Assistant Architect

Chapter 133: Illness

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Zhang Siyi pressed his lips together and didn’t talk. Tao Fei grabbed some napkins from the table and threw them at him. He said: “Hey, if there is something to say, then say it. I also consider you a brother so there is no reason to hold it in!”

Zhang Siyi caught the napkins and threw them back. Finally, he couldn’t contain his feelings anymore and a torrent of complaints burst out: ”Yes, we are fighting! I told him that I wanted to stay up with you, but he disagreed. He said my work would be too inefficient if I stayed up late. I thought I was being considerate to him and told him to go back home, but he won’t talk to me. I don’t know what he wants!”

With an expression of ‘I told you so’ written all over his face, Tao Fei scoffed and said: “I knew it.”

Zhang Siyi: “...”

While eating his food, Tao Fei helped Zhang Siyi analyze his situation: “I guess Gu Yu may be unhappy because you snubbed him.”

Raising his voice, Zhang Siyi frantically spoke: “But I am at work. I am not fooling around! He told me he wants me to work alongside him as soon as possible. He is obviously a very rational and calm person, but when I work hard and then he says he doesn’t want me to. What is that? A double standard! I don’t think he wants me to be strong at all!”

Zhang Siyi wouldn’t normally voice his anger in front of Gu Yu. Tao Fei offered an ear so Zhang Siyi couldn’t help but vent his grievances.

Tao Fei sighed and said: “He might seem infallible, but when one falls in love, even he is simply a mortal. Besides, this is your love period!”

Zhang Siyi snorted and thought: they were only together for a month... What seven-year-itch. Day after day, he did not go home and Gu Yu did not talk to him. With pessimistic thoughts, Zhang Siyi felt like they were almost finished. Maybe after the project was over, they will actually break up!

With great care, Tao Fei warmly spoke to Zhang Siyi: “I’ll tell you something. I’ve known my brother for five years and during that time, he has always remained calm. Even in the face of my bad temper, he remained so collected. The only time I’ve never seen him get angry and out of control is because of you.”

Zhang Siyi: “......”

Tao Fei: “Like at the hotel in Jingmai Mountains... Well, I also deliberately provoked him, but I didn’t expect that he would really take the bait and kiss you in front of me.”

Zhang Siyi: “......”

Tao Fei: “At least his behavior is more normal now. Unlike previously, even though he was in his early twenties, he always seemed to live a lifeless life. Like a pool of stagnant water, he lived only by going through the motions.”

Tao Fei paused then said: “In the past few days, I can clearly feel he is in a bad mood. I often see him preoccupied with something and frowning with a heavy heart. Since you have your back to his office, you may never have noticed, but every time he left, he always paused and looked at you before moving.”

“Who knows what he is thinking...” Zhang Siyi took a sip of his hot and sour soup and felt the flavor mimicked his mood.

Tao Fei shrugged: “Although I don’t know what he was thinking, you will have to talk about it sooner or later. Since my brother is very proud, from my experience, it is not likely he will take the initiative to find you to talk. Take my advice and make the first step towards reconciliation. Maybe once you make the first move, he will come tumbling down from the top of the stairs!”

Stirring the remaining liquid in his soup bowl with his chopsticks, Zhang Siyi said with sorrow: “Why do I have to be first? I’ve already approached him a few days ago. Early in the morning I asked him if he was having a cold war with me and do you know what he said?”

Using Gu Yu cold tone and expression, Zhang Siyi imitated him and told Tao Fei what Gu Yu said verbatim. Although Tao Fei heard it, he didn’t sympathize with Zhang Siyi. Instead he gloated: “His character... Well, you are the one that likes him! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

Finishing the last few bites of dinner, Tao Fei calmly said: “Our project is almost done. It’s time for you to go back home.”

Being defiant, Zhang Siyi rebuked: “Now, in the middle of the night? I won’t go back. I’m staying up with you to work!”

Tao Fei picked up the lid from the take-out container and slapped him: “Don’t use me as an excuse to escape. You haven’t realized it, but my brother has given me the look of death these last couple of days. Besides, I have to go back tonight and fix up this peach brother for tomorrow’s presentation.”

