Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 24: Transfer

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The autumn rain fell in the night and the morning was cool again. Out of the door, Zhang Siyi was chilled by the oncoming cold wind. Shivering, he shrunk his neck down for warmth.

When he arrived at the company, he bought two hot buns at the convenience store downstairs. He couldn’t wait to go upstairs, so he started eating it. While taking a bite, Zhang Siyi looked up and saw a familiar figure and followed him with his eyes.

Surrounded by the same scarf as the day of the business trip, Gu Yu was sitting alone by the side of the flower bed not far away, holding a cup of coffee in his hand, looking at the ground motionless. He looks like a statue in its environment. Zhang Siyi couldn’t see his expression, but the gesture made him feel that Gu Yu was lonely.

He can’t help but think of what happened yesterday. Yes, Gu Yu, as their boss, leads a team of ten people. Naturally, they can’t show real emotions in front of them, but if they encounter such a result, anyone will feel depressed, right? With his calmness and maturity, it’s easy to forget how young Gu Yu is. He is only twenty-eight years old which is two years younger than Child Labor. In the group of architects, he is very young.

For an outsider, perhaps he didn’t seem so stoic and instead would see his dazed, fragile state.

——Just like now.

This kind of Gu Yu is even more heartwarming and exciting.

To change his inexplicable mood, Zhang Siyi shook his head and took a bite of his hot bun then went to go upstairs to his desk. 

After about five or six minutes, Gu Yu also came up. His face is still so calm, how can he pack away his emotions? Near his desk, he saw him encountered Child Laborer who was going to pour hot water. The two also laughed and said hello, as if nothing happened. Thinking of this morning’s scene, Zhang Siyi had mixed feelings. When he was finished with his parking lot, he went to get it approved.

In Gu Yu’s office, Zhang Siyi saw him looking over the Daffodil plan with a furrowed brow. He was probably thinking about ways to implement B Group’s plan.

“Boss, do you really think Child Labor group’s plan is okay?” Zhang Siyi could not help but speak.

Gu Yu looked up at him, set down the design plans and said indifferently: “Some things can’t be judged by good or bad. They can only say that their group’s plan to bid for the project is more likely to win and thus will more likely bring benefits to the company.”

Zhang Siyi muttered: “But I do not think the project can be built after winning.””

Gu Yu glanced at his first draft of the plan, said: “Then wait for the time to find a way, and strive to make the impossible possible.”

” Zhang Siyi: “…”

Gu Yu smiled and said: “This is the first time you have participated in such a large project. Its natural to have some mixed feelings in your heart but remember that the members of B Group aren’t our enemies. Even though our plan wasn’t chosen, B Group is representing Borderless and their design can win the honor.”

When Gu Yu says something so concise, Zhang Siyi cannot refute his manner. However, who was that guy downstairs in a daze? He can’t believe Gu Yu is acting like nothing is wrong.

Gu Yu saw the picture he had drawn. This time he didn’t have much to say about it. He made a few comments then arranged for Zhang Siyi to draw something else.

Before sending him out, Gu Yu suddenly smiled and said to Zhang Siyi: ” I am quite happy that you are thinking about the actual construction of the project in the city of Z. It seems the business trip was a success.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” 

Is this a compliment? Was he praised by Gu Yu? Seeing him smile dispelled the gloom in Zhang Siyi’s mood. Oh, well, he will admit that the Daffodil is also pretty good.

It happened to be the last day of October. At three o’clock in the afternoon, the company’s security guard came in suddenly carrying a large box shouting: “Everyone come and get one!” The office is buzzing, and everyone is asking what kind of festival it is today and what activities are there to engage in. Zhang Siyi reacts: “Isn’t it Halloween?”

Sure enough, after a while, Gu Yu sent a message to everyone: “Halloween activities for two hours. Everyone in the design department can take a break and make a jack-o-lantern. The best three pumpkins will receive a 1000 cash bonus each”.

Zhang Siyi: “I am going! Is there such a good thing as free money?”

Eager to get started, people got up to grab a good pumpkin to carve. Zhu Hongzhen joyfully took a big pumpkin and brought it back to the seat. Zhang Siyi quickly grabbed a well-proportioned, small, round pumpkin.

Even though B Group has a lot of work to do on their flower plan, they couldn’t resist in the activities and grabbed pumpkins. While A group missed out on yesterdays’ design plan, they don’t want to lose to B Group pumpkin carving skills. They are eager to redeem themselves.

Zhang Siyi glanced around at his competition. To his left, Zhu Hongzhen was wasting so much time digging out such a large pumpkin he had to spend time walking back and forth to the trash bin to throw out pumpkin guts. Looking across, Bi Lele’s pumpkin with a fatter top then the bottom, is going to be hard to carve. Diagonally, Yuan Zhicheng is carving out a boring face on the pumpkin. Spending time abroad, Zhang Siyi celebrated Halloween with friends thus making him a veteran of pumpkin carving!

He opened the top of the pumpkin first then carefully emptied the pumpkin guts. After. He used a pencil to draw the outline of the face on the pumpkin skin. To stand out from among everyone else, Zhang Siyi did not do a traditional jack-o-lantern. Instead, he created a face that looked crazy and violent. Then cut out your eyes and mouth in detail … Finally put in the candle, finish!

