Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 54: Touched

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The high-speed railway station of C-City is a fairly cool mid-point station. Although it is less than six o’clock, the train they missed is the last train that stops at this platform. This means that they have to stay overnight near here to wait until the next day to get back to Haicheng.

Things like missing a high-speed rail seem small, but if a boss really wanted to be picky, one can be accused for not having a sense of time. The time delay and economic loss caused by the change are linked to the company’s benefits. After all, Zhang Siyi is not an important person in the company. He is just a newcomer who has been employed for less than a year. The tolerance for this kind of mistake will not be too high.

Zhang Siyi grabbed the phone and was so nervous that he did not know the right words to say. This is the first experience Gu Yu gave him. Will his unreliable performance make Gu Yu think less of him? After a few moments, he heard Gu Yu’s calming voice: “Is there a hotel nearby?”

Feeling anxious Zhang Siyi started to panic: “I don’t know. This station is quite remote. We rushed in after we got here and I didn’t look around. I will go see it now.”

Gu Yu: “Well, if there is a hotel nearby, stay there with Lu Qiao for one night. I will help you reserve the tickets for tomorrow’s trip back home. If there is no hotel, ask someone if there is a car returning to the city. It’s early enough that there should be cars available. If not, don’t panic. I will arrange a car to pick you up.”

Listening to the calming voice of Gu Yu analysis of the situation, Zhang Siyi gradually felt relieved. Even though the other party’s existence was just a phone call, a voice, Zhang Siyi felt greatly reassured that everything will be ok.

Even though a situation like this isn’t really a big deal, Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao are stunned by the guilt of missing the train. Any clear-headed person would have picked themselves up and looked for an alternative answer to their problem.

They quickly left the station to look around and sure enough, there is a guest house nearby. It looks relatively simple with a normal price. There is a vacancy, but Zhang Siyi is a little unhappy with the environment in the guest house. Nevertheless, he can’t be picky in this situation. Lu Qiao is very happy to have a place to sleep. Being boys, they aren’t too worried about security.

The two booked a standard room. After checking in, Zhang Siyi sent a message to Gu Yu, saying: “I found a room in a nearby guest house.”

Gu Yu: “Take a photo.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” A picture? (=////=)

Zhang Siyi glanced at Lu Qiao who had just taken off his shoes and climbed onto the bed. He walked over and sat side beside him.

“What are you doing? “Lu Qiao saw Zhang Siyi raise his mobile phone. With his arm around Lu Qiao, grinning, and with a “V” gesture he took a photo and sent it first to the Borderless Forbidden City group and then sent the photo to Gu Yu.

Moments later, the phone was pinging with messages. Friends in the group reacted faster.

LeLe: “Wow! Sisters selfie, so loving!”

Auntie Four： “……”

Xuan Xuan: “Where are you?”

Qiao Mei: “On a business trip in C-City. We missed the last train back so I have to spend one night with Four.”

Piggy: “Four you went to open a room with Qiao Mei! You betrayed me! You don’t love me anymore!”

Auntie Four: “Wait, What? When were we together?”

Lu Qiao was laughing on the bed: “Ha-ha-ha! Rest assured, Auntie Four I will be responsible for you!”

Zhang Siyi laughed and said: “fuck off!”

Zhang Si Yi saw 2 unread messages in the upper left corner of the Phone. He thought Gu Yu also replied so he quit the chat and checked the messages.

Gu Yu: “…”

Gu Yu: “I am talking about the hotel photo.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Gu Yu: “Smiling so stupidly. I told you not to take selfies.”

Gu Yu: “It seems you are very happy and not at all regretful for missing the high-speed train.” [Smiles]

Zhang Siyi: “………”

Zhang Siyi gulped and held back for two seconds but eventually he couldn’t hold back anymore and sent a kneeling cry emoji expression: “We already know that we were wrong……”

Gu Yu: “Ok. Report what happened today from start to finish.”

