The Swan

On Wednesday, the third week of November, they're going shopping. The weather outside is cold, the trees naked swaying their remaining leaves in the grey mist of incoming winter. The wind breezing, breathing the white display up to the air.

Bai Yutang already gained his weight back, but still a bit skinnier than his original appearance before his father passed away. He tried to dress decently. With this seed growing everyday, he grasps the actual differences between him and the man he holds in his heart.

He was ashamed of himself. How could someone as ordinary as him even have any hope to stand equal with someone like Jian Kang Lu. Bai Yutang chose the light green turtleneck sweater and topped it with his white long sleeve shirt to add more volume in his skinny figure.

He's glad Jian Kang Lu bought him the turquoise cashmere coat. At least that helps his appearance a lot. He saw today Jian Kang Lu also wear the same coat with a dark grey tone. He wears the black long sleeve shirt under and black jeans.

Bai Yutang sighed, no matter what he wore, he could never be compared to this handsome man.

In the shopping mall, they didn't buy a lot of things, Bai Yutang insisted and ignored that pair of puppy eyes pleading when Jian Kang Lu wanted to buy him many things under the pretence "It's cold in Boston." Bai Yutang firmly stated he still have his winter clothes and Jian Kang Lu also bought him many clothes last time.

So Jian Kang Lu reluctantly agreed just to buy a matched shawl and gloves for Bai Yutang and himself. Bai Yutang also rejected Jian Kang Lu's offer to buy him new luggage. Even though his luggage is a bit shabby, the quality is good and he doesn't need a new one.

But Bai Yutang still couldn't win the argument when Jian Kang Lu bought him a new backpack. His backpack was a bit torn when he dragged his backpack everywhere while he was looking for a place to stay months ago.

When Jian Kang Lu excitedly dragged him into the Japanese restaurant in that shopping mall while talking about their trip, Bai Yutang heard a voice from behind them.

"Jian Ge? Is that you?"

That voice made Jian Kang Lu turn his head, and Bai Yutang noticed a slight change in Jian Kang Lu's expression.

"Wu Shen?"

Bai Yutang also turned his head, and saw a very handsome man standing behind them. His soft black hair made his soft white skin jade look shining, with perfect phoenix eyes framed by very long eyelashes. His nose is prominent, and the sensual pink lips under are very enchanting.

This is a type of face that only appears in magazines or television, that will attract both men and women. He's also tall, as tall as Jian Kang Lu. With a slim muscular body, he looks very elegant with that white shirt and black wool long coat.

"This must be fate, I want to contact you lately to discuss something. But I lost your contact. Do you want to eat in this restaurant? Do you mind if i join you?"

This man named Wu Shen also has a voice that sounds very nice to the ear. Not a deep voice, but very pleasant and clear like a blue lake under the spring sun.

Bai Yutang suddenly hates this man, and is glad that Jian Kang Lu still holds his hand all the time. Bai Yutang could see that Wu Shen's eyes were also darting to look at their holding hands.

Jian Kang Lu seems a bit distracted with this man. But he said, "Is it really important? If not, I'll give you my contact. If it was important, then I have to ask my partner whether he minds it or not."

Bai Yutang was instantly happy to hear that line, but he despised the idea of this man to contact and meet Jian Kang Lu without him. He doesn't know why, but he just feels he doesn't like it. So he said hurriedly, "I don't mind, Jian Ge. Is this your friend, then why don't we have dinner together?"

Bai Yutang knows that this man is looking at him closely. Suddenly he hates his own appearance. He looks like an ugly duck if stand side by side with this swan. Even though he already tries to choose his clothes well today, he knows that he still looks very ordinary.

The three of them walked into the restaurant. Bai Yutang notices that Jian Kang Lu is always attentive to him, as if afraid Bai Yutang will feel neglected. Jian Kang Lu also answers this man's questions politely but in short sentences.

Jian Kang Lu only introduced this man as his friends. But Bai Yutang can sense that they're used to being very close, it could be heard from this man's tone every time he calls Jian Kang Lu.

This man just looks at Jian Kang Lu with an eyebrow raised when Jian Kang Lu introduces Bai Yutang to him as a friend. He then said in an amused tone, "A very young and cute friend. I can see that you changed a little bit, Jian Ge."

Jian Kang Lu said with a warning tone, "It's not like what you think, Wu Shen."

This man chuckled and said an amused tone, "Okay okay, i won't tease this cute little boy again. But you should calm down a bit, Jian Ge. This is really not your style."

Jian Kang Lu only stared at him silently. Bai Yutang really didn't like this man. And he also doesn't know why, but when Jian Kang Lu asks him what he wants to eat, he answers Jian Kang Lu with a coquettish voice, "You know what i like, Jian Ge. So you can order for me."

Bai Yutang could see this man raised his eyebrow again to look at Jian Kang Lu and him, and chuckled again

After they ordered, this man said, "Jian Ge, I'll move to England soon. That's why I want to contact you. It's about the store. I want to return it to you."

Jian Kang Lu didn't say anything for a while, but then he said, "It's not necessary. You can do whatever you want with that store."

Bai Yutang saw this man's face become soft, and smiling gently while said in a low voice, "I met someone, Jian Ge. Someone who treats me very well. We'll get married and I'll move to London. I don't need the store anymore. I'll close it and open my own store in London."

