The Stars In Your Eyes

Jian Kang Lu looked at the young man standing in front of him, he helped him fix his graduation robe and cap. The young man's eyes are calm, far from nervous. He looked excited and full of hope. 

Jian Kang Lu sighed inside. His own graduation day was years ago. As a nephrologist, he has already gone through graduation day twice in his life. He will have another graduation day if he takes his PhD, which he still hesitates to start. PhD is only useful if he wants to pursue his professor title.

"Gege, am I good enough?" His kitten asked. Jian Kang Lu smiles and pat his shoulder. "Yes, you're the most handsome graduate today. Go, i'll pick your mom and sister."

Jian Kang Lu offered to pick Bai Yutang's family. After all, as a T uni alumnus, he is familiar with this campus and the graduation hall. His own parents know the place for them to attend Jian Kang Lu's graduation twice. They will meet there.

The big family can't come inside the hall, they will wait outside in the big space in front of the hall with a big screen for the family could see their family member who graduated inside. For Bai Yutang, it will be only Lu Hua and Jian Kang Lu who went inside. Originally it was preserved only for parents. 

Bai Yutang himself conflicted about who will go inside. If he wants to play safe, it will be his mother and Bai Yuren. Lu Hua suggested inviting his grandpa, Bai Haoran's father, to come inside as the representative of his father. But in the end, Bai Yutang chose to be selfish for once in his life. He wants his most precious person to see him achieve this first small milestone in his life.

Without Jian Kang Lu, he might never graduate. Bai Yutang will never forget that. Lu Hua didn't say anything when his son told her softly that he will invite Jian Kang Lu. She also feels their family owes this man so much. So she shielded her son from her parent's criticism once again.

When Jian Kang Lu picked Bai Yutang's family, he could feel his kitten's grandparents' dissatisfaction directed at him. They didn't say anything rude, but Jian Kang Lu's perception is good. He pretends not to notice it, just politely arrange the seat for them. 

Bai Yuren and Lu Hua will be in Jian Kang Lu's car, while the grandparents and Bai Yutang's uncle will be in the rental car. Jian Kang Lu himself used his mother's driver for today. It will create a headache if he drives himself and has to park the car himself. 

"Jian Ge, you have to come on my graduation day too!" Bai Yuren happily chatted with him. Jian Kang Lu smiled and assured Bai Yuren he will definitely attend.

Once there, Jian Kang Lu led this group to the hall. He called his parents while walking and found his parents already near the hall. He picks them up and introduces his parents.

"Auntie, Uncle, this is my parents. They also want to come to see TangTang's graduation day." Jian Kang Lu kept the introduction short since they could talk later in their respective seats. Standing here in the crowd is not suitable for polite chit chat.

Jian Shen and Lin Caihong only state their name and follow their son walking to the architecture's graduate spot. The big tent was laid on the roof near the hall to prevent the scorching summer sun from burning the families. 

The big tent with a lot of flower plates congratulating the graduates filled the yard. The soft grass and the concrete tiles filled with a sea of people. These people have happy and excitement expressed in their faces. It was crowded and noisy. Laugher and shouting filled their eardrums. Soon they found their seat and Jian Kang Lu politely re introduced his parents. 

As people who attend social parties and business meetings on a daily basis for years, Lin Caihong and Jian Shen didn't need their son to speak much.

Lin Caihong's smile is very similar to Jian Kang Lu. A kind of smile who makes people drawn yet reluctant to be over intimate. Jian Shen himself also smiled. But as a person who held high position most of his life, his smile is a little bit intimidating.

"I'm sorry to intrude on your family occasion, but Bai Yutang just like my own son. He helped me a lot, so I thickened my face to come here. I hope we don't disturb this important family occasion." Lin Caihong fluently continues Jian Kang Lu's short introduction.

Bai Yutang's grandparents are simple people. They waved there. hands. "No no, we don't mind. The more the merrier. Thank you for coming here."

They don't know how much Lin Caihong's dress and earring's cost, so they didn't feel too intimidated. If they know how much Jian Shen's watch cost, they might shocked and shake their head, for they will think it was stupid to spend money equal to one house just for the sake one simple watch.

Lu Hua herself once lived in luxury due to Bai Haoran's hard work. Although she was not on par with Lin Caihong, she knew very well that this lady in front of her is not as simple as she looked. She was suddenly cautious about her own dress. This is the best dress she had, yet it can't compare with Lin Caihong's dress.

