Chapter Fourteen: The First Visit
(1/3)
(1) Shen Jing was a frequent visitor to Bian Xiaoqi’s home, arriving early in the morning. She was quite familiar with Jiang Sumei and Bian Guoning, like family. Upon entering, she sat in the dining room and shared a sumptuous breakfast prepared by Jiang Sumei with Bian Xiaoqi. Afterwards, they stayed in Bian Xiaoqi’s room, chatting away like they had endless heartfelt matters to discuss, as if the days apart felt like years.
Shen Jing noticed a sheet of rice paper on Bian Xiaoqi’s desk, on which she had beautifully written a poem titled “Magpie Bridge Immortal” in delicate small script. Shen Jing softly read aloud:
“The forest cicadas cry, the pond frogs drum,
Stirring the returning magpies’ nest.
Floating clouds veil half the moon’s faint glow,
Asking the night, who will meet tonight?
Fine brows like paintings, lips as red as fire,
Candlelight flickers in the fragrant chamber.
Waiting for him to count the stars in the sky,
Don’t wait until spring flowers fall in autumn.”
When Shen Jing finished reading, Bian Xiaoqi smiled and said, “Sister Jing, isn’t this poem beautiful?”
Shen Jing returned the smile. “This tender ‘Magpie Bridge Immortal’ truly is beautiful, expressing the longing for a beloved with exquisite emotion. My talented younger sister, did you write this for classmate Fu Xin?”
Bian Xiaoqi chuckled, “Sister Jing, that’s a secret. I can’t tell you.”
Shen Jing laughed, “Oh, you’re keeping secrets from me? If you don’t tell me today, I won’t let you off.” With that, she grabbed Bian Xiaoqi and tumbled onto the bed, tickling her.
They laughed and played on the bed until the doorbell rang. Bian Xiaoqi was about to get up to answer it, but Shen Jing pulled her back down, smiling, “Xiaoqi, I’ll get the door, but let’s make a bet—guess who’s here first. I bet it’s Fu Xin. What about you?”
“I can’t guess,” Bian Xiaoqi said teasingly.
“Just pretend then.” With that, Shen Jing went downstairs.
When Shen Jing opened the door, she saw a young man she didn’t recognize standing outside the gate, peering into the yard. This was Qin Ke, who had arrived punctually at nine o’clock as arranged by Bian Xiaoqi.
Bian Xiaoqi’s home was a standalone two-story villa with traditional Chinese architecture. The exterior walls were pale yellow, with wooden lattice glass windows and a ridged roof covered in red tiles. In front was a courtyard about one acre in size, surrounded by a pine wood fence that separated it from the outside world. Besides the green lawn, there was a pomegranate tree, a citrus tree, a plum tree, and several grapevines. Unripe pomegranates and citrus fruits peeked through thick green foliage; grapevines climbed over a pine trellis, heavy with clusters of green grapes; the plum tree was not in bloom but lush and verdant. The courtyard was lush and vibrant, evoking a pastoral scene.
Qin Ke admired the plants in the yard when Shen Jing came out. Not knowing who she was, he thought he might have the wrong house. Checking the address plate confirmed it was correct, as given by Bian Xiaoqi. Shen Jing wore a blue dress, was about the same height as Bian Xiaoqi, and was also quite beautiful. She stared at Qin Ke through the fence with a scrutinizing gaze.
Seeing this young man standing straight outside the gate, dressed in a white striped short-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and black leather shoes, about 1.8 meters tall, with a square face, thick eyebrows, expressive eyes, and short, spiky hair that gave him a heroic air, Shen Jing, unfamiliar with him, spoke bluntly, “Who are you? Who are you looking for?”
Qin Ke, sensing her unfriendly tone, replied in kind, “I’m here to see Bian Xiaoqi. Who are you?”
“Who are you to Xiaoqi?” Shen Jing asked.
“I’m a friend of Bian Xiaoqi,” Qin Ke answered.
“What kind of friend? I know all of Xiaoqi’s friends. If you don’t explain clearly, I can’t let you in.”
Her domineering attitude annoyed Qin Ke. Just then, Bian Xiaoqi appeared from inside, smiling as she said, “Qin Ke, you’re here.” Then she smiled at Shen Jing, “Sister Jing, you lost.”
Shen Jing grabbed Bian Xiaoqi’s arm and asked, “Xiaoqi, why did you secretly invite someone else to the house? What’s going on?”
“No, you must be hiding something from me,” Shen Jing said suspiciously, staring into Bian Xiaoqi’s eyes.
“Xiaoqi, you better be honest, or I won’t let him in,” Shen Jing continued, unwilling to let it go.
“Oh dear, my dear Sister Jing, Qin Ke is my colleague. He was free this weekend, so I invited him to hang out. What are you thinking?” Bian Xiaoqi said nervously.