Zhang Siyi: “......”

Feeling helpless, Zhang Siyi packed up his things and went home.

In May, Haicheng has begun to heat up during the day, but it remains quite chilly at night. Often, the temperature difference between the two is rather wide at (30C/86F) and during the day and (10C/50F) during the night.

Having been inside these last few days with an interior temperature that was completely regulated, when Zhang Siyi stepped outside, he felt the bite of a chilly breeze.

He inhaled with a deep breath and sputtered out hot air quickly making his lips vibrate. The answer to the current unknown status of their relationship made Zhang Siyi hesitant. – Shit! I can’t take it anymore! The anticipation is killing me! I’m going to talk tonight! Who is the surname of Gu’s love?!

Taking a taxi back to Yuanshan Garden, Zhang Siyi had time to reflect on the last couple of days and standing in front of the door, he felt a little reluctant to speak up.

Zhang Siyi is neither afraid of being with Gu Yu nor his argument with him. What he can’t tolerate was seeing Gu Yu’s indifferent expression and lack of communication. The possibility of being ignored again is upsetting Zhang Siyi. What kind of love is there without concern?

Now that the moment is upon him, Zhang Siyi glanced at the time and saw that it was after midnight and decided he didn’t want to wake Gu Yu up. Instead, he was going to sneak back to his room to sleep. Making up his mind, he gently opened the door and tried to quietly head upstairs. Since he hadn’t seen Townhouse for a couple of days, the dog ran up to him excitedly and barked: “wuuf-wuuf.”

Startled, Zhang Siyi’s plan was ruined. He grabbed Townhouse by the ear and covered his snout and desperately ‘shushed’ him. The dog didn’t understand and thought his master was home to play. He started licking his hand and made more excited grunts.

Zhang Siyi wants to cry, but has no tears. Damn this little ancestor! You don’t want to join in the fun at this point!

The ‘little ancestor’ did not listen. In the dark, Townhouse pounced on Zhang Siyi legs and frantically rubbed. After an emotionally draining day, Zhang Siyi almost kicked the dog hard. Stupid dog! Gu Yu, why can’t the dog get fixed?! Every day, this is what he does. It’s too ridiculous!

It was hard to wait for Townhouse to settle down. While Zhang Siyi quietly walked upstairs, Townhouse also followed suit. Twice, Zhang Siyi shooed him down but finally, he was able to make the dog stay downstairs.

Since they were being so loud, Zhang Siyi was afraid that he woke up Gu Yu. As he reached the top of the stairs, he listened intently for any sound. When he didn’t hear the slightest movement, he laughed at himself for thinking Gu Yu would do anything other then what he has been doing already. Ignoring Zhang Siyi.

Not wanting to cause any further disturbance than he already created, he didn’t turn on the hall lights and instead, he used his phone as a flashlight. When he went to use the bathroom, he noticed Gu Yu bedroom door wasn’t closed. He was shocked to find it remained open!

Zhang Siyi quickly turned off his mobile phone and stood next to the door in a dilemma.

What did Gu Yu mean by leaving the door open? Usually, whether they sleep together or sleep separately, they would close the doors. Is it possible that Gu Yu was...? Was waiting for him to come back?

Instantly, Zhang Siyi was warmed up by the idea. His heart was pounding in his chest, but after the long cold period, he was afraid of being so optimistic. While standing outside the door, he hesitated for five minutes. Finally, Zhang Siyi decided he would at least sneak a peek at Gu Yu and then go back to his room quietly.

Now that Zhang Siyi’s phone was turned off for a while, his eyes had adapted to the darkness. He crept into Gu Yu’s room and saw the quilt on his bed with a big lump on the side making a familiar outline. He didn’t know if Gu Yu was really sleeping deeply or simply silently lying still.

With the faint illumination of the night light on the other side of the bed, Zhang Siyi maneuvered around to look at him more closely. When Gu Yu’s face came into view, he couldn’t look away. Even though they were at the office every day, it felt like he hadn’t been able to see Gu Yu’s face clearly for a very long time.

..... Damn it! I really fucking miss him!

