Chapter 22 Returning to Hedong Together

Qin Ke arrived at Bian Xiaoqi’s home early in the morning, suitcase in hand.

Jiang Sumei had already prepared a sumptuous breakfast: steaming milk, golden fried eggs, crispy toasted buns, fragrant vegetable steamed buns, smooth millet porridge, and delicious pickles, all spread across the dining table. Being from the North, Qin Ke loved buns and millet porridge, and he was deeply moved by Jiang Sumei’s thoughtfulness. Seeing him eat with such gusto, Jiang Sumei was delighted.

After Bian Xiaoqi hugged her parents goodbye, she and Qin Ke set off for Xizhou Airport, dragging their bags along.

Qin Ke had only a medium-sized suitcase. Seeing Bian Xiaoqi with a large suitcase, a small one, a backpack, a laptop bag, and a handbag, he laughed: "You look like you're moving house, bringing so many bags. You’ll be in Haiyuan for a week at most; there's no need to bring a laptop."

Bian Xiaoqi giggled, "The airline only allows one checked bag; otherwise, I’d pack even more. I brought the laptop for my own convenience, it’s not heavy, and besides, you can help me carry it."

After boarding, Bian Xiaoqi took the window seat, with Qin Ke right beside her. With him by her side, the fear she once felt about flying had vanished. High above the clouds, the two looked out at the azure sky and the endless expanse of white clouds, holding hands and leaning against each other until they drifted off to sleep.

After a flight of over three hours, they arrived at Haiyuan Airport. They took a taxi to Company A and parted ways to report to their respective department heads.

This was the second time Bian Xiaoqi had stepped into Gao Yuge’s office. The first time was when she joined Company A; three months had passed in the blink of an eye. She sat upright on the single sofa, first reporting in detail on the execution of the two contracts she had signed, then summarizing the current market situation in Sichuan Province, and finally offering her outlook on the potential of Company A’s products in that market. Her tone was steady, fluent, and natural as she spoke, supported by accurate data and clear, logical analysis. She reported her achievements without glossing over problems, demonstrating a pragmatic approach that made it clear she had conducted thorough research and preparation.

Gao Yuge had not expected young Bian Xiaoqi to be capable of handling responsibilities independently in such a short time. She had fulfilled her mission, completed the signing of two contracts, and exerted strong control over contract execution, equipment delivery, and payment collection. Extremely satisfied with her report, he readily signed off on her travel expense reimbursement for Sichuan and the bonus payout she was entitled to according to company policy. The bonus, which included commissions from her two new contracts and an additional two-percent commission she had secured for the company on the South Sichuan contract, totaled nearly 40,000 yuan—equivalent to nearly two years' salary for an engineer in the technical department.

After the report, Gao Yuge offered to take her to dinner as a gesture of encouragement. She seized the opportunity to mention that Qin Ke from the technical department was also back at the company and had once again been a great help to the marketing department, asking if they could invite him along to show the marketing department’s sincerity. Gao Yuge readily agreed, adding that he had been looking to "settle accounts" with Qin Ke anyway. Worried that Qin Ke might have other plans for the evening, she arranged the dinner with Gao Yuge for the following night.

Leaving Gao Yuge’s office, Bian Xiaoqi immediately went to the finance department to get her expenses reimbursed and collect her bonus. Having earned this much money for the first time, she was in high spirits, smiling and nodding at everyone in the company who greeted her.

This was only her second time in Company A’s office area, and most people there did not recognize her. From the moment she walked through the front gate, her tall, elegant figure and gentle, sweet voice became the talk of the marketing and finance departments. Some girls whispered and gossiped about her, a mix of admiration and jealousy, while some young men cast frequent glances her way, quietly inquiring which department she belonged to.

People watched as Bian Xiaoqi gracefully made her way to the technical department.

***

When Qin Ke met Zhou Pinyi, he first reported his work from the past month, after which the two chatted freely. Qin Ke asked Zhou Pinyi to fulfill a previous promise. Just as Zhou was about to ask what that promise was, Bian Xiaoqi appeared at the open door of his office, smiling and knocking. Seeing her, though he didn’t know her, Zhou Pinyi immediately understood what Qin Ke meant.

