Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 94: Feeling

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Unlike the idyllic Chinese farmhouse exterior, the interior is carefully renovated.

Since Zhang Siyi is more in touch with design trends, he can easily tell that the inside was designed by a professional that specialized in interior spaces. The specific style of the interior was hard to describe as there were both traditional Chinese details, Japanese-style places and modern designed areas. Even though there were modern elements in contrast to the traditionally designed ones, the interior space was very harmonious.

For example, in the kitchen area, there was a large glass panel that was hanging from the ceiling to help isolate kitchen fumes. Even though the implementation of the wall was high-tech and modern, the panel itself has a matte finish with an ancient Chinese landscape sandblasted onto the glass.

Except for the visible kitchen behind the glass, the layout of the house is sparse with only two areas to accommodate guests. One area is fashioned traditionally with a Chinese square table and other traditional elements. The other area has an elevated platform with a passage that surrounds a large rectangular table. In this way, guests can feel like they are sitting on a Japanese-style tatami mat without having to remove their shoes.

Although the place setting welcomed them, no one sat down. Old Chiang intended for them to sit at the large rectangular table as there were five place settings consisting of bowls and chopsticks there. Since they weren’t it a hurry to sit down, they wanted to continue exploring the interior.

Dressed in rough clothes, Old Chiang came out from behind the glass to greet everyone: “You are free to look around. Upstairs is the tea house. I’m still preparing the food and it will take another twenty minutes. Old Four can bring you upstairs in the meantime.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” Old Four? Who? Gu Yu?

“Don’t worry, take your time. I’ll take them up for a cup of tea.” Gu Yu took off his jacket, hung it on the rack near the entrance, then flipped a switch. The question of ‘up-stairs’ was answered as the glow of the lamps hanging down from above, showed the way up.

The edge of the staircase was surrounded by thin, vertical wooden slats. In the dark, at first it looked like a partitioned wall, however when the lights were turned on, the light coming through the gaps in the slats made the wall glow making the wall look like a glowing harp.

They marveled at the staircase sculpture as they followed Gu Yu up. On the second floor, there were three tea tables separated by wooden frames and curtains. A wide variety of small handmade sculptures decorated the room. In addition, one wall was wholly comprised of bookshelves from top to bottom. There was a poetic quote in beautiful script written on another one of the walls.

Gu Yu led the group to sit at one of the tables then went to pick out a tea. Zhang Siyi went over to the round window and looked outside. From this point of view, he could see, like a glittering pearl in mud, the moon reflected in the large water tank that was in the backyard. By looking at the picturesque scene, Zhang Siyi momentarily forgot about his troubles of the outside world.

Rummaging through the shelves, Gu Yu picked out leaves and a tea set on the shelf. He put the water on to boil and asked them to sit.

Gu Yao was the first to inquire: “Brother, who was that? Your classmate?

Gu Yu: “Well, we lived in the same dormitory.”

Gu Yao: “How come I haven’t met him?”

Gu Yu: “He wasn’t in Haicheng for the reunion last Christmas.”

Zhang Siyi sat down and asked: “So he also studied architecture?”

Gu Yu nodded and smiled at him: “This place is his own handi-work; from design to construction to decoration.”

He Xueying was surprised: “He built it himself?”

Aside from Gu Yu, everyone else was shocked. Indeed, in a modern city with a clear division of labor, it seems like an incredible feat to be able to build a house by yourself from the ground up.

Gu Yu said: “Since he is a licensed architect, this small building isn’t difficult. You just need a few carpenters to help build it.”

Zhang Siyi closed his wide-open mouth: “With this talent, how can he not do architecture?”

Gu Yao nodded: “Yeh. Why did he open a restaurant if he is so good at architecture?”

Gu Yu proposed a question: “An architect can’t open a restaurant? Everyone has their own pursuit. He didn’t want to design buildings seriously. Instead, he wanted to open a restaurant. He is free to choose what he wants.”