Seeing how close they were, Qin Ke introduced himself politely, “Hello, Shen Jing. I’m Qin Ke. Sorry for the intrusion without prior notice.”
Shen Jing, seeing his formal tone, chuckled and said, “I’m Shen Jing, Xiaoqi’s best friend. I guess we know each other now.”
“Quick, Sister Jing, let Qin Ke in. Don’t keep him outside,” Bian Xiaoqi said, opening the door for him.
(2)
Hearing Qin Ke’s voice outside, Jiang Sumei and Bian Guoning immediately sat upright on the living room sofa on the first floor, watching Bian Xiaoqi and Shen Jing lead Qin Ke inside.
Bian Xiaoqi smiled and introduced, “Qin Ke, these are my father and mother.” Then she smiled at her parents, “Dad, Mom, this is my colleague Qin Ke.”
Qin Ke stepped forward, bowing respectfully, “Uncle, Aunt, hello! I’m Qin Ke—Qin as in Qin Shi Huang, Ke as in science. I’m Xiaoqi’s colleague.”
Jiang Sumei and Bian Guoning said nothing, calmly observing him without revealing pleasure or displeasure, as if expecting him to continue.
Qin Ke, sensing their thoughts, proceeded with a detailed self-introduction: “Uncle, Aunt, I’m from Hedong, 26 years old, 1.78 meters tall, weighing 65 kilograms. I graduated from the Electronic Engineering Department at Binda University. I have worked at Company A for two years in technical roles. I’m healthy, with no bad habits—I don’t smoke and drink only a little. I enjoy reading and especially love poetry and songs.”
Listening to Qin Ke’s earnest introduction, Shen Jing bent over laughing, “Qin Ke, no one’s checking your ID. Why make it sound like a matchmaking interview? You’re killing me!”
“Dad, Mom, Qin Ke said so much, and you haven’t said a word. Leaving him hanging isn’t how intellectuals should treat guests,” Bian Xiaoqi urged her parents.
Before Jiang Sumei and Bian Guoning could respond, Qin Ke continued, “Uncle, Aunt, I’m honored to be invited by Xiaoqi to celebrate your 30th wedding anniversary. I’ve brought a small gift as a token of respect and hope you like it.” He handed Bian Guoning a small embroidered box that Bian Xiaoqi had asked him to bring.
Bian Guoning examined the box, guessing its contents. Qin Ke was unsure himself and felt a bit nervous.
Bian Xiaoqi said beside him, “Dad, just open it and you’ll see.”
Bian Guoning untied the golden thread binding the box, opened the lid, and his eyes lit up. “This is a fine item.”
Inside was a folded square red card. Upon opening it, Bian Guoning read aloud a neatly written small script poem:
“My wife born in the same town near Suzhou and Hangzhou,
My husband studies in Xizhou’s thatched cottage.
Raising trays in mutual respect through wind and rain,
The painted eggplant carving records our lasting love.”
It was signed, “Respectfully congratulating Professors Jiang and Bian on their 30th anniversary, Qin Ke.”
“A fine gift, fine poem, fine calligraphy,” Bian Guoning said happily.
Jiang Sumei came closer, unfamiliar with the item. Bian Guoning explained, “Sumei, this is painted eggplant—an unmatched treasure from the Central Plains. I haven’t seen one in years.”
Shen Jing, also in the dark, said, “Uncle Bian, please tell us the story of painted eggplant and enlighten me.”
So Bian Guoning recounted the legendary tale of the Gaoxian painted eggplant tree, captivating Jiang Sumei and Shen Jing. Then he recited a bamboo branch song that had been passed down for centuries:
“I was born near the lotus pond on the west bank,
Married to a man from Nanqiao named He.
Ashamed I had no other dowry to bring,
The painted eggplant carved us two mandarin ducks.”
Bian Guoning handed the painted eggplant carved as a pig to Jiang Sumei and kept the one carved as a dog for himself, laughing heartily, “Sumei, that one’s yours, this one’s mine. The painted eggplant has marked us as old mandarin ducks again today.”
Jiang Sumei cherished the lifelike, spirited dog and the chubby, adorable golden pig in their hands. Reading the poem on the red card, she smiled at Qin Ke, “Little Qin, thank you for such a meaningful gift.”
Qin Ke looked at Bian Xiaoqi, who smiled warmly. He thought she was very thoughtful, instantly winning the professors’ favor. Her plan to buy twelve painted eggplants together in Tongyuan had a hidden purpose. The heartfelt poem must have been her own spontaneous creation, carefully transcribed, as he never knew Jiang Sumei’s ancestral home was Suzhou. He hadn’t anticipated Bian Guoning’s erudition, so he did not need to explain the painted eggplant legend himself.
