Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 72: Sister

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Gu Yao listened and pursed her lips together and unexpectedly complained: “What intelligence and talent? With a genius brother, you do not know what it was like as a child growing up! When you score high on a test, maybe in another family, there will be a reward, but in ours, with my brother scoring first on everything, my scores meant nothing! No matter what my grades were, there will always be someone better. Even when I got into F University, my Dad just said “good” …. My college entrance examination score was a lot worse than my brother’s. Anyway, don’t praise me, it makes me feel uncomfortable.”

Thinking in Gu Yao’s point of view, Zhang Siyi thought it was pitiful, but he was also curious: “Gu Yu is your older brother so didn’t he encourage you and help you with your studies like homework?”

“Ha! What encouragement!? He was only helpful when he wasn’t ridiculing me!” Gu Yao remembered: “When I was in high school and he was in college, one year I tried my best to make it to the top at the school. He was home for holiday break and saw my paper, scoffed and asked me, ‘you only needed this level to score first?’. It was so exasperating.”

Nodding energetically, Zhang Siyi fully understood the suffering Gu Yu causes. He used his own experience to comfort her: “Gu Yu is also very strict in the company. On the first day of work he had me stay and work overtime fixing every drawing mistake. When he finally approved, I wanted to dig a hole for myself. Well, it’s not just me. He’s totally unapologetic towards the female colleagues in the company.

Gu Yao was surprised: “Really!? I thought he only did this to me!”

Zhang Siyi laughed: “Ha-ha-ha. I also thought his behavior would be different towards his family, but it appears like he acts this way to everyone!”

Gu Yao snorted: “Yes, his seemingly arbitrary contempt towards others is really hateful!”

Zhang Siyi clenched his fist and in depressed way said: “I know. Every time I am in front of him feeling insecure, he makes me feel like a complete idiot.”

Gu Yao said: “This kind of high-IQ animal that destroys social harmony and stability should be pulled out and chopped to death!”

Zhang Siyi: “That’s right! Hack it to death!”

…… Wait, that’s too ruthless!

Thinking he said something very pervasive, he covered his mouth then looked timidly at Gu Yao and found that she also had covered her mouth.

Realizing they have found a special confidant, the two looked at each other and suddenly laughed. Their revolutionary friendship became more and more profound, and together they continued to gossip in whispers. Originally, Zhang Siyi thought Gu Yu would be gentler towards his sister. He did not expect the source of Gu Yu’s persecution to be his sister. Everything she has relayed, she was distraught and gnashed her teeth. Zhang Siyi estimated the area of the shadow of her brother looming over her exceeds the whole Pacific Ocean….

Zhang Siyi felt sympathetic and tried to encourage her: “You were so much better than I. My college entrance exam was very competitive and missed the mark by 20 points. But how did you do in high school? Did you also go to Ning? Maybe you are my school sister!”

Gu Yao wrinkled her nose and said: “To escape my brother’s shadow, I didn’t test for Ning. I went to the same elementary and middle school as my brother and what teacher does not know of my brothers’ achievements? If I continued to Ning, every teacher will compare me with him, and I’ll end up at Blue Xiang Technical School. I’d go crazy!”

Zhang Siyi laughed out loud. This girl is too humorous: “Is it better for you now?”

Gu Yao said with joy: “Of course it is much better! At least, most people don’t know that I have a brother.” …… It seems that Gu Yao did spend a relatively easy three years in a school without Gu Yu’s influence.

She continued: “Since my brother’s reputation is far reaching, there has been some trouble. Not only did he score the highest school entrance examination, but he also placed first in many city activities that he participated in like the badminton competition and computer competition. Thus, many people outside of Ningcheng also know him. From time to time, girls at school come to find me and ask me about my brother. They want me to give him a love letter.” Gu Yao stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry in Gu Yu’s direction.

Zhang Siyi sighed. Gu Yu really is a stalwart character. A heavenly son…. “The letters… Did you give them to him?” Zhang Siyi asked without thinking.

“How could I? My brother has never accepted a girl’s love letter since he was a child. If I stamped and posted the letter, he would call, and I tell me I didn’t have a brain. Hey, I’ll tell you something more embarrassing! When I was in junior high school, I had few very good girlfriends. At that time, girls were a little obsessive about love, you know!” Gu Yao squinted her eyes at him.

Zhang Siyi: “???” Why would I understand?

