Chapter 117

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling
Chapter 117: Handsome and Beautiful
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Announcement about the current update status: Essentially, life is very busy right now so I only have time to update 1 or 2 chapters a week. When things settle down, I’ll be able to update more frequently. Thanks for your understanding! -SnowyNotes
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Gaininginspiration from Gu Yu, not only did he plan to sketch, he also wanted to read atleast one hour every day. In order to read through all the books in Gu Yu'slibrary, Zhang Siyi created a schedule and organized the information on hisphone. Even though his sketching and writing ability isn't as beautiful as GuYu's, Zhang Siyi firmly believed in the sentiment 'practice makes perfect'. Aslong as Zhang Siyi set his mind to the task, he can grow to become as good asGu Yu.
The nextday, both Zhang Siyi's sketchbook arrived and Gu Yu returned from his businesstrip. Since they agreed to keep their distance in the company, when Zhang Siyisaw him upon his return, he only quietly glanced at Gu Yu. In the second theymade eye contact, all of their thoughts were conveyed and Zhang Siyi feltgreatly relieved.
During hislunch break, Zhang Siyi opened his sketchbook, eager to start the first entry,but while tapping his fingertips, he stared at the blank page. With a furrowedbrow, he contemplated what to write.
….. What is betterto draw?
….. The morning'sbreakfast?
….. Lunch at noon?
….. Eh, too plain.
With asudden 'eureka' moment, an idea popped into Zhang Siyi's mind and he snappedhis fingers. He immediately picked up his pencil and leaned over the table topto draw in earnest…. Ok! It’s finished!
Sitting upstraight, Zhang Siyi admired his newly sketched masterpiece. Looking all overthe page, he thought something wasn't quite right. Did he make Gu Yu look a bitugly?
Wait,that’s not the point!
Since asketchbook doesn't have a lock feature like a mobile phone, Zhang Siyi suddenlyregretted drawing Gu Yu on the first page. What if it was accidentally seen byothers? What is he going to do?
As hestarted panicking about the situation that he got himself into, he heard ZhuHongzhen's voice next to him: "What are you drawing?"
Quicklycovering the page with his arm and hand, Zhang Siyi turned to the side andanswered him: "Nothing."
Chuckling, ZhuHongzhen smiled and said: “I have seen it!”
Zhang Siyi:“……” It's over! How will he be able to explain the contents and hisbehavior? (*/ω\*)
ZhuHongzhen took drink of water from his cup then said: “Don’t cover it up. Iam not the first genius to know that you don't draw well. Who is this, yourself-portrait?
Zhang Siyi:“……”
ZhuHongzhen continued to stab at him: "Looking at it closer, it really is bad. Noone would believe you are an architect. When you went abroad, didn't youpractice the fundamentals?"
On onehand, listening to Zhu Hongzhen's bluntness, Zhang Siyi wanted to cry. On theother hand, as no one could recognize the drawing, all of his anxiety was fornothing and Zhang Siyi wanted to laugh. He was definitely thinking about it toomuch. He relaxed and removed his hands from the sketchbook and said: "Therewere some classes, but we mostly used computer software. I didn't practicemuch."
ZhuHongzhen: “Did you buy a sketch book to practice drawing?”
Zhang Siyi:“Hmm …”
ZhuHongzhen: “Practice is good. As an architect, drawing is very important.You can let Yuan Zhicheng teach you! His drawings are excellent."
After ZhuHongzhen went on his way, Zhang Siyi examined his own picture again. Is itreally that bad? He thought he drew Gu Yu's handsome face, his expressive eyesand tender lips very well!
Sighing indismay, Zhang Siyi consoled himself. Since no one could see what he saw in thedrawing, no one would be able to guess the true relationship between him and GuYu.
In order keepGu Yu's identity hidden, Zhang Siyi wanted to use a nickname or something elseto represent him. Brainstorming, he pulled out his phone, he loaded WeChat anddecided to use 'Little Fox.'
Below thedrawing, he carefully wrote his first sentence: "From today onwards, to becomeas good of a person as Little Fox. -2015.4.23 ZSY.
Since theyare together already, writing something like 'to be worthy of you' is a mootpoint. Also, Zhang Siyi didn't want to write something like he had done withthe cactus lamp previously because 'someday in the future' is something youcan't predict and may never happen.
Zhang Siyialready is aware of the gap between himself and Gu Yu. From this day onwards,Zhang Siyi simply wants to work hard along side the person he loves. After hefinished writing, feeling content, Zhang Siyi closed his sketchbook and beganthe rest of the work day refreshed and full of confidence.
Naturally,since Gu Yu is back from his business trip, Tao Fei is also back. When ZhangSiyi got back to his desk, he received a message from Tao Fei: "Hey, are youthere?"
Now thatZhang Siyi was able to express his feelings, his awkwardness towards Tao Feihad subsided. Zhang Siyi was serious in his reply: "Yes. What is it?"
Tao Feiasked: “Are you doing the tourism development design project in Yunnannow? If you have the preliminary preparation information, send it to me.”
Seeing themessage, Zhang Siyi was remined of the project Gu Yu said he was going toassign him in order to work together with Tao Fei…. However, what is with Tao Fei’s attitude! He is completely treating me likea minion!
Sulking,Zhang Siyi compressed the background data into a file and forwarded it to TaoFei. He neither received a reply nor thanks.
Thirty-minuteslater, Zhang Siyi received another message from Tao Fei: "That's it? Weren'tyou supposed to do a case analysis?"
