Luan Nian asked if she wanted to travel together, and she was stunned for a long time.

“When?”

“Now,” Luan Nian said with certainty, without any hint of jest.

“Aren’t you going to Holland?”

“I can skip it. Going abroad every year doesn’t seem that meaningful anymore.”

“But I’ve made plans with my friends,” Shang Zhitao said. Hearing Luan Nian’s acknowledging hum, she thought to herself, but I want to travel with Luan Nian. She quickly made up her mind. Perhaps she and Luan Nian were essentially the same type of people—both adventure lovers.

“But we haven’t prepared anything.”

“We’ll drive ourselves—two people and a dog—just go when we say go. There’s still plenty of time to prepare.”

What greater temptation could there be? Shang Zhitao seemed to envision an adventure filled with surprises. That journey would be like Luan Nian himself.

“But where would we go?”

“Where do you most want to go?”

“I most want to go to Tibet.”

“Then let’s go there.”

“But I haven’t requested time off.”

“I approve it.” After saying this, Luan Nian opened the back door, let Luke into the car, and sat in the driver’s seat. Seeing Shang Zhitao standing there motionless, he rolled down the window: “Not coming?”

Shang Zhitao had 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 sat in the back seat, grinning with excitement for the sudden journey. He was probably thinking, I’m a traveling dog now too!

Shang Zhitao felt an indescribable happiness, humming along with the music, watching the scenery rush by outside the window, heading towards Tibet.

“We haven’t taken any rhodiola,” Shang Zhitao suddenly remembered.

“I’ve been to Everest Base Camp before.”

“What if we get altitude sickness?” she asked again.

“Oxygen tanks.”

“You’ll take care of me, right?”

“I’ll sell you to the Tibetans.”

“…” Shang Zhitao looked down at herself: “Human trafficking is illegal.”

Luan Nian laughed softly, reaching out to pat her head. Shang Zhitao’s hair was soft and fluffy, pleasant to touch, so he simply left his hand on her head, caressing it.

“Although I like you touching my head, it’s dangerous this way.” She returned his hand to the steering wheel, slightly turning her body to lean her head against the seat back and watch him. Luan Nian looked good in sunglasses; they covered his usually indifferent eyes, making his lips appear much gentler.

“What are you looking at?”

“Just feeling that you’re very gentle today.”

“So I beat you normally, is that it?”

“…” Shang Zhitao took a moment to react, then giggled: “No. What I mean is that I hope you can show more of this gentleness in the future.”

“So you like gentlemen.” Luan Nian glanced at her, driving to a service area to refuel. Since they decided to leave on a whim without preparations, refueling was the top priority. He 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 the first night. Shang Zhitao leaned over to look too, her bangs brushing against Luan Nian’s cheek, her head blocking the phone screen. Luan Nian waited for a long time, but she showed no intention of moving away, instead asking him: “Why aren’t you doing anything?”

Luan Nian sighed, put the phone on his leg, lifted her bangs, and kissed her forehead: “Your head is completely blocking the view.”

“Oh.” Shang Zhitao felt a bit embarrassed and moved back a little, looking up at him: “Is this better?”

“Yes.”

They had left late. Luan Nian checked the time and told Shang Zhitao, “We’ll stay in Shijiazhuang tonight. When we get there, we’ll go shopping for equipment.”

“I also need to get sunscreen spray and sunscreen lotion,” Shang Zhitao added. Her skin was sensitive, and she was afraid of the sun; after exposure, it would become red and swollen. “I also need sunglasses.”

“Okay. While I’m driving, make a list of things we need to buy. Tonight we’ll stay in the commercial district, have a bite to eat, and then go shopping.”

“What about Luke? Will the hotel allow him?”

“Small pets are allowed.” Luan Nian looked back at Luke, who was grinning stupidly—he was certainly not a small pet: “We’ll figure out Luke’s situation when we get there.”

“Oh.”

The two set off again. Luan Nian concentrated on driving, while Shang Zhitao carefully made the shopping list. It seemed like they hadn’t been in such good spirits for a long time; even Luan Nian had an unconscious smile on his face. Dr. Liang called and asked Luan Nian: “Are you about to take off?”

“I changed my plans at the last minute.”

“Why?”

“Because I suddenly wanted to go to Tibet.”

“You stood up, Song Qiuhan, and the others?” Dr. Liang was a bit surprised. She knew Luan Nian enjoyed being with them, and those one or two annual trips could make him happy.

