Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 6: Senior

The previously quite group chat exploded again after Zhang Siyi had sent his message.

Su Yuan: “I nearly fainted. Were you just scaring us? Ah!”

Jiang Hai: “Congratulations!”

Ren Mengyu: “What the hell is going on?”

Fu Xinhui: “…”

Zhang Siyi: “I didn’t mean to scare you. I just thought it wasn’t going my way. I didn’t expect a positive outcome.”  ~\(≧▽≦)/~

Su Yuan: “I did say that it was just a formality. How’s your salary?”

Zhang Siyi: “The beginning salary during the probation period is 5,000. Afterwards, it will be 8000 and after 6 months I can potentially get a raise. That’s not counting any bonuses.”

Su Yuan: “Not bad.”

Jiang Hai: “Wow, you will be paid more than me even after 2 years. I am at 7,000!”

Fu Xinhui: “More than half your salary would go towards paying rent? That’s not even as good as a migrant worker.”

Seeing this reply, Zhang Siyi suddenly had the impulse to turn around and go back to the convenience store for a 15 Yuan Bento!

Su Yuan: “Don’t throw cold water on him. The salary in the beginning for someone with an undergraduate degree in the construction industry in Haicheng was about six to seven thousand. Eight thousand was a very good starting point. With bonuses, I also earn that amount.”

Jiang Hai: “No way! Our profession has such a low price-performance ratio that we study harder than dogs, work harder than cows and earns less than chickens. ╮(╯_╰)╭”

Fu Xinhui: “Do not insult chickens, chickens make a lot of good money!”

Jiang Hai: “In brief; It’s better to be a chicken.”

Ren Mengyu: “My cousin works in the finance sector and after graduation he went to a private financial management firm. Now in the second year of work, his annual salary is 200,000.” [Cry]

Fu Xinhui: “I have a friend who is an internet game host with a monthly income of 200,000.”

Zhang Siyi: “Friends! This is my first job! If you can’t say anything positive, then don’t say anything at all!”

Fu Xinhui: “Treat me!”

Ren Mengyu: “Treat me!”

Jiang Hai: “Treat me!”

Su Yuan: “Treat me!”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

While tapping his message on his phone, Zhang Siyi was caught off guard and was shocked. When he turned his head, he saw Gu Yu standing behind him, watching him with a wide smile plastered on his face: “Are you chatting with your friends again?”

Zhang Siyi: “…” He didn’t expect to meet Gu Yu here.

….. Why does this man only remember the dirty laundry that my ex-girlfriend aired! (=皿=)

“What a coincidence. You also came here to eat. I just saw you talking to your new colleague upstairs. How come you didn’t eat with them?” Gu Yu asked.

Zhang Siyi felt a shiver down his spine. He quickly explained: “Not knowing there would be a new person at the office, they had already reserved company lunches, so it’s to be expected. It is my first day after all.”

As the waiter saw the two of them chatting, he treated them as one party by default and offered them a table: “Two, follow me please.”

Zhang Siyi was a bit uncertain. Even though Gu Yu didn’t express his intention to eat with him, all the tables were full of customers. The seats at the bar were also full of people.

After the waiter guided them to the table for them, Zhang Siyi’s mind started to panic. He sat down anxiously. He didn’t want his colleagues to think he planned this lunch for advantageous reasons. Although, his situation was a bit special considering the coffee debacle, he didn’t want to feel like he still owed Gu Yu.

The two men ordered a set meal. Zhang Siyi was planning on giving the money to Gu Yu but he already handed the card to the waiter and said: “Together.”

Zhang Siyi stunned: “You, you are treating me to lunch?”

Gu Yu: “You can think of it as you treating me.”

Zhang Siyi was a little confused. Even though he was moved by Gu Yu’s behavior, he didn’t think much about it. Increasingly, Zhang Siyi was convinced that the handsome person sitting across from him was in fact a kind and generous person.

“What were you guys talking about upstairs?” Gu Yu picked up the disposable chopsticks on the table with an environmentally-friendly paper bag and slowly unwrapped it.

