From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Luo Peng's eyes widened instantly, his face filled with disbelief, and his voice rose several octaves:

"You...you really agreed to cross the no-man's-land? Is that place a joke?!"

"Go, why not go?" I said firmly.

Luo Peng frowned deeply, his face full of worry: "Brother Lin, wake up! Do you know how low it gets at night in the no-man's-land? There's no signal or supplies in there. What if the car breaks down or gets stuck? We won't have anywhere to call for help!"

I was well aware of the risks, but I remained unfazed: "That's why I need help now. Are you interested in staying and taking this gamble with me?"

"You still have time to go back and learn more, but are you interested in joining us?"

Luo Peng opened his mouth, froze on the spot, remained silent for several seconds, and then let out a bitter laugh:

"Brother Lin, to be honest, I already bought my train ticket back to my hometown yesterday."

My heart sank instantly, and a sense of loss welled up inside me.

Luo Peng nodded, sighed, and said, "I've been out here for several years and haven't made much of a name for myself. Well, my family just happened to introduce me to a blind date. I heard her family is in the seafood business."

I understand his thinking. After years of hard work away from home without making a name for himself, and at his age, returning to his hometown to find a partner, settle down, and live a stable life is the safest option.

No one would be willing to take such a life-or-death risk with me.

I took a deep breath, suppressed my disappointment, and waved my hand with a smile: "It's okay, I won't force you. This trip was indeed too risky. It's better to go back and live a peaceful life."

"Who said I was leaving?"

Luo Peng suddenly looked up, and before I could react, he took out his phone and opened the order.

Then, right in front of me, he clicked the refund button without hesitation.

The refund notification popped up, and he looked up decisively, saying, "After all these years in the game, to go back empty-handed and with nothing to show for it? I'm not willing to accept that! You're willing to risk your life for your future, so why should I, Luo Peng, back down? This time, I'll fight alongside you!"

My heart warmed, and I was instantly overwhelmed with emotions.

All my words boil down to this one serious piece of advice: "Brother, this is no joke. Think it through."

"Stop dawdling!" Luo Peng waved his hand, brimming with heroic spirit. "Let's get to work!"

That's enough for me. I nodded emphatically.

"Okay! I'll trouble you when you get back. Please help me compile a list of supplies for crossing the no-man's-land. You know cars, so you know which equipment, vehicle parts, and emergency supplies are essential."

No problem, leave it to me!

Luo Peng readily agreed, then asked, "So, when do we roughly set off?"

"I'll first prepare the route plan and material contingency plan. Once the contract is signed, we can set off at any time, which should be within the next few days."

"Okay, I'll go back and get ready now!"

After we parted ways, I returned to the riverside courtyard alone.

On the way back, a few words kept running through my mind.

Uninhabited areas, live streaming, supplies, guides.

Su Qing is right, the brave ones eat meat first.

But whether one can swallow their courage depends not on mere enthusiasm, but on thorough preparation.

……

When I returned to the riverside courtyard, I could see a car parked at the gate from afar.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a black Mercedes SUV, with a dignified and imposing presence.

Why would such a luxury car suddenly stop in my humble riverside courtyard?

I felt a sudden unease for no reason, and I paused in my steps.

I immediately took out my phone and sent an urgent message to Su Qing:

"Are you home? There's an unfamiliar Mercedes parked at the gate of the yard. What's going on?"

I waited for several minutes but didn't receive a reply from Su Qing.

Just then, a suppressed yet sharp argument broke out in the quiet courtyard.

My heart tightened, and I quickly stepped forward, gently pressing my ear against the wooden door.

The first sound was a very harsh female voice.

Without a doubt, she is Su Qing's mother!

"Su Qing, I think you've gone mad! Living with a strange man in this run-down courtyard! If word gets out, where will your father and I put our faces? You've completely disgraced the Su family!"

Hearing that familiar tone, my heart sank instantly.

Su Qing's parents actually found their way here!

The next second, a stern, angry male voice rang out: "Stop fooling around! Pack your things and move out with us! This is utterly disgraceful and an eyesore!"

Then Su Qing's stubborn voice came out:

"You're meddling way too much! You promised me a year of freedom, that I would support myself, not spend a penny of my family's money, and not interfere in anything my family does! I haven't broken any rules, so why are you suddenly interfering in my life?"

After saying that, she added, "Furthermore, where I live and who I associate with is my own freedom! Why should I compromise myself for your so-called face?"

Su's mother was instantly enraged, her voice rising abruptly: "You dare talk back? You really want to drive us to our deaths, don't you! Don't think we don't know anything. The man you live with is the same deliveryman you brought home to pretend to be your boyfriend, isn't he?!"

These words struck at my sore spot, carrying blatant contempt.

But Su Qing didn't flinch at all, her tone firm and resolute: "So what if I am? So what if I live with him? This is my choice, my freedom, and you have no right to interfere!"

"You! You're utterly hopeless!"

I stood outside the door, listening to the argument inside, feeling a mix of emotions, caught in a dilemma.

If I push the door open and go in, I will inevitably be ridiculed and scorned by Su's parents, bringing shame upon myself.

But if I just stay outside the door pretending to be deaf and dumb and watch Su Qing bear all the blame and humiliation alone, I won't be able to live with myself.

Just as I was hesitating, Su Qing's sudden words froze me in place, leaving my mind blank.

"To tell you the truth, Lin Ye was indeed someone I hired to pretend to be my boyfriend. But now, things are different. He is my boyfriend, and we've been living together for a long time!"

With a bang, my mind went completely blank.

I understand Su Qing's relationship with her family. The mother and father always argue within three sentences.

Her words were not just a simple retort; they were a complete breakdown in relations!

A moment of deathly silence fell over the room, followed by Su's father's furious roar:

"What did you say?! Su Qing, are you blind? That guy is just a food deliveryman, what makes him worthy of you?"

The harsh words pierced my ears, and a strong sense of inferiority instantly welled up in my heart.

I have to admit that these words are harsh, but they are also the stark reality.

I am now truly penniless and utterly unworthy of Su Qing, who comes from a wealthy family.

But Su Qing immediately retorted forcefully, "So what if I like him? That's my business! I don't rely on my family now, I don't spend a penny of your money, I'm self-reliant, and I have no morals whatsoever! What more do you want from me?"

"Su Qing, Su Qing, we've raised you for nothing! If you were even half as sensible as your sister, we wouldn't have to worry about you so much!"

Su's mother's voice was full of disappointment.