The Secret Beneath the Banyan Tree

Qin Baike took the keys and unlocked the door to the clinic, then went upstairs to Tang Yiyi’s room. He found her wholly absorbed in the notebook spread across her desk, jotting things down from time to time.

He watched her quietly for a while, not disturbing her, then went to the kitchen. He touched the dishcloth; it was bone dry.

He slipped downstairs and returned to the noodle shop, poured out some flour, and began kneading dough. Ye Tong saw him and asked, “Yiyi didn’t eat?”

“No. Uncle Xu hasn’t come to the clinic all day, the kitchen’s been unused, and there are no takeout boxes in her room.”

Ye Tong asked curiously, “What’s she doing?”

“Studying her master’s notes, learning.”

“…She’s impressive. That composure is rare.”

Qin Baike said, “She’s just like you were as a child—focused and persistent when she learns.”

Ye Tong suddenly understood, “Oh, no wonder…”

“No wonder what?” Qin Baike asked.

“Nothing,” Ye Tong smiled. So, the type of girl you like has always been the same.

Qin Baike quickly finished hand-pulling the noodles and placed them in a bowl. Ye Tong picked up the bowl, saying, “Take a break, I’ll bring it to her.”

Tang Yiyi had just finished reading a case, stretched a couple times, and heard the sound of high heels on the stairs. She went out and saw Ye Tong coming up with a steaming bowl of noodles.

“Baike’s hand-pulled noodles. Eat them while they’re hot,” she said.

Tang Yiyi was stunned. How did Qin Baike know she hadn’t eaten dinner? And… was he so unwilling to see her that he wouldn’t even deliver takeout himself? She took the noodles, sat down, mixed them, and ate with big mouthfuls. It was indeed Qin Baike’s hand-pulled noodles, identical to those on his birthday night.

“Eat slowly,” Ye Tong placed a glass of water beside her hand.

Ye Tong’s gentle manner made Tang Yiyi’s heart even more confused. The familiar taste in her mouth was rapidly disappearing, perhaps this would be the last time she’d eat Qin Baike’s noodles. The thought made her want to cry.

“Yiyi,” Ye Tong propped her head beside the table, “Is Uncle Xu’s illness very serious?”

“I don’t know. We have to wait for the biopsy results.”

“Mm.” She nodded, then asked, “Do you know where Baike and I went?”

Tang Yiyi paused, shook her head, “No, Brother Ertong said you went out to have fun.”

“…Mm.”

“Was it cooler where you went?” Tang Yiyi recalled Xiao Xie’s guess.

“It was. Much cooler than the city.”

“I’ve heard Baike say his dream trip is to drive along the national border, a whole circle. Just imagining it is fascinating.”

“Really? That idea is very Baike. It doesn’t surprise me at all.”

“You know Baike well, Sister Ye Tong?”

“I do, and I don’t. Oh,” Ye Tong suddenly straightened up, “I just remembered something.”

“What is it?”

“There’s a way to truly understand Baike. The night before I left Yicheng for school, I said goodbye to Baike under the big banyan tree by the river. I remembered a scene from ‘My Sassy Girl,’ so I suggested we each write a letter to the other, to be opened twenty years later.”

“Did you write them?”

“We did. He found a glass jar when he came back, and we buried the letters under the banyan tree, promising to open them in twenty years. It’s only been ten. I wonder what he was thinking then. The banyan tree is still there, but someday it might be moved.”

Tang Yiyi asked, “Do you want to dig it up and see?”

Ye Tong nodded, “I’m heading back to Beijing tomorrow. Who knows when I’ll return again? But I’m scared to go alone at night.”

“I’ll go with you.” She too wanted to know what Qin Baike was thinking; maybe the answer he’d waited ten years for was written there.

“Alright,” Ye Tong nodded, “Let’s meet under the banyan tree in an hour. By then, there shouldn’t be anyone around.”

“Mm.”

Ye Tong took the empty bowl downstairs. Tang Yiyi, thinking about it, grew excited. She never expected real life to mirror movie scenes. Twenty years—how much would change?

