Chapter 8: Clearing the Clouds to Reveal the Sun

(1/3)
(1)
Xiao Qi Bian listened to Qin Ke’s explanation, seeming to understand yet still somewhat puzzled.

Qin Ke continued to analyze for her: “Xiao Qi, the fact that the problem can recur is crucial evidence. If it were not repeatable, it wouldn’t be convincing. Since the issue can be reproduced, it means that at least two users were registered to use the new no-answer call forwarding service, and it involved call transfers between these two users.”

“We only simulated the conditions triggering the problem just now; we still need to confirm whether the equipment actually had users employing this new service during that time. Which two users could it be?” Xiao Qi asked hesitantly, trying to probe further.

“Yes, you’re already speaking quite professionally,” Qin Ke praised her.

“Since we arrived in Qianfo Town, the problem hasn’t happened again. This means either no one dialed the two phones set up with the no-answer call forwarding service, or someone canceled the service on these two phones. My intuition leans toward the latter because users must apply to the telecom bureau to use the new service. Only after approval can the operations department issue a work order to authorize equipment maintenance personnel to enable the service for users,” Qin Ke explained.

“Do you suspect someone at the telecom bureau secretly did this?” Xiao Qi suddenly understood and asked.

“Yes, but we still need to find evidence. Now that we have a target, it’s easier. Anyone operating on the equipment leaves records; the equipment doesn’t lie. Let’s find those records,” Qin Ke said.

Qin Ke checked the number of users employing the no-answer call forwarding service by type and date, finding five users today. Yesterday, there were three, indicating the two users he registered today were included in the count. Looking further back to the day before yesterday, there were still five users, meaning two users canceled the service yesterday. Going further back to a day two weeks ago, the number remained five users.

He showed the compiled data to Xiao Qi and asked her to record it carefully.

Next, Qin Ke checked the system operation logs for today, clearly showing the two users he just registered for the no-answer call forwarding service—phone numbers 2 and 3 used for their test—as well as the operation date and time.

He then checked yesterday’s logs and found that around 10 a.m., two other phone numbers, 732044 and 732054, had their no-answer call forwarding service canceled.

Further checking the logs from two weeks ago, around 3 p.m., two numbers—732044 and 732054—were registered for the no-answer call forwarding service and were mutually transferring calls between each other.

Looking at the log information, Xiao Qi said, “I understand now; the problem lies with the users of these two phones.”

“You’re right. We need to find out who these two users are; only Li Jun and Chen Ming know,” Qin Ke said.

“But I still have a question,” Xiao Qi looked at Qin Ke.

“I like your ten thousand whys. Without your persistence today, I might not have found the truth so quickly,” Qin Ke encouraged.

“Since the system knows about this infinite loop, why doesn’t it terminate the repeated call forwarding between the two users promptly? Why does it have to restart? Couldn’t it just stay off?” Xiao Qi spoke cautiously, fearing she might be wrong.

“Xiao Qi, that’s a great question, and I understand your point. Telephone exchange equipment follows industry-wide technical specifications. Software engineers design and develop software according to these requirements. I believe the current specifications do not detail this kind of situation. You could call it a system flaw or not. Humans are not omniscient; neither the specification writers nor the software developers can foresee everything. We happened to encounter this peculiar problem, which normally wouldn’t occur. So now, we can only conclude it’s a device fault caused by user misoperation. This explanation is reasonable and can be communicated to the client,” Qin Ke patiently explained.

“I get it. As long as users avoid such operations, the problem can be completely prevented,” Xiao Qi said.

“Exactly. Although we explain this way to the client, we must report honestly to the company and request the development engineers to eliminate this hidden risk. Otherwise, who can guarantee the same problem won’t happen elsewhere?” Qin Ke said.

“Having responsible employees like you is truly a blessing for the company,” Xiao Qi admired Qin Ke’s detailed and responsible explanation.

“Xiao Qi, having a smart, diligent, and perceptive beautiful female employee like you is also a blessing for the company,” Qin Ke teased as he relaxed, having found the cause.

