Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 81: Anecdote

______________________

His Mother turned to look at him unsmiling. With the appearance of Gu Yao, a beautiful girl with a pedigree, of course she will think of her son’s future. Zhang Siyi sighed inwardly. The world isn’t like the novels he just read. Its only natural for his mother to curry favor towards a girl. It would never cross her mind to think of the other Gu family member present.

His Mother believes that making an impression on the girl is as good as if Zhang Siyi did it himself. She wants to promote Zhang Siyi value in Gu Yao eyes. When his Mother looks back at the siblings in her living room, she views her gift as a bargain investment compared to the value of the prize when the two families become one.

After looking at the expression on his Mother’s face, Zhang Siyi didn’t have to ask his Mother directly for an answer. He knew right away what she was thinking. Feeling anxious, he was articulate: “Don’t think about it for one second. I have nothing to do with his sister!”

His Mother glanced at him and frowned: “Maybe there is nothing now, but don’t you want to have something in the future?”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Sure enough. It’s just as he thought.

Leaning close to Zhang Siyi ear, his Mother whispered: “Since Gu Yu is so outstanding, his sister must not be far behind. I look at you two together and see a perfect match……”

Exasperated, Zhang Siyi scolded his Mother: “Mom ……!”

“Okay, okay. I know.” His Mother sighed and patted her son’s head. “It’s just a joke. I understand you can’t force these things so don’t feel pressured. I think the girl is cute and this brooch fits her style. Can’t I give it away if I want?”

Zhang Siyi had nothing to say to his mom. She shook her head helplessly and sighed bitterly. She gave Zhang Siyi a forced smile before heading over to entertain the guests.

Hanging his head, Zhang Siyi felt a little guilty. He wants his mother to be happy and if by giving away her own belongings makes her feel good, then why should he care? His strong reaction towards his mom surprised him. He doesn’t understand why it bothered him so much.

Looking at Gu Yao sitting on the sofa, she really is beautiful. With delicate facial features, and a calm outward appearance, she is absolutely the type to be liked by everyone. If Zhang Siyi had met her six months ago, he would have tried to pursue her. However, now with the thought of her being Gu Yu’s sister…… only one word comes to mind: impossible!

He didn’t want to be a brother-in-law… Isn’t his mother a rotten woman? Why doesn’t she indulge in fantasy at this time instead? No, no, no, no. Crazy thoughts! (=////=)

Wanting to go back and have time to clean his apartment, Zhang Siyi didn’t want to stay for too long. After chatting for about twenty minutes, Gu Yu suggested they head out.

Mother Zhang helped moved the luggage into the car. She pointed out which items were specially prepared for Zhang Siyi and which packages were for Gu Yu. Accepting the packages, Gu Yu unceremoniously expressed his gratitude and simply signaled to the two passengers, then drove away in silence. This time, Gu Yao had already taken the front seat so naturally Zhang Siyi went to the back seat.

Not having seen Gu Yu for a while, his defenses were down. Now that he has appeared in front of him, he can’t help but think about the expression ‘little-fox-kissing-small-kitten’. Imaging Gu Yu kissing the top of his head, he once again could feel the heat in his body rise. While staring at his mobile phone, Zhang Siyi tried to make himself shrink into the corner of the backseat of the car. Quietly, he listened to Gu Yao talk with her brother.

Gu Yao: “When do you think we will arrive?”

Gu Yu: “Probably around four or five.”

Gu Yao: “Did you leave enough cat food for little black and floret?”

Gu Yu: “Unless the two stupid cats brought the whole neighborhood with them to eat, the two big bags of food I left is more than enough to feed them.”

Gu Yao: “Ha-ha-ha! A New year’s dinner for the cats! It’s so funny! Hey, do you know if they had a baby yet?”

Gu Yu raised his eyebrows: “They are both male.”

Gu Yao: “What? Didn’t you say it was a couple last time?”