“At one point, I brought them home, and as soon as they saw my brother, they made a fool of themselves …,” Gu Yao continued without stopping. “A classmate of mine stood there motionless staring at him. When he smiled at her she literally got a nosebleed! Super awkward! After that, she was like a zombie wondering around in a daze with her soul sucked out. She was always pestering me about my brother and even though I told her about my brother’s black belly, she never listened and only replied with liking his type. Can you imagine the situation when your best friend has sexual fantasies about your brother? She was delusional and thought she was going to be my sister-in-law. Then she turned jealous and thought my brother might be in love with me.”

“Ha-ha-ha…” Zhang Siyi was caught off guard. Thinking she was a simple playful girl, he was really impressed at her frank and open discussion. Even talking to a boy about forbidden love, is surprising. He really liked her unpretentious nature.

Zhang Siyi isn’t a girl and doesn’t really understand how to relate to Gu Yao’s experience. However, Zhang Siyi imagined what it would be like in her shoes and thought about Gu Yu’s potential relationships with girls. The more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he felt. He really didn’t want anybody to pursue Gu Yu and he didn’t want Gu Yu to like anyone. As the feeling grew, Zhang Siyi felt even more uncomfortable as the strong desire to monopolize Gu Yu scared him. He shook his head and made himself push away whatever special feelings he had for Gu Yu.

Fortunately, Gu Yao went on to say: “I thought maybe she was joking, but then she told me that if my brother didn’t except her lover letter, she was going to stop being friends with me. I asked her why, and she told me that, I would remind her of her failed first love and she didn’t want to feel heartbroken all the time, so she had to sever our connection.” Slumping, Gu Yao held her head and sighed.

Hearing her story, Zhang Siyi felt goosebumps all over. He tried to comfort her: “Hey, people who can so easily dismiss a friend may not be suitable for being friends…”

In distress, Gu Yao continued: “I had a really close relationship with her for some time. We would help each other with homework or study, walk together to school, we shared many meals…… But just because she met my brother, she ended it! He is a curse!”

Zhang Siyi hesitated for a moment then lifted his hand to pat her on the shoulder, showing comfort.

Gu Yao thought of something else and continued venting her past frustrations: “Oh, and another thing… My brother is so selfish. For his convenience, every time I go out with him, he takes my hand and pretends I am his girlfriend. He never considers my feelings or how it will affect my experience. How am I supposed to find a boyfriend!?!”

Vexed, Zhang Siyi asked: “Why does he want you to be his girlfriend?”

Gu Yao explained: “He said he didn’t want to be harassed. When I don’t cooperate with him, there are usually a lot of girls that approach him. I don’t understand it. How can a nearly thirty-year-old man not want to find a girlfriend? Does he want to die alone?!”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Thinking thus, Gu Yao glanced at the kitchen and saw her brother still busy in the kitchen then leaned in close to Zhang Siyi and whispered in his ear: “Hey, do you know if my brother has someone he likes in the company?”

Zhang Siyi’s heart nearly jumped out of his chest: “Ah? I-I don’t know. Why?”

Gu Yao touched her chin in thought and said: “Recently, he has been acting strange. I think he has a secret relationship with someone.”

Feeling nervous, Zhang Siyi asked: “How did you find out?”

Gu Yao whispered: “He often checks his mobile phone and smiles. His baffling behavior is obviously because he is in love!”

Zhang Siyi: “Is that how it is?”

Gu Yao pouted: “When I asked him, he didn’t say anything about it and I never see him call anyone. It’s mysterious.”

Her comments prompted Zhang Siyi memory to recall the night of Truth or Dare and Gu Yu’s admission to having someone he likes. Recalling the moment, laying in bed with his magnetic voice close to his ear…. That sweet feeling rising… No. No. No. Don’t freak out! It’s nothing to do with me!  (&////&)

Gu Yao voice stopped Zhang Siyi train of thought: “Whether it is a man or a woman, I have to meet the person who has the ability to make my brother act like that!”

Starting to feel alarmed, Zhang Siyi timidly asked: “A man can cause that too?”

Gu Yao was silent for a moment. She turned to look directly at Zhang Siyi and said:” To tell you the truth, I think my brother is gay.”

Zhang Siyi stifled his breath and nearly choked on his saliva. To hear Gu Yao, talk about her brother like that was more shocking then hearing Gu Yu saying he liked someone.

“…… Why do you think that?”

