From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

For the next three days, I went into a state of high-intensity preparation.

Procurement of materials, preparation of vehicles, and verification of routes.

I immediately transferred the deposit to Brother Wang, and then drove two modified Raptor SUVs to his shop, where this veteran driver personally inspected the vehicles to eliminate any potential hazards on the road.

Su Qing wasn't idle either. Ever since I told her that the supplies list could be given to her for verification, she took on the task.

Every day I go out to the market to compare sources of goods and purchase outdoor supplies, while she stays in the courtyard, checking and inventorying the long list of supplies one by one.

She clearly marked which items were overpriced and which items were missed.

What surprised me most was that she had also prepared a detailed spreadsheet.

The procurement channels, unit prices, quantities, estimated losses, shelf life, and applicable scenarios for all materials were noted in detail, making it even more comprehensive and detailed than what I could compile myself.

That evening, after I returned to the hospital after purchasing supplies, I saw her sitting on a stone bench with a stack of printed documents spread out in front of her, intently flipping through and checking them.

I walked over, picked up a piece of paper, and asked with a puzzled look, "What are you researching now?"

"I'm checking the real-time data for our route through this no-man's-land. I've checked everything: the temperature difference between day and night, the altitude difference, the air pressure changes, and the probability of extreme weather."

I frowned slightly: "Wasn't this the planning that Brother Wang was in charge of? Is the data you found accurate?"

Su Qing rolled her eyes at me, pointing to the red line on the document, and said, "The list of warm clothing you made before only calculated the average temperature and didn't take into account the altitude differences at all."

"The highest pass on this route is at an extremely high altitude, and the temperature at night will drop directly below zero. Your regular sleeping bag simply cannot withstand the low temperature, and you will easily suffer from hypothermia at night. The risk is too great."

My heart skipped a beat; it turned out she was checking the temperature difference to pack her gear.

I must admit that I did overlook this crucial detail.

I only referred to the general average data before, and did not analyze the temperature difference changes at different altitudes.

"I'll check with Brother Wang about this later and get the equipment replenished as soon as possible," I said quickly.

Su Qing put away her phone and said calmly, "No need to confirm, I went to Brother Wang's shop this afternoon to talk to him."

"He also said that a regular sleeping bag is enough for most of the journey, but it's definitely not enough to cross high-altitude passes. You have to add an insulated inner liner. I've already written it down for you, and we'll prioritize purchasing and replenishing it tomorrow."

I looked at her with some surprise: "Didn't you previously avoid contact with Brother Wang? Why did you actually take the initiative to coordinate the route and equipment?"

Su Qing sighed softly, a serious look in her eyes: "Personal feelings are a small matter; the safety of the team is the most important thing. Now that things have come to this, I can't let my temper hold us back."

I stared at her, speechless for a moment, my heart filled with warmth.

She didn't say it, but she cared about it more than anyone else.

She looked down and continued scrolling through her phone, saying, "Don't look at me like that, I'm just bored."

But I knew in my heart that she wasn't just doing this for fun.

She was worried; she treated my affairs as if they were her own.

From initially opposing my going, to when I insisted on going, she never stopped me again.

Instead, they joined in a different way, filling in all the details they could think of.

The day before departure, the steady sound of an off-road vehicle engine could be heard outside the compound.

I hurried outside and saw Chen Yunqing just getting off the modified Raptor.

She was still dressed in a neat and capable workwear outfit, with her dark jacket neatly tucked in, making her look crisp and efficient.

She handed over a neatly bound stack of paper reports and said quickly, "Both vehicles have been fully prepared. This is the complete inspection record. All worn parts have been replaced, and there are no potential malfunctions."

I took the report and quickly flipped through it; every test result was clearly marked.

"Thank you for your hard work." I looked up and thanked you.

"My job duties."

Chen Yunqing spoke calmly, then pulled out an official document bearing the official seal and handed it over.

"This is the approval document for entering the Qiangtang uninhabited area. It has been officially approved, and you can enter the park and traverse it at any time with your permit."

Seeing this document, a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.

This is the most crucial part of all the preparations. Only with official approval can all our preparations be considered truly implemented and not considered illegal or risky.

Without this thing, all our efforts would be in vain.

Only projects that are legitimate collaborations with car manufacturers can pass official approval so smoothly.

I smiled and gestured, "Come in, sit down for a while, and have some water."

Chen Yunqing gently shook her head, without delay: "No need, I came specifically to deliver documents and reports, so it won't hinder your preparations. When do we tentatively plan to depart?"

After a moment's thought, I finalized the schedule: "Tomorrow is the last day for loading supplies onto the trucks and conducting a final inspection. Tonight, I'll finalize the route details with Brother Wang. If all goes well, we'll depart on time the day after tomorrow."

"Okay." Chen Yunqing nodded. "I'll go back and give the vehicle another thorough maintenance to ensure it's in stable condition."

After she finished speaking, she got into the car, started the engine, reversed it, and drove off.

Clean and concise, without a single unnecessary word.

I stood at the gate of the courtyard and watched the SUV completely disappear into the alley before turning around and walking back into the courtyard.

Su Qing was squatting on the ground feeding the cat when she heard footsteps. She looked up, then instinctively glanced behind me, and asked in confusion:

"Wasn't Chen Yunqing here just now? Why haven't I seen her?"

I waved the official documents in my hand and replied with a smile, "They just came to deliver the vehicle inspection report and access approval documents, and left after that."

"The document has been approved?!"

Su Qing's eyes lit up, and she quickly took the document and carefully examined it, her tone tinged with excitement:

"So that means we can leave anytime now?"

I sat back down at the stone table and lit a cigarette.

Looking at the quiet courtyard before me, I felt a mix of emotions and nodded solemnly:

"Yes, everything is ready. We'll set off early the day after tomorrow."

The evening breeze gently caressed me, ruffling my clothes and stirring up my anxieties and hopes.

Su Qing stared at me and asked softly, "To be honest, are you nervous?"

I took a deep drag of my cigarette, slowly exhaling the smoke, and frankly admitted, "I'm nervous."

"The uninhabited area is a dangerous and unpredictable place. I have never had this kind of experience before, so it would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous."

Su Qing looked at me seriously: "If you're so nervous, why force yourself to persevere?"

I looked up at the deep night in the distance and said in a deep voice, "Because I have no way out. This time, I must go."

A cool evening breeze swept across the courtyard, where a little orange cat named Xiao Tuanzi was munching on cat food in the corner, its tail occasionally twitching gently, looking adorable.

Su Qing turned her head to stare at it, her small mouth slightly pursed, her tone carrying a hint of reluctance:

"We'll be gone for a month or two, what will happen to the little one?"

I picked up the conversation and said, "Isn't that simple? Why don't you just stay and take care of it instead of going? It'll be the best of both worlds."