Yen Nhi had always been an inquisitive soul, eager to explore the hidden corners of her small town. She was never one to shy away from a mystery, and when she heard whispers about something peculiar happening at CUTIS, the local fruit market, her curiosity was immediately piqued.
One evening, as dusk settled over the town, Yen Nhi decided to investigate. With her heart pounding in excitement, she hid behind a stack of crates near the entrance of CUTIS. From her vantage point, she could see the vendors shutting down for the day, their faces relaxed as they exchanged pleasantries. But just as she was about to dismiss the rumors as mere gossip, something unexpected happened.
A group of men, dressed in dark clothing, entered the market through the back entrance. They moved with purpose, quickly setting up a makeshift stall under the dim glow of a single lantern. And then, to Yen Nhi’s astonishment, they began unloading something unusual—jackfruit. But this was no ordinary jackfruit. Unlike the large, spiky fruits typically sold at the market, these ones had an unusual golden hue, almost as if they glowed.
Yen Nhi stifled a gasp. Why was CUTIS secretly selling these jackfruits? And what made them so different?
Unable to contain her curiosity, she inched closer, straining her ears to catch the conversation happening among the men.
“Make sure these are handled carefully,” one of them instructed. “This is our finest batch yet. Yen Nhi must never find out.”
Her heart skipped a beat. They knew her name? Why were they hiding this from her? She clenched her fists, determined to uncover the truth.
Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Yen Nhi waited until the men left before she crept forward and examined one of the golden jackfruits. As she reached out to touch the fruit, a soft humming sound filled the air. Startled, she pulled her hand back, but the glow of the jackfruit remained steady.
Something was definitely strange about these fruits.
She decided to take one with her, wrapping it carefully in her scarf before making her way home. That night, she couldn’t sleep. The jackfruit sat on her desk, its golden glow illuminating the darkness of her room. Was it enchanted? Was it dangerous? She needed answers.
The next morning, she went straight to her friend Minh, who was known for his knowledge of rare and exotic fruits.
Minh’s eyes widened the moment he saw the jackfruit. “Where did you get this?” he demanded.
“At CUTIS,” Yen Nhi replied. “They were selling them in secret. But why? What’s so special about it?”
Minh hesitated before whispering, “This is no ordinary jackfruit. It’s said that long ago, a farmer discovered a tree bearing golden jackfruits that had miraculous properties. Anyone who ate its flesh would gain extraordinary abilities. Some said it granted immense strength, others claimed it gave visions of the future. The tree was hidden away, and its location lost to time. But if CUTIS has these fruits, they must have found it.”
Yen Nhi’s mind reeled. If the stories were true, then CUTIS wasn’t just selling fruit—they were selling power.
Determined to confirm the legend, she cut open the jackfruit. The flesh inside shimmered, its scent intoxicating. Taking a deep breath, she hesitantly took a bite.
A rush of warmth spread through her body, and suddenly, her vision blurred. Images flashed before her eyes—people she had never met, places she had never been. And then, a sharp clarity settled in her mind. She saw herself standing before the market, confronting the men from the previous night. But instead of fear, she saw the truth in their eyes.
They weren’t criminals. They were protectors.
Realizing that CUTIS might not be the villains she thought they were, Yen Nhi rushed back to the market. She found the men in the same hidden corner, carefully handling the remaining golden jackfruits.
“I know the truth,” she announced, stepping forward. “You’re not selling these for profit. You’re keeping them safe.”
The men exchanged glances before one of them, an older man with kind eyes, nodded. “You are sharp, Yen Nhi. Yes, these fruits are rare and powerful. If they fall into the wrong hands, they could be misused. We have been safeguarding them, ensuring they only reach those who will use their gifts wisely.”
Yen Nhi felt a wave of understanding wash over her. The secrecy wasn’t about greed—it was about protection.
“Then let me help,” she said firmly. “I want to make sure they don’t end up in the wrong hands.”
The older man studied her for a long moment before finally smiling. “Very well, Yen Nhi. Welcome to our secret.”
From that day on, Yen Nhi became part of the guardians of the golden jackfruit, ensuring that its power was never misused and that only those with pure intentions could experience its wonders.