Watching the movement in his chest expand and contrast with each breath, Gu Yu appears both harmless and fragile. Lying in bed sleeping, Zhang Siyi didn’t know why Gu Yu had a slight frown on his face. Looking at Gu Yu like this, he had the sudden desire to pounce on him, but his thoughts said he can’t...... They are still in a cold war! Angry at the thought, Zhang Siyi was uncontrollably bending down and reaching out, wanting to feel his face. It was a completely unconscious action. The moment Zhang Siyi’s fingers touched Gu Yu’s skin, he tightened his eyebrows and his eyes fluttered open.

Panicked, Zhang Siyi tried to react and escape, but Gu Yu was faster. He suddenly reached out and grabbed Zhang Siyi hand and stared at him. While he slowly loosened the grip on his hand, in a weak and hoarse voice, Gu Yu said: “You came back.”

Zhang Siyi wasn’t thinking so much on how unhealthy he sounded, because once he heard Gu Yu pleased voiced, his heart was a mess.

His hard-earned pride and self-esteem collapsed in an instant. Like a puppy who was forgiven by his master, Zhang Siyi sorrowfully looked at Gu Yu with all of his emotions in his eyes.

Gu Yu watched him then gradually relaxed his hand and tightened it again. He pulled Zhang Siyi into the bed with him.

Frantically kissing one another, Zhang Siyi fell on top of Gu Yu. With his mind becoming blank, he only felt what was in front of him in the moment. In the arms of the person he loves, he had nothing to worry about. He just wanted to feel the warmth of his lover and having spent the last several days apart, he wanted to rejoice in their reunion.

Gu Yu was also the same. Venting his emotions, Gu Yu wrapped his tongue around Zhang Siyi’s tongue, kissing him deeply and mercilessly bit his lips. Listening to Zhang Siyi muffled outbursts of pain, Gu Yu didn’t stop. His strength was so great and he kissed so fiercely that it seemed as if he wanted revenge for being left out during the past few days

Zhang Siyi was also very enthusiastic, but he still couldn’t match Gu Yu. He seemed to force Zhang Siyi to bear all of the resentment alone.... Slowly, Zhang Siyi recovered his senses and became aware of Gu Yu’s abnormal body temperature.

Not only was his mouth hot, but also his forehead, neck, shoulders...... Everywhere he touched, Gu Yu’s temperature was higher than his. He quickly realized the meaning of the hoarse voice that Gu Yu spoke with. Becoming anxious, Zhang Siyi freed himself from Gu Yu arms. Observing each other’s expressions, Zhang Siyi spoke first: “Are you sick?”

Gu Yu’s line of sight was a focused-on Zhang Siyi. Due to the intensity with which they kissed, gasping for air, Gu Yu was short of breath and did not speak.

Zhang Siyi went to touch his forehead but was caught by Gu Yu instead. Gu Yu placed Zhang Siyi’s hand to his lips and kissed his palm and then wrapped his tongue around his finger, inserted it into his mouth and sucked.

Quickly becoming peevish, Zhang Siyi demanded: “You quickly answer me!”

Gu Yu paused for few seconds before releasing him then he quietly said: “It’s nothing serious. Just a small cold.” Lowering the volume even further, he said: “I’m sorry, I didn’t hold back.”

At first, Zhang Siyi didn’t understand what Gu Yu meant by suddenly apologizing. Was he sorry that the cold war was over? Pausing for a moment, he quickly realized the truth and sighed. Gu Yu was afraid of infecting Zhang Siyi with his cold.

Feeling happy for Gu Yu’s concern, but feeling distressed over his illness, he clung to Gu Yu’s hand, leaned down and kissed him on the lips. He said: “Never mind that. When did you get sick? Why didn’t you tell me?”

Gu Yu normally stoic demeanor made Zhang Siyi feel like Gu Yu was invincible. Even if there was something a little off, Zhang Siyi would never think of the possibility of Gu Yu being sick. Now he finally understood why he didn’t wake up earlier with so much noise when Zhang Siyi came back home. Gu Yu was probably too weak from illness that he didn’t hear anything.