Chapter Six: The Same Number of Stars in the Sky

(1/3)

(1)
Summer days are long, and even past seven in the evening, the sun still hangs stubbornly in the western sky, reluctant to set, inching slowly behind the mountains.

Facing the slanting sunlight, Qin Ke walked to the south bank of the mountain stream, standing beneath a thick female ginkgo tree. A few bare-chested villagers were chatting nearby, but he paid them no mind. He stepped a few meters from the cliff’s edge, gazing out at the ceaseless Jialing River. The water reflected the fading glow of the sunset, dazzling to the eye. Squinting, he lifted his head to look across the river, where the verdant mountains stretched endlessly, rolling and wild. A breeze from the river brought a cool relief; after all, this was the Bashan Mountains, where temperatures dipped a few degrees below those of the plains. Motionless, he simply wished to savor the tranquility and coolness of the mountains.

After a while, the sun disappeared and the sky darkened. The mountains lost their majestic shadows, the river its lively form. From the thick grass at the cliff’s edge came the low, persistent chirping of crickets. The flow of the river beneath his feet sounded unusually clear in the stillness of night.

The villagers who had been cooling themselves under the tree had left, leaving him alone. He didn’t want to leave; he just wanted to stand there quietly, close his eyes, and enjoy solitude. Yet, he couldn’t stop his mind from drifting back to equipment issues, slipping once again into deep contemplation.

Unbeknownst to him, a girl stood some dozens of meters behind, watching his figure until he vanished into the darkness.

After a long while, seeing no movement ahead and feeling a bit scared, the girl called out, “Hey, are you still there?”

The sudden shout pierced the night, pulling Qin Ke from his thoughts. Startled, he turned around and saw a white silhouette slowly drifting toward him. His heart tightened and he shouted loudly, “Who are you? Don’t come closer!” His voice trembled slightly.

Then came a series of clear, tinkling giggles.

It was a girl, and Qin Ke felt his heart calm.

“So this is the legendary stargazing, huh?” The girl’s voice was pleasant, tinged with teasing.

This girl was Bian Xiaoqi, Qin Ke recognized her.

But shouldn’t she be in Xizhou? How did she get here? When did she arrive? What was she doing in this pitch-dark mountain? Wasn’t she afraid, all alone? A flood of questions surged through Qin Ke’s mind.

While he was still puzzled, Bian Xiaoqi had already come up to him. Dressed in a white dress, even in the darkness Qin Ke could feel her light figure.

“I was supposed to be in Xizhou, but General Manager Cheng was restless, worried about you all, so he sent me to help. I didn’t want to stay in Xizhou either, so I took the afternoon flight here. I arrived early; Director Fang sent a car to pick me up. I stood not far behind you all this time, just wanting to see what you were doing. I didn’t expect you to stand still for over an hour like a monk meditating,” Bian Xiaoqi said as if reading his thoughts, speaking quickly before he could ask.

Her sharpness surprised Qin Ke, but he still worried slightly and said, “You really startled me just now. In this pitch-black mountain, a girl alone — aren’t you scared?”

“With you here, I’m not scared. How come you’ve gotten so timid?” Bian Xiaoqi laughed.

Even in the dark, Qin Ke could sense her eyes shining brightly, eagerly fixed on him. He teased, “Just from your shout earlier, without any warning, anyone would be scared. Then seeing a white shadow drifting over, I thought I’d met a ghost.”

“You’re the ghost. Stop talking nonsense, you’re annoying,” Bian Xiaoqi said indignantly, though Qin Ke heard the coquettish tone beneath, warming his heart.

“You’ve been standing here so long, what were you thinking? Is work not going well? Praying to Chang’e for elixirs? Begging the mountain gods for blessings? Asking the river deity for help?” she joked.

“Miss Bian, your imagination is impressive. Work has just started, far from going badly. Wait till you see what I can do; you’ll be amazed,” Qin Ke said proudly, smiling.