In less than an hour, Zhang Siyi’s breathed a sign of satisfaction, then got up to see what the others are doing. Zhu Hongzhen’s pumpkin was so big, his arm was tired from pulling out the pumpkin insides. A lot of time had passed, so he wasn’t sure he would be able to finish in the 2-hour time limit. Yuan Zhicheng looked pissed. He accidentally cut off a fang on the pumpkin, leaving the mouth looking like it was leaking. It was rather funny. It seems his talent to draw didn’t extend beyond paper. He pinched the broken tooth, and even planned to use double-sided tape to stick it. Zhang Siyi called out: “Look for a toothpick!”

Yuan Zhicheng: “…”

Zhang Siyi went around again and saw some people still searching for tutorials on the Internet. Some people did not know how to carve it properly so the whole pumpkin had been broken. Zhang Siyi secretly laughed and laughed. Hahaha what!? It seems he will get a thousand dollars in prize money tonight!

Walking back to his seat, Zhang Siyi caught a glimpse of Gu Yu standing at his desk, holding the pumpkin lantern he has already done, and inspecting it with great interest.

Seeing him coming back, Gu Yu also smiled and praised: “It is very cute. It’s well crafted.”

For the second time today, Gu Yu praised him. Zhang Siyi felt elated: “You aren’t making one?”

Gu Yu: “I don’t want to take the 1000 bonus away from everyone else. Besides by the looks of it, I may have not won it anyway.”

Oh, my God, did Zhang Siyi just hear Gu Yu admission that he isn’t all powerful!? …… Although, it is just making a jack-o- lantern. Zhang Siyi feels that this is more than a thousand dollars in prize money!

There is still time, Zhang Siyi also carved a few words on the bottom of the pumpkin –

Zsy

2014.10.31

Soon two hours passed, everyone took their pumpkins to the conference room where they were assigned a number for the content then lit the candle.

When the lights were turned off, thirty pumpkin faces reveal strange expressions. Some of the jack-o-lanterns had angry faces, some were smiling, some were crazy. There were pumpkin faces whose expression were so funny, people laughed out loud.

Out of all the pumpkins, Zhang Si Yi was most conspicuous. His carving really had a genuine life-like expression. Bi Lele pointed at Zhang Siyi’s pumpkin and laughed wildly: “Ah Bahahaha! Is this your inner feelings?”

Zhang Siyi: “…… Hey!”

Bi Lele pointed to Zhu Hongzhen and asked: “pig, why did you only dig two eyes? “At first glance, I thought a pig’s nose!” (oo)

Zhu Hongzhen wants to cry without tears: “My pumpkin was too big! I didn’t have enough time to finish!”

Seeing Yuan Zhicheng’s pumpkin, Bi Lele laughed again: “Ha ha, leaking teeth! Good!”

Yuan Zhicheng replied faintly: “You are not what you are, a face of zombies.”

Bi Lele: “………”

In the final vote, Zhang Siyi undoubtedly was one of the top three. Gu Yu held three red envelopes with the prize money in his hand and gave them to the three winners.

In Group A, two people won the prize and the crowd around them noisily asked for a treat: “How about Oden! At least KFC! KFC is too cheap! Pizza Hut Pizza Hut! Want Seafood Supreme Pizza! Why don’t you go out and eat? I want to eat Chongqing hotpot!”

Unexpected wealth has not been in the palm of Zhang Siyi’s hand for long. After the awards were given out, people started to deal with their pumpkins. Some jack-o-lanterns were trashed, while others were brought back to their respective desks.

Zhang Siyi had done this before, and he didn’t put it in his heart. He wanted to deal with it. He saw Gu Yu standing there, bending his waist and taking a cell phone photo of the pumpkin lantern he made.

“… Do you like it?” Zhang Siyi walked over and blurted out: “Do you want it? I’ll give it to you!”

Gu Yu froze stunned, raised his head to look at him. For a moment Zhang Siyi felt silly for offering it to him. A pumpkin isn’t rare and won’t last more then another week. Maybe he just wanted a picture since a jack-o-lantern isn’t really something to collect. He felt embarrassed.

But Gu Xiao looked at him for a moment, unexpectedly smiled: “Hmmm.” for a while, and then said: “Okay.” He reached out for it and held the pumpkin in his hand. He said, “I will accept it.”

Zhang Siyi: “………”

Just when everyone was preparing to go to the restaurant, the Chief suddenly appeared and signaled to Gu Yu and Child Labor with a serious expression. The Chief is a man who looks like he is fifty years old. His hair is completely white. He seems to be a person who is not angry and self-defeating. Usually, the dragon is not seen at the end. Everyone was quiet, and they dared not make a restaurant trip in front of their leader. They went back to their seats.

Zhang Siyi asked Bi Lele: “Is there another big project?”

Bi Lele shrugged: “I don’t know.”

After a while Gu Yu and Child Labor returned and called everyone in their groups for a project meeting about the Z City new district plan.

Zhang Siyi thought nervously, did something happen again?

Everyone gathered in the conference room. Child labor got up to speak but instead suddenly sighed looking helpless and turned to Gu Yu: “You address them. I need to go out for a while.”