Gu Yu rhetorically replied: “Because two males cannot be one, right?”

Gu Yao: “……”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Gu Yao changed the topic: “Are you going to cook at night?”

Gu Yu: “Well, now with so many dishes to bring back, you can just cook rice to go with them to eat.”

Gu Yao: “Yes. Brother Siyi’s Mother is very polite and gave us a lot of food stuffs. It’s probably enough to feed us for a week.”

Gu Yu: “Mmm, Hmm…”

Gu Yao: “Brother Siyi, do you want to eat with us tonight?”

Zhang Si Yi weakly rebuffed them: “No, thank you. I made arrangements with friends for later.”

Gu Yao took out the brooch his mother gave her and said: “You know, I’m so embarrassed. Even though I met your mother for the first time, she gave me such a beautiful thing. It really is special. I have a wool shawl I bought two years ago in Taobao that will match perfectly. Make sure you thank her again for me.”

Zhang Siyi was very polite: “It’s all right, don’t worry about it.”

Driving steadily on the road, they arrived at the entrance ramp onto the thruway without any issues. Shining brightly through the glass windows, the sun made the interior of the car feel warm and cozy. Gu Yao yawned and put the brooch on the palm of her hand to watch and play with the light that was reflecting and refracting from the crystals. She asked: “Brother, this is rather heavy. Do you think this is pure silver?”

Gu Yu only glanced at her and coldly replied: “What is it that you have to whine about? Shut your mouth and get some sleep.”

Gu Yao: “……”

 Zhang Siyi: “……”

The lasting silence and lull of the car made Zhang Siyi feel rather drowsy. Just as he started drifting off to sleep, the mobile phone vibrations in his pocket, startled him. He glanced at it and was surprised to see that Gu Yao sent him a text message.

Gu Yao: “Do you think my brother is angry?” [grievance]

Zhang Siyi: “……Hmm?”

Well, he did feel like the barometric pressure in the car was low, but Zhang Siyi thought it was due to his personal emotional conflict and not because of the brother and sister duo sitting in the front.

Gu Yao: “When we get to the service area soon, change positions with me.”

Zhang Siyi: “Why!? I don’t want to!”

Gu Yao: “→_→”

Zhang Siyi: “I sat next to him last time so now it’s your turn to sit next to him. One person at a time is fair.”

Gu Yao: “Do you want to hear about my brother’s childhood stories?” [Evil Grin]

….. Stories? There are anecdotes revolving around Gu Yu?

Zhang Siyi remembered the time months ago when his Mother initially talked with Gu Yu on the phone. She divulged many of Zhang Siyi childhood deeds and he always felt, by doing so, she inadvertently gave Gu Yu a bad impression of Zhang Siyi. Now, faced with prospect of hearing Gu Yu’s black history, his spirit rose. Maybe the stories would alleviate the pressure he feels when thinking about the perfect and unobtainable Gu Yu in his heart.

Zhang Siyi: “Yes! Pray tell! [Cackle with Glee]

Gu Yao: “If you want to hear it, you have to switch places with me!”

Zhang Siyi: “Ok, Ok. Deal.” This should be worth it.

Gu Yao: “Most of my brother’s anecdotes happened before I was born. Since he is so much older than me, I’ve only heard them from my father. The only early memories I have of him are of his attempts at bullying me, you know……” [Dripping sweat]

Zhang Siyi: “I understand……” [Dripping sweat]

Gu Yao: “Listen to my Dad’s story: When my brother was six, he went to my Grandma’s house and an old man in the village gave him a pumpkin.”

Zhang Siyi： “……”

Zhang Siyi: “Where is your grandmother’s house?”

Gu Yao: “In the countryside of Ningcheng. My grandfather was a carpenter and my grandmother was originally from the big city. For family reasons she fled her home to marry my Grandfather in the countryside. That is a long story for another time….”