Qin Ke stood up to greet her and led her to Zhou Pinyi, saying with a smile, "Director Zhou, this is Manager Bian Xiaoqi from the marketing department, who is in charge of our business in Sichuan."

Zhou Pinyi rose immediately from behind his desk, walked over to shake hands with Bian Xiaoqi, and said with a smile, "Manager Bian, hello, please sit."

Bian Xiaoqi replied with a smile, "Hello, Director Zhou! I am Bian Xiaoqi."

Qin Ke led her to the sofa in Zhou’s office and personally brewed her a cup of tea. He acted as if he were at home, behaving as if he were the master of the office, which spoke volumes about his close relationship with Zhou.

"Thank you, Engineer Qin. Director Zhou, I’ve often heard Engineer Qin speak of you; I’ve long admired your reputation." Bian Xiaoqi sat upright, smiling.

"Does he often complain about me?" Zhou Pinyi teased.

"How could I dare! I’ve always told Manager Bian how well you treat me," Qin Ke laughed.

"It’s about half and half," Bian Xiaoqi replied, seeing that Zhou Pinyi was straightforward and easygoing, and joining in the banter.

"You rascal, you only pick the good things to say. Manager Bian just told the truth—no wonder my ears are often burning," Zhou Pinyi laughed.

Watching Bian Xiaoqi’s elegant demeanor and perfect manners, Zhou Pinyi looked back at Qin Ke with a smile, making the usually uninhibited Qin Ke feel a bit embarrassed.

"How about this? I’ll host a dinner tonight for our meritorious contributor from the technical department." As he spoke, Zhou looked at Bian Xiaoqi.

"I would be very happy if I could also be invited by you, Director Zhou," Bian Xiaoqi said with a smile, intentionally avoiding looking at Qin Ke.

"Director Zhou, one sentence would have sufficed, but you had to say half and leave the rest," Qin Ke grumbled.

"One keeps saying 'Engineer Qin,' the other keeps saying 'Manager Bian.' I don't know what kind of relationship you two have, so I had to ask for Manager Bian’s opinion first, in case she already had plans," Zhou Pinyi laughed heartily.

After leaving the office, Qin Ke took Bian Xiaoqi to his workstation and set her up on the computer while he went to the finance department to settle his expenses from his trip to Jin, Chuan, and Yu provinces. When he ran into his close colleagues, some even asked him if Bian Xiaoqi had a boyfriend; he just laughed and said he wasn't sure.

After work at five, Zhou Pinyi arranged a car to pick up Bian Xiaoqi’s luggage, take her to a hotel he had booked, and then drive them both to dinner. As the company staff watched them leave together, they began to gossip again.

Qin Ke had a company-provided dormitory. Bian Xiaoqi, having worked long-term in the Xizhou office, hadn't been assigned one, so she had to stay in a hotel, though the company reimbursed her.

After putting her luggage in the room, Bian Xiaoqi said to Qin Ke, "Director Zhou is such a good person. He’s so thoughtful and warm-hearted."

Qin Ke sighed, "Zhou treats me so well that I feel embarrassed to tell him about my resignation tonight."

Bian Xiaoqi said, "I believe Director Zhou will understand you and certainly support you."

"Can I bring a bottle of Luzhou Laojiao and a bottle of Jiannanchun tonight?" Qin Ke asked.

"The liquor is up to you. As long as you don't drink too much, I won't mind," Bian Xiaoqi said.

***

Considering that Bian Xiaoqi lived inland and couldn't often eat seafood, Zhou Pinyi chose a seafood restaurant.

After the three of them were seated in a private room, Qin Ke took the two bottles of liquor from his bag and said with a smile, "Director Zhou, we’ll drink this Luzhou Laojiao tonight, and this Jiannanchun is a gift for you." Zhou Pinyi didn't stand on ceremony, laughing, "You’ve made two trips to Sichuan, and now I have good wine to drink. I won't even thank you."

