Thus, I drifted back to Lhasa with Old Li. As for how we returned—how many days it took, whether by train, bus, or ox cart—I had no recollection whatsoever. Or perhaps, I still held some faint feeling for Zhuoma Yangjin, but was simply unaware of it? Maybe it’s the way people fail to cherish what they possess until it’s gone, only realizing their mistake when it's too late, having missed a lifetime.

The moment we arrived in Lhasa, before we could even report back to base, someone was already at our door, grinning widely and carrying a large assortment of bags and parcels. They showed no embarrassment upon seeing us, acting as if nothing unusual had happened—it was Xu Zhiwu.

“Neither of you needs to rush back to the barracks to report in,” Xu Zhiwu declared, placing his burdens down and gesturing expansively as he delivered his first words to us. He didn’t ask if we were well, if we were injured, or how we managed to escape from underground. Not a single question, as if Old Li and I had merely been enjoying a leisurely vacation and had now returned well-fed and rested.

I recalled how he and Niqiong had abandoned us when we were in mortal danger, and I felt deeply displeased, refusing to acknowledge his greeting. Old Li, ever the smoother operator, asked Xu Zhiwu what he wanted.

Xu Zhiwu replied, “I know you two must have been through a terrible ordeal, so I went through back channels to arrange leave for you. Therefore, starting now, you both have two months of vacation. And most importantly, I’ve already arranged for your accommodation, meals, and all necessities in Yunnan. All you have to do is bring someone along and completely unwind and recuperate.” As he spoke, his voice was laced with exaggerated persuasion, as if a trip to Yunnan was an event comparable to landing on Mars.

I continued to stare at him coldly, saying nothing. Xu Zhiwu, having dealt with us for a long time, knew my temperament well. He quickly plastered a fawning smile on his face and asked, “Little Luo, Yunnan has so many magical places; you’re sure to love it.”

As the saying goes, unprompted earnestness usually signals ill intent. That’s exactly how Xu Zhiwu made me feel. His immediate eagerness for us to go traveling, without asking how we got back or explaining how he and Niqiong escaped, was completely contrary to his usual character. This could only mean one thing—he was hiding something out of guilt.

“Spare me the theatrics. You want us to go sightseeing in Yunnan just because you say so? What do you take us for?” I snapped, giving him no quarter.

“This… this…” Xu Zhiwu fidgeted, looking distressed, and then turned to Old Li for help. If he thought Old Li was an easy-going simpleton, he was sorely mistaken. Old Li might be taciturn, but his mind was as clear as a mirror; deceiving him was nearly impossible.

“I think, if it were you, having fought tooth and nail to keep your life, and before you even had a chance to catch your breath, someone shows up demanding you go traveling, with the destination and time already set. Would you consider that an entirely innocent pleasure trip?” Old Li said calmly.

Xu Zhiwu appeared deeply troubled. After struggling for a long moment, he finally managed to utter four words: “Zhuoma Yangjin.”

I was already lost in sorrow over my feelings for Zhuoma Yangjin, and when he mentioned her name, my heart involuntarily skipped a beat. I asked in disbelief, “You mean…?” Before I could finish, Old Li immediately nudged me, signaling for me to wait and see what Xu Zhiwu would say next.

Xu Zhiwu hesitated before confirming, “Yes. She asked me to find a way to get you both leave and arrange a place for you to recover. I only have strong connections with people in the tourism sector in Yunnan, so I had to make do with arranging your trip there.” He quickly added, “Don't worry about the money—”

His tone of assumed generosity made both Old Li and me stare at him with wide-eyed confusion. He hastily explained, “No, it’s not me treating you; it’s Zhuoma Yangjin. She has already covered all the expenses. Everything is billed based on the most extravagant level of consumption.” He finished by sighing cautiously, “She is truly rich.”

Zhuoma Yangjin—hearing that name softened my heart instantly, and my tone became much gentler. “Why did she do all this?”

Xu Zhiwu smiled with an expression that suggested, ‘You should know,’ and said nothing. At the time, I believed I truly understood; I thought Zhuoma Yangjin was kindly allowing me a period of recuperation. However, after arriving in Yunnan and encountering the subsequent events, I began to doubt my own self-importance. Zhuoma Yangjin, she was clearly using me!

Perhaps when one contemplates the deep affection others hold for them, yet finds themselves unable to repay it, the only recourse is guilt. At least my decision to go to Yunnan was rooted in guilt and the desire not to disappoint Zhuoma Yangjin before I agreed to Xu Zhiwu’s proposal.

Of course, after completing what he claimed was Zhuoma Yangjin’s assignment, Xu Zhiwu was in much better spirits and proceeded to tell us, in bits and pieces, about their experience after seeing us fall into the abyss.

