Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 75: Movie

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The temperature inside the car plummeted with Gu Yu’s words. Recalling the phrase “Do you want to be my brother-in-law? You are nowhere near it,” Zhang Siyi thought Gu Yu misunderstood his relationship with Gu Yu’s sister. He thinks she is very pretty, and her character is very good, but there is nothing else but friendship between them.

At the same time, sitting in the back seat, Gu Yao was also keenly aware of the sudden change in her brother’s mood. The signal antennae on her forehead collected the vinegar and cockroaches that permeated the air for deeper analysis……

On the way, Gu Yu asked them what movie they wanted to see. They checked the movie app on their phones and browsed through the movie selections. Since they aren’t young kids, they certainly didn’t want to see “Where’s Daddy” or “Bear Haunt” or any other brainless film. They decided on the one that seemed to have the most depth called “Wolf Totem.”

The theater was very crowded due to the New Year’s holiday. Gu Yu lined up in queue, waited, then discovered that there weren’t three seats together for the next showing of the movie. At the urging of the ticket attendant, he picked three tickets. Two were together in the back and the single was in the front.

After buying the tickets, Gu Yu turned around to walk back and saw Zhang Siyi and Gu Yao standing close together chatting happily like two hyper rabbits.

Gu Yu had a headache, sighed and walked over to tell them that the movie tickets were not seated together. Gu Yao and Zhang Siyi looked at each other. This time, Zhang Siyi spoke up first: “You sit with your brother. I can sit in the front by myself.”

Gu Yao offered another suggestion: “I think we should draw a ticket and sit in whichever seat we got.”

Zhang Siyi looked at Gu Yu and Gu Yu extended his hand: “Pick one.”

Gu Yao: “……” Such ‘casual’ acceptance of her proposal. The duplicity of the older brother!

Zhang Siyi first took one and said: “Row 12, Seat 7.”

Followed by Gu Yao who took a ticket and glanced at it without speaking.

Holding the last ticket, Gu Yu looked at it and smiled: “Row 12, Seat 9.”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Gu Yao looked down at Row 11, Seat 11 on her ticket and felt hurt by ten thousand points. She didn’t want to stand out from the crowd alone. Why must the movie tickets also ridicule her!?

Since Gu Yu’s mood took a one-eighty turn, he bought drinks and a bucket of popcorn. Because she sat separately and Zhang Siyi didn’t like sweets, he gave his sister a popcorn and drink.

Into the cinema, Gu Yu held her milk tea and exclusive popcorn close. She walked to Row 11 and went along the row to Seat 11 alone. She watched her brother and Zhang Siyi both sit diagonally behind her.

After Gu Yu sat down, he smiled to her then mouthed a question: “Will you be alright?”

Gu Yao turned back around and grabbed a lot of popcorn and stuffed it into her mouth. Feeling like a ghost, she was irritated. Before in this type of situation, her brother would have taken the initiative to ask her to sit next to him in order to continue pretending to be his girlfriend.

Fortunately, the film soon began, and the story was still wonderful, so Gu Yao quickly became immersed in the movie.

Watching the scene in the film where the backside of a human was slaughtering wolves, Gu Yao felt uncomfortable. She was desperately shoving more popcorn into her mouth to ease the sadness. When the plot was a little less dramatic, she subconsciously turned her head to the back row and glanced at the two behind her. She meant to catch a glimpse, but instead she paused and stared dumbfounded.

She didn’t know if Zhang Siyi was also affected by the story. He was watching the big screen with moist, red eyes and her brother was looking intently at Zhang Siyi’s profile sitting next to him. There was a hint of emotion flowing in her brother’s eyes. Tenderness.

After a few seconds, Zhang Siyi realized that Gu Yu was watching him. He turned to look at Gu Yu and immediately after, Gu Yu leaned in close to his ear and whispered something. Knowing her brother, she thought he was probably teasing him about his puffy, red eyes. Zhang Siyi hurriedly wiped his eyes with his hand and glared at her brother both shy and angry.

