The Stars In Your Eyes - Chapter 204

Jian Kang Lu finished his tofu soup. His mug on the side of the plate still releases a thin fog steam from his black coffee. He had not taken a bath yet as usual, and his kitten had already finished his water, took the empty plate and glasses to wash it in the sink.

“Baby, just leave it there, i’ll wash it later.” Jian Kang Lu understands his kitten’s nervousness on his first day at work.

“It didn’t even take 5 minutes, gege. It’s okay.” Bai Yutang was not in a hurry. The new office was not far away from their apartment, but because of the traffic jam it will take around 1 hour to reach there by bus.

Once Bai Yutang finished, he took his wool coat and his lover put the shawl on his neck. Wrapped it tightly like a rice dumpling. With a light peck on his lips and his forehead, his lover sent him to go..

Bai Yutang still refuses his lover’s persistent offer to buy a new car for him. The latest trick was that his lover said he wanted to buy a new car since his car is already 6 years old.

“But I feel reluctant to sell this car, it has so many memories about us. How about you use this car and i’ll use the new one?” His lover casually said.

Bai Yutang might easily be bullied by Jian Kang Lu, but his stubbornness is really on a whole different level. Bai Yutang already compromised and let his lover buy many small things for him, but car and house is his bottom line. He wants to buy it with his own money. So he still rejects his lover’s offer.

Luckily male clothing is not as flashy as female clothing. Even though the majority of Bai Yutang’s clothes were from expensive brands, it didn’t stand out even though he rode the bus. Most of all, it only increases his attractiveness one or two levels. But of course Bai Yutang doesn’t have guts to wear the clothes his mother in law bought for him.

He was not that crazy to wear clothes worth 100.000 yuan from head to toe and riding the bus. Who could guarantee that someone won’t spill their drinks in the bus?

Bai Yutang got down from the bus, this morning it only took 30 minutes from their apartment. Now it is still 20 minutes before 8 o’clock, and the bus station is only a few meters from the office building.

Bai Yutang reached the 15th floor 10 minutes before 8 o’clock. He is still using the guest card and walks to the C company receptionist. The young lady working there greeted him with a smile.

“Bai Yutang, right? Welcome to C company! I think Ms. Fei is not here yet, neither Mr. Gu Jianyu or Mrs. Zhu Ying. You can sit over there first.”

Bai Yutang returned the warm greeting and sat on the sofa. Patiently waiting for the HR to take care of him. He didn’t wait for long, only around 10 minutes and Fei Liu fetched him.

Just like his first day at the F firm, the HR took him to her desk, gave him his ID card and computer ID, as well as a temporary password. She took 15 minutes to explain their user interface, where Bai Yutang could see his scanned contract, employee’s benefit and other things there. All of it in English.

Since C companies are foreign based companies, their rules all over the world are similar, and all written in English. That’s why they conduct their interview in Chinese and English. They also will handle foreign clients, and also report to their regional director, as well as to the headquarter.

Fei Liu showed him to his cubicle and his computer, and also introduced him to his team mate. There are 25 people in his team, varying from architect to client manager. Bai Yutang is the 26th. There are two teams in the B city, with overall employees around 150 people. C companies also have other branches in several big cities in China, such as S city and C city.

Bai Yutang was overwhelmed to see this many people, he won’t remember all of their names on this first day. They look at him with a warm attitude, and Bai Yutang anxiously waits for Gu Jianyu and Zhu Ying to take care of him.

Around 8.30 Gu Jianyu arrived and saw Bai Yutang already in his cubicle. As his direct superior, Gu Jianyu put his bag on his office and fetched Bai Yutang.

“Bai Yutang? Let me introduce you directly to the team. You will take care of the main architecture design with Tan Yiming, Qi Xiuyuan, Huang Shi, and Xiang Cai. They will explain it later to you. Xiang Cai will take you around the office after this, come to my office first.”

Bai Yutang stood up and followed Gu Jianyu to his office.

“I expect you to familiarise yourself within the first week. My team is responsible for offices and warehouses, while the other team is responsible for residential and apartment. Right now we’re in the middle of renovating two offices, so you will also need to listen to Zhu Ying also. She is responsible for the interior design. After one week, I’ll assign you to handle the E building with Huang Shi and Xiang Cai. You also need to work later with the client manager, and we also hired two architecture firms to work with us on this project.”

Bai Yutang tried to cram all this information into his brain. He only listens to Gu Jianyu and nods his head several times.

Once finished, Gu Jianyu asked, “Do you have any questions?”

“Not at this time, Mr. Gu. Thank you for trusting me, I hope I can meet your expectation.” Bai Yutang said.