"Director Zhou, you should thank Manager Bian Xiaoqi; both times, the wine was brought to me by her from home," Qin Ke laughed.

"Then I must thank Manager Bian. It seems I thanked the wrong person last time," Zhou Pinyi chuckled.

Zhou Pinyi ordered six dishes: steamed prawns, steamed crab, braised yellow croaker, steamed scallops, spicy stir-fried clams, and jellyfish salad.

He said to Bian Xiaoqi, "Manager Bian, Haiyuan is by the sea, so we have plenty of seafood. Today we’re eating only seafood. It’s all very fresh; I hope you like it."

Looking at the table full of fresh seafood, Bian Xiaoqi smiled and said, "I love seafood. Thank you, Director Zhou. You can't get seafood this fresh in Xizhou."

"Then eat plenty, don't be shy. Start with the crab while it's hot," Zhou Pinyi said happily.

Watching Bian Xiaoqi elegantly and cautiously peeling the crab shell, Zhou Pinyi laughed, "Manager Bian, to eat seafood, you have to be like me—take the crab apart and eat with a bit of passion."

Bian Xiaoqi tried to mimic him, but only ended up looking clumsy and cute, which made Qin Ke laugh. She playfully scolded him, "No laughing, hurry up and help me."

Qin Ke cracked open the hard shell of the largest crab, removed the viscera, smashed the thick legs, picked out the delicious meat, and handed it to her. She beamed with joy and said, "That’s more like it."

Watching the two of them acting so affectionately, Zhou Pinyi couldn't help but laugh even more.

Qin Ke poured a glass for himself and Zhou Pinyi, raised his cup, and said, "Director Zhou, thank you for treating us to such a great seafood meal. Let me toast you."

"When did you become so formal? It seems a man with a girlfriend is really different," Zhou Pinyi teased after taking a drink.

"Director Zhou, you’ve taken such good care of me for these two years; I’ve kept it all in my heart," Qin Ke said sincerely.

"Are you being this polite today because you have something to tell me?" Zhou Pinyi smiled.

"Director Zhou, you know me well. You figured it out without me saying two words. Yes, I am officially reporting to you that I will be starting at Company C in Beijing on September 1st, so I will be resigning in the next two days."

After hearing this, Zhou Pinyi pondered for a moment and said, "Qin Ke, I knew this day would come, but I didn't expect it so soon. You are a smart and capable person; you should be able to stand your ground anywhere. A man of ambition should aim for the world; I support you. Come, let’s have another drink."

Bian Xiaoqi said, "Director Zhou, it is Qin Ke’s honor to have such a thoughtful boss and intimate friend like you. I hope you have the chance to come to Beijing so we can meet again."

"Good, I will definitely come to Beijing to find you both if the opportunity arises. Meanwhile, I must offer you my blessings. I can tell that Xiaoqi is excellent and Qin Ke has a good eye. Qin Ke is also excellent, and Xiaoqi’s eye is even better. The saying about a talented man and a beautiful woman should be updated to a talented and handsome man and a beautiful and talented woman to better fit you two." Zhou Pinyi’s playful wordplay made them both laugh.

"What are your plans for the next few days?" Zhou Pinyi asked.

"I want to take Xiaoqi to my hometown for a few days. Once she returns to Xizhou, I will immediately process my resignation," Qin Ke said.

"Good, then you two take a good rest for a few days; we can talk more after you return from your hometown," Zhou Pinyi said.

Bian Xiaoqi was moved by the sincere friendship between the two men as they chatted endlessly.

When the bottle of Luzhou Laojiao was finished, Zhou Pinyi wanted to open the Jiannanchun, but Qin Ke stopped him.

After Zhou Pinyi returned home, he said to his wife, Du Yufen, "Only a girl like Bian Xiaoqi is worthy of Qin Ke; that Lu Juan from your hospital is far behind. It’s fortunate we stopped that in time; it seems we did a great good deed."

Du Yufen replied, "Why are you bringing that up again? Isn't that all in the past?"