Apparently, the moment we plunged down, Xu Zhiwu and Niqiong were naturally terrified. Their subsequent regret at losing two capable assistants goes without saying. The critical point was that since they believed Old Li and I were beyond rescue, the remaining tasks naturally fell to them to spearhead. Thus, the two conferred and continued walking down the tunnel behind them. Who knew that after only a few steps, a massive jaw lined with gleaming fangs blocked their path?

They were instantly scared witless and turned to flee, only to find that the tunnel, which previously had no door, had somehow materialized a thick, tightly shut portal. No matter how much they punched or kicked, the door didn't budge an inch. Seeing the massive jaws slowly approaching, Niqiong and Xu Zhiwu were utterly desperate, screaming for help hysterically.

Screaming for help at that moment was pure instinct; heaven knew no one would come to their aid then. Yet, just as the two were on the verge of collapse, someone appeared—and not just one person. It seemed like many people… In short, the newcomers employed some unknown technique, and the menacing jaws that were about to snap suddenly vanished.

At this point, Xu Zhiwu sighed, “At that time, I thought they were absolute deities, like saviors reborn. You must understand, even after exiting the cave and returning to Niqiong’s, I hadn’t fully recovered from that extreme terror. It was truly like dying and coming back to life.”

Having narrowly escaped death several times, my nerves were far stronger than those of someone like Xu Zhiwu. He still seemed shaken as he recounted the incident. I completely ignored his lingering fear and asked directly, “Zhuoma Yangjin saved you?”

Xu Zhiwu nodded his head like a woodpecker, “Yes, yes, that was her. She immediately ordered people to send us back to Niqiong’s house—though I don’t know how we got back, because they blindfolded us the entire way.” Old Li and I had experienced similar things, so we believed him.

“Is that all?” Old Li asked. “It couldn’t have been that simple, could it?”

Xu Zhiwu offered an embarrassed laugh, “It wasn’t actually that complicated. I recuperated at Niqiong’s house for a few days. When I mentioned to Niqiong that we needed to thank the person who saved our lives, Niqiong told me this woman must be Zhuoma Yangjin, someone of considerable standing. But she wouldn't elaborate on her background. I asked several times but couldn’t get a clear answer. Then, just a few days ago, someone suddenly came looking for me. They said you two should be arriving in Lhasa soon and urgently instructed me to apply for leave for both of you and arrange a place for your recovery… It was obvious they meant this was how I must repay her for saving my life.”

I easily believed these words, perhaps because Xu Zhiwu had mentioned Zhuoma Yangjin’s name—it touched a soft spot deep in my heart. When Old Li heard about going to Yunnan with all expenses covered, he became quite cheerful. He had a very good comrade stationed in Yunnan and planned to use the opportunity to visit him. For me, the most important thing was not having to attend morning drills, sing before meals, or undergo various military training exercises.

After finishing his instructions and exchanging a few pleasantries about throwing us a welcoming feast, Xu Zhiwu found that neither Old Li nor I had any desire for socializing; we just wanted a long, deep sleep. He felt awkward, said a few brief words, told us to call him when we were ready to leave, and then departed.

…

After resting for a few days, boredom set in, leaving us restless. Old Li and I discussed heading to Yunnan early, thinking we might run into a few beautiful young women and perhaps finally end my single status. Old Li struck me down unceremoniously: “Spending Zhuoma Yangjin’s money, which she spent so generously on you, and you still dare go chasing girls?”

I shamelessly retorted, “I’ll use my own money when I’m chasing girls.” Old Li immediately gave me a sharp glare, offering no politeness at all. After exchanging a few casual jokes, we called Xu Zhiwu to ask when we could depart.

Xu Zhiwu was ecstatic to hear we were planning to move. He immediately drove over and shamelessly insisted that he also wanted to visit Yunnan. Fearing we would refuse, he quickly added, “I’ll pay my own way; I absolutely won’t fight you for a single penny.”

Given our last unpleasant experience working together, I genuinely held little regard for him and didn't want him along. Xu Zhiwu immediately listed numerous benefits of having him join us, saying he could drive from Lhasa to Yunnan, allowing us to admire the scenery along the way, and adding that he had very good friends in the tourism business who would guarantee we’d have a great time… He kept talking, bombarding us with language until I finally couldn't resist. After consulting with Old Li, we agreed to let him come.

Driving from Lhasa to Yunnan was quite an undertaking. The journey was far from the idyllic adventure Xu Zhiwu had so lavishly described. At first, we could still marvel at the towering mountains, the beautiful rivers, or the treacherous roads, but eventually, aesthetic fatigue set in, and all we thought about daily was how to reach Yunnan faster. Xu Zhiwu driving alone was also dangerous, so Old Li and I had to take turns being the designated driver. The detestable Xu Zhiwu would still point things out from the side, insisting we look at the scenery and exclaim over the magnificence of our country’s mountains and rivers… It was almost unbearable.

Fortunately, just when I had stopped bothering to count how long it had been since we left Lhasa, we finally arrived in Yunnan.