Though Bian Xiaoqi denied any relationship with Qin Ke in the yard, Shen Jing saw the pair quietly exchanging glances and immediately understood the mutual affection between them. She playfully pinched Bian Xiaoqi, who blushed deeply.
Shen Jing then presented her own gift, laughing, “Uncle Bian, Aunt Jiang, I brought two bottles of French red wine. Though not as elegant as painted eggplant, they’re definitely more expensive and genuine. I wish you many more years of sweet harmony and mutual respect.”
Jiang Sumei accepted the wine, smiling, “Little Jing, your coming here makes Uncle Bian and me very happy. Thank you for your blessings. I’m sure your wine will be delicious; we’ll drink it at lunch.”
Jiang Sumei then looked at Bian Xiaoqi silently.
Bian Xiaoqi, clever as she was, immediately understood her mother’s meaning and smiled, “Mom, don’t look at me like that.”
“I want to see the gifts our daughter of over twenty years has brought,” Jiang Sumei said plainly.
“Mom, you’re so focused on Qin Ke’s and Jing’s gifts, I haven’t even taken mine out yet.” Bian Xiaoqi went to retrieve her carefully prepared presents.
A blue silk tie for Bian Guoning; a blue Suzhou embroidery cheongsam for Jiang Sumei.
The cheongsam immediately caught everyone’s attention. The smooth silk fabric was embroidered with blooming white plum blossoms and green leaves, elegant, refined, dignified, and fitting for Jiang Sumei’s age and temperament. It also subtly incorporated her name and hometown.
Jiang Sumei held the cheongsam happily, “Xiaoqi, I really like your gift.”
Bian Guoning, a bit jealous, said, “Sumei, Xiaoqi only gave me a tie but gave you such a beautiful and elegant Suzhou embroidery dress. That’s so unfair.” His remark made everyone laugh heartily.
(3)
The doorbell rang again. Bian Xiaoqi rose to greet the new guests.
She led the three people into the house. Both Shen Jing and her parents knew these three, so she only introduced Qin Ke: “Cousin, cousin-in-law, Fu Xin, this is Qin Ke, my colleague.” Then to Qin Ke, she said, “These two are my maternal cousin Jiang Ke and her husband Zhao Jun. This is Fu Xin, my dad’s student.”
Qin Ke nodded to the three; the cousin and cousin-in-law nodded back. Fu Xin stared at him for a long time.
Jiang Ke greeted her aunt and uncle and then presented gifts: a Hetian mutton-fat jade bracelet for Aunt Jiang, matching her elegant temperament, and a Huizhou inkstone for Uncle Bian, who loved calligraphy and collecting inkstones. The couple happily accepted and thanked Jiang Ke and Zhao Jun.
Fu Xin greeted Bian Guoning and Jiang Sumei and displayed three gifts he had prepared.
A calligraphy piece by a famous Sichuan artist inscribed with the characters “Fly Side by Side” in dynamic strokes was for Bian Guoning. He didn’t favor such flamboyant characters, finding “Raise the Tray to the Eyebrow” more fitting for his and Jiang Sumei’s relationship. He recognized it as the idea of his old friend Fu Tianyue but accepted it graciously.
A brightly colored Sichuan embroidery fabric was for Jiang Sumei. Compared to the elegant Suzhou embroidery cheongsam from Bian Xiaoqi, Jiang Sumei didn’t like such vivid colors, recognizing it as the taste of Fu Xin’s mother Xin Lifang. Yet, with her refined nature, she smiled and accepted it.
A plain white silk scarf was for Bian Xiaoqi. She just smiled and thanked him lightly, setting it aside. Shen Jing encouraged her to try it on to see how it looked. Jiang Sumei and Fu Xin also urged her to try it. Bian Xiaoqi reluctantly unwrapped it, draped it around her fair neck, then quickly took it off, quietly putting it back in the box without saying if she liked it.
Qin Ke’s sharp eyes immediately noticed a small tag on the scarf corner inscribed “XX Conference Souvenir.” Bian Xiaoqi, astute as ever, likely saw it too but, raised with good manners, said nothing. Qin Ke admired her poise and glanced at Fu Xin, who seemed oblivious to the situation. The impression of a careless mama’s boy was firmly etched in Qin Ke’s mind, and he guessed Bian Xiaoqi thought the same.
At lunchtime, the housekeeper had prepared the dishes. Bian Guoning happily invited everyone to sit at the large round dining table. He and Jiang Sumei sat at the main seats; Bian Xiaoqi and Shen Jing opposite them; Fu Xin next to Jiang Sumei; Qin Ke next to Bian Guoning; Jiang Ke beside Fu Xin; Zhao Jun beside Qin Ke.
