Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 45: Photography

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With enthusiasm, Zhang Siyi specifically carried his camera and tripod to the company in order to take photos during lunch break. He was determined to win the prize money. He walked around the company, fiddled with the aperture and exposure, and took pictures of people all around. There are many that came to Zhang Siyi and posed for the camera. Happy laughter can constantly be heard.

Zhang Siyi took a few photos of several female colleagues. After they took them, they looked and said: “Wow, the SLR is not the same as a point-and-shoot-camera!”

Bi Lele also said: “Hey, with this level, I don’t even need to use photo editing software afterwards!”

Du Rui said with emotion: “I feel that the bonus of this photo contest is already in the bag of Four.”

Even a married male colleague said that Zhang Siyi’s level is better than the professional photographer he invited when he got married.

Praised by everyone, Zhang Siyi was feeling embarrassed. Scratching his head, he commented: “You are too kind. I’m still far away from a professional.”

Ji Feiyu said: “Now, many amateur photographers act as professional photographers in the wedding industry to make money on the side!”

Everyone was listening. With the way the wages of the construction industry were declining, Zhu Honghzhen looked at Zhang Siyi enviously: “If you lose your job one day you don’t have to worry about food. You can open a studio and take wedding photos!”

Zhang Siyi laughed: “Don’t curse me, I have a true love for architecture!”

The Chief who happened to be passing by heard Zhang Siyi say this sentence. He looked at him more and looked around and asked Gu: “This young man is very energetic. Is he the new recruit this year?”

Gu Yu: “Well, it’s only been half a year.”

Chief: “How come I didn’t see what project he was involved in?”

Generally, large scale projects are handled by the main designers and reporting director. Zhang Siyi is just a small patch and his name doesn’t appear on the top of the projects. Gu Yu replied: “He doesn’t have a solid foundation yet. I’ve been assigning him exercises and bit and pieces of projects.”

Chief: “I remember you always have a clear purpose for recruiting employees. What’s so special about him?”

Gu Yu smiled and said: “Would you believe he has a gift for design?”

The Chief sighed and shook his head: “What is the use of design talents in this line of work? I have seen a lot of people who are unique when they are young, but the young are vulnerable to giving up. The ones that are uncertain in the beginning will continue to grow and in ten-twenty years they finally stand out. It’s not a gift to design, but an experience that has accumulated over a long period of time. It’s perseverance.”

Gu Yu looked at Zhang Siyi’s back and said: “Yes, he is uncertain and has more to learn.”

The Chief looked at Gu Xiao with a face, and said, “It should be a great comfort for an old man to have a son like you.”

After chatting with Gu Yu, with a coffee cup in hand, he walked over to see Zhang Siyi: “Come, let me see the photographs you have taken.”

When the crowd saw that the Chief had come, they stepped aside and dared not laugh again.

Flattered, Zhang Siyi quickly scrolled to the beginning of the photo index to show the Chief. He nodded with satisfaction: “Good shots. But also take photos of people at work to reflect the working atmosphere of Borderless.” Now that he got permission from the chief to walk around, Zhang Siyi felt elated. He roamed around the company not just during lunch, but afterwards as well.

There were several people sitting around a large table to discuss a plan and one older designer was assisting a younger designer…. He took a photo through the glass.

In another area, there was a petite girl from the landscape department. She occupied a huge square table. The table was covered with markers. She was concentrating deeply on her drawing. Even when Zhang Siyi was near her to take a photo, she didn’t hear him.

Looking at the scenes that was captured by oneself in a square camera screen, everyone was so engaged in work, that Zhang Siyi was touched in his heart.

Later, he went around the data reading area and planned to take a few bookshelf photos. When he was abroad, he found that it was easy to take pictures in the library, and it made people feel the urge to actively forge ahead.

This late in the day, most people are in the office area working at their desks. As a result, the reading room is extraordinarily quiet.

The light was diffuse and very good for pictures. Zhang Siyi put the tripod aside and walked over the camera to find the angle, but suddenly bumped into Gu Yu who stood in front of the bookshelf looking for information.