Zhang Siyi began to elaborate and told him what happened with the taxi causing a chain reaction to miss the high-speed train. He was really angry. If it wasn’t for driver and bad luck, they wouldn’t have missed the train!

After listening to him, Gu Yu told him: “This is a small matter, but it is a good lesson not to make plans in an idealized way. Next time, what if you returned to Haicheng and was expected to give a report or have a meeting? If you miss the plane, Party-A will not care. On the contrary, they will think that an architect without good time management skills isn’t trustworthy.

Zhang Siyi listened and did not dare to refute it. However, there were some grievances in his heart. This time, he and Lu Qiao came together. Why did Gu Yu only lecture himself?

He remembered is the past, he had complained in his circle of friends and his colleagues that Gu Yu was always lecturing him all the time. He felt that he was not free. His colleagues advised him that Gu Yu’s attention only indicated that he still needs to grow. If the work is done well, Gu Yu won’t be too much trouble for him.

Zhang Siyi looked across at Lu Qiao and saw him holding his mobile phone laughing. He didn’t know what he was looking at… Lu Qiao’s work is better than his? Gu Yu has nothing to comment about?

Looking down at the conversation interface with Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi comforts himself. He regards this as Gu Yu’s special care and replies: “I will remember.”

A few seconds later, Gu Yu once again sent a “small fox touches his head” expression, and Zhang Siyi was stunned. The little bit of feeling that had just been twitching in his heart seemed to be completely dispelled by this expression.

Gu Yu said again: “Remember to have dinner, go to bed early, see you tomorrow.”

Zhang Siyi: “…well, see you tomorrow.”

Zhang Siyi did not know how big of a silly smile was on his face at the moment.

The next day, Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao returned to Haicheng with the earliest high-speed train. When they arrived at the company, it was almost noon.

Zhang Siyi returned to his desk and put down his backpack and camera. Bi Lele smirked at him and also Zhu Hongzhen also turn aside and laughed. Zhang Siyi wondered: “What?”

Bi Lele: “Hey, you will know when you see it!”

Zhang Siyi was tired by a day and night business trip. The brain was a bit sluggish. He turned-on his computer and opened the company’s website. This is a faint reminder. Wouldn’t it be his own photo?

The hunch is correct. After the webpage is displayed smoothly, at the top of the page, Zhang Siyi sees his stupid photo taken during the annual meeting and the beautiful photo of Gu Yu.

“Damn it!” Zhang Siyi cried: “Why is my photo at the top!”

Bi Lele laughed and said: “Ha-ha-ha, have you forgotten that the final winner of the photo contest is determined by online voting? The votes of the two photos of you and Gu Yu are the highest in the funny group and the serious group, so they appear at the top!”

Zhang Siyi grabbed the mouse: “Isn’t the voting time starting after the new year? How can you vote when I am on a business trip!”

Bi Lele shrugged: “After the annual meeting. Anyway, it won’t matter when you vote. The result will definitely be the same.”

Zhang Siyi said at the table: “Not if I can help it! If I’m here I can at least prevent you from voting for me!”

Bi Lele, Zhu Hongzhen, Yuan Zhicheng and other people around heard him and turned their heads with a scornful expression.

Zhang Siyi: “…” Is he too confident in his own appeal?

After another glance at the total votes tallied thus far, Zhang Siyi discovered that they were far more than the following series of photos. It was simply “leading ahead.”

Just as Zhang Siyi was in the midst of the chaos, a familiar voice came suddenly behind him: “Oh, it seems that we can win the first prize in the photography competition together.”

Zhang Siyi got goosebumps and his hair all over stood on end.

At the annual meeting he did not dare say anything to his boss, but now he can’t help it. Angry he raised his voice: “Boss! How can you steal my picture!”

Looking at the screen, Gu Yu raised his eyebrows in question and responded with an indifferent tone: “Oh? Did you not also steal my picture?”

