Second Chance Romance

3_

Shiquanhe Town was a long, narrow settlement. As she strolled through it, Zuo Si'an realized the lonely little town standing isolated on the wilderness in her memory no longer existed. It had transformed into a bustling, prosperous small city with wider roads than before, filled with various taxis and off-road vehicles. The pedestrian traffic had also increased significantly, mixing local residents, migrant workers, and backpackers clad in outdoor gear, their diverse accents creating a lively atmosphere.

What surprised her most, however, were the numerous entertainment venues lining both sides of the streets, with elaborately dressed women chatting and laughing as they entered and exited. These establishments grew more concentrated near the Shiquan River.

Zuo Xuejun clearly disliked this frivolous scene. "It's still early for watching the sunset by the river. Let me take you to a small street selling handicrafts—you'll definitely like it."

The place he mentioned wasn't far away: a quiet, unnamed narrow alley where the afternoon sun disappeared behind the buildings. Simple shop stalls displayed various textiles alongside wooden, leather, and silver handicrafts. Most vendors were Tibetans who, unlike typical tourist area hawkers constantly scanning for customers and pitching sales, worked quietly on their crafts. They would look up and smile when someone entered. Many clearly knew Zuo Xuejun, greeting him in Tibetan and offering him tea, which he reciprocated in their language.

Here, Zuo Xuejun appeared more relaxed and casual than at home. He pointed out distinctive handicrafts to Zuo Si'an.

"This orange wooden bowl is dyed with natural plant juice and won't fade."

"This is Tibetan incense. The production process is quite complex, and it has calming properties."

"They're weaving Pulu here. When sewn into Tibetan robes, it provides protection against cold and rain."

"These are called Sixteen bells." He picked one up and shook it, producing a crisp sound. "Herders often hang them on livestock collars or children's wrists."

"A bit like the bell at the tram departure station in the past," Zuo Si'an suddenly remarked, having been listening quietly. This was her first mention of her previous life, and Zuo Xuejun seemed caught off guard, momentarily unable to respond. "When I returned to Hanjiang this time, I rode the tram—still following the old route."

"Really?" Zuo Xuejun said after a pause. "The craftsmanship on this silver-carved tea tray is very intricate. Look at these patterns..."

Zuo Si'an didn't look at the tea tray, continuing to examine the bell instead.

During her childhood, she first attended the government kindergarten, then a key primary school in the city. Zuo Xuejun would drop her off and pick her up daily on his way to work. They lived on Zhongshan Road, the starting point of the trolleybus line. Every morning, a clear, lingering bell would ring as the tram departed and entered the station. In those days, transportation options were limited, and many commuters relied on the tram. When there were no seats, her father would shield her with his body, creating a small safe space; when seats were available, he would hold her on his lap. She always had endless stories and questions, and he never showed impatience.

Those remained her happiest memories. Years later, in a foreign land, her boyfriend Fred suddenly asked her, "What do 'Shanghai Road' and 'Shenyang Road' mean?"She was taken aback by his stiff pronunciation. He explained, "You talk in your sleep and have mentioned these two words more than once."

She had long chosen to bury her past deep in her heart, with no intention of sharing it with anyone. She couldn't explain to her foreign boyfriend what these two street names, named after cities, represented—childhood memories and nostalgia—nor could she shake the discomfort of having her private thoughts exposed. Later, when she argued with Fred, he said wistfully, "I love you, but I always feel you keep a distance from me."

She couldn't deny this accusation, and she never expected to hear her stepmother speak of her relationship with her father in the same tone. The thought made her chest tighten.

"Do you like this?"

Zuo Xuejun showed her a pair of intricately crafted silver earrings. She nodded. "They're beautiful."

"I'll buy them for you."

"I don't have pierced ears." He made an "oh" sound and prepared to put them back. She said, "Buy them anyway. Give them to Aunt Shi. She has pierced ears and will definitely like them."

"Alright. What do you like?"

Zuo Si'an randomly pointed to a turquoise necklace. "This one is quite cute."

Zuo Xuejun immediately picked it up. "I'll buy it for you."

She chuckled. "Dad, are you in a hurry to give me a gift and wrap up this walk nicely?"

Zuo Xuejun was stunned.

"I came back just to see you. I'll only stay for two days before leaving. I don't want to disrupt your life or force you to have a heart-to-heart. But you are my father, after all, so I have to ask: how do you plan to spend the rest of your life?"

"Did Aunt Shi say something to you?" She remained silent, and his eyes wavered. "She wants to return to her parents to fulfill her filial duties. Of course, I can't stop her."

"Your family matters are not something I understand, and it's not my place to say much. But you don't need me to remind you what the consequences are when a family doesn't live together."

Zuo Xuejun said with difficulty, "I'm sorry, Xiao An."

She raised her hand to stop him. "No, don't bring up the past again. What matters is now. Aunt Shi treats you well, and Xiao Qi is still so young. You have every opportunity to live a good life with them. After I leave this time, I don't know when I'll be back. Whatever reason you have for isolating yourself, you don't need to explain it to me, but please think it over carefully. I'm heading back to the hotel now. Please let Aunt Shi know I won't be joining you for dinner."

Zuo Si'an walked out of the craft street without looking back. In this small town, she could easily get her bearings and had no fear of getting lost. But in her haste to leave, she forgot she was on the plateau. She walked too quickly and soon felt her heart pounding unbearably.

