Assistant Architect-Chapter 43: Handmade

________________________

What’s better to give? As a subordinate giving a gift to his boss, if he gives something expensive then he probably can’t afford it. However, if it’s something less expensive then there is no value. If its too ordinary, then its not enough to repay the favor of his tape measure, but then if its too special, he is afraid he won’t accept it. The others are already giving cactus plants and he doesn’t have anything of sentimental value like the tape measure to give. Now that Zhang Siyi is mulling this issue around his head, he realized the best gift to give would be a non-physical gift, like playing the violin. Gu Yu also indicated he wanted Zhang Siyi to play it for him, so there is no possibility of rejection.

But he only practiced once, and he couldn’t play it!

Zhang Siyi grabbed his head and was dying. He never had as many problems as he does now thinking about a gift for Gu Yu as he had when he was buying gifts for his ex-girlfriend.

At noon the company ordered a bento with salty egg yolk fried pumpkin, Zhang Siyi suddenly remembered the pumpkin lantern he made on Halloween day. The appearance of Gu Yu looking at the lantern with delight is still fresh in Zhang Siyi memory. He was inspired – a pumpkin lamp? But it looks a little strange to give a pumpkin lamp for a birthday present, so he could switch up the subject.... A cactus light?

As its been only half a year, forgive him for knowing so little about Gu Yu. Apart from the pumpkin lantern, Zhang Siyi could only think of the cactus. In fact, the cactus idea is quite good because it can mix in with a bunch cactus pots that the female colleagues give. Being handmade, its unique, but he doesn’t think it would be too conspicuous.

Excited, Zhang Siyi quickly created a few design plans of a cactus. Unlike his pumpkin from Halloween, this time it won’t rot, so of course it can’t be done with a fresh plant.

After he planned out his ideas, Zhang Siyi immediately placed an order online and bought a bunch of hand tools and materials. The online supplier delivered the goods the next day, and during the night, Zhang Siyi began to build Gu Yu’s gift!

He first made a spherical frame with wire, and then made a shell from the wrinkled green matte copy paper and covered the frame. He drew a cute smile, and regularly glued a small handful of small balls around the sphere. He added life-like fluff to act as a thorn for the cactus.

Zhang Siyi played around with it in his hand for a while and felt happy. He made another carton base and before he attached the ball to the base, he took the opportunity to write a small note and buried it within the base. It read “Gu Yu, you big devil! I wish you a happy 29th birthday. One day I will be even more powerful than you! (╰_╯)——ZSY”

Zhang Siyi snickered and placed the note on the bottom. He cut a card with the same shape and glued it around the edges, completely covering it with a seal. Hey, how can Gu Yu see this? Let your heart be buried with birthday wishes and become an everlasting secret! 𝗳r𝗲𝙚w𝐞𝚋𝘯𝚘ѵ𝗲l.𝑐oｍ

Finally, Zhang Siyi put a small led light device in the base with a battery and spread dry sand stone around the base. He exposed the lamp head, put the lamp cover on then turned on the switch – bright!

Ah-ha-ha-ha! This young master is really a handmade genius! ! !

Even though the lamp was simple, it took Zhang Siyi six hours to make it and it was two o’clock in the morning. In his excitement to let other see his creation, he isn’t sleepy.

Knowing that the night owl, Fu Xinhui, was definitely not sleeping, Zhang Siyi went straight to his door and knocked: “Heartless Han! Come and see!”

While wearing headphones, Fu Xinhui is watching a movie and Cheer-Up is sitting quietly on his lap. One person and one dog hear the sound and look back. In the darkness, a green thing is shining.

Fu Xinhui: “...”

Cheer up: “...”

It wasn’t until Zhang Siyi came in with a plush green light that Fu Xinhui saw what the bizarre spot of light was. “Why are you still up so late?”

Zhang Siyi held his lamp and said: “Look what I did!”

Fu Xinhui took Zhang Siyi’s lamp and carefully observed it for a bit then asked: “What is this? A tennis ball?”

Zhang Siyi said: “Do tennis balls have thorns!? This is a cactus lamp!”

Is there such a thing as a cactus lamp? (=_=)

”It’s pretty good,” replied Fu Xinhui with all sincerity. “Did you stay up until now to make this?”

Zhang Siyi’s zealous excitement was written all over his face: “The day after tomorrow is Gu Yu’s birthday. This is his present.”

In Fu Xinhui’s room with a sea of warm colors, the lamp emanates a gloomy green, like a curse. Fu Xinhui’s eyes opened wider in concern: “Are you sure you want to give this?”

Zhang Siyi confidently said: “What’s the matter? Isn’t it nice to look at?”

That’s an understatement, Fu Xinhui thought. He asked: “This kind of small lamp is so common. Why not buy one online?”

Zhang Siyi vehemently expressed his opinion: “That’s not sincere!”

“Well, what intentions ...... to your boss.” Fu Xinhui took a deep breath and suppressed his desire to criticize him. “Why do you care?”

Zhang Siyi made a fist: “everything for the bonus!”