Gu Yao quickly turned back around, and her heart was racing. She completely forgot the plot of the film. Instead of feeling sad, her mind was full of the scene of her brother flirting with Zhang Siyi. Is that flirting? Probably! Anyway, she has never seen such a mischievous smile on his face.

However, she unexpectedly felt that her brother’s flirting looked very gentle and charming and Zhang Siyi’s reaction was also very cute! o////o

Gu Yao’s heart jumped faster, she desperately repressed the desire to turn back and peep again. She could only console herself with popcorn…… and ate it wildly.

Turning back to the screen, Zhang Siyi was really going to cry out. The human persecution of nature was too much. The wolf in the film reminded him of Cheer-Up.

By the end of the film, everyone’s mood was glum. Zhang Siyi closed his eyes to choke back his tears and muffled a sniffle: “I should have gone to see one of the silly kids’ movies instead. This was too heart wrenching.”

Gu Yu patted his shoulder to comfort him: “It is not a bad thing to feel hopelessness sometimes.  At least it will remind us of what is good.”

Thinking about being ridiculed by Gu Yu in the theater just now, Zhang Siyi awkwardly tried to shrug off Gu Yu’s comfort.

After two steps, Zhang Siyi suddenly remembered Gu Yao, and looked back. Gu Yao was following behind, staring at them with green light in her eyes like she was the possessed wolf from the movie.

Since it was getting close to dinner time, Zhang Siyi needed to get going so he bid Gu Yu and his sister farewell.

Sitting in the car, Gu Yao asked: “Brother. Since we have a car, why didn’t you drive Zhang Siyi back home?”

Gu Yu: “I am not a personal driver. He didn’t take the initiative to ask me, so why should I bother?”

Gu Yao: “……” It’s no wonder why her brother has been single for so many years! The reason is well-founded! (=_=)

Gu Yu was silent for a moment and asked: “What do you think of that guy?”

Thinking about the scene in the cinema, Gu Yu blushed: “Very, very cute.”

Gu Yu raised his eyebrows, cute? What is this adjective? What kind of adjective is this?

“Then do you want him to be your boyfriend?” Gu Yu is laughing, but his smile makes people feel somber.

Gu Yao repeatedly waved her hand and hurriedly said: “No, no, he is not my type!”

Gu Yu looked a little surprised, smiled and asked: “Oh? Then what is his type?”

Gu Yao is speechless. Normally, you should not ask what type I like… (=_=)

She thought about it and summed it up: “He is a very fun and interesting person that is easy to get along with. He is no more mature then I, so I feel he is a great person to be friends with but nothing more.”

“Yes…” Gu Yu listened straight and smiled, and there was a kind of ease and pleasure that could not be stopped.

As Gu Yao was talking about Zhang Siyi she was watching for her brother’s reaction. Although her IQ was less Gu Yu’s, it was by no means, low and with the addition of ‘women’s-intuition’ it was not hard to infer the conclusion.

Although the world is not the same, with rotten culture everywhere, Gu Yao felt worried for her brother. More than once, she has doubted whether her perfect brother might be gay. After all these years, her brother never had a deep relationship with any women, which is a very unusual thing for a person who is popular with the opposite sex.

But even so, she never truly thought about what would happen to her brother if he was gay and she felt that their Mother and Father would find it unacceptable. Gu Yao sneaked a peek at her brother. Having put away his smile, she saw him focused on driving the car. She felt distressed. It would be very hard for her brother to bear such a big secret alone. She has to think of something…….

That night, when Zhang Siyi came home, he asked his mother: “Mom! Where did my childhood toys go?”

Mother Zhang was startled: “Toys? You gave them to your cousins after you finished elementary school.”

Zhang Siyi: “All of them? I thought we only gave them a bunch of cars and planes.”

Mother Zhang: “Yes. You cried all day when I gave them away.”

Zhang Siyi was not in the mood to listen to his mother retell his black history. He was anxious to ask: “What about the other toys from before those? I want to find a Kong Ming Lock. Do you remember it?”

Mother Zhang was puzzled: “Kong Ming Lock? What is that thing? Did you ever have that kind of toy?