As Gu Yu finished his statement, Old Chiang came up with a plate of fruit and handed it to Gu Yu. He smiled at them: “Drink tea first. I’ll call you when ready.”

Everyone thanked him and watched Old Chiang hurriedly go down the stairs. He Chengtian frowned and asked: “Since this place is so remote, does anyone ever come?”

Gu Yu raised an eyebrow: “Are we not people?”

He Chengtian: “I don’t mean that! I mean your classmate; how can he make money?”

Since entering this eatery, everyone can’t help but worry about whether or not the restaurant is profitable and whether it will be open for a long time, but only He Chengtian voiced his opinions outright. The restaurant was like a lost treasure and with its joyous discovery, it makes one want to share with others in hopes that they will also appreciate it.

Sipping the tea slowly, Gu Yu sighed with relief, then looked up at He Chengtian. He said: “If I told you, Old Chiang did not open this restaurant for profit, would you believe me?”

Obviously, He Chengtian does not believe it: “Not for profit? How can he live?”

Gu Yu selected a piece of fruit from the dish and started peeling it. He said: “Is it not easy to live? Since he is an architect, he has his own means of earning a living. We are all grown-ups here. Why are you worried about how he lives his life?” Gu Yu put a few slices in his mouth and chewed. Swallowing, he continued: “Opening a restaurant is something he has longed to do from a young age. Making money wasn’t the point. He likes to entertain guests and treat them as friends, not as customers. “

Even though He Chengtian listened to the words spoken by Gu Yu, he completely did not understand the meaning of doing such a thing.

Gu Yu thought He Chengtian wouldn’t be able to understand so he didn’t bother explaining it further. He poured a cup of tea: “Less nonsense, drink tea. I think you, who has only thought about money will never understand the ‘feeling’ for things.

He Chengtian was angry: “What ‘feeling’? I think it’s just being pretentious.”

Gu Yu patiently explained: “Its something you want to do for your own sake even if it seems useless to others. It is a satisfaction of heart and mind and not monetary gains and losses.” Gu Yu paused suddenly then turned to He Chengtian and smirked: “Maybe for you, the value of money itself is probably your ‘feeling’. In the eyes of Old Chiang, money is not what he pursues.”

He Chengtian: “…”

Zhang Siyi wasn’t sure if He Chengtian understood what Gu Yu was saying, but he did. Gu Yu chose this place to eat in direct opposition to the values He Chengtian so rudely expressed earlier at noon. Gu Yu wanted to directly show He Chengtian a different kind of value and lifestyle. Also, Zhang Siyi finally understood the meaning of ‘personal feelings’ that Gu Yu once answered to Fu Xinhui about architecture months ago in KTV.

If someone asked him why he was doing architecture in the future, Zhang Siyi would also say it was because of ‘personal feelings’.

The five of them freely chatting and by the time they were drinking the fifth cup of tea, from downstairs, Old Chiang called for them to come to dinner.

Now feeling hungry, even after drinking probiotic black tea, they couldn’t wait to eat. Gathering around the table, they sat down and were surprised to find the area was hot. Several asked if there was a heating blanket. While serving vegetables, Old Chiang laughed and told them that it was the work of the northeast style Kang heating system. As he explained, Zhang Siyi also realized they weren’t sitting on Japanese-style tatami mats, but the Kang heater. Not expecting it in a place where many facilities in Haicheng didn’t have heat at all, they were able to enjoy this special treat.

As Old Chiang placed the food on the table, he introduced every dish in detail; where the fish came from, about the chickens caught back home, from which mountains harvested what vegetable and, even the pork chops that were directly ordered and shipped from a friend’s farm.

Even though the food was common, steamed squid, sweet and sour pork ribs, spring bamboo shoots, stewed chicken soup…., the plates were carefully and artfully plated. Each dish conveyed Old Chiang’s values and aesthetics in life. He also poured them a glass of wine that Old Chiang personally made. It stands to reason, since Gu Yu brought them there, the taste will not disappoint.