Zhang Siyi recalled the gossip his colleagues had just commented on about Gu Yu. What was it like to be chased by a woman who was eight years older than him? Zhang Siyi wiped the cold sweat from his brow. Although he also loved to gossip, he wasn’t a person who sold-out his colleague to please a leader, so he can only comment: “They said that you are demanding, um, very strict.”

Gu Yu smiled, separated the chopsticks with a ‘SNAP’ and said: “The beginning is always difficult. If you work hard and try your best, you will do well. “

Zhang Siyi was inwardly shaking, but outwardly gave a little nod: “Yes, strict teacher.”

The delicious looking food had arrived; a set of teriyaki chicken, hot beef rolls, miso soup, tempura, and other side dishes. The aroma was mouthwatering. Zhang Siyi sighed and picked up his chopsticks. He ate for a while, then remembered the school his colleagues mentioned. He was curious: “Oh yeh, they said that you graduated from T University?”

Seeing Gu Yu nod, Zhang Siyi said with excitement: “Then you may know the senior of my high school. He graduated from Ningcheng Foreign Language Middle School maybe in 2004 or 2005.”

Gu Yu looked up and looked at him for a while, then flatly commented: “I am also a graduate of Ningcheng Foreign Language Middle School.”

Zhang Siyi slightly raised his brows and did not respond: “…ah?”

Gu Yu appreciated Zhang Siyi’s expression: “It’s unfortunate though, I enrolled at T Uni in 2004.”

With his jaw hanging open, Zhang Siyi stopped feeding himself. He tentatively asked: “What did you just say?”

Gu Yu glanced at him. There was a hint of amusement in his eyes. He calmly replied: “I still remember that in 2008 I was really was invited by my alma mater to give a speech.”

Unconsciously, Zhang Siyi widened his eyes further. Shock? Panic? His mind was full of ‘No Way!’

Gu Yu smirked in amusement: “Probably in October, the day after National Day Holiday, in the large auditorium outside Ningcheng.”

Zhang Siyi was shocked: “What! Do you mean…. that is, you. You are my senior?”

Gu said: “If you don’t use other people’s experiences as stories for yourself, then this morning, you were talking about me.”

Zhang Siyi was both surprised and happy, but also a little angry and embarrassed. He didn’t know why Gu Yu deliberately concealed the truth: “Why didn’t you say something this morning?”

Gu Yu drank his soup and commented: “You didn’t remember me.”

The slightest fluctuation of his tone made Zhang Siyi have the feeling like he was angry, but Gu Yu quickly followed-up with: “I didn’t want you to think that I recruited you because we went to the same high school.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Obviously, it was quite a selfless sentence, but it let Zhang Siyi listen to the truth. The other meaning of his comment was that Gu Yu hired him because he believed in Zhang Siyi’s own ability!

Zhang Si Yi felt more excited than when he was chasing his ex-girlfriend.

The person sitting in front of him now, was not only a graduate of T university, but also the legend of his high school!

Since Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu were close in age, they inevitably had the same teachers during their time in High School. Full of appreciation, the teachers often talked about one special smart and good student during class. A profound memory came to mind. He remembered on one day, in the third year of the city’s unified examination, the exam was very difficult to pass. The highest score was a 71. The cry from the class was load and clear. Thankfully, Zhang Siyi just made the passing line and in fact, only 10 people did that day, but while those people were absorbed in their self-satisfaction, believing their achievement was something to be proud of, the physics teacher informed them that a student of a previous year received a perfect score. Unbelievable!

In retrospect, Zhang Siyi thought that person was most certainly Gu Yu!

Afterwards, the two naturally talked about past things from high school. The headmaster of Ningwai, the pancake stall at the school gate…. The atmosphere was happy. Zhang Siyi felt like the distance between them was getting closer. I think that, with such a good teacher, my future will be bright!

After eating the meal and returning to the company, Zhang Siyi felt like he was floating. Taking advantage of the bathroom, he couldn’t help but pull out his mobile phone and show off to his friends. Unexpectedly, when he opened WeChat, he saw a bunch of messages.