Zhang Siyi hurriedly found a picture from the internet on his phone and showed it to his mother: “This is it.”

She looked at the picture for a while and said, ” Hmm……, Ah… I know. It has a couple of blocks?”

Zhang Siyi: “Yes right! It should be detachable! Where is it?”

His Mother frowned and took out the key to the storage shed. Before going outside, she put on a pair of slippers while muttering: “Something from so long ago, who knows if we still have it. It might have been sold at a yard sale.”

Zhang Siyi jumped up and said: “No ah!” Come on, help me find it!

Mother Zhang took him around to the back and opened the storage shed door. Curious, she asked: “Why are you looking for this thing?”

Zhang Siyi asked: “Do you still remember where I got it?”

To protect herself from dust and pollen, his mother covered her nose and rummaged through the storage shed. “I don’t remember, but your Father talked about it. He was very impressed with the toy. He said he took you to work and the son of an engineer gave it to you.”

Delighted, Zhang Siyi eagerly said: “Yes! That’s it!

Mother Zhang found a few boxes and told Zhang Siyi to come over to help. These boxes held items from when he was a toddler; old bottles, pacifier, small dinosaur model…… Zhang Siyi was looking at his own small time-capsule. His thoughts about his childhood were interrupted when his Mother pulled out a piece of wood from the box: “Is this it?”

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 74: Philosophy

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Upon her return, Father Gu asked: “Why didn’t you call your Brother to eat?”

Gu Yao lowered her head maneuvering in the kitchen: “I’ll call him in a little bit.”

Washing his hands, Father Gu was about to call out, when he heard an ‘eh’ from Gu Yao. He looked at her strangely for a moment, then shouted out loudly: “Food is ready. Come eat.” While he saw Gu Yao standing at the kitchen door, he saw Gu Yu and Zhang Siyi coming over to the table. He didn’t know what it was that Gu Yao was trying to dissuade.

While waiting for Mother Gu to finish plating the sweet soup, the remaining four persons have sat down. Since all can have a little, Gu senior opened a bottle of red wine. When Mother Gu saw that they had not started eating, she looked at them with surprise, and in sign language asked them why they hadn’t started.

Gu senior replied: “We are waiting for you to eat together.”

Mother Gu lowered her eyes and smiled apologetically, and quickly sat down.

Together, the five of them raised their glass to make a toast. In addition to Mother Gu, they welcomed Zhang Siyi and said in unison “Happy New Year”. Even though this is the first time at the Gu household, Zhang Siyi didn’t feel particularly like a guest. The Gu family made him feel like a returning relative.

The atmosphere while eating the meal was very good. Although Mother Gu did not speak, she often looked at Zhang Siyi with a loving smile like she would with her own children.

Zhang Siyi has never been affectionately watched by someone so beautiful before. Although Mother Gu is more than 50 years old, perhaps even older than his mother, Zhang Siyi still blushed. Feeling so captivated by her motherhood charm, he wished he could give her a hug. Sorry, Mrs. Zhang. I still love you the most, but the charm of this woman is too strong, I can’t hold it!

After eating lunch, they sat in the living room for tea. Unsurprising, the Gu family had the habit of drinking Pu’er tea after dinner. Father Gu made tea more skillfully then Gu Yu. Thinking how nice this feeling is, Zhang Siyi thought about buying a tea set when he went back home. In addition to tea, Gu Yu’s mother also prepared a fruit platter for them to eat.

Sitting together chatting while drinking tea, Father Gu asked a few things about Zhang Siyi. Zhang Siyi told him about his time in the UK studying. Since Gu senior has never been out of the country, he asked Zhang Siyi many questions about the food, housing, clothing and other cultural differences. He listened with relish and yearning.

Afterwards, Father Gu talked with them about the industry situation. Although the industry is at a low point, he thinks the domestic construction sector is improving in some ways. Now that the industry has started to mature, with current standards, real architects will stand out and people will pay more attention to good design and won’t settle for mediocrity.

Father Gu further ruminated. Even though it’s not entirely bad right now, it may worsen during the next few years. He poured a cup of tea for Zhang Siyi and smiled: “Since Zhang Siyi just started working, he is probably feeling a bit fickle, right?”

