Chapter 7
Giving up was out of the question, so he could only squeeze in time each day to start studying again. Yoda hoped that, just like when he suddenly woke up from a coma, his exam-oriented English would suddenly return. Yoda wasn't greedy; at least, he could forget everything after passing the exam.
Yoda felt a little dizzy after finishing his morning classes.
Every time he heard a familiar lesson, a bit of past knowledge would surface in his mind, like a weak WiFi signal, sometimes there and sometimes not. He had to simultaneously re-enter new knowledge and repeatedly recall and awaken his dormant memories. Exhausted from doing both at the same time, Yoda collapsed at his desk, his limbs limp.
Even though quickly recalling so much professional knowledge in one morning was a bit overwhelming for Yoda, it was still better than nothing. With graduation fast approaching, she decided to make the most of her time at school and learn as much as possible.
Cheer up and Yoda continues to tackle English vocabulary; how could he give up without putting in the effort?
Yoda struggled to memorize the words, and every time he tried to recall what he had learned, he felt a nerve throbbing on one side of his brain, making him grit his teeth as he studied.
The girl next door looked at Yoda with a resentful expression, hesitated for a moment, but still mustered her courage and said firmly, "Your copy is too old. Mine is the latest edition. Do you want to read this one?"
Yoda: "Huh? Really?" Yoda compared the two books and, sure enough, the very first word had been changed. He was still saying "abandon" here, while the other book had already said "aback."
Yoda thanked him repeatedly, feeling incredibly shy. Because the bookshelf was so neatly arranged, Yoda hadn't hesitated to take one without much thought, only to discover it was a new edition. "I'll go buy a copy later; you need this too."
The kind girl smiled and said, "You can use it. I've already finished studying it, so I don't need it anymore." Yoda looked at the densely written practice exam paper on the other girl's desk, filled with envy. He had once been so well-prepared, but now, all he could recall were those densely packed, pixelated marks.
Yoda accepted the other person's kindness and then resumed his grumbling and struggle with the vocabulary book in his hand. Even with the order changed, the words just wouldn't stick in his brain.
Seeing how much Yoda was struggling with his studies, the girl frowned and asked, "You're about to graduate, why do you still have to study English?"
Yoda sighed, "Isn't it true that you need a certificate to graduate? Sigh."
To my surprise, the other person replied in a surprised tone, "It's not needed anymore."
Yoda asked in confusion, "No need? Then what are you doing here?" Looking around, he saw English materials on every table.
The girl smiled and said, "This is the postgraduate entrance exam section; everyone is preparing."
Yoda didn't even notice that the people around him were the same people every day; he just got used to it whenever there were empty seats in the library.
The girl enthusiastically helped Yoda plan, saying, "Without the requirement of an English exam, you can use your time to study the courses you need to take, make up the credits, and get your diploma. You won't be so tired then."
Yoda couldn't help but shed tears of emotion. Although he was slow-witted, there were always more good people in the world. He quickly nodded, "Yes, yes, that's what I think too." He quietly pushed aside both the new and old vocabulary books. Hush, it was like waking from a dream, a feeling of relief, and a gentle breeze.
Yoda couldn't help but complain to Shixing. The two used to be inseparable, and Yoda had gotten used to Shixing arranging everything. What courses to choose, what to do each semester—Yoda only needed to follow Shixing's arrangements and keep pace with him.
Now that only Yoda is left, he made a fool of himself on the very first step.
Yoda was a little disappointed when she didn't get a timely response to the message, but she quickly felt relieved. Before, they were both at school, attending classes and studying together. Even when they were apart, their schedules were synchronized, so it was natural for them to reply instantly.
Now that Shixing has been working for so long, it's normal that things are different from when he was in university.
Yoda comforted himself, telling himself that he had to adapt to his new life.
After each stage of construction is completed, Shi Xing will take the time to go to the site to check. When it comes to painting the walls, according to the process, the primer has been applied. Once the primer is applied, the topcoat—which is the paint that the residents see on the wall—will adhere more firmly.
However, Shi Xing frowned as he looked at the construction work in front of him. "Why aren't you doing it according to my design drawings?"
The foreman took the blueprints from Shi Xing and compared them. "I did it according to my own blueprints, and it's correct."
Shi Xing took it and found it was indeed different from what he had. His original design used pearlescent art paint on the walls, and the textured surface would make the walls look more layered. The whole house would be painted with the same color, and the overall style of the soft furnishings would be milky white, so it would look neither monotonous nor too comfortable.
The final design drawings in the hands of the construction workers have now been modified; the place that should have indicated the paint to be used on the walls has been changed to a color chart for latex paint.
If it weren't for Shi Xing's habit of personally visiting each of his projects on-site, he wouldn't have noticed this minor change.