Jiang Hai: “Hello?”

Fu Xinhui: “By! When it comes to party, dive, bump!”

Ren Mengyu: “[Despise]”

Su Yuan: “I am waiting to hear the details of the interview still! “Little Yi, come back!”

Zhang Siyi：“……”

Zhang Siyi: “I just had lunch with the director and learned that he and I were both graduates of the same high school!”

Fu Xinhui: “I say, did he not accept you because you are his school brother?”

Zhang Siyi: “Get out of Here! It was my own strength!!

Ren Mengyu: “Treat me!”

Jiang Hai: “Treat me!”

Zhang Siyi: “Ah? Tonight?

Fu Xinhui: “Yeh!”

Ren Mengyu: “Yes, yes, yes!

Su Yuan: “Count me in!”

Zhang Siyi: “Jiang Hai are you working overtime?

Jiang Hai: “For this meal, I’ll shall slip out too!”

Zhang Siyi: “Heartless Han, if you are idle, help me pick a place. I have work in the afternoon, so there isn’t time to find a place.”

Fu Xinhui: “You started working so soon?”

Ren Mengyu: “Every time I look at Zhang Siyi call Fu Xinhui by his nickname, I can make up one hundred thousand words of a Danmei novel in a flash. Heartless Han begins the attack….”

Zhang Siyi: “The rotten girl is out!”

Zhang Siyi: “And why am I the bottom?”  (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

Fu Xinhui: “[Awesome]”

Zhang Siyi: “I can’t talk to you. People with jobs are going to work!” ~ (≧▽≦)/~ “

Fu Xinhui: “…… You da man.”

Jiang Hai: “I really envy his good mentality. I’ve been working overtime for one month now so, I just want to complain.”

Zhang Siyi put away his mobile phone and stood up. Looking at the time, he hurriedly left the restroom to go to the personnel department. There, he needed to fill out paperwork and go through the other necessary formalities.

Already, there was a contract that Miss Wang had prepared for him to look over. Zhang Siyi turned it over to look at it and was confused.

“Oh, yes,” Miss Wang said suddenly. “This morning, did Director Gu tell you that five-hundred will be deducted from your salary on a normal basis?”

“Ah? What?” Zhang Siyi stunned and remembered the sentence that Gu Yu said, “If you care, wages will be deducted.” Wasn’t that a joke?

Miss Wang: “Hey, he didn’t tell you? He also said to deducted 500 yuan for catering activities.”

Zhang Siyi ears smoked: “What!?” Gu Yu’s comment in the restaurant; he finally understood the meaning of, ‘Think of it as you treating me…’

He had been so stupid. To think he thought that Gu Yu was a kind and generous person. He felt deceived. (=皿=)

HA! This man was too unkind, wasn’t he? For a moment, Gu Yu’s glorious image in Zhang Siyi’s heart was greatly reduced.

After signing the contract, Zhang Siyi sat back down, slumped at his desk and felt wronged by a bad bully. Even his ex-girlfriend’s crazy account had not made him feel as uncomfortable as he was now.

____________________

next chapter >>

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 5: Colleague

After Gu Yu left, Zhang Siyi couldn’t help but wipe the sweat off his brow. With the ups and downs, he felt like this morning was one long roller coaster ride. The personnel of the Human Resources department came over to give him a tour of the company’s offices. There was a special glass-enclosed discussion room, a reading area in the mini-library, a relaxed dining hall, a separate refreshment area, and even a few beds. He was surprised at the company’s fantastic working environment!

All throughout the tour, Zhang Siyi was grinning from ear to ear as he imagined himself utilizing the firm’s resources unconditionally. The sense of belonging and happiness welled up inside him.

“In the refreshment area, there was a coffee machine that provided unlimited coffee. Also, there were free cookies, various breads and milk. The company provides an ordering service at noon for lunch which is subsidized. You could also choose to bring your own lunch. The dining area had a refrigerator and microwave and other equipment for your convenience.”

