Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 36: Christmas

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Not long after winning the bid, the company had a public tribute for the architectural design Group A and highlighted other members who contributed to the overall Z-City project plan. However, the legendary prize money was slow to come.

When Zhang Siyi moved back home, he left many belongings in England. Now that it is getting colder out, he is short of winter clothing. At every corner, there are advertisements for winter clothing at various shops for two to three thousand. Even a budget brand, Uniqlo, advertises cloths for seven to eight hundred. It’s the first time Zhang Siyi feels the pressure of living. His credit cards are maxed out and he still needs to by a set of winter clothes, winter accessories and shoes.

Thus far, his November salary was used to pay back the rent owed to Fu Xinhui. Since it’s now the end of the month, he must save his wages for the next quarter’s rent. Being well-off wasn’t something Zhang Siyi actively thought about in the past. It was simply his natural state of living. Realizing the reality of his financial situation, Zhang Siyi starts to worry.

Zhang Siyi was anxious and quietly asked Bi Lele on the Internet: “When do we receive the bonus for the project we won?”

Bi Lele: “it doesn’t come so fast because there is a lot of paperwork involved. In general, its counted quarterly. You were on the job at the end of August, right? and September you didn’t participate in any big projects so there wasn’t bonus for you that quarter. You will have to wait until the next quarter so that means December… well really, you have to wait until New Year’s Day is over.”

Zhang Siyi: “……” Shit! It’s going to take too long! (#°Д°)

Thinking he was going to receive the bonus payment sooner rather than later, he thought he could loosen his belt a bit. He will have to tighten it even more now that he needs to buy some clothes. Thinking about the next month’s credit card bill, Zhang Siyi heart was bleeding. The money is going down the drain and isn’t coming back. He can only endure and look forward to his paycheck.

Christmas is coming and with it, the foreign students return home. Some come home specifically to go on holiday to Shanghai but, where ever their destination maybe, most fly through Haicheng airport. On WeChat, friends got in touch with one another and made plans for dinner. Among them is the ill talked about girl, Yu Rui. Since she has always expressed indifference, it’s not clear whether Yu Rui knows people talk about her behind her back or not. She is always consistently strong willed, doing whatever she wants.

In their close group of 5 friends private chat, on this day, Ren Mengyu and Su Yuan argued.

Ren Mengyu: “What!? You’re going to let Yu Rui live in your place?”

Su Yuan: “She contacted me and asked about staying in my place for a few days. I have the space and it doesn’t bother me right now, so I didn’t have a reason to refuse.”

Ren Mengyu: “Su Yuan, you are too soft! You need to keep a distance from her or you will get hurt. Don’t blame me if something happens!”

Su Yuan: “I know. When we all meet don’t make a fuss. I’m a classmate and I don’t like arguing.  Let’s talk more about it privately next time.”

Since it’s the Girls ‘ business, the boys stay silent in the background. Anyway, it’s not possible for Yu Rui to harm them in the same way as the girls so they don’t have much to comment. On Christmas Eve, Fu Xinhui organized a party for the college classmates currently in Haicheng, including Yu Rui and Xue Wenhan who have returned home for the holiday.

Luckily Zhang Siyi didn’t have overtime, so he was able to meet up with his friends on Saturday for dinner. Jiang Hai also brought his girlfriend which attracted the groups attention and teasing. Zhang Siyi joked around: “Jiang Hai broke up with me!” Everyone laughed. Peach Blossom Fortune (love) has returned to Jian Hai.

Jian Hai: “Ha-ha-ha. Do you even have time right now for love? Your work load is too much!”

Surprised, Yu Rui looked to Zhang Siyi: “Really?”

Xue Wenhan also said: “I noticed the project you are working on is in the middle of nowhere.”

Jiang Hai: “Yeah, he had just participated in a big project not long ago. I heard that he got a lot of bonuses.”

Ren Mengyu: “Wow! Zhang Siyi, why didn’t you tell us you were doing so well? Aren’t we close enough friends?”

