Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 86 Extra: [Small Theater] 001: First Love Article – Gu Yu

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Listening to Zhang Siyi voice on the phone honestly admitting he had no intention of leaving Borderless made Gu Yu very happy. Even though his holiday was longer then Zhang Siyi’s, he wanted to cut it short so he could drive back with Zhang Siyi. At the same time, he would be able to bring his sister back to Haicheng for the beginning of her semester at school. Not having any confidence that Zhang Siyi would agree, he impulsively asked him to drive together. He was afraid the fool would refuse him and find a silly excuse like last time. Fortunately, this time, the little fellow eagerly replied with: “Yes. I would like to go together!”

Feeling blissful, Gu Yu hung up the phone with a big smile on his face. He searched through the expressions available and found “Little Fox Kiss”. He stared at it for a long time, hesitating, but ultimately, he sent it to Zhang Siyi.

But after that, Zhang Siyi had not responded for eight days.

Unsettled, Gu Yu felt worried and thought deeply about his action:  Was the expression too straightforward and suggestive? Did it scare Zhang Siyi? He has said that he is straight so maybe he thinks an expression like that between boys is strange? But is that possible when Zhang Siyi was the one that started sending such expressive emojis? (T/N ch28)

……… Still not responding to the last text, Gu Yu grumbled.  – If that’s the case, then I will also ignore him.

A few days later…………..

Does he hate me?

……

……………..

He hates me!  (╰_╯)

………………

……………………………

Why haven’t you posted to your social media page? Don’t you like to update your status to your circle of friends? Did you go out? Now I regret scolding him about his social media use…. I want to see what you are doing every day!

……………………………….. Still, there’s no news, sigh …………..

If not for the fact that Gu Yu is Zhang Siyi Boss, they have little reason to talk with one another. Over time without contact, would they simply forget about one another?

Finally, the date of the agreed time to return to Haicheng has arrived. Gu Yu’s mood is a little better because he has a reason to see the person he likes. Pulling Zhang Siyi and his sister into another WeChat group, he was able to ease the awkwardness he felt from his last text.

Gu Yu told his sister: “Ask Zhang Siyi for his home address so we can pick him up.”

Not a moment later, Gu Yu can hear his sister laughing. She came over to him and showed Gu Yu her phone: “Look at the photo Brother Siyi sent. He said his mother prepared all of it! Ha-ha. Aunt Zhang is like our mother!”

Gu Yu looked at his mobile phone and didn’t see any message. He asked: “He sent the photo to you?”

Gu Yao: “Yes. He wanted to know if there was enough room in the car. He asked me to ask you.”

Gu Yu: “… Tell him its fine.”  – Why didn’t you ask me directly? Are you trying to put distance between us?

Gu Yu is in a bad mood …… “001 End”

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 86: Dinner

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The emotional lows and highs left Zhang Siyi feeling drained. He shouldn’t be entertaining thoughts about a relationship with Gu Yu when there is office work that needs to be done.

A few minutes later, Zhang Siyi received a message from Du Rui: “Aunt Four, Boss asked me to teach you about blueprints.”

Zhang Siyi quickly sat up straight and replied: “Please!”

Du Rui: “I have other jobs I need to work on right now, so I won’t be able to help you directly for a while. I’ll teach you some of the finer points and the process of drawing the construction drawings. When you come across a problem you can come to me for help. How does that sound?”

Zhang Siyi: “OK! Thank you!

Du Rui: “Why does it feel like your lovesick problem is already over?”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Du Rui: “So energetic!”

…… Is he that obvious???  

However, Zhang Siyi realized, it must be true. Now that there is only a wall of glass between him and Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi feels super motivated to work. When the door is left open, his heart and mind are at peace as he can see Gu Yu in his office.

Whoo-Hoo, he’s terminally ill !

Since it is the first time he is drawing a blueprint for a plan that he designed, Zhang Siyi is especially determined. Additionally, listening to Gu Yu’s Father’s pep-talk over New Year’s has really made him want to become a better architect. Of course, the previous six days of doing practically nothing doesn’t count in Zhang Siyi’s book. After all, everyone has a few off days. (=_=)

Near the end of the day, with the help of Du Rui, Zhang Siyi made significant progress on his blueprints. He was eager to show them to Gu Yu for feedback as well as show him the schedule of the development plan he and Du Rui agreed upon.

