From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

I've never been to a women's restroom before, and I stood awkwardly at the door for a moment.

I listened carefully to make sure it was quiet inside and there was no one else before I braced myself and pushed the door open to go in.

"Which cubicle are you in?" I asked in a low voice.

"This way." There was a gentle knock on the cubicle door.

How should I hand you the tissue?

"There's a gap under the door, you can just pass it in. Why are you so clumsy?"

Hearing her scolding me, I felt a surge of anger and deliberately tried to scare her:

"If you keep criticizing me, I'll turn around and leave, leaving you stuck in this cubicle forever."

"No, no, no, big brother, I admit my mistake, please hand me the tissues quickly." She immediately begged for forgiveness.

I didn't want to keep teasing her, lest she get angry with me later, so I bent down and stuffed the tissue into the gap in the door panel.

Just at this critical moment, clear footsteps came from behind.

I turned around abruptly, startled, and almost dropped the tissue in my hand.

A girl walked into the restroom and our eyes met.

She froze on the spot, her face filled with astonishment.

Su Qing in the stall got the tissues without a hitch, and I rushed out of the women's restroom in a panic, awkwardly explaining:

"Please don't misunderstand, my friend forgot to bring toilet paper, I was just helping to deliver something."

The more he explained, the more awkward the situation became; the other party frowned, their eyes filled with disgust.

Without thinking twice, I rushed out of the internet cafe, panting heavily, my ears burning with embarrassment.

A moment later, Su Qing walked out of the internet cafe looking relaxed. As soon as she saw my embarrassed appearance, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.

I stared at her expressionlessly: "What's so funny? It's all your fault. I've lost all face now."

"You didn't do anything wrong, why are you so embarrassed?"

"Enough talk, let's go."

I didn't want to dwell on this embarrassing incident any longer, so I quickened my pace and moved forward.

After I finally left the internet cafe, I couldn't help but complain: "Su Qing, can you please be more reliable in the future? Is it so hard for a girl to always carry a pack of tissues with her?"

"What rule says girls have to carry tissues? You guys don't carry any either!" she retorted defiantly.

"Okay, I won't argue with you. Let's hurry back to the guesthouse and rest. I'm exhausted from driving all day."

"Don't rush back. The atmosphere of this small town at night is so nice. Let's explore a little longer."

Now that her stomach feels better and she's in the mood for a stroll again, I immediately said:

"If I get another stomachache later, I don't expect to run into an internet cafe so conveniently."

Upon hearing this, Su Qing instantly sobered up, paused for a moment, and quickly said, "Then it's safer to go back to the hotel."

I thought to myself, this girl is so lively and childlike, it's really interesting to be around her.

……

At six o'clock the next morning, the sky was not yet fully bright.

The morning temperature in the Yajiang Canyon was much colder than expected, with a thin layer of morning mist swirling between the mountains on both sides.

The cool air carried the fresh scent of pine and the unique aroma of damp earth, making one feel refreshed.

As I finished getting ready and walked out of the hotel, I immediately saw Su Wan standing next to her gray Mercedes-Benz G-Class.

She was carefully tightening the straps on the roof rack, checking each buckle repeatedly.

Today she wore a simple black softshell jacket, her long hair tied in a low ponytail, looking capable and neat, with a cool and aloof aura.

At that moment, only she and I remained in the parking lot, but we didn't exchange a single word.

I had no intention of striking up a conversation with her at all. I was well aware that we lived in two completely different worlds.

Su Qing is different, even though they share the same background and family.

But Su Qing doesn't seem that unapproachable to me. She's more down-to-earth and more real and vibrant.

I stood quietly for a moment, then turned around and checked the ropes containing supplies stored on our off-road vehicles one by one.

Not long after, Su Qing slowly walked down the hotel corridor, a fruit lollipop dangling from her lips and two bottles of drinking water in her hand.

She passed by Su Wan without glancing at her, and the two sisters didn't even exchange a simple "good morning" greeting, which was enough to show their usual distant and cold relationship.

She walked straight towards me and said, "You're up early today!"

I kept tightening the straps on the luggage rack and casually replied, "It's already past six o'clock, Wang Ge and his group have been fully prepared for a long time."

Su Qing glanced at Su Wan subconsciously, then leaned closer to me and whispered in a low voice:

"Is she really planning to follow us on the entire journey through the uninhabited area?"

"Looks like we're going to stick with this to the end."

Su Qing pouted, looking sullen: "This is no fun at all. I feel so constrained with her around."

I couldn't help but smile wryly, and then asked, "Have you sisters really become this estranged?"

Su Qing sighed softly: "It's not that we're hostile to each other, it's just that we're used to not talking to each other, and we're no different from strangers when we're together."

"That's simple. Just treat her like any other passerby, and you won't feel awkward."

She shook her head seriously: "That's different. Just seeing her cold face makes my heart ache."

"You were the one who personally agreed to let her join the team."

"I agree that it's entirely for the benefit of the entire convoy! She covers all the food and lodging expenses along the way, which will save us a lot of money. I can see the difference in that."

"That's undeniable."

"So, accepting her payment is one thing, but my dislike for her is another."

I said helplessly, "Fine, fine, then just try not to pay attention to her."

After all the luggage was checked, the rest of the convoy members arrived one after another, and the four off-road vehicles were parked neatly side by side.

Wang Ge's car was still the lead car, and Su Qing and I were at the back of the convoy as usual.

I sat in the driver's seat and looked up. Right in front of me was Su Wan's imposing G-Class.

Upon seeing this, Su Qing's face immediately fell, and she grumbled reluctantly, "Why are you arranging her in front of us? Quickly discuss with Luo Peng and switch places with her."

I was exasperated by her antics: "You can't see her in person through the car, there's no need to be so bothered by it."

"Of course I mind! Just seeing this car immediately brings her cold, unpleasant face to my mind, and it makes me feel terrible. If I'm unhappy, you won't have any peace either..."

I quickly interrupted her rambling, "Alright, alright, you can talk even more than Tang Sanzang. I'll have Luo Peng switch, okay?"

Su Qing pouted, finally satisfied.

The Suwan car wasn't equipped with a walkie-talkie yet, so I picked up the car communicator and started communicating:

"Brother Wang, could you arrange for Luo Peng's car and Su Wan's car to switch driving positions?"

I didn't go into the details, but everyone knows the reason.

Wang Ge quickly responded calmly over the walkie-talkie: "No problem, either way is fine, as long as the distance between the two vehicles is well controlled."

After receiving the message, Luo Peng slowed down, stuck his head out, and waved at the G-Wagon, signaling Su Wan to drive ahead first.