Just when Zhang Siyi asked her to explain herself, Gu Yu came out of the kitchen, grabbed two paper towels from the table, and walked over to them: “You two are very talkative.”

Zhang Siyi and Gu Yao were silenced at the same time; a pair of frightened chickens.

“I can hear you two chatty-kathys from the kitchen.” Gu Yu smiled and stood in between them. They consciously separated and scooted over to make room for Gu Yu to sit down. “What are you guys talking so happily about? Make me happy too.”

Zhang Siyi Gu Yao: “……”

Even though Gu Yu didn’t use a particularly serious tone, a heavy invisible pressure exuded from his body. Obviously, there is no way they could repeat a word! Zhang Siyi glanced over at Gu Yao and noticed her demeanor instantly changed when her brother arrived. Her previous upright, buoyant and chatty figure is shrinking back into the sofa diminutively. The contrast in personalities between the two siblings is striking. He thinks it’s both funny and sad.

With a sullen tone Gu Yu asked: “Why aren’t you saying anything? Did you just say something bad about me?” He narrowed his eyes and looked at the two of them coldly as if a cold wind blew threw them, chilling to the bone. They both trembled.

With great courage Zhang Siyi said: “No, no, we were talking about things in high school.”

Gu Yao begged her brother for more grapefruit. Gu Yu snorted and handed over a few pieces: “After lunch do you want to go to the movies together?”

With big eyes, Gu Yao stared at him: “Are you treating?”

Gu Yu gave her a patronizing look: “Are you going to treat?”

Gu Yao: “Without a job, I have no money to treat!”

Gu Yao looked at Zhang Siyi and smiled and asked: “What about asking your new acquaintance? Zhang Siyi is working.”

Startled, Zhang Siyi put his hands up and confessed: “I don’t have money!”

Gu Yu looked at Zhang Siyi with ridicule as if to say: you can’t even afford a movie and yet you are trying to pick up my younger sister.

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 71: Childhood

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 Zhang Siyi wondered how he could have met Gu Yu when he was a child. However, the city isn’t so big, so Zhang Siyi shouldn’t be so surprised. Gu Yu’s father is a construction engineer and since Zhang Siyi father is in the government of the construction management department, their lives would inevitably intersect. He didn’t expect Father Gu to explain.

“Uncle Gu, do you know my father? “Zhang Siyi asked.

“I don’t know him well, but I remember him clearly. Even though I have only met him a few times, I know your father is honest, fair and a good official, so I was very impressed by him.” Father Gu replied with a simple evaluation then continued: “It was about twenty-two years ago when I was a young engineer. I had to go to the government building for a report and my son was with me.”

Gu Yu’s sister suddenly interrupted: “Hey, if you had to go report why did you take brother? Where was I?”

Father Gu explained: “At the time your grandmother fell ill so your mother took you to Grandma’s house to care for her. Your brother had school so he couldn’t go. On Saturday when I went to hand in the report, he went with me on the train to the government buildings.”

Gu Yu’s sister nodded: “Oh, I see. That’s why.”

Father Gu: “I let him wait for me outside while I went inside. I don’t know what happened while I was gone, but when I returned, I saw him playing on a bench in the corridor with a child.”

Zhang Siyi pointed to his nose: “The ‘child’ is me?”

Father Gu smiled and looked at him: “Yes. My son was teaching you to count. You already counted to three hundred. He said three-hundred-one and you repeated three-hundred-one then he said three-hundred-two and you followed with three-hundred-two. The two of you drinking milk, one with self-approbation and the other in a baby voice with clear enunciation…… Ha-Ha-Ha…. that scene was so cute.”

Zhang Siyi felt embarrassed and asked: “Why were we counting there?”

Gu Yu turned to look at him and said: “Since you couldn’t find your dad, you were crying and wouldn’t stop. The staff member in your dad’s office didn’t know what to do. He saw me outside and since we were both children, he thought we could play together. The staffer entrusted you to me, but also made you call me brother.

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Gu Yu went on to say: “You were pulling on my pant leg asking me if I knew where your dad was. I didn’t know who your father was, but I guessed he was probably inside in one of the conference rooms. I made up a story telling you that my father and your dad were together looking for delicious food for us. You were drooling all over my pant leg, asking me when they will be back so I told you that if we count to five-hundred together, they will be back. You just stupidly followed me.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” o(╯□╰)o

Through their description, Zhang Siyi can imagine the scene clearly. It’s no wonder Gu Yu called him ‘stupid’. Zhang Siyi suddenly felt irritated. Very stupid! It’s unfair that Gu Yu has seen his embarrassing past, but Zhang Siyi didn’t know anything about Gu Yu’s black history. Next to them, Gu Yu sister was listening with rapt attention. She glanced at Zhang Siyi with empathy and smiled. She said: “Elder brother, you also used that ploy with others. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Zhang Siyi looked at her curiously and wanted to know what she meant by that remark.