“You’re mean, bullying me again,” Xiao Qi playfully scolded.

Though she said that, her heart was pleased; she liked Qin Ke’s compliments.

“What is a smart person? A smart person generates ingenious ideas, finds new paths, and solves problems. Xiao Qi, you are such a person. Working with you feels wonderful,” Qin Ke said warmly.

“Because you believe that after the mountains and rivers seem impassable, there is always a bright village beyond the willows, you can find what others cannot after tireless searching,” Xiao Qi smiled.

“Though our majors differ, our ways of thinking about problems are remarkably similar. With your understanding, you can succeed in any work,” Qin Ke smiled.

“After listening to you talk so much about communication technology tonight, I feel as if a single conversation with you is worth more than ten years of reading,” Xiao Qi began to praise him.

“Honestly, I really admire you. As a girl, and a very beautiful one at that, you could stay comfortably in a city hotel, but you chose to come here to these mountains, staying up late with us, enduring poor food and sleep. This isn’t part of your job responsibilities,” Qin Ke said sincerely.

“I’m willing. I don’t want you to see me only as a colleague, but...” Xiao Qi suddenly stopped, feeling her face flush again.

Seeing her shy expression, Qin Ke held her delicate hand and said, “I’m grateful that such a strange problem happened in Tongyuan, allowing me to meet you.”

Xiao Qi recalled how Qin Ke had hugged and kissed her just moments ago, her cheeks burning more, yet she truly admired his honesty, optimism, and genuine emotions.

“Have you recorded the test process, results, and analysis from today? Let me see,” Qin Ke quickly changed the subject, taking the notebook from her hands.

The neat, elegant running script on the pages caught his eye, reminiscent of Zhao Mengfu’s style. Qin Ke immediately liked it. Reading Xiao Qi’s records, he was amazed and couldn’t put it down for a long time.

Seeing his expression, Xiao Qi asked, “What’s wrong? Did I make mistakes in the notes?”

Qin Ke looked intently at her and said, “Xiao Qi, how much talent are you hiding? You must have studied Zhao Mengfu’s calligraphy since you were young to write such beautiful running script. Truly, your handwriting reflects your character!”

Pointing to Luotong and Sun Shuqiang’s handwriting, he added, “Look at theirs; it’s like chicken claws scratching the paper.”

“I’m just writing, is it really that good?” Xiao Qi was surprised Qin Ke recognized her Zhao-style running script. Though modest, she felt delighted inside.

“Look at your notes: concise format, clear focus, accurate problem description, detailed data—even recording the phone’s ring duration. The conclusion is clear and straightforward. You truly are a literary talent from the Chinese department; your writing skills shine. You’re amazing!” Qin Ke continued to praise her.

(2/3)
“Long hidden in Bashu, unknown to all, now emerging from Hedong to pride the entire land,” Xiao Qi said proudly, no longer modest.

“If I hadn’t watched you take notes, how would I know you’re a liberal arts student with no background in communication technology? This is a very professional test report that many science graduates with years of experience couldn’t produce. Even an outsider can understand the issue at a glance. That’s real ability,” Qin Ke continued.

“I’m nowhere near as good as you say. It’s because you’re such a good teacher—patient, detailed, and organized,” Xiao Qi sweetly smiled.

Qin Ke laughed heartily: “I believe intelligence and insight are innate, not easily improved later. I taught those two guys too, but their comprehension is far behind yours.”

“Xiao Qi, after these two days, I believe your career prospects are bright and limitless,” Qin Ke said, then suddenly grew somber.

Xiao Qi sensed he understood her deeply, speaking as if they had known each other for a long time. Seeing his mood darken, she understood what weighed on his mind.

(2)
As Xiao Qi pondered how to continue Qin Ke’s last topic, he said, “Xiao Qi, we should wake Luotong and Xiao Sun now.”

Looking at her watch, Xiao Qi realized it was nearly four in the morning; dawn was approaching.