Shining through the window, the diffuse winter light illuminated half of his shoulder and along his face creating a golden outline of Gu Yu.  He held a few 16-size “structure” in his hands. He was engrossed in his reading that he too did not find Zhang Siyi’s approach.

Zhang Siyi’s heart jumped excitedly. He quickly lifted the camera and pointed it at his silhouette and with a soft “click”, he took a picture.

Gu Yu heard a sound and suddenly turned his head. In panic, Zhang Siyi put his camera down out of view very fast. “You are here.”

“Still taking pictures?” Gu Yu closed the book. It seems he has found what he wanted and put all the rest of the books back on the bookshelf. He walked over: “Is the office building design finished? Don’t delay your regular assignments.”

Given that Zhang Siyi got permission to photograph for the day from the Chief he would normally want to refute Gu Yu request, but now he was obedient. He quietly answered: “Well, I’m almost finished taking photos. I’ll be able to finish the drawing today.”

Gu Yu: “Let me know when you are finish drawing as soon as possible. I will give you a new job.”

Zhang Siyi nodded: “Well, I know.”

Gu Yu stared at him for a few seconds then left.

Zhang Siyi meandered slowly back to his desk while looking through his photos that had just been taken. He must have been bewildered by Gu Xiao’s beauty to have behaved so obediently. Sitting at his desk, Zhang Siyi finished the layout with the fastest speed. Now that he has practiced many times, he can draw them effortlessly and Gu Yu rarely finds faults.

After finishing, he went to Gu Yu’s office. He was working on detailed design picture for the “structure” that he was researching back in the library area. Zhang Siyi glanced at it and only felt dazzled and amazed. He was curious and asked: “What is this?”

Gu Yu: “A group of business centers that I have been working on recently. They asked me to help them design the dome structure for it.”

Zhang Siyi said strangely: “Isn’t this supposed to be considered by structural professionals?”

Gu Yu put down the pencil and took over the task completed by Zhang Siyi. He casually said: “The architects are not contradictory when considering the structural problems. If you can have a structural concept when designing, the overall controllability will be stronger, and it will prevent problems. After construction, if there was a disjointed problem, the architect who did not consider the structural problem was the big problem.” After he finished, he bowed his head and helped him look at the picture.

Zhang Siyi suddenly, deep in his heart, he felt a kind of inexplicable pressure. Proper stimulation and stress can make people progress, but once the stimulation is too large, fear takes over and impedes forward progress. For now, in the face of Gu Yu’s power and omnipotence, Zhang Siyi had a sense of frustration for the first time. He felt that no matter how hard he tried, he could not be better than this person. It’s hard to be an architect.

In the evening, Zhang Siyi returned home and sorted out the photos taken that day and made a video clip. He has three submissions to fill, so he has two extra shots to pick out. Between the girl in the landscape department and Gu Yu in the library…. He was hesitant. His mouse slipped and Gu Yu imaged appeared full screen. Motionless, Zhang Siyi stared at it for a long time.

To be honest, if you ignore the other person’s not so good personality, Gu Yu is perfect.

A gleaming resume, strong professionalism, handsome appearance, the means to the top…. No wonder so many people like him.

He also remembered the scene from Christmas outside of KTV. He discretely guessed that she could grasp the heart of the god Gu Yu. The sweet and petite girl should be very capable.

Zhang Siyi gently clicked the mouse, and finally chose Gu Yu.

Hey, perfect people and perfect people together to form a perfect life, imperfect people can only be with unhappy people and keep dogs.

Outside the door came the sound of Fu Xinhui reprimanded Cheer-up. It seemed the dog had peed everywhere. “Zhang Siyi! Come out and give me a hand!”

Zhang Siyi: “……”

Time hurriedly passed by and the end of January was near. It’s time for New Years and the company’s employees have no intention of focusing on their work. Although the annual meeting will be celebrated late, on February 18^th, reservations for transportation for the office staff have long been arranged. The location for the meeting was set at a large hotel in the city center.

In addition to the photography competition, there are other small events in the conference, which is like a school literary festival held at a school, where students are required to organize their own events. Of course, the prizes are quite rich here, ranging from one or two hundred supermarket shopping cards, and more than five hundred thousand cash red packets, and ultimately the final raffle. The crowd has been asked in advance about the raffle prizes, which are said to include mobile phones, iPad, and computers.

