Assistant Architect

a.s.sistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 69: Lunar New Year

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Although the atmosphere at the dinner table eased a lot, Zhang Siyi can"t stand the evaluation of his friend by his Father. He is still upset with him, but he doesn"t want to make things difficult for his mother. After dinner, it is customary to eat melon and watch the Festival Gala and the Zhang family is no exception.

Zhang Siyi"s Father prepared a cup of tea early so he would be ready to watch the TV on time. He watched the news broadcast every night to see the president"s speech. Sitting at the table, Zhang Siyi is a little stiff and feels reluctant to go watch TV with his father. He finds the program ostentatious and would rather go to his room to watch American TV or anime.

Zhang Siyi was planning to sneak upstairs, but he was caught by his mother. She spoke to him in a low voice: "What are you doing going to your room alone? Why don"t you spend more time with your dad watching TV?"

Zhang Siyi muttered: “I have already spent time with him this afternoon."

His mother didn"t know whether to laugh or to cry: "When was that? You are now living in another city so there is rarely an opportunity for a family reunion. You could make more of an effort on New Year"s. He has a sharp tongue but is soft hearted. You didn"t know, but earlier, the moment you left, he was lost."

Remembering what his father said to his Grandfather while honoring his ancestors, he awkwardly went to the sofa and sat down. He took his phone out to check his social groups. He noticed an update on Gu Yu"s social page.

Gu Yu posted two new photographs. One was his New Year"s dinner.

Zhang Siyi used his fingers to expand the view for a closer look. The dishes looked particularly hearty: seafood hot pot, steamed pickles, fish braised with radish, fried rice, dumplings…… Looking at the images, he was reminded of the home-cooked meal Gu Yu prepared for him at his house last night.

Even though he was full of his own dinner, he swallowed a mouthful of saliva. The seafood hotpot looks extraordinarily delicious. Knowing deep down how content he would feel being there, he wished he was at Gu Yu house eating the seafood hotpot with him.

Swiping the screen to show the next photo, the image displayed was one with four hands put together.

Zhang Siyi recognized Gu Yu"s hand at a glance. His bones were distinct, and his fingers were slender. Even though they looked soft he knew they were, in fact, very powerful as he had felt them holding him while playing the balloon game during the annual meeting. (=_=)

Next to his hand is an equally beautiful hand that is smaller. He a.s.sumed that the hand belonged to Gu Yu"s sister. The other two are also recognizable. Mother Gu"s hand has traces of age and Father Gu"s hand is bigger and rougher looking.

He was about to move his thumb to get to the next picture when he saw a message at the bottom of the photo. "My father said he is missing two hands and will strive to add them before the following New Year"s."

Looking at this message, Zhang Siyi unconsciously starting staring at his own hand holding the phone……

"……" What are you thinking Zhang Siyi!

Next to him, his father coughed lightly and suddenly asked: “Where is Gu Yu"s family home located?"

Feeling like his father discovered something dirty, Zhang Siyi quickly turned off the screen and nervously responded: "Hmmm? I don"t know! What"s wrong?"

Because of their recent argument and tension between them, Zhang Siyi"s Father cautiously and slowly said: "You need to thank Mr. Gu properly and give him a gift."

Zhang Siyi: “……” Go to Gu Yu"s and visit for the New Year? Why? Isn"t a phone call enough?"

His Father sipped his tea and said: "Aren"t your colleagues mostly outsiders? They don"t have the same circ.u.mstance as you do. Ningcheng is not a big city and since you and he are from the same area, you are connected. In addition to Gu Yu"s teaching and guidance, you have taken advantage of the convenience of being from the same town. No matter where he lives, now it"s time to show your grat.i.tude."

"This, is this appropriate?" Zhang Siyi didn"t understand this old custom. In foreign countries, they do not have the habit of giving gifts and greetings to teachers on New Year"s holidays. He always felt like this was just an excuse to give gifts without meaning. Now, it is a new era and Zhang Siyi felt that these old customs should be obsolete. However, knowing his Father"s strict character he dares not voice these thoughts out loud."

Listening from the other room, Mother Zhang also agreed and interjected: "Your father is right! Gu junior is young, and I may have forgotten, but he is still your teacher at work! The industry you are in isn"t the same as your father"s because you are learning technology. A little apprentice should give thanks to their master and now is the time to celebrate. There is nothing strange about it."

Zhang Siyi: "……" Little, little apprentice o////o

His Mother went to look for a suitable gift then turned around to say: “Call him and wish him a happy New Year then ask him where he lives."  