Suddenly, everyone around quieted down. A few people turned to look at Zhang Siyi with an expression as if to say: Ah-Ha! It was you who also stole Gu Yu picture! It turns out that more than girls are obsessed with Gu Yu appearance.

Zhang Siyi’s cheeks were hot, and he opened his mouth and wanted to argue something, but his mind was blank and had nothing to say. Indeed, at that time Gu Yu didn’t notice that he took his photo.

Gu Yu looked at Zhang Siyi’s flushed face, shy and embarrassed. His gentle eyes looked more intently and his smile widened. An irresistible charmed flowed from him.

Looking at the real person compared to the picture is more radiant that it makes one want to surrender their soul. Suddenly, Gu Yu laughed out, gently at first, but then it grew louder, overflowing, from the nasal cavity.

He immediately raised his hand to cover his face and smiled. He stretched out another hand and stroked Zhang Siyi’s head as if to pet him: “Oh, don’t mind the photo, work hard.”

Watching the excitement from the sidelines, the group did not expect Gu Yu to reach out and do such a thing to Zhang Siyi. They all froze, flabbergasted. A few girls had covered their mouths, muffled their voices … Electrified, the air full of sweet current pumped out pink bubbles that went into everyone’s heart.

Stunned, Zhang Siyi mind is blank for a moment. His face is getting red, then dark red, then purple, and then poof, spontaneous combustion. His hair was completely blasted up. That kind of touched-head expression from WeChat isn’t a problem, but in reality……..(o////o) ………

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 53: Empty City

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Director Jiang first asked the driver to take Secretary Wang back to the nearby government office before driving them to dinner.

Normally, Zhang Siyi eats at the chain restaurants in Haicheng. The kind of farm-to-table homemade meals Director Jiang spoke of makes his appetite grow. He is reminded of the time Gu Yu took him out to eat sand tea noodles. In addition to the dishes mentioned, Director Jiang ordered other selections, including a famous casserole dish and white head shrimp.

With a bowl of steaming fish soup, the fatigue that Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao felt, was swept away. The feeling of warmth was worth it.

During the meal, Director Jiang chatted with them for a while. Unlike Secretary Wang’s official speech, this director was more casual. He asked them about their education, the industry, when their annual holiday is and more.

Since they had a very good impression of the Director, Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao had been chatting with him for a long time.

After dinner, the Director drove them around the city and introduced them to some local customs and culture along the way. He pointed out which plots are new development, what the uses are and how the current situation is. Zhang Siyi took out a pen and notebook to write down the information Director Jiang reported.

C-City is not big. It takes less than an hour to drive all around. Director Jiang turned to them and asked them what plans they have next and whether they should go to the station or not. Sitting in the car watching the relatively busy business district, Zhang Siyi suddenly remembered when Gu Yu took him out to the night market to the experience the old town of Z-City. “Director Jiang, it is still early and you are busy. We can go shopping on our own and then take a taxi to the station.”

Director Jiang nodded at the two young people and said: “Alright. Mr. Zhang has my phone number. Should there be any problems, you can contact me.”

Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao thanked him for his hospitality, said goodbye and got out of the car.

Observing Zhang Siyi mature ability to deal with others, Lu Qiao didn’t question his decision in the car, but now he asked: “Isn’t the evaluation done, what else is there?”

Zhang Siyi: “Since we are here, we might as well look around and go shopping while keeping in mind the design of the landmark government office building. We might feel inspired by our surroundings. Let’s do a good job!”

Lu Qiao understood, nodded with approval, and said: “Ah, you are really work hard. With New Year’s approaching, I still wanted to do a casual job, but now you have raised the bar. Ha-ha, let’s go.”

Laughing a bit, Zhang Siyi thought of the words his Father used to describe himself: “I’m Mr. three-minutes. The first project will inevitable be taken very seriously.”

Lu Qiao bowed his head and followed him for a while silently, then suddenly asked: “Auntie Four, what do your parents do?”

