a.s.sistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 178: Lecture

_____________________

At a loss for words, Zhang Siyi was stunned at Bai Rui's reb.u.t.tal.

Even though he didn't know the exact amount of Bai Rui true income, he heard from Ren Mengyu in their chat group that he owns his own company and lived in a wealthy district in Haicheng. Certainly, Bai Rui has a lot of money!

Aside from the info that his friend provided, he noticed the clothing he was wearing. On Bai Rui neck lay a Hermes grey scarf. Although he wasn't so keen on luxury goods since he couldn't afford them, Zhang Siyi had experience in fas.h.i.+on and fine arts and understood that most luxury goods focued on cutting-end designs that enhance one's image and aesthetic. Coincidentally, Zhang Siyi knew about the value of Bai Rui scarf because he went shopping the other day with Gu Yu and saw the exact same scarf in the Hermes shop window. The color was a unique shade of grey that left a lasting impression on Zhang Siyi.

If the article of clothing was genuine, the value of the scarf was at least two months' worth of Zhang Siyi's salary. Since the consumption level was so high, ordinary people couldn't afford it. Before his friend's family went bankrupt, Fu Xinhui regularly spent money on items such as that.

With Bai Rui's disposition, it would be impossible for him to be wearing high-end imitations, right? Knowing this, Zhang Siyi couldn't say anything directly.  (→_→)

Bai Rui's background was told to them in private. Although commoners in society continue to use one's financial status as a way to judge the worth of an individual, Zhang Siyi and his friends are well educated and know that asking a stranger about their income is rude. If not for Su Yuan's situation, normally Zhang Siyi wouldn't have divulged his salary.

Being caught between a rock and a hard place, Zhang Siyi was hesitant. He wanted to defend himself, but he didn't want to reveal his own knowledge about luxury brands. Zhang Siyi said: "Didn't Ren Mengyu say you were going to treat us? I didn't want to step on your toes."

If Bai Rui wasn't present, Zhang Siyi would step up and treat his friends, but today was a day for Ren Mengyu to show off her boyfriend. He didn't want to make a fuss over it.

Bai Rui lifted his cup and sipped his tea then smiled: "It's all right. Today, I gave you the opportunity to treat. Next time, be sure to pay."

Zhang Siyi: “………” s.h.i.+t! Is Bai Rui scheming something? And besides, what about a next time? Who knows if that would be possible!

Ren Mengyu finally couldn't stand it anymore and quickly solved the problem: "Master Bai Rui, do you like to bully others? Today is the first time my cla.s.smates have met you."

Bai Rui let out a soft chuckle then closed his mouth, ending his taunts. However, having made the remark, Zhang Siyi felt obligated and said: "Coffee is on me. Let's stay for a little while longer."

The group gently laughed then remained quiet. Feeling forgotten because of the exchange between her boyfriend and Zhang Siyi, Ren Mengyu went pale.

After they finished eating, Bai Rui took the initiative to pay with his credit card. Afterwards, they walked to the coffee shop nearby. When the order was finished, Zhang Siyi was digging out his wallet, but before he could pay for the coffee, Bai Rui already swiped his credit card.

 "Hey!" Zhang Siyi exclaimed: "Didn't I say I would pay the bill?!"

Before addressing Zhang Siyi, Bai Rui waited for the charge to go through. He turned and said: "Oh, I forgot.”

Zhang Siyi: “……" f.u.c.k. Is he being toyed with?!

Intending to smooth over the issue with Zhang Siyi, off to the side, Ren Mengyu turned to speak with him, but instead she watched the scene unfold before her. Bai Rui got his phone out from his coat and created his own electronic payment QR-code. He smiled and handed the phone to Zhang Siyi and said: "Six cups of coffee came to two-hundred and fifteen. You can transfer the money to me.”

Zhang Siyi: "……"

Ren Mengyu: “………”

Even though he felt irritated over the exchange, Zhang Siyi felt duty bound and instead he quietly got his phone out to make the electronic payment for Bai Rui.

If she hadn't seen it, Ren Mengyu wouldn't have believed it. Was there something wrong with Bai Rui? Did he forget to take his medicine? Why is he acting so abnormal?!

Fortunately, the rest of the group didn't notice anything out of synch. After they found an empty table to sit around, with their coffee in hand, every continued to chat about their prospects. Zhang Siyi told his friends about his intentions to return to the UK to study for part2. With Blessings, everyone expressed their support.

Thinking of Gu Yu and the lecture, near three o'clock, Zhang Siyi frequently raised his arm to check his watch.

Observant as always, Su Yuan noticed and asked him if he had other arrangements.

Being caught in the act of not paying attention to his friends, Zhang Siyi felt a little embarra.s.sed and said: "No. Originally, I was going to attend a lecture at the Haicheng library with a friend, but I haven't seen you guys in a long time, so he went alone."

Jiang Hai urgently replied: “Why didn't you say so? If you would like to go, then go! We can meet up at another time! It's not a problem!"

Ren Mengyu also smiled and said: “Yes! We can make arrangements for another time."

Zhang Siyi apologized: “Then I will head out first. Thank You."

Su Yuan waved her hand: “We'll be in touch soon.”

Watching the back of Zhang Siyi's departure, Ren Mengyu said with emotion: “Little Yi is really grown-up now.”