Gu Yu nodded, when she left the conference room, he calmly said “The Board of Directors received some information pertaining to the project and learned that the Design Institute and one other firm are also doing a flower themed design so now an urgent decision is being made to reelect the representative of Borderless for further refinement.” It was all rather unbelievable. Everyone started talking at once.

If the proposals were too similar, the unique factor for creative plans cease to exist then it weakens the initial design plan and therefore will less likely be chosen to build. If the collision of ideas is an accident then it isn’t an issue, but if it wasn’t then they could pull out plagiarism and disqualify another’s proposal. They have to wonder if the information was leaked somehow. After all, they weren’t working in a closed environment. In this age of network information and with such a large project team, its not hard to wonder.

In any case, with the concept of a flower as the dominant creative design works, once there is a similar appearance, the two in the bidding and competition must kill both, not to mention that there are now three of them are using the “City Flower” element. In this way, the reelection of Group A’s proposal will highlight the advantages of value and implementation instead of a fancy solution.

However, before the general bidding, the plans of the design institutes or design companies are supposed to be in a confidential state. Zhang Siyi whispered to Bi Lele: “How do the higher-ups know what other companies have done?”

Bi Lele: “It may be that our means of learning is deeper. It’s mysterious…”

Zhang Siyi’s eyes twitched and asked: “Which design institute holds the most weight?”

Bi Lele: “The biggest design institute in Beijing. The firm’s strength is crushing. Borderless has encountered them three times and failed all three.”

Zhu Hongzhen sighed: “No wonder they have to scrap B group’s plan. It’s a pity.”

Zhang Siyi pinched the fat on Zhu Hongzhen’s arm: “Are you not one of our Group A!

Zhu Hongzhen:“…… Auntie, don’t be so fierce. “

Although it is a pity, in Zhang Siyi’s heart he is very excited. After all, he has always recognized the plan of Group A.

Gu Yu waited for them to discuss and quiet down before continuing: “We were all caught off guard buy this news. Tong Heyi needs a few minutes, so I am here to announce this matter. Let’s acknowledge the efforts of B Group staff. You have done a great job with the plan. I hope you can cheer up as soon as possible and give the new plan your time and effort. With some adjustments and refinement, we can move forward. Gu Yu’s tone also carries a hint of pity, and the people in group b are also silent, and Zhang Siyi is embarrassed to be happy.

Gu Yu looked at the members of group a and said seriously: “The next step is your mission. Although this opportunity has come, I don’t want you to have doubts about the plan. If you do, you must believe that It’s the best of our own. Of course, no matter what kind of results we produce, we couldn’t have done it without the efforts of the competitive stimulus with B Group. No matter who’s the plan it is, we are all representing Borderless together. Since there is not much time, everyone must work overtime starting this evening.”

Just after being temporarily called away by the director, Zhang Siyi didn’t have time to give Gu Yu the pumpkin, but now the pumpkin lantern is placed in Gu Yu’s hand. To some extent the fierce mood that they both exude seem similar.

Peng nodded: “Boss Gu rest assured, we understand. Let’s take a moment to let the members readjust. The job will be handed over and new arrangements will be made.” After the meeting, Zhang Siyi clenched his fist. He had never looked forward to overtime work as he did today! Ji Feiyu used the fastest speed possible to transfer the plan and assign the various tasks among the members. He was given 100,000 square meters of residential blocks to design.

How the fuck does one do that? (#°Д°) Stunned, he heard a voice calling: “Zhang Siyi, you come over.”

Zhang Siyi took the drawing and went into the office of Gu Yu and sat down.

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 23: Light

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Most of the people in the conference room reacted like Zhang Siyi. They were shocked by the image of the flower.

As Peng’s presentation continued people were immersed in the layout highlights and it seemed like everyone had some preconceived notions about the design. Many people weren’t paying attention to the details of Peng’s speech.

Anyway, it sounds almost the same as his teams’ plan with logical placement of buildings and utilities within the design layout. However, the similarities ended there. While Group A design was based on being cost effective within the guidelines of the rules and regulations. Group B design is solely based on dividing the whole plot through various roadways into a flower with each section becoming a petal.

The flower theme was derived from the Chinese Daffodil meaning rebirth and wealth. It is the flower of Z City. Peng Shuang introduced the flower theme because Group B wanted to capitalize on the flower’s meaning and infuse these essences into the city to create a new soul.

After Peng Shuang finished speaking, everyone expressed excitement. This kind of scheme is very eye-catching and innovative.

However, Zhang Siyi thought this scheme has problems. While many parts to the plan were like a mirror to his own group’s plan, there were parts that seemed impractical. He can’t tell if he feels this way because he is in the competing group or not.

At this moment, Gu Yu held his arm and calmly asked Peng Shuang: “What solutions do you have in the actual implementation and construction of the project?” Although this is only an internal meeting, not a real bid, it is good practice to debate the details in the plan in preparation for a live bid. Except for the people representing a design plan, normally everyone else are government officials or developers and they can ask as many questions as they want. The representing Group is required to give them reasonable explanations and answers.

Peng Shuangyi said, “This is not yet…”

He wanted to say, “we haven’t considered it yet”, but this is absolutely taboo when reporting, so Child Labor with relatively rich experience immediately interrupted him: “We are still considering it, and there are already some preliminary stages, but there isn’t an in-depth analysis yet.”

Gu Yu scrutinized the plan: “That can also be said about your preliminary ideas.”

