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Psst! We're moving!
When Luan Nian asked her if she wanted to travel together, she was stunned for a long time.
“When?”
“Now.” Luan Nian’s tone was firm, without a trace of jest.
“But aren’t you going to the Netherlands?”
“I can skip it. Going abroad every year seems kind of meaningless.”
“But I already made plans with my friends.” Shang Zhitao said this and heard Luan Nian hum in response. In her heart, she thought, but I want to travel with Luan Nian. She quickly came up with an answer. Perhaps she and Luan Nian were fundamentally the same kind of people—both lovers of adventure.
“But we haven’t prepared anything.”
“We’ll drive ourselves. Two people and a dog—let’s just go. We still have plenty of time to prepare.”
What a great temptation! Shang Zhitao envisioned a journey full of surprises. That trip would surely be like Luan Nian himself.
“But where are we going?”
“Where do you most want to go?”
“I’ve always wanted to go to Tibet.”
“Then let’s go.”
“But I haven’t taken leave yet.”
“I approve.” After saying this, Luan Nian opened the back door, letting Luke into the car, then sat in the driver’s seat. Seeing Shang Zhitao standing there unmoving, he rolled down the window: “Are you not coming?”
Shang Zhitao never imagined that her first trip with Luan Nian would begin like this.
The car sped along the highway. Luan Nian wore sunglasses while driving, looking like a tough guy; Luke grinned happily in the backseat, excited by the sudden trip. He must have been thinking, “I’m now officially a traveling dog!”
Shang Zhitao felt an indescribable happiness. Humming along to the music, she watched the scenery rush past outside the window, heading straight for Tibet.
“We haven’t taken Rhodiola.” Shang Zhitao suddenly remembered.
“I’ve been to Everest Base Camp.”
“What if we get altitude sickness?” she asked again.
“Oxygen bottles.”
“You’ll take care of me, right?”
“I’ll sell you to the Tibetans.”
“…” Shang Zhitao looked at herself: “Human trafficking is illegal.”
Luan Nian chuckled and reached out to pat her head. Her hair was soft and fluffy, pleasant to touch, so he left his hand on her head, gently rubbing it.
“Though I really like you touching my head, it’s dangerous.” She moved his hand back to the steering wheel, leaned her body slightly to rest her head against the seatback, and looked at him. Luan Nian looked good in sunglasses; they covered his usually cold eyes, making his lips appear much gentler.
“What are you looking at?”
“I just think you’re very gentle today.”
“Do I usually hit you or something?”
“…” Shang Zhitao giggled after a moment: “No. I mean, I hope you’ll show more such gentleness in the future.”
“So you like gentle men.” Luan Nian glanced at her, then drove the car to a service area to refuel. Since they had decided to leave on a whim, they hadn’t prepared anything. Refueling was the top priority, so they also bought two cases of water. Then the two sat in the car, and Luan Nian took out his phone to check where they would stay on the first day. Shang Zhitao leaned over to look as well, her bangs brushing against Luan Nian’s cheek, her head blocking the phone screen. Luan Nian waited for a long time, but she didn’t move. Instead, she asked him, “Why aren’t you moving?”
Luan Nian sighed and placed the phone on his lap, pushing aside her bangs to kiss her forehead: “Your head is completely blocking everything.”
“Oh.” Shang Zhitao felt a bit embarrassed and moved back slightly, raising her head to look at him: “Is this better?”
“Mm.”
They had set off late. Luan Nian checked the time and said to Shang Zhitao: “We’ll stay in Shijiazhuang tonight. After we arrive, we’ll go shopping for equipment.”
“I also need to buy some sunscreen spray and sunscreen lotion.” Shang Zhitao added. Her skin was sensitive, and she was afraid of sunburn, which could cause redness and swelling: “I also need a pair of sunglasses.”
“Alright. While I’m driving, make a list of things we need to buy. Tonight, we’ll stay in the commercial district. After eating, we’ll go shopping.”
“What about Luke? Are hotels pet-friendly?”
“They allow small pets.” Luan Nian glanced back at Luke, who was grinning foolishly—he wasn’t exactly a small pet: “We’ll figure out Luke’s situation when we arrive.”
“Oh.”
The two set off again. Luan Nian focused on driving, while Shang Zhitao diligently listed their shopping needs. It seemed like they hadn’t been in such high spirits for a long time. A faint smile even unconsciously appeared on Luan Nian’s face. Dr. Liang called, asking Luan Nian: “Are you about to take off?”
“I changed my itinerary last minute.”
“Why?”
“Because I suddenly wanted to go to Tibet.”
