From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a calm tone tinged with a hint of doubt: "Who are you?"

"We met in Lhasa. My girlfriend was singing on stage, and I was live-streaming from the audience. You should remember me," I casually reminded her.

After my reminder, the other person immediately realized what I meant, and their tone instantly became somewhat agitated:

"Oh, it's you! Brother, I remember you! Didn't you cross the no-man's-land? You got out so quickly?"

"Yes, I'm home now." I said calmly, without any extra emotion.

A hearty laugh came from the other end of the phone, accompanied by a voice full of admiration: "Wow, that's impressive, brother! You managed to get out of that no-man's-land, I truly admire you. Congratulations on your safe return!"

"Thank you." My tone was indifferent. "Is there anything else urgent?"

The other person was also a smart person and immediately understood my unspoken meaning, so they didn't press the matter further.

He then smiled and smoothed things over, saying, "It's nothing else, bro, I was just asking casually. Maybe we can grab a bite sometime. I've always really admired outdoor enthusiasts like you who dare to push the limits."

I chuckled lightly, gave a casual reply, and hung up the phone.

I put down my phone and sighed to myself.

This man has incredibly high emotional intelligence; he speaks with perfect tact and is flawless.

Even when I directly declared sovereignty and drew a clear line, he remained calm and composed.

But that's precisely what makes it so fearsome.

Men understand men's thoughts best.

He wasn't surprised by my assertion of sovereignty; in fact, he took the opportunity to be polite and try to build rapport.

This kind of temperament and forbearance is definitely not as simple as just appreciating a friend.

Don't blame me for overthinking; men understand men just as well as women understand women.

I handed the phone back to Su Qing, and she immediately looked at me nervously, asking cautiously, "You...you're not angry, are you?"

Looking at her flustered little face, I smiled and ruffled her hair, saying:

"What's there to be angry about? You're so outstanding, it's perfectly normal for people to like you and pursue you. It will be the same in the future, I was already prepared."

Su Qing instantly breathed a sigh of relief, with a hint of smugness: "That's true. If you're with me, you really need to be mentally prepared; I've never had a shortage of suitors."

"It doesn't matter." I raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "As long as I'm better than all of them, that's enough."

Su Qing chuckled, amused by my narcissistic manner: "You're way too narcissistic!"

"Didn't I learn it from you?" I joked.

She playfully stuck her tongue out at me, looking completely unreasonable: "That's different! When I say it, it's confidence; when you say it, it's narcissism!"

I shook my head, feigning helplessness: "So you're saying 'the magistrate is allowed to set fires, but the common people aren't allowed to light lamps'? I think you have a typical argumentative personality!"

Upon hearing this, Su Qing immediately stopped in her tracks and refused to move forward any further.

I turned around and saw her little face puffed up, with a hint of feigned resentment, staring at me angrily.

"How can you speak so disparagingly of your girlfriend? Do you really think I'm that unreasonable and despicable?"

"Look at you, getting all worked up!" I teased with a laugh. "You think you can criticize me but I can't argue back?"

Su Qing gave a haughty snort: "Then you also have a confrontational personality!"

Looking at her charming and adorable appearance, I laughed and blurted out, "That's perfect, we have exactly the same personality, we're a match made in heaven."

One sentence instantly made her burst into laughter, and she said gently and playfully, "You know how to talk!"

After saying that, she raised her hand and pushed me to turn around: "Turn around! Don't look back!"

I was completely confused: "What?"

"Never mind that, just turn around!"

I had just turned around when I suddenly felt a weight on my back.

A soft, warm body pounced on me and pressed against my back.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, gently clamped her legs around my waist, and hung completely on me, her voice whispering in my ear:

"Okay, carry me home!"

I'm really at my wit's end. This girl is always doing whatever she wants, acting on a whim.

I had no choice but to support her legs and slowly walk towards the courtyard.

The evening breeze gently brushed past my ears, the night was tender, and the starlight was shimmering.

She lay quietly on my back, her head gently resting on my shoulder, her warm breath falling on my neck.

At this moment, there are no external disturbances, no hidden rivals, and no family resistance or pressure.

I carried my beloved girl on my back as we walked home, my heart filled with contentment and happiness.

The evening breeze, carrying the dampness from the riverbank, rustled through the treetops beside the courtyard wall.

I carried Su Qing on my back, walking slowly on the uneven bluestone path in front of the courtyard gate.

She pressed herself softly against my back, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, her warm cheeks resting peacefully against my shoulder.

Warm breaths swept across my neck, mingling with her unique, faint, sweet fragrance, completely enveloping me.

The slight awkwardness and distance caused by that phone call just now vanished in an instant.

Su Qing herself wasn't heavy, and she just slumped softly on my back, a sensation that filled me with indescribable joy.

Looking back on the countless long nights I spent in the no-man's-land, the countless sleepless nights, I imagined this ordinary yet peaceful scene over and over again.

Now, I have achieved them all.

"Hey, slow down, stop swaying around."

Su Qing buried her face in my back and muttered something softly, her head unconsciously nuzzling against my shoulder.

I chuckled softly, slowed my pace, and said, "Don't worry, you won't fall."

"That's not necessarily true. You just came back from the no-man's-land, and you haven't fully recovered yet."

As she spoke, the arms wrapped around my neck tightened even more.

I chuckled and teased her, "Oh, so you're feeling sorry for me now? You weren't this considerate when we were arguing and bickering earlier."

Su Qing gave a soft hum, reached out, and gently pinched my ear with her fingertips.

With a hint of coquettishness, she said, "How dare you say that? You were the one who started teasing me."

"I was just telling the truth."

"Nonsense!"

We chatted idly as we walked step by step into the small courtyard by the river.

I stopped and turned my head slightly: "We're home, time to get off."

Su Qing showed no sign of letting go; instead, she clung to my back.

His head was buried in my shoulder, and his muffled voice reached my ears: "Carry me a little longer, this kind of treatment is rare."

I shook my head helplessly and could only continue carrying her into the house.

The room was spotless, with not a speck of dust on the floor or table.

I've been away from home for over a month, and if no one comes to take care of it, the house would have accumulated a thick layer of dust long ago.

These tiny details alone are enough to tell you the truth.

During the time I was away, Su Qing has been diligently taking care of our little home.

Thinking about this, I felt both bittersweet and warm inside.

How could I not be moved by a girl like that? How could I not cherish her?

But deep down, I haven't completely let go of the matter of that phone call and the band's lead singer.