a.s.sistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 139: Pair Up

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After a long day, they returned home late in the evening. Gu Yu ate a small bowl of porridge and then went straight to sleep. Zhang Siyi took care of the two wild cats and walked the dog.

After was.h.i.+ng, he went into Gu Yu's room to check on how he was doing. Seeing the layer of sweat on Gu Yu, Zhang Siyi checked his temperature again and felt relieved to see that his body temperature wasn't as high as it was before.

Zhang Siyi sat on the edge of his bed and silently watched Gu Yu sleep for a long time. Since Gu Yu didn't wake at all throughout Zhang Siyi's care, he knew that Gu Yu was sleeping deeply. His physical strength had reached his limit. Even when Gu Yu was so weak a vulnerable, Zhang Siyi loved him very much.

In fact, this was the first time Zhang Siyi had taken care of someone else. Even though he has lived away from home and traveled, he always had his friend Fu Xinhui by his side. Fu Xinhui was like a mother hen. When Zhang Siyi was sick, his friend was there to give him tea and medicine. When he came back to China, Fu Xinhui found an apartment for him. Even meals and the details of living were mostly taken care of by Fu Xinhui. During the time Fu Xinhui wasn't at the apartment, Zhang Siyi finally had to live on his own and grow up.

After twisting the warm towel to squeeze out the excess water, Zhang Siyi finished wiping Gu Yu's face and neck. Making sure both he and Gu Yu got enough sleep, Zhang Siyi decided to quietly go back to his room for the night.

Lying in bed, Zhang Siyi let out a long sigh. He thought about today's events and also about the past month's tidings. Thinking of his friend now living in Australia, he went to message him in WeChat: "Heartless Han, how have you been recently?"

Replying quickly, Fu Xinhui texted: "Hey! How are you!? Is it a good time for a video chat?"

Zhang Siyi: “Yep!”

Moments later, Zhang Siyi's phone buzzed. Turning the light on quickly, he swiped to answer the video call and saw Fu Xinhui's face appear on the screen.

Smiling, Fu Xinhui shouted in the phone: “Xiao Yi!”

Zhang Siyi: “Hha. Why are you so excited?”

Fu Xinhui: “Hey, how can I not be? We haven't contacted each other for a long time!"

Zhang Siyi: “What time is it there? What are you doing?

Fu Xinhui: “It's 3 hours behind you. Even though its midnight, I just got back from work.”

Zhang Siyi was surprised: “Work? Did you get a job?"

Fu Xinhui: “Yeah, I am no longer rich. I have to earn my own living expenses now.”

Zhang Siyi: “What kind of work do you do? Why did you come back so late?”

Fu Xinhui: “I'm working a late s.h.i.+ft in a café until closing time. Where are you? Why are you still awake so early in the morning?"

Zhang Siyi: “Well.”

Fu Xinhui: “Where are you living now? Do you live alone? How is Cheer-Up?”

“Umm…” Faced with the series of questions, Zhang Siyi didn't know where to begin.

Watching Zhang Siyi's face, Fu Xinhui saw his expression look strained so he asked: “What's the matter?”

Zhang Siyi decided to first explain about the dog: "Your son isn't called Cheer-Up anymore. His name was changed and is called 'Townhouse'."

“Ah?” Fu Xinhui was concerned: “Townhouse? What the h.e.l.l kind of name is that! Why was it changed?”

Zhang Siyi: “Never mind that. I have something else to tell you."

Fu Xinhui frowned: “What?”

Zhang Siyi took a deep breath and said: “I'm living with Gu Yu now.”

Since Fu Xinhui was only familiar with person with the surname Gu that Zhang Siyi hated from the beginning of Zhang Siyi's employment, he thought it was strange and his facial expression remained blank.

But Zhang Siyi went on to say: “So now, I'm with Gu Yu.”

Remaining silent, Fu Xinhui didn't know how to react. Slowly, he questioned: "What do you mean by with…?"

Zhang Siyi solemnly stated: “It is what you think it means.”

Afraid of Fu Xinhui's thoughts, Zhang Siyi quickly added: "We are in a relations.h.i.+p."

Zhang Siyi dropped the bombsh.e.l.l. Over the phone, there was a series of noises and sounds because Fu Xinhui couldn't express words. Finally: "f.u.c.k! You, you…"

Having expected this type of reaction from his friend, Zhang Siyi subconsciously held the phone away from his ear feeling anxious. However, he also felt relieved to be able to tell him the truth.

Since Gu Yu posted a shadow photo of them on his social media, Zhang Siyi hasn't suffered any backlash. Sooner or later, now that he was committed to Gu Yu for his lifetime, he would have to come out of the closet and be honest with the people close to him.

Since he had been traveling in Yunnan and diligently working on the tourism project with Tao Fei, he hadn't found the opportunity to talk to Fu Xinhui. Currently, Tao Fei was the only person outside of family that knows the truth, but Zhang Siyi also wanted his best friend to understand.

When he finally stopped shouting, Fu Xinhui took a calming breath and asked: “f.u.c.k! Are you teasing me!?”

Zhang Siyi: “No……"

Still, Fu Xinhui didn't want to believe: “Is it April Fool's Day?”

Zhang Siyi: “No… Today is May 15.”

"But, but, but… Aren't you straight!?" Even though Fu Xinhui already thought Gu Yu had an interest in Zhang Siyi when he met him at KTV, Zhang Siyi reactions were quite normal. He has known Zhang Siyi for so many years and didn't notice any gay tendencies.

Squeezing the bridge of his nose, Zhang Siyi weakly said: “Before, yes….”