Gu Yu’s sister was filled with indignation: “He has been lying to me since childhood! Every time I asked about when mom and dad would be back, he said by the time you counted to five-hundred, they would come back. From a young age, I don’t know how many times I’ve been cheated by him!”

Gu Yu gave two peeled grapefruit slices to Zhang Siyi and lost two to his sister and said: “When did I lie to you? Didn’t they come back before five-hundred every time?”

Exasperated, his sister explained: “Obviously, you weren’t honest when you counted! You said five-hundred but you would never reach 500. You would count 111 – 119, but then start counting backwards, 118, 117, 116… Every ten digits or so you would go back and forth. I was fooled by you for several years. It wasn’t until I was old enough in elementary school that I found something wrong!”

Gu Yu slowly peeled the grapefruit meat off the rinds and put it into his mouth. He ate and said: “Who promised to follow the number linearly? I certainly did not.”

Sister： “……”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Why does this scene look so familiar?”

Gu Yu didn’t let her go and continued his verbal onslaught: “Okay, your mathematics performance is so good since childhood. Half of the credit belongs to me so instead of thanking me you blame me. Really, you have no conscience.”

His Sister’s face was black and blue with anger. She pointed at her brother and retorted in a shrill voice: ”Nonsense! My good math skills are clearly due to father’s genetics. If I relied on your method of counting, I would have failed math!”

Father Gu laughed and interrupted them in a timely manner: “Well, well, don’t argue, now it’s all right.”

Father Gu continued to explain about the past: “When we all came out of the building, you were still counting insisting that you weren’t finished yet. We laughed and teased you knowing that you were the son of Director Zhang. When it was time to leave you cried miserably and held onto him yelling ‘Brother’. You wouldn’t listen to anyone.

Father Gu paused. Thinking of the scene from the past, he tried not to laugh.

Looking down at the floor, Zhang Siyi’s cheeks were hot. Is this really him? He does not believe it!

With empathy that turned to sympathy, Gu Yu’s younger sister looked at Zhang Siyi, also suppressing laughter. She didn’t understand why Zhang Siyi didn’t look at the bright side of things.

Father Gu said again: “You were crying so loud at the time. All the adults were troubled and at a loss what to do. Then Yu picked you up and said ‘Don’t cry. It’s ok.’ and like magic, you stopped crying. All the adults were in a daze.”

Zhang Siyi desperately tried to brainwash himself, it must not be him, not him, not him …

Father Gu then described: “Even though you stopped crying, your eyes were still full of tears. You looked at Yu yelled a heart-wrenching ‘Brother!’. The group of adults were distressed feeling that the situation was both funny and difficult. Since you were so reluctant to give up, Director Zhang also joked and said to bring you home and raise you as a son.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Fuck! That’s what his father said!

Father Gu: “Unfortunately, we were in a rush and needed to leave otherwise we would have let you play. Your Father knew we needed to leave, so when he went to take you away, you started hysterically crying again. Yu gave you a Kong-Ming lock telling you……”

Gu Yu suddenly interrupted coughing: “Dad… no need to say.” His was a little red, blinking rapidly and trembling: “It was so long ago. He would have forgotten.”

Zhang Siyi really wanted to know what was said: “Well, what did you say?”

Father Gu sat on the sofa, drank his tea and smiled: “You can ask him yourself, ha-ha-ha……”

With curiosity, Zhang Siyi looked at Gu Yu intently. As a result, Gu Yu put the grapefruit skin in a stack and stood up and said: “I’m going to help Mom cook.”

Father Gu waved his hand at the back of Gu Yu and quietly said: “This kid is still embarrassed.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Gu Yu cold demeanor, unrelenting tone and incomprehensible expression means he is embarrassed? How does his Dad see that? (=_=)

Engrossed in the story, Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu’s sister are still present wanting to hear more.