Gu Jianyu didn’t waste his time and sent him to Xiang Cai. He has a meeting at 10 o’clock and he still needs to do the last preparations to go.

Xiang Cai is a 26 year old chubby man, the same age as Bai Yutang. He was a little bit short, wearing glasses, but very stylish. He wears a light yellow shirt and dark blue sweater on top of it. His smile was wide, and looked like your usual class clown.

Xiang Cai comes from B city and graduated from B university. After introducing himself, Xiang Cai asked the usual question to  Bai Yutang. Name, alma mater, age, the same routine. Bai Yutang still has trauma regarding Zhong Fan’s case, but he tried to smile and answer all questions with sincerity.

‘Not everyone is the same. This is a new place, not F firm.’ Bai Yutang silently told himself.

Just like his first day in the F firm, Xiang Cai as the most junior member in architect team take him around and introduce him.

“26 years old? Why did he look younger than you, Xiang Cai?” The girls in the finance department teased Xiang Cai.

“I know what you wicked girls are thinking about. Don’t be fooled by them, Bai Yutang. They are the girls who only look at the number at your bank account.” Xiang Cai retorted back.

“Of course we look at the number in the bank account. If not, how do you think you get your salary each month? Or you want us to miss your bank account number this month?” The girls fiercely strike back.

“Oh beautiful Ling Jie! Is that new earrings? So pretty!” Xiang Cai shamelessly lowered himself and flattered these girls.

Once they walked out from the finance office, Xiang Cai whispered, “Be careful with them. Really, the fiercest girls are those who work in finance. Don’t be fooled with their flashy makeup and tight mini skirt!”

Bai Yutang smiled and followed Xiang Cai around. He also listened to Xiang Cai’s explanation on how they will work in this office, including the project they handled. Bai Yutang, as usual, recorded it on his handphone.

Bai Yutang explained before Xiang Cai suspected him, “This is my habit. Later I’ll list the important notes and ask you again if I find something I don’t understand.”

Xiang Cai laughed, “I thought you like my voice that much.”

At noon, Huang Shi and Xiang Cai took him to have lunch together at the Japanese restaurant near the office. After all, the three of them will work together, while Tan Yiming and Qi Xiuyuan will have after lunch meeting.

“So, I didn’t see the ring on your finger. Still single?” Huang Shi asked him. Huang Shi is a short skinny 31 year old woman with one son. She had worked in the C company for 4 years. She came from S city, and stayed in B city to follow her husband.

“I have a boyfriend, Mrs. Huang.” Bai Yutang answered. He thought about it, and still thought the best way to beat all those rumors is to come clean at first. No matter what the aftermath, at most it will be similar to what he experienced in F firm.

The chopstick on Xiang Cai’s hand fell to the floor, while Huang Shi foolishly opened her mouth and stared at Bai Yutang.

When she gained her soul back and made sure she didn’t hear it wrong, she said, “Well, at least you’re not single like Xiang Cai.”

“Sister Huang! Rather than you bully me, better you introduce me to beautiful fairies so I could shake my single status off.” Xiang Cai picked the chopstick from the floor and called for the waiter to give him a new chopstick.

“Your boyfriend is an architect too?” Huang Shi asked. Just like doctors, many architects married their peers. Maybe because they spent too many times doing their tasks at the dorm and university, not having much free time to flirt with other department’s students.

“No, he’s a doctor.” Bai Yutang said calmly.

“Ahahaha, Mr. Gu didn’t have a chance to shake his single status either. Are you sure you’re not interested with Mr. Gu?” Xiang Cai laughed.

Bai Yutang looked at Xiang Cai. It seems, everyone also knows that Gu Jianyu is cutsleeve. Deep down, Bai Yutang was relieved. It seems this office really won’t look down on people like them.

“Xiang Cai, you’re being rude! Besides, our office has a policy not to date your colleagues.” Even though Huang Shi said that, she also laughed together with Xiang Cai.

She then held her laugh and told Bai Yutang, “Ah, sorry, no offence. Gu Jianyu is handsome. A lot of our clients and vendors are interested in him, but since he’s a cutsleeve, the market is narrowed down. He always asks us to introduce him to a nice man to shake off his single status. I’ve been here for 4 years and he is still single until now.”

Bai Yutang smiled politely. As usual, in times like this, he didn’t give any comment.

“We have a bet, who will get a partner first. That’s why I was surprised to hear you have a boyfriend. If your boyfriend is inferior than Mr. Gu, then I might lose the bet. But he’s a doctor, not bad not bad.” Xiang Cai laughed happily.

“Don’t listen to this crazy guy.” Huang Shi said. She looked at this young man again, and sighed inside.

Honestly, it was not a bad idea to matchmaking these two people. But.. This young man stated he already has a boyfriend. Too bad…