It’s no wonder that birds of a feather flock together. Although the decoration and layout of this house is quite different from Gu Yu’s villa in Yuanshan garden, it gives Zhang Siyi a pleasant cozy feeling similar to that of Gu Yu’s home.

After drinking, Zhang Siyi and He Chengtian couldn’t help themselves from eating multiple bowls of food. The girls also put aside their restraint and ate to their hearts content.

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 93: Guests

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“Really?” Zhang Siyi said. This isn’t some sort of ploy to get me to do on-site research, is it? (→_→)

Gu Yu looked at him and smiled. He didn’t answer this time.

Whether he planned to take him out for work or simply to eat, it didn’t matter to Zhang Siyi as long as it was time spent with the person he liked. He didn’t bother asking Gu Yu if he was teasing him or not. Rubbing and holding his unwashed hand, Zhang Siyi liked feeling wanted. He breathed a sigh of relief.

After a minute, He Xueying broke the silence: “Sisi, you learned how to drive and earned a license, but you don’t use it?”

Zhang Siyi replied: “All my friends were getting their license during the summer after high school graduation so I figured I would get one too. I didn’t know if I would have the opportunity later since I was going abroad.”

He Xueying questioned: “Why didn’t you drive in England? How did you manage when you needed to shop or go out for fun or when you went traveling?”

Zhang Siyi explained: “I lived near the school so I could walk. There were many local supermarkets as well. If the place we wanted to visit wasn’t within walking distance, there were many buses and trains to use and if we needed to travel further, a classmate would rent a car. Since the Chinese license isn’t valid in the UK, I couldn’t drive anyway. I could have retaken the driving exam, but if needed, there were always classmates that could rent a car so I never felt pressured to get a UK license.”

“Oh.” He Xueying replied and continued: “When I lived in Australia, I couldn’t do anything without a car so I thought Britain was the same. When I returned home, I was already used to driving myself everywhere. What about you? Even though you couldn’t drive while you were away, now that you are back in China, didn’t you want to drive?”

Zhang Siyi sullenly answered: “I wouldn’t mind, but I don’t have a car.”

Tapping on the steering wheel with her finger, He Xueying enthusiastically said: “I have it! If you want to drive again, I will practice with you!”

Zhang Siyi was shocked: “In this car!? A Porsche! I can’t drive this car with my beginner ability! If something happened, even just a scratch, I couldn’t pay you back even if I sold my soul!

He Xueying laughed: “Don’t be silly. It’s just a few million!”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Zhang Siyi felt that He Xueying was too good for himself. In other words, the economic strength of the two of them was vastly different. In He Xueying eyes, it is trivial, but for Zhang Siyi, it is difficult to bear. Especially as a man, he feels it is his duty to be supportive and as a result, she simply made Zhang Siyi feel stressed.

Zhang Siyi tactfully refused: “Actually, the subway system in Haicheng is very convenient so I don’t really feel the need to drive.”

Leaning on his elbow, Gu Yu had his chin propped up on his hand gently, looking out the window. Zhang Siyi sneaked a peek at Gu Yu and while Gu Yu wasn’t doing anything different, somehow, Zhang Siyi felt that he looked lonely.

Repeating something Gu Yu said to him, he paused then followed up his statement with: “Besides, driving is not very environmentally friendly.”

Startled, Gu Yu quickly turned to look at Zhang Siyi in the eye.  Zhang smiled at him then feeling a little embarrassed turned away after a few seconds.

Listening to Zhang Siyi speak, He Xueying was very clear about his intentions, so she didn’t ask about it further.

Unexpectedly, Gu Yu commented: “It is a good idea to be proficient at driving not only for trips home to Ningcheng, but also when I take you to other places. I can’t be the only one driving all the time. Since you have a license, I’ll take you to practice later.”

…… Not just back to Ningcheng? And take me somewhere else? (o////o)

Rejoicing at the prospects, Zhang Siyi ears turned red. As if he was hypnotized by Gu Yu, he obediently replied: “Okay”

He Xueying: “…” (=_=) …. It is because of your Boss.