Zhang Siyi stunned, remembering his promise and his father’s cautious warning: “Why are you suddenly asking me this? My parents are ordinary office workers.”

With a skeptical look, Lu Qiao flatly replied: “Can ordinary office workers afford an education abroad in the UK? Can they rent a 12,000 high-class apartment in the first year of work? Can they buy a cup of coffee for thirty or forty dollars? Well, these days you can say that many ordinary people can do it, but after listening to Secretary Wang and Director Jiang, to be honest, if you weren’t here today, I am sure I would die. I don’t know how to speak when facing big officials.”

Zhang Siyi was a little confused at Lu Qiao reaction. “What big official? He is just the Director of the planning bureau in the city. Even if they don’t normally go out to meet with people like us, don’t be afraid, they are just office workers.” He had comforted Lu Qiao casually, but when he finished speaking, he saw Lu Qiao’s eyes widened.

When Zhang Siyi thought about it, he realized that he “understood” a bit more. He closed mouth and quickly replied: “Hey, anyway, the officials are serving the people. You treat him as an ordinary person. Of course, you are a junior, and should respect him a little bit more.”

Lu Qiao glared at Zhang Siyi for two seconds, suddenly approached him, grabbed the other’s shoulder and covered his mouth with his palm then mysteriously said: “Tell me. I promise not to tell.”

“…” Zhang Siyi shrank his neck. “My Father isn’t an official. He is a civil servant, um, civil servant!”

Seeing Zhang Siyi’s evasive reluctance, Lu Qiao tried harder. He was short so it was difficult to keep him still. He squinted and said: “Are you not a prince that was made to be with common folk as a learning experience?”

Sweating on his forehead, Zhang Siyi is indeed having an experience, but Lu Qiao’s description seems to be a bit too much!

When Lu Qiao saw that he did not answer, he guessed it for himself: “Is your father a mayor? Or a governor? Is he even more powerful?”

Zhang Siyi was afraid that the more he said the more outrageous, and quickly grabbed his mouth: “No. No. No!”

Lu Qiao is a very curious person and his thirst for information has been whetted. I don’t know if the answer is worse than killing him. In anticipation is asked: “I’m begging you!! Tell me soon. Please!”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Zhang Siyi sighed in resignation. He whispered: “Then you swear not to tell anyone?”

Lu Qiao lifted the hand: “I swear by our revolutionary friendship, I won’t tell a soul. I will be out of orbit in my life journey, completely disconnected from Headquarters, lost in dark space, straight to energy exhaustion … ”

“All right, all right,” Zhang Siyi grunted and said quickly: “My dad is the director of the construction department in Z province.”

“Oh!!!” Lu Qiao said with a ‘I-know-so’ expression. He gave Zhang Siyi a look over then curiously asked: “What does the director of the construction department do?”

Zhang Siyi: “………”

He explained a little bit about the official positions at various levels then returned to the topic: “My Father said to treat people like them with the utmost respect. The more you are not humble and generous, the more they will think negatively about you. That would give them ammunition to use against you in the future.”

Lu Qiao seems to understand, but this “not humble and generous” is easier said than done. It is really difficult to do

Although China has a willingness to promote equality for all, the slavishness engraved in the national bones after the reincarnation of the millennial feudal dynasty is difficult to be cleaned up in a short period of time. The current social status is in the process of change to reach the state of officials and people like there is in some countries in Western Europe.

Moreover, people love to listen to good words and leadership is no exception, but how to say good things is also a skill. It is just like Zhang Siyi had said about being assistants. It not only reflects his modesty, but also pays respect to Secretary Wang’s thoughts. At the same time, he also raised the status of Gu Yu. Also, maybe Secretary Wang will call back Gu Yu with a report making him happy.

Lu Qiao sighed and looked at Zhang Siyi, envious of the family education brought by the other family. Fortunately, Zhang Siyi is a good person. If this person is a bit high-spirited, his envy will have to give birth to hate!