He paused for a bit, seeming like reminiscing bittersweet memories. Then he continued, "That store helps me so much. But it was not mine in the beginning. So I just want to return it to you. I think that's the best way to leave my past and welcome my future."

Jian Kang Lu didn't say anything. The table is silent, no one says anything. Occupied with their own mind.

The waiter came to serve the dishes. After saying thank you, Jian Kang Lu's voice heard. It was a soft gentle tone, just like what Bai Yutang heard every time Jian Kang Lu talked to him. "I'm happy for you. If you think that was necessary, then you can proceed with that. Even though I don't need it, I will appreciate your decision."

Bai Yutang didn't like to hear that soft gentle tone. He felt like a black tendrils clenching his heart, and wanted to beg Jian Kang Lu not to use that tone to this man. Bai Yutang just wanted to hear that tone used on him.

Bai Yutang didn't realise that he gripped his chopstick tightly and felt his nails hurt his own hands. He was surprised, and tried to straighten his crooked minds. Suddenly he heard this man's voice again.

"Thank you, Jian Ge. I still need your contact to proceed the deeds. Let's use a realtor to take care of the process. You don't need to do anything."

Then this man turned his head to look at him, "You look so young, are you still studying? Medical faculty?"

Bai Yutang startled, then answered, "Architecture."

"Oh, where did you study?"

"T university."

This man seems amused, "Zhen Ge's junior! You must be a really smart student, unlike me. I managed to squeeze into B university, but I took a looong time to graduate. Are you coming from B city also?"

"No, I came from W city."

And the conversation goes on. For the rest of the dinner, this man talked a lot to him, and didn't talk much to Jian Kang Lu again. Just like Jian Kang Lu, this man is also very good at his conversation skill.

Bai Yutang finally can relax a bit, drifting along to the conversation this man created. Just like Jian Kang Lu, this man is also very good at making people comfortable.

Bai Yutang still hates this man, why all the people around Jian Kang Lu are so dazzling and exquisite. He felt that himself is the most insignificant being with the least talent among Jian Kang Lu's circles.

But Bai Yutang also can't help but admire this handsome man who sits in front of him. He said he used to be a model, laugh at himself saying his acting is so bad that he can't pursue his dream to be an actor, and told him about his business opening a fashion store and blog. It turns out this man is one of the most famous fashion bloggers nowadays in this country.

The dinner ends well, and when this man bid his farewell. He said with a gentle tone to Bai Yutang, "You're such a cute and handsome young man. I can see that your future will be very bright. I hope you can be happy in the future, and strong enough to pursue your own happiness. Just believe in yourself, and trust the people around you."

Then he winked that beautiful phoenix eyes of him, "You're really cute, make me want to pinch your cheek. But I guess Jian Ge will strangle me if i do that."

Bai Yutang could feel Jian Kang Lu's hand suddenly grip his shoulder and bring him close to his body, like wanting to enveloped and hide him from this beautiful mischievous swan.

Wu Shen laughed and said, "I'll let my realtor contact you, Jian Ge. And be careful. Don't let precious things snatched away from you."

Bai Yutang could feel Jian Kang Lu's hand in his shoulder tighten. He's a bit confused with that sentence and Jian Kang Lu's act. When that man walked away, they turned around and walked to the car together. Jian Kang Lu still holds his shoulder tight.

As if he was afraid Bai Yutang would run away.

Bai Yutang could feel his face blushed again and his heart wildly beat faster, just like every time Jian Kang Lu touched him. He felt uneasy and wanted to run away from this man. But at the same time, he also wanted to bring himself closer to sniff this familiar scent, and felt the familiar warmth emitted from him.

To be enveloped in this man's embrace. The feeling that makes him feel comfortable yet thrilling at the same time.

So in the end, he just lowers his head, hides the nasty feeling he feels inside, and walks beside Jian Kang Lu, not running away nor bringing himself closer.

He wanted to ask, what is Jian Kang Lu's relationship with that man. It doesn't seem like an ordinary friend.

But he couldn't ask, and Jian Kang Lu also didn't explain.

Both of them walk in silence, and reach the car. Jian Kang Lu seems to have just noticed that he held Bai Yutang the whole time they walked from the restaurant into the car. He startled and released his grip. As usual, he opened the door for Bai Yutang first.

In the car, Jian Kang Lu seems to want to say something. Like want to explain, who is that man. But in the end he said nothing, and just asked Bai Yutang whether he felt cold and needed the temperature to be adjusted.

Bai Yutang silently nodded. Jian Kang Lu tried to talk about trivial matters, and Bai Yutang responded well. They reach home, and spend the rest of the night like usual.

Inside his room, Bai Yutang still felt uneasy. He doesn't know who he can talk to about the things in his heart. He doesn't know what he needs to do to settle his feelings and calm his restless heart. But then he remembered what that swan said to him.

'Just believe in yourself, and trust the people around you.'

Bai Yutang took a deep breath. No matter how dirty his thoughts are right now, no matter how uneasy he feels right now, no matter how confused he thinks right now, but he knows one thing.

He was happy.

He was happy spending his time with Jian Kang Lu, and it was enough if he could make Jian Kang Lu happy.

That's all that matters.