Wang Qiqi stumbled into the restaurant, breathless. "That dish from last night was great; I'll order it again," she thought. Wang Qiqi had to admit that Zhao Rongrong, despite looking delicate, was quite something; the younger girl had backpacked extensively alone. After three or four hours of walking, she showed no sign of fatigue, which put a lot of pressure on Wang Qiqi.

Zhao Rongrong was used to Wang Qiqi collapsing onto the table with such a lack of decorum. At first, she found it strange—who gets exhausted after spending three hours shopping during a full day of sightseeing? "Okay. Is there anything else you want to eat?"

Wang Qiqi shook her head. "No, I’ll just have some water." Good heavens, Dali wasn't that big, so why did she feel more tired here than in Kunming? Was it because Shi Man had found kindred spirits?

Shi Man was the last to enter. As expected, she saw Wang Qiqi splayed out on the table as if she were dead. She mentally noted that the girl was becoming increasingly unconcerned with appearances. "Train or bus to Lijiang tomorrow?" A train would leave around eight or nine in the morning, meaning an early start. Shi Man wondered if Wang Qiqi could manage to get up that early.

"Either way is fine, but the scenery from the bus is apparently better." Traveling during the day, Wang Qiqi imagined the views from a bus would be prettier. "By the way, Rongrong, are you going to Lijiang too? What are your plans after?" Wang Qiqi remembered the girl mentioning her ambition to travel all over China, a plan she seemed determined to fulfill step by step.

"I want to go to Tibet," Zhao Rongrong said after a moment's thought. "I really want to try hitchhiking, which is popular abroad, but I worry that if I follow that plan, I might not even make it to Tibet by this time next year." Zhao Rongrong hadn't been shy about trying; she found that sometimes people wouldn't stop, or if they did, they were reluctant to give her a ride after hearing her request. Others would agree to take her but gave off a distinctly untrustworthy vibe. Zhao Rongrong felt that hitchhiking on the way to Tibet wouldn't be easy.

To Tibet? Wang Qiqi sat up, abandoning her prone position on the table. "Tibet will be even colder in the winter." My God, this girl had the nerve. Tibet was also one of Wang Qiqi's dreams—she longed to see how truly blue the sky was and visit the Potala Palace. But thinking of the season made Wang Qiqi shiver.

"It’s not that cold; it's about ten degrees during the day and below freezing at night. We just won't go out after dark." Zhao Rongrong knew that Wang Qiqi and Shi Man were taking this trip before graduation from their senior year. If the other two were interested, Zhao Rongrong felt they should continue the journey. Along the way, Zhao Rongrong had met many travel companions, but she felt most relaxed with Wang Qiqi and Shi Man—their needs regarding food and lodging were usually aligned, which suited Zhao Rongrong perfectly. "Plus, we'll just stick around Lhasa this time." First, friends who had visited mentioned that areas outside Lhasa could be a bit dangerous, especially with three young women traveling together; safety was paramount. The other reason was that after visiting Lijiang and Shangri-La, they would have to return for the Spring Festival celebrations soon after reaching Tibet.

Wang Qiqi was certainly tempted but needed Shi Man’s opinion. Shi Man pondered it; going to Lhasa shouldn't be a major issue, as long as she could get back for the Chinese New Year. "I have no problem, but I absolutely must be back for the Spring Festival." She was determined to spend the holiday with her parents, sharing the same priority as Wang Qiqi. If the US didn't allow her to return, she would pivot to pursuing her Master's in the UK and reassess from there.

"Don't worry. I plan for us to fly out by the twentieth of January at the latest. The flight has to depart from Chengdu, though, so we’ll need to transfer there first," Zhao Rongrong stated, relaying the information she had researched now that Shi Man had agreed.

Departing from Chengdu. Wang Qiqi had briefly considered taking the Qinghai-Tibet route, but given the time of year, she had no idea about the road conditions. If any natural disaster struck, there would be no escape. "Chengdu is fine too." Chengdu, the Land of Abundance—Wang Qiqi was definitely drawn to the place. "How about we spend seven or eight days in Chengdu, and then fly back?"

"Isn't that a bit long?" Shi Man hesitated slightly. Her parents knew she wasn't interning but claimed to be stuck in school writing her thesis. If she returned even later for the New Year, she wasn't sure how they would react. "Maybe three or five days?"