There were fifteen floorplan layers, four facades, two sections, about seven or eight large sample maps, and an elevation view. For the earlier stages, Zhang Siyi scheduled his time to work independently and later on he would check with Du Rui. She will have a better grasp of her own time commitments later and consider whether to join him to finish the blueprints. They planned out their time over a one-month period which is a generous amount of time for a new project.

Fortunately, the City development bureau has not made any scheduling requests. Perhaps the department officers are making up for it because of frantic design schedule they demanded right before New Year’s on the 28^th.

Except for one suggestion, Gu Yu did not have any objections of the time-table that Zhang Siyi and Du Rui came up with. Gu Yu wanted them to consult the plumbing, electric, heating, and structural engineers at each stage of the plan’s development.

“Plumbing? Heating? Electric? Structural engineering?” Previously, Zhang Siyi neither cooperated with other professionals, nor considered these issues when designing. He is a little confused.

Du Rui: “Since you are making the plans, line up the layers to determine the height and let the structural engineers help you calculate the size of the load-bearing column. It needs to be accurate from the beginning otherwise a large amount of money will be wasted with later changes.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Seeing Zhang Siyi’s confused look, Du Rui continued to explain: “As for HVAC, water, and electric, reserve the location for the pipeline in advance and the engineers will arrange the details. Once Boss gives go ahead to move forward with the development, there won’t be any common-sense problems. Even if there is some apprehension, the engineers will coordinate with your plans and won’t make changes.”

Zhang Siyi didn’t realize how much planning and consideration is truly needed for constructing a building. Learning all the variations in the design norms as well as applying the rules is like learning a whole new field of work!  ……such a long road ahead. Ah!

The work day ended in the blink of an eye and Zhang Siyi was looking miserably at his drawings. He put his arms and head down on his desk then sighed. He hadn’t made any progress. Turning towards Gu Yu’s office, he saw the lights still on.

Zhang Siyi thought to himself, since Fu Xinhui wasn’t home anymore, he didn’t want to go back home to an empty house. He took the initiative to stay and work. But the real reason, Zhang Siyi admitted to himself, was because he wanted to spend more time with Gu Yu, even if it was through a glass door.

In a joyous mood, Zhang Siyi made up his mind to stay and went to the dining area to pour a cup of coffee.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he was walking back to his desk, Gu Yu was coming out of the office holding his scarf with the coat on, planning on leaving.

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Seeing Zhang Siyi returning to his desk with coffee in hand, Gu Yu asked: “Why are you still there?” Looking over, Gu Yu can see the project designs displayed on Zhang Siyi’s computer monitor as well as a few reference books open on his desk. Gu Yu is a bit puzzled as Zhang Siyi has a month to complete the plan, there is no need to work overtime.

With furrowed brows, Gu Yu asked: “What problems have you encountered?” Carrying his bag, he stopped walking and came to a standstill, looking hesitant.

Feeling very embarrassed, Zhang Siyi hurriedly waved his hand: ”No, no…. I will read for a little bit longer. You should go on ahead.”

Gu Yu studied him for a moment in thought, then calmly smiled: “Work hard.” Gu Yu finished tying his scarf and picked up his bag then walked right out. Zhang Siyi only faintly heard the ‘ding’ from the elevator.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Looking at the back of Gu Yu’s departure, the bright and warm office suddenly seemed cold and desolate. His motivation was completely drained. He couldn’t read. He couldn’t draw. Zhang Siyi sighed and collapsed on his desk; a half-dead salted fish  ……(／＿＼)……

Having spent an extra hour in the office, the subway wasn’t as crowded coming home at night. Zhang Siyi wrapped himself up in his coat and bought a hot spicy rice bowl at a street vendor. When he turned on the light inside his apartment, he was greeted with a huge mess.

Since no one was at home during the day, Cheer-Up had free reign inside the house. There was a roll of toilet paper unraveled and stretched out all over the floor. There were crumbs scattered all over the place and the fruit that was originally in a bowl, was now squashed on the kitchen floor.

When the dog saw Zhang Siyi, he jumped up and down excitedly, rushing at him. But when he heard “What Have You Done!!!!” Cheer-Up quickly hid behind the couch like a mischievous child hiding from their parents. He tentatively poked half of his head out from behind.

Zhang Siyi’s anger left the moment he yelled. Having one ill-fated father and one unreliable father, this poor little fellow is home alone all day long. He sighed.

As if understanding Zhang Siyi, Cheer-Up walked up to him, leaned on Zhang Siyi and gently licked his hand.

