From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

I agreed with A Qiu's statement and chimed in, "Although our destination is the Qiangtang uninhabited area and our main task is to traverse and check off the sights, the beautiful scenery of western Sichuan along the way is hard to come by and is all rare sights. There is no need to rush."

Just as we were having a lively discussion about the itinerary, a clear female voice suddenly came from behind us.

"I also think there's no need to rush!"

I looked back and saw that Su Qing had already caught up with me.

She changed out of her slightly bulky windbreaker from the daytime and into a clean and gentle off-white casual jacket.

Having shed the fatigue of the journey, she looked refreshed and relaxed, exuding a youthful charm.

She walked quickly closer and continued, "We were originally planning a road trip to promote our business and gain followers through live streaming. When we pass by these stunning scenic spots, we definitely have to stop to film footage and do live streams. Rushing along would be too perfunctory."

Wang Ge nodded immediately: "Okay, then let's adjust the itinerary. Tomorrow, the final destination will be Batang. Now that everyone's here, let's head out for dinner."

The group followed Wang Ge and A Qiu out of the hotel, through the narrow canyon streets, and arrived at a private restaurant hidden deep in an alley.

The store's location isn't particularly eye-catching, and the storefront is simple, lacking the flashy decorations of trendy stores.

Perhaps due to its remote location and lack of tourists, the restaurant was exceptionally quiet, with almost no customers.

We didn't need to book a private room; we just sat down in the empty seats by the window in the lobby.

The view is expansive, and you can even see the night view of the canyon along the street.

As soon as we sat down, Wang Ge turned to me and instructed, "Lin Ye, ask where the new teammate is so we can keep track of time and wait for her if necessary."

I had just picked up my phone to dial when Su Qing immediately said, "Why are you asking? Let's eat first, there's no need to wait for her."

I saw right through her little scheme and teased, "You ate snacks the whole way in the car and your stomach is still bloated. Are you sure you're not going to wait for someone? You're just trying to save face for your sister, aren't you?"

Su Qing turned her face away, tacitly agreeing with my statement, her expression full of reluctance.

I didn't give in to her and dialed Su Wan's number anyway.

The call was answered instantly, and Su Wan's usual clear and crisp voice came through the receiver.

I cut to the chase and asked, "Hey, where are you now? How much longer until you get to Yajiang?"

"The navigation says there's still half an hour." She remained concise and to the point.

"Okay, then call me when you arrive. We'll be waiting for you at this restaurant in the county town."

Su Wan simply hummed in agreement and ended the call.

I put down my phone, and Su Qing immediately started complaining in a low voice, "Sigh, with her joining, our team has completely lost its fun. Looking at her perpetually icy face, I instantly lost all interest in the game."

I looked at her, both amused and exasperated, and said, "You were the one who immediately agreed to cover all expenses, and now you're complaining?"

"I had no choice!" Su Qing retorted, pouting. "If she hadn't promised to cover all expenses and save us a lot of money, do you think I would have agreed to let her come? I did it purely for the team's sake!"

Luo Peng, with his sharp ears, leaned closer, his face full of shock: "What? The new teammate is so capable? He's covering all the expenses for the entire team? That's incredibly extravagant!"

Su Qing felt a pang of sadness for no reason, her tone tinged with bitterness and a hint of disappointment:

"Of course! She's been outstanding since she was a child, excelling in every aspect, from ability to wealth. Unlike me, I'm just drifting along aimlessly, penniless."

"You chose this path yourself, and you're living this life yourself," I said, taking the opportunity to tease her.

Su Qing immediately rolled her eyes at me and muttered under her breath, "You're so good at arguing, you're the best at talking."

I've long been used to our daily banter and playful arguments, so I just laugh it off and don't say anything more.

The atmosphere at the dining table was distinctly different.

Wang Ge remained calm and taciturn, sitting silently and observing his surroundings.

A Qiu is an outgoing person who kept telling us about the local customs and culture of Yajiang, the canyon landscape, and interesting local stories, which enlivened the atmosphere.

Wei Qingyun remained quiet and low-key throughout, staring at her phone screen with her fingers constantly tapping, most likely still dealing with work matters.

Luo Peng tried to strike up a conversation several times, but seeing Wei Qingyun's focused and busy appearance, he could only swallow his words and not dare to disturb her.

Half an hour later, my phone rang right on time; it was Su Wan calling.

I answered immediately: "Have you arrived?"

"Yes, downstairs."

"I'll add you on WeChat and send you the restaurant's location."

"Can."

After hanging up the phone, I quickly sent a friend request.

After the verification was successful, I immediately sent my location.

A few minutes later, a deep, heavy roar of a luxury car engine came from outside the restaurant.

I got up and went to the door to look around. A gray Mercedes-Benz G63 slowly pulled over and came to a stop.

The car was covered with a thin layer of dust, and there were scattered water stains on the windshield, indicating that it had traveled a long way through mountains and rivers.

Even with all the dust and grime, this rugged off-road luxury vehicle still exudes its full presence.

The car door opened, and Su Wan got out of the driver's seat.

She was dressed in a full Arc'teryx outdoor jacket, paired with professional outdoor work pants and non-slip hiking boots—the setup of a professional off-roader.

Her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail, neat and tidy, without a trace of sloppiness.

This is the second time I've seen her up close, and I'm still amazed by her looks and charisma.

She was completely bare-faced, without any makeup, yet her features were exquisite, three-dimensional, and flawless, and her skin was clear and clean.

What's most captivating is her demeanor—cool and aloof, exuding an aura that keeps strangers at bay, a stark contrast to the lively and unrestrained Su Qing.

After getting off the bus, she quickly glanced around at her surroundings before walking towards me.

Without exchanging any pleasantries, I stepped aside and led her into the restaurant.

When we arrived at our seats, everyone looked at her differently.

Su Qing merely glanced at it indifferently, without any enthusiasm, and quickly looked away, pretending to be indifferent.

Luo Peng had an exaggerated expression on his face, clearly shocked by Su Wan's looks and aura. Compared to the usually gentle and quiet Wei Qingyun, Su Wan was a completely different kind of mature and domineering woman.

Wei Qingyun merely glanced at her briefly, nodded politely, and then immediately looked down to continue working on her phone.

Wang Ge remained calm and composed, glancing at Su Wan without any extra expression, neither warm nor cold.

Ah Qiu, however, was the most enthusiastic, immediately standing up to greet him with a smile:

"Hello! Welcome to our team. You must be tired from your long journey."

"Please sit down! We just ordered, so we can eat together."

Su Wan nodded gently, thanked him softly, and then pulled out a chair and sat down properly.

She sat with exceptionally proper posture, her back ramrod straight, and every movement exuded a strong sense of self-discipline.

Compared to us ordinary people who are relaxed and at ease, she seems out of place.

He seemed to be surrounded by an invisible barrier, aloof and distant, making him difficult to approach.

I sighed inwardly.

In our team, only Su Qing and Luo Peng are lively and can liven up the atmosphere.

A Qiu was quite talkative, while the remaining Wang Ge and Wei Qingyun were quiet and reserved.

Now, with the addition of Su Wan, who exudes a cool and aloof aura, I can foresee how dull and oppressive the atmosphere will be along the way.

An awkward silence fell over the table; no one initiated a conversation, and the atmosphere became extremely tense.

Su Wan didn't care at all, sitting quietly with a calm expression.

In the end, it was Su Qing who broke the dead silence first.

With a hint of deliberate teasing, she said in a lukewarm tone, "You've been sitting here for ages, why don't you introduce yourself? Hurry up and tell us so everyone can get to know our new teammate."