“Am I not allowed to stand them up? Last time Song Qiuhan stood me up to go to Nepal by himself.”

“…” Dr. Liang felt there was no point arguing with Luan Nian. He made his own decisions, so she asked him: “Are you going alone?”

Luan Nian glanced at the uncomfortable Shang Zhitao: “No.”

“With Flora?” Dr. Liang’s intuition was that Luan Nian was going with a girl, and that girl was Flora, who had taken care of him when he was sick. This Flora might also be the “Shang Zhitao” that Luan Siyan had mentioned in the family group chat. More coincidentally, this Shang Zhitao might be the same Shang Zhitao who had chatted with Dr. Liang on a dating website. If such a “four-in-one” coincidence truly existed, Dr. Liang would consider it a match made in heaven.

“…You have a good memory.”

She chuckled: “Hello, Flora.” Good, two identities confirmed.

Shang Zhitao hadn’t expected Dr. Liang to greet her and immediately sat up straight, feeling a bit nervous: “Hello, Dr. Liang.”

Dr. Liang burst into laughter: “So there is someone. I thought Luan Nian was making things up again.”

…Luan Nian and Shang Zhitao exchanged glances. He raised an eyebrow, twisted his mouth: “Why would I lie to you? I’m driving now. I’ll call you back when we reach the city where we’ll rest tonight.”

“No, why would you young people call me when 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.”

“I’m here, Dr. Liang.”

“Luan Nian has a bad temper and peculiar personality. Thank you for accommodating him. But you don’t need to compromise yourself. If he does something wrong, just tell him.” Dr. Liang knew what her son was like. Luan Nian had been with her for so long; the girl must have endured a lot. She wanted to say you can argue with him, oppose him, but don’t easily leave him. My son has never been with any woman for so long. But Dr. Liang didn’t say so much; she didn’t want to appear overly involved. This was their own business.

Somehow, when Shang Zhitao heard these few sentences from Dr. Liang, her eyes reddened slightly, and her heart felt sour, as if suddenly someone understood her. Why was Luan Nian’s mother so gentle? How could such a gentle mother have such a hardened son?

Shang Zhitao responded with a muffled “Mmm.”

“My temper is very good, and my personality isn’t peculiar. Goodbye.” Luan Nian hung up the phone, staring at the traffic ahead, lips pressed together in silence.

It was a long time before Shang Zhitao said: “This is the first time for us to travel together, giving up our social circles and independent spaces. I’m very happy that you suggested it, and I hope this trip can be very, very pleasant. If things get unpleasant, please don’t leave me alone in Tibet.”

Luan Nian laughed: “How do you always know what to say? Have you been taking public speaking classes?”

“…”

What a mood killer.

On the other end, Dr. Liang hung up the phone and said to Luan’s father: “It seems our son is really in love, and he likes that girl.”

“Traveling together means he likes her? Hasn’t he been hanging out with Zang Yao for ten years?” Luan’s father thought Dr. Liang was being oversensitive.

Dr. Liang glared at him: “That’s why they say businesspeople only know how to make money. First, our son stood up Song Qiuhan and the others to travel with this girl; second, they’re going alone. Has he ever gone out alone with Zang Yao? Third, he openly admits that the girl is his girlfriend. Has he ever said that before?”

Luan’s father scoffed: “I know whether I understand or not. I also know you’re already thinking about holding a granddaughter in your arms.”

“Why a granddaughter?”

“Don’t you and your son both prefer girls?” Luan’s father smirked and left. Dr. Liang sat there thinking for a long time. She insisted her judgment was correct, after all, Luan Nian had never acknowledged any relationship like this before.

Luan Nian acknowledged Shang Zhitao.

They had always been independent individuals, traveling alone during holidays, spending very little time communicating and being together. It was rare for them to travel together. This broke their usual pattern of interaction.

This was also a challenge for Luan Nian. But when he invited her, he was sincere. While waiting for her to bring the dumplings outside the community, he had canceled his Holland trip—flights, hotels, paying considerable cancellation fees. When he called Song Qiuhan and the others, they asked him: “Why?”

“Because I want to travel alone with a woman.” Chen Kuannian and Tan Mian mocked him, but Song Qiuhan didn’t speak. After a few seconds, Song Qiuhan said: “You never said you had a woman.”

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you when we meet next time.”

“Looking forward to it. Have a pleasant journey. We’ll send you videos from Holland.” That’s what Song Qiuhan said.