Thinking about the two that were let go from the company this past year, Zhang Siyi hands trembled, and the tea cup he was holding slightly chattered.

Father Gu continued: “The world is so big now and there are many temptations outside. Young people indulge in their impulses and construction is a difficult line of work to pursue. Not everyone has the stamina to succeed in this line of work and sometimes a person is at the mercy of their impulsive choice made in their youth.

Gently nodding, Zhang Siyi has more than once regretted the choice he made to go to college for architecture. Even now, he walks a small step in order to walk a bigger step.

Father Gu smiled and said: “But even if a person does something spur of the moment, they can’t be impulsive for a lifetime. Living this life, we have only the energy to be accomplished for one good job and that isn’t easy to do. Therefore, a person may never have another opportunity to choose again.”

 Zhang Siyi: “……”

Father Gu bowed his head, drank tea, and said: “In the face of the industry’s low tide, newcomers like you who are just entering the workplace will be impetuous and uneasy, which is inevitable.”

Zhang Siyi timidly looked at Gu Yu. In fact, the power of his life and death is in his hands. If Gu Yu covers for him all his problems will be gone!

“If you are confused, listen to this uncle’s philosophy,” Gu senior looked up and fixedly looked at Zhang Siyi’s eyes. “I have said this since childhood, I hope you can listen to it. Good men are fighters and not quitters. Most of the people’s impetuousness comes from being unconfident. The root of the cause is that they don’t have enough determination. Although my son is now your boss, it is not him, but yourself to decide whether you can walk the path of this business or not.

Staring with admiration at Father Gu, Zhang Si Yi was speechless. A good man fights, not quits.

Yes, every time he wants to back down, it’s because he saw great difficulties. There are so many things to learn from architecture. From the research of geography, learning local culture and historical environment to learning the computer software and art aesthetics, his knowledge is only the tip of the iceberg. It is quite intimidating.

Even now, Zhang Siyi was pushed forward by the pressure of the industry and Gu Yu’s whip. He didn’t have the full ambition to say that I, Zhang Siyi, would do this for a lifetime.

When he thinks of the annual salary of his friend Shen Hao and compare that to his classmates and friends, the pay wages aren’t proportional. Has can Zhang Siyi not waver?

At this moment, Gu Dad raised his finger and clicked on the table. He continued: “If you want to be an architect, don’t just look at the immediate interests. Your value does not depend on how much money someone else gave you today. It is the wealth that your future can create for the world. You are the value itself. You must constantly arm yourself with knowledge and skills, grow up at the fastest speed, and become an irreplaceable member of this industry. If you don’t then I am afraid you would be eliminated.”

Having said that, Father Gu took back his serious expression and smiled broadly: “When you get there, you will know the fun of doing architecture.”

Zhang Siyi was a little brainwashed by Gu Yu’s father. The understanding he gleaned from his teaching was immense. His eyes were full of worship. Zhang Siyi saw another luminous body more dazzling then the light of Gu Yu.

If you say that the light of Gu Yu can only be seen from afar then everything in his body is eclipsed by the light of his father. Father Gu is the source of light that can be spread.

The ancients said, listening to the King’s words, read the book for ten years.

Listening to Father Gu talk is like being basked in his light. Although Zhang Siyi couldn’t digest all his philosophy in such a short period of time, at least the fog in his head was dispelled and his heart was fortified. Sipping his cup of Pu’er tea, his spirit rose.

Zhang Siyi nodded: “I know. Thank you, Uncle Gu.”

After the family discussion during tea time, Gu Yu put on his coat and reminded Zhang Siyi and his Sister about the movies.

Father and Mother Gu did not join them for a movie. Standing at the door, they said goodbye to Zhang Siyi and warmly invited him to come again next time.

After going downstairs, while Zhang Siyi and Gu Yao waited at the door, Gu Yu walked over to the garage to pick up the car.

Thinking about the conversation just now, Zhang Siyi felt excited. Pumping his fist, he exclaimed: “Your father is really awesome!”