Lu Qiao remembered one thing and humbly asked for advice: “Why when you talked to Director Jiang first, did you give Secretary Wang your business card?”

Zhang Siyi is a glimpse, this little detail Lu Qiao does not mention that he forgot.

After thinking about it, he scratched his head and explained: “I didn’t tell him that we are just little assistants? Although it was Boss who called Wang to make arrangement for us to look at the area, the first to contact was Director Jiang. It can be seen that Director Wang does not look at us, but only our Boss. In his opinion, only Director Gu was qualified to talk to him directly. Secretary Wang came in person today and answered our questions which was more than enough on his part. Therefore, even if I give him a business card, he will return to the director Jiang, then I am not as self-aware, directly to Director Jiang…”

Lu Qiao: “…”

Shit, the original business card has so many bends around? (#°Д°)

“But Director Jiang already knows your phone number. Isn’t giving them a business card excessive?” Lu Qiao asked again.

Zhang Siyi waved his hand: “Two boxes of business cards is two hundred. I have more than enough to give away. Anyway, it will let Director Jiang deepen his impression of me. He is Secretary Wang’s aid. It’s definitely not a bad thing to give him a good impression!”

Lu Qiao was completely convinced, silently in the heart of the cow – hey, the city is deep, he wants to go back to the countryside!

The two walked for an hour and saw a lot of new commercial malls. Although they were not as big as the ones in the big cities, they were also very good.

However, Zhang Siyi found a strange phenomenon. They are already in the center of the city, but there aren’t many people around. Most of the malls were empty. The commercial spaces were void of businesses. Store clerks weren’t coming forward with greetings.

“It’s so…. empty.” Zhang Siyi said with feeling.

“Is it because of the workday?” Lu Qiao guessed.

Zhang Siyi frowned. “It shouldn’t be. It’s going to be a New Year soon. Of course, there are some people going to their jobs, but there should be many young and old alike to come buy things and prepare for the holiday.”

Lu Qiao quickly thought of the reason for this: “Ah, this is product of over-development.”

Yes, a few years ago, stimulated by rising commodity prices and rapid credit growth, many small and medium sized cities built commercial buildings, shopping centers and office buildings, which led to an oversupply in the market.

They realized now, Director Jiang only symbolically introduced them to the area. He was very proud of the development and local construction. However, they actually saw it in the first place and found that the name was not true. Although the commercial building was built, it was both unnecessary and stagnate. It seems that C-City is a typical example of over-development.

Regardless of whether the local government is doing this in order to pursue political achievements or unrealistic GDP growth, this isn’t good. Zhang Siyi’s heart has been very upset about Director Wang views. He whispered: “What new developments? What landmark office building? Is he not afraid that when it is built, the town will be poorer?”

Thoughtful, Lu Qiao asked: “How can the Secretary just ask for an office building on such a large piece of land and not make a plan first? Does his misunderstand the process?”

Zhang Siyi paused and said: “Since he knows the workmanship of Borderless, I don’t think he doesn’t understand the problem. Although he wants an office building, he knows there will be some plot planning beforehand. He used the design fee of an office building to get ideas for plot planning. He is buying one to get the other for free.”

Lu Qiao touched his chin and suddenly came over. He hit his thigh and said indignantly: “I knew it! Just let him do something! Look at what base! Ha!”

 Zhang Siyi: “…”

Silence for a while, both of them sighed.

Even if they know the truth of the matter, like a doctor treating a patient regardless if they were good or evil, they have to the work as best as they can. This is basic professional curtesy.

The two quickly took a taxi to the bus station, but taxi driver had an accident at a large pothole. Lu Qiao was so angry at the driver he quarreled with him. They had to get out to take another driver and pay an additional twelve dollars. It was just a small matter to Zhang Siyi and he pulled Lu Qiao along. He was anxious to get to the station on time because he was the one that ordered the tickets back to Haicheng on the same day! However, tragedy still struck.

