From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Wang Ge raised his hand and gently patted my shoulder.

His expression turned completely serious, and he said in a heavy tone:

"I'm telling you this not to scare you, but to make sure you remember it."

"In this no-man's-land, there is no rescue, no signal, and no way out. If any problems arise, the outside world can't help; we can only rely on ourselves."

He paused, gazing into the deep night in the distance: "But that's also the charm of the no-man's-land."

"Once you get there, you'll truly understand what it means to have your destiny in your own hands. Nature shows no mercy; if you're cautious enough, you can find a way out. But if you relax or take chances, you'll be completely crushed by it, without a shred of luck."

The smile on my face vanished completely, and I nodded solemnly: "I remember, I will not take any chances."

Upon hearing this, Wang Ge suddenly gave a helpless, bitter smile and gently shook his head to correct himself: "No, what I said isn't accurate either."

"It's not just about being cautious; crossing no man's land requires both boldness and meticulousness. Without courage, you can't move an inch; without meticulousness, you're sure to die."

Wang Ge's self-doubt is actually a sign of tension.

This shows that he wasn't 100% sure either.

However, if we have absolute certainty before we even set off, then what is the point of crossing the no-man's-land?

The significance and allure of traversing uninhabited areas lies precisely in that uncertainty and the process of struggling against nature.

Just as my emotions were churning, Wang Ge suddenly turned to look at me and asked, "Do your parents know you're going into the no-man's-land?"

I gently shook my head and said in a deep voice, "My father passed away early, and my mother is all alone at home."

"I didn't dare tell her, afraid she would worry all night, and even more afraid she would desperately stop me from going."

Wang Ge paused for two seconds, then continued, "Do you have any brothers or sisters?"

At that moment, I instantly understood the deeper meaning behind his words.

I stood there stunned for a long time before letting out a bitter laugh and breaking the heavy atmosphere:

Wang Ge's face was devoid of any smile as he said seriously, "We'll be away from home for at least two months. If you have family members who care about you, you should inform them in advance and have a backup plan."

After saying that, she added, "To be honest, given your situation, I wouldn't really recommend you go."

I immediately shook my head helplessly: "Brother Wang, we've come this far, why are you advising me to back down?"

Wang Ge rarely showed a faint smile, and said, "I won't say nice things or try to boost morale. I'm just telling you the truth, advising you to think twice and act within your capabilities."

I put away my joke and looked at him seriously, saying, "Don't worry, I didn't act on impulse."

"It's clear that you've been running around preparing this and that these past few days, which proves that you're willing to do it."

He paused, then said, "I've led teams before, and most of them were just full of enthusiasm and blind excitement, only following the crowd and joining in the fun. They left all the preparations to the guide, and when a real danger came, very few of them could handle it."

I then asked, "So, what was the success rate of the teams you led before? Did they all successfully cross over?"

Wang flicked his cigarette ash and spoke calmly about his past experiences:

"I have only led two amateur teams in total. The first team had basic outdoor experience and barely managed to complete the trek, but they also encountered danger several times and were almost trapped in dire situations on several occasions."

"And the second one?" I pressed.

Wang Ge replied calmly, "The second team couldn't keep up in terms of mental fortitude and physical strength. On the third day in the mountains, they had a mental breakdown and turned back."

After hearing this, I completely understood.

Crossing uninhabited areas is never a simple off-road trip.

Even with a professional guide leading the team, the failure rate is still extremely high.

The difficulty and danger of this trip far exceeded my expectations.

The evening breeze whistled by, causing the car headlights to sway slightly.

I looked up at the dark road ahead and suddenly a slight dizziness washed over me.

In a daze, I seemed to see the vast Gobi Desert and boundless wasteland slowly unfolding before my eyes...

Magnificent, desolate, and barren, yet it holds the most extreme challenges and opportunities.

My heart trembled slightly uncontrollably, and even my fingertips trembled slightly.

I suddenly understood the meaning of that sentence completely:

The ultimate meaning of life is often hidden in this lifeless, yet soul-stirring, desolate place.

That night, I talked a lot with Brother Wang.

Since we met, this is the first time I've seen Brother Wang, who is usually so quiet and almost taciturn, speak so much from his heart at once.

I could tell he was nervous too; he was under just as much pressure as I was.

Ultimately, the team consists of six people.

Apart from Wang Ge, who has been working in the wild for many years, and A Qiu, who is very experienced, the four of us are all outdoor novices.

The entire desert and Gobi was deserted, with no supplies and no way to retreat.

If anything goes wrong, everyone will have to cover for him. He carries the lives of the entire team on his shoulders, so the pressure is unimaginable.

After finalizing the departure time for tomorrow morning and checking the vehicles and supplies one last time, we said goodbye.

Three fully equipped SUVs were parked in front of Wang Ge's store so that he could check their condition as soon as possible the next morning.

I took a taxi alone and slowly returned to the riverside courtyard under the cover of night.

On the way back, my phone suddenly vibrated in my pocket. The caller ID showed it was my cousin.

A slight thought crossed my mind, and I pressed the answer button.

As soon as the call connected, my cousin's voice, tinged with anxiety and confusion, came through: "Yezi, I heard you're going to the no-man's-land?"

I've never mentioned this to my family. I know my cousin's personality too well; if he knew the truth, he would definitely try his best to dissuade me.

Without a doubt, Luo Peng must have inadvertently leaked the information.

I didn't hide anything, nor did I bother with unnecessary explanations, so I replied frankly, "Yes, we'll leave first thing tomorrow morning."

"What were you thinking, child?!"

My cousin's tone was full of helplessness, "Why would you choose to go to such a dangerous place instead of living a peaceful life?"

I gently reassured him and patiently explained, "Brother, don't worry, we have a professional guide leading the team. This is a legitimate project I've taken on, doing real-world extreme tests for off-road vehicle brands."

"Moreover, I'll be live streaming the whole time, so you can check in on me anytime to see how I am. I won't be recklessly going in and taking any risks."

My cousin remained silent for several seconds; I could feel his helplessness even through the phone.

He knows my temperament too well. Once I've made up my mind, nothing can change it. No amount of persuasion will change my mind.

In the end, he just sighed heavily: "Fine, I won't try to persuade you anymore, it's no use anyway. But you must remember this: be careful in everything you do, stay calm, and don't be reckless. That no-man's-land is no joke."

"I know what I'm doing, and I won't risk my life," I replied in a deep voice.

"That's good."

My cousin softened his tone and kindly advised, "Just focus on your work and don't worry about things at home. If anything happens to my aunt, like she needs medicine or other supplies, just let me know and I'll come over and take care of her immediately."

A warm feeling welled up inside me, and I said softly, "Thank you for your help, brother."

"Why are you being so polite with your brother? Alright, I won't keep you from resting any longer. Go to sleep early and get plenty of rest so you can leave tomorrow."

I agreed and hung up the phone.