“Right, let’s wake them and update them on the situation,” Xiao Qi said.

“You haven’t slept all night either. You should rest a bit first. I’m used to staying up late,” Qin Ke suggested.

“I’m not tired. I want to stay with you,” Xiao Qi insisted, still exhilarated from solving the problem and determined to remain in the equipment room.

Qin Ke woke Luotong and Sun Shuqiang, who were groggy.

Yawning, Luotong asked, “Qin Ge, what’s the situation now?”

Qin Ke said, “We found the cause.”

Instantly alert, Luotong got up, walking while asking, “So fast? Tell me what happened! Qin Ge, you should have woken me earlier. I missed witnessing a miracle.”

Qin Ke smiled, “It’s all thanks to Manager Bian. Without her brilliant ideas today, I don’t know if we would have failed.”

Luotong laughed skeptically at Xiao Qi, “Qin Ge, don’t joke. The sun rising in the west?”

“I knew you wouldn’t believe it,” Qin Ke laughed, then said to Xiao Qi, “Manager Bian, I’ll operate the computer. You explain and demonstrate to them so Luotong will be convinced.”

Xiao Qi took the lead, smiling, “Engineer Luo, is that okay?”

Half convinced, Luotong nodded, “Alright, show me then. Manager Bian, please proceed.”

Xiao Qi methodically applied what she learned from Qin Ke, making calls, directing Qin Ke to operate the computer, and retrieving necessary information. Calm, natural, and authoritative, she looked like an experienced communication engineer.

Luotong gaped in astonishment, shaking his head in disbelief, wondering if he was still dreaming. How did she become a tech expert in just a few hours, utterly outshining him?

Qin Ke was stunned anew. If Xiao Qi’s insight and intelligence were exceptional before, her extraordinary memory and logical expression now impressed him even more. What a remarkably clever girl! She increasingly drew him in, wanting to know more about her.

Luotong admitted defeat, saying, “Manager Bian, Qin Ge, I want to know everything that happened in these past hours. Please enlighten me.”

Qin Ke smiled, “Luo, Manager Bian’s explanation already told you the answer. If we don’t work hard, someone else will snatch our jobs. If you want more details, you’ll have to treat them to a meal; it’s not so easy to get.”

Luotong read Xiao Qi’s test notes and summary carefully, sincerely saying, “Manager Bian, I was disrespectful before; please forgive me. From now on, I’m at your call, no slack.”

Hearing Luotong’s sincere words, Xiao Qi humbly replied, “Luo, I’m not that skilled. It’s Qin Ke’s credit. I just learned quickly and imitated him. But I really need to learn more from you all. Technology and market go hand in hand; knowing technology helps me a lot in marketing.”

“I’m honored to have been part of the entire equipment issue resolution process today. I witnessed your engineers’ hard work, perseverance, optimism, and confidence, and the importance of teamwork. You solved the client’s problem overnight under pressure from the command. Finding the root cause in less than twelve hours without superb skills is impossible. I will report this truthfully to Director Fang. Thank you, all three of you, for your hard work,” Xiao Qi added.

Moved by her sincere words, the three engineers were deeply touched.

Dawn was near, yet none of the four felt tired.

Following Qin Ke’s instructions, they would cancel the test configuration before 6 a.m., preserve the system’s original operational data, and continue monitoring the equipment while waiting for Chen Ming and Li Jun.

Luotong and Sun Shuqiang took over Qin Ke’s duties, reading Xiao Qi’s report while querying the system and repeating the test steps.

Qin Ke wanted Xiao Qi to rest, but she refused and insisted he accompany her outdoors for a walk.

(3)
The sky gradually brightened; the wilderness was silent.

Qin Ke and Xiao Qi strolled along the highway, crossing the stone arch bridge over the mountain stream, reaching the rocky promontory between the creek’s north bank and the Jialing River. Standing at the cliff’s edge, they breathed in the fresh, moist air, instantly feeling refreshed.