“You’re ditching Song Qiuhang and the others?” Dr. Liang was surprised. She knew Luan Nian enjoyed spending time with them, and those one or two trips per year always lifted his mood.
“Can’t they be ditched? Last time, Song Qiuhang ditched me to go to Nepal alone.”
“…” Dr. Liang felt there was no point arguing with Luan Nian; he made his own decisions. She then asked him: “Are you going alone?”
Luan Nian glanced at Shang Zhitao, who seemed a little uneasy: “No.”
“With Flora?” Dr. Liang instinctively guessed Luan Nian was traveling with a girl, and that girl was likely Flora, the one who took care of him when he was sick. This Flora might also be “Shang Zhitao,” whom Luan Siyuan mentioned in the family chat group. Coincidentally, this Shang Zhitao was also the one Dr. Liang had chatted with on a dating website. If this “four-in-one” coincidence truly existed, Dr. Liang would consider it a match made in heaven.
“…Your memory is really good.”
She chuckled: “Hello, Flora.” Perfect, a two-in-one.
Shang Zhitao didn’t expect Dr. Liang to greet her. She immediately sat up straight, feeling a bit nervous: “Hello, Dr. Liang.”
Dr. Liang burst out laughing: “So there really is someone! I thought Luan Nian was just talking nonsense again.”
…Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao exchanged glances. He raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips: “Why would I lie to you? I’m driving now. I’ll call you back when we reach our resting city tonight.”
“No, why should you young people call me while you’re out having fun? Don’t call. Just send a message to let me know you’re safe.” After saying this, Dr. Liang called out to Shang Zhitao: “Flora.”
“Yes, Dr. Liang.”
“Luan Nian has a bad temper and a strange personality. Thank you for tolerating him. But don’t委屈yourself. If he does something wrong, tell him.” Dr. Liang knew her son well. After spending so much time with him, the girl must have endured a lot. She wanted to say that Flora could argue with him, oppose him, but not leave him easily. Her son had never spent so much time with any woman before. But Dr. Liang didn’t say too much. She didn’t want to seem overly involved. This was their business.
For some reason, hearing these few words from Dr. Liang made Shang Zhitao’s eyes a bit red, and her heart felt sour, as if someone suddenly understood her. Why was Luan Nian’s mother so gentle? How did such a gentle mother end up with such a hard-edged son?
Her voice muffled, Shang Zhitao responded with a soft “Mm.”
“My temper is good, and my personality isn’t strange. Goodbye.” Luan Nian hung up the phone, watching the flow of cars ahead, his lips pressed tightly shut.
After a long while, Shang Zhitao finally spoke: “This is the first time between us that we’ve abandoned our social circles and independent spaces to travel together. I’m so happy you suggested it. I hope this trip will be very, very enjoyable. If something unpleasant happens, please don’t leave me alone in Tibet.”
Luan Nian chuckled: “How did you get so good at talking? Did you take a public speaking class?”
“...”
What a mood killer.
After hanging up, Dr. Liang said to Luan Nian’s father: “It seems our son is really in love, and he genuinely likes that girl.”
“Does traveling together mean they’re in love? Didn’t he spend ten years playing with Zang Yao?” Luan’s father thought Dr. Liang was overreacting.
Dr. Liang glared at him: “That’s why you businesspeople only know how to make money. First, our son ditched Song Qiuhang and the others to travel with this girl. Second, they’re traveling alone. Has he ever traveled alone with Zang Yao? Third, he openly referred to that girl as his girlfriend—has he ever said that before?”
Luan’s father clicked his tongue: “I know what I know, and I also know you’ve already started dreaming of holding a granddaughter.”
“Why a granddaughter?”
“You and our son both like girls, don’t you?” Luan’s father sneered and walked away. Dr. Liang sat there for a long time, convinced her judgment was correct—after all, Luan Nian had never acknowledged any relationship like this before.
Luan Nian acknowledged Shang Zhitao.
They were always independent individuals, traveling alone during holidays and spending little time communicating or being together. This trip was rare for them. It broke their usual pattern of interaction.
This was also a challenge for Luan Nian. But when he invited her, he was sincere. While waiting outside the complex for her to bring the buns, he canceled his trip to the Netherlands—plane tickets, hotel bookings—all at a considerable cost. When he called Song Qiuhang and the others, they asked him, “Why?”
“Because I want to travel alone with a woman.” Chen Kuannian and Tan Mian laughed at him, but Song Qiuhang remained silent. After a few seconds, Song Qiuhang finally said: “You never mentioned having a woman.”
“The story is long. I’ll tell you next time we meet.”