In the car, they also looked at the time worried. They wanted to encourage the driver to go faster. The long-distance shuttle travel time is a controlled forty-five-minute journey; not too fast and not too slow. The two of them sprint the last one-hundred meters to the train platform, only to see the train pull away, gone. With only a few minutes of dispute, they just missed the train!

Gasping for breath, Zhang Siyi held his knees.

Lu Qiao began to thrash about scolding the driver: “The shithead, bully us outsiders and let us miss the car!” When he was tired of scolding, he was dismayed: “It’s all my fault, I shouldn’t have quarreled with him.” He lowered his head and felt guilty.

“It’s not your fault, we wouldn’t be too late if I didn’t propose to shop……” Zhang Siyi comforted him and waited for him to get up. “Stop staring at the ticket. We really aren’t going back.”

Lu Qiao immediately remembered the line they said together in front of the development area and laughed out loud: “Ok now what?”

Zhang Siyi is also a bit lost: “Don’t know……”

Just then, his cell phone rang. Looking at the display, Zhang Siyi was scared to answer, but he quickly picked up. He listened to the voice on the opposite end: “Are you on your way home?”

“We, we … we aren’t coming back.” (=_=)

 “…… Hmm?”

Listening to the rhetorical “Um,” Zhang Siyi instinctively softened his voice, and complained pitifully: “Boss….. we just….. missed the train.”

Gu Yu: “…..”

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 52: Chief

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The two standing in the middle of nowhere were completely motivated by the classic lines of the film “Apollo”. With adrenaline surging up, there was an endless stream of energy coming from deep within. They weren’t afraid of the cold wind. They weren’t afraid of nothingness. They can do it!

While Zhang Siyi took off his gloves and lifted his camera to start taking pictures, Lu Qiao took out a notebook to record the details of the surrounding roads and environment.

Although Zhang Siyi is still confused about the overall project, he thinks that as long as one starts the task in front of oneself, a clearer direction will emerge so one will know what to do next.

After more than an hour of busy work, Zhang Siyi had some clues…

This land is really vast, but it doesn’t necessarily develop all at once! Just like the planning project in the new district of Z City, they can make a rough plan for this land, divide it into small pieces, and then design the office building in the most conspicuous position. Isn’t that enough?

Thinking about the task further, Zhang Siyi realized the reason why the local government wanted to erect a landmark office building. First build the office building and smaller office buildings will follow in the surrounding plots to drive the economic growth in the area.  He looked around and imagined the established office building location. In the next five or ten years, more buildings will rise around it, like spring bamboo shoots, budding from the ground, rising, growing, and thriving…

Zhang Siyi was excited: “I know! I know what to do!”

Lu Qiao still doesn’t know what to do: “You do?”

Zhang Siyi points to the corner location of the block at the junction of Government Avenue and City Main road: “Over there! The office building should be in that position! Yes, because it is not a simple office building, it must be high!  It is a marker, similar Mo, as a symbolic existence, so the total construction area is small!”

Although Lu Qiao didn’t know that “mo” was, he understood Zhang Siyi’s meaning and quickly responded. He walked under the foot of the land: “This can be a commercial or landscape avenue, reserved in advance.”

Zhang Siyi nodded and stretched his arm out to point to another area: “This section can be used to build new homes to relocate existing residents.”

Lu Qiao ran around in the open space: “Here, the main road of the section that is separated from the center with a circular space in the middle.”

Zhang Siyi followed and ran over. The road network of the whole plot seemed to emerge in the mind with Lu Qiao’s words. He shouted: “Landscape and a fountain! It is better to have a fountain! There will definitely be a big lady dancing at night!”

Moving around the area feeling excited, they felt like a lord of the land. The impulse to yell into the sky and beat their chests like Tarzan, Lord of the Jungle, was great however, with their subsiding adrenaline, the two slowly calmed down and came to a standstill then squatted.