Qin Ke sat directly across from Fu Xin, taking the chance to examine him. Fu Xin was half a head shorter and slimmer, with a side-parted hairstyle and an unremarkable pale face that didn’t leave an impression. He looked rather nervous and kept stealing glances at Bian Xiaoqi, who ignored him completely, as if he didn’t exist, making him appear even more awkward.
The housekeeper served local dishes: four cold dishes—“husband and wife lung slices,” garlic pork belly, cold broccoli salad, and cold bamboo shoot tips—and four hot dishes—Dongpo pork knuckle, braised mandarin fish, sweet-skinned duck, and Mapo tofu. Other hot dishes like spicy boiled fish, twice-cooked pork, Kung Pao chicken, and spiced braised ribs had not yet been served.
Bian Xiaoqi opened a bottle of French red wine brought by Shen Jing to share with her mother Jiang Sumei, cousin Jiang Ke, and best friend Shen Jing. Bian Guoning opened a bottle of 52-degree Wuliangye baijiu to share with Zhao Jun, Fu Xin, and Qin Ke.
Qin Ke immediately stood, took the baijiu bottle from Bian Guoning with both hands, poured a full cup for Bian Guoning, then Zhao Jun and Fu Xin, and lastly himself. Bian Xiaoqi followed suit, pouring half a glass of red wine for her mother, cousin, Shen Jing, and herself.
Once everyone was seated, Bian Guoning smiled and said, “Today is the 30th anniversary of my marriage to Professor Jiang Sumei. With us are Xiaoqi’s old friends Shen Jing and Fu Xin, Xiaoqi’s new friend Qin Ke, and Professor Jiang’s niece Jiang Ke and her husband Zhao Jun. Welcome all to celebrate this meaningful day with us. You young people bring youthful energy to this home, making me feel young as well.”
“I teach in the Chinese Department at Xizhou University, and my wife teaches in the Law School there. Fu Xin is my student; Shen Jing and Xiaoqi graduated from the Chinese Department; Jiang Ke and Zhao Jun graduated from the Law School—all liberal arts students. Only Qin Ke graduated from Binda with a science degree. Qin said he also enjoys poetry and songs, so I propose we celebrate with wine and poetry. What do you think?”
Fu Xin, confident in his years of studying Chinese and as Bian Guoning’s direct disciple, felt he wouldn’t come in last among the young people, especially not losing to a science guy like Qin Ke. Smiling, he said to Bian Guoning, “Professor Bian, I agree entirely. I’m happy to join in the poetry contest.”
Bian Xiaoqi, having witnessed Qin Ke’s literary skills and knowing Fu Xin well, knew Fu Xin was no match for Qin Ke. She understood Fu Xin’s mindset but said, “Professor Bian, you are a learned scholar, but Qin Ke is a technical science student. Wouldn’t it be unfair to have him compete? If the contest were about communications technology, would you think that fair?”
Qin Ke immediately understood Bian Xiaoqi’s intention and looked at her gratefully.
Shen Jing, as Bian Xiaoqi’s close confidante, knew she was protecting Qin Ke. But at that moment, she had a different thought: she wanted to see why Bian Xiaoqi liked Qin Ke, what talents he had to deserve such defense. Smiling, she said to Bian Xiaoqi, “Little Xiaoqi, as the saying goes, there is no first in literature or second in martial arts. Uncle Bian just wants to liven up the party and make everyone happy.”
“Qin Ke, don’t you agree?” Shen Jing turned to him, smiling.
Qin Ke knew she was testing him and smiled, “I fully agree with your proposal, Shen Jing. Professor Bian, I’m unworthy, but I’d like to toast you and Professor Jiang with today’s fine food and drink. Please forgive any shortcomings.”
Seeing Jiang Ke and Zhao Jun say nothing, indicating agreement, Bian Guoning said, “Since Qin Ke agrees, Xiaoqi’s objection is overruled. Jiang and I won’t participate but will act as judges. The rule is no reciting classical famous poems or lyrics. Each person must compose their own poem or lyric, no restrictions on form or rhyme, but it must conform to proper tonal patterns. The topics will be assigned by Professor Jiang. Those who fail to compose must drink a cup.”
Jiang Sumei smiled kindly at the young people, saying, “Your uncle here is feeling youthful again. We’ve been teachers all our lives, so let’s use ‘teacher’ as the theme.”
“Dad, Mom, let’s eat first and give us some time to think. Don’t let the food get cold,” Bian Xiaoqi urged.
Bian Guoning laughed, “Agreed. I propose a toast first.”
After the toast, seeing Fu Xin, Qin Ke, and Zhao Jun deep in thought and less interested in the dishes, Shen Jing laughed, sensing the real fun was about to begin.