“Hmm, ok. As you were saying about the pumpkin……” Zhang Siyi thought about his own pumpkin that Gu Yu preserved with nitrogen in the sealed box. Is this a coincidence? However, he thought about it further and he couldn’t believe a six-year-old would even understand what nitrogen is, let alone the idea of preserving a pumpkin at that age. He was very curious now: “What about it?”

Gu Yao: “Since the pumpkin grew to a more cylindrical shape with a hue more yellow gold then orange, it was unlike regular pumpkins. Also, when the sun shone on it, it reflected the light in an unusual way that made it seem like the skin glowed. As a result, the elder told the six-year-old Gu Yu that the pumpkin was special.”

Zhang Siyi can image the scene of Gu Yu spotting a unique pumpkin growing in the garden and asking about it, thinking it was treasure. It is like finding a piece of sea glass on the beach as a child. With its smooth edges and mysterious appearance, Zhang Siyi always thought of them as treasure sent by the gods. If Zhang Siyi saw such a distinctive pumpkin, he too would think it was treasure from the gods.

Gu Yao continued: “Moreover, the old man that gave it to him was a special resident of the town who had no wife nor children. Although he was in his forties, his hair both on his head and on his face was completely white. Because he was tall and thin with a long white beard and very white skin, he looked like a legendary elf character out of a story book.”

Being immersed in the story, Zhang Siyi imagined Gu Yu as the protagonist receiving the sacred pumpkin by the old master and thus his cultivation adventure begins.

Gu Yao: “When my brother brought it home, my father said he wouldn’t let anyone touch it. Every night he would sleep with it and every day he would carry it around with him.”

Zhang Siyi: “Heh.” The development in his imagination was completely different! (≧▽≦)

Gu Yao: “One day, my aunt came to our house and saw the pumpkin unattended. She didn’t know it was my brother’s baby, so she cooked it.”

Zhang Siyi stifled a laugh: “Ha-ha-ha-ha! And then what happened?”

Gu Yao: “When my Father learned of what happened, he discussed the issue with mom, and decided not to tell my brother. When he came home from Kindergarten, he looked everywhere for it, but could not find it so he sat on the couch forlorn. Mumbling out load about his worries, my father heard him say that the pumpkin must be out to play and will be back later.”

Zhang Siyi covered his mouth: “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha ……” OMG even Gu Yu did something so stupid!

Gu Yao: “Even though he ate pumpkin that day, he didn’t react until a day later!”

Following the story Zhang Siyi asked: “And then what did he do?”

Gu Yao: “He asked Dad why they ate his son. My Father couldn’t help but make up a story so he told my brother that the pumpkin was now in his stomach and after a long time he will give birth. Then it will call him Father!”

Continuing his muffled laughter Zhang Siyi asked between breaths: “Ha-ha-ha-ha…… What did he say? Ha-ha-ha-ha……”

Gu Yao: “My brother really believed it! For a long time, he would rub his belly and ask Dad every day when his son would come out!”

In the backseat, with tears streaming down his cheeks and shoulders shaking, Zhang Siyi is desperately trying to prevent himself from laughing out loud.

____________________________

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 80: Brooch

____________________

The one thing he didn’t mention to Gu Yu was He Xueying’s childhood crush. After so many years, she couldn’t possibly feel the same, so Zhang Siyi took the information as a joke.

Gu Yu listened silently and softly asked: “Do you want to go?”

Although Zhang Siyi already knew the answer in his heart, he impulsively asked: ”Do you want me to go?”

Realizing the ambiguity of the question, like deliberately testing Gu Yu’s feelings for him, he regretted asking it. There are a many people that work for Gu Yu and he is only a little assistant that can easily be replaced. However, the words couldn’t be taken back. Zhang Siyi felt nervous and sorry. He tightly clasped the mobile phone in anticipation, but of what, he didn’t know.

After pausing for a seemingly long time, Gu Yu responded to him. With a voice that was as casual as ever, he asked in reverse: “If I told you not to go, then you wouldn’t go?”