Everyone was silent. Zhu Hongzhen touched Zhang Siyi’s arm with his elbow and used his eyes to indicate that “a good show is coming”.

Child Labor paused and said: “As a government-led first-phase plan, we envisioned starting the rectification process from the Longshui Port as the center and then proceeding east from the first petal and later develop in a clockwise order.”

Because of the dangers from the flood discharged at the current port, Group B changed it. The plan involved digging deep into the harbor, landfilling some of the surrounding geography and creating a circular concave lake. New islands would be built in the middle of “Longshui Lake” to house sewage treatment facilities and new environmentally protected areas.

Gu Yu asked Peng Shuang to switch the slide to the master plan map and with a red laser pointer pointing to the leading port road he asked: “Finishing the lake requires a lot of excavation earthwork and landfill earthwork. This first phase will inevitably affect the existing situation of the two divisions of Zhengbei and Zhengnan especially in the area to ​​the south of the lake. If problems are caused during the repair period, the consequences will be disastrous.”

Child Labor: “You can let the residents first demolish the Yi house, move to the west, wait for the south to reorganize and then move back to the original place…”

Gu Yu also pointed to the route from the old city to the new area of ​​the railway station and said: “According to the urban transportation demand, the first road to be developed is from northwest to southeast. The outline of these two petals, if you develop in the original plan, it seems a bit backwards.”

Child Labor was anxious to defend her position, but Gu Yu didn’t give her time to think about it. He continued: “The east, the south, and the west are all top issues. Doesn’t that mean simultaneous development?”

Child Labor: “Then develop synchronously!”

Gu Yu raised an eyebrow: “What is the overall cycle? Five years? Ten years? Can the government afford it?”

Child Labor has turned red: “The follow-up can be discussed again.”

Gu Yu took his city development map from his own folder and gently passed it to the other side. He also stood up and said: “The development of each city has its own rules, just like plant growth, any construction project needs a step by step implementation plan. The economic source and heart of Z City are now here,” he pointed to the core location of the old city and pointed to the new planned area. “The new area is poor in resources and backward in development, let alone change the overall landscape of the leading port. There will be more serious impacts. It is very difficult to ensure that the planning structure of this flower is not destroyed during the simultaneous development. If the flower has not yet been opened, it will have dragged down the development of the city and consumes it.”

Zhang Siyi secretly clenched his fists, yes, that’s it. Gu Yu completely said what he wanted to say!

Only when he went to the location personally did he feel the environment deeply and reflect on the expectations of the local people for life. He realized that the vision of the Child Labor Group is too far-fetched for the people of Z City now. For them, a beautiful garden city is not as good as a party. The important thing is not to build something beautiful, but to improve their quality of life.

Child Labor was silent for a moment, and she replied: “We don’t need to consider these for the time being. The government’s bidding is nothing more than planning creativity, and they have their own considerations for development and construction steps.”

Gu Yu solemnly said: “We don’t think about who to consider? Unless the local government has funds for a decade or more, the project can stagnate or even end since large-scale construction and development of various parts of the country is numerous. How likely will the project be built if it took years of determination to implement. Indeed, we are not decision makers, but I think that government tendering is more than just a beautiful design. If we have the corresponding expertise and capabilities, why can’t we contribute rationally and plan at the very beginning? It’s more feasible that way, isn’t it?”

His tone is not heavy, but every word is concise and logical. Sitting in the corner of the room, Zhang Siyi is staring at Gu Yu. It is like Gu Yu is the center sun and his body just issued a burst of light, enlightening all those around him.

He heard the roar of his heartbeat, and the time seemed to fall back to the past. The autumn of six years ago in the auditorium, a group of young teenagers sitting down and looked up at the arrogant son of Tiancheng. The champion of Ningcheng, standing on the high podium, calmly talking about his ideals and ambitions… Zhang Siyi sees Gu Yu in the same way as he did then: dazzling. Some people are born to wander, some people are born to shine and be followed.

Child Labor was dumbfounded by Gu Yu, and one of the chief architects’ present said, “The idea of a flower is good, but it is a bit idealistic.”

However, there are others who agree with the flower plan: “Child Labor is right, we don’t need to have an entire land staging plan for the initial proposal. As for the specific implementation, it is not something we need to consider. From my experience, the superiors also like beautiful plans. The scheme of the A Group is relatively conservative.

The conference room was caught in a debate with many opposing views. Both A Group and B Group project teams went back to the office. The Directors said that they would wait until after careful discussion before deciding which option to choose. Zhang Siyi and everyone returned to their seats and discussed it privately.

Bi Lele said: “Hey, I think Tong Heyi’s team plan is really pretty, and it is too shocking at first glance.”

Yuan Zhicheng: “If I didn’t listen to the boss and say those questions, I am the party I also choose the child labor group.”

Zhu Hongzhen said with emotion: “Yes, in this society that looks at the face, most people have become superficial.”

Bi Lele: “The problem is that it’s not easy to implement. Child Labor group plan is logical and professional.”

While waiting for the company’s upper level Directors to decide, Zhang Siyi was starting to feel a bit apprehensive. Although his contributions were as a “patch” and the plan didn’t have a huge visual impact, he hopes that this warship will sail in the direction chosen by Gu Yu. However, expectations always deviate from reality.

