Chapter Ten: A New Encounter with Burmese Eggplant

At 11:00 AM, Qin Ke and his team of three followed Li Jun to pay a visit to Fang Daoqi, the Deputy Director of Tongyuan Telecom.

Upon seeing them, Fang Daoqi rose from his chair behind the desk with a warm smile, walked over to shake hands with each of them, and invited them to sit in the reception room. When he offered to pour tea himself, Bian Xiaoqi was quick to act, taking over the task to serve everyone.

While sipping tea, Bian Xiaoqi reported on their work progress over the past two days and outlined the plan for the next phase.

Listening intently, Fang Daoqi nodded frequently and said, "You have all worked hard. You have solved a major problem for us, and I thank you on behalf of Tongyuan Telecom. I heard from Li Jun that you intend to inspect the equipment at other nodes as well. This is an excellent arrangement; it demonstrates a high level of professional integrity, which is responsible not only to us as clients but also to Company A. I also warmly welcome your plan to conduct another in-depth training session for our technicians. Please let Manager Xiaoqi and our Li Jun coordinate the details."

Bian Xiaoqi and Li Jun nodded in unison, assuring him they would give their all to the follow-up training.

Fang Daoqi turned to Qin Ke and said with a smile, "Young man, you’ve done well; my initial judgment of you was correct. Young people should have drive. I hope you will continue to support our work."

Qin Ke replied modestly, "Director Fang, you are too kind. This is my duty, and I will do my best."

"To show our appreciation," Fang Daoqi continued, "I am hosting a celebratory banquet at the Tongyuan Telecom guesthouse at six o'clock this evening. You are all invited. There will be a dance after dinner, and I have arranged for some young women from our staff to join you. Do dress sharply. Li Jun will accompany you for a simple lunch, and you can take the afternoon to rest or stroll through the city."

Bian Xiaoqi asked at the right moment, "Director Fang, who else will be attending the banquet?"

"Department Head Liang Wanhe and Deputy Head Jia Yunsheng from the Equipment Maintenance Division will be there," Fang Daoqi answered.

Bian Xiaoqi exchanged a knowing smile with Qin Ke, and they both said, "Thank you, Director Fang. We will be there on time."

After leaving the office, the four discussed their next steps. Qin Ke and Bian Xiaoqi decided that Luo Tong would stay behind with Sun Shuqiang to inspect all of Company A's equipment currently running in Tongyuan. Luo Tong agreed happily.

Bian Xiaoqi teased, "Luo Tong, you get to stay in the Daba Mountains for a while longer. You’re satisfied now, aren't you?"

"It’s a pity Brother Qin won't be here; I’m a bit nervous," Luo Tong said. "If I run into trouble, Brother Qin, you must be ready to help."

Qin Ke smiled, "Luo Tong, working independently will help you grow. It’s something you have to face sooner or later. Don't worry, I will support you fully."

The training was tentatively scheduled for the beginning of next month, pending approval from Company A’s marketing and technical departments. Once approved, they would notify Li Jun.

After lunch, the afternoon was free. Luo Tong and Sun Shuqiang went off to play video games, with Qin Ke warning them to be back on time. He asked Bian Xiaoqi what she wanted to do, and when she turned the question back to him, he suggested returning to the hotel to sleep. She flatly rejected the idea, saying, "You aren't sleeping. I want to go shopping, and you are coming with me."

Qin Ke followed her toward the city center.

Tongyuan was an underdeveloped area; the streets were narrow and shops were few. Tall plane trees lined the streets, blocking out the afternoon sun and keeping the heat at bay.

They walked aimlessly in the shade. When they encountered larger shopping malls, Bian Xiaoqi didn't go inside. When Qin Ke asked why, she said she was "strolling the streets," not "shopping in malls." Qin Ke learned a new lesson: for women, the two were not the same.

***

As they walked, Bian Xiaoqi noticed Qin Ke had fallen behind. He was standing in front of an inconspicuous shop, peering inside. She returned to find a small craft store run by an elderly man. Qin Ke pulled her inside and pointed to a small object in a glass case, asking the old man to show it to them.

Examining it, Qin Ke said happily, "Xiaoqi, this is a rare find. I didn't expect to see one here."

The object was over an inch long and consisted of two parts: the top was golden, while the bottom was a smooth, glossy dark brown. The golden part was carved into a small animal, the craftsmanship so delicate that the creature looked vivid and lifelike.

Recognizing it instantly, she said, "It's a clever little rabbit. It’s beautiful—I love it. What is it made of?"

"Xiaoqi, this is a Burmese nut," Qin Ke explained.

"What is a Burmese nut? Where does it come from?" she asked.

Qin Ke explained it patiently, as he would with technical concepts: "The name 'Burmese nut' is a homophone for 'warding off evil' in Chinese. It originated in Gaozhou, Guangdong, and is named for its resemblance to an eggplant. Each mature nut is over an inch long. The golden top is the seed stalk, known as the 'wax head'—it's tough and perfect for carving. The bottom is the kernel, dark and smooth. It’s said to ward off demons and bring prosperity. Ancient people used natural Burmese nuts as seals; the combination of the hard, chestnut-colored seed and the wooden base is quite rare."

"How do you know so much?" she asked.

"I read it in a book," he replied.

Qin Ke turned to the shopkeeper, "Grandpa, if I'm not mistaken, these come in a set of twelve, don't they?"

The old man smiled, "You know your stuff, young man. Yes, they are carved based on the twelve Chinese zodiac signs."

"Grandpa, I'd like to buy one," Qin Ke said.

"Young man, I can't break up the set. If you take one, I won't be able to sell the rest," the old man replied.

"Grandpa, how much for just one?" Qin Ke asked.

