business card. He couldn’t believe someone so young had such grand titles.

Glancing at the applicant’s information once again, Zhang Siyi sat down at the table and looked at him in the eye. He calmly asked: “Li Donghe, right? Come and tell me why did you study architecture and why did you apply to GSY? What goals do you have for the future?”

【Fin】

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 235: Extra 8

Since Richard Rogers won a bid for a project in China, not only was Zhang Siyi the liaison between the two companies, but he was also appointed as the main designer. As a result, there were several opportunities to travel from London to his home in China.

Although he was busy with official business, the first time he traveled back to China, Zhang Siyi went home to visit his parents. When he arrived, he had to face his father. No matter from which angle one looked at it, Father Zhang was acting a little awkward. That’s right. It is the first time Zhang Siyi has seen his father since his revelation.

From within his suitcase, Zhang Siyi pulled out some health care products that he brought back from England and said: “Dad, Mom told me your joints are bothering you lately, right? I bought you some red shrimp oil. It’s good for your joints.”

Father Zhang was only lukewarm and said “Hmm.” Sitting on the sofa, he seemed to want to say something, but stopped.

Taking out a few more bottles and jars, he gave his mother a set of high-end skin-care products from the duty-free shop. Finally, he took out a bottle of liquor from the bottom of the box and handed it to his Father: “Gu Yu asked me to bring this to you. “

Father Zhang’s eyes lit up when he heard: “Why did he give me liquor?”

Explaining with a smile, Zhang Siyi spoke: “Not long ago, we went to tour Wales. We went to a local distillery and taste-tested various flavors of whiskey. It’s better than the named brand at the stores. Gu Yu noticed you like to drink, so he bought two bottles. One for you and another bottle for me to give to his father.”

Carefully inspecting the bottle, Father Zhang stiffened then faintly smiled. He was obviously very happy but pretended to be indifferent: “Thank him for me.” He pointed to the stack of health-care products and calmly asked: “Take some to Gu Yu’s parents as well.”

Inwardly, Zhang Siyi smirked. In fact, he had prepared it all in advance, but he still responded to his father like it was his Father’s idea: “Ok.”

After he finished with official business while in China, Zhang Siyi tried to make time in his schedule to visit home in Ningcheng. Each time, he brought back small gifts that Gu Yu picked out for his father like a belt, a shirt, a tie, etc.…. One can never underestimate the power of small sugar-coated gifts!

 After a few months, Father Zhang’s attitude softened a lot. Although he hadn’t said anything with regards to his sexuality, his father started to ask Zhang Siyi for his opinions and asked questions about himself and how he was doing in London while living with Gu Yu. It was as though his father wanted to know more about his son for the first time.

It is one thing to look at photographs and another to hear about them from personal experience. Since Zhang Siyi had learned a thing or two over the years by watching Gu Yu’s acting skills, unlike a few years ago when he used to frequently fight with his father, Zhang Siyi knew what to say to his father to be courteous and keep things calm.

Not only does it take a long time to fly from country to country, it also wreaks havoc on your sleeping rhythms due to the time differences. After a year of flying back and forth to make reports, sign contracts, and troubleshoot issues, Zhang Siyi lacked his usual energy and looked rather haggard.

When the project was finally over, he specifically went home to visit his parents since it was the last time he would be able to go home for many months. At dinner, when he caught his father sneaking peeks at his hand multiple times, he realized he had forgotten to take off his ring! Upon his realization, he clenched his fingers into a fist in an attempt to mask his ring. He was so nervous, he wasn’t able to eat properly

After dinner, as his mother cleared the table and washed the dishes, Father Zhang summoned Zhang Siyi to the study alone for a talk. Even though Father Zhang intended to interrogate his son about the matter, when he saw how uneasy and haggard he was, Zhang Siyi’s father couldn’t bear it.

His son was already grown-up. Zhang Siyi matured into a hard-working adult with his own career and way of life. It would be meaningless to ‘educate’ him at this point. His father exhaled with a long, drawn-out sigh then went straight to the point: “You and Gu Yu… Your mother and I already know.”

Zhang Siyi expressed surprise and pretended to be ignorant: “What? How do you know?”

Father Zhang: “Well, I am your Father, what don’t I know? When you open your mouth, I can see the bottom of your stomach. I know what you are thinking by just looking!”

Zhang Siyi: “……” (=_=) Really?

Even though Zhang Siyi held his hands behind him and thus, hiding his ring, Father Zhang glanced towards his hands and motioned slightly: “You are wearing a ring. Is this matter already settled?”

Zhang Siyi bowed his head weakly asked: “Dad … Can you really accept us? “

Father Zhang said with an attitude: “What can I do? If I don’t accept it, are you planning to stay in London and not come back?”

Zhang Siyi: “I didn’t…”  Did his father think he went to England to avoid him?

Father Zhang: “Okay, you don’t need to explain this to me anymore. The person you are looking for is Elder Gu, but don’t worry. I have already spoken to him and his family already accepts it so you don’t have to hide anymore. Just come home.”