Zhang Siyi choked. He didn’t expect Gu Yu to throw his own question and thus, the underlying problem, back at him! How could he answer him? Even though Zhang Siyi admired the art of Gu Yu’s speech, he was feeling crazy inside. Damn it, if he said, ‘I won’t go if you say so’, he would die!

After a minute Gu Yu did not wait for Zhang Siyi to answer. He said: “This kind of thing…. I can’t help you make a decision. The answer is in your own heart.”

Zhang Siyi: “……”  Why is there a feeling of being completely seen through!

Depressed and feeling muddled, Zhang Siyi paused for a minute. In a self-defeating tone he confessed: “I won’t go.”

Gu Yu chuckled, and his playful tone returned: “Oh. Ok.”

Zhang Siyi “……”  That’s it? After everything I’ve said, and you only reply with two words!!!

Gu Yu paused and said: “By the way, have you already booked a ticket to Haicheng?”

“No, Why?” At the prospect of going back with Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi mood changed instantly.

Sure enough, Gu Yu took the initiative to invite him: “I intend to drive back to Haicheng after the Lantern Festival on March 6. Your holiday should be over by then. Do you want to go with us?”

” …… Us? Is Gu Yao coming back with you?” Zhang Siyi asked.

Gu Yu: “She starts school in late March, but it is rare for me to drive so she wanted to drive back in advance. I can help her with some luggage at this time too. What about you?”

In a hurry to reply, Zhang Siyi excitedly spoke: “Yes. I would like to go together!”

Gu Yu happily replied: “Well that settles that. I will tell you the details as the time approaches.”

Hanging up the phone, Zhang Siyi excitedly rolled around on his bed. Any depressed and tumultuous feelings evaporated into thin air

Too embarrassed to ask directly, he was slow to purchase a ticket in hopes that Gu Yu would talk to him about it. He wasn’t sure if Gu Yu’s holiday was longer than his. Now, his waiting was over and, he saved two-hundred dollars!

Feeling the phone vibrate, Zhang Siyi quickly grabbed it to see.

Gu Yu: “I’m relieved by the decision you made 🙂 “

Gu Yu: “[Little Fox Kiss]”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Zhang Siyi: “………”

Zhang Siyi: “………………”

Ah…ah…ah…! ! ! ! !

Zhang Siyi couldn’t take his eyes away from the emoji, ‘Little Fox Holding a Cat Kissing.’ Once again, Zhang Siyi’s heart nearly burst out of his chest. The heat from within welled up. He had the feeling like he spontaneously combusted and his fried hair smoked.

After rolling around on his bed, Zhang Siyi took another look at his phone. Staring at the little fox kissing the little kitten, he couldn’t help wonder why Gu Yu used this exact emoji. The ‘touching head’ expression already had a high level of special treatment value, so why use the kissing emoji. Is this an expression that a normal boss sends to his subordinates? The only thing he can think about is a special kind of love.  

Even though Zhang Siyi felt exhausted, he couldn’t sleep. His emotions were a mess and he couldn’t relax his mind at all. In the middle of the night, he got out of bed to grab a book from the depths of his closest. He quickly got back into bed and covered himself completely with his quilt. With the light from his cell-phone illuminating the book in his hands, he opened it feeling ashamed.

After an hour, from time to time, alarmed muffled exclamations and recited sounds can be heard from inside the quilt. As a straight man, Zhang Siyi values and outlook on life in this world were put to the test. At half past five in the morning Zhang Siyi finally put the book away. He had stayed up all night reading. Laying on his bed, he buried his head with a pillow and no longer felt like he could face the world as a straight man. It’s over! Can he really be gay? No, he doesn’t want to admit it!

For the rest of his vacation time, he distracted himself with countless hours of American dramas and Anime. He even watched the government news online and the news network broadcast with his Father for several days. Thus, he set aside the newly acquired information in order to put his mind at ease and as a result, he was able to camouflage his inner turmoil and outwardly felt normal.