At work the next day is the Group study meeting. This is a special project of the architectural design department. In order to promote join learning and growth, every two months, there will be one day where the members of the two groups sit together and select excellent design solutions worth sharing for internal reporting and discussion. When there are no projects, Gu Yu and Tong Heyi will either find some classic programs for everyone to discuss or organize everyone to watch a film related to architecture.

In recent months, there have been many company projects. Zhang Siyi has participated in two study sessions, all of which are discussion projects. This time is no exception. Only on this day, Gu Yu and Tong Heyi were taken by the Chief. The regular meeting was hosted by Ji Feiyu and another older designer of A Group.

Since the two bosses are absent the atmosphere in the discussion room is relatively relaxed. There are twenty young people in five or six rows, holding things like a notepad, a teacup, and some are with snacks. It is much like a college class. What is being discussed was a factory design made by A Group last week, which is quite unique. In order to train a poor colleague in the group, Ji Feiyu specifically asked him to report.

Zhang Siyi was very involved in drawing many floor plans. The design of the factory was originally framed, so without intricate elements, it was very boring. He was listening to his colleague read the PPT presentation according to the text. Since he didn’t get enough sleep last night, the monotone drone of the colleague’s made him feel so sleepy. Yawning a few times, it wasn’t long before his head fell to the side on his neck, asleep.

Zhang Siyi’s luck was not good. Gu Yu and Tong Heyi came back five minutes later. 𝙛𝘳𝘦e𝓌e𝗯n𝗼ѵ𝙚l.𝒄𝚘𝑚

Before entering the door, Child Labor realize she had something else important, so she left beforehand. Gu Yu walked in and looked around. He saw everyone at attention facing front except for Zhang Siyi who was fast asleep. His mouth was half open, and drool was dribbling down the side.

Zhu Hongzhen was about to nudge Zhang Siyi, but when he saw Gu Yu walk right towards his direction, he did nothing. The crowd also held their breath and quieted down to watch. Gu Yu walked softly to Zhang Siyi side and pulled out his mobile phone from his pocket. He took a few photos of Zhang Siyi sleeping.

Everyone: “...”

Gu Yu whispered to the group of people around Zhang Siyi. Seeing that Gu Yu was pulling a prank on Zhang Siyi, they stifled their quiet laughs and cooperated with Gu Yu. He had them strike-a-pose all around Zhang Siyi.

Gu Yu retreated a little and took a few shots from different angles.

After taking a full ten minutes, he just smiled and put away his mobile phone. He made an “x” gesture to everyone to keep it a secret and then went out.

Several female colleagues whispered amongst themselves:

“Why did Director Gu take pictures of Fourth Aunt sleeping?”

“Surprisingly, it’s the first time I’ve seen him actively engaged in a prank and It seemed... cute?”

“Yes, yes... did you see that look on Director Gu’s face? He usually is so distant, but that was just too cute!”

“Am I the only one who thinks that Gu Yu is beyond reach even when he does a prank? He’s only making fun of Auntie Four. We’re just his set props.......”

“Shh–! Auntie four is waking up! Secrecy, secrecy!”

Zhang Siyi leisurely woke up and opened his eyes. Half of the people in the discussion room looked at him with sympathetic eyes. He was a little frightened and quickly wiped the saliva from the corners of his mouth, thinking it was a cause of concern, slightly blushing. But then there were people who looked at him from time to time, including Zhu Hongzhen.

Flustered, Zhang Siyi asked: “Hey, what’s the matter? Was Boss just here?”

Zhu Hongzhen: “... No.”

The seminar lasted until four o’clock in the afternoon. Due to his nap Zhang Siyi felt rejuvenated.

The crowd returned to the office area and noticed a new memo pinned on the bulletin board. People crowded around to read the notice of the event. It read:

—— Borderless photography competition ——

In order to welcome the arrival of the New Year, our company will hold an internal staff photography competition at the end of the year. All employees are encouraged to participate voluntarily.

Subject: Any photos related to the company, employees, and work. The competition is divided into two groups for submission:

serious group (serious and normal photos)

funny group (spoof, joy, funny photos, etc.)

Requirements: A maximum of three works can be submitted per person. The work must be taken within one year and submitted as a single photo or photo clip.

Deadline: January 20, 2015

The preferred method: All works will be shown as a slide show at the company’s annual meeting at the end of January. Afterwards, the company will vote online for their favorites on the company’s official website. Finally, each group will receive a prize of 3,000 yuan each, and 10 photos will be selected at the same time. After the magnified works are enlarged, they will be displayed at the entrance of the company in the coming year.

The “Photo Contest” in the title attracted Zhang Siyi’s attention. He saw the bonus amount of the “three thousand yuan” in the end, and his eyes were completely bright! Wow! Photography is what he is best at! Excited, Zhang Siyi has raised his fist and this bonus must be won!

From time to time, Zhang Siyi has noticed colleagues giving him both curious looks and sympathetic ones.

Zhang Siyi: “...” Why do you look at me like this!

On January 8, Gu Yu’s birthday arrived.

Early in the morning, before 9:00, several female colleagues arrived at the company and quietly placed their gifts at the door of Gu Yu’s office. Since they were worried about being rejected, they are all tactfully unsigned.

Zhang Siyi is also careful. He took his cactus lamp to the office, but he was different.