“Is it because I’m here that you’re so confident now?” Bian Xiaoqi’s voice lowered and softened, carrying a subtle new meaning.

“Exactly. With the lady coming to the front lines overnight to boost morale, how could your humble servant not fight with all his might? If I lost in front of you, how could I face the folks back home? Women for their beloved, men for their confidantes, ha ha,” Qin Ke teased her.

“You’re talking nonsense again. Annoying,” Bian Xiaoqi said, but inside she felt pleased, and Qin Ke’s firm tone gave her confidence.

(2)
“Have you eaten dinner?” Qin Ke suddenly remembered the time and asked, “Maybe you haven’t eaten yet.”

“Not yet. Will you treat me?” Bian Xiaoqi smiled.

“Let’s go. I’ll treat you. If you’d come earlier, someone else would have treated you, so I wouldn’t have to spend,” Qin Ke joked.

“Treat me and still want someone else to pay? So stingy,” Bian Xiaoqi teased.

“It’s late, let’s hurry. I’m worried the restaurant will close,” Qin Ke said, leading the way toward town.

With no streetlights, the dark road was rough and uneven with stones. Wearing high heels and unfamiliar with the place, Bian Xiaoqi could only cautiously step forward, guided by dim light from house windows. Qin Ke worried she might fall and stayed close beside her.

Only one small restaurant remained open in town. Qin Ke pushed open the door.

The town had few transient people, and at this hour, the restaurant was empty. The owner, both cook and proprietor, was preparing to close.

Qin Ke hurried forward, warmly greeting the owner and explaining they were in Qianfo Town to repair telecom equipment, working late and not having eaten, requesting something delicious.

The owner glanced at them and nodded, inviting them to sit anywhere.

Looking at the menu, Qin Ke asked Bian Xiaoqi what she wanted. She asked what he liked. He said he was from the north and liked noodles. She immediately said she wanted noodles. Seeing the menu offering hand-pulled noodles with pork rib soup and greens, which was light, he thought she’d like it and ordered a bowl, asking the owner to use less salt, add more vegetables, and include a fried egg.

Soon, the fragrant noodles arrived.

It was a large bowl of chewy hand-pulled noodles in white pork rib broth, with bright green bok choy and a golden fried egg, dotted with a few drops of fragrant oil. It looked appetizing.

Qin Ke handed her chopsticks and a spoon. She first tasted the soup with the spoon and said it was delicious, then bowed her head and began eating the noodles.

He sat opposite her, eyes fixed on her without blinking. Bian Xiaoqi had tied her long hair back into a simple ponytail, wearing a plain short-sleeve white dress that revealed her smooth, fair forearms. Qin Ke thought she looked like a fairy in white, descending gracefully upon this small Bashan mountain town, making the dim restaurant glow with brilliance.

She sat straight, head slightly bowed, holding the small porcelain spoon delicately with three slender fingers of her left hand, and grasping bamboo chopsticks lightly in her right. She ate quietly, taking small bites of noodles and sips of soup, graceful and unhurried—natural and poised. Qin Ke found himself entranced.

Noticing him, Bian Xiaoqi looked up, brushed back some stray hair, and said, “It’s rude to stare at a girl eating like that.”

(2/3)

Qin Ke quickly looked away, smiling, “You’re sitting right across from me; I can’t not look. I can’t pretend I don’t see you, especially when you’re such a beautiful girl.”

Bian Xiaoqi’s cheeks flushed as she looked at him and asked, “Are you being sincere?”

He felt guilty and stammered, “I—I was just looking at the delicious noodles and wanted to eat too.”

Seeing his nervousness, she dared not meet his gaze and quietly smiled to herself. She said nothing more, eating the noodles slowly and absentmindedly, the atmosphere growing a little tense.

“Miss Bian, you’re not eating noodles; you’re counting them. I bet you won’t finish counting until dawn,” Qin Ke joked to break the awkwardness.