Three or five days? Wang Qiqi rolled her eyes at Shi Man. "Seven or eight days, and you won't even have enough time for shopping. You know Chengdu has so many fun places." Wang Qiqi listed famous spots in Chengdu on her fingers. "Look, there's also the Leshan Giant Buddha and Mount Emei that we haven't seen, so we need this much time." As Wang Qiqi talked about Chengdu's attractions, she felt a pang of internal surprise. She had originally planned for a trip covering Kunming, Dali, and Lijiang, maybe adding Shangri-La, or even a quick stop in the 'Kingdom of Women' before heading home. She hadn't expected this trip to balloon into visits to Tibet and Chengdu. "Since we're already out here, let's just enjoy it to the fullest, how about it?" If it weren't for Luo Hongjuan, Wang Qiqi might have considered spending the Spring Festival abroad, as someone who could support herself entirely.

Shi Man watched Wang Qiqi detail Chengdu's landmarks, especially when she started mentioning famous local pastries; she knew Wang Qiqi was trying to tempt her. "Fine, since we're already committed, I won't worry about the time this time. Don't worry, as long as I make it back for the New Year, that's all that matters. You, you're lucky to have your mother-in-law keeping you grounded, or you’d be spending the Spring Festival out here entirely."

Wang Qiqi offered no protest to Shi Man's comment. "I'm heading back this afternoon to rest. I’ll leave the ticket booking to you." She had pretty much explored Dali; it was better to rest and then inform her man that she was about to travel to the roof of the world. That news would surely surprise him (at that moment, Wang Qiqi had no idea whether the news would surprise or delight Han Tao).

Shi Man hummed in acknowledgment. "Go back early and get some sleep; don't push yourself too hard writing those drafts," Shi Man reminded her again. "You’re meeting Li Qian tomorrow too; you need to take care of yourself and not overwork."

Hearing Shi Man’s nagging made Wang Qiqi want to gag. "If you hadn't dragged me shopping, I wouldn't be this tired." Translating drafts was mentally exhausting, but Wang Qiqi saw it as income; shopping, on the other hand, was pure expenditure.

Wang Qiqi woke up and checked the time; it was only six o’clock. "I've only slept for just over three hours." She thought she would sleep until midnight. As she sat foolishly hugging her duvet on the bed, she heard the door open and saw Shi Man walking in, unsurprised. "You're awake?" Shi Man had expected Wang Qiqi to sleep longer.

Wang Qiqi let out a yawn and confirmed, "Did you buy the tickets?"

Shi Man nodded, opening Wang Qiqi’s laptop as she spoke. "The bus leaves a little after eight tomorrow morning. Remember to pack your luggage later." Shi Man knew Wang Qiqi would likely sleep until the last possible second.

A little after eight? Wang Qiqi was stunned. "Why did you book such an early bus ticket? There were options around noon; even a ten o'clock bus would have been fine, just for a late lunch in Lijiang." She complained, "Honestly, we’re not rushing; sigh." Wang Qiqi had been hoping to get a good night's beauty sleep to look radiant for Li Qian. The photos Li Qian sent a few days ago showed how vibrant she looked. Wang Qiqi thought women unburdened by financial worries were the happiest. She felt almost embarrassed to admit that although she was a young woman in her early twenties, she didn't look as youthful as Li Qian did.

"If we get there early, we gain half a day. Didn't you keep saying you wanted to visit Lugu Lake?" Shi Man wouldn't yield to Wang Qiqi's wishes; she knew if time was tight, Wang Qiqi would sacrifice shopping time, which was unacceptable.

Wang Qiqi mumbled an "Oh." In truth, her complaint was half-hearted. The tickets were bought; was she really going to say, 'Let's not go, I want a later bus'? "By the way, are you going to tell your man about the Tibet trip?" Wang Qiqi wondered how Han Tao would react with jealousy upon hearing the news.

Shi Man shook her head, turning to look at the person yawning contentedly against the headboard—someone who clearly didn't realize the danger she was in. "I'm not planning to tell Feng Xuanxiang; otherwise, he'll constantly message me to change my mind." Although the scenery in Tibet was beautiful, it still felt unsafe. "Han Tao emailed you. Do you want me to check?" It was likely working hours for Han Tao then; poor man, receiving news that sounded like a disaster as soon as he started his day.

"Check it for me." Wang Qiqi knew Han Tao wouldn't send anything too private at this hour due to internet monitoring filtering sensitive messages.

Shi Man hummed and opened the email. The reply simply urged Wang Qiqi to be careful and avoid isolated areas...

Looking at the reply, Shi Man thought Wang Qiqi was incredibly lucky. Her man was actually advising her like that. Comparing this to her own boyfriend, Feng Xuanxiang, Shi Man felt the disparity was immense. When she had first told him she was traveling to Yunnan, he had been so worried that if she hadn't mentioned Wang Qiqi was coming along, he probably would have forbidden her from going. This time, she didn't plan to tell Feng Xuanxiang about the travel plans at all; it would be better to inform him after she returned. Shi Man stifled her jealousy and relayed the content of Wang Qiqi's email.

