The Stars In Your Eyes

Jian Kang Lu was awakened by his kitten's soft voice whispering in his ear. His kitten's soft lips touch his temples, brush the soft hair near his ear.

"I'm awake, baby.." Jian Kang Lu still closed his eyes, but his hands raised and accurately hugged his kitten's tiny waist and snuggle on his kitten's hips for a while before he finally opened his eyes.

Soft kiss landed on his kitten's lips, and Jian Kang Lu sat on the bed. "I won't get down from this bed if you didn't kiss me back."

Bai Yutang obediently coaxed this childish wolf hiding behind a gentle facade. He will have a job interview at C company later at 9.30, so he really couldn't avoid getting there late. Bai Yutang wants to arrive there at least at 9 o'clock. It was really rude to be late at your job interview..

Jian Kang Lu could smell the butter scent filling their kitchen. Hot white egg coated bread already served in his plate, along with a cup of bircher muesli. Lately his kitten is obsessed with making a healthy non greasy food for them. Last month's obsession was traditional Chinese food.

No matter what his kitten served him, it was truly delicious. Even though his kitten often told him that his taste buds couldn't be trusted, yet all his family admit that his kitten's cooking is truly delicious, and his kitten is definitely too good to be his boyfriend.

"Thank you, baby. Where will you have your interview today? I'll drive you there." Jian Kang Lu received the hot tea his kitten gave him.

His kitten mentioned the building's name. It was in the CBD area, near Jian Kang Se's office building. Jian Kang Lu checked the map, indeed, the building was laid in one area with his brother's office.

Bai Yutang didn't refuse his lover's offer. It was better that he arrived late. He also knew his lover didn't need to arrive in the hospital at a specific time.

Jian Kang Lu dropped him down in the lobby, and kissed his kitten's hand softly before his kitten went down. "Good luck, baby. Let's watch movies later in the afternoon, okay?"

"Thank you, gege." Bai Yutang smiled and left the car.

Bai Yutang walked to the receptionist and stated his purpose: to receive his visitor card and ride the elevator to the 15th floor. He then walks inside the C company's office and reports his arrival to the pretty young receptionist.

The 24 year old receptionist told Bai Yutang to wait on the sofa while she contacted the HR. Even though Bai Yutang arrived earlier than his appointment, the HR responsible for today's interview was free. She greeted Bai Yutang and they went inside the small meeting room.

The HR was a young chubby lady with curly hair, very friendly. Bai Yutang relaxed for a while before the HR switch to interview him in English. Bai Yutang's english was not at the same level as Jian Kang Lu, but since their visit to Boston last time, Bai Yutang often practiced his English to improve his own capability.

How could he face his lover's family if he didn't study well? All of them could speak English fluently, even Jian Kang Se and Fang Ming Le could speak a little bit Japanese and French.

Nevertheless, Bai Yutang was not really confident, but he tried to answer each question well. He was not in a hurry, and tried to deliver his answer in a clear English pronunciation even though his accent was still very far from his lover's family.

After 30 minutes, the HR told him that she will give him news maximum in the next 5 days, to tell him whether he passed the first interview or not.

To ensure fairness in the job interview process, C companies conduct minimal 2 stages of interview. First by the HR to assess basic personality and abilities of new hires. The next is the user's (direct superior) turn to interview the new hire. Rarely they conduct a third interview, if the HR and the user were in conflict to decide which applicant is the best to hire.

Bai Yutang spent the next 3 days anxiously looking at his phone, before he got an email from the C company, telling him that he passed the first interview. 

Actually Bai Yutang already had two interviews before this in two different firms. But the firm is small and they only offer Bai Yutang to be a contract worker with less than 5000 yuan salary. His friends told him to not accept it, it was beneath his standard. 

His previous salary in the F firm was already 8000 yuan per month. With bonuses, Bai Yutang actually has an 11.000 yuan salary per month on average.

When Bai Yutang scheduled his second stage interview, the user told him that they have free time in the afternoon, Bai Yutang immediately agreed, and rode a taxi to the C company once again.

Bai Yutang once again waits on the sofa in the C company lobby before two people approach him.

"Bai Yutang?"

Bai Yutang stood up and raised his hands to accept the handshake offered by these two people. They are one woman and one man. 

The woman is wearing tight black jeans and loose grey sweater, long earrings hanging in her ear, her brown hair is shoulder length, and her lips are bright red. The man was as tall as Bai Yutang, wearing a dark grey long sleeve shirt with a black semi formal jacket with small silver buttons on the sleeves. Both of them were very attractive.

Three of them went inside the same small meeting room, and the two users threw casual questions to Bai Yutang. Just like the first interview, once the situation is relaxed, the questions gradually change into serious questions and are asked in English.