Without Gu Yu, Father Gu went on whispering: “The Kong-Ming-Lock is a double cross tension lock made with eight blocks interlocking through a tenon structure. I personally crafted it and gave it to him on his sixth birthday. He loved to play with it for several years.”

Zhang Siyi’s heart started pounding in his chest. Hearing the story of the lock made him think of the tape measure that Gu Yu gave him.

Father Gu looked at Zhang Siyi and smiled: “I didn’t expect him to give away his favorite toy. Remember, even as a child he always acted serious and like a small adult he told you: “If you want to see me again, become an architect because I’m going to be an architect.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” He felt like he was struck by lightning.

Is this what Gu Yu said? But there is an inexplicable feeling that makes people feel warm in the heart!

Gu Yu’s younger sister said in disbelief: “Brother was ten years old? Did he really say that to a four-year-old?”

Suppressing his laughter, Father Gu smiled and said: “Yes he did. Afterwards, I asked him if he was going to regret giving away the Kong-Ming-Lock to a child he may never see again. Can you guess what your brother said?”

Sister: “What did he say?”

Father Gu changed his voice to match his son’s. He relaxed his facial muscles, flattened his expressions and said in a serious tone: “Dad, you said some things need to be passed on.”

Zhang Siyi: “Poof–!”

Bursting out with laughter, Gu Yu’s Sister leaned forward and slapped her thigh. No longer caring about her lady like image she said: “God, my brother is too funny!” Then she pointed at Zhang Siyi laughing. “Ha-ha-ha-ha! You are now doing architecture. It really was passed down!”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

“Dad!” Gu Yu called from the kitchen in an irritated tone. “Mom wants you to help scrape the scales and clean the fish!”

Father Gu put his hand up and signaled a hold-on then put his cup down and went to the kitchen, leaving Zhang Si Yi and Gu Yu sister. Even though she is one year younger than Zhang Siyi, he doesn’t feel any real distance between them, especially after this morning’s small talk and Gu family stories. They looked at one another and then she took the initiative to stand up and sit next to him on the sofa. She smiled at him and asked: “Do you still have the Kong-Ming-Lock?”

Zhang Siyi speechless: “I have long forgotten about it. Four years old is not like when I was fourteen in high school.”

Gu Yu’s sister: “That’s right, ha-ha-ha….”

Zhang Siyi couldn’t help himself from laughing as well. He looked at her and realized he still didn’t know her name: “What is your name?”

Gu Yu’s sister quickly reached out a hand and said: “My name is Gu Yao.”

The two of them shook hands and both felt a kind of revolutionary comrade-in-arms since they both have been bullied by Gu Yu.

Zhang Siyi asked: “I heard from your brother that you’re still in college?”

Gu Yao: “Well, I go to F-University. This year I’ll be a senior.”

Zhang Siyi was shocked: “Wow. You must be so smart and talented!”

F-University is also one of the best universities in the country. It is the most famous university in Haicheng, and the admission requirements aren’t much lower than T-University.

By marrying such a beautiful wife and having a pair of talented children, Zhang Siyi can’t help but feel that Gu Dad was the proper winner of life!

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 70: Door

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At the beginning of the month, Zhang Siyi wasn’t idle. Early in the morning, he went to worship Buddha at the temple. Afterwards, he went to his uncle’s house to celebrate the New Year and visit with his relatives and Grandmother who also lived there. Since she is very old, hard of hearing, and in poor health, she used a wheelchair all the time.

Since Grandma was the last living grandparent that Zhang Siyi had, he took the initiative to give her a hefty one thousand, six-hundred-dollar red envelope. His uncle and aunt praised him for his filial duty. He relatives always said since childhood that Zhang Siyi will have good prospects in his future. They believe he has been making a lot of money in Haicheng.

So touted, Zhang Siyi pulled out a five hundred red envelope and gave it to his cousin who was still in high school. His aunt laughed.

Zhang Siyi family responsibilities for New Years of “going to visit relatives and friends” was completed. Zhang Siyi Father was the eldest son on his side of the family. Also, out of many cousins, Zhang Siyi was the eldest grandson. All the extended family on his father’s side came to his uncle’s house to visit and thus, Zhang Siyi didn’t have to travel anywhere. Under his Mother’s instructions, he prepared a five-hundred-dollar red envelope for each of his cousins.

His Mother was only partly aware of Zhang Siyi’s income, so she didn’t realize how generous it was of Zhang Siyi to give away his bonus. He has long felt like he was being squeezed dry. Looking at his credit card statement, it already showed a negative balance. Zhang Siyi simply wanted to cry. Where does all the money go so fast?!