Colleagues were excited and eager to try, but Zhang Siyi was a little depressed, and felt that the company’s lottery prizes were not very creative as he already owned everything.

If he participated in some activities, he could get a few small red packets and it could add up to a lot of extra income. However, there are a hundred individuals from all over the company so he may not be able to get it. Thinking about it, Zhang Siyi felt energized again. He wore sweatpants and sneakers suitable for a variety of events.

At 11 o’clock in the morning, he arrived at the hotel. Zhang Siyi saw the signboard of the “Borderless Company Annual Meeting” in the hotel lobby. Looking up to the side, there were other architectural design companies holding the annual meeting here on the same day!

Borderless conference was held in the Baihua Hall on the second floor, and another design company headed by English letters was in the Yellow Crane Hall on the side. The scene was very lively.

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 44: Rejection

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At 8:58, Gu Yu appeared at his office, in the company on time.

Although it is his birthday, he isn’t wearing anything different then he usually does. With his smoky grey coat and Levi black jeans, he looks slender and refined.

He usually carries pencils and a pocket sketchbook in his jacket year-round and today is no exception. The left pocket of his jeans is bulging with pieces of paper sticking out. If he doesn’t have his backpack with him, he always carries a large book or album under his arm like the one he had on the day they met in the coffee shop. Also, Zhang Siyi knows that he reads a lot of books. He has seen Gu Yu carrying a variety of books with a Haicheng Library label on the binding, like the book of poetry by Gu Cheng

Since Gu Yu is a typical engineering student, it’s hard to imagine an architect going to see the collection of literary poems. Whether it is speaking or thinking, he is logical and clear, and never confusing or subtle. The only time Gu Yu revealed a certain literacy, was when he used the poem of Wang Anshi in the text of the Z-City project.

Today, he walked quickly with a large book wrapped in an old cloth under his arm, from the elevator to his office without trouble. At the door he stopped moving and looked at the dense pile of cactus in front of it with a questioning look. With doubts and speculation in his eyes, he looked around the office area until his sight landed on the closest person, Zhang Siyi.

Watching the computer screen nervously and pretending to be drawing carefully, Zhang Siyi had his back to Gu Yu. Gu Yu slightly raised his mouth and opened the door of his office and spoke: “Zhang Siyi, come over.”

“……” Fuck! I’m not ready!!

Zhang Siyi hurriedly stuffed the small green light that was originally hidden in his clothes into the drawer and got up to walk over.

Gu Yu has bent down to take two pots of cactus and said: “Help me get these to the front desk together.”

Zhang Siyi stunned: “Why?”

Amused, Gu Yu addressed him: “Actually, I want to ask you why you put so many cactus here?”

Zhang Siyi flatly replied: “I didn’t put them there.”

The smile on Gu Yu’s face was gone. Zhang Siyi felt a little guilty. Although they weren’t his gifts, he was the one who proposed the idea. If he does not accept them, how will his next plan be carried out?

Zhang Siyi wrinkled his eyebrows and whispered: “Don’t you like cactus? Today is your birthday so everyone is happy that you will accept it.”

Holding two pots of cactus, with a faceless expression, Gu Yu did not seem to acknowledge him.

Zhang Siyi was very helpless and had to help him move the potted plants to the landscape frame at the entrance of the office. It was a donation to the company’s plants. On the way back, he made an apologetic expression to the female colleagues who had been looking forward to Gu Yu acceptance.

The female colleagues seemed to be used to Gu Yu demeanor so while frustrated, they didn’t take it to heart. A few minutes later, Gu Yu sent a message inside Group A: “Thank you for the gift. I appreciate it. Keep up the good work. [Smile] ”

The employees received the news and immediately replied with a “Happy Birthday”. The female colleagues also had a smile on their faces and the atmosphere was harmonious. Except for Zhang Siyi. Instead his heart ached. What about his own gift? Gu Yu is so cold and indifferent, he doesn’t know what to do.

Internally, Zhang Siyi struggled: “It took six hours to make and it looks great! How can I not give it to him?” All morning, Zhang Siyi anxiously mulled over the issue and finally, after lunch learned why Gu Yu acted the way he did.