Gu Yao doesn’t understand: “What’s so great about him?”

Zhang Siyi: “What he said was so exciting!”

Gu Yao laughed out loud then said: “He is like this; giving advice to whomever will listen. I don’t know how much I listened to when I was young. If I was afraid that an exam would not go well, he would encourage me. Don’t be afraid! Don’t think about it! Go study! Don’t be afraid of the result. Be strong for the exam!” Gu Yao raised her fists in the air like an athlete’s victory pose.

She continued: “It’s really useful. I don’t know when it started, but I rarely fear anything. My dad said that people’s troubles are often over exaggerated. Don’t think, just do it.”

Boisterous, Zhang Siyi expressed himself: “Right! You have heard this throughout your life, so you are probably immune, but this is the first time I’ve listened to something so inspiring!” Changing his tone, Zhang Siyi grievously said: “My father would never say something like that. He would only criticize me.” Turning to look at Gu Yao, Zhang Siyi flatly added: “Your brother too.”

Gu Yao agreed: “Yes! Since childhood he would say I’m stupid. He is at the top of his own universe!”

Zhang Siyi: “When I checked my friends on social media, he would criticize me countless times! When I washed my face with cleanser, he called me a pretty boy!”

Gu Yao: “Huh? You use a facial cleanser? What brand do you use?”

Zhang Siyi: “Kys, I also use its home toner.”

Gu Yao: “Oh? I heard Kys’s honeysuckle water is very good to use. Is it true?”

Zhang Siyi: “Since it’s soothing, hypoallergenic and cheap, both men and women can use it! More than 200 ML is only three-hundred Yuan!”

Gu Yao: “Wow! Hello Professional, what else do you use? Give me some recommendations!”

Zhang Siyi: “And the face cream of LC, the essence of YS …”

When Gu Yu’s car came around, the two of them were chatting happily. They stopped talking together and moved to the door. Zhang Siyi wanted to give Gu Yao the front passenger seat. Gu Yao thought the same, so they reached out to the same backdoor and opened it.

Gu Yao | Zhang Siyi: “……”

Gu Yao quickly said: “You sit in front!”

Incredulous, Zhang Siyi looked at her with questioning eyes. What? Why me?

She already took the first step into the backseat, so he was left to walk to the front. While he was internally complaining about her betrayal of their revolutionary friendship, he sat down in the front seat. When he was fastening his seat belt, he noticed Gu Yu looking at him with daggers.

Without affection or warmth, Gu Yu flatly said: “You two have a really good relationship.”

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 73: Red Envelope

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The disdain in Gu Yu’s eyes surprised Zhang Siyi. He felt irritated and wished he could grow cat claws and scratch Gu Yu’s face! Gu Yu also raised his chin and gave his sister attitude: “How can you sit here idle when we have a guest? Go help set the table.”

Gu Yao mumbled: “How am I idle? I’m with your ‘little apprentice’ chatting!” She felt upset because their conversation was interrupted. She quickly gave Zhang Siyi ‘a-look’ and he, looking at Gu Yao, immediately grasped the situation; yes… talk more later.

From the kitchen, a very appetizing aroma wafted into the living room. Through a frosted glass door, he saw the busy backs of Gu Yu’s parents in the kitchen. Like a rabbit, Gu Yao quickly jumped in, chatted lively with them and energetically started working.

This is a very happy and affectionate family full of laughter.

Although their house isn’t luxurious, they choose to stay in this old apartment despite the fact that they have the money to move to a better living environment.

Zhang Siyi remembered, at his Grandfather’s house as a child, there was a wooden TV cabinet, bookshelf and storage platform in the living room. He knew that it was hand-built by carpenters who painstakingly sawed, nailed, sanded, and varnished the wood. In order to maintain the wood, the furniture needed to be wiped down with wood oil once a year. Over time, the furnishing acquired a soft, glossy finish, as if it absorbed the spirit of the family living in the environment and then, itself becoming a living thing with a soul. As the years pass, it too will grow old and become obsolete.