Zhang Siyi looked at his father with love as his statement was both funny and touching. Zhang Siyi couldn’t help but step forward and give his father a long bear hug. With a quivering voice, he affectionately said: “Dad, thank you.”

When he returned to his apartment in London, due to the success of the project, Zhang Siyi was given a week off. That night, Gu Yu personally prepared a candlelight dinner for Zhang Siyi and they spent all night together in bed until exhaustion. Holding Gu Yu close, Zhang Siyi told him the good news: “My father gave us his approval and told us to come home.”

Happy, Gu Yu opened his eyes up in surprise: “Really? So fast! Was he that impressed by the gift I gave him?” They thought it would take a lot longer for his father to accept them.

“Come on, why do you think you have all the credit?” Zhang Siyi proudly displayed his left hand and said: “This time, I was very busy and ws too tired to think about the details so I forgot to take off my ring. When he saw it, he was unable to keep quiet and openly talked to me.”

While Gu Yu listened, Zhang Siyi elaborated about the conversation with his dad. Gu Yu grinned and said: “So, it was because of the ring that you can be honest? Since I gave you that ring, isn’t it my credit?”

Zhang Siyi burst into anger in an instant: “… Hey!”

Gu Yu grabbed his left hand, holding it and said: “Ha-ha! I’m just teasing you! Ok you fool, being forgetful developed into something good.”

Gritted his teeth, an old issue popped into mind and Zhang Siyi pressured Gu Yu into explaining himself: “Hey, when it comes to the ring, weren’t you originally planning on giving it to me as my twenty-third birthday gift?”

Gu Yu froze: “How did you know?”

Zhang Siyi told Gu Yu about getting up at night to use the toilet when he stepped on the ring box on the floor. In fact, this matter has been on his mind and in his heart for a long time. After Gu Yu gave him the ring, he never mentioned it.

Taking advantage of the situation, Zhang Siyi wanted an explanation: “I have been curious, why did you suddenly give me a mobile phone instead? Was the decision to give me a ring so easily changed?”

With a rare trace of uncertainty, Gu Yu was silent for a moment before he started to explain: “We hadn’t even been together for a year yet at that time. I contemplated it for a long time and was very unsure of myself. I was afraid it was too fast for you and I was terrified that you would end things between us. It just so happened that your mobile phone was lost so I opted to give you one to replace it. Later, when we were accepted to study in London, do you remember that night, yelling at me over the phone and later together in bed… ? At that time, I wanted to give you the ring.”

Zhang Siyi remembered. The memory was very touching: “Then why did you give it to me at the airport instead of the night during our anniversary?”

Gu Yu tilted his head: “I always felt that proposing on an anniversary was too cliché, so I wanted to wait for a more suitable opportunity.”

“And walking through the airport was more appropriate!?” Zhang Siyi firmly asked. In a flash the real answer came to mind: “Wait, was it because you were …” Zhang Siyi paused, second guessing himself: “Were you jealous of Fu Xinhui?”

Gu Yu: “…”

Watching Gu Yu look away in silence to evade the question served to confirm Zhang Siyi’s suspicion. Since he was unhappy that Fu Xinhui called and was taking up Zhang Siyi time, Gu Yu deliberately gave him the ring to interrupt his call.

Damn, so childish! And to think that he was deeply touched for so long! (=皿=)

__________________________

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 234: Extra 7

However, in the absence of further communication with his father, Zhang Siyi couldn’t verbally confirm or reveal anything more through the photographs.

Even though he quietly maintained the status quo, the prolonged unresolved state was torturous. instead of remaining silent, it was better if his father took action and either called him up and shouted at him or flown directly to London to beat him.

It wasn’t until two week later that Zhang Siyi learned the reason why his father acted so distant. It wasn’t something he had done. It was Gu Yu’s father’s doing.

“What do you mean it’s your dad’s fault?” Zhang Siyi, who had just heard the news from Gu Yu was worried and firmly asked: “What exactly did your dad do? Did he tell my dad?”

Gu Yu shook his head and said: “My dad did the same thing as us and made a private WeChat group for your father. In it, he posted a well-known article in the group about sexuality, titled: “What should a parent do when your child is gay?”

Being caught by surprise, Zhang Siyi nearly choked. Coughing, the rice he was eating practically sprayed out of his mouth: “What!? How do you know? Did you ask him?”

Gu Yu glanced at him: “Yeah. Do you think I haven’t noticed your mood recently? Do you think I’m not worried? If the problem wasn’t something we did, I wondered if my parents did something. After all, they exchanged contact information after the wedding and I must assume they have contacted each other since then in private. I spoke with my father this morning and I told him about your father’s recent behavior. Guess what? My father gloated about it. In his words, he said “Ah-ha! That article I forwards to Siyi’s dad a few days ago had some effect!”

Zhang Siyi: “…” Damn it! Thanks to him, he was so stressed! He repeatedly checked his online posting thinking he had made a mistake. Every day he fretted about what he should tell his dad. In the end, his mother had over thought the whole process because simply put, Zhang Siyi had no effect!