Jiang Hai: “Look at him working so hard. It puts me to shame."

Tian Yujing squeezed Jian Hai's hand: "Aren't you already ashamed? Every day I watch you get lazier and lazier. All you do is play games after work."

Jiang Hai: “Aren't you the same? You just look at social media every day after……"

Sipping her already cooled coffee, Su Yuan listened to the lively banter between the couple sitting beside her. As she unconsciously tuned out the lovers' squabble, it became background noise and Su Yuan became lost in thought.

She remembered how obsessed she was with the profession when she first came to love architecture. At that time, she was already in college and not in the architecture department. She attended architecture cla.s.ses and went to the library to read architecture-related books. She visited every design pavilion in the city. Every morning when she saw the architecture students with their drawing boards, T-squares and rulers running to and fro, looking worn-out and disheveled, she became quite envious.

Despite everyone telling her 'architecture was a difficult path' and 'you'll regret it for sure', she took the IELTS exam without hesitation and applied to the major then embarked on a long journey towards a career in architecture.

During her studies in the UK, since she never wanted to miss an opportunity, she also kept a close eye on various architectural related lectures and events. At that time, any extracurricular activities concerning architecture made her heart sore. Her eyes would glow, just like Zhang Siyi's.

When was the last time she went to an architectural lecture or to a design exhibition? Comparing her att.i.tude during university to present, what happened? In the past six months, she really regretted her choice. The pressure of reality extinguished all her enthusiasm for architecture and forced her to a cliff. If it wasn't for meeting Zhang Siyi today, maybe she really had forgotten why she wanted to study architecture in the first place.

Even though Zhang Siyi rushed to the Haicheng Library, the lecture was coming to an end. He didn't want to cause a disturbance, so he quietly found a seat in the back and listened while watching the crowd in front of him.

With one glance, Zhang Siyi easily spotted the familiar figure of Gu Yu. Even the back of his head was the most handsome. With only two rows between them, Gu Yu wasn't seated far away…… But why was he surrounded by beautiful women? (=_=)

Gu Yu listened very attentively. Although he was surrounded by all kinds of women, he didn't pay any attention to them. When the speaker took questions, he bowed his head for a little while. Zhang Siyi didn't know what Gu Yu was doing.

Moments later, Zhang Siyi could feel his mobile phone vibrate. Gu Yu had sent him a message.

Gu Yu: “Are you still with your friends?”

Gu Yu: [Little Fox Question Mark]

Zhang Siyi grinned mischievously. He wanted to surprise Gu Yu, so he said: "Yes. Sorry, I can't meet you there. Is the lecture finished?"  [Cute Kitten]

Gu Yu: “It will be soon. Want me to pick you up?”

Zhang Siyi: “Oh, no need!”

Gu Yu: [Little Fox Depressed]

After several rounds of on-site questions-and-answers, the lecture was officially closed. As most attendees were in the industry, it was a good time to network. Everyone got up to mingle.

Because s.h.i.+shang is a younger architect, there were some girls in the audience who came up to the stage and asked for an autograph. It was a bit like chasing idols.

Gu Yu wasn't interested in socializing, so he gathered his belongings and prepared to leave the library. Zhang Siyi wanted to rush up and surprise him, but Instead, the girls around him addressed Gu Yu before he had the chance to move.

One of the beautiful girls actively called out to him and stopped him: “Excuse me, are you an architect?”

Gu Yu's figure turned to address the girl quietly: "Hmm…"

The girl blushed and said: “Can I get your business card?”

Zhang Siyi: “……” d.a.m.n it! That bold girl is. .h.i.tting on him!

Gu Yu politely replied: “'I'm Sorry, I didn't bring a business card.”

Although his refusal made Zhang Siyi feel better, the corner of Zhang Siyi's mouth was twitching. How does he not have one? Gu Yu normally places a few business cards in his wallet. However, this fact didn't stop the girl. She eagerly took out a small notepad and directly asked Gu Yu for his phone number. Looking at her for a few seconds, Gu Yu sighed then reluctantly picked up her pen and wrote a string of numbers on the book.

Zhang Siyi: “!!!” f.u.c.k! With one look, anyone could tell that the girl is interested in you! Why did you leave your phone number with her? Won't you refuse her again?!

Not only did she get Gu Yu's number, but the few other women surrounding them also saw the number.

Clearly, they were there to seriously listen to s.h.i.+shang's lecture but now, they acted like blus.h.i.+ng schoolgirls excited to get a boy's phone number. Zhang Siyi was quickly becoming agitated. …. d.a.m.n it. When the girls aren't even paying attention to the lecture anymore, can Gu Yu be more effective at rejecting them?

Waiting for the girls to move away after asking for Gu Yu's phone number, Zhang Siyi squinted angrily. The small group of girls around Gu Yu caused people to notice them. One pa.s.ser-by recognized Gu Yu and called out: "Hey isn't he the director of Borderless?"

Zhang Siyi: “……” (=_=)

Haicheng architectural circle is too small… The girls were sh.e.l.l-shocked and the people nearby where amazed at hearing the news; so young and dazzling!

One older woman recognized Gu Yu and made her way towards him in an effort to start a conversation. Finally, not being able to take it anymore, Zhang Siyi rushed forward and called out his lover's name: "Gu Yu!"

_______________________________