Su Yuan also said: “The industry is becoming more depressed lately. The company I work for has let go some full-time staff and recruited a couple new interns instead. It makes me worried.”

When Yu Rui listened to Su Yuan, she also turned to Zhang Siyi to appraise him again. She said softly: “British work is also not easy to find now. I heard that a job isn’t secure even if you get a master’s degree. As a result, many have returned to China.”

The difference in job situations between Zhang Siyi and his friends felt very wide. He felt very fortunate in Borderless and didn’t have much to say to comfort his friends. In the past few days he also heard from Bi Lele about the current industry trends. While some companies are paying lower wages compared to Borderless, others are laying off workers.

Everyone raised their glasses and congratulated Zhang Siyi and asked him to treat them for the meal. Zhang Siyi’s heart is dark. Although he has a good job, he doesn’t have money to spend freely. In the face of his friends, he begrudgingly paid for the meal.

Talking amongst themselves, they were having such a good time that they discussed what else they were going to do for the rest of the night. When Zhang Siyi heard they wanted to go to KTV then play pool at a billiard club all night, he started to panic. What if his credit card was rejected at check-out? Fortunately, Fu Xinhui saved him the headache when they entered KTV. He swiped his credit card right away to pay for the big package.

Relieved, Zhang Siyi was finally able to enjoy the rest of the party. After singing a few songs, he sat down to rest a moment and have a drink. Yu Rui suddenly came over and asked: “How did you break up with your girlfriend?”

Zhang Siyi was still immersed in a happy atmosphere and didn’t assume any deep meaning from Yu Rui’s question. Su Yuan and Ren Mengyu replied unpreparedly: “Her character is not right.”

Yu Rui was surprised: “There is someone who can’t get along with you? You are the best boy I have ever seen. If they can’t get along with you, then there must be something wrong with them!”

Zhang Siyi: “Ha-ha. Is that it?”

Yu Rui smiled and raised her cup to him: “Yeah, I have never seen you argue with anyone. It must be nice being with you; smiling and laughing all day long.”

Even though he feels hot and dizzy after a few mouthfuls of wine, Zhang Siyi is feeling rather content at the moment. Listening to Yu Rui words makes him feel even more blissful.

However, think carefully. Yu Rui is obviously trying to butter him up. Most adults don’t put their emotions to the forefront. Yu Rui casually asked: “I have never heard you talk about your family. I guess your parents are intellectuals. Are they university teachers like Su Yuan?”

Zhang Siyi: “My Dad is a super stereotyped person in the system and my mother is not an intellectual. She is a gynecologist.”

Yu Rui is not moving: “In the system? …A government department?”

Yu Rui smiled and asked him how he had been admitted to Borderless in the first place. She wanted to look at his collection of work. Zhang Siyi mind is slowly working. Yu Rui seems to be targeting him. He doesn’t really know what type of person she is, but because he has heard a lot of gossip, he is on alert now.

At ten o’clock he and everyone else started gathering their things and get ready to leave for the next activity. When they left the room, a few girls went to the restroom and the boys waited in the hall for the elevator. Many people were coming and going, and he wondered if he will make the last subway home. Chatting with Xue Wenhan he thought he saw a familiar person coming out of the elevator at the corner of his eye. He had to do a double-take and turn back to take a closer look. Is that Gu Yu? He is here at KTV to sing? Zhang Siyi has a hard time believing his eyes.

Smiling with the crowd, Gu Yu was wearing a short, black woolen coat surrounded by a group of women and men. The average age is significantly larger than Zhang Siyi and his friends.

Preparing to pay the bill, Gu Yu took out his wallet from his coat, but he was interrupted by a tall and strong young man behind him: “Old Four! Let me pay!” The young man stepped to the counter. Zhang Siyi faintly heard the person say: “…. rare to meet ….”

Zhang Siyi was watching the excitement of the lively group of people when suddenly someone squeezed out through the crowd. A beautiful petite girl jumped over to Gu Yu’s side and held his arm, laughing and leaning against one another. Gu Yu turned his head to look at her and did not break away.