“Stupid dog …” Zhang Siyi rubbed its big ears. Zhang Siyi hung up his coat, put down his things and then he cleaned up the house. He served Cheer-Up his dinner of canned dog food and a bowl of water, and then sat down to eat his own dinner. At least thirty minutes have passed and by now his Hot Spicy Rice Bowl has become a Cold Spicy Rice Bowl.

Zhang Siyi opened the lid, took a picture and posted it to his social media. Feeling sorry for himself he wrote a note: ” The miserable man.”

After, he got up from the sofa and took his dinner to the microwave to reheat it a little. Thinking of the crab paste his mother made, he grabbed it as well. While he ate his meal, he checked over his social media status.

In just ten minutes, his group of friends already gave him twenty likes. Scrolling through the replies, they are vastly varied.

Ren Mengyu: “What is that? Pig food?”

Su Yuan: “Isn’t your salary high enough to eat better? That’s all you can afford?”

Jiang Hai: “In recent days, my girlfriend cooks for me every day! Don’t be jealous!”

Tian Yujing: “You are welcome to eat!” [smile]

Jiang Hai: “These aren’t my exclusive meals!?” [Crying]

Xue Wenhan: “Come back to the UK. Fish-and-chips are waiting for you!” [Smile]

It took Zhang Siyi some time to read through his comments. Normally, Fu Xinhui was on his social media frequently so naturally, his responses were fast. Although he knew Fu Xinhui is very busy, Zhang Siyi was surprised at the lack of response from him. He took a few photos of the dog and sent a message to Fu Xinhui: “Your son is doing very well. Make sure you are also paying attention to your health and safety.”

When he returned to his home-page he saw a message from his mom. “Just a friendly reminder to eat less food from the vendors. Those hot-spicy bowls are too greasy and unsanitary. They are bad for your body so please take the time to cook for yourself. If you don’t have time, then go spend money to eat better. You have that-body-problem at a young age, so you need to take better care of yourself or it will affect your life in the future. (T/N: end of ch69 if you forgot)

Zhang Siyi: “………”

Reading what his mother wrote, Zhang Siyi felt his hit-points go down to zero. Mrs. Zhang, You are too cruel! Out of anger and defiance, Zhang Siyi didn’t stop and instead, eagerly stuffed his mouth with his dinner. Who says there is a problem? My little brother is alive and well!

He refreshed his home page again and was surprised to see a post from Gu Yu. On it, there was Gu Yu’s dinner: a plate with braised pork, two crisp fried saury fish, a small dish of radish sauce, a bowl of green onion and steamed egg…. Whether it is the food itself, or just the presentation of the photographs, it looks so delicious that Zhang Siyi can feel his mouth salivate.

If Zhang Siyi hadn’t recognized the tableware and flatware, he would have thought Gu Yu took a photograph out of a food magazine. Although the imagery was fantastic to look at, it wasn’t not the most thought-provoking issue of his post. Zhang Siyi attention was focused on the message that was written with the picture. In the photograph, across from the plate filled with food was an empty bowl with chopsticks. The message read: “empty.”

When looking at the images and note together, even idiots can understand what Gu Yu wants to express. – Look at my wonderful dinner, but I am missing a companion. Will you come share my meal with me?

Staring stupidly at his mobile phone, Zhang Siyi stopped eating. He longer had an appetite to eat his “pig food.” Comparing himself to Gu Yu, he doesn’t understand why there is such a large difference between the two’s quality of life. Pondering this issue, Zhang Siyi was reminded of his night that he spent at Gu Yu house. Like a family living together for a long time, they cooked the food then washed the dishes together. They cleaned up and drank wine and tea and just talked about normal things. He missed the wonderful sense of security and happiness he experienced that night.

The longer Zhang Siyi stared at the photo, the more sour he felt. It was like Zhang Siyi’s essence at the moment, was filling the air up with negative energy so thick that one could slice threw it with a butter knife. He wanted to pick up those chopsticks. He wanted to pick up that empty bowl. He wanted to sit in that spot across from Gu Yu.

However, this was Gu Yu’s social media post. And not a message sent directly to him.

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 85: Lovesick

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Not paying attention to anything, Zhang Siyi spent the week in a daze. In order to get his project back on track, he sought the help from Ji Feiyu and his other colleagues. Lu Qiao also returned from his holiday. Even though he had a goal and was working towards it, he continued to feel listless and unfocused.