Mist drifted in the valley; the mountains across the river revealed their majestic grandeur. Behind them, tall male and female ginkgo trees on opposite banks seemed to exchange tender whispers carried by the river breeze. Birds chirped as if announcing the arrival of morning.

Neither spoke, basking in the morning breeze and dawn light, afraid that breaking the silence would disturb the mountain’s peace.

“You seemed down for a while just now. Why? Is it because of her?” Xiao Qi couldn’t help but speak first.

“Who are you asking about?” Qin Ke didn’t turn around, staring ahead.

“You know who I mean.”

“Who she was no longer matters. What matters is that I’m not who I was, and you’re not who you were,” Qin Ke still didn’t look at her, speaking cryptically.

“I don’t understand.”

“No, with your cleverness, nothing can be hidden from you,” Qin Ke said.

“The gentleman asks when he will return, but there is no set time. The night rains of Bashan fill the autumn pool. When will we share a candle by the western window and talk of Bashan’s night rain?” Xiao Qi, seeing him dodging her question, decided to speak in poetry.

“No. The rain sounds on my pillow; I toss and turn in my mind. The same Bashan rain, tonight is the most vexing,” Qin Ke turned and looked at her, reciting a poem spontaneously.

“Where is the wild energy you showed in the equipment room? What are you worried about now?” Xiao Qi, somewhat annoyed, recalled how Qin Ke had kissed and embraced her, yet now he was evasive.

“Stories have beginnings, but not always endings,” Qin Ke said slowly.

“No, if I say there is, there is,” Xiao Qi stubbornly hugged his arm, tempted to pinch him.

“Xiao Qi, loving someone doesn’t always mean possessing them; sometimes it means letting them go farther,” Qin Ke said softly.

“No! Loving someone means being with them, walking hand in hand toward the future,” Xiao Qi said firmly, looking into his eyes.

Qin Ke looked into her beautiful eyes and whispered, “Xiao Qi, with your talents, Xizhou can’t hold you; Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou will be your true home. The sky is vast for birds to fly, the sea wide for fish to leap. Then, you’ll be you, and I won’t be me.”

“No. Then I will still be me, and you will still be you,” Xiao Qi insisted.

“Before time, anything is possible,” Qin Ke said uncertainly.

“Right, I believe anything is possible,” Xiao Qi said resolutely.

“Xiao Qi, what do you like about me?”

“Optimism and honesty.”

“Just those two?”

“Also confidence and talent.”

“Your honesty is actually foolishness.”

“No! Honesty and optimism are what I value most. Honesty gives security, optimism gives warmth. Of course, confidence and talent make it even better.”

“You don’t know I’m also mischievous.”

“No! The eyes are the windows to the soul; they don’t lie. Your clear and bright eyes tell me you’re a good person.”

Hearing Xiao Qi’s words, Qin Ke embraced her gently. She nestled closely in his broad, warm arms.

“Xiao Qi, I like you. I have never liked a girl this way, not even her. You’re smart, beautiful, intellectual, capable—who wouldn’t like such a perfect girl? But I worry...”

“What do you worry about? Different backgrounds? Families? Status? No! None of that matters. What matters is that both people truly like each other. I like you; you like me—that’s enough.”

“But...”

“Don’t run away from it. I don’t regret it.”

Moved by Xiao Qi’s passionate and firm words, Qin Ke felt he could not betray her deep affection, even if the future held a silent ending. He tightened his embrace.

“The same Bashan rain, tonight is the most delightful,” she whispered softly.

“Hidden in Shu, waiting to be known, before meeting Bashan’s night rain,” he replied tenderly.

The red sun rose in the east, the morning glow filled the sky. The mountains brightened and became more enchanting.

Dogs barked, cattle and sheep called, birds sang; smoke curled from chimneys in the ancient town. Everything before them came alive.

Hand in hand, they slowly walked back toward the equipment room.

This youthful couple, radiating vitality, added a beautiful scene to the mountains.