In that moment, Zhang Siyi mind switched off, like the static on the TV, there was nothing but “buzzing”. An unprecedented horrible feeling emerged from the bottom of his heart.

The group of people finished checking out then moved to the direction of the elevator. They were taking photos when Gu Yu saw Zhang Siyi. He was surprised to see him.

Less than two meters away, Zhang Siyi can see the girl who is holding onto Gu Yu more clearly. She is extremely pretty and delicate. Wearing a rabbit fur hat, she has large eyes and isn’t wearing makeup. She looks exquisite, like an angelic spirit walking among mortals.

Before either one of them could say something, one of Gu Yu’s friends interrupted their awkward confrontation and asked: “Who is this? Do you know him?”

Gu Yu introduced him to the group: “This is my little friend in the company.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” Why are you always calling me a kid!?

Gu Yu smiled and looked Zhang Siyi’s group of friends: “You also came out to have fun with friends?”

In answer, Zhang Siyi only nodded then the elevator arrived, and Gu Yu left with his friends. The girls belated arrival witnessed this brief interaction and asked together: “Who was that? He was so handsome!”

Fu Xinhui pointed to Zhang Siyi and explained for him: “His boss.”

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 35: Tape Measure

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Seeing Gu Yu’s message, Zhang Siyi felt as if he had been struck by a blow, and the whole person was overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling of emotion and guilt. He didn’t think the tape measure was Gu Yu’s decade old personal object!

His French handmade violin has been with him for only five to six years. Even after leaving it at home for a long time, he would not give away his violin because he has developed an attachment with it. Zhang Siyi can recall the love of playing. The music brought a sense of accomplishment he felt from his hard work practicing and the enjoyment he felt hearing the music.

What’s more, an open tape measure for an architect is like a gamer’s used keyboard, a writer’s smooth pen, a billiard player’s cue-stick…… It’s already priceless. Gu Yu actually gave him such a meaningful thing to express his Birthday and professional blessing.

He thought about his recent comments in his WeChat and wanted to quickly delete them. When he picked up his phone, it rang suddenly. It was his Mother’s call! Zhang Siyi casually pressed the answer button. The phone connected, and he heard his mother’s gentle voice: “I thought you were busy during the day, so I didn’t call until now. Happy Birthday!”

Panicked, Zhang Siyi doesn’t want to listen to his mother’s blessing right now. He wants to delete his news feed post! Thinking of Gu Yu’s comments from the day, he asked: “Mom, did you call Gu Yu Yesterday?”

Mama Zhang: “Yes. You told me yesterday that he wouldn’t take the crab paste. Even so, he has helped you with so many things so I had to call and thank him.”

Zhang Siyi: “What else did you say to him? He took me out today to inspect the underground parking lot and said you told him I liked to eat KFC chicken nuggets!

His Mother sniffled a laugh: “Gee, he took you out to eat today!”

Zhang Siyi the corner of the eye twitched: “We didn’t eat chicken nuggets!”

“I was just trying to thank him,” said Zhang’s mother. “I didn’t expect to have a long conversation.”

Zhang Siyi freaked out and anxiously said: “Wha, what did you talk about?”

Mama Zhang: “What do you think we talked about? Of course, you! When you learned to play the violin. When you wanted to cut wood. When you wanted to be a carpenter and your father made fun of you. You wouldn’t talk to him, so I bought you some chicken nuggets and you forgave him. I also told him about how you worshiped Gu Yu in high school. How you pinned-up a poster of T University architecture admission. Although you didn’t get in…. then you cried for several days. That’s when I talked with your father about sending you out of the country. When we asked what you thought you were so excited you practically jumped three feet high.

Zhang Siyi： “…………” Ah, ah, ah! Why does his mother want to tell Gu Yu about these embarrassing things from his past! How will he be able to face Gu Yu in the future!

Mama Zhang: “I inadvertently told him about your birthday. Since you worshipped him and liked architecture, he said that he would give you a small gift. Did he give you something? What was it?”