Gu Yu’s home is like a piece of lustrous old furniture properly placed in its true environment. There are architectural related objects visible all around the room in a seemingly haphazard manor; triangles, T-square, atlas, piles of books, models… all are completely integrated into the room and integrated into the family.

Zhang Siyi looked at all this and couldn’t help but sigh. It turned out that this is the type of house Gu Yu grew up in. As he imagined, these older architects never touted themselves with fashion and modernity but were mostly stereotype-nostalgic.

Just like the “inheritance” that Gu senior mentioned, it needs to be passed down, not just objects, furniture, and the like, but also family, and spirit.

Growing up in such an environment, it isn’t surprising that Gu Yu will want to become an architect. Even in Gu Yu’s villa, Zhang Siyi could feel the warmth and tranquility of the environment. It turns out that the origin of this feeling came from here.

Not more than a minute passed when Gu Yu’s words broke Zhang Siyi reverie: “Your salary isn’t low and I remember sending you a quarter bonus in January, so why don’t you have money?”

In front of his family, Zhang Siyi kept up the illusion of being self-reliant, but when Gu Yu asked him about it, he had an excuse to vent some bitter feelings: “Half of my income goes towards rent and the other half I originally saved, but with the New Year, the remaining half went to family members’ red envelopes. Now it’s completely gone!”

In order to try an elicit sympathy, Zhang Siyi deliberately sounded pathetic in hopes that Gu Yu would give him a pay raise. Instead, Gu Yu only asked calmly: “How many total red envelopes did you give to your extended family?”

Calculating in his mind, Zhang Siyi added them up: Grandmother was 1600 and six cousins at 500 each so 4600. He rounded up and told Gu Yu 5000. Even though he felt all the red envelopes for his cousins was coerced, Zhang Siyi felt a sense of pride at being able to show his family his successful career.

Gu Yu listened then asked: “How much is your rent?”

Zhang Siyi: “4,100 per month.”

After listening to him, Gu Yu quickly assessed his current financial situation: “After taxes, your monthly salary is 7,000. With meal rebates, the Halloween and love-my-job bonuses you have an additional income. Plus 3000 for the annual event award, but ok that hasn’t been issued yet, so we can disregard it. However, I saw you earn no less than six other red envelops at the annual meeting. Figuring in the project bonus, your salary for the last six months would be about 66000. If we deduct rent at 24000 and 5000 worth of red envelops there is still about 30000 left.”

Gu Yu looked at him incredulously: “On average, you spend six thousand per month on pure living expenses?”

Zhang Siyi was surprised: “What!? How can there be so much!?”

“Then you count it yourself and see if I have miscalculated.” Gu Yu said, then kindly took out a calculator from under the coffee table and threw it to him.”

Zhang Siyi took the calculator and worked through the numbers again. As he verified Gu Yu’s account, cold swear formed on his head. It really was six-thousand a month! Then why does he never have enough money? Where does it all go?

Remembering, Zhang Siyi suddenly said: “I spent over 10000 on winter clothes in December.”

Gu Yu looked him up and down and said, “I figured this is where you have spent your money. More than 10000 for some clothes, ok, but what about the rest?”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

For the life of him, Zhang Siyi could not remember having any additional special expenses. Maybe a dinner party? But going a few times wouldn’t add up to all of it, does it? Jesus Christ, where the hell did his money go?

Gu Yu smiled and mocked him: “I am confused. With such a strong sense of self-reliance, it turned out you are a financial idiot. At the rate you are going you will earn more and die poor.

Zhang Siyi: “…” How can you say that about me!

Gu Yu glanced at him and asked seriously: “If you don’t have money, why don’t you let your parents help?”

Zhang Siyi mourned his loss: “I had an agreement with my Father. When I started working, I wouldn’t spend family money.”

Gu Yu nodded and expressed approval, but he wondered: “Since you are almost out of money, why do you continue to give so many red envelopes to your cousins?”

Zhang Siyi: “I only planned to give one to my cousin, but my Mother said I had to treat all my younger cousins fairly, so I gave it to them all.”

Gu Yu: “Your mother doesn’t know that you are running out of money?”

