From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Seeing that something was off about his gaze, I panicked instantly and tried to remain calm, saying, "What are you laughing at me for?"

"Was that Sister Qing calling?" Luo Peng asked with a smile.

"Aren't you just asking a question you already know the answer to?"

Luo Peng grinned and nudged me lightly with his arm, gossiping, "Brother Lin, tell me honestly, how far have things progressed between you and Sister Qing?"

I was caught off guard by his question and quickly waved my hand in denial: "What development or what stage? Don't think nonsense."

Luo Peng didn't believe me at all, and rolled his eyes at me: "I'm not blind! The tone of your voice on the phone, the smile on your face, are different from usual."

I must say, I really can't hide my emotions; my joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness are all written on my face.

This is quite similar to the straightforward and frank Su Qing.

"It's not what you think," I said, forcing a defense.

Luo Peng ignored him completely, continuing to ask, "Did they hold hands? Hug? Or have they already kissed?"

I was speechless for a moment, then said irritably, "That's enough, you're getting more and more outrageous."

It's not that I don't want to admit it, it's just that my promise to Su Qing is still hanging on the way back from the no-man's land.

It's still far from settled, so I can't make a big fuss about it and ruin her reputation.

Seeing my serious expression, Luo Peng finally stopped joking, scratched his head, and asked doubtfully, "Am I really overthinking it?"

"You're overthinking it."

I was too lazy to argue with him, so I lay down on the small bed and planned to take a nap to replenish my energy.

I was so mentally exhausted today that I fell asleep as soon as I hit the bed.

When I woke up again, it was already dusk outside the window.

The twilight in the wilderness possesses a desolate yet exquisite beauty.

The world was vast and silent, so quiet that it felt as if I was the only one left, and a sense of loneliness washed over me.

This serene atmosphere was shattered by a snoring sound.

I turned my head and saw Luo Peng lying sprawled out on the next bed, fast asleep.

I didn't wake him. Instead, I took out my phone and sent Su Wan a WeChat message: "Are you awake? Let's go down for dinner."

Su Wan replied quickly and decisively: "I'm available anytime, depending on your schedule."

I thought for a moment and replied, "Let's do it now. We're unfamiliar with this place, and it's not safe to go out at night in a deserted town. Try not to go out after dark."

"OK."

I put down my phone and reached out to wake Luo Peng, who was fast asleep.

He groggily opened his eyes, complaining resentfully, "Brother Lin, what are you doing! Let me sleep for two more minutes, I was almost kissing Qing'er in my dream!"

I said, speechless, "You're daydreaming."

Luo Peng sat up, stretched, and gave a wry smile: "Can't I even dream about it?"

I jokingly asked, "Seriously, what's going on between you and Chen Yunqing?"

Mentioning this, Luo Peng immediately deflated, his face filled with dejection as he said, "What can I do? There's been no progress at all. I probably won't even be considered ordinary friends. After we part ways this time, we'll most likely never cross paths again."

Seeing his dejected look, I patted him on the shoulder to comfort him: "Don't be discouraged. You have her WeChat, try to chat with her more often, take it slow."

Luo Peng shrugged helplessly: "You know her personality. She's aloof and doesn't talk much. She only talks about work when we chat, so I can't find anything to talk about."

As I got up and put on my shoes, I said, "Just cater to their preferences. Don't overthink it, let's eat first."

We tidied up and went downstairs to meet Su Wan at the hotel entrance.

She was still dressed in the same minimalist outfit she wore during the day: a black windbreaker, dark cargo pants, and a neat high ponytail. She also wore a baseball cap and a mask, making her look low-key and inconspicuous.

I secretly admired Su Wan; she was so insightful.

In such remote and desolate towns, people from all walks of life mingle, and girls who are too eye-catching are more likely to get into trouble.

She is so low-key and unassuming, and has a very strong sense of self-preservation.

This is enough to show that she is indeed very mature.

Stepping out of the hotel, the town's streets were lined with Sichuan restaurants, the most popular choice for travelers, but the prices were still outrageous.

A plate of ordinary stir-fried pork costs eighty yuan, and a plate of stir-fried vegetables costs thirty yuan. Ordering just a few dishes can easily add up to a considerable expense.

Although Su Wan was supposed to pay the bill, I didn't want her to spend too much.

In the end, we only ordered two meat dishes, one vegetable dish, and a glass noodle soup.

These four simple home-style dishes cost nearly 300 yuan, which shows how expensive supplies are on the plateau.

We briefly discussed tomorrow's itinerary during dinner.

I put down my chopsticks and said seriously, "As long as there are towns and hotels along the way, we will stay there to rest."

"Try not to pitch a tent overnight in the wild before you officially enter the core of the no-man's land."

"Camping in the wild is too risky and the quality of rest is too poor. We must get our bodies in good condition before entering the restricted area so that we can withstand the journey ahead."

Su Wan nodded slightly: "Yes. Once we're in the no-man's-land, getting a good night's sleep is a pipe dream."

Luo Peng solemnly echoed, "That's right! Enjoy the good life while you can, because you'll suffer a lot once you're in there!"

Those who truly survive in the wilderness never rely on mere enthusiasm or bravado.

Rather, the key to survival lies in knowing how to preserve one's strength and avoid risks.

This is something Brother Wang repeatedly emphasized to us: never be reckless.

The food was steaming on the table, with a few simple dishes laid out, their appearance rather ordinary.

But in this remote town, this is considered the best we can get.

Given the difficulties in transporting supplies to remote mountain valleys, it's understandable that vegetable prices are exorbitantly high.

Luo Peng shoveled rice into his mouth while nodding in agreement.

"That's so true. I was exhausted from driving today. The altitude was high and the road conditions were terrible. I can't imagine what it would be like to spend the night in the middle of nowhere, exposed to the wind."

I looked at the two of them and added solemnly:

"Moreover, we don't need to rush. Even if we reach Shuanghu County, we still need to check the actual weather inside the no-man's-land before deciding on our next step."

Su Wan looked up at me, nodded, and said, "I checked the road conditions for tomorrow this afternoon. There are many frozen sections, hidden potholes, and several sections of soft sand that make it easy for vehicles to get stuck."

I was a little surprised: "Didn't you take a nap this afternoon?"

She gently shook her head: "I'm not asleep."

Luo Peng and I exchanged a glance, and I felt a little ashamed.

We two grown men even managed to take a nap along the way, while Su Wan was quietly gathering traffic information and doing her homework.

Compared to her, the two of us men are no match for her.

I gave an awkward smile and said, "Regardless of the road conditions tomorrow, you must control your speed and distance. If there is any problem with the car, report it immediately."

After saying that, I sighed again: "In the end, the three of us are all novices with no wilderness experience, so we must always remember to be cautious. Caution is more important than anything else."

Luo Peng patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, Brother Lin, leave the rest to me. The rear is absolutely secure, and I'll report any problems immediately!"