At the end of the evening, with many hugs and well wishes, Zhang Siyi left his uncles house. His phone vibrated and was surprised to see his childhood friend, Shen Hao, calling. He wanted to tell Zhang Siyi about Song Mia wedding day and that they needed to go out for food and drinks.

Remembering the one thousand eight hundred ‘red-bomb’ from her engagement party, Zhang Siyi felt pressured. The three of them are childhood friends so he can’t make an excuse not to give a red envelope. If he doesn’t figure something out how will he be able to show his face?

Although the card is overdrawn, Zhang Siyi decided to use his credit card to pay for it. Calculating in his mind, he realized he only has 200 left and he still needed to buy a train ticket. He won’t be able to make a payment towards his credit card until next month. At least he didn’t have to spend money while he was staying at home.

While worrying over his finances, his Mother interrupted his thoughts: “Weren’t you going to visit the Gu residence? When were you planning on going?”

Zhang Siyi: “I am not busy these two days…”

His Mother urged: “Didn’t Gu Yu mention the third? It’s already the fifth. Hurry up before the New Year is over!”

Zhang Siyi impatiently waved his hand and said: “Yes, I know!”

Indeed, despite these past two days being busy, the days weren’t so busy that he didn’t have time to contact Gu Yu. It’s just that Zhang Siyi was being evasive due to his previous conversation about Gu Yu’s underwear. With his mother’s push, he stopped dilly-dallying and sent Gu Yu a message asking him if he was home tomorrow.

Gu Yu replied quickly: “For New Years?”

Zhang Siyi: “Hmm.”

Gu Yu: ” I thought you were reluctant to give me back my underwear that’s why you hadn’t made contact. It’s already the fourth.”

Zhang Siyi: “…… That’s not it!”

Gu Yu: “Ha-ha. What time tomorrow? I spoke with my family and they said you should come for lunch. Does that work?”

…… Huh? And lunch? o////o

Feeling the importance of visiting Gu Yu’s home, Zhang Siyi felt pressured. Knowing that Gu Yu is paying close attention to his visit, his nerves started to rise. After taking the package his mother prepared, at nine o’clock in the morning, he left his house.

Gu Yu’s family home is located in the old city section and was built in the 1990s. The neighborhood is close to Zhang Siyi’s high school alma mater where many faculty members reside. Zhang Siyi took a taxi directly to the address that Gu Yu provided.

Standing in front of the door, Zhang Siyi saw the old iron gate and electronic doorbell in disrepair. He pressed it a few times, but there wasn’t a response. Helpless, he sent a message to Gu Yu on his phone. Gu Yu texted him back: “The doorbell is broken. I’ll be right down.”

Since Gu Yu’s family lived on the third floor, soon Zhang Siyi could hear someone coming down the stairs. Knowing that Gu Yu is personally coming down the stairs to open the door for him, Zhang Siyi heart pounded in synchronize rhythm to the ‘stomp-stomp-stomp’ from the steps on the staircase.

It’s been a few days since Zhang Siyi saw Gu Yu and he noticed how much better Gu Yu looked. Maybe the difference in complexion was because he was well-rested after the busy, stressful work days before the holiday. Now, at home, Gu Yu face looked peaceful and happy.

He was wearing loose casual lounge wear and his feet were covered with a pair of round-headed cotton slippers. His attire was rather sloppy and not elegant, but Zhang Siyi felt it was another type of handsome; warm, comfortable, home.

“Here we are.” Gu Yu opened the door and smiled at him: “Come up.”

As Gu Yu was turning around to head back upstairs, Zhang Siyi reached out and stopped him: “Wait!” He glanced left and right and bowed his head. From out of his pocket, he pulled out Gu Yu underwear and quickly handed them over. “This is for you.”

Gu Yu: “……”

Fortunately for Zhang Siyi, Gu Yu was the one who came downstairs to open the door otherwise he didn’t know when he would get the chance to return the garment.

Gu Yu wasn’t anxious to hide the underwear. Holding the fabric in his hand, he slowly kneaded it a bit and asked: “Why are you so careful? It was just for one night.” In a low voice he added: “Or, did you do something else….?”

Zhang Siyi: “……” (o//a//o) I… I… I…

When Gu Yu noticed Zhang Siyi instantly turn red and stop talking, he used his free hand to cover his smile. Choking back a laugh he said: “You are so funny. Every time I tease you, you take it so seriously!”