Not only are the company’s rewards and punishments clearly defined, but also employees’ birthdays have standard benefits, including Gu Yu. Therefore, he can’t engage in special gifts from his subordinates. Whether it is a cheap cactus or something else, if the first is accepted, then there will be a second time and more and thus, mutual fairness will be broken.

But Zhang Siyi is not quite the same. Not long ago, Gu Yu gave him a tape measure so he can use this reason to return a gift to him. Also, he made this gift himself, therefore it is in a difference category then small gifts purchased at a store.

After figuring out this layer of relationship, Zhang Siyi gave sigh of relief. He admitted to having an ulterior motive by giving him the lamp with Birthday wishes. However, people die for money, birds die for food, under great economic pressure, integrity is the moral clouds, dark society by me to stir the muddy water — all for the bonus, go! Cactus!

After seeing Gu Yu return to his office from his meal, Zhang Siyi pumped his fist, got up and knocked on the door of his office.

“Come in.” Gu Yu was pouring a cup of tea. Once done, he pulled the back of his chair out and sat down. The book wrapped in cloth was on his desk half open and the title was now revealed; “Ice”. Zhang Siyi didn’t know what the book was. Gu Yu interrupted his momentary thought: “What are you looking for?” Gu Yu picked up the book with one hand and drank tea with the other.

Zhang Siyi carefully took out his cactus lamp from behind his back and placed it on Gu Yu’s desk. Now, sitting opposite Gu Yu, he thought of his pride and ambition and is feeling a bit shy. He pushed the lamp forward, saying nothing. His heart was up and down.

“What is this?” Gu Yan glanced at him curiously and lifted it up to look at it more closely. “A cactus?”

“Yeh!” Zhang Siyi eyes brightened, feeling relieved. Of course, Gu Yu would know what it is, unlike Heartless Han, that idiot. He thought it was a tennis ball. Afraid to be rejected, Zhang Siyi eagerly explained: “This is what I did myself. It is a small night light that will light up.”

Gu Yu turned it around in a circle and saw the switch on the base. He pressed it with a ‘click’ and the sphere immediately lit up from the inside and emanated a green glowing light. Because it is daytime, it doesn’t seem so gloomy and in fact, the lamp looked small and cute.

Gu Yu smiled and asked, “Are you giving this to me?”

Zhang Siyi nervously rubbing his thighs under the table: “Well, I wanted to give you a present in thanks for your tape measure gift.”

Gu Yu smiled and put the little lamp in his hand and looked at it for a long while. He said: “It’s lovely, thank you.”

Zhang Siyi looked at him with uncertainty. He accepted the gift just like that? It feels quite easy!

“But I’m surprised.” Gu Yu put the lamp aside. “I thought you would play the violin for me today.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” Shit! If you are going to be so cold, then don’t accept it.”

Gu Yu bowed his head to drink his tea. He changed the topic: “Will you participate in the photo contest?”

Still feeling frazzled, Zhang Siyi reaction is a little slow: “Ah? …. Yes, I will.”

When Gu Yu looked at Zhang Siyi, his long eyelashes lifted up and revealed deep, mesmerizing eyes: “I specifically proposed this photography event. With your good level of photographic ability, you should grasp this opportunity.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Coming out of Gu Yu’s office, Zhang Siyi continued to be in a trance. Things didn’t go according to his plan. He was looking forward to seeing a grateful expression on Gi Yu’s face. Originally, he thought Gu Yu would accept his gift earnestly and that would be that. Instead, Zhang Siyi feels like he was being played by Gu Yu.

However, Zhang Siyi was really touched. He did not think that the effect of giving gifts would hit him so fast. Or it should be said, that even if he does not give this gift, the idea that Gu Yu in private is thinking of him makes his whole body heat up from head to toe. Zhang Siyi feels like he is fluttering on cloud-nine and thought that Gu Yu is just too good. Whoo-hoo ~ (>_<)

Thinking of the book on Gu’s desk, Zhang Siyi curiously searched the Internet – “Ice” by the author Zeng Guofan. It is a classic document about relationships between people. It is Zeng Guofan’s insight into the mind and heart. It presents a unique strategy for hiring and employing people as well as a good practical reference for readers making it easy, yet interesting to read.