Gu Yu: “I’ll know more when I talk to him again. My dad also told me that he was better to handle your father because he was his peer. It’s especially so since your father is rather concerned with his image. If he knew his son was gay, he would never admit it. However, what if my dad could influence his opinion and change his mind? Coming from someone from an older generation would have more weight, right? Your dad would reflect, if my father could accept it, then why couldn’t he?”

Zhang Siyi didn’t want to say anything. He simply wanted to bow down and worship Elder Gu!

Gu Yu smiled: “Of course, the photos we sent to your father weren’t meaningless. Now that he had sorted through them again, he is probably reevaluating their meaning. His silence just means he is seriously considering the matter. Don’t worry about it too much. We are far away in the UK. If he is angry, let him be angry. He won’t be seeing us for a long time.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” He suspected that Gu Yu arranged it all! (=_=)

Not surprisingly, after some time had passed, Gu Yu updated Zhang Siyi on the topic of his father’s involvement. Gu Yu told him that Father Zhang began to seek out his father secretly to talk about homosexuality and what to do if a child was gay.

Eager to hear more, Zhang Siyi quickly asked: “What did your father say?”

Gu Yu chuckled and took out his mobile phone: “They have been chatting for a while. My father sent me screenshots. You can see it for yourself.”

Zhang Siyi couldn’t wait to take a look. At first, Father Gu didn’t express his unconditional support. He honestly told Father Zhang his thoughts about the struggles he had in his heart and his unwillingness to accept it. Zhang Siyi’s father immediately responded with similar thoughts. He took the opportunity to delve into the topic more seriously and discussed many social problems.

For a few days, the two of them talked about various topics ranging from recent events to their hobbies and having established a better relationship, the topic returned to the issue of homosexuality.

The latest chat record from two days ago showed Father Gu finally bringing the crux of the matter to Father Zhang: “You’ve also read the article. Like a child that is born with a physical or mental disability, it reports that homosexuality is something a person is born with. Do parents abandon their disabled children? If this kind of thing happens, I think it is not something one can control. It is an issue that is difficult for parents to accept when it happens to their own child. Regardless of what other families think, in my own family, if my child really likes another of the same sex, as long as they are truly happy, then his mother and I will support them.”

After Gu Yu’s father sent his long message to Zhang Siyi’s father, there was a time lapse of twenty minutes. Eventually, Father Zhang replied: “I see…. You have been enlightened. How can you be so open-minded?”

Reading the messages, Zhang Siyi almost burst into tears. Despite Father Gu’s best efforts, Zhang Siyi’s father didn’t seem to understand or maybe, he simply couldn’t accept the facts.

Amused, Gu Yu looked at him and chuckled: “If you read further, there is something interesting.”

Using his thumb, Zhang Siyi scrolled the messages down on his mobile phone. Father Zhang tried to validate his own beliefs and challenged Gu Yu’s father: “I don’t think my son is gay. Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu have a very good relationship and they are in the UK. If they really are together, what are you going to do?”

Father Gu replied: “Ha-ha! Didn’t I already say at the wedding? If Siyi was a girl, I would want my son to marry him. Elder Zhang, even as they are, are you really so reluctant?”

Father Zhang: “Elder Gu, you jest. Gu Yu is an excellent son. If I had a daughter, I would willingly marry her off. To be honest, since reading the article you sent me, because our two sons have a very good relationship, there isn’t a day I don’t think about it, but even so, I can’t accept it. If Zhang Siyi was gay and brings home a man, I can not agree to it, even if it breaks my relationship with him. I am more worried about the scourge of others.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Father Gu: “Elder Zhang, you don’t give your son enough credit. He is a hard-working and an obedient son. A real treasure.”

   ……

Afterwards, the two elders bragged about them one after the other. Looking through the comments, Zhang Siyi clenched his teeth. Smirking, he finally thossed Gu Yu’s phone back to him.

Gu Yu smiled: “Now can we relax?”

Zhang Siyi hugged him with relief and sighed: “It’s ok now.”

Gently patting his back, Gu Yu smiled and said: “This is what’s called strength in numbers. Even though your Father isn’t on board now, we have the full support of our loved ones. Sooner or later, with the help of everyone, he will come around.”

Yes, to have this happy situation today, not only was it due to Zhang Siyi’s and Gu Yu’s effort the past six months, but also because of Mother Zhang’s secret assistance. Everyone is helping them.

Zhang Siyi wanted to laugh and cry: “Poor Dad …”

Soon after, Zhang Siyi received a message from his mother saying that his father had forwarded the article to her. Mother Zhang laughed happily on the phone: “He still treats me as if I didn’t know anything. Last night at dinner, he lectured me about homosexuality. It was really amusing.”

Zhang Siyi smirked and said: “It’s good. Let Dad think he was the first to know. Don’t inform him otherwise.”

Mother Zhang: “Okay.”

In order to let Father Zhang, enjoy the status of being the head of the family, if a lie can protect his dignity, then pretending to be ignorant was a small price to pay.

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