On the side of the road, a black commercial car with a license plate number 00 pulled up then stopped slowly. The door opened and there was two middle-aged persons, one fat and one thin man. The fat middle-aged man looked at the two young people moving around the base frowning: “Are those two over there the designers of Borderless architectural firm?”

The thin one had an idea and said: “Hey, let me call to confirm.”

Not far away, Zhang Siyi suddenly felt the phone in his trouser pocket vibrate.

He quickly stood up and took out his mobile phone. At a glance, he saw a strange number and thought that it was another messy intermediary call. He wanted to hang up, but he saw the call address displayed under the phone number. Luckily, he noticed as it was an address from C-City!

Lying groove, now the agency can track their location!？(#°Д°)

Zhang Siyi swiped the answer key on the phone and with attitude he answered the call: “Hello? Who is this!?”

There was a moment of silence and then he heard someone ask: ” Is this Mr. Zhang from Borderless?”

Zhang Siyi frowned. “I am. Who are you?”

The person on the phone said: “I am Mr. Jiang with the city planning bureau.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Lu Qiao on the side: “???”

Panicking on the side, waving, Zhang Siyi signaled to Lu Qiao to quiet down: “Jiang, Jiang Secretary!”

There was a pause on the phone then the man spoke: “I am not the director. I am a subordinate. In the morning, Director Gu from your company called Secretary Wang saying that you were going to evaluate the land. In order to make arrangements, he gave us your phone number. Chief Wang and I are on the edge of the designated land development area right now. Is that you in a gray-blue down jacket?”

Zhang Siyi quickly turned around and found the business car on the side of the road. He raised his hand in that direction: “Yes. I am here!”

Hanging up the phone, Zhang Siyi went to the business car with Lu Qiao and made a frantic expression: “Come on! The people of the Planning Bureau are coming!”

Lu Qiao followed up nervously and asked Zhang Siyi: “The person who just called you is the Chief?”

Since Zhang Siyi’s father is part of the government agency, he is well familiar with etiquette on dealing with officials. He isn’t afraid to talk to them.  Zhang Siyi responded: “No. He is in a lower office. We will call Director Jiang later. I’m guessing that he is the personal aid to the fat man who is secretary called Secretary Wang.”

Lu Qiao nodded his head again and again, and seemed a little more restrained.

Walking to the side of the road, Zhang Siyi changed his confounded expression to one of serenity and respectfully said: “Secretary Wang, director Jiang.”

The two smiled and nodded, and sure enough, he wasn’t wrong.

First, director Wang shook hands with Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao, and greeted him politely. then he frowned, “How old are you?” The design of this office building is yours to do?”

Secretary Wang first shook hands with Zhang Siyi then Lu Qiao, and greeted them politely. He frowned: “How old are you? Are you in charge of designing the office building?”

As Lu Qiao was about to answer “yes”, Zhang Siyi waved him off and interrupted him. He took a step forward and presented his business card to Secretary Wang. “No, no. I am just a small assistant. Director Gu was busy with work so he sent us here to evaluate the designated area to be developed. The design is mainly for him to do.”

Lu Qiao: “…”

Secretary Wang looked a little bit sullen, and then he nodded with a smile. “This is also true. Director Gu is young and promising. He must be a busy man.”

Wondering why Gu Yu knows Secretary Wang, Zhang Siyi listened to Secretary Wang’s explanation: “Two years ago I attended the selection of a new district planning bid. At the time the bid for L-City project was between the Design Institute and TJ Firm. Many people were in favor of the Design Institute plans, but later found out it was done by a recent Master’s graduate, not the design director. Yes, I am referring to your Director Gu. At that time, he was a fresh graduate and worked at the Design Institute. The people at the top felt that the plan was too big to be handed to someone so young, so they felt the project would not get the attention it needed to succeed. As a result, they choose the plan by the TJ Firm. However, young Gu left a lasting impression on me and I’ve always wanted to have an opportunity to work with him and now I do.”