Zhang Siyi: “………..” So that’s how the tape measure came about?

God! Zhang Siyi was irritated: “If you don’t know, I’m not telling you!”

When his mother listened, she didn’t get angry. Instead, she smiled and laughed. Zhang Siyi heard the laughter through the phone line and thought about the books hidden in his closet at home. He got goosebumps and wanted to quickly change the topic: “Gu Yu is so stern and taciturn; how can you talk to him for so long? Did you really talk that much, Mom?”

If that’s the case, it’s embarrassing! Zhang Siyi is starting to feel like having a rotten Mom is more of a headache then a Boss that torments him.

Mama Zhang said strangely: “What are you talking about? Taciturn? Stern? He was very talkative and friendly to me.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” talkative? Gu Yu? He couldn’t connect the two together.

His Mother said with emotion: “It’s also very funny, hey, such a good boy is rare now.”

Zhang Siyi: “Hey! You already have Dad and me!”

Mama Zhang: “Ha-ha. Ok. Mom knows. I won’t be calling your boss everyday so don’t worry about it. Remember to have a good Birthday today and get to sleep early. You have to rest for work in the morning.”

Zhang Si Yi hung up the phone and felt like a potato strip surrounded by frying oil. After five seconds he realized he forgot to ask his mother if Gu Yu had ever expressed his opinions on the phone……

Forget about calling back. He still wanted to delete the lens photo he put up on his social media account. Zhang Siyi quickly cut back to his WeChat circle of friends and searched for it but found that Fu Xinhui has already praised it!

 Zhang Siyi： “@%￥……” Balls!

If Gu Yu sees the news, will he feel like Zhang Siyi mocked him for giving him the tape measure? He started to feel uneasy, so he simply took a photo of the tape measure and thought of a message to post to his WeChat friends: “The Boss gave me a tape measure. I will work hard!”

Then he replied to Gu Yu’s message with two words: “Thank you.”

When he went back to check the photo of the tape measure, there was already a row of responses below –

Jiang Hai: “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Ren Mengyu: “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!

[candles]

[candles]”

Su Yuan: “Sure enough, I should work hard and sympathize with you. [Smirking]”

Tian Yujing: “Hey, are you sending two photos together to highlight your friends?”

Fu Xinhui: “[smile]”

…… Finished. It seemed a bit self-defeating! (=_=)

In a short while, his colleagues from the company also sent him messages. They were discussing it in the Borderless chat group.”

Lele: “Wow! Four! That tape measure was given to you by Gu Yu?”

Aunt Four: “… um.”

Xu Jia: “Ah, ah, I am envious! Why is the boss always giving you something!”

Xuan: “I am also jealous.”

Piggy: “Although I am not short on tape measures, look how loved Aunt Four is! I also want a taste.”

Chicken Wings: “I’ve followed the boss from X-Yard to the No-Go for three years working with the Boss. I’ve seen the tape measure many times. He seemed to cherish it, so why did he give it to you?”

Qiao Mei: “Too much hate!”

…… Zhang Siyi silently turned off the WeChat and dare not post more messages.

Once again, he took out the tape measure that Gu Yu gave him and put it in the palm of his hand to inspect it carefully. He saw that both the lock buckle and the color of the tape shell has been worn out a lot, but it still emits a crisp clatter when used.

Zhang Siyi started playing around with the tape measure. For a while, he pulled it out and retracted it, hearing the crisp clink sound when the end piece zipped into place. Surprisingly, it was super smooth and comfortable. Because of the long-term use, the printing on the tape measure was faded. He got up to measure his desk; length 1200mm, depth 720mm, height 780mm….

In his hand again, his fingers fiddled with every inch of the tape measure. He imagined this tool accompanying Gu Yu through his ups and downs and traveling to many places. With repeated use, does the tape measure begin to have a memory of all the data collected with it? Realizing the significance, the ordinary tape measure transforms into a soul with vitality. With an accelerating heartbeat, Zhang Siyi cherishes the object in his hands.

