Midnight, the Stars and You [ G. Impact ]

two | II

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"Want to join me at work today?"

You looked up from the book you were reading to meet Zhang's gaze. He continued to scrub the dirt from the vegetables he prepared for today's lunch. Chopped cabbage was set aside in a large bowl, while jueyun chilis and lotus heads were next to be guillotined by his kitchen knife. The scent of the ham baking in the oven filled the kitchen and your mouth watered in turn.

Swallowing the saliva that accumulated, you said, "Is that even allowed?"

"Sure it is." He shrugged. "I'm the project manager, it's not like anyone is going to tell me any different."

"Abusing your power as you see fit, huh?"

He sent you a knowing grin filled with pearly teeth. "Me? I'd never."

"Right, right." You turned to the next page, sarcasm lining your words. "But, yeah. I'll come."

"Great. We'll head over after lunch."

Zhang had changed into his work clothes before you left the house. The drive itself was peaceful. You had your window down the majority of the way over, hanging your arm out the side and fighting to keep your position despite the wind. Today's weather was much less relentless than the day before.

When the car began to slow down, you stuck your head out the window to survey the upcoming building. It wasn't hard to miss, as gigantic as it was.

'Wangshu Inn' blared brightly next to a neon crescent moon, hung above a grande entryway of a hotel. Green vines were strategically draped across the dark wooden pillars at the front and a long row of glass sliding doors took up the space beneath. The exterior was modern and clean, the rest of the building adorning a sheer creme color with black accents. It was so tall that you could barely make out the globe lights strung up on the top-floor patio.

Mouth agape, you asked, "This is where you work?"

"Yes, but also not quite," Zhang answered. "I'm an architectural ironmonger. Do you know what that is?"

"Can't say I do."

"In short, I assist in ensuring the functionality and aesthetic of construction within buildings. Wangshu Inn is undertaking a new project, which means I'll have to be on-site often to make sure things go the way we want them to. This will be the focus of my work for the foreseeable future," he clarified.

"What's the project? It seems like it's already finished as is."

"They're adding cabins to the beachside for the more... expensive tastes." Zhang gradually trailed off when he noticed the people huddled near the sidewalk ahead.

The car slowed to a stop when one of them waved him over. His window rolled down and one of the men ran to his side.

"We need you over here stat, they're trying to change the floorplans again!" he said quickly, looking frazzled.

Zhang sent you a look, which you returned equally questionably.

"Do you know how to drive?" he asked.

"Yeah?"

"Good," Zhang opened his door and stepped outside, leaning down into the open window to continue. "Mind taking this over to the lot while I deal with this?"

"Oh—um, sure," you stammered, hurriedly tugging at your handle and exiting the vehicle.

Zhang ruffled your hair when you crossed onto his side.