From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

To be honest, this journey from Jiangzhou to Tibet was a long one.

We've stayed in all sorts of hotels and guesthouses, big and small, but I've never seen such outrageous prices before.

A simple standard room costs 580 yuan per night.

In the city center, this price would get you a fully furnished high-end suite.

But in this desolate highland town, there's simply no other choice.

There are only a few places to stay within a radius of dozens of kilometers, and passing off-road vehicles and truck drivers have no choice but to accept it.

Without saying a word, Su Wan scanned the code to pay and booked two rooms.

But the moment I pushed open the door and entered the room, I was completely dumbfounded.

The room, which cost 580 yuan a night, was ridiculously shabby.

Inside the room were two very ordinary single iron-framed beds, covered with thick, old-fashioned floral blankets.

The room did have windows, but the glass was covered with a thick layer of dust, making it impossible to see the outside view and completely failing to provide any natural light.

The only advantage is that the high-altitude climate is extremely dry, and there is no damp or musty smell in the room.

In addition, the overall environment is dilapidated and rudimentary.

After putting down his luggage and toiletries, Luo Peng immediately stretched his arms and neck, then slumped onto the edge of the bed and sighed.

"This is really weird. We drove thousands of kilometers from Jiangzhou, over mountains and valleys, and I didn't feel this tired. Today, I only drove a short distance, and my whole body aches."

I wholeheartedly agree.

I'm exhausted both physically and mentally right now, and I can fall asleep the moment I lie down and close my eyes.

I took out a cigarette, offered one to Luo Peng, lit one for myself, and slowly said, "Do you know why you're so tired?"

Luo Peng took the cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, scratched the back of his head, and replied:

"What else could it be? The road conditions must have been terrible today, full of potholes and bumps that made people suffer."

"That's just one aspect."

I exhaled a smoke ring and slowly analyzed, "Secondly, the scenery along the way was beautiful, with snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and vast rivers. With such scenery in my eyes and anticipation in my heart, even the most tired person could be largely overwhelmed by the scenery."

"The most important point is the third one. In the past, with Brother Wang leading the team, we didn't have to worry about road conditions, food, accommodation, or risks. We just had to do our own job."

"Now that Wang Ge and the others are gone, we have to shoulder all the decisions and risks, all the trivial matters ourselves. We have to be on edge all the time, and the mental strain is far more exhausting than the physical strain."

Luo Peng listened blankly, then shook his head: "But I didn't worry about these things. You and Sister Wan were the ones who kept track of the routes and accommodations."

I smiled and said, "You don't say you're worried, but you're not sure. The future is unknown, and everyone subconsciously tenses up. This kind of invisible pressure is the most torturous."

Luo Peng was speechless now, because this was the most real change.

The previous seven-person team was more like a hastily assembled group.

Everyone does their own thing, with a clear division of labor and no interference between them.

But the three of us who remain now are a team truly bound together by life and death.

There is no distinction between you and me; driving, repairing cars, watching the road, planning routes, and avoiding risks—whoever is available can do it, and everyone's fate is completely intertwined.

Luo Peng nodded thoughtfully: "Now that you mention it, I understand. No wonder I always felt so heavy-hearted."

"You'll get used to it," I said calmly. "Relying on yourself is the most reliable thing."

We were chatting when my phone suddenly rang.

I looked down and saw Su Qing's name flashing on the screen, and my heart softened instantly.

There is still a cell phone signal here, but it is extremely weak, with only one bar remaining on the screen, and it could be cut off at any moment.

I quickly got up, went to the window, and answered the phone.

On the other end of the line, Su Qing's clear and gentle voice immediately came through: "Hey? Lin Ye, how's it going over there? Was the journey smooth?"

The moment I heard her voice, the tension that had been building all day subtly eased.

"It went fairly smoothly, except the car broke down a little along the way, but it's been fixed now. We've found a roadside hotel to stay in."

I tried to keep my tone light so she wouldn't worry.

"Well, don't rush. The weather in the no-man's-land isn't good right now, and you might not be able to get in once you get there."

She paused, then asked earnestly, "The peace pendant I gave you has been hanging in the car, right? You haven't taken it off, have you?"

"It's been hanging there the whole time, never moved," I replied softly.

"Remember our promise: tonight at nine o'clock, no matter what you're doing, look up at the stars."

"I haven't forgotten, I remember."

After a pause, I followed up with, "What about your side? When are you leaving Lhasa?"

"We've arrived at the airport, and we have an hour to board. I'm just calling you while there's still a signal, because once we get further in, you'll lose all cell phone signal and we won't be able to contact you anymore."

I laughed and joked, "What are you afraid of? I have a satellite phone, I can contact you anytime."

"Don't try to fool me," Su Qing said reproachfully. "I know perfectly well that satellite phones drain the battery incredibly fast and are only for emergency calls. How can you use them for casual chatting and making calls? Use them sparingly and save them for your life."

That's true. The solar-powered satellite that Brother Wang left me has a significantly reduced battery life in the low-temperature environment of the plateau, so I can only keep it for emergencies.

I suppressed my smile and earnestly instructed, "Okay, I'll listen to you. The first thing you should do when you get back is to go to a major hospital for a follow-up checkup. Get everything checked out thoroughly, don't delay."

The moment the inspection was mentioned, Su Qing's voice immediately wilted, and a pitiful tone came through:

"Going to the hospital again...does that mean they'll have to draw blood and give injections again?"

Hearing her pitiful tone, I instantly recalled my time at the hospital in Lhasa.

This girl is terrified of needles; she gets nervous the moment they're touched.

I gently comforted you, "You have to overcome your inner demons. Aren't you so brave? This little thing is nothing."

"Hmph! Of course, I'm not afraid at all!" she immediately retorted defiantly.

"That's right."

"Huh? What did you say? I can't hear you!"

Su Qing's voice suddenly became intermittent and crackling.

I looked down and saw that the last bar of signal had completely disappeared, and the screen displayed "No Service".

I quickly pushed open the dusty window and leaned most of my body out.

Finally, I managed to pick up a faint signal and hurriedly said, "My signal is very weak here, it keeps cutting out! You must listen to me, go back and get a checkup as soon as possible, and take good care of yourself!"

After a few seconds of pause, her voice came through the receiver: "I know! You must take care of yourself too! I'll wait for you to come back safely! By the way, if you dare not come back, I'll find someone else to be my boyfriend!"

I was instantly amused by her, and all the pressure in my heart vanished.

Before I could reply, the call was abruptly cut off, leaving only a busy tone on the receiver.

I put my phone away, unable to suppress the smile on my face, feeling a sweet warmth in my heart.

When I turned around, I was met with Luo Peng's gossipy grin, his eyes fixed on me.