If he went back to high school six or seven years and Gu Yu gave him such a tape measure, would he have followed him so passionately with excitement, exclaiming he will work hard?

What the hell is wrong with him now? Not only was he unexpectedly being so picky and ungrateful, he complained about the gift in front of Fu Xinhui. Zhang Siyi felt so inspired, but also so guilty. His heart was warm and sour then tears welled up.

At this time, Fu Xinhui suddenly pushed the door in: “Hurry come eat. How’s the lens?”

Zhang Siyi blinked his tears away: “I haven’t looked at it yet.”

Fu Xinhui frowned: “So what have you been doing in the room for so long?”

Zhang Siyi: “Pa.., playing with my tape measure…”

Fu Xinhui: “…”

After the meal, Zhang Siyi went back to his room and checked his WeChat. He didn’t see any response from Gu Yu about either the photo sent in his circle of friends or from his ‘thank you’ message.

After a day of mood swings, Zhang Si Yi didn’t have the nerve to message further. Anyway, he thought that Gu Yu would be very happy if he worked at his own pace and showed an improvement in his work performance over time.

The next day at the company Zhang Siyi received the employee’s birthday benefits from the Ministry of Personnel. It was a 500-yuan supermarket gift certificate and a cake card. Colleagues learned that he had a birthday and expressed their blessings. Du Rui and Xu Jia also came to visit Gu Yu’s tape measure and expressed their envy.

Zhang Siyi originally wanted to get a task from Gu Yu when he came to the office in the morning, but he was called away by the Chief. Since Gu Yu group won the bid of the Z-City project, there will be awards for each member of the team. After waiting for an hour, Zhang Siyi saw Gu Yu head back to his office. He immediately got up, went into Gu Yu’s office and looked at him eagerly for a new task.

As usual, Gu Yu’s emotions are hidden under the indifferent expression. He did not mention yesterday visit in the parking garage. Naturally, Zhang Siyi was assigned the task of designing more parking lots.

Zhang Siyi also did not dare to complain so he obediently nodded. On his way out, he noticed his pumpkin lantern that was placed on the table has disappeared. Yeah. It’s been half a month.

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 34: Gifts

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At that moment when Gu Yu mentioned taking him to KFC, Zhang Siyi was about to blow his top. Zhang Siyi clenched his fist and mustered his cheeks. His patience has been pushed to the limit. He must resist! He must refuse! He’s going to say what’s on his mind or he will go crazy!

But before Zhang Siyi burst out, he heard Gu Yu laughing: “Ok, ok. I’ll stop teasing. What do you want to eat? You can pick it yourself.” As if he had encountered something particularly interesting, Gu Yu’s smile grew. From a slight upturn of the corners of his mouth to a smile from ear to ear, he expressed pure enjoyment.

Even though Zhang Siyi tension was to the max and he wanted to complain, when he saw Gu Yu heartfelt joy and smiling face, he was like a fast-exploding balloon. The air suddenly being released, twitching in the air, snoring and deflating and finally flattened on the ground spent, and dying.

Gu Yu seems completely aware of Zhang Siyi emotional stress and at this moment, Zhang Siyi really-really -hates-him.

Zhang Siyi angrily took out his phone and looked at a review app. He looked up the mall and he chose a relatively expensive restaurant with the highest rating. It was a mixed Spanish Chinese restaurant with a very good evaluation. It’s not extravagantly priced, but still quite high. No matter, even if Gu Xiao doesn’t invite him to eat, Zhang Siyi will pay to eat something good otherwise he is going to die!

Gu Yu was silent. When Zhang Siyi reported, they immediately went upstairs. Into the restaurant, the host lead the two men to a double sofa position by the floor-to-ceiling window.

There were very minimal decorations in the place. From the window, one can view the entire center of Union Square. The environment is very good, but it’s already passed peak hours, so there are fewer people around and it seems a bit deserted.

Gu Yu ordered a piece of char-grilled steak and Zhang Siyi asked for one of his favorites; a cuttlefish noodle dish prepared Western style.