A few minutes later, the car stopped at the location that the GPS brought them too. As it was quite remote, neither were there dining areas nearby nor commercial shops. The place was like an extremely ordinary residential area with farm stands and vendors on the roadside.

“Is this it? I didn’t drive to the wrong spot, did I?” He Xueying was suspicious of Gu Yu.

Gu Yu: “Yes this is it. Up ahead is a school and beyond that is a vacant lot. The place is near there. We can park over here then walk.”

After listening to Gu Yu’s instructions, He Xueying slowly came to a stop and parked her car. Now that they were getting out of the car, everyone was skeptical. The vicinity they drove through wasn’t the cleanliest and the many dilapidated store fronts didn’t do anything to whet their appetites.

Was Gu Yu really trying to teach them something out of a literary movie? What can they say about a roadside stall?  ‘It’s true! Cheap really is delicious.’  They would rather be caught dead then to admit it.

He Chengtian and He Xueying aren’t as simple as Zhang Siyi. While Zhang Siyi can easily be content with eating a spicy rice bowl from a vendor, the brother and sister on the other hand, have experienced gourmet delicacies, and have refined their preferences. It’s not possible for them to think about satisfying their tastes from a roadside stall. In particular, He Chengtian, after being debased, wanted to know what surprise Gu Yu had install for them. Looking at the run-down area, He Chengtian could only felt like Gu Yu was mocking them.

“Lead the way!” He Chengtian wrapped his scarf and carefully bypassed a few vendors selling vegetables. He couldn’t help but complain: “This place is really dirty.”

Continuing to walk, Gu Yu didn’t say anything else. He led the group through a residential area without markings and pulled out his phone to dial a number: “Old Chiang, we are almost there…. Well, Yes. A total of five people…… It’s ok, take your time.…We will sit down….”

Wondering if they were going to someone’s house to eat, Gu Yu continued to guide the group through the residential area until they came to the back of a partially demolished broken factory. …… What the hell! There are restaurants open in the vicinity of a condemned building? How can this be the best place in Haicheng to eat?

Grabbing her brother’s wrist, Gu Yao asked in disbelief: “Brother, is it really here?”

Gu Yu acknowledged her with a “hmm” then patted her back and naturally held her hand protectively as a caring older brother would do.

Walking behind them, Zhang Siyi saw their interaction and suddenly became very envious. He looked at his own left hand and wished he could hold his hand with Gu Yu’s again.

Zhang Siyi thoughts were interrupted when He Chengtian put his arm around Zhang Siyi shoulders and pulled him closer. He whispered to Zhang Siyi: “Hey. You seem to have a very good relationship with Gu Yu.”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Squeezing Zhang Siyi even tighter in an uncomfortable way and gnashing his teeth, He Chengtian said: ”You didn’t want to change jobs because of him, right? Did he threaten you? Or do you like his sister? Are you hoping to ger her by being close to her brother?”

Zhang Siyi: “…………” This is nothing!? (=_=)

Zhang Siyi: “………” ? (=_=)

Zhang Siyi: “…” What’s all this about!?  (=_=)

Although Gu Yu was one important part of his decision, it’s not something he can say. Zhang Siyi took a deep breath and plaintively said: “Honestly, what I told you previously is the truth. I have nothing to do with his sister!”

He Chengtian squinted at him: “You really aren’t interested?”

Zhang Siyi raised his hands in surrender: “I’m not! I swear!”

He Chengtian raised his eyebrows: “His sister is so cute how can you not like her?”

Maybe a normal straight man would think so, but no one could guess that the person he likes is not the sister, but Gu Yu himself. The irony of the situation amused Zhang Siyi. Without hesitation, he replied with a wry smile: “She is pretty cute, but she’s isn’t my type.”

