Assistant Architect

Chapter 153: The Uniform

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Since the trip was a company sponsored event, Gu Yu wanted to uphold the company’s expectations as the team leader. He wasn’t particularly happy about their protests, but he also couldn’t ignore them. In the end he made a compromise: “The company shirts must be worn on the first day of travel and on the last day of departure. During the week, you may wear your own clothes.”

In fact, for male colleagues, there wasn’t an issue. Since it was the summertime, it was normal for them to wear a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Whether the shirt has the company’s logo printed on it or something else, it made no difference. Zhang Siyi thought the company shirt was rather nice. When he got home, he tried it on with Gu Yu. With matching shirts, Zhang Siyi felt like a young couple from a television drama.

Having won the prize in the photography competition last year, Zhang Siyi was the official photographer for the trip and the task wasn’t any easier than Gu Yu’s.

In anticipation of the trip, the people’s excitement grew and finally, the day of travel arrived. At eight in the morning on June twentieth, a total of twenty-eight people from both the architectural design department and the landscape planning and design team gathered at the Haicheng International Airport.

Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu took the subway together to the airport and since they were both wearing the company uniform, they received many sideways glances along the way to the airport.

Before their arrival, there was already a group of colleagues at the airport waiting for the remaining people to show up. Several female colleagues gathered around to gossip and guess what Director Gu would wear today. As the team leader, would he be like a tour guide and carry a small flag to raise with a megaphone to speak through? Thinking about the possibility, the girls laughed.

The laughter was short lived however, as Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu appeared together. Instead, the girls hung their mouths wide open, gawking at the two approaching men.

Even though Gu Yu was wearing the company shirt, he didn’t look anything like a tour guide. Besides the company shirt, he wore a lightweight outer layer, like a windbreaker, and a pair of black jeans and black sneakers. He made the most mundane article of clothing look like a famous fashion brand. Wearing a pair of sunglasses, his handsome features and graceful strides were accentuated further.

Like young school girls, some of them covered their faces and silently screamed. Having such an unobtainable and eye-catching boss to gaze at everyday was worth any bitter feelings they had.

Of course, the most critical point isn’t Gu Yu himself, it is the fact that Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu appeared together. Slightly staggered, Gu Yu dragged his suitcase behind him at arms-length and gave the impression that he was directly holding Zhang Siyi’s hand.

Moreover, the two of them were smiling and chatting with one another. Although there was some distance between them, the sweet atmosphere between them was tangible as if there was an invisible thread that tightly bound them together.

With his camera hanging loosely around his neck, Zhang Siyi looked like a small youthful student standing next to Gu Yu.

Teasing, Bi Lele smiled and said: “The game hasn’t even started and yet, the atmosphere between the two of you is better than a real couple!”

The surrounding people chuckled at Bi Lele’s joke. Only Zhang Siyi and Gu Yu themselves knew that they are true lovers!

One after another, more people in the company arrived and by eight-forty, everyone going on the trip was present except for one person: Tao Fei. The group was feeling more and more anxious at his absence and because it was nearing the time to board the plane, some people were ready to leave him behind. Since Zhang Siyi had traveled with him before, he was familiar with Tao Fei’s last-minute behavior and he remained calm.

Since everyone had decided to participate in the couples’ game, when they depart, the players would pair up according to their assigned partners. Without him, one of the pairings would be incomplete. Watching Tao Fei arrive at the airport, no one said anything to rebuke him for his tardiness. His beauty was unmatched and having an enchanting figure in the group was also a bonus. (=_=)

Tao Fei hadn’t noticed it, but Lu Qiao had walked in behind him like an obedient child. When he realized who was behind him, his eyes twitched. From the start, Tao Fei had no interest in playing the couples game, but he went along with it anyway. He didn’t expect Lu Qiao, with his little white arms and thin legs to follow along so easily.

Tao Fei turned to look behind and saw Ji Feiyu holding Du Rui’s hand. When they made eye contact, Ji Feiyu winked and gave him a victory gesture.

Tao Fei suddenly felt a little irritated at being manipulated by the situation that Ji Feiyu created in order to flirt with the girl Ji Feiyu liked.

“Hey!” Tao Fei called out to Lu Qiao: “Come here.”

Lu Qiao: “...ah?”

Tao Fei pushed his suitcase to him and said: “Help me pull it.”

“Oh.......” Lu Qiao obediently took the bag and followed him carefully.

Tao Fei raised his eyebrow in surprise. – So obedient? Just like a personal assistant.

Lu Qiao thought Tao Fei had a reason he requested help, but he only saw Tao Fei reach for his phone from his pocket. He followed him all the while Tao Fei played on his mobile phone......

Well, at first glance, Tao Fei was just like a young master. Lu Qiao wasn’t surprised at his behavior.

Since both Zhang Siyi and Lu Qiao have it in their personality to want to please the person they admire and respect, they have a similar character trait. As long as they recognize the other person’s strength, they are happy to do the extra things requested of them.

That said, in fact, at first as did Zhang Siyi, Lu Qiao disliked Tao Fei very much. First of all, he didn’t like Tao Fei appearance. With his long hair and beautiful features, he seems neither male nor female; just like a demon. Second, without background, Lu Qiao had worked very hard step by step on his own to get to the position he is in now at the company. Being alongside so many capable people made him feel proud at his achievement. Therefore, he hated unfair competition.

Tao Fei appearance at the company gave Lu Qiao the most negative feeling. From the very first moment at the company, it was clear he had a special relationship with Director Gu. His antics had continuously broken the normally harmonious atmosphere of the team. At the beginning, Lu Qiao noticed that even the most liked member of their group, Zhang Siyi, didn’t get along with him either.

Three months later, Lu Qiao was the most surprised at how well Tao Fei integrated himself into the group. He not only won the bid for a commercial high-rise building; he also won the bid on the hotel project that he worked on with Zhang Siyi. As a result, he became close friends with Zhang Siyi as well as gaining the trust of everyone else in the department.

Even Lu Qiao was swayed by Tao Fei’s diligent work. In particular, he admired Tao Fei when he was seriously working at his desk with his hair tied up. The concentrated expression that Tao Fei exhibited while leaning over his desk made Lu Qiao feel like he was watching a genderless celestial being hard at work.

In addition, Lu Qiao gradually realized Tao Fei also had we he thought of as ‘the-beauty-disease.’ Namely, Tao Fei was a bit self-centered and narcissistic. However, while his flaws weren’t hidden, his professional strength outshined them all.

Like Zhang Siyi’s sunny and convivial nature, Tao Fei self-confidence is something that was inborn. Because this quality is something Lu Qiao thinks he lacks, now, he also admired Tao Fei......