During this time, learning the information from her brother, He Xueying added herself to Zhang Siyi WeChat. Although they haven’t seen each other for many years, she remembered many childhood incidents both funny and sad. Bringing a sense of intimacy between them, the two talked for a long time. Although a crush isn’t the same as a love between a man and women, she politely admitted her childhood love on him. This frankness also made Zhang Siyi feel very relaxed talking with her.

For two days, by talking about his childhood with He Xueying, Zhang Siyi’s attention was further distracted away from Gu Yu. In retrospect, Zhang Siyi wonders if the time he took to find a new girlfriend was too long and as a result, it gave birth to the plausible love between men. Thinking along these lines, Zhang Siyi convinced himself that by talking and thinking about girls and love, he will be able to forget about Gu Yu.

The time passed by and soon Gu Yu contacted him about the return trip to Haicheng. Knowing Zhang Siyi was going to be driven back, his Mother prepared more specialties and food for Gu Yu then last time. Zhang Siyi had a growing headache. Since ‘little-fox-kissing-small-kitten’ stirred up Zhang Siyi’s emotions that he so desperately tried to bring under control these last couple of days, he couldn’t bring himself to look at the last exchange he had on WeChat with Gu Yu. As a result, he hadn’t contacted Gu Yu for almost a week and thus, he never told Gu Yu how much luggage he had.

As he was getting ready, he noticed a new group chat was formed on his phone by Gu Yu.

Gu Yao: “Zhang Siyi, my brother and I are ready to go out for lunch then come pick you up. What is your home address?”

As Zhang Siyi sent his address to the group chat, he added Gu Yu’s sister to his friend’s list. When it came to private messages, Gu Yao’s style changed.

Gu Yao: “Siyi Brother ~o (∩ _ ∩) o”

 Zhang Siyi: “Trying to act cute, when it’s not cute! “ (#‵′)凸

Gu Yao followed up with a heart-broken expression. Zhang Siyi returned with a sorrowful emoji. Their conversation quickly devolved into an emoji war.

Remembering his luggage, their playful banter was suddenly disrupted when Zhang Siyi took a photo and sent the image to Gu Yao.

Gu Yao: “What’s this?”

Zhang Siyi: “My mom prepared some things to bring back to Haicheng. Half of which is for your brother. Is there room in the car for all of it?”

After half a minute, Gu Yao also sent a picture of a dense pile of packages and bags laying on the living room floor to Zhang Siyi.

Gu Yao: ” Ha-ha-ha-ha! My parents also prepared some things to bring back. I showed your photo to my brother and he said it was fine.”

Zhang Siyi breathed a sigh of relief then asked: “Why do you call your brother an elder and not just brother?”

Gu Yao: “Because he is old. He acts like an old man in the sky! If I don’t call him elder brother, then what do I call him?”

Initially, Zhang Siyi was speechless. But, thinking about it further, it does make sense since there is a seven-year age gap between the two siblings.

Gu Yao added: “I called him old brother, and do you know what he called me? Stupid, little idiot! Is that what a brother is supposed to call his sister?” [Angry]

Zhang Siyi: “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Gu Yao: “Why are you laughing?! You are not much better than me. He called you a child, a little apprentice in front of me. Once I heard him call you a ‘little confused egg’, ha-ha-ha!”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Hearing from Gu Yao piqued his interest. He suddenly wanted to know exactly what Gu Yu says about himself in front of his sister. However, he didn’t get the chance to continue their conversation. As promised, they arrived at Zhang Siyi’s home after lunch.

When Mrs. Zhang saw her guests, she warmly and enthusiastically invited them inside the house to drink tea. Having experienced the force of Zhang Siyi mother’s hospitality before, Gu Yu knows not to refuse and politely accepts her invitation. Without ceremony, they silently followed her inside.