Zhang Siyi: “…” You play with the heart and the mind boy!

At night Zhang Siyi left the office and arrived back home punctually. He bumped into Fu Xinhui who was just leaving to walk the dog. Cheer-Up was wearing a beautiful silver colored collar and was obediently following Fu Xinhui.

Although still small, one could see how handsome and valiant the dog will grow up to be from its solid gold hair and stature. “Do you want to go with me? You didn’t eat dinner, did you? Come, let’s have a meal together.” Fu Xinhui gave an unsolicited invitation.

Zhang Siyi certainly would not refuse an invitation to dinner. On the way, he told his friend about Gu Yu’s rejection of the female colleagues’ gifts and acceptance of the cactus lamp he gave him. Smiling, Zhang Siyi felt proud. Fu Xinhui felt uneasy: “Are you sure people won’t think you are gay?”

Zhang Siyi said: “Why would people think that over a little lamp?”

Fu Xinhui: “Well, that’s not the point. The point is that he only received your gift …”

Zhang Siyi waved his hand: “Oh, it’s impossible. Before, there were female colleagues who thought he was special to me, but I feel that they are just joking. There is no reason to think there is anything more to it.”

Fu Xinhui irritated: “Then why do we always get mistaken for being gay?”

As they spoke, there was a sudden screaming around them: “Ah! So cute!”

Two beautiful, college student girls saw the golden puppy that Fu Xinhui was holding, and they came over to them with excitement.

“Good cute puppy! What kind of breed? Labrador? Can we pet him?”

Fu Xinhui generously let them come close and answered their questions with a gentleman’s face. The two girls were smashed, and they affectionately pet Cheer-Up for a few minutes before they looked up and saw Zhang Siyi standing on the side.

“Hey, are you raising this dog together?”

“Hey, are you guys gay?”

Fu Xinhui: “…” (=_=)

Zhang Siyi: “…”

It was hard to get rid of those two girls. This reoccurring topic makes Zhang Siyi feel frustrated. “Why do people always think we are a couple? Ah! Not just my ex-girlfriend, but my boss played this joke too! Are we trying to be gay? Do you have a gay temperament, or do I?”

Continuing their walk with Cheer-Up Fu Xinhui declared: “Definitely not me.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 43: Handmade

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What’s better to give? As a subordinate giving a gift to his boss, if he gives something expensive then he probably can’t afford it. However, if it’s something less expensive then there is no value. If its too ordinary, then its not enough to repay the favor of his tape measure, but then if its too special, he is afraid he won’t accept it. The others are already giving cactus plants and he doesn’t have anything of sentimental value like the tape measure to give. Now that Zhang Siyi is mulling this issue around his head, he realized the best gift to give would be a non-physical gift, like playing the violin. Gu Yu also indicated he wanted Zhang Siyi to play it for him, so there is no possibility of rejection.

But he only practiced once, and he couldn’t play it!

Zhang Siyi grabbed his head and was dying. He never had as many problems as he does now thinking about a gift for Gu Yu as he had when he was buying gifts for his ex-girlfriend.

At noon the company ordered a bento with salty egg yolk fried pumpkin, Zhang Siyi suddenly remembered the pumpkin lantern he made on Halloween day. The appearance of Gu Yu looking at the lantern with delight is still fresh in Zhang Siyi memory. He was inspired – a pumpkin lamp? But it looks a little strange to give a pumpkin lamp for a birthday present, so he could switch up the subject…. A cactus light?

As its been only half a year, forgive him for knowing so little about Gu Yu. Apart from the pumpkin lantern, Zhang Siyi could only think of the cactus. In fact, the cactus idea is quite good because it can mix in with a bunch cactus pots that the female colleagues give. Being handmade, its unique, but he doesn’t think it would be too conspicuous.

Excited, Zhang Siyi quickly created a few design plans of a cactus. Unlike his pumpkin from Halloween, this time it won’t rot, so of course it can’t be done with a fresh plant.