Zhang Siyi"s heart was in chaos. He managed to voice a simple reply: "Ok."

Since he had wanted to go to the Gu home, he did not resist any of his parents" proposals. He was rather excited about the prospect of going to his home because, in fact, it"s not that he wanted to visit the house, but he wanted to see Gu Yu.

Although they have not been separated for long, Zhang Siyi has no idea how many times he has thought about Gu Yu. In his mind he acknowledged a thought: "When I get along, I want to run all the time, but once I separate, I miss you all the time." ….. This sweet, elusive mood.

Knowing there is another chance to see Gu Yu during the rest of the holiday, Zhang Siyi"s heart skipped a beat, but directly calling Gu Yu for his address put him in a bit of a dilemma. His emotions were and mess and he couldn"t think of what to say. After some time struggling, he decided to send a message in WeChat.

… Hey, is it strange to directly ask for someone"s address? (=_=)

……(=_=)…… No, no, that"s too weird! Just ask!

“Boss Gu, can I ask where your address is? I want to spend two days celebrating New Year"s."  Zhang Siyi repeatedly looked at the message and thought it wasn"t bad. Click and sent. After it was sent, he thought about the possibility of rejection and started to panic.

But fortunately, Gu Yu quickly replied, he asked: “My family has two Boss Gu. Which one are you visiting?"

Zhang Siyi: “You.”

Gu Yu: “Oh. You are still calling me "Boss Gu" even when it"s not necessary."

Zhang Siyi: “……” Whaa… how can I be asking about your father? I don"t know your dad!

Gu Yu: “I won"t accept Boss. However, I will accept "Gege" " [smile]

Zhang Siyi: “………” Go to h.e.l.l!

In just a couple of sentences, Zhang Siyi, blus.h.i.+ng, was again bullied by Gu Yu.

After a while the mood relaxed. He thought it was useless to deal with Gu Yu in a polite manner. Since the other party wasn"t formal, then he didn"t have to be so polite. "Gege, I want to go to your home for the New Year. Give me your address!"

Just after sending this text, Zhang Siyi blushed and felt bashful. Why does it feel like he is flirting when using WeChat?

About four or five minutes later, Gu Yu texted back with the address and a serious message. "We won"t be home on the first of the month, but there is time on the third. Before coming, remember to say h.e.l.lo in advance."

Zhang Siyi: "……" Huh? So easily answered! Gu Yu reversal in tone surprised Zhang Siyi a little and realized: "I gave in too quickly!"

After a minute, Gu Yu sent another message: “Remember to give me my underwear back when you come. It was only supposed to be for the night and not more."

Zhang Siyi: “…” (╯#°Д°) Gu Yu knew that he wore his underwear in the morning!? Why does it seem like I being reprimanded for taking his underwear? It has c.u.m on it! Of course, I didn"t want to wear it for more than a second! Also, does he really want them back so badly? While dirty? During New Year"s? Ah, ah…

Zhang Siyi"s CPU was completely burnt out by this big string of problems. Paralyzed on the couch, two blank eyes staring at the ceiling, with a trace of smoke rising from his head. He didn"t have much time to think it over because he realized he had put the underwear under his pillow after his bath at noon. He bounded up the stairs and after a minute, shouting could be heard from Zhang Siyi room: "mom, Mom! MOM!!"

“Ah? – what? - What is it?" Zhang Siyi"s Mother walked upstairs to his room and saw him standing next to his bed, red faced and pointing to his pillow.

Zhang Siyi asked his mom: "Have you seen my underwear that were here?"

“I"ve washed them for you!” His mother looked at him silently, then said: "How can you put your dirty underwear under your pillow? This is a very bad habit."

She paused, hesitating, but finally asked him: "Is this the reason why you were so anxious to take a bath at home? It"s no wonder you had that strange expression when you were with Gu Yu. I"ve been worried that it happens by just driving in broad daylight.… are you having a problem with your body?"

In worry, she hastens to say: "Don"t be embarra.s.sed. You need to pay attention to this kind of problem while you are young, or it will affect your s.e.x life later. Mom will take you to a male doctor."

Zhang Siyi: “……”

He is wrong. He is really wrong. The real scary person is not Gu Yu, it is his mother! (t////t)

On February 18, 2015, Zhang Siyi, a sensitive young man, had spent his first unforgettable New Year"s Eve in his working life under the double torment of a young man named Gu Yu and an old rotten woman named Zhang Ruqin.

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