Hearing Zhang Siyi straightforward remarks, He Chengtian suddenly released him and thought Zhang Siyi was once again his childhood friend he always had. He reached out a ruffled up his hair like one would do to a younger brother. He laughed out loud: “Okay…”

As it so happened, at that moment, Gu Yu had turned to look at Zhang Siyi. Witnessing the interactions between the two, Gu Yu wasn’t expecting to see He Chengtian in such a good mood. Gu Yu furrowed his brow. If looks could kill, two cold, sharp daggers would have stabbed He Chengtian in the chest.

He Chengtian instinctively felt a coldness around him like someone was watching him with malicious intent. With a stiff smile, he slowly released Zhang Siyi…. What’s going on? Why did I feel so threatened? (O..O)

After walking for another ten minutes, they finally arrived at the place. Inspecting the scene before them, they were very surprised at the idyllic Chinese courtyard located in the middle of nowhere.

Along a six-meter-long fenced wall, there was a thatched rustic door in the middle with two orange lanterns hanging on either side. A poetic phrase was written on a plaque beside the door welcoming guests.

Surveying the surroundings, Zhang Siyi noticed the courtyard was built between the gaps of he broken factory buildings. The simple exterior wall was about three-stories high and was crafted to look like the natural surrounding environment.

Like a rare flower blooming at the site of an ancient castle in ruins, the courtyard was a stark contrast to the dirty areas with dilapidated buildings and broken windows that they walked through.

Gu Yao carefully stared at the words then turned her head to asked her brother: “Did you write this?”

“Let’s go inside.” Gu Yu didn’t answer his sister question and instead, pulled on the rope for the bell that was hanging beside the door. With a “jingle” that gently sounded, Gu Yu pushed open the door and led everyone down a cobblestone path.

Under the illumination of the lanterns, everyone saw many withered vines, both long and short, growing from the top of the wall downwards, in clumps. There were additional planters inside the courtyard. When spring time comes, sprouts will give life to the seemingly dead looking garden.

As they approached the main entrance, the door automatically opened from the inside. A stoutly built, bald-headed young man greeted them and smiled: “You made it!”

Gu Yu smiled: “Old Chiang, I’ve come again to disturb you.”

The young man known as “Old Chiang” said: “I’m glad you brought guests with you. Please come in.”

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 92: Treat

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Sitting the dark theater surrounded by Gu Yu essence, the last vestige of his dream melded into reality. In a trance, Zhang Siyi didn’t know whether or not he was still dreaming. The prince was chasing after the princess as she ran away, and the touch he felt with his hand seemed so real.

With the grogginess of sleep dissipating, his awareness became clearer and he stared at Gu Yu’s jacket on top of his hand. As he twitched his hand slightly, not only could he feel heat, but he also felt the clear contours of fingers and dry, soft skin of another hand entwined with his. Along the peripheral nerves of his fingertips, through his arm, up to his shoulder and onto his brain, all of the details became more pronounced by the sensations that his nervous system were detecting and transmitting.

Zhang Siyi froze as though he was paralyzed. Is this not what he was just dreaming? Did he unconsciously grab Gu Yu hand? As he sat up straighter, Gu Yu was watching him.

Ah, ah, ah, ah…

When he came to his senses completely, Zhang Siyi reacted strongly, and jerked his hand back quickly feeling embarrassed and ashamed. He couldn’t look Gu Yu in the eye.

“I, I…….” Zhang Siyi fumbled with his sleeves and wiped his mouth and apologized quietly, ” I’m sorry, I fell asleep……”  Zhang Siyi wanted to slap himself silly. How can he react like that to a dream about the person he likes!?

In just that moment, Gu Yu’s normally controlled expressions went through a myriad of changes, from a joyous, yet frustrated smile to a disapproving and regretful smile.

The light in the theater was too dark and Zhang Siyi was still a bit confused. He didn’t know what he had missed. “I, I didn’t mean to.” Looking away, Zhang Siyi clenched his fist, and dared not look at Gu Yu again. It was really embarrassing, for God’s sake, let him die …

Gu Yu whispered a lowly “hmm” and turned to look at the screen, no longer paying attention to him.