Before leaving work in the evening, the conclusion came out. The upper level of the company decided to move forwards with the plan from B Group and let Gu Yu help them do a reasonable construction and implementation plan. Everyone seems to have expected this ending and although the heart is frustrated, the surface is not very revealing. Only Zhang Siyi, like a huge blow, was devastated.

He remembered the hard work of walking all day, breaking his legs. He thought of Gu Yu’s patience when he asked the locals about the prospects of the new district’s planning. He thought of Gu Yu’s expression when eating biscuits and thought of him standing on the bank of the river… But now, it’s all gone. By a few words, the executives in the company easily negate what they’ve accomplished.

Afterwards, Gu Yu came over to comfort them. He let them relax and he joked. As long as they give some assistance in the follow-up process since its B Group plan to refine, most of them do not need to work overtime. Zhang Siyi was also notified, and he went back to drawing the parking lot. In the evening, Zhang Siyi returned home with a low mood, and his heart mixed.

Because Zhang Siyi rarely came home before 8pm, Fu Xinhui was really surprised to see him: “Hey! Get out! You are here.”

Zhang Siyi went to the side of the sofa than collapsed like a dead fish and did not want to say a word.

Barefooted, Fu Xinhui let him sit a little, then asked: “What’s the matter?”

Zhang Siyi didn’t move. He was staring into space. After two minutes, he said: “Oh, reality is too difficult…”

In a serious tone Fu Xinhui said: “Are you being fired?”

Zhang Siyi: “My ass, no!”

Zhang Siyi turned over with his back to Fu Xinhui and continued sulking. Not only is the reality cruel, but the road of architecture is far more difficult than Zhang Siyi imagined.

The real architect, neither a foolish scheme on the TV nor a lucky one-hit break, has a goal. In the biography of the master architects, those who are sitting in a mansion with a daily income of 10 million are the winners of life…

Most architects are ordinary people, they may be like Gu Yu and stay in a small office. Although they may have infinite knowledge about modern and ancient architecture and engineering issues like dealing with sewage problems, they aren’t invincible. Even a well-thought-out plan is deemed wasteful.

Zhang Siyi couldn’t help wonder, if he is standing in the position of Gu Yu now with the same result, would he be as calm as he is? …… No, he will be very depressed, very unwilling!

Zhang Si Yi collapsed on the sofa. He isn’t clear about his future. Is this what is means to be in architect? To accept defeat? This is the first time since entering the workplace that he feels so confused about his future in architecture. He Isn’t even at the level of his superiors, let alone the architectural maters he aspired to when he was studying. It was all a bunch of dreamy bubbles floating away. If this is what it means, then can he still proceed down this road? How far will he be able to take it?

Seeing Zhang Siyi’s mode of self-pity, Fu Xinfei kicked his ass fiercely: “Stupid! Get up! Let’s eat!”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Fu Xinfei put on socks, swearing: “Shit. All 3 of us were originally going to live together because it was supposed to be fun. But now, every day with overtime, business trips, and a woman, I am like a widow!”

Zhang Si Yi rubbed his bruised butt, asked: “who found a woman? Jiang Hai?”

Fu Xinhui stood up and shouted: “Yes! While you’ve become a workaholic, two months ago, Jiang Hai met someone at his company. They have been out every night to eat!”

Zhang Siyi shocked: “Really? So Fast!” Didn’t he work overtime every day before? Why does he have time for a date suddenly?”

Fu Xinhui snorted: “He started working overtime because he was a newcomer. He was like how you are now, working all the time for your ruthless Boss. He has paid his dues already.”

Zhang Siyi was originally tortured by the cruelty of reality. Work is work. He cannot go to work unhappy. After work he is not happy. Ah!

Zhang Siyi bounced off the sofa: “I want to eat soy pork liver rice!”

Fu Xinhui saw that he was full of blood and resurrection. He smiled and whispered: “Idiot.”

The two of them went downstairs to get a quick bite to eat. Zhang Siyi was utterly disappointed with his food. Last time he went out was with Gu Yu eating sand tea noodles. Zhang Siyi lamented: “Hey I told you! That sand tea soup was the best ever. I will forever miss the taste.”

Fu Xinhui casually said: “Eh? Just go buy a plane ticket.”

Zhang Siyi feeling a bit depressed, thought about B Group flower plan, then convinced himself that if it is built, then he will be able to eat sand tea noodles again.

He looked at Fu Xinhui and asked: “Are you looking for a job? Doesn’t your family remind you?”

Fu Xinhui smiled and said: “They urged me to go to the company at home and work, but the company at home is also paid by my parents. It’s better to stay here.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Although Zhang Siyi isn’t convinced by Fu Xinhui words, he knows he has his own reasons and doesn’t say anything further. He heard Fu Xinhui say before that he has a sister that is eight years older then him. She went to the United States for a degree there and now works as the vice president of the family business.

However, Fu Xinhui’s relationship with his sister is not very good. His birth was unexpected in the family. After he was born, because he was a boy, he was always favored by some parents. His sister felt his existence was an insult to her status. As a result, Fu Xinhui gradually developed a less competitive temperament in order to give way to her.