Bian Xiaoqi gently put down her spoon and chopsticks, wiped her mouth with a napkin, then looked up softly and said, “Qin Ke, the noodles are really good—I’m full now. Thank you for treating me.”

Seeing she had left more than half the bowl untouched, Qin Ke said, “We’ll be up late tonight. If you eat this little, you’ll be hungry later.”

Bian Xiaoqi looked embarrassed and said, “Actually, I already ate dinner tonight.”

Qin Ke didn’t mind and smiled, “That’s fine. Consider this a late-night snack. Such good noodles shouldn’t go to waste. Let me share some of your snack.” He reached for her bowl and picked up the chopsticks she had just used.

“Don’t,” she blushed and quickly handed him a fresh pair.

Qin Ke took the new chopsticks and began eating ravenously.

Bian Xiaoqi propped her elbow on the table, resting her chin on her hands, watching him without moving.

Qin Ke didn’t lift his head or open his eyes; in just three minutes, he devoured the noodles and soup, then joked, “Don’t bother watching. I’ll never learn your graceful way of eating.”

Bian Xiaoqi sincerely said, “No, this is how you really eat.”

Qin Ke paid the bill and thanked the owner. The two left the restaurant and headed to the equipment room.

(3)
In the mountains, there was no haze; stars filled the sky, visible to the naked eye.

Villagers slept early; the town was dark and quiet, with few lights. The two walked slowly, neither speaking, as if waiting for the other to break the silence.

Bian Xiaoqi finally laughed and said, “On such a beautiful summer night, with me by your side, don’t you, the great poet Qin, want to compose a poem?”

Hearing the poetry topic, Qin Ke quickly declined, “I only recite poems; I can’t write them.”

“The cicadas cry in the woods, the frogs drum by the pond, teasing the returning magpies. Floating clouds veil the half-moon’s faint glow, asking who tonight has an appointment with the night. Delicate brows like painting, red lips like fire, candle shadows flicker in the fragrant chamber. Waiting to count the stars together, lest spring flowers fade and autumn leaves fall.” Bian Xiaoqi recited casually.

“This lyric uses exquisite words and lingering imagery, vividly expressing a young man’s yearning for his beloved. Tell me, who is the author of ‘Magpie Bridge Immortal’?” she asked, looking quietly at Qin Ke.

“I really don’t know. I read it in a novel; I think the author made it up. But I can’t remember the author’s name,” Qin Ke explained quickly.

“Liar! Keep lying!” Bian Xiaoqi scolded playfully.

“But I really like this lyric—it’s beautiful,” she giggled.

“I know who wrote it but don’t want to tell you,” she said with a bigger smile.

Fearing she would keep pressing, Qin Ke changed the subject, “Luo Tong and the others must be waiting anxiously. Let’s hurry.”

They continued walking and saw only one house with its lights on, a dim yellow glow from the window facing the street. Bian Xiaoqi stopped, staring at the light, then decided and began reciting, “Gazing afar at Bashan’s silent night sky, a lone shadow leans on the curtain. Sitting straight-eyed past midnight, waiting for the beloved’s return to embrace in dreams.” After finishing, she didn’t look back, waiting for Qin Ke’s reaction, her heart pounding.

Qin Ke’s first thought was she was challenging him again. But watching her straight posture and savoring her quatrain, his calm heart suddenly raced.

A voice inside said, “Qin Ke, Lu Juan is still waiting for you. You have a girlfriend; stop daydreaming. Don’t covet what you already have while eyeing what you don’t.”

Yet another voice said, “Qin Ke, this girl obviously knows you wrote ‘Magpie Bridge Immortal’ for her. She just won’t say it outright and uses a quatrain to confess. What a brave and generous girl. She’s gentle, beautiful, intelligent, and talented—aren’t all qualities you like? No, you like her. Don’t fool yourself. If you run away now, you’ll only disappoint her, maybe lose her forever. Are you a blockhead? No, you understand her feelings. She likes you, and you like her. Since you like her, you must tell her. Lu Juan isn’t really your girlfriend anyway. Don’t be foolish, don’t hesitate.”

