Assistant Architect

Chapter 98: Tao Fei

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Rushing to drop off his things, Gu Yu entered and left his office briefly, then walked to the elevator, presumably, to meet the new person downstairs. Hearing the news, the office staff whispered amongst themselves.

“Yeah, spring time in the new year is the peak period of job recruiting.”

“But, isn’t the current industry not doing very well? How can the company higher new people?”

“My classmates have mentioned many layoffs in their own companies.”

“Yes, even at this company, there were two that left at the end of last year.”

“Why is there a new person being interviewed? Is one of us going to get cut?”

“There isn’t a rush with the recent projects so why do we need another group member?”

“In order to ensure the continuation of work flow and talent, the company will higher a new recruit to provide competitive pressure to help motivate the staff otherwise, under the stable environment, people may become complacent and lose their drive to work diligently.”

......

That’s right, the new prospective employee hasn’t even been hired yet and Zhang Siyi already feels the pressure! Since working at Borderless for more than a half hear, he hasn’t seen Gu Yu interview anyone. In Zhang Siyi’s mind, because the working conditions were very harmonious, he assumed the personnel will remain fixed and did not expect a new face to join the team.

With the threat to his territory, instinctively Zhang Siyi cursed the surname Tao. – Be unqualified.... Don’t get hired....... (&_&)

Continuing to gossip, the room was full of whispers and conjectures. Bi Lele suddenly asked: “Wait a minute. Usually, when someone is looking for a job, the personnel department comes to ask Boss when he has time in his schedule, right? But just now, the personnel department said the person already had an appointment. Did I hear that wrong?”

Zhu Hongzhen: “Well, I heard it too. Maybe it is someone the Director already knows.”

Since Zhang Siyi was the last person to get hired, he was on high alert. If there is a new recruit, does that mean the company is unsatisfied with his work? Thinking about it further, Zhang Siyi is remined of something Gu Senior said to him during New Year’s: It is not Gu Yu, but you who decides whether or not you can walk on this path.

If he is the weakest link in the group, even if Gu Yu wants him to continue to work, Zhang Siyi doesn’t have the right to stay. Along this line of thinking, Zhang Siyi pressure is even greater and as a result, he broke out into a cold sweat, put his head down and focused on his drawing. Ten minutes later, from the elevator, Gu Yu appeared with a tall, handsome young man.

When one of the female colleagues loudly exclaimed ‘so handsome’ the people around her looked up to see what the ruckus was about. Not surprisingly, it was the new recruit the personnel mentioned earlier with the surname Tao.

He had large eyes with deep sockets, a high nose, and long shoulder-length hair. Although he was a man, his facial features were unique with an attractiveness that was neither masculine nor feminine, both striking and sexy.

Like Zhang Siyi’s first day at the company, the young man was given the tour of the area. However, unlike Zhang Siyi, the young man’s tour guide was Gu Yu making Zhang Siyi feel that this other person was more valued them himself. Noticing the difference in treatment, Zhang Siyi started to feel irritated.

As they slowly approached, Zhang Siyi could hear Gu Yu talking: “This is the work area of our group. There are currently eleven and with you, that makes twelve.” Gu Yu stopped and announced to everyone: “This is Tao Fei. He is an undergraduate of T University and a Master’s degree graduate from the UK. He will start today and join Group A.”

“Wow, another international student!”

“Like Auntie Four, he is also from England......”

“Undergraduate is big T. So, he is Gu Yu’s classmate?”

“No wonder the interview time was so fast. It turns out that it’s someone the Boss knows.”

With a broad smile that accentuated his good looks, Tao Fei raised his arm and in a wide gesture greeted everyone: “Hi”

With his outgoing personality and gorgeous looks, several female staff members were openly staring at him. Winking at them, Tao Fei made the women burst into laughter, lightening up the mood. His disposition easily made people feel comfortable and as a result, everyone was very friendly towards Tao Fei. Only Zhang Siyi frowned and felt threatened.

Gu Yu was in the process of showing Tao Fei to his desk, when he suddenly asked: “Brother, where is your office?”

Using his finger Gu Yu pointed in Zhang Siyi direction: “Over there.”

Tao Fei asked Gu Yu: “Can I sit closer to you?”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Siyi nearly exploded. Fuck! The person close to Gu Yu is him! What does he want? A fight the first day!? (`Δ’)

Finally, after so many days apart Gu Yu noticed Zhang Siyi sitting at his desk for the first time today and did not expect to see him looking so angry.

Fortunately, Gu Yu easily explained: “The seat closest to my office is filled.”

Tao Fei looked a little sad. Gu Yu continued: “Even though other employees don’t want to sit under my eyes, you want to get closer to my office. Oh, I will warn you in advance, I won’t talk to you about private matters.”