Today, Father Zhang was at work and the housekeeper was cleaning. Even though the house was large and bright with everything tidy, it wasn’t convenient to go upstairs and tour the house, so they took a seat in the living room.

Mother Zhang didn’t raise a daughter. She really liked seeing Gu Yao in her home and it sparked her memory of the red envelope that Gu Yu gave to Zhang Siyi for New Year’s. Wanting to reciprocate the gesture an idea popped into her mind from her heart. She quickly wrapped a delicate gift and gave it to Gu Yao. It was a floral crystal brooch with silver as the stem and pink, purple and white crystals on the top. It was quite exquisite and beautiful.

The piece of jewelry was a gift to Mother Zhang in her early years. The bright pink and flashy style of the brooch wasn’t suitable for her anymore. Even so, she has treasured it over the years and had joked with Zhang Siyi in the past about keeping it for his future wife.

Now seeing his mother take out the brooch, not only was Zhang Siyi shocked speechless, Gu Yao was very surprised as well. Compared with Zhang Siyi’s two thousand dollars red envelope, the value of this brooch is at most half. When Gu Yao first saw this precious gift, she repeatedly waved her hand in refusal.

However, even Gu Yu’s way with words is no match for Mother Zhang’s silver tongue, let alone this small girl still studying. With her insistence, Gu Yao red face is actually full of joy.

Feeling embarrassed, only Zhang Siyi did not want his Mother to give away her brooch, for he knew what it truly represented. Taking advantage of the moment while drinking tea, Zhang Siyi pulled his mother into the kitchen urgently: “What are you doing? How could you give that to her?”

_____________________________

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 79: Voice

_________________

Money can’t buy him the spiritual satisfaction and security brought about by the things he wants.

Yes, money is important, but Zhang Siyi is not so poor as to give up his dream in order to survive. Compared to He Chengtian and Shen Hao, his income is indeed insignificant. When he thinks of his coworker, Lu Qiao who continues to support his family with his wages and compares his other friends in the industry, he salary isn’t bad.

Therefore, the answer is very clear. Zhang Siyi won’t leave Borderless to accept He Chengtian’s job invitation. However, Zhang Siyi didn’t want to step on the good intentions of his friend by refusing him on the spot, so he told He Chengtian he would think about it.

After the wedding banquet, He Chengtian gave Zhang Si Yi his mobile phone number. He warmly invited him out when they got back to Haicheng. Soon after he left, Shen Hao drove Zhang Siyi home then rushed to meet with the construction site supervisor. Seeing him so busy, Zhang Siyi didn’t have the nerve to ask him out for drinks.

When he arrived at home, his Mother was sitting on the couch watching TV. Tiered, Zhang Siyi feebly walked across the living room to slump down onto the sofa next to her and asked: “Where’s Dad?”

Mother Zhang pointed upstairs and scoffed: “He has been obsessed recently with watching the news on the internet. He spends over two hours on the computer!”

His Mother is a woman who is advancing-with-the-times. Five years ago, when Zhang Siyi taught her how to use the computer, a door was opened into the new world. From then on, she changed from a traditional Chinese woman into a mysterious lady.

In the early years, while other people were worried about the mindless time children spent on the internet, Zhang Siyi was worried about his Mother not being able to extricate themselves from the network.

During that time, Mother Zhang spent every night until two to three in the morning on the network. His Father endured it for a while until he finally couldn’t take it anymore and exploded. Combined with the time she spent on duty at the hospital and with her addictive behavior on the net, it was like living without a Mother. At that time, his forty-year old Father felt alone and if they didn’t have a housekeeper to cook meals, they surely would have starved to death under his Mother’s lack of supervision.