The dishes were served very fast and Zhang Siyi was famished. He tended to turn his emotional grief and stress into appetite. Digging in, it didn’t take long for him to finish his meal. When Zhang Siyi finished his portion of squid, Gu Yu’s steak was only one-third eaten. He touched his stomach, but he felt like eating more. He ordered crispy squid rings and sweet and spicy chicken wings. The waiter asked them if they wanted dessert or after-dinner drinks. Gu Yu ordered a cup of coffee. Zhang Siyi didn’t like to eat sweet, so he said no.

Gu Yu excused himself to use the restroom. Zhang Siyi ignored him, turned to the window and pouted. Now, the rain was pouring down. In the early winter it was common to have heavy rain storms accompanied by a cold front. It felt like the coldness was penetrating the glass.

Zhang Siyi’s mood is also badly affected by this bad weather. Even if he rushed home, it is estimated that no one will want to go out in such a storm. “I was ravaged by day, and I couldn’t see friends at night.” Zhang Siyi thought.

This day was probably the worst birthday of his 23 years! If he had known the day would be like this, he would have sleep at home all day! Maybe Gu, the bastard, didn’t even know that today was his birthday… Since he picked the restaurant this time, there aren’t any surprises. There wouldn’t be an opportunity for him to forgive Gu Yu.

Feeling petulant, Zhang Siyi wants there to be a reason to feel even more wronged. He doesn’t know what kind of expectation he has in his heart. After a while, Gu Yu came back. He took the hot coffee that the waiter had just sent and held it in his hand. He took a sip and looked at Zhang Siyi’s profile and said slowly: “You aren’t happy?”

Zhang Siyi turned back, and answered with a rhetorical denial: “No.”

Of course, he is not happy! But he can’t say why. Can you tell your Boss that “It’s my birthday today and I’m very unhappy with you?”

Gu Xiao tilted his head in thought. Zhang Siyi lowered his head and stabbed a squid ring to eat with his fork and noticed the steak that Gu Yu had not finished eating. He asked, “Why don’t you eat it?”

Gu Yu said: “I’m full.”

Zhang Siyi thought, does Gu Yu not like Western food? Many people in the country are not used to eating western style foods. When they were in the UK, they didn’t like it at first, but after eating it more, they slowly liked the taste of fresh beef. He selfishly chose this place to eat without asking Gu Yu what types of food he likes.

Gu Yu asked: “Do you have any plans for a while? Do you want to go back?”

Zhang Siyi is lazy and can’t afford anything so there is no point in shopping: “Well, I want to wait until the rain lets up some. What about you?”

Gu Yu looked out the window and whispered: “Then I will sit with you for a while.”

Zhang Siyi: “………” Damn, why does it sound like I’m asking you to stay with me? Even with a car, isn’t it still difficult to leave with such a heavy rain?

Just as Zhang Siyi was arrogantly going to shout, “If you want to go, then go!”, the waiter came over and interrupted him by placing a small dish of cheesecake in the middle of their table.

Zhang Siyi startled, said: “We didn’t order cake.”

The waiter smiled and pointed to Gu Yu: “It was this gentleman who ordered it.”

It was a very common post-dinner dessert cake in the shop, and Gu Yu nodded to the waiter to thank him.

Zhang Siyi: “………”

The waiter put another candle and a packet of matches on the edge, then looked at Zhang Siyi and said: “Happy Birthday” and left.

Zhang Siyi: “???”

Gu Yu used his slender fingers to insert a candle in the center of the cake. Then, he slowly pulled out a match, and with a match-strike on the ignition strip, the fire jumped up and the candle was lit.

Revealing a rare gentleness, Gu Yu looked at Zhang Siyi: “Make a wish.”

Zhang Siyi is stupid. Gu Yu knew his Birthday is today? Is this really a birthday dinner?

In the face of such a sudden change, because he has been emotionally abused so much recently, Zhang Siyi has a particularly unreal feeling.

Zhang Siyi blew out the candle and said “thank you” awkwardly. Although he felt a little irritated for the late blessing, he couldn’t help but show some gratitude towards Gu Yu.