After he planned out his ideas, Zhang Siyi immediately placed an order online and bought a bunch of hand tools and materials. The online supplier delivered the goods the next day, and during the night, Zhang Siyi began to build Gu Yu’s gift!

He first made a spherical frame with wire, and then made a shell from the wrinkled green matte copy paper and covered the frame. He drew a cute smile, and regularly glued a small handful of small balls around the sphere. He added life-like fluff to act as a thorn for the cactus.

Zhang Siyi played around with it in his hand for a while and felt happy. He made another carton base and before he attached the ball to the base, he took the opportunity to write a small note and buried it within the base. It read “Gu Yu, you big devil! I wish you a happy 29th birthday. One day I will be even more powerful than you! (╰_╯)——ZSY”

Zhang Siyi snickered and placed the note on the bottom. He cut a card with the same shape and glued it around the edges, completely covering it with a seal. Hey, how can Gu Yu see this? Let your heart be buried with birthday wishes and become an everlasting secret!

Finally, Zhang Siyi put a small led light device in the base with a battery and spread dry sand stone around the base. He exposed the lamp head, put the lamp cover on then turned on the switch – bright!

Ah-ha-ha-ha! This young master is really a handmade genius! ! !

Even though the lamp was simple, it took Zhang Siyi six hours to make it and it was two o’clock in the morning. In his excitement to let other see his creation, he isn’t sleepy.

Knowing that the night owl, Fu Xinhui, was definitely not sleeping, Zhang Siyi went straight to his door and knocked: “Heartless Han! Come and see!”

While wearing headphones, Fu Xinhui is watching a movie and Cheer-Up is sitting quietly on his lap. One person and one dog hear the sound and look back. In the darkness, a green thing is shining.

Fu Xinhui: “…”

Cheer up: “…”

It wasn’t until Zhang Siyi came in with a plush green light that Fu Xinhui saw what the bizarre spot of light was. “Why are you still up so late?”

Zhang Siyi held his lamp and said: “Look what I did!”

Fu Xinhui took Zhang Siyi’s lamp and carefully observed it for a bit then asked: “What is this? A tennis ball?”

Zhang Siyi said: “Do tennis balls have thorns!? This is a cactus lamp!”

Is there such a thing as a cactus lamp? (=_=)

”It’s pretty good,” replied Fu Xinhui with all sincerity. “Did you stay up until now to make this?”

Zhang Siyi’s zealous excitement was written all over his face: “The day after tomorrow is Gu Yu’s birthday. This is his present.”

In Fu Xinhui’s room with a sea of warm colors, the lamp emanates a gloomy green, like a curse. Fu Xinhui’s eyes opened wider in concern: “Are you sure you want to give this?”

Zhang Siyi confidently said: “What’s the matter? Isn’t it nice to look at?”

That’s an understatement, Fu Xinhui thought. He asked: “This kind of small lamp is so common. Why not buy one online?”

Zhang Siyi vehemently expressed his opinion: “That’s not sincere!”

“Well, what intentions …… to your boss.” Fu Xinhui took a deep breath and suppressed his desire to criticize him. “Why do you care?”

Zhang Siyi made a fist: “everything for the bonus!”

At work the next day is the Group study meeting. This is a special project of the architectural design department. In order to promote join learning and growth, every two months, there will be one day where the members of the two groups sit together and select excellent design solutions worth sharing for internal reporting and discussion. When there are no projects, Gu Yu and Tong Heyi will either find some classic programs for everyone to discuss or organize everyone to watch a film related to architecture.

In recent months, there have been many company projects. Zhang Siyi has participated in two study sessions, all of which are discussion projects. This time is no exception. Only on this day, Gu Yu and Tong Heyi were taken by the Chief. The regular meeting was hosted by Ji Feiyu and another older designer of A Group.

Since the two bosses are absent the atmosphere in the discussion room is relatively relaxed. There are twenty young people in five or six rows, holding things like a notepad, a teacup, and some are with snacks. It is much like a college class. What is being discussed was a factory design made by A Group last week, which is quite unique. In order to train a poor colleague in the group, Ji Feiyu specifically asked him to report.