Fu Xinhui: "Eh?!?!?!…”

It was a huge shock for Fu Xinhui to learn that after knowing Zhang Siyi for five years, he could suddenly turn gay for another man. The news was too much for Fu Xinhui's mind to handle and he remained unable to speak clearly.

Zhang Siyi added: “I like him very much now and he likes me very much. We are serious.”

“f.u.c.k, Fuuck, Fuuuuuuck! Don't say it!” Fu Xinhui shouted. Trembling, he raised his hand to cover his eyes. “Let… let me digest it first.”

Zhang Siyi: “….”

As Zhang Siyi thought, changing the dog's name was rather insignificant compared to this matter.  ╮ (╯_╰) ╭

In an effort to ease the tension between them, Zhang Siyi changed the topic of conversation. They talked about work and studies and what they have been doing in their daily lives. Fu Xinhui spoke about his successful admittance to M University's Department of Finance. Talking about another degree spurred Zhang Siyi to discuss his thoughts about going back to the UK for RIBA part 2 license.

Fu Xinhui was absolutely supportive of this matter: “Since you want to continue on the road of architecture, I feel that it is very necessary to go back and get a master's degree. The education not only determines your starting point, but also determines the height with which you can achieve later.”

Talking about a Master's degree again and with Fu Xinhui's insistence, the path to a RIBA part 2 license has taken root in Zhang Siyi heart. After twenty minutes of talking, Fu Xinhui was much calmer and steered the conversation back to Zhang Siyi relations.h.i.+p with Gu Yu.

Zhang Siyi succinctly explained the situation to Fu Xinhui and stressed that they mutually liked each other and were willing to be together.

Fu Xinhui sighed: “Did you really think about it carefully?"

Zhang Siyi vowed: “Really.”

After being silent for a minute, Fu Xinhui squinting eyes and said: “You honestly tell me. Before you were with Gu Yu, did you have feelings for me?"

Zhang Siyi: “f.u.c.k no! Do you think it's that easy to become gay?"

Fu Xinhui: “……”

Fu Xinhui: “That's good. I thought, since I suddenly left you alone, you became hungry…."

Zhang Siyi's eyes twitched. –How can Fu Xinhui brazenly talk as if there was never a problem to begin with. Also, what the f.u.c.k does 'hungry' mean. Gu Yu is so much better than you!

Rubbing his chin in thought, Fu Xinhui curiously asked: "What's s.e.x like? Can you really get it up with him? What does it feel like to insert your…?"

Zhang Siyi coldly said: “You can sleep now. Bye!”

Without hesitation, Zhang Siyi hung up the phone and thereby cutting off Fu Xinhui. He put the phone on the bedside table and held his pillow to his face and m.u.f.fled his scream.  Now that his feelings were vented, he felt calmer and seriously thought about the logistics of getting a Master's degree.

First, the start of the University's semester is in September and before submitting an application, a person is expected to have at least one full year of work experience. For Zhang Siyi, that would be in August and as a result, make it impossible to apply this year. Second, another issue is money. Since his family already agreed to only support him while he got his undergraduate degree, he had to have enough money to pay his own tuition. Thinking about the cost of living in London in addition to the cost of tuition and school supplies…… Well, the road to saving money is very long! There is also a third point and the most important reason. Since he is with Gu Yu now, he was unable to imagine leaveing his side!

Ah, so let's think it over in about two years!

After the weekend break, Gu Yu's condition improved greatly. In order to thank Zhang Siyi for his care, Gu Yu specially gave him a bonus from his monthly living expenses making Zhang Siyi happy. Upon learning of Gu Yu's recovery, Tao Fei no longer felt the need to visit.

On Monday morning, Gu Yu informed the team members about an announcement that will be made at the dinner tonight in celebration for Zhang Siyi and Tao Fei project.

Everyone wondered what the announcement was and gossiped about it throughout the day:

"What's the good news?”

“I don't know."

"Have any of our group's projects won an award?"

"Could it be a corporate tour?”

An employee that has been with the company for long explained it for the newer employees. The company sponsors a trip for the designers every few years. The last time was in 2013 and it was to Malaysia.”

Zhang Siyi's ears immediately stood up. There is such a good thing as to travel overseas?! Gu Yu hasn't mentioned it to Zhang Siyi at all.

Letting everyone stir for the day in antic.i.p.ation about the announcement, the good news wasn't confirmed until the evening at dinner. Gu Yu said: "Next month, the company will sponsor the design department to tour j.a.pan."

Everyone cheered! Sure enough, someone had already guessed it!

Gu Yu: "Tong Heyi and I have organized a trip for everyone to visit j.a.pan for ten days next month after The Dragon Boat Festival. The company will compensate thirty-thousand for the trip only for those traveling. Soon, the Ministry of Personnel will need your information to prepare a visa."

How can such a good thing happen? Some people are already excited to scream!

Gu Yu said again: “We are responsible for arranging the itinerary. The hotel personnel department will help you to book the hotels in advance. In order to save money, the rooms are double occupancy. Our group happens to have eight men and four women. Pair up before making reservations for the hotel."

Just when Zhang Siyi was thinking how wonderful it would be able to travel and stay with Gu Yu, Lu Qiao interrupted his chain of thought. Staring right at Zhang Siyi he announced: "Auntie Four, I'll stay with you!"

In the excitement and good feeling of the moment, everyone laughed. Someone shouted: "Hha. Joe Sister with Aunt Four. Clearly, there are six boys and six girls!"

Zhang Siyi: “….” six men and six women? Screw you!