Yes, Gu Yu’s actions today made him feel that his birthday was just extra, incidental and dispensable thing. Then, Gu Yu took out the tape measure that they had been using in the parking lot from his pocket and put it in front of Zhang Siyi. He smiled and said: “There is no special preparation. This is for you. A birthday gift.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” What!? This is what shit gift! Why don’t you write a happy birthday on a napkin?

It is the kind of ordinary tape measure that you would find in any small shop. It can’t be more than 10 bucks and its very old, but it is the gift from the Boss. Zhang Si Yi can’t find a reason to refuse. Feeling slighted, Zhang Siyi collected the present. He resentfully thanked him then took a bite of the cake.

All the while, Gu Yu kept quiet. He was watching and evaluating Zhang Siyi mood. His meticulous observations gave Zhang Siyi goosebumps.

Zhang Siyi wasn’t particularly happy, so he didn’t pretend to be. After all, his mood wouldn’t be resolved with a simple meal. At this point, it wouldn’t even be resolved by his favorite bowl of sand-tea-noodles.

After the meal, Zhang Siyi didn’t rush to pay the bill. Gu Yu took the initiative to check out. The rain had let up a little bit, so they headed downstairs. Zhang Siyi was too lazy to wait for the subway, so he went home directly by taxi. Gu Yu saw him leaving and took the subway himself.

When he got home, he felt exhausted. Seeing Fu Xinhui sitting on the sofa in the living room, he collapsed on the couch beside him: “I’m too tired to do anything tonight. I can’t move.”

Fu Xinhui expected this to happen: “Well, the weather is not good, so I bought some food at the supermarket yesterday. Let’s make something.”

In a feeble voice, Zhang Siyi replied: “All right, I’ll listen to you.”

Fu Xinhui glanced at him and asked: “Why do you go out with your boss every time? More than once, when you come home, you are sucked dry and hollow. Is he a Lich-Lord stealing your life-force?”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

He also wants to relax and be energetic every day, but when he is with Gu Yu, he must constantly ward himself mentally from Gu Yu’s attacks. The constant state of defense gives him a feeling of exhaustion. Zhang Siyi, with a long sigh, lamented: “He is not a Lich-Lord, he is the Great Devil.”

Fu Xinhui laughed right away: “You take him too seriously. What did he bring you there for? To inspect the building?”

“Almost, but not quite. Do you know what he took me to see?” Zhang Siyi thought of his day and got very angry. “The fucking parking lot! We’ve been watching the lot for five fucking hours! Up and down, measure this, measure that…. My legs burn, and my feet hurt. I can’t move anymore!”

“Why didn’t you tell him it was your birthday today, so he could be gentler with you?” Fu Xinhui asked.

“He knew!” Talking about it made Zhang Si Yi even angrier: “When we ate at 2 o’clock in the restaurant, he gave me the cheapest kind of cheesecake to eat!”

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!” Fu Xinhui burst into laughter. He almost fell off the sofa.

Zhang Siyi kicked him barefoot, annoyed.

Fu Xinhui: “Your birthday isn’t over yet. Don’t worry, you will be content.”

Zhang Siyi took out the tape measure from his pocket and threw it into the air. He laughed bitterly and said: “Yep. A broken tape measure as a gift and he didn’t even tell me Happy Birthday. Don’t worry at all!”

Fu Xinhui glanced at him and said: “I also bought you a gift. It’s in your room. Go and see if you like it or not.”

Zhang Siyi jumped up in excitement. Fu Xinhui, a nuevo rich young master would never be soft! After he rushed into his room, a loud excited scream came from inside: “Aaaaaaahhh! You actually bought me a fixed focus lens of Zeiss 50!!!”

Fu Xinhui smiled, got up and went to the kitchen to bake pizza. Zhang Siyi was alone in his room jumping around in euphoria. He went to his phone, and suddenly stopped. Looking at his social media feeds, he saw a post that Gu Yu had made half an hour ago:

“The first tape measure I bought for the first architectural class at University.”

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