The Stars In Your Eyes

The temperature outside showed 10 degree celsius, but today's wind was quite chilly. Most of the people that walked this morning to the subway were wearing their overcoats and hats to shield them from the harsh wind. Spring has not yet come.

March in B city is always cold. But after the harsh winter, the faint spring sun welcomed by the people stays here. At least their hands could be free from that thick gloves and jacket. Earth starts to show signs they will be blooming soon.

It's been two weeks since Bai Yutang started his semester. Because he was absent last semester, most of his class is different from his friends. He took more subjects this term, and he is determined to catch up. But the consequences of his decision is he's going to be very busy.

Bai Yutang already talked to his lover about this, and his lover said that if he really wants to do it, then he can try.. People won't know what they are capable of if they never try. If this semester is too hard, then next time he could take a standard portion that is reasonable for him.

This two week Bai Yutang thinks that he still can handle it. But he knows that every semester's beginning is just the introduction, and later he will be super busy when the project task begins to distribute and needs to be presented.

Every morning he wakes up at 4 am, made breakfast for his lover. Then he will wake his lover to have breakfast together. After that he will kiss his lover goodbye and leave the apartment before 6.30 am. He learned from his past mistakes that if he left the apartment more than that hour, he would be late for the 8 am class.

He had class from Monday to Friday. When he has free time on the subway or in the bus, he will read or listen to his lecture's recording. He learned this technique from his lover. That way, he could spend more of his free time with his lover and didn't disturb his study.

When he was back from W city two weeks ago, his lover picked him up at the airport and gave him a new handphone as a gift. The phone is the latest edition from the expensive brand, with the highest storage. The phone also comes with a luxurious brown leather case, with his name and number 15 engraved.

Bai Yutang was speechless when he received that phone in the car. He could only say, "Gege, do you plan to give me something every 15th each month?"

His lover was just smiling at him. That smile is a clear answer. So Bai Yutang asked again, "Then why do I receive two gifts this month? Does that mean next month i'll receive three gifts?"

His lover laughed and said that both the handphone and the casing is the anniversary and valentine gift. That's why he chose brown colour for the casing. He didn't give any chocolate or flowers. He just gives something that will be useful for him.

His lover said that he noticed Bai Yutang's phone was the series released three years ago. New application will soon be too hard for his phone. And this new phone could be used as a recorder and e-book reader. So it will help his study too.

Bai Yutang knew that deep inside he was happy to receive this gift. What his lover said is true. As any young man his age, they all love gadgets. He was also touched that his lover thought about his study and supported him with anything he needed.

But.. Last month was an expensive watch. This month is an expensive phone and case. What will his lover give him next month???

Thus he said, "Thank you, Gege.. I love this gift so much. But i don't need to receive these kinds of things every month. If you really need to give me something, can you give me just a simple gift that is not expensive?"

His lover just stroked his hair softly. "It's good if you like it. Don't worry, i'll just give you something that you need."

And Bai Yutang had to admit, this phone really became something that useful for him. His lover also set his ID in the phone as a family group with his lover ID. That way, every expense for application and anything else should be charged to his lover.

When Bai Yutang wanted to refuse, his lover said, "But TangTang, this way is saving more. Lots of applications support family functions. So with just one payment, both of us could enjoy the same benefit."

And that's true. Music and movie applications support this family function, as well as some office applications. Bai Yutang really hated himself, why he could never win any argument with this man.

What Bai Yutang didn't know, with this family function, there's an application to track and show the location for both of them. This way, Jian Kang Lu will always know wherever his kitten is. At least, wherever his handphone is located.

Those two months without knowing where his kitten was really gave a deep trauma for Jian Kang Lu. But he also set that function in case anything happened to his kitten, or if his phone was stolen. The tracking app allows the phone to lock remotely and give an alarm voice.

Jian Kang Lu keeps repeating those reasonable excuses in his mind, he refuses to admit that he was obsessed with his kitten to the point he wants to stalk his kitten through a phone application.

Every morning when Bai Yutang arrives at his campus he texts his lover, told him that he has already arrived. At first he text because his lover asked. But lately it has become a habit for him. Today is Wednesday. His lover just replied shortly.

[I'm already in the hospital, i'll pick you up later.]