Ten minutes later, she had to crouch down, gasping for air. Passersby, accustomed to such scenes, walked past her without a second glance. The lack of oxygen and the emptiness of being alone in a foreign land overwhelmed her. Suddenly, she regretted this trip to visit her family.From the moment the thought occurred to her, she could no longer dissuade herself. Like a madwoman, she frantically searched online for flight information, trying to connect all the places and people she could think of in the shortest time possible. First, she went to Portland, Maine, to visit her mother. Yu Jia and her American husband Peter seemed to live a peaceful life, but when her mother saw her daughter suddenly appear outside of holiday times, she was happy yet somewhat puzzled. She subtly probed into her daughter's life, questioning the progress of her relationship with her boyfriend and what her plans were after becoming a Resident. To all these questions, she answered vaguely. Even though her mother was career-oriented and unlike most mothers who overly dote on their daughters, she still couldn't feel satisfied.

She stayed there for only one day before saying goodbye. She traveled via Beijing back to Hanjiang City. When Gao Xiang saw her, his first reaction was vigilance. He even personally followed her, watching her all the way from Liu Wan back to Hanjiang until he saw her onto the plane. As for meeting her father, it went without saying—she found herself involuntarily involved in his family affairs. Moreover, she spoke harshly, as if it weren't a visit after a long separation but rather a grievance-filled confrontation. No matter where she was, she already felt like an outsider, incompatible with the complete lives of others.

She felt dizzy, her hands and feet went numb, and she knew she was experiencing Respiratory alkalosis again. She struggled to lift her hands, cupping them over her nose and mouth, trying to regulate her breathing. Just then, a strong arm pulled her up and silently handed her a brown paper bag. As if seeing a lifeline, she immediately covered her face with it and began adjusting her breathing. When she looked up, she realized it was Gao Xiang standing in front of her.

She abruptly put down the bag: "Why are you here?"

Gao Xiang unceremoniously took her hand and forced the bag back over her face, saying sternly, "Don't talk."

She had no choice but to breathe slowly, allowing the excess carbon dioxide to gradually return to her body. When she felt slightly better, she moved the bag away and said urgently, "Are you crazy? Why don't you trust me? Why do you have to watch me like a prisoner? Have you forgotten how you almost lost your life in Ali last time?"

"Don't get agitated, I'm fine. But you—you're a doctor, and yet you've managed to get yourself into such a state again."

Frustrated and panicked, her breathing once again became rapid and disordered, leaving her unable to speak.

Gao Xiang held her shoulder with one hand and covered her face with the paper bag again with the other, saying, "No more talking. Don't do anything, just breathe."

The sun was brilliant, the air clear and dust-free. Time passed slowly and distinctly, second by second. By the time her breathing returned to normal, she had calmed down.

"Gao Xiang, you can't stay here. It's too dangerous."

"I told you I'm fine. Don't worry."

"No, last time you almost died here. You can't take such risks again. Go back quickly. I'll go to the hotel to get my luggage, change my flight, leave Ali for Beijing, and then return to the U.S. immediately. I promise I won't come back to China again. This time, I mean it."

Chapter 8: 1997, Ali, Hanjiang

1_

Fifteen years ago, Gao Xiang had indeed almost lost his life in Ali. His memories of Coqên were mostly a blank, much like the overwhelming snowfall that day.After their unexpected encounter on the road to Coqên County town, Zuo Xuejun's vehicle led the way while Lao Zhang and Duo Ji followed with the other two cars. About 70 kilometers from the county town, Gao Xiang - who had been suffering from headaches and coughing - suddenly began vomiting violently and soon fell into a coma.

When he woke up, he found himself lying on a hospital bed. Sun Ruodi immediately stood up and embraced him upon seeing him open his eyes, weeping with joy.

"Hey, what's wrong? Where am I?"

"This is Coqên Hospital. You developed Acute High Altitude Pulmonary Edema from an upper respiratory infection and have been unconscious for almost three days. The doctors said we were fortunate to provide you with pure oxygen in time and get you here quickly, otherwise..." She shuddered with lingering fear, nearly breaking into tears again.

He struggled to raise his hand and wipe her tears. "Don't be afraid, I'm fine now. Where's Xiao An? Is she still with her father?"

"Several villages in Coqên have been hit by snow disasters, and County Chief Zuo has gone to organize relief efforts. Xiao An was probably terrified by your condition - she's been refusing to leave the hospital these past few days. I just asked Shi Wei to take her to get something to eat."

"Ah, my illness came at such an inconvenient time, preventing her from spending proper time with her father."

"Her father will naturally return after finishing his work." She held his hand. "You scared me to death. I was just wondering whether I should call your mother today."

"Why worry her?"

"Before we left, she repeatedly told me to remind you to call her from every place we visited. With you being sick and not contacting her for several days, she's bound to be worried."

"That's true. Then please call her and tell her I just have a minor cold, that I'll be back a few days later, and that everything's fine."

Like many places in Ngari, Coqên had no mobile signal at that time, so Sun Ruodi had to go out on foot to find a public telephone. Lying in his hospital bed, Gao Xiang took his first proper look around. The conditions were quite basic - in the adjacent bed lay an elderly man who appeared to be a herdsman, with graying hair and beard, looking very aged and frail. The man was speaking intermittently in Tibetan with his family, his words frequently interrupted by violent coughing fits that required him to rest lying down before he could continue.

Gao Xiang watched with growing alarm. He had always prided himself on being young and healthy, but this was the first time he had been bedridden by illness - and with a potentially fatal disease at high altitude. Since waking up, he felt completely drained, exhausted after just a few words with Sun Ruodi, seemingly no different from the elderly man nearby. Worse still, he had almost no memory of the past few days, only vaguely recalling cool fingers wiping sweat from his forehead. Staring at the mottled ceiling above, he contemplated how seemingly robust life could actually be fragile and vulnerable, realizing he had unknowingly brushed with death. He couldn't help feeling both retrospective fear and sober reflection.