"I knew he would agree. I’ll tell him I’ll take lots of photos of Tibet, especially the Potala Palace." Wang Qiqi was actually uncertain herself, surprised that his email response was so agreeable. However, Wang Qiqi suspected that if she had used a messaging app, he would have severely lectured her.

Li Qian walked into her guesthouse carrying some items and found Wang Qiqi basking in the sun on the second-floor terrace. She found it strange; had Qiqi already explored everything nearby? She had only been there for three days. "Qiqi! Qiqi!" Li Qian called out, slightly raising her voice.

Wang Qiqi was chatting with someone online while reading the news. As expected, Han Tao had thoroughly dressed her down on the chat software. Still, he knew Wang Qiqi's mind was made up, and no matter how annoyed he was, he couldn't persuade her, especially since he wasn't there. Besides urging caution, he had to accept it.

Hearing Li Qian's call, Wang Qiqi waved back. "Sister Qian, come up! It's rare to have no wind today; it’s nice to soak up the sun." Only then did Wang Qiqi experience the leisurely life she always wanted: relaxed, handling work when it came, sipping tea while basking in the sun. The only thing dissatisfying was that the terrace wasn't enclosed; that was a slight drawback. If it were enclosed, she could settle in there whether it was raining or windy. Wang Qiqi decided she would discuss this point with Li Qian later.

Li Qian put the things she bought in the kitchen and gave brief instructions before going to find Wang Qiqi. "Why aren't you shopping with Shi Man and the others?" When she picked them up a few days ago, Li Qian was startled that two girls on the road had picked up a younger one, and they were talking about going to Tibet. This made Li Qian feel a stir of desire. Although she had traveled quite a bit after her divorce, she had never been to Tibet. She wondered if she should use this opportunity to scout the route there; if her body held up, she could plan more in-depth trips later.

Wang Qiqi stretched happily and poured Li Qian a cup of Pu-erh. "Why would I go shopping? I was exhausted in Kunming and Dali. I plan to rest well here in Lijiang for these two days to build up my energy for the Kingdom of Women and Shangri-La, and then Tibet. How can I do that without proper rest?" Wang Qiqi took a sip of Pu-erh, finding that the tea at this price point was far better quality than what she bought in Beijing. She decided she should ask Sister Qian to source some for her and mail it to Beijing later. "Sister, I plan to come here to recuperate every year from now on." The blue skies, white clouds, and air quality were so much better than in Beijing, and the slow pace of life here was genuinely appealing. Not having to rush through sights like other tourists made it even better.

"You're welcome." Previously, Wang Qiqi often told Li Qian she wanted to spend a leisurely time in Lijiang, and Li Qian always took it as a joke. While the area was developing well, it lacked something compared to Beijing. Moreover, Wang Qiqi was set on going to the US. Li Qian couldn't imagine her having deep roots here. Yet, Qiqi was adapting surprisingly well. "Sometimes I feel like you're not a girl in your twenties at all." Many young people visited, but few lived as leisurely a life as Wang Qiqi. They rushed to see every surrounding view, snapped photos, and were gone in a flurry, then wrote articles on various forums praising Lijiang. But in Li Qian's view, they weren't seeing the essence of Lijiang, whereas Qiqi grasped it deeply.

"Are you interested in opening a guesthouse here?" After sitting in comfortable silence for a while, Li Qian suddenly asked.

Opening a guesthouse in Lijiang? Wang Qiqi would be lying if she said she wasn't tempted. "I don't have the money." Even if she had money, she lacked the energy. Wang Qiqi didn't believe Li Qian should bear the responsibility of running a shop alone.

Wang Qiqi's swift reply surprised Li Qian. Although she rarely returned to Beijing and usually traveled to relax when she did, she kept up with Qiqi’s life to some extent. "How is the mortgage pressure on the house in the US?"

Li Qian looked at Wang Qiqi, relaxed in her chair, sipping her cup while comfortably enjoying the sun. She recalled the first time she met Wang Qiqi—a rather naive young girl, led by her son's tutor, Han Tao, bravely declaring she wanted to be a translator. It felt like just yesterday. In the blink of an eye, the two had bought a house in the US. While she wasn't surprised by the news of the house, she had expected them to wait until after college graduation, once they had both moved to the US.

