The Stars In Your Eyes

Tang Liyue is a very attractive woman. Her baby face made her looks like university student even though she's wearing formal attire to increase her maturity appearance. She always dress formally to look like true manager of this best Italian restaurant in the city. Her one strap shoulder dress made her collar bone looks more delicate. Her simple makeup emphasise that red lipstick she wore today.

Most of the customers who saw her for the first time won't believe that her age is 32 and already have 1 daughter. Her body is still well shaped, even better than an ordinary woman. She's waiting in front of the reservation table, waiting for Jian Kang Lu. 

Song Lixia already notified her that today Mr. Jian will bring his friend to look around the restaurant. She greets the incoming customer while waiting, and chats a bit with them before asking the attendant to show the customer into their table.

When Jian Kang Lu finally showed up, she was a little bit surprised.. All of Mr. Jian's friends are also Mrs. Song's inner circle friends. Only a few of them, and Tang Liyue memorise them all in heart. But this one is very young, and she never saw him before. She also remembers Mr. Jian's brother is not this young. His cousin? His distant relatives? Anyway, she doesn't need to ask more. Her duty today is to assist them well.

Jian Kang Lu and his kitten walking inside, and Tang Liyue greet them. She was an excellent manager. She politely greeted them, and made opening conversation. Efficiently asking for the point of this visit. She then immediately shows Bai Yutang around. She focuses her attention on this young man, even treating him like a VIP customer.

She won't get paid well if she doesn't have a good instinct. She truly is one of the best in this field. As an experienced restaurant manager, she knows Mr. Jian never asks for special treatment before. This is the first time, and all for the sake of this young man. Only dumb person will ignore this young man. Obviously you need to please this young man, and it will lead to Mr. Jian's satisfaction. Mr. Jian's satisfaction is equal to the restaurant owner's herself.

Jian Kang Lu watched two of them chat and look around. His kitten took a lot of photos inside, and even with red ears shyly asked Tang Liyue whether he could measure some of this restaurant's properties. Tang Liyue didn't laugh nor show any excess emotion. She smiled politely and answered, "Sure. Did you bring your measurement tape? I think we have some in the office."

Jian Kang Lu saw his kitten's eyes brighten and took out his measurement tape from his small bag. For today's purpose, he brought a digital camera and measurement tape, also some sketch books.

Jian Kang Lu leisurely leaned on the door frame, gazing at his kitten do his job. His intuition works once again. This small kitten really fired up and focused on his job. He is a hard working person. And a hard working person is very sexy.

After almost an hour, it's already 8.30 pm. His kitten finally finished and said with a small voice, "I'm sorry. Took longer than I predicted. You must be hungry." He stood up there with head bow down and closed his small bag.

Jian Kang Lu smiled and said, "It's okay. Hope you got nice material. Come, let's eat. I already ordered today's specialty. Pan seared scallop with white truffle, and today they also served Russian Osetra caviar. I haven't ordered the main menu. You can choose for yourself."

Tang Liyue shows them their seat, and after a while she's coming back with the waiter. The waiter skilfully served the scallop and caviar. They also served the Foccacia, flat oven bread seasoned with olive oil and sea salt. The Taralli bread is cooked in a delicate ring shape with lovely golden colour. The Laterza bread, a long slender loaf of bread, had a stiff and crunchy crust with soft melted centre inside. The aroma from the light gold seared scallop surrounded by small potato fondant, mixed well with the scraped white truffle on top of it.

While the waiter preparing the appetizer, Tang Liyue took a bottle of white wine from the serving cart. "May I suggest you try this 1999 Billecart-Salmon Le Clos Saint Hilaire from our collection? This Blanc de Noirs paired well with our today's caviar and excellently matched with the scallops."

Jian Kang Lu nodded, "Glad to have your suggestion. I didn't really know about this wine pairing and your suggestion always works like magic every time." He then looked at his kitten who was still staring at the menu. "Can you drink alcohol? This is light, though. And since this lovely lady offered us this white wine, how about ordering some lobster and crab pasta for our main menu? I remember you said you have no food allergy."

Bai Yutang looks relieved, and closes the menu. "I'll follow you, Jian Ge. I can drink alcohol, and eat anything."

They enjoyed the appetizer. Bai Yutang didn't seem comfortable at first. But after he follows Jian Kang Lu's movement to savour the meal, his face brightens and he eats silently. 