Zhang Siyi nearly exploded. – Why am I serious? It’s not clear when you are joking!

“Brother! What took you so long?” A lovely female voice came from upstairs.

“Come on!” Gu Yu gave Zhang Siyi a look indicating to follow then turned around himself to walk back upstairs.

Upstairs, Zhang Siyi really saw the girl who he met previously at the entrance of KTV. She stuck herself half-way out of the door, staring with big eyes curiously at Zhang Siyi.

“Hey” Zhang Siyi stiffly raised his hand and said hello to her.

The sister smiled and said, “Are you the little apprentice at my brother’s work?” I remember you from last time at KTV. He also called you little friend. Hey, little friend … “

Gu Yu: “What’s with you calling him little friend? No matter how big or small he is, he is a year older than you. You should call him Brother.”

His Sister stuck her tongue out at Gu Yu and blew a raspberry at him then turned around and left.

Zhang Siyi was a little surprised. It turned out, Gu Yu bullied his sister too. He didn’t know why, but he suddenly felt more balanced.

With a hundred square meters, Gu Yu’s family home is very ordinary. The living area is small, but open to the kitchen and hallway. Not only on tables, but also alongside furniture, there are piles of old and new books everywhere. Although it is crowded, it doesn’t look messy. It is clear; a scholar resides here.

“Come in. Your name is Zhang Siyi?” Gu Yu’s Father stood up from the sofa and warmly greeted Zhang Siyi.

Wearing a pair of square glasses, Father Gu looked older than his own. He had a full voice and his complexion was very good. Perhaps because his eyebrows looked like Gu Yu’s, Zhang Siyi instinctively felt close to Gu Yu’s father.

Zhang Siyi changed his shoes and gave the gift bag to Gu Senior. He respectfully called him “Uncle Gu”, wished him a Happy New Year and said a few words.

Then Gu Yu’s Mother came out. Zhang Siyi only glanced at her and was stunned. With eyes that exude hope, and a soft calming demeanor, she embodies beauty. Quietly standing on the side, she made people feel very comfortable.

Zhang Siyi used to think that his mother was the most beautiful woman in the world. When she saw Gu Yu’s mother, he discovered what it meant to be innately beautiful. It is a kind of natural beauty that does not require emotional attachment. With such superb genetics, no wonder Gu Yu and his sister are so good looking.

Zhang Siyi spoke a little shyly: “Auntie.” She slightly nodded and indicated to the sofa in sign language, presumable for him to sit. Zhang Siyi was very surprised, but his thoughts were pulled back when Gu Yu also greeted her by voice.

Father Gu smiled and said: “Yu has talked about you. You two are very attached to each other. It must be fate.”

“Oh? Is it?” Zhang Siyi chuckled and glanced at Gu Yu who remained silent. Why does the word ‘fate’ sound strange? He explained: “I don’t know that it is so much about fate, but he and I were from the same high school. Although we weren’t studying during the same time, I have heard about his past deeds for three years since he was the top student for the college entrance examination.” Zhang Siyi scratched his head: “I decided to study architecture because of his influence back at school so it’s difficult to think about fate.”

Gu Dad laughed and said: “I am not talking about this. You have met when you were children.”

Zhang Siyi: “???” We met when I was a kid?

“You didn’t tell him?” Father Gu looked at his son in a meaningful way.

Gu Yu’s sister took this moment to pass a cup of tea to each of the three men sitting on the sofa then sat herself down on a cushion on the ground to listen to their conversation.

Zhang Siyi thanked her and elbowed Gu Yu’s side and asked: “Have we really met when we were kids?”

Gu Yu lowered his head and quietly peeled a grapefruit then said two words: “It’s stupid.”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Witnessing her brother’s reaction, Gu Yu’s sister ‘pfffft’ lost her tea, and looked at Zhang Siyi with interest. She also wanted to listen to gossip and urged her Father: “You tell us Dad!”

Smiling, Father Gu looked at Zhang Siyi and said: “You were quite small at the time…… Yu was only ten and you were about…… this high.” He raised his hand above the coffee table…”

Zhang Siyi: “……” He and Gu Yu are six years apart, so he was only four years old!

Father Gu continued: “I was doing a municipal project and on my way to the construction Bureau to do a report…. Oh yes. Secretary Zhang was just a small director then……”

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