Zhou Pinyi sighed, "Bian Xiaoqi is not only elegant and beautiful, but also very intelligent and sensible. Qin Ke is a lucky man to have found true love."

***

Qin Ke walked Bian Xiaoqi to her hotel. She said, "Director Zhou is really too good. Usually, when a trusted subordinate resigns, the boss doesn't give them a good look, but he supports you so much."

"That’s why I feel guilty. But I believe that even if I go to Beijing, our friendship will not break," Qin Ke said.

"Director Gao is inviting you and me to dinner tomorrow night and said he wants to 'settle accounts' with you. Are you going?" Bian Xiaoqi asked.

"You must go, and I must go too. To be honest, Director Gao is also a very good person. I have turned down his kindness time and again, yet he holds no grudge and still favors me. I feel quite sorry for him. Do you think I’m being unreasonable?" Qin Ke sighed.

"No. I don't want you to work in sales either, soaked in wine every day. It’s not that you lack the ability, but I prefer the way you focus when you’re doing technical work," Bian Xiaoqi said, leaning into him.

"I’m about to leave Company A, so I don't want to hide it from Director Gao anymore. I’ll take this opportunity to apologize. Once everything is out in the open, I believe he will understand," Qin Ke said.

"Yes, even if we can't be colleagues, we can be friends," Bian Xiaoqi comforted him, then added, "Guess how much bonus I got this time?"

"Over ten thousand? You told me that in Xizhou," Qin Ke said.

"No, forty thousand! This is the most money I’ve earned since graduating from university," Bian Xiaoqi said, sounding a bit proud.

"Really? That much? Xiaoqi, you’re so capable! You can buy more pretty clothes now," Qin Ke said, genuinely happy for her.

"No, this includes your contribution, so I..." Bian Xiaoqi started.

"No, you should prioritize Aunt Jiang and Uncle Bian; this is a perfect opportunity," Qin Ke interrupted before she could finish.

"I’m happy that you thought of my parents first. My mom said she didn't want it and told me to decide for myself, so I want to buy a laptop for your sister, Qin Yan," Bian Xiaoqi said.

"A laptop costs over ten thousand now. Qin Yan just started university; she might not need it yet. Xiaoqi, that gift is too expensive; you should buy something else," Qin Ke said.

"I’ve already bought it. I was worried you’d stop me, so I did it first and told you later," Bian Xiaoqi laughed.

"The laptop you brought is the one you just bought, right? No wonder you’re only here for a few days but insisted on carrying a computer all this way," Qin Ke realized.

"Qin Yan is your sister, and she’s my sister too. It’s only right for a sister to buy something for her younger sister. Such a smart girl is worth the expense," Bian Xiaoqi said sincerely.

"Qin Yan will be so happy when she sees such a great gift. As her brother, I couldn't even buy her a computer, and now I’m making you spend your money," Qin Ke hugged her tightly, feeling guilty.

"What are you saying? If you went into sales, you’d definitely earn more. Money is meant to be earned. With our abilities, we’ll reach the middle-class level within five years. Eventually, money might just be a number to us. I have confidence in you, and I have confidence in myself," Bian Xiaoqi said, comforting him.

When they reached her hotel, she didn't want to go in right away. Qin Ke held her hand and they strolled to the nearby beach.

The clear night sky held a crescent moon and scattered stars. A sea breeze blew, and the early autumn night by the shore was cool.

There were few people at the beach. They leaned against each other, standing on the shore, listening to the rhythmic sound of waves gently hitting the rocks. Experiencing this night, so different from the inland, Bian Xiaoqi said she wanted to write a poem. She began to recite softly:

"Gazing at the stars and the bright moon in the night sky,
Observing the vast sea and the rising sun in the morning.
To find a unique and tranquil cool realm,
One must come to the east of the river, and further east."

"What a wonderful 'further east'," Qin Ke cheered, and he followed with his own poem:

"Stars sink into the dark clouds,
Dawn brings the calm tide.
Clouds dye the eastern horizon,
Announcing the birth of the sea sun."

