The Stars In Your Eyes

Bai Yutang understands well what his grandmother worried for. He once felt this kind of feeling too when he went for dinner at Il Mare with Jian Kang Lu for the first time. But at that time, it was only both of them, and Bai Yutang himself in a position of having financial protection from his father. 

This time, it was different for his grandparents. Bai Yutang wrote a note for himself to order something easy to eat for his grandparents. He remembered this restaurant's specialty is suitable for their palate, not too western, and did not require table manners.

But when they sit down in the chair, Bai Yutang clearly underestimates Lin Caihong's ability as one of the prominent socialites in this capital. The food has been ordered before since their Jujube roasted peking duck need to be reserved before to ensure their availability. For today's event, the main chef who created this signature peking duck which was awarded best peking duck in the whole city for three years in a row, cooked the duck by himself.

The only thing not yet ordered was only the beverages. The waiter and waitress attend to note their choices. Their suggestion for beverage is their famous oolong tea.. The tea was infused with lychee, mint, lemon, and came with a separate small bowl of honey for people who like sweetened tea.

Lin Caihong told these people what she ordered for lunch, asking whether they want to order some more. These people shook their heads. Bai Yutang was surprised to see the line of the ordered menu. They were all traditional Chinese menus, easy to eat, suitable for elderly, and most of them were the food his grandparents liked to eat.

What Bai Yutang didn't know, Lin Caihong already asked Jian Kang Lu about Bai Yutang's family preference food. Their food allergies, their dislikes, etc. Jian Kang Lu didn't ask his kitten, but asked Bai Yuren directly. That was the fastest way to get the most honest answer. Bai Yuren happily listed all their favourite menu items.

Some of the menu Bai Yuren listed is not in the menu, but Lin Caihong asked the chef to cook it for her, such as the beer braised duck and the eight season steamed fish.

When the dimsum comes as the appetiser, Bai Yuren keeps appraising them as the best dimsum she ever tasted. No wonder, the chef responsible for the dimsum is famous for his traditional yet exquisite dimsum. The classic steamed dumpling is filled with a big chunk of sweet prawn, while the authentic prawn Har Gow is wrapped in translucent dough revealing the beautiful pink of the meat.

Lu Hua agreed, this peking duck delivered to her plate was the best peking duck she ever tasted. The restaurant in this hotel uses a 148 year old traditional brick oven roasting method fired with hardwood from jujube trees. The meticulously air dried and skilfully prepared duck is artfully roasted to perfection. When the sweet hoisin sauce spreads over the steamed pancake, the crunchy and appealing duck skin rolled inside with cucumber and spring onion will melted in the mouth with a great firm texture contrast.

Lin Caihong ordered the nutritious soup called Buddha Jumps over the Wall. The name comes from the story that exaggerated the delicious taste of this soup which made the vegetarian Buddha jump over the wall to try it. It contains abalone, dried scallop, sea cucumber, fish maw, and shiitake mushrooms. The flavour is rich and exotic, boosting health level and strengthening body systems.

What made Lu Hua and his mother stunned was when they tasted the instant pot braised beef tasted similar to what they usually made. The difference is just there is some red wine scent that comes from the beef, and they are paired with mashed potato instead of rice.

Bai Yutang is also curious, even though this braised beef was so tender and very fragrant, but he could taste this is not the menu provided in this restaurant.

Jian Kang Lu tasted it, and he seriously said to Lu Hua, "Auntie, yours is still the best."

Lu Hua looked at Jian Kang Lu with a question. Bai Yuren tasted it too, and she followed Jian Kang Lu, "I think this is better than my mom's."

Lin Caihong smiled and she told Lu Hua, "Ah Lu told me that your instant pot braised beef is very delicious. It will be difficult for me to taste it, so I shamelessly ask my son to request Yutang for your braised beef's recipe. I can't cook, so I made the chef cook for me. I'm sure Ah Lu said correctly, this braised beef must be inferior compared to yours. I hope someday we can visit your hometown and taste the original instant pot braised beef of yours."

Lu Hua and her mother were taken aback. These Jian families, why does it seem that they want to be close to them? This level of treatment is not a regular treatment of acquittances. They know their Yutang is exceptional, but what of him makes these Jian family treat them like they're honoured guest. Honestly, for Lu Hua, she admits this braised beef tastes better compared to her own cooking.

"Thank you for your compliment, but I have to admit my braised beef was no better compared to this one. I'm worried you will be disappointed if you taste it someday." Lu Hua said with a polite smile.

"No no, I trust my son's taste buds. We plan to visit W city this year. I hope we can meet your family again over there, and hope to taste your famous braised beef." Lin Caihong replied swiftly.

"Please contact us if you come to W city, I'll make sure to become a proper host that time. I can't even repay your kindness to my son with that."

Bai Yutang only watches this courtesy conversation in silence. He admires his future in law's effort paving the way for him and his lover's relationship. His heart was warm, determined to be the best son in law for them. 

