The Stars In Your Eyes

October comes, and soon Bai Yutang faces another crisis in his life. Choosing a birthday present for his lover.

First birthday he doesn't know and missed it. Second birthday he forgot, and his lover came home late so he didn't manage to say happy birthday. Third birthday was successful yet not memorable, since he managed to say it but could only give a pen as a birthday gift. Fourth birthday could be counted as successful, though he gave the wrong gift, but his lover really liked his gift. They often play the card to spice up their bedroom activities. 

The only thing written in the card but not yet tried is bondage play, blindfold play, spanking and kinky things like that. Not because they didn't want to, but since they draw it randomly, somehow their hands never drew that kinky stuff.

Bai Yutang didn't want to give sexual activities as a birthday gift. Their love making is something bound to be natural. If he gave it as a gift, it seems to taint his original intention..

This year, his lover will turn 40. Bai Yutang knows his lover sometimes felt uncomfortable about their wide age gap. Jian Kang Lu often teases him in bed, saying Bai Yutang is not allowed to find someone else just because his lover is old.

Bai Yutang knows one of his favorite hobbies is travelling. Thus he planned to take two days leave, and have a short vacation with his lover. Unfortunately the construction of their project is still in the early phase. If not, he planned to take four days leave to go somewhere nice. His lover always said he wanted to take Bai Yutang to Japan.

With only two days, he planned to ask his lover where he wanted to go, since if Bai Yutang depended on his own financial ability, he could only spend the holiday at his lover's apartment.

Today Bai Yutang submitted his leave to Mr. Yao as his direct superior. When he filled out the online form and asked Mr. Yao to approve it, Mr. Yao asked him, "What's the occasion? Why do you need two days leave? You know this is a busy time for us, right?"

This is the first time he has submitted his leave, and his other teammates as well as the other people he observed, have never been asked like this. As a full time employee, he allowed for 12 days leave a year. Since he joined in May, he only got 8 days leave for this year, and he never even used it at all.

Bai Yutang wasn't ready to answer that question. He could not answer that he wanted to take two days leave because he wanted to celebrate his lover's birthday. In the end he only answered with short sentences. 

"It was a personal reason, Mr. Yao.."

Yao Mingyu didn't say anything and only looked at this skinny man in front of him. He finally took a deep breath, "I could only approve it for one day."

Bai Yutang felt something heavy suddenly pull the corner of his heart. He was disappointed. All of his team mates have never been asked like this, nor been rejected for asking their right. He could only nod his head and say thank you in a low voice.

Bai Yutang went back to his seat, revised his online leave form, and then closed his eyes. He felt more and more uncomfortable in this office. Mr. Yao used to be very nice, like a big warm senior, guide him, direct him.

But just like the other people in this office who look at him with mocking in their eyes, Mr. Yao lately often criticises his work, and never talks to him in a warm tone again. He doesn't know where he went wrong.

Even though the joy of his work reduced, since he criticised, Bai Yutang tried harder and never slacked around. The funny thing is, all the things he did for his other teammates were praised, while the things he personally did were criticized.

Bai Yutang could be a little bit dense. But after one month receiving this kind of treatment, he knew something was amiss.

Bai Yutang finishes his work at the office as soon as possible, then he goes to the vendor's shop to choose the wood tile. He prefers to work outside now rather than spending his time in the office.

Today is Wednesday, and his lover called him to say he wanted to pick Bai Yutang at the office.

"I'm going outside, gege. To the vendor."

"What time you'll be finished, baby? And where do you go?"

"About two hour? I'm going to S area."

"Do you have to go back to the office?"

"No, I'm going back home straight after I meet the vendor."

"Then wait for me there, i'll pick you up. Send me your address and location once you reach there. Let's have a date tonight."

Bai Yutang smiled, "Okay, gege."

"I miss you, and love you so much."

Bai Yutang looked around, then whispered, "I love you too."

Everyday, his lover always say i love you. Bai Yutang got used to it, until he felt something was wrong with his day if his lover didn't say it.

Bai Yutang tried to brush off his bad mood and get his work done faster. He learns from his lover's attitude, and receiving criticism means we have room to grow. The best way to get over it is to work harder and show them that we are worthy, and want to learn to be better.

It was no use if he whined and complained. It will just show the people who look down upon him that he was worthy of their critics. Bai Yutang doesn't want to satisfy them by slacking himself. The more he receives those judging eyes, the more he works hard.

The only bad thing is, he didn't feel any joy at all. No satisfaction.

It's a good thing his lover always praises him for every single little thing he does. Even helping his lover packing his luggage last time his lover went to Venice, earned him a full day of flowery words.

