Assistant Architect

Assistant Architect by Xi He Qing Ling

Chapter 182: Verification

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Bai Rui's antics made Zhang Siyi feellike he was forced to owe him something. Although it was only thirty-five extrabucks and Bai Rui said to keep it, Zhang Siyi couldn't accept it. Since it didn'tmake much sense to Zhang Siyi he relied on Ren Mengyu to figure it out: "RenMengyu, why did you tell Bai Rui to pay back the money for the coffee?"

Ren Mengyu sent a cartoon expressionwith a question mark: “What?”

Zhang Siyi explained: “Yourboyfriend befriended me in WeChat and said that you were angry, about the coffeemoney."

Ren Mengyu: "Hmm? Was this why he askedme for your WeChat?"

Seeing her reaction, Zhang Siyi thoughtit was strange. Why does it seem like she had no knowledge of this matter?

After a little while, Ren Mengyu sentanother message: "Now that you mentioned it, after our lunch, he may havesensed that I wasn't happy." ^_^

Zhang Siyi's emerging doubts dissipatedas Ren Mengyu explained. He said: "You are too polite. We rarely get the chanceto eat together and a few cups of coffee wasn't a big deal. You needn't askyour boyfriend to refund me. I didn't want to take the money, but he insisted.[Laugh][Cry]

Not waiting for Ren Mengyu to reply,Zhang Siyi continued: “The money for the coffee has been refunded but heover paid me by thirty-five yuan. I tried to give it back but he refused. SinceI can't keep his money, please transfer it to your boyfriend for me. Zhang Siyitook a moment to send thirty-five yuan to Ren Mengyu.

Watching the payment appear on herscreen, Ren Mengyu looked at the chat record and felt a little confused.

When Bai Rui deliberately maneuvered ZhangSiyi today, she felt that something wasn't quite right. It wasn't natural forBai Rui to fuss over a small amount. If Zhang Siyi hadn't told her, she wouldn'thave known that Bai Rui was trying to give back his money. Moreover, the reasonhe used to asked Ren Mengyu for his WeChat ID wasn't to pay him back. It wasbecause he said: "I noticed your classmate likes to attend design lectures. Thenext time, I can get him into one for free."

Art and design are like a type offamily and since Bai Rui is a curator, he often holds both large and small exhibitions.Ren Mengyu had attended them several times and found them rather lacking in attendees.Bai Rui often invited a small circle of friends who have an interest in art,but in reality, the free art exhibition was just a night to hook-up with othersin disguise.

Ren Mengyu thought that's what hewanted to add Zhang Siyi as a friend for. Both of them were straight men so shehad nothing to fear. She didn't expect Bai Rui to accost Zhang Siyi about themoney. In her mind, the Bai Rui she knew, was always a serious gentleman that rarelymade jokes.

Although Ren Mengyu was curious, shesaw Zhang Siyi’s explanation of Bai Rui’s involvement and felt moved. Shethought Bai Rui really cared about her feelings and that was why he was willingto go behind her back. After all, she did complain to him a little after thelunch saying he couldn't let someone else pay for a miserly amount of money forcoffee.

Thinking about it further, Ren Mengyu recalledher emotions at that time and knew she wasn't actually angry. She was justjoking with him. She didn't think her statement would cause Bai Rui to act.

It is said that one's IQ becomes zerowhen they are in love and Ren Mengyu is no exception. Although she thought BaiRui's behavior was a little odd, she only took notice of his actions that weremost beneficial for her. Since she was immersed in the illusion of being lovedby her boyfriend, she was unwilling to think of a different possibility.

Ren Mengyu accepted Zhang Siyi paymentand replied: "Okay, I'll pass it along to him. I'll make it a quick money transferso don't worry about it."

Relieved, Zhang Siyi sighed and wasabout to close his WeChat app, but he saw a new dialog box pop-up. "Bai Rui hasaccepted a money transfer of two-hundred-fifty."

Zhang Siyi: “…… ” Whatthe fuck! (=皿=)

Bai Rui: “Since you didn't wantto accept my offer, now we are even."

Zhang Siyi: “%¥#………………..”

Bai Rui: “Ah, Ren Mengyu justtransferred me thirty-five and said it was from you." [Smiles]

Zhang Siyi couldn't help saying:“Yes, because you originally refunded too much. Now that you have thetwo-hundred-fifty, give back the thirty-five."

Bai Rui: “Oh…. Instead, why don'tyou let me treat you to dinner."

Zhang Siyi: “…” Shithead!Who wants to eat with you!

Just as Zhang Siyi was about to blowhis top, Gu Yu returned to the room and said: "You haven't slept yet?" He waswatching Zhang Siyi frown at his phone that was tightly clenched in his hand.He asked: "What are you looking at?"

Zhang Siyi violently said: "Ah fuck! I'mso pissed! I didn't receive a penny and instead, lost thirty-five in vain!"

Thoughtful with concern, Gu Yu asked:“What’s the matter?”

Sitting up, Zhang Siyi put his phonedown on his lap and then proceeded to briefly tell Gu Yu what happened in avery animated fashion by waving his hands and arms around.