“In accordance with the company’s Basic Rules and regulations, we ask our staff to work between 9am to 6pm. Lunch breaks are between 12:30pm and 1:30pm.”

Zhang Siyi nodded. Even though the company’s official business hours were from nine to six, it was still an eight-hour work day because of the hour lunch break every day. Perfect.

“However,” Miss Wang turned to him and shrugged. “The design department has special permission. The company supplied electricity and water for 24 hours a day for the department to function at all times. There is a fingerprint lock, so employees can gain access and work overtime without problems.”

Zhang Siyi listened to Miss Wang’s explanation and followed her to a door with the fingerprint lock. Opening it, he was taken into the design department which he briefly saw while exiting the elevators previously.

There was a large table at the side of the walkway where three people were seated together discussing a plan there. A leading female designer saw Miss Wang approaching with Zhang Siyi. An employee called out, “Hey the new guy”. She was wearing a pair of black-rimmed glasses with a black and white business wear. She looked older, but her temperament seemed good. They were curious about Zhang Siyi. He smiled at them.

“This is Zhang Siyi, who graduated from the British Department of Architecture. Director Gu just recruited him as an assistant architect.” Miss Wang also pointed to the woman, “This is Child Labor, another master architect in the design department.”

……child labor? How can someone be called this? Zhang Siyi thought that he heard it wrong.

“Child Labor” shook hands with him and enthusiastically said: “Welcome to Boundless.”

Zhang Siyi: “Thank you.”

The two young people sitting on the side also smiled at Zhang Siyi: “Welcome.”

Child Labor signaled to the other two employees: “Time to get working. Let’s make sure we don’t pad other people’s pockets with our quarterly bonuses.”

Two young people: “…”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Arriving at an empty table near the corner, Miss Wang arranged a work position for him. On the left, there was a small, fat young man. On the right was a walkway. Behind it was a row of glass compartments. Zhang Siyi had no time to look at it. Miss Wang said: “Zhu Hongzhen, this is Zhang Siyi, a new employee. He will sit next to you, please take care of him.”

The young man was pretending to fiddle with the building model of the computer, and immediately turned around smiling: “Hello.”

Miss Wang looked at the watch: “It’s almost time for lunch. After eating lunch, come to me.” Zhang Siyi said thank you and Miss Wang left.

“Hey, my name is Zhu Hongzhen, nicknamed Piggy.” His desk-mate reintroduced himself.

Zhang Siyi shook hands with him. A girl who was facing him also slid over on a swivel chair: “Hello!”

“This is Bi Lele.” Pig took the initiative to introduce her then pointed at the young man next to Bi Lele who had his head down engrossed with drawing.” That is Yuan Zhicheng.” The named person looked up. Zhang Siyi smiled, and said hello.

Bi Lele grinned at Zhang Siyi. She teased him: “The front desk staff told me about a really handsome young man scheduled for an interview. We were curious, and they were right!” Several of the people there were of similar age so after introductions, they soon became familiar with each other.

From the two of them, Zhang Siyi also learned about the structure of the different departments of Boundless. It totaled less than 50 people and 10 of which were specialized in structural and HVAC-related engineering. Less than ten were professional landscapes and Interior designers. The remaining 30 people were doing architectural design. Among the 30 people, there were three groups. Each group has its own head and Gu Yu lead the group that Zhang Siyi was in.

Zhu Hongzhen commented: “Our boss never recruits useless people, so you must have some talent.”

Zhang Siyi felt a little conscience and guilty: “I only just graduated.”

“You are the only person who has graduated from a foreign university in our group.” Bi Lele said.

“You all graduated from a domestic University?” Asked Zhang Siyi. Bi Lele and the others said where they graduated from and to Zhang Siyi surprised, they were all from elite educational institutions. Was he working with a group of school tyrants now?

“Which school did Gu Yu graduate from?” Zhang Siyi was very curious and whispered: “He is only a few years older and looks so young.”