These words were spoken in front of everyone in a manner that is made clear. Gu Yu won’t be treating Tao Fei differently even though they knew each other in University.

Tao Fei did not care, but also joked: “Oh, I’m so afraid.”

Laughing out loud, Gu Yu said: “Fear is good. Someone has already given me the nickname Big Devil, so you better watch out.” As he was talking, he glanced at Zhang Siyi quickly.

Tao Fei: “Hey! Who said that?”

Group A: “...” They also want to know!

Zhang Siyi froze in his seat and shrunk down to make himself seem smaller. Months ago, he felt he was being unfairly treated and called Gu Yu a ‘Big Devil’ in private, but he never told anyone. He wrote it on a small piece of paper that was buried in the cactus lamp he gave him. Did Gu Yu possibly find it?

Making arrangements to sit near Ji Feiyu, Gu Yu commanded Tao Fei: “Get organized. When you familiarize yourself with the office, come to me. I have received a project recently that is very suitable for you to do.”

Tao Fei exaggerated the pretense: “Wow, a project on the first day? The pressure is great.”

Gu Yu picked up his eyebrows: “Don’t be stupid. I didn’t invite you here to be a wall-flower.”

That said, everyone has already witnessed the importance of this person in Group A by Tao Fei’s attitude. Although the age gap between Gu Yu and his subordinates isn’t large, as his position as a director, he has always maintained a certain level of distance between himself and his group members. Even though Tao Fei said ‘fearful’ and ‘pressure is so great’, with his playful attitude, it is clear he doesn’t completely treat Gu Yu as the boss.

The more he listened, the more Zhang Siyi felt uncomfortable.

After an hour, Gu Yu returned to the office. Looking like he was deeply in thought, Gu Yu came out of his office for a glass of water and when he finished, he turned and stepped forward towards Zhang Siyi. He whispered, “How is your design going?”

Feeling irritated and depressed, Zhang Siyi nearly jumped out of his seat in surprised when he suddenly heard Gu Yu’s voice close to his ear. He quickly let him see the results of his work these past few days.

Seeing Gu Yu hold the mouse directly, Zhang Siyi started to move out of the way, but Gu Yu reached out and held his shoulder: “You sit.” Gu Yu leaned in close and used his other hand to tilt the monitor. As he reviewed Zhang Siyi work, Gu Yu’s hand never left his shoulder. Zhang Siyi sat motionless, neither pushing him away, nor shrinking from his touch. Only his heart was pounding nervously.

Since he spent several months learning by working on bathrooms and parking lots, there were very few problems in his current design. As Gu Yu quickly flipped through the drawings, he marked where the few issues were and he also had a few questions.

As Zhang Siyi twisted his body to reach over and grab a pen and paper to write notes, by this action, he expected Gu Yu to let go of his shoulder, but he did not and Zhang Siyi felt a bit uncomfortable.

While Gu Yu was reviewing his work, Tao Fei came over. “What are you doing? Oh, you even come personally to review work progress.” Tao Fei stood behind Zhang Siyi and said coldly: “The Director must be tired.”

Zhang Siyi: “...”

Gu Yu removed his hands and stood up: “Do you have experience drawing blueprints?”

Tao Fei crossed his arms and said: “Have you forgotten our five internships? It’s all I drew for three months that I wanted to vomit... I’m so happy to be a graduate now.”

Gu Yu smirked and did not respond to Tao Fei’s evaluation: ”I know you have the foundation, but in the interview I did not ask. I am worried that you will be unable to meet the domestic needs after returning from University.”

Tao Fei smiled and said: ” What interview? We are acquaintances. Stop being so serious.”

Gu Yu said: “I always have to go through the formalities,” then suddenly, he reached out and squeezed the back of Zhang Siyi’s neck. Gu Yu whispered to him: “Continue drawing,” then turned and signaled Tao Fei to follow him to his office.

With his neck stretched out like a goose, Zhang Siyi sat in his seat frozen. Even though the uneasiness caused by Tao Fei presence slightly decreased by Gu Yu’s intimate gesture, Zhang Siyi heart surged in another direction. Shit! Why did he have to pinch his neck! (q////q)

Getting ready to work on his design again, he refocused his attention. However, he suddenly heard a burst of happy laughter in the office behind him. He didn’t know what Tao Fei and Gu Yu were talking about.

......Was that related to work? Zhang Siyi has never heard such a happy sound coming from Gu’s office before. The brief taste of sweetness that quickly turned sour ignited Zhang Siyi’s competitive spirit.

Opening the company’s message system on his computer, Zhang Siyi clicked on Du Rui icon and wrote: “Du Rui, will you help me? I want to finish the blueprints in two weeks!” (╰皿╯)

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