From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

Luo Peng immediately bent down and began rummaging through the supply boxes.

The next second, he was holding up two small bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor).

His face was full of smugness, and he deliberately dragged out the words, "Ta-da! Look what good stuff this is!"

The moment I saw the liquor, my eyes lit up, and I quickly asked, "You actually hid some liquor? How come I didn't know!"

Luo Peng chuckled twice, a smug look on his face: "Of course, you always have to have some trump cards up your sleeve when you're out venturing out into the world!"

"Good grief! Before we set off, I specifically emphasized to keep our supplies to a minimum and travel light, and you actually secretly hid some supplies!" I teased him, feigning helplessness.

Luo Peng scratched his head, smiling somewhat embarrassedly: "Brother Lin, I originally thought that if I couldn't sleep at night in the no-man's-land, I could have a small drink to help me sleep. Who knew I'd be so tired these past few days that I'd fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow, and I haven't had a chance to take it out at all."

I didn't blame him; on the contrary, I was quite surprised.

In the frigid highlands, with biting winds and snow, a sip of hot wine to warm the body is a true pleasure.

I quickly urged, "Don't just stand there, open it now! It's perfect with the barbecue!"

Luo Peng immediately unscrewed the cap of one of the bottles, handing it over while remarking:

"Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the wilderness roast meat paired with strong liquor, this is the perfect treat! Luckily, the liquor was well hidden; the last time the robbers searched for supplies, they didn't even find it, otherwise they would have already stolen and drunk it all."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and took a small sip, a look of satisfaction instantly appearing on his face.

I glanced at the bottle in my hand, then at Su Wan beside me, and turned to Luo Peng to ask, "Just these two bottles?"

Luo Peng quietly held up two fingers and chuckled in a low voice, "Don't worry, there are still two bottles in stock."

"Then take out another bottle and give some to Su Wan as well," I said immediately.

Just as Luo Peng was about to bend down to take it, Su Wan gently refused, "No need to take it, I don't drink baijiu."

I immediately reassured her, "It's alright, it's just a little bit, just enough to warm you up and get rid of the cold. This bottle is only two ounces, the alcohol content isn't high, you won't get drunk."

Su Wan gently shook her head and said, "I really don't drink baijiu. You two can drink it, and the rest is for you."

Seeing that she was determined not to agree, I stopped trying to persuade her.

In the uninhabited glacier area where temperatures are below minus twenty degrees Celsius, a sip of strong liquor instantly warms you from your throat throughout your body; the sensation is simply indescribable.

Paired with a bite of piping hot, crispy-on-the-outside, tender-on-the-inside rabbit meat, it's the most luxurious treat in dire circumstances.

Unfortunately, the amount of wine was small, only two ounces per bottle, so we had to sip it carefully.

A few sips of strong liquor went down my throat, and a warm feeling surged through my body.

Luo Peng suddenly smiled and said with a touch of emotion, "To be honest, today is my twenty-eighth birthday."

Su Wan and I were both stunned, looking at him with surprise on our faces.

To be honest, I felt a little ashamed that I didn't even know Luo Peng's birthday, even though I've known him for so long.

Luo Peng's eyes were full of genuine smiles as he continued softly, "I never imagined that I would spend my twenty-eighth birthday in a desolate, uninhabited glacial region."

"But this is definitely the most unforgettable and meaningful birthday I've had in my 28 years, without a doubt."

As soon as she finished speaking, Su Wan suddenly picked up the water glass beside her.

I thought she planned to celebrate Luo Peng's birthday with water instead of wine.

But the next second, she tilted her head back and drank the warm water in the cup in one gulp.

He then turned to me and said, "Pour me a little bit of white wine."

I was slightly surprised, but I didn't ask any questions. I immediately picked up the wine bottle in my hand and carefully poured her a small sip.

Su Wan held the small wine glass in both hands, looked up at Luo Peng, and said sincerely, "Happy birthday."

I immediately raised my bottle, smiling at Luo Peng: "Brother, happy birthday! Words can't express my feelings, the sentiment is all in this drink!"

Luo Peng looked at the two of us, his eyes filled with emotion, and he showed the purest smile he had shown in a long time.

He raised the bottle and clinked it heavily against our glasses.

The crisp sound of glasses clinking was particularly clear in the quiet carriage.

The three of them tilted their heads back and drank it all at the same time.

I glanced at Su Wan out of the corner of my eye and could tell that she really couldn't drink baijiu.

She tilted her head back and downed the whole thing in one gulp, her movements crisp yet clumsy.

The next second, the pungent taste of the alcohol rushed to her throat, her shoulders trembled slightly, and she immediately covered her mouth and coughed softly.

"Sister Wan! Are you alright?" Luo Peng quickly pulled out a tissue and handed it to her.

Su Wan waved her hand gently, indicating that she was alright.

I immediately grabbed a bottle of drinking water, poured half a glass of warm water into a clean cup, and handed it to her.

"Quick, drink some water to calm down."

"Thank you," Su Wan said softly, taking the water glass and swallowing in small sips.

I couldn't help but laugh and tease, "It's obvious this is your first time drinking baijiu. You're so bold. Baijiu should be savored slowly, not chug in one go."

After a few seconds, Su Wan smiled faintly and said, "I'm sorry you had to see this."

"How could that be!" Luo Peng quickly shook his head. "Sister Wan, I really feel so lucky. If I hadn't come to this no-man's-land, I would never have had the chance to sit and eat meat and drink with someone like you in my entire life."

I was deeply moved.

To be honest, given Luo Peng's background and social standing, we would never normally have any contact with someone of Su Wan's caliber.

She is the aloof and distant eldest daughter of the Su family, with a superior family background and top-notch abilities, living a clear-headed and independent life.

If we hadn't come to the no-man's-land this time, we would most likely have remained two parallel lines that never intersect for the rest of our lives.

But at this moment, there are no differences in status, no class barriers.

We are simply teammates fighting side by side, companions who have faced life and death together.

Su Wan's expression was gentle as she spoke frankly, "No need to say that. Once we safely leave the no-man's-land, we'll be friends."

These words, though spoken lightly, sent a jolt through my heart.

I've always felt that Su Wan is aloof and arrogant, extremely guarded, doesn't like to get close to people, and has very few friends.

I don't know if she learned to open herself up after experiencing past regrets, or if she was just naturally so insightful and gentle.

But I can clearly feel that she is completely different from Su Qing.

Su Qing is lively and enthusiastic, but inevitably spoiled and willful.

Su Wan is aloof and restrained, yet insightful, humble, and empathetic.

These twin sisters are fundamentally different people.

The small carriage was warm and cozy, keeping out the sub-zero winds of the wilderness.

Compared to the desolate and frigid world outside, this place is like the only shelter in a snowy and desolate place.

Su Wan gently patted her chest, causing the already rosy cheeks on her face to flush even more.

The person who was usually so aloof and composed, with no emotional fluctuations, was now showing a rare hint of panic.

The blush on her face wasn't gaudy or seductive, but it broke her usual aloofness and added a touch of ordinary vitality.

I always thought she was aloof and detached from worldly affairs.

But after she took that sip of baijiu, it was as if I got to know her all over again.