Zhang Siyi is the only child. He can’t understand Fu Xinhui’s relationship with his sister. He doesn’t know what to say: “Would you not be bored when you stay at home every day? It’s good to get a job and do it “

Fu Xinhui: “well, even if I want to find a job, I look at you. You are working so hard…”

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Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 22: Fight

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Gu Yu was also afraid of falling asleep, so he chose to keep himself busy before dinner. He washed up briefly in the restroom then went downstairs, leaving the collapsed Zhang Siyi on the floor. Not long after, he called Zhang Siyi. He was so tired he had lost his appetite. If Gu Yu hadn’t called him, he probably would have been able to sleep all night. On tired wobbly legs, Zhang Siyi got up and met Gu Yu downstairs.

Because of his disappointment during lunch, he was mentally preparing himself for more cheap snacks while walking down the stairs. He still felt bitter about his biscuit and cheap hotel.

They left the hotel and Zhang Siyi followed Gu Yu from behind. Gu Yu was holding his phone and looking at it periodically, following a map. Once they got to their destination, Zhang Siyi was shocked. It really was a rinky-dinky shack! The cheapskate!

However, despite its outward appearance it was a sand tea noodle restaurant. The place was full of customers – a good sign. Rich aroma and freshness perforated the air revitalizing his spirit.

After waiting for less than a minute, the they sat at the vacant table. Gu Yu ordered a lot of things; cuttlefish, pork belly, fish tofu, fresh shrimp, and beef tenderloin to name a few and the price is not expensive. He can hardly believe how good it tastes! He used to go to a Xiamen specialty restaurant for sand tea noodles in Haicheng but the bowl of noodles there can’t compare with the bowl in front of him!

As Zhang Siyi eats the bowl of noodles, he can only think of the flavor permeating his senses. The flavor of peanut butter and spicy taste are melded together. So good! Fireworks are exploding in his brain.

“Is it delicious?” Gu Yu asked.

“uhm”, he mumbles with noodles in his mouth.” He doesn’t know if it’s because he is so tired and hungry or not, but the food is the best thing he has ever tasted. He can’t stop himself from shoveling the food into his mouth nonstop. He has little time to talk or even breath. At the moment he is tasting the definition of the word “delicious” and will be able to go to heaven!

“Ha ha……”

Hearing the laughter of Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi looked up with a few pieces of noodle handing out of his mouth and saw Gu Yu looking at him with a smile. Under the dim light of the old shop, A pair of beautiful eyes like black glass, were shining and full of warmth.

Zhang Si Yi stared at Gu Yu stunned. Gu Yu lowered his eyes exposing his long lashes and looked at his bowl of noodles. While stirring the contents with his chopsticks he spoke: “This store is very famous in the city of Z.”

He swallowed the twice chewed, squid eggs and coughed then asked, “Have you been here?”

Gu Yu said: “No, I checked it last night.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

So, the information that Gu Yu asked when he slept last night was a place where he could take Zhang Siyi to dinner. Zhang Siyi didn’t know what to say. For a moment, he felt that the tiredness of suffering during the day turned to dust and scattered in the breeze. Is it over? Zhang Siyi isn’t going to have Stockholm syndrome, anymore is he? Gu Yu was so mean to him this morning on the plane. He said one thing, but his actions are totally different now.

Because of Gu Yu frequent teasing, in his mind Zhang Siyi doesn’t want to acknowledge Gu Yu at all. But the care he experienced coming to this restaurant with Gu Yu tested his resolve. The taste of soup has dispelled any negative feelings. He felt so peaceful and relaxed that he couldn’t help letting his heart grow in warmth.

Gu Yu ate for a while and asked him: “Do you have any thoughts on the venue today?”

If Gu Yu had asked him this question earlier before eating, Zhang Siyi would have probably had one word to describe his thoughts; tired. Feeling invigorated by the sugar-coated sand tea noodles, Zhang Siyi finally turned on his tired brain: “I feel the environment is very bad.”

Even though it’s the same city, the old Town of Z City is so prosperous, but the new district is so desolate and defeated. The economical difference was very apparent between the parts of the city. Here in the city center, wealthy people can sojourn on safe roads, eat great food like the tea noodles and stroll around at the night market. Across the way, the people on the other side of town are wrapped in quilts, dark and muddy hoping tomorrow brings a sunny day.

The government turned the land into a new area. For those who live there, it may be redemption. However, the method of saving them now requires a considerable amount of thought. Zhang Siyi suddenly understood the feeling of heaviness of the afternoon was. It was a sense of responsibility. He didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t help but stir the noodle soup and sighed in his heart.

Gu Yu just asked casually. He didn’t expect him to have a thoughtful answer, and then asked: “When you came, did you find that the road is blocked?” Zhang Siyi shook his head. When he came, he wasn’t really paying attention to the flow of traffic.

Gu Xiao Road: “Z City’s current population is 5 million people. There are 250,000 private cars, per capita.” He put a little tea on his finger and drew two circles on the table. “Here we are now, the old town and that circle is the railway station, the city’s transportation hub. “He used more tea to make another line in the middle. “This is the new riverside planning area, but the status of the middle route is very bad. “

Zhang Siyi startled, is that a problem they need to solve? Gu Yu did not say more and continued to eat noodles. Zhang Siyi didn’t have the energy anymore to think about it deeply.