He remembers his work mates telling horrible stories about their in-laws. When other in laws kept fighting and said negative things behind their back, his in laws were excellent. 

The lunch extends for for more than 100 minutes, and when the dessert came, they leisurely chat with each other.

Bai Yutang's grandmother suddenly lamented, "I thought all B city native is looking down on us from rural areas, but knowing all of you changes my mind. I was worried our Yutang can't live well here, far from his family. But now I can let my mind in peace, for Yutang is treated very well here."

Lin Caihong smiled, "Rest assured, auntie. I regard Yutang as my own son, it's our luck to know him. We'll visit you often too. It's our pleasure if you could regard us as your family too."

The women chat about Bai Yutang's childhood, leaving the main star of this event turned red from his embarrassment. His lover didn't help him at all, he kept asking Lu Hua and his grandmother about Bai Yutang's achievement and his mild demeanour when he was a little boy. 

Lin Caihong compares him to the naughty Jian Kang Lu when he was a child, and they laugh at each other for the embarrassing story of Jian Kang Lu's story when he was in junior high school.

At that time, Jian Kang Lu was still the top student, but always brought headaches to the teachers. He read comics in the class, he caught playing cards with his friends, leading the teacher to call the parents for fear these students would learn gambling from card games.

Jian Kang Lu defended himself, "It was only the teacher's narrow mind for him not knowing about the bridge. Even this kind of card game was competed in international sports events."

Lin Caihong raised both of her hands, "Can you understand what i said previously? Sometimes it was not good to have this kind of son? I still remember I had to bow my head repeatedly because my son refused to acknowledge his fault. He even wants to teach the teacher how to play bridge and list the names of famous bridge's player."

Jian Kang Lu still does not give up, "If only the teacher wants to read international news. Bridge and chess are the only two mind sports recognised in the world."

None of these people are familiar with the bridge card game, so they can't say much and only can see these pairs of son and mother bickering about that game. And somehow, these people could see Lin Caihong's suffering. It was hard to educate a son who was smarter than you.

Jian Shen experienced letting his son argue with his mother. He didn't want to dive in this difficult to win conversation. He turns and talks about trading and business to Bai Yutang's uncle. It turns out Bai Yutang's uncle was interested in trading but didn't know where to learn about it. Jian Shen told him that he knows several people in W city who open a short course of trading principal, and offer Bai Yutang's uncle to learn there if he wants.

"Trading is something we all can learn. It was true not everyone could play with it, but at least it could be our foundation for choosing a wise investment." Jian Shen told Bai Yutang's uncle.

Bai Yutang's uncle was really interested in it, he had heard stories about people who become rich after learning it. Even though he didn't have capital to buy stocks, nevertheless, everyone with his economic condition always dreamt of a way to become rich with small effort from home.

In actual life, it was very risky for people to play with the stock market. But Jian Shen is willing to help Bai Yutang's family if they really want to learn trading. After all, this is his strong point to earn money, and he was very good at it.

It was almost 3 o'clock when they finally finished lunch. Jian Kang Lu and his family opened bottles of mild liquor and toast for Bai Yutang's graduation.

"For Bai Yutang, and his bright future ahead!" Lin Caihong toasted, followed by the others. They already chat and laugh for this whole day, the lunch is great, and the liquor is even greater. More than 30 minutes later they had already finished the 5 liquor bottles and prepared to go home with a happy mood. 

Bai Yutang's family will be going back home tomorrow morning, so they want to get some rest today before packing their luggage. Bai Yutang and his family keep saying their gratitude when they walk to the lobby before saying goodbye.

In the car, Jian Kang Lu chats with Bai Yuren. When they arrived at the hotel, Bai Yutang also went down. He already told his lover that he wants to spend his time with his family today. Jian Kang Lu has agreed and he will have dinner later on with Bai Yutang's family, and later will go back together with his kitten.

Lu Hua standing in the hotel's lobby watching his son and Jian Kang Lu talk in whispers for a while. She was glad that his son had a chance to become a pampered young man, since in their family, Bai Yutang was the one who had to shoulder all their affairs. The one who had to work and pay for their needs, and always shield her and Bai Yuren from all the grieves and suffer.

So it was Jian Kang Lu's turn to be surprised when suddenly Lu Hua held his hand. Her face slightly pale and her eyes rims a little bit red. "Thank you for today."

Jian Kang Lu only smiled and patted her hand, "It was my pleasure, auntie. See you later at night."

Lu Hua didn't say anything. She was not sure Jian Kang Lu heard the meaning of her words. She just hopes Jian Kang Lu someday knows what she wants to say.

'Thank you, for letting us know that my son is appreciated. Thank you, for letting my son know how it feels to have someone care about him. Thank you, for replacing my husband's role today as my son's protector. Thank you, for all you've done to help my son.'