“T University,” Bi Lele gave the answer from across the aisle. “He is a master of continuous accomplishments. After graduation, he first worked at X Design Institute. I have a classmate who worked together with Gu Yu during his internship. He learned fast on the job while also studying. During his time at university, he won many awards at various competitions for architectural design. It was the first time someone so young received the awards. He didn’t go abroad after graduating and went straight to work a X Design Institute. Two years later, he passed the nine-time examination directly, then applied at Boundless and was given the position of creative director. I think he’s at least twenty-seven or twenty-eight.”

Zhang Siyi was shocked. This person is too damn good. How can life be so smooth!

Zhu Hongzhen nods and says: “Our boss is really a God!”

Bi Lele looked around and whispered: “I heard Gu Yu’s real reason for leaving X Design was because of an older female architect’s pursuit of him. He couldn’t help but hide here.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Zhu Hongzhen: “…”

Zhang Siyi: “I thought that there were other foreign-educated graduates working here. How is it just me?”

“Our sister department is led by Child Labor.” Zhu Hongzhen pointed across the way in her direction,” She has a doctorate of architecture and leads a group of people who are all from international universities. Two of them are foreigners, one from Spain and one from Bulgaria. When it comes to the child labor group, Zhang Siyi wants to laugh a little. He asks: “Why would someone call her such a strange name?”

Zhu Hongzhen’s pursed his lips closed: “Hey, you may have made a mistake. It’s not her name.”

Zhang Siyi: “Ah?”

She is called Tong Heyi, and the ‘labor’ is the abbreviation of the construction engineer. It is the most commonly used name in our industry, so you would feel strange when someone called you ‘Zhang Gong’.”

Zhang, Zhang Gong, hehe…

Zhu Hongzhen: “In fact, our boss doesn’t like the formal title of director. Just follow our lead and call him Boss. OK?”

“I see,” Zhang Siyi replied while looking around: “Where is his office?”

Zhu Hongzhen pointed over his shoulder behind him: “It’s right behind you.”

“…” Zhang Siyi turned back and saw the name card of Gu Yu hanging on the back of the glass compartment door! He shrank his neck and turned back, summing up: “It seems that my position is a bit dangerous.”

Zhu Hongzhen nodded solemnly: “Yes, at work if you get discovered playing around by the boss, you will see the end sooner rather than later.”

Zhang Siyi: “No? I can’t do anything on the internet? Not even a little bit?”

“That depends on what you are doing online. Checking information is ok of course, but anything else….” Zhu Hongzhen did not say exactly but his cold tone made the implication even clearer. Zhang Siyi swallowed nervously.

“I didn’t think the boss was so strict. It seemed to me, he had much warmer relationship with everyone in the department.” Because of the mishap and reconciliation at the café, Zhang Siyi felt that the animosity towards Gu Yu was unfounded.

Zhu Hongzhen looked at him oddly: “Where did you get that idea?”

“It isn’t?”

“Because he himself has strict principles, he expects everyone else to follow them as well. It’s not easy following a talented genius,” Zhu Hongzhen said bitterly. “You have been warned. It isn’t a wonderful experience working under his hands. You will understand after a while.“

Yuan Zhicheng, who hasn’t spoken yet, heard this and suddenly looked up at Zhang Siyi, his eyes were blue, and his smile was bleak: “Welcome to the group of hard work.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

Bi Lele, who had a look of ignorance, had quietly shut her mouth when her colleagues complained, and sighed with a look of ‘pain and happiness.’

At lunch time, Zhu Hongzhen had reserved the company’s lunch. Others had brought their own and thus, Zhang Siyi could only go downstairs and find a restaurant.

Because the office building was in the commercial center, there were many very good restaurants nearby. However, except for the convenience stores such as 7-11 and Rosen, they were a bit pricey. Even so, most of the restaurants were acceptable.

In celebration of his new job, Zhang Siyi wanted to treat himself to a nice meal instead of a convenience store’s lunch. He chose a Japanese restaurant that looked like it had many patrons. Zhang Siyi lined up in queue and waited to be seated. At this time, he took his phone out to check his messages. He wanted to let his friends know about the good news.

Two hours had passed since Zhang Siyi sent the two crying emojis in chat. There were hundreds of messages in the discussion group.