Zhang Siyiwas so angry at Tao Fei's attitude he snapped: “I was only given thisassignment recently!" There was no response. Turning to the internet, ZhangSiyi searched for the case analysis data. After another thirty-minutes, Tao Feimessaged him: "Hey, do you want to go visit Yunnan to play?"
Zhang Siyi:“……” this guy…. callingpeople 'yo' or 'hey'? Does he not know my name? What does he mean, play inYunnan?
Since thereisn't a rush on the design of the project in Yunnan, Zhang Siyi is a littleconfused about what Tao Fei means. His confusion quickly turned into anger andannoyance when he read Tao Fei's next message: "If you want to go, I'll ask mybrother for permission and I'll take you with me."
Zhang Siyi:“……” What? I'm much morefamiliar with him then you are! I've touched your brother's ji-ji! Do you thinkI need your help to ask for permission!?
As much asZhang Siyi wanted to say something, he knows he had to keep silent. Typing outhis message, he pounded the keys to vent his anger: "The design is due nextmonth, we don't have time to play."
Tao Fei:“Please! We have more than 20 days and this trip will only be a few days.What is the hurry?"
Zhang Siyi:“……” Since you are not in ahurry why don’t you find your own case analysis Ah!
Zhang Siyi ignoredTao Fei, but after a while, Gu Yu sent a message: “Do you want to go toYunnan?”
Zhang Siyi:“Ah? Tao Fei really told you! Whatdid he say?"
Gu Yu:“He said that you want to go to Yunnan to do research.”
Knowing thatTao Fei was the one that wanted to go, Zhang Siyi was even more irritated: "Idid not ask him to go to Yunnan! Tao Fei was the one who asked me first!"
GuYu: “Oh. Well, if you want to go, I can make arrangements for a businesstrip.”
Thinking ofanother business trip with Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi felt warm and excited, but then herealized Gu Yu's message said "you". Zhang Siyi replied: "Will you go?"
Gu Yu:“I have other projects on my plate right now. This project is mainly underTao Fei's responsibility. I won't participate in it."
Zhang Siyi:“……” Is Tao Fei really the right person to be left in charge of aproject?"
Gu Yu:“This project in Yunnan is quite large and on-site research is alsonecessary. You should consider it.”
Now thatZhang Siyi was determined to work hard and learn, he hemmed and hawed over whatTao Fei suggested. Since he mentioned 'play' and not 'on-site research,' ZhangSiyi doesn't know what to think. Well, in fact, Zhang Siyi was simply making excuses.Since Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu just established their relationship, they are likenewlyweds and want to spend as much time together as possible. Since Gu Yu hadbeen away on a business trip, Zhang Siyi hasn't spent time with him and now,Tao Fei is telling him to go on a business trip, and thus, spending less timewith Gu Yu so of course he is reluctant to go.
Settingaside his personal dislike for Tao Fei, if he thought of Tao Fei idea of 'play'as 'research' he wouldn't have made any objections. After a few minutes ofconsideration, Zhang Siyi felt he shouldn't bring his personal feelings intohis work and therefore, sent Gu Yu a positive confirmation.
Gu Yu:“Starting from this Saturday, I'll give you one week.”
Zhang Siyithought about the days of the week. Todayis Thursday and I'm leaving Saturday, so one day to spend with Gu Yu. At leastit is better than nothing.
Since Gu Yualso informed Tao Fei, Tao Fei informed Zhang Siyi of the status of theirbusiness trip: "We depart Saturday!"
Zhang Siyi:“Yes. I know!"
Tao Fei: “What is your mobile phone number?I will add you.”
After exchanging telephone numbers, Zhang Siyisaw that Tao Fei used a self-portrait as his icon.
Looking at the photo, Zhang Siyi couldn't helpbut admire Tao Fei exquisite facial features. With his medium length hair, hehas both female and male charm. In the photo, he is smiling with his raisedhand covering half of his face. If one ignores the hand, his face looks like aheroic girl.
It occurred to Zhang Siyi that he hasn'tinvited Tao Fei into the BorderlessForbidden City Team WeChat group that he set up for his colleagues. AlthoughZhang Siyi is not the leader of the team, as the person who created the group,he should have the ability to 'add new members into the group.'
It has been one month since Tao Fei has been workingat Borderless. Even though he has had a dispute with Gu Yu, his relationshipwith everyone else in the department is very good. Also, he is very popularamong the female employees. However, because of Tao Fei's temper and overlystraightforward character, Zhang Siyi has some reservations. He doesn't wantTao Fei to accidentally offend a colleague and disrupt the current harmoniousstate of the chat group. …..Maybe Ishould wait until someone in the group mentions it?
Wanting to make sure Tao Fei wouldn't disruptanything, Zhang Siyi looked into Tao Fei's social media page to get to know himbetter. Zhang Siyi thought that there was no way Tao Fei would be able tointegrate smoothly into the group as the first thing Zhang Siyi saw made himeven more irritated.
There were a bunch of photos posted from the business trip he had with Gu Yu. In them, both were wearing suits and posing for the camera, Tao Fei had his arm intimately around Gu Yu shoulders in an ambiguous way. They were both so handsome that they looked like a couple. Although what is bothering Zhang Siyi isn't the image itself, it is Tao Fei's blunt message: "Here are the photos that you want to see! Big-T Department of Architecture most handsome and beautiful - Aren't we a worthy match! Ha-ha-ha-ha!"
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