While unbuttoning his shirt, Gu Yuasked: “You’re talking about the boyfriend that your classmate met at thenightclub? He added your WeChat?"

Zhang Siyi: “Yes! That's him. Whatperfect rich gentleman!?"

Gu Yu moved to the side of the bed andreached down: "What did you talk about? Let me see."

Willingly, Zhang Siyi handed over hismobile phone and pointed out Bai Rui's avatar to Gu Yu: "This is Bai Rui."

When Gu Yu saw Bai Rui’s avatar at aglimpse, he didn't look at his webpage with personal information. Instead heused his fingers to zoom the screen and enlarged the picture.

Zhang Siyi didn't really know why GuYu was looking at it so closely: "What do you think of his avatar?”

Gu Yu's eyebrows furrowed deeper:“This is a portrait of George Dale. It is the work of Francis Bacon, an Irishborn artist who resided in London."

Zhang Siyi asked: “Is thispainting very special?”

“Francis Bacon was known to begay and George Dyer was one of his lovers." Gu Yu explained.

Zhang Siyi: “… How do you knowthat? Are you sure?"

"In college, I minored in the historyof Western art and had to study various artists and works of art." Gu Yuclicked back to the original screen, and noticed Bai Rui nickname. He raisedhis brows in question: "He gave himself the nickname Vinci in English?"

Zhang Siyi: “Yes, and? Does itmean anything?”

“Vinci is Leonardo da Vinci’sEnglish surname.” Gu glanced at Zhang Siyi and said: "There are rumorsabout Leonardo Da Vinci since he had strong homosexual tendencies."

“…..” A known gay painterand a name of a master with speculated leanings…..

Zhang Siyi was shocked: “My God.Ren Mengyu's perfect boyfriend is gay?"

Gu Yu looked down at Zhang Siyi andsaid: “It's not possible to ascertain the truth from only his WeChataccount. However, if he studied art, he should have known the story behind thispainting. In addition, he used the English name, Vinci, which when recognized,could be very misleading.

Zhang Siyi: “…..” It's nowonder he thought his relationship with his friend was strange.

After Gu Yu finished, he looked throughZhang Siyi chat records. The more he swiped the screen to read the entries, themore he frowned darkly. After he finished, he gave Zhang Siyi a hard look andasked: "He is clearly hitting on you. Can't you tell?"

Incredulous, Zhang Siyi formed a 'wtf'expression on his face: "Wait, what!?"

Gu Yu scrolled back the records andanalyzed them one by one for Zhang Siyi: “He gave you money. You really didn'twant to accept it so you politely decline him. Wouldn't that normally be theend of it?"

Zhang Siyi was anxious: “Yes, buthe wanted the money back fast!"

Gu Yu stared at him: “Are Youstupid? This is obviously a routine to bait you. Didn't you say he was veryrich? Do you think a real rich guy would care about being paid 24 hours later fora refund? If you hadn't accepted the money, it would have been returned to BaiRui sooner or later. The only repercussion he would experience was him beingshort a meager two-hundred-fifty bucks for a little while."

Zhang Siyi: “…….”

Swiping further down the chat record, GuYu said: “After you sent the payment back, shouldn't you have said a fewpolite words and be done with it? Whether he accepted it or not….."

Bursting, Zhang Siyi interrupted him:“I don’t like owing money!"

Putting emphasis on his words, Gu Yu continuedto explain: “It's just thirty-five. For the rich, that is equivalent tobreakfast. Are you saying he is worked up over missing his morning fritters? Thisis definitely a rouse to get your attention. How can you be so naive?"

Feeling wronged, Zhang Siyi's facepaled. How would he have figured out such a long and complicated ploy?

…… If I'm naïve, why don't you callyourself a schemer!

…… Why did hecome onto me? Do I have the potential to attract gay men? Do I seem gay tooutsiders?

Closely watching his boyfriend, Gu Yu wasthoughtful. He was intimately familiar with Bai Rui's tactics because afterall, he used similar methods. At the beginning, over the issue of the cactus, hedeliberately maneuvered Zhang Siyi to play the violin for him.

However, knowing he continued to fallfor such a ruse…. Gu Yu was really depressed. How can Zhang Siyi be soclueless!? Gu Yu suddenly sighed. Thankfully, the fool has Gu Yu's stamp on himand in the future, no one will be able to deceive him.

“I swear, I really didn't want anythingto do with Bai Rui. I was just trying to clear my name!" Almost in tears, ZhangSiyi was anxiously trying to argue his point. "And, he is my classmate'sboyfriend. Why would he be hitting on me?"

Gu Yu looked at him speechless. Thislittle fool really wasn't aware of his own charm.

Frantic, Zhang Siyi worried: “Whatdo I do now? Should I tell Ren Mengyu?"

"There isn't a rush." Gu Yu absentlysaid. His eyes fell on the last message that was sent to Zhang Siyi. Gu Yu'sface darkened: "Don't say anything until you know for sure because it could affectyour relationship with her. We first have to verify whether or not he is gay.If he is, then he amounts to being a scumbag for knowingly deceiving a girl'sfeelings."

Gu Yu squinted his eyes; seducing my love…. You dare!?

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