The Stars In Your Eyes

Jian Kang Lu felt today's excitement and happiness vanished into the air like a steam from boiled water in the middle of a winter storm. His kitten has been docile and domesticated for the past year they spent together after they reconciled. He almost never gets mad at Jian Kang Lu. 

Jian Kang Lu could only scold himself who had been complacent with the peaceful situation so far. He forgot his kitten was not a jealous man, but once he drank his vinegar, the result was devastating. Last time his kitten was jealous, he even didn't give Jian Kang Lu a chance to explain himself.

Jian Kang Lu called his kitten 5 times but his kitten didn't answer. He stared at his phone, and then dialled a number he hoped could help him.

"Hello." A crisp sound from a young lady was heard from the phone.

"Hello, RenRen.. I hope i didn't bother you." Jian Kang Lu might sound polite and casual, but his eyes were empty and full of anxiety.

"Not at all. What's up, Jian Ge?"

Jian Kang Lu slowly asked, "Is your brother already sleeping?"

Bai Yuren smirked, and calculated what she could extort from her future brother in law for this time. "Let me check, Jian Ge. Wait for a moment. Do you want to hang up and i'll call you later?" She innocently asked, put up her 'i'm a good girl who will help you unconditionally' tone.

"Um, no need to hang up. I could wait here."

So Jian Kang Lu could only pray his kitten was sleeping as an explanation of why he didn't reply to his messages. That way, he knew his kitten was not angry with him. He could hear Bai Yuren step out from the room and walk toward their cousin's room where Bai Yutang stayed. He could hear Bai Yuren lightly knock on the door and asked whether both of them were sleeping or still awake.

Jian Kang Lu felt his heart tighten when he faintly heard his kitten's voice answering Bai Yuren's call.

"Are you still awake, gege?" Bai Yuren asked after the sound of the door opened. Jian Kang Lu could imagine his kitten was the one who opened the door.

"Yeah, we're playing storm rider. What's up?" From his kitten's tone, Jian Kang Lu could not detect any rage or displeasure toward Bai Yuren. 

"Nothing. Mom is sleeping and i still want to watch some videos. I'm just afraid i will bother her. I want to stay here until i'm sleepy."

Jian Kang Lu was glad his future sister in law was very smart. He ends the call and messages Bai Yuren to convey his thanks. After that he frantically messages Bai Yutang, pleading and begging for forgiveness, and pitifully requests Bai Yutang to answer his call. Thirty minutes later he still got nothing.

Jian Kang Lu looked at the time. It was almost 11 o'clock. How could he sleep in this state? He stares at empty air, his mind is chaotic. If this was the old Jian Kang Lu before his kitten, he will just sleep and don't bother with the other's childish acts. After one good night's sleep, usually all the rage and emotional feeling will subside, let the logic take over.

But.. This is his kitten. His one and only. How could he assure that his kitten won't leave him again like last time? Jian Kang Lu chilled and felt his bone frozen. In actuality, his kitten was the one who was being tolerant with him. Even though he didn't have much time to accompany his kitten, his kitten never complained nor demanded him to change for Bai Yutang.

It was rare to find someone who didn't ask you to change for them. The one who accepts all your bad and good, all your habits, all your lifestyle, all the differences between and just went along with it. Bai Yutang was the one who had to adjust with his lifestyle. Jian Kang Lu didn't have to change the way he eats, the way he spends his time, the way he sleeps, the way he dresses.

His kitten was the only one, the only person he ever had a relationship with, who came and infused himself into Jian Kang Lu's life silently. He didn't change anything, yet he changed everything. Just like a flower silently blooming in the midst of an abandoned garden. Nothing changed, but the butterflies and the birds rejoiced from it.

Jian Kang Lu abruptly stands up, changes his pants, and runs downstairs. He asked the concierge to call a cab for him while he texting Bai Yuren to send him the location of her grandparent's house. For the address, Jian Kang Lu had it already.

[Are you coming here, Jian Ge?]

[Yes.. TangTang is not yet sleeping, right?]

[Nope. If you're here and my silly brother still ignores you, I'll tell him to drag his ass out meeting you. Don't worry.]

At this moment, Jian Kang Lu is 99% convinced that Bai Yuren knows about him and her brother. He was grateful that she didn't oppose them, and gave her blessing to Jian Kang Lu.

The hotel where Jian Kang Lu stayed was near and the road was deserted because it was almost midnight. It only took 15 minutes for him to reach his kitten's house. 

His kitten's grandparent's house was located in a suburban area. The lights from the houses can't beat the night's darkness, and the street was almost empty. Two motorcycles passed by. The sky was dark blue. The moon was half hidden. The sound of empty night filled the air.