Nineteen-year-old Qin Baike, what were you thinking then? Tang Yiyi anxiously checked the time several times, staring at the ceiling and murmuring to herself: Even if I must leave you, I want to understand you more.

Ten minutes to the hour, she put on her shoes, ran downstairs, and peered through the door at the noodle shop entrance. Only customers were eating noodles—none of the staff were in sight.

She slipped out, swiftly running past the noodle shop. The sky was fully dark, and the alley’s residents had retreated into their air-conditioned rooms because of the oppressive heat.

She slowed at the alley’s entrance and walked toward the banyan tree. Soon its broad canopy appeared before her.

From afar, she saw someone under the tree. She hurried closer, but something felt off—the silhouette was not a single person. As she approached, she recognized the familiar figure: Qin Baike was holding Ye Tong tightly, the two fused into one.

She stood dumbfounded, tears streaming down, realizing she’d been deceived by Ye Tong. What twenty-year promise? What nineteen-year-old letter? She was lured here just to witness this scene, told to step aside! The one Qin Baike wanted to embrace most was not her.

She quietly stepped back a few paces and turned to run.

The wind by the river was strong, quickly drying her tears, but her heart was bitter as if she’d swallowed bile.

She’d never intended to compete with Ye Tong. Why must she be treated so cruelly? Do women really have to resort to ugly tricks to hurt each other? Must it be a battle to the death? Do they really have to use every means for a man?

The river’s surface was almost level with the walkway—this year’s water seemed especially fierce.

Tang Yiyi didn’t know how far she ran, only stopping when exhaustion made her unable to go further. Facing the rushing river, she finally couldn’t hold back and cried out loud. Across the river, the lights were bright and bustling, but not a single lamp burned for her.

Her master’s troubles had weighed on her all day, and now the tears wouldn’t stop. Fortunately, there was no one around, or someone might have called the police, fearing she would attempt suicide.

Tang Yiyi, lost in her own sorrow, was crying bitterly when Qin Baike’s voice sounded behind her: “How long are you going to cry?”

She spun around, startled—it was indeed Qin Baike behind her. She wiped her tears, looking around. Qin Baike said, “It’s just me.”

“How are you here?” Tang Yiyi asked, still sobbing.

“I followed you all the way here. I knew you could run, but didn’t expect you’d run so far.”

“Why follow me? You should be with…”

Qin Baike wrapped an arm around her waist and pressed his other hand to the back of her head, kissing her directly, silencing her words.

Tang Yiyi’s mind exploded, as if fireworks burst, dazzling her vision and thoughts with brilliant white light. Then she felt Qin Baike’s tongue part her lips, fiercely absorbing her, the fireworks in her mind gradually fading, and she could finally see the black night sky.

She closed her eyes, wrapped her arms around Qin Baike’s waist, stood on tiptoe, and responded to his kiss.

It was a long, absolutely sweet kiss.

Time rewound an hour.

Ye Tong put the empty bowl back in the noodle shop, bought some local specialties at the alley supermarket, then went upstairs alone. Forty minutes later, carrying a bulging little cloth pouch, she ran downstairs and said to Qin Baike, “Baike, let’s go walk under the banyan tree.”

Qin Baike didn’t think much, stood up, and followed her to the banyan tree.

“Remember?” she said, “We said goodbye here.”

“I remember. You really cried, soaked my clothes through. How can women have so many tears?”

Ye Tong smiled, “Women are made of water. Tears are how we dissolve; whatever can’t dissolve makes us harder.”

“Ye Tong, you said you came back to heal. Are you healed?”

“I am. Seeing your calm approach to life these days has settled my mind. No matter the wounds, I can heal completely.”

Qin Baike said, “I just hope your future is happy, that every day is the life you want.”

“I will. Don’t worry. Now that we’ve added each other on WeChat, you’ll see my updates often. Don’t slack off, I want to see yours too.”

“Alright.”

“Baike, last time when I left, I hugged you. Now, can you hug me? Just for a minute, tightly.”

Qin Baike stepped forward and hugged Ye Tong. She really was much thinner than before. “Tighter,” she said. So he hugged her tighter.