At first, his friends were anxious and didn’t know if they should ask him for details about the situation. Fu Xinhui even gloated about it, but since Zhang Siyi stopped responding he stopped chatting. Everyone began to comfort Zhang Siyi. Others wondered if he couldn’t read the messages. Eventually the topic moved onto something else. When Zhang Siyi opened the phone, his friends were eager to discuss the future development of the Chinese construction industry in the group.

He clicked Fu Xinhui icon to look at some private messages. There were several unread messages on the top.

Fu Xinhui: ” What’s the matter? Are you feeling alright?”

Fu Xinhui: “We were just joking around.Don’t get caught up in that.……”

Fu Xinhui: “Sorry, I shouldn’t have laughed at you, don’t be sad, come back I’ll invite you to dinner!””

Fu Xinhui: “Don’t worry about money. I’ll treat you.”

……

Zhang Siyi sent a message to Fu Xinhui: “Fuck you, Crow mouth! I got in!”

He then went to the chat group and sent an update: “I got the job”

____________________

next chapter >>

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 4: Hiring

This string of questions made Zhang Siyi even more on edge. Before seeing Gu Yu, he had thought the job was his and had planned out what he was going to say about his salary. Now, he was drawing a blank. He didn’t have any answers in mind for Gu Yu questions.

However, since the Director asked the question, Zhang Siyi had to answer. Besides, the situation had become so embarrassing that he didn’t think it could get any worse than it already was. He might as well just say his honest opinion and let Gu Yu decide its worth. With a deep breath, he said: “Actually, it was influenced by an alumnus of my high school.”

Gu Yu: “Oh?”

Zhang Siyi: “When I was in high school, there was an alumnus who had studied architecture at the University of T. He went back to my alma mater and give us an inspirational speech. He was ranked number 1 in the class of our local college entrance examination and was admitted to the Department of Architecture with the second highest score in the province. He said something at the time and left a deep impression on me.”

Zhang Siyi has always liked architecture. As a child he dreamed of having the title of an architect. He once thought that it was his life’s goal and that his destiny was given to him by god to help build his motherland. Hearing this alumnus speech greatly reinforced his feelings so naturally, he sought a course of architectural study at a university.

Indeed, at home, construction is one of the most desired courses of study at any university, especially a school as prestigious a school as T University. This was inevitable. During a certain period of time, development of land and large-scale construction projects were at its peak in the country. All localities were engaged in construction. Because of the media’s exaggerated reports on the employment prospects and salary of the construction industry, many students rushed to the architectural field of study. The high demand for architecture in society forced Colleges and Universities to open architecture departments. Even many literary and film works have shaped “architects” into life-winning heroes.

However, once he got involved in this field, Zhang Siyi discovered the reality, It was one fucking huge pit!

Gu Yu was silent for a moment in thought then smiled suddenly: “This is the reason why you pursued a career in architecture?”

Zhang Siyi did not expect him to smile. Twice now he thought Gu Yu had a cold attitude and thought very little of him, however in this moment his faint smile let Zhang Siyi feel warmth, like the warm spring breeze melting winter’s ice and snow.

Watching Gu Yu’s expression soften, Zhang Siyi felt more comfortable. Maybe this was a good start?

Gu Yu looked directly into Zhang Siyi eyes and asked: “Do you still remember him and what he said?”

Zhang Siyi: “Ah, that… I don’t remember…”

Because of all the many hours staying up late studying, drawing and building architectural models endlessly in university, Zhang Siyi also felt confused about his original intention. Especially when the construction segment of the economy had changed so drastically in the last couple of years. Looking for a job has become very difficult. He doubted whether or not his career choice was correct. As for the words that the alumnus said a few years ago, they are but a floating feeling without any lasting effect on Zhang Siyi heart. While thinking deeply about his changing sentiments he said: “But I felt that at the time, the senior was very cool, so I always used him as an example.”