Jian Kang Lu didn't bring any coat due to his rash decision, but he didn't notice the chilled wind blowing his damp hair. He looked at his phone, still no reply for his message telling his kitten that he was waiting in front of this house. 

Jian Kang Lu called his kitten and still no answer. He then draws his trump card, sending a message to Bai Yuren, and hopes his future sister in law does her magic.

Jian Kang Lu really wanted to worship Bai Yuren and gave her his credit card to spend till the max when he saw his kitten walk out from the gate. Judging from his face, his mistakes were not grave and still can be spared.

"TangTang.. Don't be mad at me.." Jian Kang Lu tried hard to make his 39 year old face look innocent and pitiful. "Please.."

Bai Yutang was not in a good mood, that's why he ignored his lover's message before. He played games with his cousin and didn't want to pay attention to his phone. He knows if he keeps talking to his lover previously, he will only spew out his vinegar, and afraid he will hurt his lover with his poisonous tongue. He just needed time to calm himself down, since he didn't want to repeat his mistake.

But who could predict his lover was getting anxious and come here again at this time just for pleading mercy. Looking at his lover who only wore a thin T-Shirt and jeans on this cold spring night, Bai Yutang didn't have any heart to preserve his anger.

He sighed. "I'm not angry, gege. Why didn't you wear any coat?"

"I hurried and forgot to bring my coat. Please don't be mad at me. And please answer the phone when i call you."

Looking at that peach blossom eyes under that burrowed straight brows, the full lips stretch to a straight line in anxiety, who could have energy to be mad anymore for a silly reason.

"I will.."

Both of them stand there near the gate, under the trees who stretch its branch upon them. They are reluctant to separate themselves.

Jian Kang Lu still missed his kitten so much, and now after the tension, he didn't want to come back to his hotel and sleep alone in this mood. "Well, i'm not sleepy anymore. Do you want to grab some late night snacks?"

Bai Yutang smiled, and nodded. His lover then told him to ask his sister and his cousin too. Bai Yutang rarely goes out late at night, but his sister is exactly the type of 'play hard work hard' kind of person. Not even mention his cousin who was originally an easy going person but now trapped in the house and had to study everyday preparing for his Gaokao this year. Both of them were delighted and ran to their parent's asking for permission.

Both of them went out with a bright face to embrace their midnight adventures. Bai Yutang was walking out and casually gave Jian Kang Lu his uncle's coat, since his own coat definitely could not fit his lover's broad shoulder. "Please wear it, gege. Don't get sick from this chilly weather." He whispered.

Jian Kang Lu beamed with happiness. Now he was assured his kitten was not angry with him. He asked Bai Yuren and Lu Jiang where they wanted to go. He smiled to hear those two bickering in the taxi to decide.

His kitten was sitting in the middle, while his cousin sat on the front. Jian Kang Lu was happy, he could hold his kitten's hand under the coat and felt the warmth from his beloved kitten. He didn't even flinch when his kitten ruthlessly pinched his finger when he caressed his kitten's finger and palm. His kitten's finger was soft, but had some calluses from cooking and drawing. He loved to caress those callous and the soft meat on his kitten's palm.

He leaned toward his kitten's ear and whispered, "Do you want to go somewhere, baby?" His kitten shook his head.

Bai Yuren won the argument and they went into the area near the universities in W city. There are 2,3 km streets selling all kinds of snacks, desserts and also proper restaurants famous for their seafood and some provide korean food too. Since this is the weekend, some of the restaurants and stalls opened until 2 am. It was filled with local delicacies and snacks capable of satisfying any late night craving. At the end of the road it was filled with bars and pubs too.

Since Lu Jiang came with them, they can't go inside the pub like Bai Yuren's wish. She kicked the small stone in the road while looking at her cousin, "Because this baby i can't visit a pub. I always want to visit one here, but none of my friends on campus want to go with me. And my brother is useless."

Bai Yutang frowned, "Why do you want to go to the pub? It was not that fun, and some really smell like ashtrays. Besides, not all pubs were safe for young girls like you."

Bai Yuren snarled to hear that. "What do you know? You are never going out. I bet you have never gone to a good pub before. It was good to listen to the music and enjoy times with your friends." Bai Yuren really pity her timid brother who can't enjoy life.

Jian Kang Lu knows this is the time for him to repay Bai Yuren's kindness. "How about this, you can visit B city any time and i'll take you to the best bars and pubs there. I think it will be safer if you're going with me and your brother."

Bai Yuren looked at Jian Kang Lu with satisfaction. Indeed, her brother in law is a smart guy who is quick in mind and sharp in act. Except when he deal with her stupid brother.