Ye Tong’s muffled voice came from his chest, “Did you see the mountain climbing photos I sent you?”

“I saw them.”

“Did you see the ones with Yiyi in the frame?”

“I saw them.”

“Did you see how she looked at you?”

“I saw.”

“She loves you.”

“I know.”

A minute later, she raised her head and said, “Just now, Yiyi saw you hugging me and ran that way. Fool, go after her, don’t let her cry.”

Qin Baike turned and saw Tang Yiyi’s fleeing figure. Ye Tong gave him a push, “Go chase her, I’ll go back myself.”

Qin Baike glanced back at her, nodded, and ran after Tang Yiyi.

Ye Tong watched their receding figures, smiled, and walked to the banyan tree, patting its thick trunk.

“Another show for you, was it exciting? Sorry you always see our farewells. Consider this little scene my parting gift.”

After their passionate kiss, Tang Yiyi and Qin Baike stood tightly embraced by the river. Though full of questions, Tang Yiyi thought about how he’d seen her cry so miserably, and felt too embarrassed to face him.

She buried her face in his chest, unwilling to look up, and Qin Baike didn’t rush her, just quietly held her. The feeling of holding her was utterly different from holding Ye Tong.

Ye Tong was cool and aloof; Tang Yiyi was warm. The faint scent from her skin carried that warmth into his heart, filling him with comfort.

He didn’t know when he fell in love with Yiyi—perhaps from the first time she sat sadly at the noodle shop’s door, he’d noticed her.

So small, her eyes full of sorrow, yet able to brighten with happiness over a simple glass of water.

Her compassion was innate, never judging a patient by their status as a mere migrant worker.

For her small dream, she worked diligently and persistently, unstoppable in her quiet progress.

Seeing her silently cry over heartbreak, he couldn’t help but get angry, wanting to drag that guy over and beat him up—though he had no reason to be angry.

He was willing to buy her snacks just to cheer her up, and spent the night watching over her, all willingly.

When she shamelessly asked about his criteria for a partner, he didn’t mind, and unconsciously listed qualities matching hers. She didn’t understand, but was happy to watch him go on blind dates.

He cared for her in so many ways, yet couldn’t find the courage to tell her, “I love you.”

Tang Yiyi moved in his arms. He stroked her hair, “Ready to head back? You ran quite far; it’ll take a while to walk home.”

She pressed her face to his chest, mumbling, “I cried so horribly just now, you’re not allowed to laugh at me.”

“This time was much better than last time—not so ugly.”

She looked up, puzzled, “When did I ever cry in front of you before?”

Qin Baike laughed at her confusion, “Best you don’t remember.”

“The time I got drunk?” She lowered her head, “What did I do then?”

Qin Baike rubbed her hair again, took her hand, and started walking back.

“Just because you saw me hug Ye Tong, you got that upset?”

“…Not entirely.”

“She’s like a sibling I grew up with. She’s been hurt in love; I wanted to help her. Don’t mind.”

“Now I understand your feelings. That’s enough.” Tang Yiyi smiled happily.

Qin Baike squeezed her hand with joy, “But why did you go to the banyan tree?”

“Ye Tong said that ten years ago, when you two said goodbye under the banyan tree, you buried letters there to be opened in twenty years. She said she wanted to read them early, but was too scared to go alone at night, so asked me to come.”

Qin Baike paused, unable to hold back his laughter, “You believed that movie plot?”

“Ye Tong seemed very serious. It didn’t feel fake.”

“You wanted to see what we wrote back then, didn’t you?”

“…A little.”

“Yiyi, everyone has a past. Those pasts shape who we are now.”

“I understand. I like you—who you are now.”

Qin Baike smiled, cupped her face, and kissed her again.

Tang Yiyi smiled shyly, and they walked hand in hand, the road stretching endlessly before them.

Tang Yiyi remembered something and asked, “Where did you two go these past few days?”

“Who said we went to play? I posted photos on Moments; I thought you’d seen them.”

Tang Yiyi said, a bit frustrated, “I haven’t checked Moments lately. Brother Ertong said you two went to have fun.”