Zhang Siyi: “Hmm …”

Gu Yu smirked: “To save your pride you have to suffer.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Gu Yu, this big bastard! Not only did he not praise him or comfort him or sympathize with him, he took out a dagger and stabbed him over and over again!

After a moment of silence, Gu Yu sighed softly than took out a red envelope from his pocket……

Wide eyed, Zhang Siyi stared at the actions of Gu Yu and knowingly asked: “What is that?”

Gu Yu did not answer and did not immediately give him the red envelope. Instead, he pulled out his wallet from his pocket and opened it. Zhang Siyi saw the bulging wallet, thick with cash inside. Zhang Siyi eyes nearly popped out of his head. Gu Yu counted 10 bills from the inside and stuffed them into the red envelope. He slowly moistened the envelope with his mouth than folded it. Watching Gu Yu’s actions, Zhang Siyi heart is in his throat. Is Gu Yu giving him a red envelope? What should he do? Should he accept it? He should probably refuse… but he really wants it!

Instead of passing along the envelope, Gu Yu extended his hand to Zhang Siyi: “Give me your phone.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” What do you need my phone for?

Although puzzled, Zhang Siyi’s vision is now full of the red envelope so he quietly unlocked the phone and handed it over.

Gu Yu downloaded a bookkeeping app for him saying: “Every time you spend money, remember to make a record here. After three months, you will know where your money is going.”

Schooled, Zhang Siyi nodded again and again: “Mmm-Hmm.”

Gu Yu placed the red envelope together with his mobile phone: “Here, take it.”

Blushing, Zhang Siyi is slightly embarrassed. He wants to refuse but also welcomed it: “How can you give me a red envelope?”

Gu Yu smiled and looked at him: “You have come to visit and celebrate New Year’s with me. How can I not give you a red envelope?”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Why does he make it sound like I deliberately came over for a red envelope?

Gu Yu patted his back gently and said, “All right, take it. Don’t say that Boss doesn’t love you in the future.”

Zhang Siyi: “………” (=////=)

Zhang Siyi pinched the red envelope to feel its thickness and he thought it’s not less than two thousand dollars inside. Knowing he lacks funds, Gu Yu put in an additional thousand.

Even though Gu Yu actions and words made Zhang Siyi feel like he was being molested, he gave up his integrity and accepted the envelope. After all, he was facing his own economic crisis.

Then, Gu Yu showed him how to use the bookkeeping app. On the side, he watched Zhang Siyi enter the data. Zhang Siyi turned over the phone and entered: “-15871.00”

Gu Yu was surprised: “What is this? You still owe someone else money?”

Ashamed, Zhang Siyi shyly said: “I, I…. I use a credit card.”

Speechless, Gu Yu stared at him in disbelief. It seemed to Zhang Siyi that Gu Yu wanted at this moment, to beat him to death.

The meal was almost ready. Gu Yao set the table and took the cooked food from the kitchen and placed it on the table. She was going to call to eat, but she stopped herself from saying anything. She saw her brother and Zhang Siyi sitting close on the sofa with their heads together. She saw them whispering from time to time and heard her brother’s laughter from time to time. She is trying to understand what she is watching.

– My brother’s hand is on his knee and the other hand is loosely looped behind Zhang Siyi waist. It was a very intimate gesture that was neither appropriate for a Boss to a subordinate, nor something one would do to a friend. Her brother looked at Zhang Siyi with a kind of indescribable tenderness, but Gu Yao has seen it! Before, when her brother was watching his mobile phone, his face would reveal the same expression.

Her heart-rate sped up and Gu Yao felt like there was something wrong, but couldn’t tell what it was……… Not wanting to bother them, she put down the cup lightly and returned to the kitchen silently.

The kitchen is also very quiet. With cooperation, her father and mother have a tactical understanding on how to prepare the last bowl of orange sweet soup for lunch.

They never talk because Mom does not speak, but as long as they are together, a warm, loving atmosphere will appear around them.

Yes. Although slightly different from her parents, Gu Yao feels the same sweetness emanating from the pair sitting in the living room.

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