After dinner, they did not rush back to the hotel. Instead, Gu Yu took Zhang Siyi out to stroll around the night market. At the side of the road, they continued to taste some of the local favorites such as four-fruit soup and friend kueh. After walking for a little, Zhang Siyi started to understand the purpose of this night. Gu Yu didn’t just want him to eat, but to experience the people in the vicinity and the life they live in order to understand them better.

Gu Yu asked a stall vendor, “Where can I buy an old map?” The vendor refers them to an old bookstore, but it is currently closed and will reopen tomorrow morning at 8.

The two did not have a long time to go shopping and returned to the hotel by 8pm. Gu Yu took the laptop and asked Zhang Siyi to copy the photos from the camera. The night was organized and sent to the company. Poor Zhang Siyi got up at five in the morning and was enslaved by Gu Yu in the hotel at 8 o’clock in the evening!

He handled hundreds of photos and was fighting to stay awake. He selected the images one by one and wrote a document describing the location of the photos in the classified folder. When everything is done, Gu Yu was finished with his shower. Coming out of the bathroom he had changed into a white T-shirt, like the one coffee spilled on, and grey cotton pants. He was wiping his still wet hair when he approached Zhang Siyi to look at his results.

When he bent down and leaned over to look at the computer screen, Zhang Siyi couldn’t help but feel his presence and smelled a touch of shower gel fragrance emanating from Gu Yu body. His memories of his youthful admiration of the person standing before him were stimulated. At the same time, he is somewhat embarrassed to learn the person he admired is now his Boss.

If they hadn’t seen each other then he may have forgotten about it entirely. But, seeing each other every day, Zhang Siyi has an inexplicable emotion that is buried deep within his soul. Once opened, the force, unstoppable will completely surround him and make him feel drunk with joy.

When Zhang Siyi turned his head, he saw Gu Yu’s neck and collarbone close at hand. The other person’s skin is very smooth. Observing more closely he sees the cut of muscles on his arms. Since he is usually dressed in thin clothes, Zhang Siyi didn’t notice it before. Zhang Siyi inexplicably remembered the “sexual coolness. Handsome” that Fu Xinhui described.

Gu Yu suddenly sighed: “Yes, I will take over uploading the information to the servers for now. It’s your turn for a shower.” Zhang Siyi took back his thoughts and quickly stood up and walked away. After taking a shower, Gu Yu said to him: “Your cell phone has been ringing several times.”

Zhang Siyi saw Fu Xinfei’s many missed calls. Even if they live together, he has been so busy that their lives hadn’t intersected at all. Since he didn’t say hello to him after working overtime last night and since he left so early this morning, he never explained his absence and his friend is probably worried.

Zhang Siyi went to the corner and gave Fu Xinhui a call: “It is me, I am now in Z City, F Province.”

Fu Xinfei growled, “Damn it, why are you running so far?!”

Zhang Siyi: “I’m on a temporary business trip …”

Fu Xinfei: “You don’t say anything about a business trip! Jiang Hai and I thought you were abducted and sold!”

Zhang Siyi: “I was so busy, I don’t have time to tell you. I’m too tired to explain right now. I may be back tomorrow.”

Fu Xinfei: “Eh ah …”

In the presence of Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi did not have the nerve to continue talking. He hung up the phone, slowly climbed onto the bed and wrote Fu Xinfei a short message: “I’m here with my boss so I can’t talk now.”

Just after finishing this sentence, Gu Yu turned off the computer and turned his head. Seeing Zhang Siyi’s sneaky look, he raised his eyebrows and asked: “Boyfriend?”

Zhang Siyi: “………..”

Zhang Siyi was very defensive: “No!!! “

After hanging the wet towel on the back of a chair, Gu Yu got into bed to lay down. He took a pillow and put it behind his back and said, “Is he the one you call Heartless Han? The one that picked you up when drunk?”

Zhang Siyi: “It’s him, but he’s just my roommate!”

With an indeterminate expression Gu Xiao slowly formed “oh” then said: “I noticed a lot of pictures with him on your social media page, especially when traveling.”

Zhang Siyi suddenly remembered that on the day of the cafe, his ex-girlfriend also accused him of this problem! Oh, my gosh, if Gu Xiao had always thought it was true … Oh, my God! So what kind of lens is he looking at Zhang Siyi with? Think of him as a gay guy? Zhang Siyi does not know how to prove his innocence!

“We are just roommates! His name is Fu Xinhui, and ‘ Heartless Han ‘ is his nickname! “Zhang Siyi grabbed the sheets and turned his back to Gu Yu. Gu Yu didn’t think Zhang Siyi was going to get so defensive and freak out.”

Gu Yu gave him a meaningful look and smiled: “You’re so serious. I am just teasing you.”

Zhang Siyi: “………”

Ten minutes later, Gu Yu was busy on his iPad researching some of the construction information. He glanced over and saw Zhang Siyi completely encased in the blankets and bedding with only his head sticking out. So as not to set off Zhang Siyi again, Gu Yu used his hand to hide his laughing and smiling face. Displeased with himself, in the bed Zhang Si Yi silently shed tears.

The next day when Zhang Siyi woke up, the bed next door was empty. When he saw the time, he was surprised to find the time illuminated on the bedside clock was 9am. Gu Yu didn’t wake him up and let him sleep in! He quickly got up and washed, then sent a message to Gu Yu on WeChat. “Where are you?”