“Heh, those siblings… We went to the Green Plant Manor. Ye Tong visited her teacher, I drove her there. We were supposed to return the same day, but discovered Sister Wu had heatstroke. I worried she’d infect Mom, so sent her home to rest. I stayed to care for her a few days. Ye Tong stayed longer to discuss sci-fi plots with her teacher.”

Tang Yiyi said, “Ye Tong wanted me to misunderstand about you two. Does she actually love you?”

Qin Baike stopped, thought a moment, then pulled out his phone and opened his photo album. “Look at this—she sent it to me.”

He showed her a mountain climbing photo: Tang Yiyi squatting beside him holding a reflector, captured in the frame. Though her figure was small, her gaze was clear, full of tenderness as she looked at Qin Baike.

Tang Yiyi covered her face, “There’s a photo like that?”

“It was in Ertong’s computer—he didn’t notice. Ye Tong saw it and sent it to me.”

Tang Yiyi said, puzzled, “What’s she really thinking?”

Neither understood why Ye Tong went to such lengths to play matchmaker, instead of just saying it outright.

While they were wondering, Tang Yiyi’s phone chimed with a message. She opened it—Ye Tong had written: Yiyi, I trust Baike has confessed to you. After all your tears and laughter, things should have settled down. Now go dig up the glass jar under the banyan tree. It’s a letter I wrote for you two, to be opened immediately—no need to wait ten years.

The two exchanged glances, and simultaneously began to run.

Under the banyan tree, Ye Tong had already left. A chubby glass jar of yellow peach preserves sat by the roots. Qin Baike picked it up. Inside were two pages. He unscrewed the lid and took out the paper—Ye Tong’s free-spirited handwriting appeared.

Baike:

You are the person I trust most in this life—not a lover, not a brother, not a friend, not a bestie, not a soulmate. No single word is accurate for what we are, but regardless, we found each other. Even after ten years apart, when we meet again, we’re still just as we were.

With you, I can shed all disguises and be my messy, soft self—and you still accept me, endlessly.

Baike, you hope I live happily, every day as I wish. I hope the same for you. But you, the reserved one, only quietly care. Not every girl understands that.

Girls love with their ears—that’s why guys who sweet-talk always have girlfriends.

But forcing you to say sweet words to woo a girl… I bet even if Ran Noodle Shop made it to Nasdaq, you’d never say “I love you” to a girl.

At this point, three black lines fall on my forehead. You’re really hard to handle.

But fortunately, your reserved heart has found someone.

“For certain reasons, the young intern moved into the noodle shop.”

Never underestimate a woman’s intuition—especially mine (smug smile).

Yiyi is a wonderful girl. Her kindness alone is worth your true love, and besides, she’s much more than just kind.

Cherish her well. You two must be happy.

When I leave tomorrow, no need to see me off.

Yiyi:

Sorry for making you cry, but if you get what you want, the process doesn’t matter.

Remember, girls shouldn’t confess in love. No matter how much you care, let him speak first.

But Baike won’t say “I love you”—if you hear him promise to protect you, take it as love.

To get that fool to confess, I’ve really racked my brains.

He fears women’s tears, especially those of the one he loves.

Matchmaking mission complete—I’ll step back now. Let me guess: his confession is all action, no words, right? You’ll never hear him say “I love you”—just try it and see.

Ye Tong, today

They finished reading and stared at each other. Ye Tong truly didn’t play by the rules. For mere matchmaking, she staged an entire drama.

Qin Baike shook his head helplessly, “She’s a director—maybe she’s used to complicating simple stories to make them more dramatic.”

“But Baike,” Tang Yiyi looked at him eagerly, “Will you really never say ‘I love you’?”

“…Uh, you haven’t eaten much tonight. Hungry? I know a cake shop with amazing cream puffs—I’ll buy you some.”

“Which one? I want to go too.”

“Come on, I’ll take you.”

“Where is it? How come I’ve never heard of it?… Baike, you still haven’t said ‘I love you’…”

“It’s close, just around the corner…”

The two bantered as they walked off together.

In the Qin Noodle Shop, Ertong was filming Xiao Xie, who grinned blissfully at a bowl of iced canned yellow peaches.