Chapter 145: Chief Director (1/2)

___________________________

Walking through the hall on his way back from the data area, the Chief Director spotted Zhang Siyi’s focused figure at his desk working diligently and felt relieved. He happened to bump into Gu Yu while in the restroom: “The young man you recruited last year looks very steady now.”

Hearing the Chief talk to him, Gu Yu was a little surprised. Thinking about the time spent with Zhang Siyi looking through his journal to discuss the various topics he wrote about at length made Gu Yu smile: “Well, he is very motivated now and has improved greatly.”

Director Gu: “I saw him present the landmark tower for the Yunnan hotel project. The ideas emboldened the spirit and the design was excellent. It seems he really has a natural gift. Gu Yu, you have a good eye.”

Gu Yu was quite taken back by the Chief’s comments. Most of the time, the Chief Director’s praise is at most ‘good’ or ‘very well’ and rarely admits to a design being excellent, let alone that a design could effect a persons’ spirit. It is the best compliment for a young designer with potential. After all, anyone can learn the process of architecture, but only those with inborn talent have the ability to design a building that touches the soul. Even though Gu Yu was feeling very happy for Zhang Siyi, he tried not to show it and relaxed his facial expression.

Washing his hands, the Chief looked at Gu Yu in the mirror and suddenly asked: “Young Gu, I remember that you don’t have a girlfriend, right?”

Gu Yu: “…… Hmm?”

Leaving his hands to rinse under the water, he continued: “At the beginning of X Firm, you worked for more then twelve hours a day. I heard that you studied and brought work home to do in the evenings. During the two years here at Borderless, you were always conscientious of the staff members needs and personally made yourself available during overtime if any problems rose but as a result, you were never home before nine at night. Even though your dedication is important year after year, you need to make plans for your own life. You are almost thirty years old without a family of your own.”

The truth of the matter can’t be revealed. If Zhang Siyi was a woman, Gu Yu could immediately tell the Chief Director that he was already seriously involved with someone so he need not concern himself over the matter of marriage.

Since relationships in the workplace are taboo, being an employee of Borderless was a problem and not only that, but a subordinate of a Director. If that wasn’t enough of an issue, the fact that Zhang Siyi is a man, was the real cause for silence. If he were to mentioned being gay, the more than fifty-year old Chief Director may not be able to accept this detail, so it isn’t a subject Gu Yu can openly speak about.

“Well, I understand.” Gu Yu politely evaded the issue and responded ambiguously.

The Chief dried his hands with a paper towel before smiling at Gu Yu: “We are having a party for Yanyan next weekend because she is coming home from abroad. When was the last time you visited your parents? If you have nothing else, come over for dinner.”

Slightly distracted and out of courtesy and respect, Gu Yu instinctively responded with: “Alright.”

After the Chief Director left, Gu Yu couldn’t help but wonder if the talk of a girlfriend coupled with visiting friends of the family were connected.

While he was eating with Zhang Siyi that night at home, Gu Yu discussed the issue in advance: “I may have to go to the Chief Director’s house for a luncheon next weekend.”

Surprised, Zhang Siyi asked: “You are going to the Chief’s house for lunch? Why?”

Taking a moment to think clearly, Gu Yu chewed slowly and explained the situation to him rationally: “The Chief Director and my father are old friends.”

Zhang Siyi was only aware of his position as the former vice president at X Firm. He didn’t know that the Chief Director Gu Senior were friends.

Gu Yu explained: “In the early years, Liu and my father worked together in infrastructure projects in Xi’an and later they went to Hainan to build.They worked together for more than eight years. After my father went back to Ningcheng, Liu came to Haicheng where he was at X Firm for many years.

Zhang Siyi was surprised. He thought that Gu Yu’s father had always been an architect in Ningcheng.

Gu Yu smiled and said: “When I graduated from my master’s degree, Uncle Liu extended an olive branch and asked me to go to X Firm. It was the most famous design company in the eastern part of the country. I needed experience to test for my license and since Haicheng is also close to Ningcheng, it was convenient to live here and to travel as needed to visit relatives.”

Zhang Siyi: “Ah.”

Gu Yu: “When I first arrived in Haicheng, Yuanshan Garden villa renovations weren’t completed yet. The Director was very kind to me and politely invited me to his home for dinner for every holiday.

Teasing him, Zhang Siyi jokingly said: “Ah so you got your job through the back door!”

Gu Yu looked up at him arrogantly: “Do you really think I needed a back door?”

Grinning, Zhang Siyi immediately said: “There was no need. You only had to look towards your father for one. Hehe.”

Gu Yu: “…..”

On the surface, Gu Yu remained calm, however at heart, he wanted to die. He reached over and cut himself a piece of red meat from Zhang Siyi’s dinner plate. He coughed slightly and said: “The environment at Borderless is really good. If we were at a different company, we might not be so free.”