Lu Qiao was shocked. If he had just blurted out that the design was done by them, then Secretary Wang would certainly feel that he was not paying enough attention to him… It was too close! Witnessing Zhang Siyi ability to read the situation properly and act accordingly, Lu Qiao looked at Zhang Siyi in admiration. 

Zhang Siyi listened to Wang’s remarks and was dumbfounded.  In his mind he went over the events not long ago that transpired during the Z-City planning bid. Even though Director Gu knew the final decision was prearranged, he still poured all of his efforts into the work. After overhearing the Chief and him talk in the bathroom, Zhang Siyi could not understand his attitude. He thought their efforts were in vain and that Gu Yu was deceiving them.

He recalled sitting with his father at home talking about the project bid and hearing him judge Gu Yu. He said that the discerning eye will remember Gu. Hard work is never going to be in vain and opportunities will come. Isn’t Secretary Wang the best proof?

Although the City Planning Bureau did not choose Gu Yu’s plan, Wang, the director of the C City Planning Bureau, remembered him and gave him a chance. However, Gu Yu passed on the opportunity he earned himself to Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao.

In determination, Zhang Siyi squeezed his fists. He also wants to work as hard as Gu Yu would have done on this project to confirm Gu Yu’s decision was the correct one on letting him design the building. He went straight to the topic: “Secretary Wang, we have carefully looked at the area and there are a few questions we don’t understand. I would like to consult with you.”

 “If you have any questions, go ahead and ask.” Secretary Wang folded his arms.

Although Zhang Siyi has some ideas, he isn’t one hundred percent certain they are within the scope of the Officials’ needs. Now that the number one party is present, of course he should ask questions to clarify: “Can the office building be built anywhere on the designated development area?”

With a big arm motion Secretary Wang presented the landscape to them and nodded: “Yes, all of this land is owned by the government. It can be used casually.”

Zhang Siyi, Lu Qiao: “…”

Zhang Siyi pointed to the houses and asked: “What about the residents and farmland on the base?”

“It’ll be demolished to make way for the government office and cultural center in the future.” Secretary Wang responded. He touched his chin in thought and said: “It’s best to build both a youth cultural center and a cultural plaza.”

Hearing Secretary idea for the land development made Zhang Siyi heart grow brighter because the plan envisioned by Secretary Wang coincided with the ideas that they just had!

He also asked a few more questions about the types of buildings and purpose of the plots surrounding the new office building. Secretary Wang answered truthfully.

 After some questions and answers, Secretary Wang took a look at Zhang Siyi and smiled: “The questions asked by the young man in front of me are quite professional. This is almost the new year and you also rushed over to inspect the land. Is it not easy?”

Zhang Siyi humbly said: “Where there is work, that’s where we should be.”

“Hey, it’s getting late. Have you had lunch yet?” Secretary Wang did not wait for Zhang Siyi to answer. He turned to Director Jiang on the side and said: “Director Jiang, take Mr. Zhang and this……? “

Lu Qiao nervously said: “I, I am Lu Qiao.”

Secretary Wang smiled and went on: “Take them out to have a meal and then drive them around the city for the afternoon.” Like most officials with limited time, he lifted his wrist to look at his own watch concerned with the current hour.

Zhang Siyi hurriedly said: “Secretary Wang, you must be very busy. We will go eat on our own.”

Secretary Wang waved his hand. His words have already been spoken and thus, his subordinates would naturally follow suit.

Director Jiang immediately greeted Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao and motioned them into the business car: “Mr. Zhang and Mr. Lu are the first time to come to our city. With cabbage stems, simmered duck, fried bean curd, old vegetables and potatoes, our local cuisine is a must!  Hey, I will take you to the best local restaurant here.”

Pretending to be polite, Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao were hungry all morning. While listening to the names of all he dishes their stomachs rumbled. Salivating, they blinked at the Director and swallowed.

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