After the intervention, Father Zhang sent Mother Zhang to an etiquette school for one month. Zhang Siyi’s Mother also tried to drag his Father into the water and wanted to share her experience with him but thanks to his Father’s stubbornness and old-fashion ideals, any progress was halted. Since then Mother Zhang sought her own knowledge groups and outlets on the internet. In contrast, Father Zhang acted like he was bitten by a snake. For a long time, he regarded the computer as a savage beast that needed to be kept away to prevent contamination. Without the ability to change, his inflexible Father would soon be out of the times.

Only his Mother had the capacity to slowly coax his Father out of his own anti-information-age sentiments. The proof of her success upstairs is reflected on Mother Zhang’s proud face. Zhang Siyi smiled: “Why don’t you teach him to go on Weibo?” He can look at the headlines. The hot search is more fun.”

His Mother took an orange and started peeling it: “I have been on Weibo and the information isn’t conscience. There are too many people arguing every day. He won’t necessarily like it. It’s better to let him figure it out for himself for a little while.” She split the orange in half and gave it to Zhang Siyi: “How was the wedding?”

Zhang Siyi sighed and remembered the excitement of the day. He told her about He Chengtian and Shen Hao. “Mom, do you think I’m super useless?” Although he knows what the clear choice is in his heart, he can’t help worrying about his choice. Will he regret his decision to refuse the potential of all that money?

His Mother paused and said, “Sisi, I’ll tell you something.”

Zhang Siyi: “What is it?”

Mother Zhang patiently said: “After more than a decade ago, your father just became a director. At that time, in order to go ahead with construction, many projects had to be signed by your Dad. Every day, whether someone wanted approval faster or because they wanted to overlook mistakes, persons came to his door to give him gifts like money, real estate, company bonuses…… All to ‘help’ him make decisions. Do you know how much will power a person has to have in order to resist so many temptations?”

Zhang Siyi was surprised at the new information that his Mother spoke of.

Mother Zhang: “Because he stuck to his morals so diligently, he offended more than one person and was denied promotion. Until your Grandfather who was at the top acted, he stayed in a position where there was no real power for many years. I also thought that his disposition would limit his career in his life because it was difficult in this Chinese society to move up again. But he stayed clam. He told me that a person has to love the life they live in order to be at peace in both spirit and mind.”

Zhang Siyi was astonished! He did not expect his archaic and overbearing father to say something so cool!

Looking down at the oranges, Mother Zhang bowed her head. She slowly said: “I was touched by his words and I was dead-set on following him. Even if his ideals inhibited his career, I know we can solve anything together. I will be a person to support this home.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Ohh, so romantic!

His Mother peeled off the remaining half of the orange and handed it to Zhang Siyi. She looked at him and said: “Sisi, you are alone in Haicheng and Mom is very worried about you. I can understand your father’s intentions. We have never looked forward to your wealth and never expected you to become a rich tycoon. He and I hope that you will be able to stand on your own two feet as an independent man. As long as you are both earning an honest wage, and are healthy and happy every day, in both spirit and mind, that is enough.”  

Hearing his Mother’s words, his emotional stress over the last few days found an outlet and tears fell from Zhang Siyi eyes: “Mom……”

His mother reached out to softly pat his head: “If you are trying and can’t seem to make any headway, you can come to us for help. There is nothing you can’t tell us about. We are forever on your side.”

With his head leaning on his mother’s shoulder, Zhang Siyi sniffed back his tears and softly said: “I didn’t mean to cause trouble. That is, this year… I sent too many red envelopes to my cousins and now I don’t have any money.”

Mouth open, his Mother stared wide-eyed at him. She didn’t know whether she should laugh at him or cry. With criticism she said: “What? Why were you acting so vain that you sacrificed your wellbeing? Look at yourself, you are a mess!”

Zhang Siyi grumbled about his mother. In the first place, he didn’t want to give red envelopes to all of his cousins.

Mother Zhang asked: “So how much money do you have now?”

Zhang Siyi: “Two-hundred remained, but yesterday at Gu Yu’s house, he gave me a two-thousand red envelope for New Year’s.”

