Assistant Architect Chapter 145

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling
Chapter 145: Chief Director
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Walkingthrough the hall on his way back from the data area, the Chief Director spottedZhang Siyi's focused figure at his desk working diligently and felt relieved.He happened to bump into Gu Yu while in the restroom: "The young man yourecruited last year looks very steady now."
Hearing theChief talk to him, Gu Yu was a little surprised. Thinking about the time spent withZhang Siyi looking through his journal to discuss the various topics he wroteabout at length made Gu Yu smile: "Well, he is very motivated now and hasimproved greatly."
Director Gu:“I saw him present the landmark tower for the Yunnan hotel project. Theideas emboldened the spirit and the design was excellent. It seems he really hasa natural gift. Gu Yu, you have a good eye."
Gu Yu wasquite taken back by the Chief's comments. Most of the time, the ChiefDirector's praise is at most 'good' or 'very well' and rarely admits to adesign being excellent, let alone that a design could effect a persons' spirit.It is the best compliment for a young designer with potential. After all,anyone can learn the process of architecture, but only those with inborn talenthave the ability to design a building that touches the soul. Even though Gu Yuwas feeling very happy for Zhang Siyi, he tried not to show it and relaxed hisfacial expression.
Washing hishands, the Chief looked at Gu Yu in the mirror and suddenly asked: "Young Gu, Iremember that you don't have a girlfriend, right?"
Gu Yu: "……Hmm?"
Leaving hishands to rinse under the water, he continued: "At the beginning of X Firm, youworked for more then twelve hours a day. I heard that you studied and brought workhome to do in the evenings. During the two years here at Borderless, you werealways conscientious of the staff members needs and personally made yourselfavailable during overtime if any problems rose but as a result, you were neverhome before nine at night. Even though your dedication is important year afteryear, you need to make plans for your own life. You are almost thirty years oldwithout a family of your own."
The truthof the matter can't be revealed. If Zhang Siyi was a woman, Gu Yu couldimmediately tell the Chief Director that he was already seriously involved withsomeone so he need not concern himself over the matter of marriage.
Sincerelationships in the workplace are taboo, being an employee of Borderless was aproblem and not only that, but a subordinate of a Director. If that wasn'tenough of an issue, the fact that Zhang Siyi is a man, was the real cause forsilence. If he were to mentioned being gay, the more than fifty-year old ChiefDirector may not be able to accept this detail, so it isn't a subject Gu Yu canopenly speak about.
“Well,I understand.” Gu Yu politely evaded the issue and responded ambiguously.
The Chiefdried his hands with a paper towel before smiling at Gu Yu: "We are having aparty for Yanyan next weekend because she is coming home from abroad. When was thelast time you visited your parents? If you have nothing else, come over for dinner."
Slightlydistracted and out of courtesy and respect, Gu Yu instinctively responded with:"Alright."
After the ChiefDirector left, Gu Yu couldn't help but wonder if the talk of a girlfriendcoupled with visiting friends of the family were connected.
While hewas eating with Zhang Siyi that night at home, Gu Yu discussed the issue inadvance: “I may have to go to the Chief Director’s house for a luncheon nextweekend.”
Surprised, ZhangSiyi asked: “You are going to the Chief's house for lunch? Why?"
Taking amoment to think clearly, Gu Yu chewed slowly and explained the situation to himrationally: "The Chief Director and my father are old friends."
Zhang Siyiwas only aware of his position as the former vice president at X Firm. Hedidn't know that the Chief Director Gu Senior were friends.
Gu Yuexplained: “In the early years, Liu and my father worked together ininfrastructure projects in Xi'an and later they went to Hainan to build. They worked together for more than eightyears. After my father went back to Ningcheng, Liu came to Haicheng where hewas at X Firm for many years.
Zhang Siyiwas surprised. He thought that Gu Yu's father had always been an architect inNingcheng.
Gu Yusmiled and said: “When I graduated from my master’s degree, Uncle Liu extendedan olive branch and asked me to go to X Firm. It was the most famous design companyin the eastern part of the country. I needed experience to test for my licenseand since Haicheng is also close to Ningcheng, it was convenient to live hereand to travel as needed to visit relatives."
Zhang Siyi:“Ah."
Gu Yu:“When I first arrived in Haicheng, Yuanshan Garden villa renovationsweren't completed yet. The Director was very kind to me and politely invited meto his home for dinner for every holiday.
Teasinghim, Zhang Siyi jokingly said: "Ah so you got your job through the back door!"
Gu Yulooked up at him arrogantly: “Do you really think I needed a back door?"