As the clock struck twelve, the magic started to unravel and the princess, in a hurry to flee from the ball, dropped her shoe. In a panic, the prince ran after princess hoping to catch her, but instead he found her crystal slipper. With the disappearance of his sweetheart, he looked dazed and lost.

    ……

Since the crystal slipper represented hope, the prince had a chance to find his love. Under the common direction inherent to a fairy tale, the movie ended happily ever after.

After the movie was over, He Chengtian couldn’t prevent himself from yawning: “Shit. Why did I watch such a bad film!? It was so boring, it would have been better to sleep.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Since He Chengtian was sitting on the left side of Gu Yu while Zhang Siyi was sitting on the right side, He Chengtian didn’t detect anything out of the ordinary. Even if he wasn’t watching the screen, there was only Gu Yu’s jacket laying across his leg to look at. However, Zhang Siyi felt like his biggest secret was discovered. With guilty feelings and his head down, he frantically left his seat towards the aisle to exit the theater first.

He Chengtian also stood up and noticed the back of Zhang Siyi quickly and sneakily leaving. Suddenly thinking of the events before the film, he gritted his teeth. Don’t come begging for help later!

The five of them met at the entrance of the theater. Since Zhang Siyi drank coffee and slept, he had an urgent need to use the restroom. Looking at himself in the mirror he saw that his face was still hot and red. In order to splash some water on his face, he reached out to the faucet, but he suddenly stopped and stared at his left hand instead. (o////o)

Aaah. This is the hand that held Gu Yu’s hand…… I don’t want to wash it.

Secretly scolding himself ‘stupid’, he used his other hand instead and washed up.

Leaving the restroom and walking towards everyone else, he saw Gu Yu wearing his jacket, talking to the group with his hands in his pockets. He was asking He Xueying about her next plan.

He Xueying and Zhang Siyi only made plans for the early afternoon. Now that the group was larger than anticipated, she was worried about the next arrangements. Since it’s not late and knowing that her brother and Gu Yu were old classmates, she guessed her brother would propose a treat. She didn’t expect Gu Yu to invite them out.

Unexpectedly, Gu Yu spoke up: “If you don’t have anything urgent, then let me invite you to dinner.”

Catching her off guard, He Xueying was polite: “You? There is no need.”

Gu Yao was also quite surprised: “Brother, are you going to treat us?”

After giving his sister a meaningful look, Gu Yu looked at He Xueying again: “My sister has caused you so much trouble. It is the least I can do to make up for it.”

With an inscrutable expression, Gu Yao grabbed her brother’s arm like a petulant child.

Since Gu Yu offered first, He Chengtian was unhappy. Being one-upped, he was reminded of his incessant second place ranking in high school. He Chengtian purposely made things difficult and suggested: “How about Jade 36 or Li’s Court?”

He Chengtian knows exactly what kind of place Haicheng is. This is a city where material and money are supreme; money, power, and background easily divide people into the three, the six, and the nine. With the price per person in the thousands, he named two of the most famous high-end restaurants in Haicheng. He Chengtian wanted to use these two restaurants to test Gu Yu knowledge and uncover his financial status.

If Gu Yu knows these places, whether to dismiss or compliment, then he can calmly respond which means his financial ability isn’t low. Gu Yu would be able to walk in front of the city and enjoy life, however, if he does not know, He Chengtian thought he would be exposing Gu Yu’s shortcoming. He Chengtian wanted to make Gu Yu feel embarrassed.  After all, even 800,000 annual salary isn’t enough to live a high-level luxury life. It is only a little higher then a normal migrant worker. Gambling on the latter, He Chengtian smiled and waited to hear Gu Yu’s response.

Instead of He Chengtian’s imagination, unexpectedly, Gu Yu scoffed and looked at He Chengtian mockingly: “Are you like a nouveau rich, blindly following over inflated trends? I heard from Siyi that you have lived in Haicheng for several years. Is there no better recommendation?”