"It’s not dawn yet, and we’re already thinking of the sunrise. I’ve never seen the sunrise over the sea before. We must come and see it tomorrow morning," Bian Xiaoqi said excitedly.

"I’ll come to wake you tomorrow morning. You can’t be lazy."

"If you come to wake me, I’ll be able to get up."

They stayed together until past ten o’clock before Bian Xiaoqi returned to the hotel. Qin Ke escorted her back before heading to his dormitory.

***

At five-thirty in the morning, Qin Ke arrived at the hotel to wake Bian Xiaoqi. They walked hand in hand to the beach, arriving just at the break of dawn.

The weather was perfect, and the sea was calm. They watched as the horizon slowly turned from grey to white, then to a faint red. The red deepened, spreading out, and the few clouds were dyed into glowing morning clouds, signaling the sun's ascent. Then, they saw the round, non-dazzling red sun rising bit by bit from the sea level. Soon, it jumped above the horizon, and in an instant, the calm sea was sprinkled with gold, shimmering. At this point, the sun was already too bright to look at directly.

"It’s so beautiful, so spectacular," Bian Xiaoqi exclaimed happily.

After watching the sunrise, they returned to her hotel for breakfast.

Yesterday afternoon, Zhou Pinyi had asked Qin Ke to provide another technical training session for the engineering staff who hadn't traveled, and Bian Xiaoqi wanted to attend as well, so they went to the company together.

Coming to work together and leaving together, the fact that they were always in and out of the company as a pair naturally didn't escape others' notice. People kept guessing and inquiring about their relationship; they had become the hot topic of the company, though they were unaware of it.

In the company’s training room, besides the engineering staff, some people from the marketing department also came to attend Qin Ke’s training, totaling about twenty people. Bian Xiaoqi sat in the front row, and Qin Ke noticed many young men sitting around her, taking turns greeting her. He found it quite funny, as in previous training sessions, everyone had scrambled to sit in the back, leaving the front row empty.

From theory to equipment, Qin Ke combined his practical work experience and shared his ideas and methods without reservation. He was experienced, articulate, and covered a wide range of content. His way of analyzing and dealing with strange problems provided great benefit to those listening.

Bian Xiaoqi listened very attentively. Besides taking notes, she asked questions from time to time. She asked both professional and non-professional questions, and Qin Ke answered them patiently with a smile. The training session almost turned into a technical exchange between the two. At this moment, in her eyes, there was only Qin Ke and his eloquent, rhythmic voice.

In the evening, they attended the dinner hosted by Vice General Manager Gao Yuge.

Qin Ke raised his glass and said with a smile, "Thank you, Director Gao, for your kindness and hospitality."

Gao Yuge stared at the smiling Qin Ke and said bitterly, "You rascal, you just won't follow the path. Look at Manager Bian Xiaoqi; she’s become independent in just a few months and earned more in that time than you earn in a year. Don't you envy her? I really don't understand why you are so stubborn about money. Do you think I’m trying to harm you?"

Qin Ke said apologetically, "Director Gao, a gentleman loves money but earns it the right way. I fully understand your kindness, but I have my own career plan. Here, I can only say I’m sorry to you."

"Then tell me about your plan," Gao Yuge pressed.

"Director Gao, I’ll tell you the truth today: I am resigning soon," Qin Ke thought for a moment and decided not to hide it any longer, stating his plan directly.

Gao Yuge was stunned for a long time before saying, "Qin Ke, it seems the sparrow does not know the ambition of the swan. The pond at Company A is too small."

Qin Ke said, "Director Gao, the world is vast, and I want to go out and explore while I’m still young."

Gao Yuge sighed and said, "Qin Ke, you are smart and capable. Since your heart is not here, I won't force you. I wish you the best."

Qin Ke said sincerely, "Thank you for your understanding, Director Gao. Wherever I go, I will remember your kindness."

Bian Xiaoqi followed Qin Ke’s words, saying, "I also thank Engineer Qin for his great help during this time, and I wish you a better future."

During the rest of the dinner, they listened as Gao Yuge kept saying, "What a pity, what a pity."