Every Wednesday, his lover will pick him up. Because Bai Yutang refused to take a taxi every time he went out. His lover told him to ride a taxi rather than public transportation like a bus or subway. It was more comfortable, safer, and allowed him to rest well along the road.

After debating for a while, his lover even said at the first time he wanted to buy another car and hire a driver for him. And his lover said that he already compromised with the taxi option. His lover said he was uneasy to think that Bai Yutang needs to take public transportation everyday.

Bai Yutang sternly rejected that idea. He said that if it was raining or he was too tired, then he would take a taxi. Bai Yutang gave Jiang Kang Lu examples of how millions of students in this country safely took public transportation everyday.

He ignored that puppy eyes and pleading voice. Bai Yutang really can't understand this man. It's okay to pamper him, but not this much.

"Then, i will pick you up every Wednesday." His lover finally said in a weak voice, try to give him the last offer. Bai Yutang knows the only way for him to win arguments with this man is to settle with a more reasonable request, or else the consequences will be too great.

Bai Yutang knows this man well. He was not joking when he said he wanted to buy another car and hire a driver. It's just too much! He applied for a scholarship. Who on earth will apply for a scholarship then show up on campus with a car and private driver???

And Bai Yutang knew if he said these lines to this man, his lover would nonchalantly reply, "Then don't apply for scholarship, i can still pay for your tuition." 

That's why Bai Yutang just kept that in his mind and just settled with that Wednesday pick up.

Most of the lunch time will be spent with his friends in the cafeteria. Even though he missed having classes with them, to spend lunch time together is also good.

"TangTang, I notice that your watch is really nice. Is that new?" Tang Yuxuan asked him when they lined up for the food.

"Mmm.. It's a gift." Bai Yutang answered. He didn't want to wear this watch to campus, because it was too eye catching. But yesterday his lover asked him whether he didn't like his gift because he never saw Bai Yutang wear it lately.

Bai Yutang is afraid that if he answers this watch is too eye-catching or too expensive, his lover will give him a non eye catching watch with the same expensive price. Or even more expensive. That's why he just surrendered and wore the watch.

Liu Xiang showed up from behind and asked him, "From Jian Ge?"

Bai Yutang can only respond shortly with an "En."

Tang Yuxuan looked at him with disbelief. "Your new handphone was a gift from him, and this watch too?"

Bai Yutang nods, and nudges Tang Yuxuan's shoulder, "Hurry, the one in front of you has already walked away."

Three of them sit at the table. Yu Dong, Mu Xiaoya, and Ling Yue already sit there. Lately their lunch that consisted of four people turned into six or seven people. Mu Xiaoya also has another best friend, but she often eats with her boyfriend too. So usually only Mu Xiaoya and Ling Yue join them to have lunch together.

Tang Yuxuan still doesn't give up, "I know this brand, it's expensive. Even more expensive than your phone. Why did Jian Ge give all those things to you?"

Bai Yutang's a little bit embarrassed. With Mu Xiaoya here, he knows that the girl must be listening to this conversation with all her might.

"This humble slave also doesn't know why. But Jian Ge is rich. Jian Ge just said that these will be useful for me. And he was right." Bai Yutang answers Tang Yuxuang in the most casual tone.

Liu Xiang elbowed Tang Yuxuan, "Daddy jealous? Want to ask Jian Ge to buy that watch for you too?"

Tang Yuxuan elbowed him back, "Daddy not sour! Just asking!"

Liu Xiang chuckled, and looked at Bai Yutang, "But this wife is jealous. If Jian Ge doesn't know where to spend his money, just put my name on the list. This wife will happily receive all his kindness."

Bai Yutang nods, "This humble slave will tell the master later."

This is the reason why he doesn't want to receive expensive things from his lover. It will raise too many questions. And it will make him look like he just used Jian Kang Lu because he was rich. And the other thing, he also doesn't like when Liu Xiang jokes like that.

Bai Yutang knows, if he said that Jian Kang Lu is his lover, all this joke and question won't be raised. But, he was still not ready to tell his friends. He just wants to focus and finish his study as soon as possible. So he could be independent and one step to equally stand beside his lover.

