You Mingxu arranged her sleeping bag and took some chocolate and snacks from her bag to share with the girls. They accepted and reciprocated with snacks and water of their own. The girls got along politely and pleasantly.

Zou Furong said, “Hey, your friend is so cool. What does he do?” Her tone carried the typical gossip-seeking attitude of a girl curious about a handsome stranger. Song Lan chided, “Enough, control yourself.” Zou Furong laughed, and You Mingxu replied, “He said he works in IT.”

Zou Furong: “Where’s he from?”

You Mingxu: “I didn’t ask.”

Zou Furong said, “Then I’ll ask him later.” Song Lan gave her a look, and Zou Furong defended herself, “Come on, can’t I appreciate a handsome guy? What do you think I’m trying to do? Travel gets boring—this is what we call a romantic encounter, understand? At least he’s easy on the eyes, right?”

This made You Mingxu laugh too, as images of Gu Tiancheng’s silent driving flashed through her mind—his profile, his shoulders, his hands. She thought to herself that he was indeed pleasing to look at. That man had an inherently captivating quality about him.

Ming-Tao interjected from nearby, “How can you have so little caution around strange men? Be careful of serial killers.”

He had already told the two women about the “highway serial killer,” but they had only shown mild surprise and little concern. Zou Furong said, “Even if there is a serial killer, Tibet is so vast—what are the chances of running into one?” Song Lan added, “Yeah, we’re quite cautious, but there are three of you, and none of you look like bad people.”

So now, hearing Ming Tao promote his killer danger theory again, the two women just smiled and continued chatting with You Mingxu about other things. Unable to hold the ladies’ attention, Ming Tao zoned out for a while before lowering his head to fiddle with what little battery remained on his phone.

Just as You Mingxu was about to return to her tent, she saw the figure who had caught the girls’ attention emerge from behind the house. Being outdoors, it wasn’t hard for her to guess what he’d been doing.

As he walked closer, he looked at her and smiled, “What are you staring at?”

You Mingxu answered, “I’m wondering… where you’re from, and where you’re going.”

Gu Tiancheng paused, sitting down in his tent. Their tents were adjacent, and You Mingxu watched as his outdoor jacket slipped off one shoulder, revealing an attractive shoulder line. He lowered his head to light a cigarette, his face alternating between light and shadow as he replied, “I came from coming, and I’m going to going.” He laughed at his joke, then added, “No kidding, I’m from Jiang City and need to return there. What about you? Where are you from?”

It must have been an exceptionally peaceful and gentle moment. The sky had cleared, a transparent deep blue with stars beginning to emerge. Wind swept through the mountain grasslands from the night. In the dim light, two people sat cross-legged on the ground in their tents, chatting casually.

You Mingxu avoided his direct gaze and answered, “I’m from Xiang City. The same place as Ming Tao’s idol serial killer.” She laughed, and Gu Tiancheng laughed too, saying, “That’s close.”

“Yes, just separated by a river.”

“Want one?” he offered.

“Sure.” She took the cigarette and lighter—”Hetianxia” brand cigarettes, less than half a pack remaining.

“This Hunan cigarette is quite good,” he said.

She smiled, holding one between her lips, “I usually can’t afford these, thanks.”

Gu Tiancheng chuckled softly, “If you ever come to Jiang City, I’ll keep you well-supplied.” He paused after speaking, and You Mingxu didn’t respond, just holding her cigarette with a slight smile.

Her long hair fell loose, and the outdoor jacket draped over her shoulders revealing a black fitted T-shirt underneath. At first glance, her phoenix eyes and rouge lips, coupled with her aloof expression, gave her an inherently alluring quality. But looking closer, her eyes were exceptionally clear and bright, with a determined air between her brows that made her appear steady and pure.

Gu Tiancheng rarely took interest in women, but sitting opposite this person now, he felt a stirring of attraction. The journey had been lonely and silent, making him miss the bustle of the city and the cut and thrust of business. Yet unexpectedly, he’d met this woman—beautiful, stubborn, mysterious, and clever—impossible to figure out.

“Is your work interesting?” You Mingxu asked.

Gu Tiancheng replied casually, “It’s alright. Usually too busy, always flying somewhere, lots of social obligations. I prefer being alone.”

You Mingxu’s delicate lips parted to blow a perfect smoke ring, “Aren’t you in IT? Why do you need to travel and socialize so much?”

Gu Tiancheng smiled, “I manage the technical side.”

“Oh,” You Mingxu thought to herself that he must be some kind of executive. She asked, “So why did you come to Tibet? Chasing dreams? Escaping the world? Spiritual liberation?”

Gu Tiancheng was quiet for a moment, staring into space before smiling, “Do you believe one trip to Tibet can bring spiritual liberation?”

You Mingxu shook her head directly, “Of course, I don’t. I only believe in self-salvation.”

Gu Tiancheng looked at her, nodding, “You’re right. So I’m in Tibet purely for fun. I’ve never been interested in unrealistic expectations. What about you? Why did you come to Tibet?”

You Mingxu finished her last drag of the cigarette, gently stubbing it out in the dirt, and answered without looking up, “Isn’t a completely unknown journey interesting? You have no idea what will happen tomorrow. For instance, today I encountered a robbery, but I also met you. Now, I’m camping in the wilderness with four strangers, smoking cigarettes I usually can’t afford.”

Gu Tiancheng leaned back on his arms, his face slightly upturned, eyes filled with deep amusement as he softly said two words: “Kindred spirit.”

This was perhaps the second time, after humming in the car, that this outwardly tough but reserved man showed such animation. However, You Mingxu neither particularly rejoiced nor blushed nervously. She just mimicked his posture, arms stretched behind her, and straightened her legs—those beautiful long legs moved a few times before she asked, “Do you have a girlfriend? Or are you married? Don’t tell me a man like you is still single.”

Gu Tiancheng’s previously relaxed expression dimmed slightly. He took out another cigarette, lowered his head to light it with cupped hands, took a couple of slow drags, then showed a gentle, peaceful smile as he answered, “I did.”

You Mingxu looked at him inquiringly.

He said, “I was too busy with work then, too consumed by it, had too little time to spend with her. She couldn’t wait for me to achieve success, so she left.”

You Mingxu fell silent. Such ordinary words, such a common story. Yet coming from a man like him, it carried a touching quality.

She said, “One must look forward.”

“Mm,” he said, “I’ve long forgotten her. Not worth it. Life has many other things worth pursuing.”

You Mingxu smiled in agreement, then asked, “So now?”

Gu Tiancheng gazed at her, voice tinged with amusement: “What?”

“Still no girlfriend?”

A hint of playfulness flashed quickly through his clear, bright eyes: “No. I’ve been waiting for someone special to appear. You’ve asked me so much, what about you? Don’t tell me a woman like you doesn’t have a boyfriend.”

He turned her words back on her, and You Mingxu smiled, “Thanks. I…” She looked up at the sky as if searching for something in the vast cosmos. Gu Tiancheng heard her say softly, “I’ve also been waiting for someone special to appear.”

Gu Tiancheng joined her in looking at the sky. Its color was as deep as an eternal dream from which one could never wake, yet stars twinkled gently above. Gu Tiancheng thought so this is how it is. Some people you spend years with, love for years, yet never truly know who they are. Others you’ve known for mere hours, yet they make you feel as if life has white lightning silently exploding in a moment, and you’re about to hazily glimpse something profound.