Mother Zhang was surprised: “What!? How can you take his red envelope!”

Zhang Siyi looked feebly at his Mom: “I didn’t want to take it, but I don’t have money.”

Pursing her lips closed, his Mother was silent. She got up off the sofa and went to her purse to take money out of her wallet and wrapped it. She gave it to him as an impromptu red envelope: “Don’t let your father know.”

“Mmm-hmm!” With a smile Zhang Siyi squeezed the red envelope.

Listening upstairs for a long time, Father Zhang sighed, shook his head and with a broad smile on his face, snuck back to the study.

In his bedroom, Zhang Siyi counted the money in the red envelope he just received from his Mother – wow, another two thousand! The gift money sent out today is back! He quickly opened the book-keeping app, entered the proceeds, and giggling, he admired the rising numbers. ~\(≧▽≦)/~

Thinking about Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi took out his phone and opened WeChat. It’s been a day since they communicated so he took a few minutes to think of what to write: “Boss, I went to a friend’s wedding today and met with one of your high school classmates.”

Not a second has passed and Gu Yu reply appeared: “Hmm…?”

Surprised at the speed at which the message was returned, Zhang Siyi wondered if Gu Yu was simply watching the phone: “His name is He Chengtian. Do you remember him?”

Gu Yu’s next reply was relatively slow compared to the previous one: “Who is that? I don’t remember.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Are you fucking kidding me!? You remember the Kong Ming Lock that you gave me nineteen years ago, but you don’t even remember your high school classmate who, for three years, was at your heels on the exams?

Gu Yu asked again: “What does he look like?”

It seems like he really doesn’t remember……. Zhang Siyi described him a bit and told Gu Yu about some of He Chengtian’s second place history.

Stimulating his memory, Gu Yu replied: “Oh, it’s him.”

Zhang Siyi: “Do you remember?

Gu Yu: “Well, he was like an anti-Japanese gangster you see on a TV drama that acted like a boss picking on the weak with a group of boys following him around.”

Zhang Siyi: “………”  This… this summary. He feels like he should say something in He Chengtian’s defense.

Gu Yu asked: “How come you met him?”

Zhang Siyi: “He was the eldest brother of my childhood playmate who lived next door. We were at a wedding of a girl we knew when we were kids.”

Gu Yu: “Oh, then you are not one of his little brothers?”

Through the screen, Zhang Siyi can feel the contemptible tone of Gu Yu and defensively rebuked: “I am not!”

Gu Yu: “Did you mention me? What did you say?”

Clearly, it is a simple question without ulterior motives, however, Zhang Siyi has the feeling of being tortured. Cold sweat broke out on his forehead. While he hesitated on what to respond with, the phone suddenly rang with Gu Yu’s call.

“……”

Zhang Siyi hurriedly pressed the answer button, holding the phone he stammered: “You, why are you calling?”

Gu Yu’s low voice came from the phone: “With all the necessary typing to explain, I figured it would be easier to talk, so I called you instead.”

Zhang Siyi： “……” (o////o)

Gu Yu’s tone is playful: “You didn’t say bad things about me again, did you?”

Zhang Siyi was shaking: “No, no. He told me about your very good grades and that he always placed second in the exams. So, he’s kind of….”

Gu Yu: “Bitter?”

Zhang Siyi: “Well, pretty much.”

Gu Yu chuckled and casually said: “There isn’t really any difference between those at the top rankings, whether it was second, third, fourth place…. How can he still be bothered by something that happened so long ago?”

Zhang Siyi: “……” What to do… As a good childhood friend, he supposed feel bothered by Gu Yu’s attitude, but he doesn’t. Ah!

Now serious, Gu Yu asked: “What else is going on? If you deliberately mention this person to me, then there must be something to tell me about.”

Getting straight to the point, the pressure on Zhang Siyi builds. Especially because he heard Gu Yu hoarse voice ask him so directly.

_____________________________