"It's manageable. I'm earning money translating manuscripts for people in the US now, plus Han Tao's salary." Since they weren't living in the US, Han Tao checked their bank balance and said that after deducting the monthly payment, they still had a few thousand dollars left over, which made Wang Qiqi very happy. Having savings meant they wouldn't have to worry about living expenses even if they moved to the US. "The money is tight because my older brother wants to start a renovation company, and my brother-in-law wants to open a processing workshop, which requires purchasing equipment like a lathe—these are not small expenses." The latter, in particular, required a significant investment. Wang Qiqi estimated that the shortfall wasn't something she could save up through strict frugality in the short term. Selling the house was unthinkable; its future prospects were good, and investing in Gong Peixing’s workshop meant she could potentially earn substantial returns later. In the end, Song Ziwen suggested he could inquire about taking out a second mortgage. Wang Qiqi readily agreed to this option; although it meant paying more interest, at least the house would be saved.

Li Qian hadn't expected Wang Qiqi to have this intricate plan; consequently, the funding situation was indeed tight. "You girl, you're a dab hand at making money. You really don't seem like a twenty-year-old." This was the second time Li Qian had made this observation today. "When I was twenty, I was focused on where to work after graduation and how to secure a good job. But you're already thinking about forming partnerships to become a boss." Ah, what a gap.

"I have no choice; I’m worried sick about money." Although Wang Qiqi spoke of worry, the smug smile on her face made Li Qian genuinely want to slap her a few times; she was clearly showing off.

"Since you’re involved in so many things, have you considered partnering with me?" Li Qian had wanted to discuss this with Wang Qiqi for a while but hadn't brought it up, not knowing Qiqi's thoughts. Now that she knew Wang Qiqi wasn't opposed to cooperation, she brought it up in a joking tone.

Partnering with Li Qian? Wang Qiqi looked at her in surprise. Although the initial investment for the guesthouse was substantial, Li Qian was among the first wave of people to open lodging in Lijiang, and she had bought and renovated the property directly from locals, eliminating later rental pressure. The renovation was excellent, and the reputation consistently good. Furthermore, the guesthouse had many rooms, ensuring full occupancy during peak season and maintaining a sixty percent occupancy rate even in the off-season, meaning the capital was slowly being recouped. Moreover, Li Qian earned income from translating manuscripts or writing travelogues, and the properties she had left in Beijing were rented out. Li Zhe was working abroad, and Li Xiangdong also provided money. Wang Qiqi couldn't calculate that Li Qian was short on cash. "What are you planning...?"

"I plan to take over the adjacent property," Li Qian confessed, hiding nothing from Wang Qiqi. "But they plan to rent it out. While that lessens the pressure, it requires renovation. I plan to turn it into a restaurant, and then connect it to the back of this place to expand the guesthouse..." Li Qian was most fond of the larger courtyard next door; while the current property was large, it mainly had many rooms and a relatively small yard. When she heard the neighbor wanted to rent, the idea took hold. However, funding was a major hurdle; renovation costs were significant. Six months ago, Li Qian could have scraped the money together, but she had purchased a commercial storefront then. Just as she was considering selling the shop, Wang Qiqi announced her visit, and Li Qian saw a glimmer of hope.

Wang Qiqi finally understood why Li Qian was seeking a partner; it turned out she was also short on funds. "We're both short on cash, but I don't have the strength to invest right now. You could ask Shi Man." Wang Qiqi suggested. If she had the money, Wang Qiqi would genuinely want to partner with Li Qian. Such a partner was excellent; most importantly, she wasn't greedy—what was yours was yours. Li Qian had good character in this regard. Wang Qiqi was sure that if the news of Li Qian seeking a partner got out, numerous people would immediately rush to collaborate with her.

Shi Man? Li Qian paused, recalling Shi Man. She didn't really know her well, having only met her a few times and shared a few meals. "Partner with her?" She knew that many partnerships in China ended in dissolution, usually over power or money issues. She sought out Wang Qiqi precisely because of her hands-off nature; as long as things weren't taken too far, Wang Qiqi would never interfere with the management.

Li Qian knew many potential partners, but she worried that if she brought anyone else in, would the guesthouse still be under her control? Only heaven knew. She was unwilling to risk losing her original foundation just for the sake of expansion.

Shi Man’s hobbies include window shopping and picking up little trinkets. Perhaps she's a bit more proactive than I am, but I imagine she’d make a decent partner.

With friends on both sides, Wang Qiqi couldn't really go overboard praising Shi Man. Some things you just have to feel out for yourself; cooperation is about enjoyment. If you click, you work together; if you don't, there’s no need to force it.

“Qian Jie, you can talk it over properly. If it feels right, go for it. If not, I’m sure you have a backup plan, right?” Wang Qiqi didn't believe that approaching her for a partnership was Li Qian’s only option; she surely had other cards up her sleeve. RS

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