Song Qiuhan understood Luan Nian’s decision. He also wanted to travel with his beloved girl like Luan Nian. But he probably wouldn’t take her to Tibet; he would take her to Hulunbuir. He might never have such an opportunity in his life.

Luan Nian had always been like this, making decisions swiftly. He invited Shang Zhitao and was prepared for her refusal, but he didn’t leave himself a backup plan. What if Shang Zhitao refused him? Well, then he would just go with Luke.

Shang Zhitao didn’t refuse him. When he saw Shang Zhitao get into the car and fasten her seatbelt, he suddenly felt that his previous insistence to Shang Zhitao about independent space and independent personality was too one-sided. The independent space and independent personality she spoke of should be about giving each other room after they have a true intimate relationship, not refusing to let each other into their lives from the very beginning.

They had taken too many detours to understand this point. It was Luan Nian who had initially led them in the wrong direction.

He felt it was still not too late to correct this now.

The two bought supplies in Shijiazhuang. By evening, after washing up, the two lay in bed and only then 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, eventually deciding to pass through Taiyuan, Ningxia, and Qinghai. He calculated based on 600 kilometers per day, with the last leg at 350 kilometers per day, requiring 6 days to reach Lhasa.

Along the way were the Yellow River, Qinghai Lake, Tuotuo River, and Namtso, with endless scenic views along National Highway 109. But it would be arduous.

“Are you afraid of hardship?” Luan Nian asked her.

“No.” I’ve experienced harder things, like falling in love with you, Shang Zhitao thought.

“But I can take turns, right? I can drive too.” She sat up, patting her chest: “You’ve been in my car in the Northwest. I drive very well. I can take over during the easier road sections.”

Luan Nian pulled her back down: “Alright, I got it. Lie down when you talk, don’t get too excited.”

Shang Zhitao laughed again.

“So we’ll still take 6 days to drive to Tibet.” Luan Nian recalculated. If Shang Zhitao took turns tomorrow, they could see more scenery: “We can slow down once we enter the Tibetan area.”

“Sounds good.” Shang Zhitao suggested: “Then shall we figure out what to eat each day?”

“Sure, what do you want to eat?”

Shang Zhitao pointed at the cities: “Local specialties, of course. Beef, lamb, yak meat… things like that.”

“And then?”

“And then I want to take photos! Wear Tibetan clothes! Take photos!” She sat up again, hands pressed together: “Take photos like this. I also want photos with you.”

“No way.” Luan Nian pulled her back down. He strongly disliked taking tourist photos during travel, feeling it was very strange. The scenery was all in his heart; if he wanted to go again, he would. What was the point of tourist photos?

“Oh.” Shang Zhitao responded with a short “oh,” secretly glancing at Luan Nian, calculating in her mind how likely it was that she could force him to take photos once they reached Lhasa.

“Don’t even think about it, not going to happen.”

“Then I’ll just take photos with Luke. I think Luke and I should be a dream combination.”

“Feel free.” Luan Nian remained unmoved.

“Hmph!” Shang Zhitao let out a huff and turned away. Luan Nian turned off the light and embraced her from behind, saying: “Have a pleasant journey, Shang Zhitao.”

Shang Zhitao’s heart softened. She turned around, touched his face in the darkness, her fingertips finding his brow, gently caressing. She spoke to him, her voice soft and gentle, like she was whispering secrets: “Luan Nian.”

“Hmm?”

“I’m so happy that you invited me to travel together. The whole day felt like a dream. So at the end of this day, I want to wish us, the two of us, no, with Luke too, the three of us, a pleasant journey.”

A little further forward were his lips. Shang Zhitao slightly parted her lips to capture his, beginning with light pecks, but soon both their breathing became heavier, making soft rustling sounds in the darkness.

Luan Nian pushed her away: “Forgot to buy condoms.”

Shang Zhitao placed something round and thin in his hand, telling him: “It was the first item on my shopping list.”

Luan Nian nearly died laughing at Shang Zhitao, fiercely biting her slender neck. He suddenly pulled her on top of him, forcefully thrusting upward once. Shang Zhitao couldn’t keep her balance but was firmly held in place. In the darkness, his voice was slightly hoarse: “Don’t you like being on top?”

So sometimes passion is contagious.

Shang Zhitao took off her clothes, her skin breaking out in goosebumps. Sticky sounds drifted to Luan Nian’s ears in the darkness. He closed his eyes, and after a long while, said: “Sounds good.”

Mmm~