Grinning, ZhangSiyi immediately said: “There was no need. You only had to look towardsyour father for one. Hehe."
Gu Yu:“…..”
On thesurface, Gu Yu remained calm, however at heart, he wanted to die. He reachedover and cut himself a piece of red meat from Zhang Siyi's dinner plate. Hecoughed slightly and said: "The environment at Borderless is really good. If wewere at a different company, we might not be so free."
Since Gu Yuhad a position at Borderless, he was thankful for the power that came with theoffice. That way, Gu Yu was able to approach Zhang Siyi and facilitate theirrelationship.
Squinting,Zhang Siyi questioned: "What festival is next weekend? Why did the director askyou over for dinner?"
Gu Yujoked: “I don’t know. Maybe he wants to introduce me to a marriageable girl.”
Zhang Siyi didn'tfind it funny: “Really?”
Gu Yusmiled at Zhang Siyi and said: “Well, I am not sure. He asked me toconsider my goals in life as I am near thirty and then invited me to dinner."
Zhang Siyi:“……”
Gu Yucontinued: "He has a daughter named Liu Yuyan who is one year younger than me. Hernickname is Yanyan. Ten years ago after high school, she went to France tostudy art and has since lived there to work."
Hearing GuYu mention the Chief's daughter, Zhang Siyi scrunched up his face and asked:"Have you seen her?"
Gu Yu:“We have met. I feel that she has a strong personality and is a veryopinionated girl. The Chief mentioned today that she is returning to China andthey are having a family luncheon for her and that I should come."
Puffing uphis cheeks, Zhang Siyi is ready to explode. Damn it!
….. The Chief really must be trying to set up his daughter with Gu Yu!Gu Yu is such good material as a son-in-law, who wouldn't want to set him upwith their own daughter!
….. Ahhhh, I hope Gu Yu won't go! But I can't say something sowillful!
ObservingZhang Siyi facial expressions, Gu Yu was enjoying Zhang Siyi's jealousbehavior. Smiling he playfully asked: "Would you like to go with me?"
Zhang Siyilost his appetite. Hearing Gu Yu ask, he felt nervous: "Ah?"
Gu Yu raisedan eyebrow: ” I thought you would mind, so I will take you to meet Yanyan.When you see her family, I can introduce you properly to the Chief so he won'thave any strange ideas."
Gu Yu wasso candid and serious, Zhang Siyi was shocked senseless: “You, you… Areyou crazy it!? I’m not going!!!"
Gu Yuraised his hand to block his stifled laugh and wide grin: "So jealous. Ioffered, but you dare not come. Are you afraid?"
Zhang Siyi:“……” If he really did go, would they still have a job afterwards?
Becoming serious,Gu Yu put away his smile and said: “Okay, ok… enough teasing. Actually, Iwanted to explain the relationship between my father and the director and letyou know that I have been to their home many times in the past and they havenever suggested pairing Yanyan and myself. At the beginning of the year, I alsoheard the Chief complain about his daughter finding a foreigner boyfriend inFrance. She is probably already in a serious relationship."
Feelingdepressed, Zhang Siyi mechanically inserted a piece of meat into his mouth.
Gu Yu:“The good intention of elders is difficult to ignore. Since he didn't sayanything about it, I will wait and see what happens. I hope the invitation issimply out of concern.”
A few dayslater, Zhang Siyi was busy in the extreme that he felt like a never-endingspinning top and didn't have time to ponder the issues revolving around Gu Yu'sdinner.
At thecompany during the day, Zhang Siyi was hard at work drawing for the hotelproject. When he got home at night, he had to help Gu Yu make the itinerary forthe company's trip to Japan. They settled on going to Tokyo, Osaka and Kyotowith spare time to explore the surrounding area of the city.
Uponcompletion, Gu Yu transferred twenty yuan saying that it was an extra bonus forhelping him make the plans for the trip.
Incredulous,Zhang Siyi looked at him with a blank expression on his face. – For thirtyminutes, I got five-hundred. I diligently worked for many days researchingcities and making plans and for all of that effort, Gu Yu only gave me twentybucks! Fuck! Are you trying to teach me to make money through that special kindof service?
Seeminglyreading Zhang Siyi mind, Gu Yu explained as a matter of course: "The itinerarycan be done by anyone, but only you can perform that kind of service."
Zhang Siyiwas speechless.
After ten days, the weekend Gu Yu was to go to the Chief Director's home arrived. Since he was going to an elder's home, Gu Yu couldn't dress too casually. Looking over Gu Yu's handsome appearance, Zhang Siyi took him into his arms, held him close and kissed him deeply than proclaimed his sovereignty: "Remember, you are mine."
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