Bai Yutang smiled to remember his lover called him once he arrived at the hotel. "Why am i so lucky to have a boyfriend like you? I didn't remember to put my electric shaver on, but here I found it packed with my toiletries. Thank you, baby."

Soon Bai Yutang finishes his work and goes to the vendor. He was going with Zhong Fan since the wood tile used will need to match the living room design. Zhong Fan claimed it to be his, so Bai Yutang couldn't say anything when Mr. Yao asked Zhong Fan to supervise the material selection.

They spent the journey in the taxi in silence. Bai Yutang lately getting more and more silent, he didn't talk if not asked. 

Once they arrived, Zhong Fan told him, "I'll let you choose some and just call me later once you are done. I'll supervise you later and choose the final tile." Once he said that, Zhong Fan went inside the building and said no more.

Bai Yutang has been here a few times before, so he didn't need Zhong Fan to introduce him to the vendor. He didn't answer Zhong Fan, but still did the task given to him. He chose three types of wood tile and negotiated the price, pressing it lower. He knows Zhong Fan only wants the final result.

He also sent the address and the location to his lover. Once he was done, he reported his choice to Zhong Fan.

"Hmm.. Which one do you think is the best option?"

Bai Yutang explained the reason he chose these three types of tiles, their strength and their negative point. Then he chose the first tile. A beige brown tile with soft texture. "I think the best option is this woodville natural wood plank, Mr. Zhong. The soft colour will match the overall looks, and expand the visual."

Bai Yutang treats Zhong Fan just like a client. At least this way he won't feel bullied, but learn how to convince his future client.

"Okay then, have you negotiated the price?" Zhong Fan said with a lazy tone.

Bai Yutang told him the price. Then Zhong Fan asked about the glass they will use as walls in the back, facing the garden. Bai Yutang already chose some also, including the folding glass doors.

In the end, it was all using the things Bai Yutang chose. Zhong Fan only asked, let Bai Yutang talk, and then get along with his choice.

Bai Yutang knows this will count as Zhong Fan's choices. He won't mention Bai Yutang's effort at all. 

Bai Yutang told himself over and over again, this is what he gets paid for. To work, give the best result to their client. It doesn't matter about the achievement.

Someday, maybe someday, they will see his hard work today. This won't be a useless experience for him.

Bai Yutang was still grilled by Zhong Fan when Jian Kang Lu arrived. The vendor's store is a big shop. They sold a lot of material for building here. Jian Kang Lu tried to look for some cafe nearby, but he didn't find any. At last he only waited in the car, playing some games on his mobile phone.

For this business matter, the office gave them taxi vouchers or will reimburse their gas cost if they use their own car. Zhong Fan didn't have a car, so they brought two taxi vouchers. One for going, and one for back.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhang. I'll go back straight home after this."

"There is only one voucher." Zhong Fan said.

"Yes, i'm going back by myself, Mr. Zhong." Bai Yutang knows Zhong Fan won't be that kind to give the voucher to him. 

"Okay then." Zhong Fan then called the taxi company, and ordered one taxi to his place.

Bai Yutang already noticed his lover's car. He could see his lover was inside. From where they stand, they couldn't see who's the person inside, since they saw from the back.

Bai Yutang wanted to wait until Zhong Fan went away, but he also felt uncomfortable to stand here in silence.

"You don't call for a taxi? You know the bus didn't pass this street." Zhong Fan looked at him after 5 minutes standing.

Bai Yutang didn't know what to answer. At the same time, his phone rang. It was from his lover. 

Answer or not? Going now or wait? Bai Yutang didn't know. In the end, he answered it. It was not fair for his lover.

"Hello.."

"Baby, I can see you. Are you done? Or do you still need to do something?"

Bai Yutang gave up, it seems he could only walk there to his lover's car. His lover was already tired from work, how could he ask him to wait for some more just because of Zhong Fan?

"No, I'll walk there, gege.."

Bai Yutang excused himself, "Mr. Zhong, my friend picked me up. If you don't mind, i'll leave first."

"Yes, just go. You don't need to wait for me here." Zhong Fan said.

Then Zhong Fan saw Bai Yutang walk toward the car which was parked a few meters from them. Zhong Fan knows the car is already there since the first time they walk out from the store. He smirked when he saw Bai Yutang go inside the passenger side of the car.

It seems the rumours are really true. We truly couldn't judge a person from his looks. Who would have thought that this skinny calm man is a cutsleeve with a bald and old sugar daddy? If his friends didn't tell him, he won't guess any of this at all.