Construction is suspended; Shi Xing should go back and consult his assistant first. Residential property renovation projects have always been the firm's focus; the procedures are clearly defined, and such an error is impossible.
The assistant hesitated, "This is a rule set by General Manager Yu. Construction can only proceed according to the items specified in the contract, and designers are not allowed to make any changes on their own."
It's baffling that the show flats in this complex were designed by themselves. Subsequent unit designs were outsourced to other designers; whoever signed the contract designed it, and they generally followed their original design with adjustments based on the homeowner's needs.
My requirement is that this apartment be built exactly like the model apartment.
The assistant gestured, "Mr. Shi, Mr. Yu is in your office. Would you like to...?"
No intention of making things difficult for anyone, Shi Xing nodded, opened the door, and went inside. Yu Shun sat on the sofa, poured himself a cup of coffee as if they were old friends, and looked out the window at the rows of office buildings, in a good mood.
The two co-founded [Near Home Design Studio] and have been working together for so many years that they are very familiar with each other's temperaments.
As Shi Xing entered, Yu Shun said smugly, "This is a model apartment in a new residential complex. We can start decorating it ahead of time, so when it goes on sale, potential buyers can visit it in person. Everyone who is interested in buying a house will be our potential customer."
Shi Xing nodded. There are many decoration companies nowadays, and the competition is getting bigger. Yu Shun is indeed something to be proud of for being able to negotiate a project for a new community at this time.
Shi Xing never questioned his sales ability, just as the other party never questioned his design.
Shi Xing: "The residential project I recently took on has discrepancies between the construction drawings and the model room design. Is there a problem with the process?"
The firm now has many new designers, and each person's salary is related to the projects they complete. Shi Xing is responsible for more challenging projects. After completion, other designers can refer to Shi Xing's designs to produce drawings faster, reduce costs, and maintain the overall design level of the firm.
However, there are many projects recently, so Shih Hsing also has a residential project that others are too busy to handle.
Therefore, Yu Shun immediately understood what Shi Xing meant: "I told them to do it according to the contract."
Shi Xing frowned: "But if we change the wall paint to latex paint, the final effect will be much worse."
Yu Shun shook his head. "It's fine as long as it looks about right. Since the contract specifies the material standards for each item, we must follow the contract."
Shi Xing carefully reviewed the contract. Since the project was handed over to him after the contract was signed, and the client had repeatedly emphasized their liking of the model home's walls, he assumed the work would be done according to the model home's standards. The contract didn't specify the paint type, only the color.
Yu Shun smiled and didn't care. "Everyone does it this way. If you really follow the wall design of the model room, the cost of materials and construction will more than double. Most people can't actually tell the difference, so choosing the commonly used latex paint is more convenient."
Shi Xing: "Then we should explain the difference between the two types of paint to the homeowners so they can choose for themselves."
Yu Shun explained, "When signing a contract, we will definitely say that, but some people are reluctant to spend money but still want good results. If the salesperson says too much, people may not believe it."
Seeing that Shi Xing still wanted to negotiate, Yu Shun put down his coffee and said, "Don't worry, once the contract is signed, there won't be any problems."
As she spoke, she got up to leave, and before leaving, she smiled and said to Shi Xing, "It's the same as before, I'll first cover your treatment expenses each month, and I can take my share gradually."
This has always been a tacit understanding between the two. In the beginning, Shi Xing worked tirelessly to take on orders and draw designs to pay for Yoda's treatment. It was during this time that he met Yu Shun, who was eloquent but not good at design. The two hit it off immediately. Over the years, Yu Shun has known what Shi Xing cares about most, so he has always made concessions on profit sharing.
Thinking of the help the other party had given him over the years, Shi Xing fell silent.
"No."
"Just do it the normal way."
Yu Shun was rushing to maintain relationships with new clients when he heard Shi Xing's words. He was stunned for a moment, but quickly left.
Shi Xing contacted the homeowner again and, after communicating, decided that rather than choosing artistic paint that would increase costs for the sake of effect, they would opt for a similar latex paint.
The construction team was notified to continue, while Shi Xing stared blankly at the rendering he had drawn.
When I came to my senses and saw Yoda's text message, I realized that I had graduated many years ago, and I had absolutely no recollection of whether or not there was an English exam when I graduated.
Looking back, all I can recall is the chaotic hospital, the endless all-nighters taking orders, and the hazy, disoriented graduation.
Shi Xing shook his head, trying to shake off those unpleasant memories. He replied, "Do you want me to help you?"
Yoda replied instantly: "No need, you've been out of school for so long, I was just venting."
"How's work lately? Don't work too hard."
Shi Xing looked at the smiley face sent by Yoda, smiled back, his gaze lingered on the two identical avatars, hesitated for a few seconds, and then tapped his finger as he prepared to delete the other chat window.
Never mind, let's leave it at that.
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