And also.. He didn't think it was necessary to announce that he was having gay relationship to his friends. Because he was still not sure about himself. Bai Yutang knew his lover had relationships before, either with women or men.

But Bai Yutang has never been interested in men before. Jian Kang Lu is the first. And he didn't think he would fall for a man again beside Jian Kang Lu. Bai Yutang remember what Mu Xiaoya said, maybe he was not gay. But he can have same sex relationship if it was with Jian Kang Lu.

Bai Yutang also remembered what Jian Kang Lu said, stigma is a frightening thing. We'll never know what will happen in the future. So what if someday Jian Kang Lu left him and people already brand him as a gay?

Bai Yutang didn't mind if people around Jian Kang Lu knew about them. And if someday he was ready, maybe he will tell his friends. But.. Not now.

Yu Dong noticed the watch that Tang Yuxuan talked about. "I know this brand. This really a good one, accurate and durable. And it was not that expensive for Jian Ge. Remember, he always took us to fancy and expensive restaurants."

Liu Xiang raised his chopstick, "True! Ahh.. I missed having dinner with Jian Ge. Dinner with him is the best food this wife ever tasted. TangTang, did you eat those kinds of dinner everyday with Jian Ge?"

All his friends know that he didn't apply to stay in the dorm again and just leech on Jian Kang Lu, stay at his apartment for free. Bai Yutang shook his head, "Rarely. I usually cook for breakfast and dinner."

All of them heard those sentences dumbfounded. Tang Yuxuan is the first one to respond, "Cook? You cook by yourself?"

Bai Yutang nodded. Inside he was thinking, better to tell them about this. There's nothing wrong with cooking for Jian Kang Lu. "I was there for free. I can't do anything else, even for cleaning the apartment. Jian Ge hired a cleaning company. So rather than burden him more if we order food every time, or eat outside, I cooked."

Liu Xiang looked at him with disbelief, "Husband, this wife has tasted your cooking before. It was not bad, but are you saying that Jian Ge is willing to eat your cooking everyday? Are you sure?"

Bai Yutang defended himself, "This humble slave was doing nothing last semester. My skill improved so much. If you don't believe me, this humble slave will bring some for young lords to taste tomorrow."

Liu Xiang waved his chopstick again. "Then why have you never brought your cooking before in the past two weeks? Beside, no matter how your skill improves, this wife believes it won't beat that Japanese restaurant we went to last time with Jian Ge."

Actually Bai Yutang brought a lunch box on his first day, but that time he was busy and didn't have time to eat with his friends. Then at night, his lover say to him that if he was busy or tired, he doesn't need to cook too much in the morning.

Bai Yutang was almost late for his first day. He knows he won't have much time if he had to cook for breakfast and lunch. But to remember his lover always looks happy when he eats the dishes he made, his heart heavy if he doesn't cook. That's the only thing he thought he could do to show his love to the man he loved so much.

Thus Bai Yutang said that just for simple breakfast, he still can do it. It's just rice and egg, or fried rice, or egg toast. He also makes fruit and vegetable juice to balance the nutrition in that simple breakfast. Since then, Jian Kang Lu and Bai Yutang have never brought lunch boxes again.

"I need time to prepare, and i don't have much time in the morning. But if you guys don't believe in this humble slave's ability, I'll try to make some for you tomorrow morning and bring it at lunch."

Tang Yuxuan was still looking at him with a weird face. "Okay, let us taste your cook tomorrow."

Mu Xiaoya looked at him and smiled with a bright eyes, "I really admire a man who can cook. No wonder Jian Ge gave you that watch. To have a T university student cooking for you is really something that can't be valued with money."

Ling Yue also nodded, and both of them chatted and told these guys about the charm of the man who can cook, or at least want to cook. Both of them also admit that as a girl, they can't cook. 

These days, girls aren't taught to cook. Their parents taught them to study smart so they can have a good job and can hire someone to cook for them. That's why, to have someone want to cook for you, is really charming.

Yu Dong looks at Bai Yutang in horror, his face looks like saying, 'Why do you have to say that in front of Xiaoya? I can't cook at all!!!'

Bai Yutang speechless with Yu Dong's face. He knows what that bright eyes in Mu Xiaoya face means. It was not admiring a man who can cook. She just rejoiced to hear about the daily life of her favourite couple.