Some of the family around them can't help to look at this group and wonder which person this family belongs to. Jian Kang Lu's family is too dazzling while Bai Yutang's family looked similar to them. The contrast is too high, so they thought this family had different people graduate.

Lu Hua's parents are more fluent with words compared to Bai Haoran's father or Bai Yutang's uncle. They do the most talk. Jian Shen accommodates them, while Bai Yuren keeps staring at Lin Caihong. Lu Hua nudged her daughter's, signalling her that it was impolite to stare at people like that.

Lin Caihong herself seems to be aware. "You must be Yutang's sister. Bai Yuren, right?" She smiled and looked at this young girl who kept staring at her.

Bai Yuren wasn't embarrassed, she bluntly asked, "Your dress and your earring is so pretty, auntie."

Lu Hua frowned, but Lin Caihong laughed and seems don't mind. "I heard from Yutang that you will stay here for your holiday, right? If you like, accompany auntie to this brand's lunch party next week."

Bai Yuren's eyes lightened and nodded vigorously. She never comes to this kind of event and she is curious. "What brand is your dress, auntie. It must be expensive." Lu Hua herself is embarrassed to hear her daughter's impolite comment, but she can't scold her daughter in front of these people.

"C brand. Come with me next week. I usually go alone since there's no one in my family who wants to accompany me. It's good to have a beautiful young lady accompany me."

All of them knew the C brand was expensive, but they didn't know how expensive it was. Bai Yuren still remembers at this moment she was so naive to think that she wanted to ask her brother to get this dress for her birthday next month. How could she guess a simple dress like this equal with her two years tuition fee.

Jian Kang Lu then reminds Lu Hua to come inside the hall. Their invitation is in Jian Kang Lu's hand. They said goodbye to the group and went inside.

When they sit together, Jian Kang Lu politely chats to his future mother in law. It was kinda ironic to remember that his age gap with his kitten is even wider compared to his age gap with Lu Hua. He should call Lu Hua Jie Jie if remember their age gap is only 9 years apart.

Soon the lights in the hall dimmed and the opening procession started. The opening ceremony is short, because the main event's purpose of calling the graduate name one by one to the stage to receive their diploma while their biodata and parent's photo is displayed on the big screen, will take hours to finish.

It took two hours for them to listen to the name one by one until it was Bai Yutang's turn. Jian Kang Lu felt his heart tightened to see his kitten walk steadily with a thin smile plastered on his face. His kitten's white jade face is calm, his phoenix eyes squinted a bit when he looks at both of them and his smile widened before he climbs the stage.

Jian Kang Lu heard Lu Hua sobbed on his side. This is an event that specifically makes every parent touched. Jian Kang Lu understood that part well. Even himself feels so many emotions swirling inside now.

Happiness, for his kitten finally achieved one of his dreams.

Proud, for his kitten's struggle yet finally managed to pass with flying colors.

Regret, for his father in law didn't have an opportunity to watch his son in his proudest day.

Jian Kang Lu reached his handkerchief and gently handed it over to Lu Hua. She thanked him, yet her tears can't stop falling in her cheek. The fine lines in her face deepened when she cried.

Bai Yutang smiled at them once again before he left the stage. Soon he was replaced with the next graduate. 

Lu Hua's voice was breaking apart. "I wish for my husband to be here.." She can't help to say it, let her grieve out of her chest.

Jian Kang Lu didn't know what he should do, in the end he patted Lu Hua's hand gently. "I'm sure he watched TangTang from above."

Lu Hua still sobbed, her voice soft and hoarse. "My TangTang is so pitiful. I'm such a useless mother. I should take care of him in his father's place. But I'm not capable, and I let my son work hard, burdened with me." 

She knew she was not supposed to say this to Jian Kang Lu, embarrassed herself like this in front of this younger man. "Thank you, for taking care of my TangTang. I know you help to support him. Thank you.. I can't repay your kindness. I just hope that we could help you also someday if you need our help."

Jian Kang Lu is uncomfortable, for he didn't know whether Lu Hua would still say thank you once she knew that he slept with her son. His heart conflicted, thus he said nothing, it was just his hands that kept moving in small movements, patting that once delicate hand who was now aging fast due to working in the kitchen. 

Only Jian Kang Lu knows how much he wants to assure his future mother in law that he did that because he cared about his son, and Lu Hua shouldn't feel burdened with that. But he can't find his voice nor the right words. He only prays that his future mother in law won't hate him, nor be sad because of him one day.