“Looking forward to it. Have a great trip. We’ll send you videos from the Netherlands.” That’s what Song Qiuhang said.
Song Qiuhang understood Luan Nian’s decision. He also wanted to travel with the girl he loved. But he might not take her to Tibet—he would take her to Hulunbuir. Perhaps he would never have such an opportunity in his lifetime.
Luan Nian was always decisive when making decisions. When he invited Shang Zhitao, he was prepared for her possible rejection, but he didn’t leave himself an escape route. What if Shang Zhitao refused him? Then he’d just take Luke and go by himself.
But Shang Zhitao didn’t refuse him. When he saw her get into the car and fasten her seatbelt, he suddenly realized that his previous understanding of her ideas about personal space and independence had been too narrow. Her concept of personal space and independence should be about giving each other room after forming a true intimate relationship—not rejecting someone from the start.
They had taken too many detours to reach this understanding. It was Luan Nian who initially led them in the wrong direction.
He felt it wasn’t too late to correct it now.
The two purchased supplies in Shijiazhuang. By evening, after washing up, they lay in bed and truly began planning their trip.
Shang Zhitao rested her head on Luan Nian’s arm, watching him mark locations on his phone. They discussed for a long time whether to go through Qinghai or Sichuan, ultimately deciding to pass through Taiyuan, Ningxia, and Qinghai. He calculated based on 600 kilometers per day, with the final leg at 350 kilometers per day, taking six days to reach Lhasa.
Along the way, they would see the Yellow River, Qinghai Lake, Tuotuo River, Namtso, and endless scenery on National Highway 109. It would be tough.
“Afraid of hardship?” Luan Nian asked her.
“Not at all.” I’ve experienced worse—falling in love with you, Shang Zhitao thought.
“But I can take turns driving. I know how to drive too.” She sat up and patted her chest: “You’ve ridden in my car in the northwest. I’m a good driver. On easier sections, I can take over.”
Luan Nian pulled her back down: “Alright, I understand. Lie down and talk. No need to get too excited.”
Shang Zhitao smiled again.
“So, we’ll still take six days to drive to Tibet.” Luan Nian recalculated. If Shang Zhitao drove tomorrow, they could see more scenery: “Once we enter the Tibetan region, we can slow down.”
“Great.” Shang Zhitao suggested: “Let’s figure out what to eat each day next.”
“Sure, what do you want to eat?”
Shang Zhitao pointed to those cities: “Local specialties, lamb, beef, yak meat... things like that.”
“And then?”
“And then I want to take pictures! Wear Tibetan clothes! Take photos!” She sat up again, clasped her hands together: “Take pictures like these. I also want to take pictures with you.”
“No way.” Luan Nian pulled her back down. He hated taking tourist photos while traveling—it felt strange. The scenery was already in his heart; if he liked it, he’d return. What was the point of taking tourist photos?
“Oh.” Shang Zhitao sighed softly, secretly glancing at Luan Nian, calculating the chances of forcing him to pose once they reached Lhasa.
“Don’t even think about it. Not happening.”
“Then I’ll take pictures with Luke. I think Luke and I will make a dream team.”
“Suit yourself.” Luan Nian remained unmoved.
“Hmph!” Shang Zhitao huffed and turned away. Luan Nian turned off the light, pulling her close from behind and said: “Have a pleasant journey, Shang Zhitao.”
Shang Zhitao’s heart softened. She turned around, finding his face in the dark, her fingertips tracing his brow, gently stroking it. She spoke softly, like whispering: “Luan Nian.”
“Mm?”
“I’m so happy you invited me to travel with you. The whole day felt like a dream. So, as the day ends, I want to wish us—no, not just us, but the three of us, including Luke—a pleasant journey.”
A little closer, and there were his lips. Shang Zhitao lightly parted her lips, brushing them against his. At first, it was a gentle peck, but soon both of their breaths grew heavier, the sound of their breathing rustling in the dark.
Luan Nian pushed her away: “Forgot to buy condoms.”
Shang Zhitao placed a small, round object into his hand and said: “It was the first item on my shopping list.”
Luan Nian almost burst out laughing at Shang Zhitao’s practicality. He bit her slender neck fiercely, suddenly pulling her onto him and thrusting upward forcefully. Shang Zhitao couldn’t steady herself but was firmly held down by him. His voice in the dark was slightly hoarse: “Don’t you like being on top?”
Sometimes, passion can be contagious.
Shang Zhitao stripped off her clothes, goosebumps rising on her skin. Her sticky, sultry voice drifted through the darkness into Luan Nian’s ears. He closed his eyes, and after a long while, muttered: “Sounds good.”
Mm~
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