Without motivation, every day he functioned like clockwork; wake up, go to work, draw, come home, sleep: rinse and repeat. Zhang Siyi has experienced Gu Yu’s absence before without issues. Often, Gu Yu was away for long periods for business. So why in only a couple days, does Zhang Siyi feel like his soul is lost? There was nothing different about him now from the past except for one thing and that was easy to answer. Zhang Siyi didn’t have to ruminate much. I like my Boss who is a man. Zhang Siyi slumped at his desk.

Even the completely average Zhu Hongzhen found Zhang Siyi behavior out of the ordinary. Eating lunch together, he saw Zhang Siyi slouching in his seat, aimlessly poking the rice with his chopsticks in his lunch box. Ten minutes later, Zhu Hongzhen finally asked: “What is the matter with you!? You have been in a daze for two days!”

Like a terminally ill patient, Zhang Siyi softly made a sound: “Mmm…”

Reaching out his hand, Zhu Hongzhen waved it in front of him. He guessed: “Are you lovesick?”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Nodding vigorously, Zhu Hongzhen had no doubts: ”You have the same lovelorn symptoms of a friend of mine from my previous workplace.”

“Auntie Four is lovesick!?” Hearing part of their conversation, a passerby sat themselves at the table for lunch: “Four, when you talk about love, how come we didn’t even know!?”

Since many colleagues have already heard about Zhang Siyi love out loud and knowing how fast gossip spreads, it was too late to refute. The lunch room broke out in discussion over Zhang Siyi state of being:

“Is it the beautiful woman who came to the office after Christmas last year?”

“Wow, that’s a good job of secrecy, isn’t it?”

“I’m so jealous!”

“But how many months has it been? It’s a little too soon for that!”

“When love is short, it’s not so deep.”

“I prefer the long-lasting type, like water eternally flowing……”

“Early acknowledgment, early relief. Don’t be sad!”

“Aunt Four hasn’t looked quite right these last couple of says. He is our A-Group mascot!”

“Quickly, Aunt Four, go cheer up!”

“Well, we haven’t seen Boss in a few days. Who else feels sad?”

“When will Boss come back?”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Since lunch is over, by now, everyone in the company thinks Zhang Siyi is lovesick. After the photography contest, Zhang Siyi became famous within the company. When people hear his name, they can imagine the photo of him sleeping like a child. In fact, imagination wasn’t necessary. Representing the style of Borderless, along with the other outstanding photographs from the contest, there was a huge poster of him hanging up at the company entrance!

Everyone is looking at him at a distance with sympathetic eyes. Zhang Siyi really wants to argue and explain himself, but no one has taken the initiative to ask him directly about it.

In the afternoon, feeling depressed, Zhang Siyi went downstairs to the convenience store to buy something to drink. Also, he wanted some fresh air. Being with everyone staring at him in the company was suffocating. As he walked towards the landscape frame, he saw someone deeply in thought.

Carrying a briefcase, Gu Yu was standing at the entrance, looking up at the new poster hanging in the foyer.

Zhang Siyi wasn’t paying attention to what he was looking at. It only took a glimpse of Gu Yu’s figure to make his heart start to race in panic. Having been upset previously by Gu Yu’s “Hmm”, he never replied to the text message and not having a definitive reason to contact Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi’s texting remained dormant. He felt so awkward in the absence of communication between them that he wanted to rush past Gu Yu.

Zhang Siyi even harassed Gu Yao. In retrospect, he felt he had made a big deal out of nothing. He was afraid that his curiosity about Gu Yu would alert his sister. As a fault for his feeling for Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi didn’t want any problems to occur.

Neither Zhang Siyi texted, nor did Gu Yu and thus a whole week passed by in technological silence. Although there was a longer period, seven or eight days, during the New Year’s, after he received ‘little-fox-kiss’ by Gu Yu, without contact, he didn’t feel any psychological pressure because Zhang Siyi wasn’t aware of his own feelings at that time.

But now it’s different. Was he in so deep that he couldn’t live without Gu Yu? For how long could he endure? Steadfast, he stubbornly held onto his principles, however at the moment Gu Yu appeared, all his patience was just self-torture and meaningless!

Zhang Siyi’s dead soul suddenly flowed with life. Every cell in his body trembled excitedly. His mood couldn’t be described by words, for at this moment, from the depths of his spirit, a singular thought enveloped his mind and soul, echoing.

I like him. I like him. I like him. I like him.……

In his peripheral vision, Gu Yu noticed someone, so he turned to look and was startled at seeing Zhang Siyi in front of him. He watched Zhang Siyi slowly approach him smiling at him and nodding in greeting, and then slowly walk right passed him.