After much inner struggle, Qin Ke knew what to do. Even if he misunderstood her, even if this was just a dream now, he must bravely face her confession. This was the attitude she expected and hoped for.

Bian Xiaoqi waited a long time with no reply and felt disappointed, about to turn away when Qin Ke’s clear voice reached her ears: “Hooked moon, cricket chirp, night breeze learns the wind; shadows pair along winding streets, blurred and dim. Clear eyes flow, revealing true intent; when shall we embrace in dreams?”

Her heart warmed, she turned and looked up at Qin Ke, her starry eyes bright and eager. “Qin Ke, I…”

Before she could finish, a sudden fierce barking came from the darkness ahead, startling her into an “Ah!” and she suddenly threw herself into Qin Ke’s arms.

The sudden fright caught Qin Ke unprepared; his instinct was to hold her tightly and say, “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

Her body trembled at first, but Qin Ke’s warm chest soon gave her a great sense of security. After a while, she calmed and slowly wrapped her arms around him. They embraced tightly, neither wanting to let go.

Smelling her fragrance, his cheek against her hair, Qin Ke held her warm body closer.

Feeling his strong heartbeat, Bian Xiaoqi whispered, “Qin Ke, do you like me?”

Stroking her back, Qin Ke said deeply, “Xiaoqi, I like you.”

“Why didn’t you say it first?”

“I was afraid you’d reject me.”

(3/3)

“That’s not true. You weren’t afraid of rejection at all. You wrote ‘Magpie Bridge Immortal,’ didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

“Was it for me?”

“Yes.”

“You’re so bold, confessing on our first meeting.”

“The moment I saw you, I liked you. I didn’t dare say it directly, so I used that subtle way. I worried my words would be misunderstood.”

“I like your romantic way. What do you like about me?”

“Your intelligence, talent, grace, and beauty. Xiaoqi, what about you?”

“You’re silly.”

Under the night sky, they whispered endlessly, wishing time would freeze.

Thinking of the late night ahead, Qin Ke softly said, “Xiaoqi, let’s go.”

Reluctantly, she murmured “Mm” and finally released her arms.

Qin Ke took her hand and was about to step forward when Bian Xiaoqi suddenly cried out, “Ouch! My left ankle hurts—I can’t walk.”

Startled by the barking, she had twisted her ankle. Qin Ke immediately knelt down and had her hold his head while she balanced on one foot. He took off her left shoe and began massaging her ankle in the dark.

“Feeling better?” he asked.

“Mm,” she replied.

“Can you walk?”

“No.”

“I’ll carry you.”

“Mm,” she agreed.

Qin Ke helped her back into her shoe and bent down. She obediently lay on his back, arms wrapped around his neck.

He stood, hands clasped behind to support her knees, leaning slightly forward, and took small steps.

Feeling his strong, broad back, Bian Xiaoqi wished she could be carried like this forever, never stopping.

She thought gratefully of the dog that had barked—it was her lucky dog. The thought made her smile suddenly.

Qin Ke, unaware of her thoughts, asked, “What’s got you so happy?”

“I won’t tell you,” she teased.

“This girl’s so heavy, like carrying a little mountain,” Qin Ke joked.

“I’m not as heavy as you say! Stop talking nonsense, you’re annoying,” Bian Xiaoqi said, gently punching his back with her little fists.

Qin Ke jogged with her on his back.

Their playful banter echoed in the darkness, and even the stars above seemed to pause, watching them without blinking.

The path was over two hundred meters, and soon they reached the equipment room building.

“Qin Ke, put me down quickly,” she said anxiously.

“Can you walk now?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“Were you doing that on purpose just now?”

“No,” she denied.

Qin Ke set her down, and sure enough, she walked briskly.

“No, you definitely did it on purpose,” he accused.

“I did. Ha ha, ha ha,” she laughed, running off.