From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't fall asleep.

Although it's now confirmed that I'm no longer venturing into the no-man's-land alone.

But I was still uneasy and full of worries.

Both of us are complete novices when it comes to outdoor activities, with absolutely no experience in traversing the wilderness.

What I really long for is to have a colleague who understands both outdoor activities and car repair.

Even without professional exploration experience, as long as you can fix vehicle malfunctions, you can have a better chance of survival in dire situations.

Of the entire convoy, only Luo Peng was proficient in car repair and familiar with troubleshooting off-road vehicle malfunctions.

If Luo Peng could have gone in with us, our survival rate would have been much higher, and we wouldn't have been in such dire straits due to vehicle breakdowns or mechanical failures.

But I also know that I have no right to ask him to gamble his life with me.

His willingness to stay with Su Qing and wait for me at the exit of the no-man's land is already enough to show his loyalty and to be worthy of being my brother.

This is the real world, not the chivalrous world of martial arts where people seek revenge and chivalry.

There aren't that many people who would risk their lives for each other without hesitation. Everyone has their own life, their own way out, and their own concerns.

Honestly, if it weren't for the huge breach of contract penalty, the hard-won career opportunity, and my mother's medical expenses that I was so trapped...

I would also choose to give up without hesitation.

Even I weigh the pros and cons, so what right do I have to criticize Brother Wang and Luo Peng's choices?

At this moment, my fate is sealed.

The road ahead is long and fraught with peril.

I had no choice but to take Su Wan, who was equally inexperienced, and bravely head to the Qiangtang wilderness.

All that's left is to leave it to fate and pray for divine mercy so that we may return safely and triumphantly.

……

When I woke up, it was already dawn the next day.

Before I even fully opened my eyes, I could smell a strong tobacco scent in the room.

I suddenly opened my eyes and sat up, instinctively looking at the bed next to me.

Luo Peng was sitting on the edge of the bed, a lit cigarette between his fingers.

The ashtray next to him was already overflowing with cigarette butts.

His eyes were bloodshot, his hair was greasy, and he looked exhausted, like Yang Zi who hadn't slept all night.

I rubbed my throbbing temples and asked, puzzled, "What's wrong? Didn't you sleep all night?"

Luo Peng lowered his head and stubbed out his cigarette, his fingertips turning slightly white, and remained silent for several seconds.

Then he slowly raised his head, staring at me with utmost solemnity, and said, word by word:

"Brother Lin, I've thought about it all night. I've made up my mind, I'll go into the no-man's land with you."

I was stunned.

My previously groggy and throbbing head instantly became completely clear, and all the confusion, anxiety, and unease of the night vanished in that instant.

I stared blankly at Luo Peng in front of me, completely unable to believe my ears.

I didn't reply immediately. I simply threw off the covers, got out of bed, walked quickly to him, and gently placed my hand on his forehead.

The temperature is normal, with no signs of overheating.

I was immediately at a loss for words, exclaiming, "You don't have a fever! What nonsense are you spouting so early in the morning?"

Luo Peng raised his head, his expression devoid of any hint of jest, and said in a deep voice:

"Brother Lin, I'm not joking. I didn't sleep a wink last night, and all I could think about was this."

I stared at his bloodshot eyes, my mind filled with doubt: "What's the reason?"

To be honest, I was overjoyed.

With him as a colleague who knows how to repair cars, our chances of success on this trip are doubled.

But at the same time, I was also very uneasy, feeling that he was acting impulsively and had not thought through the fatal risks involved.

Luo Peng raised his hand and forcefully shoved the last bit of cigarette butt into the ashtray, which was already overflowing with cigarette butts.

"At first, I thought I would stay at the exit of the no-man's-land and guard it. If you really encountered danger and your car broke down inside, I would drive in to rescue you."

He paused, a dry smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, tinged with self-mockery:

"But then I thought, rather than waiting for you to be in dire straits before I risk going in to save you, gambling on that slim chance of rescue, it would be better to go with you from the very beginning."

"Yes, I know the chances of survival are slim, and I might never come back."

"But Brother Lin, the reason I followed you without hesitation was that I didn't want to drift through life aimlessly anymore. I wanted to accomplish something truly worthwhile!"

"You're right. My dad is a contractor. He has money and resources, but he's never respected me. He always says I'm all talk and no action, and that no matter how much I try outside, I'll always end up coming home to sponge off my parents."

"I'm not resigned to this! I want to make a name for myself and prove I'm not a loser!"

Seeing his frustration and stubbornness, I remained silent for a long time, feeling a mix of emotions.

I slowly began to persuade him, "Luo Peng, this isn't about whether you're willing to accept it or not, or whether you're going to live up to expectations. You have to think about your parents. This trip to the no-man's-land is too dangerous. If something happens to you, I won't be able to face your family."

Before I could finish speaking, Luo Peng immediately shook his head and interrupted, "I called my dad an hour ago and explained all the risks to him."

I immediately followed up with, "What did your dad say?"

"He didn't stop me, nor did he scold me; he just let me make the decision myself."

Luo Peng let out a long breath, a hint of relief in his eyes: "It's always been like this since I was a child. He has never interfered with my choices. I know he doesn't abandon me; he's always been waiting for me to forge my own path, to prove myself to myself, and to prove himself to him."

"I think that makes sense. It's not like we're really facing a life-or-death situation. We'll just drive two cars in. If we encounter strong winds and heavy rain, we'll just stay where we are and not move. We can always bring more dry food. If both cars break down, then I'll just be unlucky... but that kind of thing is still a very small probability."

Listening to his clear and logical analysis, my nerves, which had been on edge all night, suddenly relaxed.

The feeling was like rain after a long drought, or suddenly grasping at a lifeline in a desperate situation.

I let out a long breath and looked at him intently.

I could tell that he wasn't acting on impulse; he had genuinely thought about it all night and thoroughly considered all the consequences and risks.

I stopped trying to persuade him and raised my hand to him.

Without the slightest hesitation, Luo Peng instantly raised his hand and tightly grasped mine.

Two hands clasped tightly together represent the unspoken trust and camaraderie between brothers.

"Let's go, let's meet up outside," I said in a deep voice.

After Luo Peng quickly finished washing up, the two of us walked out of the guesthouse room and into the courtyard.

The courtyard was unusually quiet and cold in the early morning, with an unusually heavy atmosphere.

Wang Ge was unloading his luggage piece by piece from the SUV, while A Qiu stood to the side, his backpack and bags already packed.

Hearing us go out, they both turned around at the same time.

Wang Ge dusted off his hands and strode quickly toward me, his expression serious and solemn.

He took the crucial satellite phone out of his waterproof bag, handed it to me, and said, word by word, "I must tell you this."

"This is the only thing you have in this no-man's-land, so take good care of it. In case of any emergency, call for help immediately."

"I see."