From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Upon hearing this, Su Qing immediately looked up without the slightest hesitation: "No! I won't, I absolutely have to go! I'm coming no matter what!"

Afraid that I really wouldn't let her go, she quickly added, "I'll send Xiao Tuanzi to Leng Shanshan's place tomorrow and ask her to look after her for a while."

I took another deep drag of my cigarette, my expression slowly darkening, and asked seriously, "By the way, does Leng Shanshan know you're coming with us into the no-man's-land?"

"I don't know," Su Qing replied without thinking.

My gaze deepened, and I pressed further, "So, none of your closest friends know you're going on this adventure?"

Su Qing slumped her shoulders and said with a helpless expression, "How could I dare to tell them, let alone mention it to my parents?"

I immediately said, "That won't do. You don't have to tell your parents, but you have to tell Leng Shanshan."

Su Qing was taken aback by my serious expression, looking completely puzzled: "Why should I talk to her? It's completely unnecessary."

"This is called a safety report," I said, emphasizing each word. "No man's land is not an ordinary tourist attraction; it has no signal, no rescue, unknown risks, and too many variables."

Su Qing was completely unaware of the seriousness of the matter, and only thought that I was making a mountain out of a molehill.

She snorted coldly, and retorted with a hint of temper, "I told my best friend I was going out? Are you out of your mind?!"

"Su Qing, I'm very serious right now, I'm not joking with you."

I paused for two seconds, then emphasized, "This trip isn't for leisure or relaxation; everything is uncertain. You must keep a record of what's going on with the people you trust. That's the bottom line, and there's no room for negotiation."

Perhaps seeing me so firm and serious for the first time, completely unlike her usual easygoing and indulgent self, Su Qing pursed her lips hesitantly, but ultimately had no choice but to compromise:

"Okay, okay, I got it. I'll talk to her about it tomorrow, alright?"

"Tell her now," I paused, then changed my mind, "you might as well just call her over and give her the little dumpling."

Su Qing instantly lost her composure, staring at me with wide eyes: "Seriously? Are you really that serious? It's so late!"

"Absolutely. When it comes to safety, we can't be careless in the slightest."

Seeing that I wouldn't listen to reason, she got angry, tilted her head, and started throwing a tantrum: "I won't!"

Without the slightest hesitation, I said directly, "If you don't report it, I won't go to this no-man's-land. The project is canceled immediately."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing froze completely on the spot.

She stared at me blankly, her eyes filled with disbelief.

She witnessed the entire process, from project planning to finalizing the departure date.

I spent countless days and nights preparing for this trip, withstanding Fang Heng's pressure and personally handling all the supplies. I was always determined to succeed.

But now, I'm actually willing to abandon all my efforts and cancel the entire project just so she can make a safety report.

She was stunned for several seconds before she finally came to her senses.

Her tone softened: "Okay, okay, I give up. Don't be so serious and intimidating. I'll call her over right now, alright?"

She still sounded a little unconvinced, and pouted as if she wanted to say something more.

But in the end, he obediently picked up his phone, dialed Leng Shanshan's number, and casually put it on speakerphone.

The phone was answered after ringing twice.

A gentle, soothing voice came through the receiver: "Qingqing? Why are you calling so late?"

"Shanshan, are you free now? Come over here for a bit." Su Qing's tone was as relaxed as possible.

Leng Shanshan was clearly surprised: "Now? It's almost ten o'clock, what happened?"

"It's a bit urgent. Just come over and take care of my little dumpling for a few days while you're at it."

There was a two-second silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a prompt reply: "Okay, I'll be right there. It's the same address you sent me before, right?"

"Um."

Su Qing responded, hung up the phone decisively, casually put her phone on the stone table, and gave me a disdainful look.

"Satisfied, Team Leader Lin?"

I nodded slightly: "Yes, that's the safest way."

She ignored me and turned to squat down to tease the little dumpling.

She seemed a little upset, but I could tell she wasn't really angry; she was just being stubborn and argumentative.

It's not that I'm stubborn, but this matter is not open to discussion, and we can't let her have her way.

Even if she might quit halfway through, she still has to report it.

Less than half an hour later, a clear car engine sound came from the alley entrance.

Su Qing immediately got up, walked over quickly, and pushed open the courtyard gate.

Leng Shanshan, dressed in a simple light-colored T-shirt, exuded a gentle and quiet temperament as she slowly walked into the courtyard, following the streetlights.

After she entered, she politely looked at me and nodded slightly.

His gaze immediately fell on Su Qing, and he asked softly, "What exactly happened? Why did you call me over in the middle of the night?"

Su Qing pointed to the little orange cat licking its fur in the corner and said, "I'm going on a long trip, and there won't be anyone to look after Little Dumpling. I'll have to trouble you to take care of him for a while."

Leng Shanshan paused for a moment, then asked with a look of confusion, "Going on a long trip? Where to?"

Su Qing subconsciously turned her head and glanced at me, as if seeking my consent.

I sat on the stone bench without saying a word, just silently watching her, letting her confess on her own.

Su Qing took a deep breath, turned to look at Leng Shanshan, and said in a relaxed tone:

"In the Qiangtang no-man's-land, Lin Ye and I are doing a live-streaming project of traversing the area in hardcore off-road vehicles."

"What?!"

Leng Shanshan was stunned for a moment, as if she hadn't reacted yet.

She pressed again, "Where are you going?"

"No man's land," Su Qing said calmly, "Don't be surprised, we are very well prepared, with a professional guide leading the way, we won't wander around blindly."

Leng Shanshan's expression instantly changed from confusion to surprise, and then from surprise to obvious worry.

Her voice unconsciously lowered a few decibels: "You mean the kind of truly desolate, uninhabited no-man's-land with no rescue available?"

"Don't worry, the risks are manageable."

Leng Shanshan turned to look at me, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and worry.

I nodded solemnly and said in a deep voice, "The team is professionally configured, and Su Qing will not be allowed to act alone throughout the entire process. I will keep an eye on her the whole time."

Leng Shanshan didn't answer immediately. She lowered her head and pondered silently for a while before looking up at Su Qing again and asking:

"Qingqing, do your aunt and uncle know about this?"

"I don't know, and I don't plan to tell them," Su Qing replied crisply.

"If they find out, they'll never let me go. Shanshan, I don't expect your support, just keep it a secret for me."

Leng Shanshan sighed helplessly, her face full of worry. "You've always been stubborn and impulsive when making decisions, but this time is different! That's no man's land! Aren't you going to reconsider?"

Su Qing shook her head without hesitation: "I've thought it through very clearly. I was indeed willful and spoiled before and never suffered. This time, I'm going into the mountains to train myself and to accomplish something in a down-to-earth manner."

Leng Shanshan's mouth was half-open, and she hesitated before saying, "Then... what if your parents can't contact you and ask me what to say?"

"Just tell them that you can contact me, but I'm deliberately preventing you from telling them."