In the eyes of Zhang Siyi, time also seemed to slow down. What felt like forever, he walked foolishly down the hallway until he could no longer heard Gu Yu and mechanically moved into the elevator.

After the elevator door closed, Zhang Siyi crouched down in the narrow space and covered his throbbing chest, gasping for breath.

Fuck, Gu Yu is back!

Isn’t it a couple days before he comes back to work? Zhang Siyi specially went to the personnel department to inquire about his return. Why did he come back to the office two days early?

With his drink in hand, Zhang Siyi rushed back to his desk and saw the lights on in Gu Yu’s office. I should have known. I didn’t want to be angry with Gu Yu.  Ah, what should I do, so nervous……

When Gu Yu returned, he began to call in everyone one at a time to his office to assess the current work situation. First, Ji Feiyu was called, followed by Gu Rui, and then Be Lele…… After an hour, Zhang Siyi saw a message pop up on his computer.

Gu Yu: “Come to my office and bring me the latest work you have done.”

Holding his drawings, Zhang Siyi quickly stood up and went towards Gu Yu office while brainwashing himself. Now in the company, Gu Yu is just your Boss. He did not cook dinner for you. You didn’t spend time with him over New Years. He has nothing to do with people who are called Gege and you didn’t spend a night playing Truth or Dare! Ok! Calm!

Taking a deep breath to adjust his frame of mind, Zhang Siyi knocked on Gu Yu’s office door. When he went in, he began to look down at the floor, but when he sat down, he couldn’t stop himself from staring at Gu Yu’s face.

Gu Yu reached gently for the drawings and looked down. While reviewing them he asked: ”Are there any problems with the office building?”

Zhang Siyi: “Well, I asked Ji Feiyu for help. He suggested further development of the design since the preliminary scheme has been determined. Lu Qiao is working on the façade and I am working on the floorplan.”

In this ‘early-expansion’ stage of development, it is common to further evolve the layers and details in the overall plan, but not to the extent of a construction blueprint.

Like always, Gu Yu circled areas on the drawings and made notations. Continuing his evaluation calmly for several minutes, he didn’t seem like he was in any rush to talk about the plan’s problems. Instead he suddenly said: “I heard that you are lovesick.”

Zhang Siyi： “……”

Turning bright red, Zhang Siyi quickly replied in defense: “I’m not! They are just joking!”

Gu Yu: “Oh. Is that so? But you don’t look so good.”

“……”

Zhang Siyi felt angry again, but being in close proximity of Gu Yu, his feelings were short lived. Looking at Gu Yu’s smile was like a breath of fresh air, filling up the energy necessary for his soul. Ah, I really want to stay in the room with Gu Yu… (o////o)

After reviewing the problems on the drawings, he returned to the topic at hand: “You have never drawn blueprints, right? How about you try to draw them yourself this time?”

Zhang Siyi was stunned: “Ah?”

Borderless is biased towards design, so unless there is a very special need to follow-up the initial design, there is rarely an opportunity to draw blueprints. It isn’t cost effective. Almost always, the degree to which the plans are finalized are only in the ‘early-expansion’ phase of drawing. Normally, there is a construction company that Borderless partners with to complete the blueprints.

Gu Yu lowered his eyes and began to list all the problems in the blank space at the edge of the drawing. He continued: ”This is your first project after all. Don’t you want to do it yourself from start to finish?”

With each of his hands on his knees, Zhang Siyi rubbed them under the desk and exclaimed: ”But, I have never drawn blueprints!”

Gu Yu looked up directly into Zhang Siyi’s eyes with a smile: “There is a first time for everything.”

Paying attention to the details on Gu Yu’s face like his beautiful eyelashes and the light reflected on his head, in a daze, Zhang Siyi stupidly replied with: “Ok.”

Gu Yu finished with his notes and handed the papers back to him. Looking over the work schedules of the groups members, he said: “After Lu Qiao finishes the façade, I want to transfer him to another project. You can learn a lot from Du Rui. I’ll have her help you with the blueprints. I’ll let her know in advance.”

Again, Zhang Siyi blankly replied with: “Ok.”

Gu Yu drummed his fingers on his desk and asked: “Is there anything else?”

Zhang Siyi was motionless for a few minutes, before shaking his head and said: “Uh, no.”

Gu Yu smiled at him and softly said: “Ok. Go out and get to work.”

Face hot, Zhang Siyi fled his office with his drawing. Was he staring at Gu Yu like a lovesick idiot? Aaaah! So embarrassing!

Being so influenced by Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi collapsed on his desk like a dead fish, feeling hopeless.

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