Bai Yutang already searched for this company's information so he answered word by word when the woman asked him, does he know what company this is? They were chuckled to realise Bai Yutang's answer comes from the company profile in their website.

The interview lasted for almost 40 minutes. One of the questions thrown is how much Bai Yutang expects to be paid. Bai Yutang remembered the tips and tricks from Fan Mingle, and told them he expected to receive a take home pay salary of 20.000 yuan per month. 

The users didn't answer nor bargain his expected salary. Bai Yutang was actually anxious, how if they crossed his name because he demanded a high salary? But Fan Mingle said there was a high possibility they would bargain if his price was too high. And Fan Mingle told him to believe in his own capability, not to sell his labour at a cheap price.

During the conversation, Bai Yutang really liked the way these two people talked. They were clearly very intelligent and also looked very warm. When the users signalling that their interview is almost over, Bai Yutang suddenly has an urge to speak.

He remembers how the situation in the F firm turned into hell for him. He remembers how the kind teammate trash talked him behind his back. He also remembers his deep disappointment with how Mr. Yao, who once taught him with a warm attitude, changed into an unfair superior.

He doesn't want to receive that kind of treatment ever again. But he also can't stop people from talking behind his back. Even though he works in this C company which was not a pure architect firm, he still can't be sure he can avoid the same situation to arise once again.

"Mr. Gu, Ms. Zhu, can I speak about myself a little bit before I leave?"

Gu Jianyu and Zhu Ying raised their head and looked at Bai Yutang. "Please." Gu Jianyu said.

Bai Yutang took a deep breath. "I want to clarify that i'm gay. I assure you it won't interfere with my work, and I will work very hard to meet your expectation if you give me a chance to work here." Bai Yutang looked calm on the outside. 

Inside, he was very nervous, but he thinks he needs to clear cut about himself in the beginning. He doesn't want to hide, or being paranoid about whether his colleague laughed and gossiped behind his back once again.

Both of the users are stunned and stare at him. Bai Yutang's hand was sweating. He sighed inside. If he doesn't get this job, he will search again for others. He believes what his lover said is right. Keep working hard and never give up, in the end all will work well if he keeps doing his best.

Half minutes went in silence before Zhu Ying smiled, "Did you have a boyfriend?"

Bai Yutang slowly nodded. "Yes.."

"Aww too bad!" Zhu Ying slapped the table. "Is he an architect too?" She asked again.

"No, he is a doctor." Bai Yutang answered.

"A doctor? Aaaah.. Too bad Jianyu!! You don't have a chance. Ahahaha!" Zhu Ying laughed.

Gu Jianyu looked at Zhu Ying helplessly. "Don't mind her, Mr. Bai. And don't worry, this company won't look at your sexuality. I'm a gay too. Your sexuality won't affect our assessment, nor will this company make it hard for you."

It's Bai Yutang's turn to be surprised. Aside from his lover's ex boyfriend they met by chance a few years ago, or the feminine guys he met at parties with Lin Caihong, he never met the same comrade. All the people around him are pure straight guys.

He was happy to hear it, and went home with expectation. Now he really wants to work at that place. A company which won't differentiate people just because they were gay. And looking at Gu Jianyu who could manage to become senior architect in that company, he believed he could thrive there as well.

Bai Yutang didn't tell his lover about this, but his lover seems to sense his perkiness.

"Is the company that great? Are you sure you like it even though it was not an architect firm?" Jian Kang Lu asked him.

Bai Yutang was sitting beside his lover, they're in the middle of playing games on Sunday night. "Yes, gege. The office is big, and really good. I searched for the architect who designed it. They're a collaboration of a big Japanese firm with C company in S city. No wonder."

"No worries, you'll definitely nail it, baby." Jian Kang Lu kissed his kitten's temples.

On Monday, Bai Yutang received notification that he was called for the third interview. Once again Bai Yutang went to C company, now in high spirits. It was Gu Jianyu who received him with another middle aged man. The middle aged man is the head HR. 

They made it short and told Bai Yutang that they interested tol hire Bai Yutang, but their offered salary is 18.500 yuan per month with three months probation period. Once he is acknowledged as a full time employee, he will have full benefit and also a raise on his salary based on his performance.

Bai Yutang didn't believe what he heard. He agreed immediately. 18.500 yuan per month already exceeded his expectations. The head HR gave him the contract immediately, and asked Bai Yutang to review his contract carefully. 

Bai Yutang spent 15 minutes reading it carefully, asking for an explanation if he found the part he didn't understand. He wants to make sure he won't be treated unfair again like last time. Once he finished, he signed the contract.

The head HR and Gu Jianyu smiled, told Bai Yutang they expect him to start working on December 1st.

Bai Yutang shook their hands, and then Gu Jianyu sent him to the door. "Welcome to C company, Bai Yutang. We look forward to working with you."