He Chengtian: “…”

Gu Yao also asked with an inquisitive look: “Brother, what do you mean by inflated trends?”

Earnestly looking at his sister, Gu Yu schooled her: “On the internet, they are listed among the top ten most expensive restaurants in Haicheng. All the nouveau rich go to these restaurants for the sake of going to the most expensive places to eat. If you haven’t visited each of those restaurants, then you can’t claim to be nouveau rich.”

Gu Yao nodded and said: “What’s so special about being called nouveau rich? Who cares about them…… Let’s go to an affordable restaurant.

He Chengtian balked at Gu Yao statement and felt like arrows, ‘thunk, thunk’, stabbed him in the back.

Listening to Gu Yao’s statement, Gu Yu rebuked “That’s not right. Nouveau rich are people too. This issue doesn’t affect you, so don’t make improper comments. Also, when someone offers to treat you to dinner, don’t value their integrity based on the price of the food. In addition, a restaurant shouldn’t be considered good solely based on the price of the menu. As long as the food is delicious and guests eat comfortably, then the price shouldn’t matter.

Gu Yao thoughtfully nodded then said: “You are right Brother; delicious doesn’t have a price.”

Even though Gu Yu was talking to his sister, why did He Chengtian feel like he was the one getting schooled instead?

Sensing the mood, He Xueying promptly spoke to Gu Yu. Smiling she said: “Since you were kind enough to invite us, you should pick the place to eat. Let us experience the delicious tastes of Haicheng.”

[T/N: There are some interactions here that I could not translate at all. Basically, Gu Yu and He Xueying bully/tease He Chengtian and since Gu Yao already expressed her indifference for rich people, He Chengtian felt completely defeated.]

He Chengtian’s shriveled soul was laying on the ground thinking: This must be my sister’s payback from all those times we played as kids.

Gu Yu moved a small distance away from them to make a phone call. After confirming the reservations, he returned and said: “Ok. The restaurant is in the southern part of the city. Shall we take a taxi?”

He Xueying spoke up: “I drove my car. The five of us can squeeze in.”

“Sounds good.” Gu Yu nodded and letting her navigate there, he told her the address.

Walking to the underground garage, the He family really is nouveau rich. Seeing the Porsche Panorama, Zhang Siyi was excited: “Wow! Whose car is this!?”

He Chengtian pointed to He Xueying: “It’s Hers.”

He Xueying boldly winked at Zhang Siyi and offered an invitation: “Do you have a driver’s license? Do you want to drive it?”

Feeling embarrassed by his outburst, Zhang Siyi hurriedly waved his hand in refusal: “It’s been years since I drove a car. I’ve nearly forgotten.”

Since Zhang Siyi did not take the initiative to sit in the front seat, He Chengtian opened the door and sat next to his sister. The remaining three sat in the back.

Logically, the most petite person should sit in the middle but thinking of her match-making plan, Gu Yao let Zhang Siyi get into the backseat first, then walked around to the other side and let herself in. As a result, Zhang Siyi was squeezed in the middle.

The events that happened in the theater are fresh on his mind, now sitting next to Gu Yu again, Zhang Siyi felt awkward. To ease his tension and to keep his mind occupied with something other than touching him, he mustered up the courage to talk to Gu Yu: “Have you eaten at Jade 36 and Li Court?”

Gu Yu: “Well, I have been there before when I did a special study on restaurant design.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” That is something Gu Yu would do…

Hearing about the most expensive restaurants in Haicheng, Zhang Siyi’s curiosity was stimulated and asked: “How expensive are they? Is the food any good?”

“It’s all right,” Gu Xiao smiled at him warmly and said, “Do you want to go? I’ll take you next time.”

He Chengtian: “…” Why is the treatment so different? ( =皿= )

He Xueying: “…” Zhang Siyi, are you sure your decision is not because of your Boss? (=_=)

Gu Yao: “……” Hey, Brother! You’re breaking the rules! (*/ω\*)

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