Gu Yu looked at the resume in his hand and said: “But you did not enter T University.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

T university was the most prestigious institution in the country. It wasn’t a place for the casual person to apply. More than that, all of the old eight schools that were famous in the country, have impossibly high admission score standards. Even if Zhang Siyi’s high school grades were acceptable, the score needed to apply on the national exam was beyond his ability. Since Zhang Siyi wasn’t willing to go to an ordinary school, he asked his family to study abroad.

Zhang Siyi inhaled then exhaled. Inhale…. exhale… ok, calm!

“Um, I thought I would go abroad to study architecture because it would broaden my horizon and give me more opportunities for the future,” Zhang Siyi said cautiously. “I heard that China’s current architecture education system was completely based on the West, so it’s better to study the subject from the original source.”

Nodding slightly in agreement, Gu Yu seems to like his answer.

His little action let Zhang Siyi’s confidence grow and in response, he continued to answer Gu Yu’s questions enthusiastically. He explained why he choose to send his resume to Boundless by using nothing more than the summaries written by netizens on the forums.

Finally, when it came to career planning, for everyone who pursued the career of an architect, the primary goal was undoubtedly to obtain a personal license. Only then can a proclaimed architect be truly counted. The title “National Level Registered Architect” was almost the highest proof of identity for domestic architects.

But the title is not something that casual cats and dogs can earn, and strictly speaking, any unlicensed building practitioner is called a designer.

Newly graduated student of an architectural program, such as Zhang Siyi’s, were only called “Assistant Architects”. By default, when they apply for a job, they become apprentices. By diligent hard work alongside a licensed architect can they improve their own skills and become architects themselves.

Different countries also have different criteria for judging the qualifications of an architect. In China, obtaining an architect license required a professional academic background and a designated field of work. Once that was obtained then they were eligible to participate in the national unified qualification examination. However, the test was divided into nine grades. It was not simple to pass. It is said that many practitioners spent years, even decades working on the test. Therefore, seeing Gu Yu with the title of architect can only mean he was an exceptional person; a gifted genius.

Zhang Siyi was an undergraduate of the accepted architectural education standard in the UK. His qualifications are recognized by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). If you want to apply for a RIBA license in the future, you need to supplement your relevant design work with related experience plus the completed architectural works. It is only the British professional judgment requirements that are more stringent than domestic ones. Some people get a license when they are in their 40s and 50s. In the RIBA circle, they were regarded as being ‘young’ architects.

Architecture was a long road. Therefore, many people have turned around in the middle. Fu Xinhui and Jiang Hai were such examples. They originally went abroad to get a foreign education but now, they pursued other career paths. Influenced by them, Zhang Siyi was also confused and hesitant. It seemed like the only one out of their classmates that was most likely to actually be an architect was Su Yuan.

“I don’t have any particularly long-term career plans,” Zhang Siyi said frankly, “and now, I’m just looking for a way to help me continue to grow and learn as well as to accumulate a bit of experience, and plan for the future.”

As he finished speaking, a “buzzing” sound was heard. Startled by the phone vibration noise, Zhang Siyi, jerked his hand and touched his pocket thinking he has a call. However, the call wasn’t for himself. It was Gu Yu’s phone.

Gu Yu looked at the phone, frowned and said to Zhang Siyi, “Sorry, I’ll be a moment,” and picked up the phone from the table to take the call outside.

Zhang Siyi breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed his tightly wound nerves. He also took out his mobile phone to look at his messages and saw dozens of unread notes in the WeChat group that consisted of his college friends:

——————————

Su Yuan: “Is little Yi going to the interview?”

Jiang Hai: “He left early in the morning. He was in the bathroom for so long, I didn’t get the chance to shower. [Hides]”

Fu Xinhui: “Why not come to my room? I have a separate bathroom.”

Jiang Hai: “Oh, I forget. Are you awake?”

Fu Xinhui: “I can’t sleep. Him going to the interview made me nervous.”

Ren Mengyu: “Why do I feel that you are getting more and more gay.”

Fu Xinhui: “…”

Su Yuan: “When you are going to get a job, Fu Xinhui? You are still unemployed even though you have returned to Haicheng.”