Jian Kang Lu asks, "How's the taste? Does it suit your palate? Not everyone can enjoy the caviar taste. Here, to get the real flavour of caviar, you need to take a small bite and don't chew on it. Use the tongue to feel the beads and taste the buttery fat. Some people like to eat it on this cracker and with sour cream. You can try which one suits your taste."

Bai Yutang nodded and didn't say anything. But he follows Jian Kang Lu's suggestion. He then said, "I think i like both. They have different unique tastes."

Jian Kang Lu sipped his wine. The waiter was very attentive, and came right away to fill the glass again. At a high class restaurant, you almost didn't need to call for the waiter. They always stand not too far away from you and notice every movement with their hawk eyes.

Their main menu comes 30 minutes later. The crab pasta served with angel hair pasta style, with crab meat shredded on top of it. The taste of olive oil and a little bit of lemon add the freshness of seafood flavour and not greasy at all. The lobster pasta beautifully served with a shaped lobster stand near the ocean. The blue colour from the blue cheese sauce comes from butterfly pea flower.

Jian Kang Lu is glad that his kitten seems to enjoy the food. He sipped his wine while looking at that lovely face chewing the lobster. His kitten eating style suits him very well. No slurping voice, the pace is slowly to enjoy every bit of taste. This is how you enjoy your dinner, in appreciation of the chef's effort.

After they finished, they slowly sipped their wine. His kitten looked at him while holding the wine glass with his other hand lean on top of the table, "This is my first time experiencing this kind of dinner. I didn't know the table manners here. I'm sorry if there's any mistakes, Jian Ge. And thank you so much for inviting me here."

"I'm glad if you love it. Don't worry about table manners. Small details won't matter. Your eating habit is very good. I bet if the chef looks at you while you're eating, he will be very happy. As long as we enjoy the food, don't really bother with small details etiquette. My table manners also sucks."

Bai Yutang shook his head, "No. I didn't even know how to eat that caviar before. You taught me a lot today. I also just realised that different kinds of wine are paired with different kinds of food."

They almost finish their wine, the waiter comes and divides the rest of the wine into their glass. "About wine pairing, it was not the same for every one. The only way to know about your own taste is tasting different kinds of pairs and choosing the best one according to your own taste. You don't have to follow other people's suggestions. Just try to feel the aroma lingered after you ate and drink the wine, and how the after taste feels. Everyone will have their own preferences. The owner of this restaurant prefers light rose wine to pair with their caviar, and it was okay. We're here to enjoying ourselves, not to pleased other people."

Jian Kang Lu asked for the bill, and not long after the waiter came and swiped his card. Jian Kang Lu said to his kitten, "Let me take you home. This is already 10 o'clock. I'm sorry you come home so late every time you're going out with me."

Bai Yutang smiled, "It was my pleasure, Jian Ge. Every time I went with you, I always learned something new. And I really enjoy every minute I spend with you. Besides, I am always going out with you at the weekend. I have nothing to do on Sunday except working on my project. What are you doing on Sunday, Jian Ge?"

"Me?" Jian Kang Lu put his card back to his wallet. "Usually i spend my Sunday with my parents and brother. We routinely have Sunday lunch together at my parent's house. Or sometimes we're going out to have lunch at some new restaurant."

"Mmm, i think i remember you said you originally come from this city. Does it mean your parents and your brother stay in the same city?"

"En.. My parents live in the suburbs, and my brother's apartment is near CBD. It was more convenient for him and his wife since they both work in the CBD area."

"Oh, does it mean on working days all of you live in a different place?"

Jian Kang Lu finished his wine and answered, "Yes.. My father already retired. And I live alone in my apartment near the hospital. It was more convenient that way for all of us."

Bai Yutang slowly finished his wine. He then said softly, "I didn't know you celebrated your birthday a few days ago, Jian Ge. Even though it passed already, I do really want to give you a birthday gift. But honestly i have no idea what to give. Is there something you need, Jian Ge?"

Jian Kang Lu was stunned, and felt some happiness spread from his heart, warming every part of his body. His soft gaze framed by beautiful eyelashes, mirroring the sweetness he felt inside. "You already gave me a birthday gift. You promised to accompany me watching movies when you're not busy. Remember?"

His kitten silent for a while, but then nodded, "Yes, I do. Please let me know in advance. I'll keep my promise to you."

His lips slightly wet from the wine. His face looks like an angel, illuminated from the soft candle light. His eyelashes fluttered, his eyes glazed like honey and turned into million shades of gold, scratching Jian Kang Lu's heart. This is one of the best dinners he had. He loves every minute of it.