"One hundred yuan individually, or eleven hundred for the set," the old man said.

"Grandpa, I don't have that much money, but I really want to buy one," Qin Ke admitted honestly.

"Who are you buying it for?" the old man asked kindly.

Qin Ke pointed to Bian Xiaoqi, "Grandpa, I want to buy it for her."

The old man smiled, "And what is this beautiful girl to you?"

Qin Ke blushed, stammering, "Grandpa, she is my girlfriend, but she hasn't officially said yes yet."

The old man laughed heartily, causing Bian Xiaoqi to blush as well.

"Young man, there is a legend about the Burmese nut. If you can tell it to me, I'll sell you one," the old man said with a twinkle in his eye.

Qin Ke began the poignant legend. The Burmese nut tree is incredibly durable, but it rarely survives in China. Only one tree in Gaozhou, Guangdong, has survived for nearly five hundred years, making it unique in the Middle Kingdom.

The tree has a tragic history. According to local records, in the Ming Dynasty, a government official named Li Bangzhi brought two seeds back from Yunnan. After returning home, one failed to sprout, and the other was given to his son as an accessory. Later, the seed was lost, and Li accused his maid, Liang Fengwei, of stealing it, torturing her until she died. Three years later, a sprout grew from a crack in the floor under his son's bed. People said the seed had surfaced to seek justice for the maid, and the tree became known as the "Injustice Tree."

After Qin Ke finished, the old man tested him further: "Do you know the local folk songs about the Burmese nut?"

Qin Ke recited: "Born by the lotus pond, wed to a man from the south bridge. With no dowry to offer, I carve a pair of mandarin ducks from a Burmese nut."

Bian Xiaoqi was mesmerized. The idea that this could be a token of love made her heart flutter, even as she blushed.

The old man smiled, "These have been sitting here for two years. You two are clearly meant to be. I'll sell you one for a hundred, and I'll even throw in another. If I can help you two find your fate, that's a good deed."

"What is your zodiac sign?" the old man asked.

"I am an Ox, and her sign is..." Qin Ke realized he didn't know her age and looked at her awkwardly.

"I won't tell you," Bian Xiaoqi said immediately.

"Then I can't help you," the old man chuckled.

Qin Ke looked at Bian Xiaoqi helplessly.

"Grandpa, I'll take the whole set of twelve. How much?" Bian Xiaoqi suddenly announced.

"Girl, you only need two, why buy them all?" the old man asked.

"I have my reasons, Grandpa," she said with a smile.

"Alright, I'll give you a twenty-percent discount. Eight hundred yuan will do."

Bian Xiaoqi paid him, and the old man wrapped the set in a silk box, gifting her extra gold thread to string them.

Bian Xiaoqi turned to Qin Ke and held out her hand, "Give it here."

"What do you want?" he asked, confused.

"I want one hundred yuan. You're buying me a gift, so you pay for it."

Qin Ke handed her the money.

"That’s better," she said, then added, "Hold this."

"I have no more money," Qin Ke protested.

Bian Xiaoqi laughed until she doubled over, "I don't want your money, silly! I want you to carry the nuts. Do you really expect me to carry them myself?"

Qin Ke realized his mistake and took the box from the old man.

The old man laughed, "This girl likes you, and you like her. This Burmese nut is truly magical—five hundred years later, it’s witnessing a new romance."

The two young people felt embarrassed, but Bian Xiaoqi smiled at the old man, "Grandpa, if we are truly meant to be, we will certainly come back to visit you in Tongyuan."

"I believe we will meet again," the old man said happily.

***

As they walked back to the hotel, Qin Ke asked, "Xiaoqi, what are you going to do with twelve of them?"

"I'm not telling you yet," she said mysteriously.

"Qin Ke, thank you for such a beautiful gift. I love it." She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

Qin Ke smiled, "I'm happy you like it."

Bian Xiaoqi tucked her arm into his, "With the legend of the Burmese nut and the story of the dove tree, the Daba Mountains are truly a magical place. 'Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles'—the ancients were right. I want you to walk those ten thousand miles with me. Can you?"

Qin Ke put his arm around her waist, "Xiaoqi, you still haven't agreed to be my girlfriend."

She pinched his waist, "If I weren't your girlfriend, would I let you hold me like this?"

Qin Ke laughed, "Alright, alright. I’m willing to walk with you for a lifetime. By the way, you still haven't told me your zodiac sign."

"I already told you, you fool," she giggled.

Looking at her radiant face, Qin Ke suddenly realized, "Xiaoqi, I know—you're a Rabbit." He felt silly for not catching on sooner. "So, you're thirty-seven this year? I've been had! What do I do?"

Bian Xiaoqi pinched his arm, pretending to be angry, "You're mean! Who is thirty-seven? I'm only twenty-five this year, no nonsense!"

"Haha, I finally won one against you," Qin Ke said, his arm hurting but his heart feeling sweet.

At 5:00 PM, they met in the hotel lobby. Qin Ke wore a white shirt and black trousers, his shoes polished to a shine. When he heard the click of heels, he looked up to see Bian Xiaoqi descending the stairs. She was in a fiery red silk dress that hugged her slender frame, paired with white heels that made her nearly his height. With her dark hair and bright red lips, she looked like a stunning, vibrant career woman.

"What's wrong, don't recognize me?" she smiled.

"Xiaoqi, you've completely transformed," Qin Ke exclaimed. "You're going to take Tongyuan Telecom by storm tonight."

"A woman dresses for the one who appreciates her, isn't that what you said? How do I look as your girlfriend?"

"You're beautiful. Shall we go?" Qin Ke offered his arm.

As they left the hotel, pedestrians couldn't help but turn and stare at the striking couple walking toward the guesthouse.