Fu Xinhui: “Ah, I’m not in a rush. What’s the hurry?”

Su Yuan: “Don’t say that! I graduated with you. It’s disgraceful.”

Fu Xinhui: “…”

Su Yuan: “I wonder if Little Yi got the job.”

————————-

Zhang Siyi quickly scanned over the messages and he couldn’t help but type a brief word to the discussion group: “Nothing.”

The group soon exploded and asked him what happened. Zhang Siyi saw that Gu Yu was back, and he had no time to explain. He only sent two crying expressions and quickly put the phone away.

After sitting down again, Zhang Siyi noticed Gu Yu was slightly frowning. He was a little unsure of himself and couldn’t tell what the Director was thinking based on his expression. Insecurity was starting to develop inside of him. Was his interview going well thus far? Did he say something wrong? Even though he thought his performance seemed to be going well, he was starting to lose hope. Also… that cup of coffee.

Gu Yu opened the portfolio collection brought by Zhang Siyi with one hand and squeezed the bridge of his nose with the other. After a long period of time without talking, he sat there and looked carefully. He did not ask Zhang Siyi any questions.

Keeping silent, Zhang Siyi dare not speak, but his eyes involuntarily followed Gu Yu’s movements, watching him very intently.

His hands were very beautiful. Not too big or small. His wrist bones were distinct and his fingers were slender. They look unyielding yet soft. His eyelashes were also very long. When he looked down at the papers, they hovered over his eyes like two small fans. And his skin…. so smooth…. Zhang Siyi was extremely puzzled. How can someone so young be a director?

While looking at him intently, Gu Yu suddenly looked up at Zhang Siyi. Zhang Siyi immediately sat up straighter. Feeling distraught he started sweating. The anticipation building up inside his heart overwhelmed him. He couldn’t take it any longer. What was the verdict?

Gu Yu took a pen and gently pointed at the book and asked: “Can you work overtime?”

“Ah?” Zhang Siyi said, stunned. His mind couldn’t help but replay the words that Su Yuan said last night – even if the interviewer asks you something you rather not do, you have to say ‘yes’.

Attitude check: You are willing to learn… Is this the turning point? There is a chance? Zhang Siyi hurriedly replied: “Yes!”

Gu Yu looked at him and smiled: “There are a few basic concerns. You can’t be late…”

Zhang Siyi was happy in his heart and nodded again and again: “I won’t be late!”

Gu Yu: “The things you agree to must be done without exception. If you don’t understand something, please ask. Don’t make your own assumptions.”

Zhang Siyi’s nodded his head vigorously: “Yes, yes!”

Gu Yu said the last point: “You can’t chat with friends online while you are at work.”

Zhang Siyi: “…” So he had heard yesterday!

Gu Yu raised his eyebrows: “Can you do that?”

Although, a feeling like he had signed a treaty of shame lingered, Zhang Siyi replied: “Yes. It’s not a problem.”

Gu Yu closed his portfolio and got to the point: “The wages of new graduates is 8000 and there is a probationary period for one month. The salary is 5000 after tax. The bonuses are dependent on the project and a pay raise is possible after your six-month performance evaluation….”

Ah, ah….  Zhang Siyi’s heart had been exploding in excitement like fireworks. It didn’t matter to him how much money the offer was!

“If you can accept it, start working today.” Gu Yu pushed the book back to him and stood up.

“Ah? “Zhang Siyi stayed seated and questioned: “Today?”

Gu Yu took a moment, then looked at him in the eye: “Do you have something planned for today?”

Zhang Siyi quickly shook his head: “No, nothing!”

He was thrilled. To think, Gu Yu didn’t discriminate against him from yesterday’s catastrophe was amazing. He didn’t know how to thank him for being so kind and generous with his employment opportunity.

“That….” Zhang Siyi called out to Gu Yu, who was about to leave, blushing. “Yesterday… I am really sorry.”

Gu Yu paused for a moment before answering: “If you care so much, you can get a deduction in wages.”

Zhang Siyi: “…”

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