Zhang Siyi was very involved in drawing many floor plans. The design of the factory was originally framed, so without intricate elements, it was very boring. He was listening to his colleague read the PPT presentation according to the text. Since he didn’t get enough sleep last night, the monotone drone of the colleague’s made him feel so sleepy. Yawning a few times, it wasn’t long before his head fell to the side on his neck, asleep.

Zhang Siyi’s luck was not good. Gu Yu and Tong Heyi came back five minutes later.

Before entering the door, Child Labor realize she had something else important, so she left beforehand. Gu Yu walked in and looked around. He saw everyone at attention facing front except for Zhang Siyi who was fast asleep. His mouth was half open, and drool was dribbling down the side.

Zhu Hongzhen was about to nudge Zhang Siyi, but when he saw Gu Yu walk right towards his direction, he did nothing. The crowd also held their breath and quieted down to watch. Gu Yu walked softly to Zhang Siyi side and pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket. He took a few photos of Zhang Siyi sleeping.

Everyone: “…”

Gu Yu whispered to the group of people around Zhang Siyi. Seeing that Gu Yu was pulling a prank on Zhang Siyi, they stifled their quiet laughs and cooperated with Gu Yu. He had them strike-a-pose all around Zhang Siyi.

Gu Yu retreated a little and took a few shots from different angles.

After taking a full ten minutes, he just smiled and put away his mobile phone. He made an “x” gesture to everyone to keep it a secret and then went out.

Several female colleagues whispered amongst themselves:

“Why did Director Gu take pictures of Fourth Aunt sleeping?”

“Surprisingly, it’s the first time I’ve seen him actively engaged in a prank and It seemed… cute?”

“Yes, yes… did you see that look on Director Gu’s face? He usually is so distant, but that was just too cute!”

“Am I the only one who thinks that Gu Yu is beyond reach even when he does a prank? He’s only making fun of Auntie Four. We’re just his set props.……”

“Shh–! Auntie four is waking up! Secrecy, secrecy!”

Zhang Siyi leisurely woke up and opened his eyes. Half of the people in the discussion room looked at him with sympathetic eyes. He was a little frightened and quickly wiped the saliva from the corners of his mouth, thinking it was a cause of concern, slightly blushing. But then there were people who looked at him from time to time, including Zhu Hongzhen.

Flustered, Zhang Siyi asked: “Hey, what’s the matter? Was Boss just here?”

Zhu Hongzhen: “… No.”

The seminar lasted until four o’clock in the afternoon. Due to his nap Zhang Siyi felt rejuvenated.

The crowd returned to the office area and noticed a new memo pinned on the bulletin board. People crowded around to read the notice of the event. It read:

—— Borderless photography competition ——

In order to welcome the arrival of the New Year, our company will hold an internal staff photography competition at the end of the year. All employees are encouraged to participate voluntarily.

Subject: Any photos related to the company, employees, and work. The competition is divided into two groups for submission:

1. serious group (serious and normal photos)
2. funny group (spoof, joy, funny photos, etc.)

Requirements: A maximum of three works can be submitted per person. The work must be taken within one year and submitted as a single photo or photo clip.

Deadline: January 20, 2015

The preferred method: All works will be shown as a slide show at the company’s annual meeting at the end of January. Afterwards, the company will vote online for their favorites on the company’s official website. Finally, each group will receive a prize of 3,000 yuan each, and 10 photos will be selected at the same time. After the magnified works are enlarged, they will be displayed at the entrance of the company in the coming year.

The “Photo Contest” in the title attracted Zhang Siyi’s attention. He saw the bonus amount of the “three thousand yuan” in the end, and his eyes were completely bright! Wow! Photography is what he is best at! Excited, Zhang Siyi has raised his fist and this bonus must be won!

From time to time, Zhang Siyi has noticed colleagues giving him both curious looks and sympathetic ones.

Zhang Siyi: “…” Why do you look at me like this!

On January 8, Gu Yu’s birthday arrived.

Early in the morning, before 9:00, several female colleagues arrived at the company and quietly placed their gifts at the door of Gu Yu’s office. Since they were worried about being rejected, they are all tactfully unsigned.

Zhang Siyi is also careful. He took his cactus lamp to the office, but he was different.

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