Gu Yu: “Oh, you are up now? I am in the old bookstore. I’ll be back in a while. Wait for me in the room.”

Zhang Siyi: “Is there anything I need to be doing?”

Gu Yu: “No, go eat first.”

When Gu Yu came back, he had a big bag of books. He emptied he bag and showed them to Zhang Siyi. There were some old maps, local customs, and city magazines.

He did not understand: “Why buy old maps?”

“Introducing the law of urban development and expansion in Z province for past few years,” Gu Yu simply explained, pulling out the room card, “Still hungry? Let’s go eat another local specialty: cat porridge.”

“Aren’t we in a hurry today ” Zhang Siyi is a little flustered. Is it his imagination? It seems like Gu Yu is in a particularly good mood today.

“We aren’t in a rush. We need to wait until Chen Gong arrives before we can go to the scene again. Then we will return to Haicheng at night.” Zhang Siyi thinks Chen Gong is the head of the landscape planning department. Zhang Siyi breathed a sigh of relief. He followed Gu Yu out the door then asked him what cat porridge was.

Gu Yu said that cat porridge is similar to seafood porridge from home. There are fish fillets, meat, shrimps, oysters, etc. According to the locals, the story says a cook made it for his cats, so it’s called cat porridge. Ning Cheng, the hometown of the two, is also close to the sea so there are some similarities in food preferences. Like with the noodles, Zhang Siyi earnestly ate the bowl of cat porridge really enjoying the flavor. He is starting to like this business trip. Just a little.

At 10:30 in the morning, Chen Gong’s plane arrived in Z City. The two men packed up and went to the scene to meet with him. Zhang Siyi couldn’t help much. He listened to Gu Yu and him talk. Gu Yu said that it is necessary to devote more than half of the plot for a flood control system. Then the two talked about some water treatment methods, types of water diversion, dredging, microbial purification and so on.

Zhang Siyi heard the fog in the clouds and looked at it. Aren’t they just architects? Why should we consider this ecological environment? And the most important thing is, why does Gu Yu know even these things? Is he omnipotent?

Although he is yearning for something in his heart, he is also very confused. The strength and maturity of Gu Yu is like a high mountain standing in front of him. Zhang Siyi cannot match him and cannot overtake him.

Especially after these two days of contact, the adoration of this person from middle school seems to slowly awaken from the bottom of his heart. How can Zhang Siyi escape? He can’t hide the influence Gu Yu has on him. Although Zhang Siyi was very unhappy while being trained, as Du Rui said, Gu Xiao has the means and methods to educate him.

Gu Yu and Chen Gong exchanged a few more ideas and took more photos. Then returned to Haicheng in the evening with a successful business trip completed.

When Zhang Siyi returned to the company on the third day of the morning. The colleagues of the team project had already completed the corresponding changes with the new photos they sent the night before and did some relevant case analysis of sewage purification content at home and abroad. After the Gu Yu’s approval, they began working on the next phase of the project.

Three days later, the project team was divided into two. From the initial analysis, each of them summed up their ideas and thus began the competition for the design bid.

Again, Zhang Siyi was assigned to patch duties, but this time he no longer complained and didn’t feel resentful. With rapt attention, he saw his colleagues joined forces; analyze, report, plan, argue, draw and create a wonderful plan. His excitement rose.

Sometimes, they are not just designers, but also salesmen and speakers. Before a design is selected, they must convince not only themselves, but also satisfy the other peoples’ needs.

Demanding perfection, Gu Yu is like a general commanding his troops. As long he points the way with his eyes and pen, the team can’t lose. After 7 days of making corrections and revisions to plan, it is finally time to reveal the designs.

At ten o’clock in the morning, the company’s largest conference room opened. The importance of the project was evident by the company’s rare appearance of several chief architects as well as consultants from the X Institute of Planning.

Quietly sitting in a far corner of the room, full of excitement, Zhang Siyi seized the opportunity to watch such a large occasion. The first report was given by Group A representative, Ji Feiyu. Although Zhang Siyi was already familiar with his group’s plan, he still listened very attentively.

After comprehensively considering the conclusions from the previous analysis, they determined the planning orientation of the new district. That is, to solve the problems of residence, flood discharge, landscape and traffic, and based on the relationships between them, divided the sections from the leading port, then further divided the 250-hectare plots according to the area requirements of each function. Each block is again divided into small blocks, each of which performs its own functions. Some build houses, some do commercial use, and some build landscapes. In this way, more than 300 can be built. The land of the football field was completely digested.

Their plan has no special “concepts” and so-called “symbolic meanings”. Everything is logically planned according to actual analysis and needs. At first glance, there aren’t flashy areas, but every step is methodical, and every detail of the plan is impeccably thought of.

After Ji Feiyu’s report was over, all the members of Group A were applauded with confidence then Peng Shuang, the representative of the Child Labor Group, stood up and gave his presentation.

Since the beginning of the design phase of the large project, the two groups of people consciously banned communication so they wouldn’t affect each other’s design plans. Therefore, this is the first time that the group A partners have seen B group design in the seven days.

The light in the room was dimmed down. Peng Shuang stood on the side of the projection screen and pressed the slide show button. Zhang Siyi was shocked at the image he saw. The first print plan of the lot that Group B designed was actually made into a huge lily!

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