From humble beginnings to the pinnacle of life

As I spoke, I quickly picked up a spoon, scooped up a spoonful, and tasted it myself.

I frowned and looked at her, saying, "It doesn't seem too bad, does it?"

Seeing my embarrassment, Su Qing burst out laughing.

When I saw her smile, I knew that this brat had teased me again.

I immediately rolled my eyes at her and said, "Su Qing, are you kidding me?"

She tilted her head, stuck out her tongue at me, and said in a coquettish tone:

"I just wanted to see you get nervous! It's delicious, absolutely delicious!"

As she spoke, she scooped up another spoonful and took a big gulp to prove her point.

Looking at her bright and lively appearance, I shook my head and smiled, "Eat more fish and meat to replenish your energy; it will be good for your post-operative recovery."

A gentle atmosphere enveloped the two of us, making us feel peaceful and secure.

After dinner, Su Qing insisted on clearing the dishes, saying that since the chef was in charge of cooking, it was only right that she should do the washing.

I couldn't argue with her, so I leaned against the kitchen door frame and quietly watched her.

The sound of running water started again. As she washed the dishes, she hummed a cheerful tune whose name I didn't know. Her back looked exceptionally happy and relaxed.

This feeling is so comfortable.

A small house by the river, a simple dinner.

The two people standing side by side, without any arguments or pressure, seemed to slow down the passage of time.

A rare sense of peace settled in my heart.

But beneath this tranquility, a sense of tension still lingers.

I know better than anyone that such warm and relaxing moments are too short and too precious.

From the day I made up my mind to be with Su Qing, I was destined to face countless obstacles and pressures.

The concerns of the Su family and the calculations of the Fang family—these intertwined people and events are like mountains standing in our way.

Faced with such a wealthy family, I, who had nothing, no power, and no influence, often felt deeply powerless.

My relentless efforts and perseverance may seem laughable to them.

But what I said to her parents was never empty talk.

As long as Su Qing refuses to let go, I will never back down first.

After washing the bowl clean, she wiped the water droplets off her hands, jogged over, took my arm, and pulled me to sit on the long wooden bench in the yard.

We huddled together, looking up at the night sky, where a few dim stars hung sparsely, and the soft moonlight bathed the courtyard.

At this moment, we both tacitly stopped thinking about the difficulties ahead, stopped pondering plans and risks, and simply quietly enjoyed the tender moment before us.

"Lin Ye." Su Qing suddenly spoke softly, calling my name in a low voice.

"Hmm?" I responded.

"You must stay safe and sound. I'll be at home, waiting for you to come back."

I turned my head and gently brushed my nose against the top of her soft hair, inhaling its faint fragrance.

"Don't worry. I've survived even the treacherous no man's land, so I'll definitely make it back to see you safely via the Terra Line."

Though I spoke with certainty, I knew in my heart that the dangers of the Terra Line were no less than those of the no-man's-land.

Every year, hikers perish on that road; the risks are not much lower than in uninhabited areas.

But I had no other choice.

Someone like me, without any background or connections, wants to forge a path in life and become worthy of Su Qing.

Many times, one can only gamble with their courage, or even their life, for a chance.

……

The night was gentle, and a soft breeze was blowing.

Su Qing and I nestled together on the bench in the courtyard, quietly enjoying the evening breeze that drifted in from the river.

The weariness that had been weighing on my mind these past few days, along with the pent-up frustration from talking to her parents, seemed to dissipate little by little in the night.

I don't dare to ask for too much. I never thought about achieving great things overnight. I only hope that every step I take will be solid and safe.

As night deepened and the chill gradually intensified, I took Su Qing's arm and we got up to go back to the house to rest.

The next morning arrived in the blink of an eye.

My phone vibrated; it was a message from the official TerraLine project team.

After I opened and read it, a weight was finally lifted from my heart.

The application to change accompanying persons has been approved.

This trek along the Terra Trail, which has been closely watched by many in the hiking community, is now all set and ready to begin.

I turned to tell Su Qing the news. Seeing the happy look in her eyes, my heart softened. Then I packed my things and went out to take a car to Wang Ge's equipment store.

I wanted to tell him the news as soon as possible, and also to clarify the details of the subsequent itinerary with him.

The bus swayed and bumped along the street, stopping and starting, and it took me almost an hour to finally arrive at Wang Ge's small outdoor equipment store around noon.

Wang Ge was squatting in front of the gap in the shelf, burying his head in organizing a pile of parts, his movements methodical and orderly.

He has always been a man of few words and a quiet nature, but he is extremely meticulous in anything related to outdoor equipment.

I've always felt very reassured working with him.

Hearing footsteps, he didn't look up immediately, continuing to concentrate on packing his things.

He didn't look up at me until I called out to him, and asked in a flat voice, "Why are you here again?"

I forced a smile and replied, "Brother Wang, it sounds like you're not welcoming me."

Wang Ge gave a rare, faint smile and explained, "That's not what I meant. You know I'm not good with words."

Of course I know his personality; he's just not good with words and doesn't know how to be polite. I was just joking with him casually.

I stopped joking and became serious, saying to him, "I have something important to tell you. My application to change my accompanying personnel has been approved. When are you planning to set off?"

Wang Ge then stopped what he was doing, slowly stood up, and patted the dust off his palms.

His face showed no surprise, nor any excessive excitement. He calmly said:

"Yes, I've almost finished preparing the equipment. I can leave anytime; the timing is up to you."

I nodded, walked over to the old wooden chair next to me and sat down. We began to finalize the details of the itinerary one by one.

Whenever the conversation turns to his familiar professional field, Wang Ge, who is usually quiet, becomes much more talkative.

He clearly and logically explained the risks to be aware of on the road: "The temperature difference between day and night is particularly extreme in high-altitude areas, so I'll bring two extra sets of windproof and warm inner linings, and an extra pair of frostbite gloves. The Taila route is full of scree slopes and unseen black ice, so anti-slip rock pitons and emergency ropes are a must..."

I listened quietly and wrote down his key points one by one in my phone's notes app.

With Brother Wang along, our chances of safely completing this dangerous route are indeed much greater.

Seeing him seriously considering the risks of the route, I sincerely said, "Brother Wang, it's a good thing you're willing to come with me on this trip."

Wang Ge remained calm and slowly said, "No need for formalities. Last time in the no-man's-land, we turned back halfway, and I've had a grudge about that ever since. Accompanying you this time is a way to make up for that regret and to live up to the word 'friend.'"

After that, the two of us took turns talking and systematically sorted out the entire itinerary.

Every day's campsite locations, evacuation routes in case of extreme weather such as blizzards or rockfalls, and all foreseeable risks and contingency plans were finalized.