Chapter 12: The Big Boss’s Little Assistant
After lunch, Lu Ziyi took Ye Chuxiao to his design studio.
The design studio was located in a mixed-use commercial and residential building about five hundred meters from the school’s West Main Gate.
Because many people usually visited Lu Ziyi’s design studio, the security guard at the building’s hall paid special attention and was very familiar with Lu Ziyi.
Seeing Lu Ziyi walk in with steady steps, the security guard responsible for visitor registration greeted him warmly, “Mr. Lu, you’re here.”
“Uncle Yang,” Lu Ziyi replied gently.
Lu Ziyi exchanged a few pleasantries with Uncle Yang, then led Ye Chuxiao to the elevator lobby.
Ye Chuxiao found that Lu Ziyi appeared aloof, but he was very polite and gentle towards people.
The design studio was on the sixteenth floor, and Lu Ziyi opened the door to enter.
The first thing that met their eyes was a long table, like a conference table, with several notebook computers on it, as well as many rolls of paper, some of which looked like discarded drawings, and many stationery items like pens, rulers, and tape.
To Ye Chuxiao’s great surprise, she had expected to see clothes and socks strewn about, cookie wrappers, instant noodle cups, beverage bottles, and a scene full of clutter.
Apart from the desk being slightly messy, the sofa, cabinets, and countertops were very tidy.
The house faced the sun, and sunlight streamed in through the clean glass windows, illuminating the room brightly. The simply and cheerfully decorated hall was very pleasant to look at.
Lu Ziyi showed Ye Chuxiao a few rooms: one was an office room with printers and copiers, and another was a study room furnished with a bookshelf and a desk.
Ye Chuxiao casually pushed open another room, and Lu Ziyi quickly exclaimed, “Hey!”
However, the door to the room was already open.
Ye Chuxiao’s right hand, which was holding the doorknob, paused, and she immediately felt embarrassed.
This was clearly a boy’s room, decorated in blue and white tones. There weren’t many decorations, but it felt very neat and comfortable.
Lu Ziyi explained, “Because I need to work, it’s inconvenient to live in the school dormitory, so I live in the design studio.”
“I’m sorry!” Ye Chuxiao snapped out of her stiff state and closed the door.
Lu Ziyi then showed Ye Chuxiao the kitchen and the balcony.
There was a flower stand on the balcony with several flower pots, but the plants were all withered.
Lu Ziyi said sheepishly, “I don’t have time to take care of them; even the cacti have died on me.”
“It’s okay,” Ye Chuxiao said, “I’ll plant them again when I have time.”
Lu Ziyi looked at Ye Chuxiao sincerely and said, “Xiaoxiao, my design studio is roughly like this. Usually, I just tidy up the work area, help prepare some drawing stationery, and then help me with the drawings. What do you think, would you be willing to be my assistant? I’ll pay you a salary.”
“No, no, no… there’s no need to pay me,” Ye Chuxiao quickly said. “Please help me tutor Advanced Mathematics, Senior Student Ziyi. I’m really slow, and I’ve troubled you a lot.”
Lu Ziyi said frankly, “Xiaoxiao, don’t worry. The school-wide Advanced Mathematics exam is coming up soon. I’ll quickly put together a set of exam-oriented problem-solving methods for you. As for the assistant role, I’ve already asked Lin Houchun and Zhao Congrui to help me out. They get five thousand yuan a month. Can I offer you the same salary?”
Ye Chuxiao thought about it. She didn’t understand anything about architectural design, and her help would only be tidying up the work area. It wasn’t substantial assistance, and asking Lu Ziyi for five thousand yuan a month seemed too much!
Ye Chuxiao said with shame, “Senior Student Ziyi, I really don’t need a salary. You helping me with Advanced Mathematics is a great gratitude. I promise to do my best as an assistant.”
“It’s fine,” Lu Ziyi said. “It’s only right that I pay you a salary if you’re my assistant, Xiaoxiao. So, shall we start working today?”
