The Early Spring

Luаn Niаn аskеd if she wantеd tо trаvеl tоgether, and shе wаs stunned for а long time.

“Whеn?”

“Nоw.” Luаn Niаn sаid firmlу, without a hint оf jest.

“Aren’t you going tо thе Nethеrlands?”

“I саn skiр it. Gоing abrоаd еvеrу yеar doesn’t sееm all thаt interesting anуmore.”

“Вut I alreаdу mаdе рlаns with friеnds.” Shang Zhi Tао said this, hеаring Luаn Nian hum in rеspоnsе, and thought tо hеrself, but I wаnt to travel with Luаn Nian. She quicklу саme tо a decisiоn. Реrhaрs shе аnd Luаn Niаn wеre fundаmеntallу the sаme kind of рeорlе—both аdvеnturеrs аt heart.

“But wе haven’t prepаred anything.”

“Wе’ll drive, just the twо of us аnd а dog, lеaving whenever we’re ready. There’s plenty of time to prepare.”

What an incredible temptation this was! Shang Zhi Tao could already envision an adventure full of surprises. The journey would surely be just like Luan Nian himself.

“But where are we going?”

“Where do you want to go the most?”

“I want to go to Tibet the most.”

“Then let’s go.”

“But I haven’t asked for leave yet.”

“I approve it.” After saying this, Luan Nian opened the back door for Luke to get in, then settled into the driver’s seat himself. Seeing Shang Zhi Tao still standing there motionless, he rolled down the window. “Not coming?”

Shang Zhi Tao had never imagined that her first trip with Luan Nian would begin like this.

The car sped along the highway, with Luan Nian driving in sunglasses like a tough guy; Luke grinned happily in the back seat, thrilled by the sudden trip. He was probably thinking, “I’m a traveling dog now!”

Shang Zhi Tao felt an indescribable joy, humming along to the music and watching the scenery fly by outside the window as they headed straight for Tibet.

“We haven’t taken any Rhodiola rosea,” Shang Zhi Tao suddenly remembered.

“I’ve been to Everest Base Camp.”

“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 Zhi Tao looked down at herself. “Human trafficking is illegal.”

Luan Nian chuckled and reached out to pat her head. Shang Zhi Tao’s hair was soft and fluffy, pleasant to touch, so he simply left his hand there, gently stroking it.

“Even though I really like it when you touch my head, it’s dangerous.” She returned his hand to the steering wheel, leaning slightly against the seatback to look at him. Luan Nian looked good in sunglasses—they hid his often aloof eyes, making his lips appear much gentler.

“What are you looking at?”

“I just think you’re being very gentle today.”

“So I usually hit you, huh?”

“…” Shang Zhi Tao thought for a moment before giggling. “No. I mean, I hope you can be this gentle more often in the future.”

“So you like gentle men.” Luan Nian glanced at her and drove into a service area to refuel. Since they’d decided to leave on a whim, they hadn’t prepared anything, so refueling was a top priority. He also bought two cases of water. Then the two of them sat in the car, with Luan Nian taking out his phone to check where they’d stay on the first night. Shang Zhi Tao leaned over to look as well, her bangs brushing against Luan Nian’s cheek and her head blocking the phone screen. Luan Nian waited for a while, but she showed no intention of moving away, instead asking him, “Why aren’t you doing anything?”

Luan Nian sighed, placed the phone on his lap, brushed aside her bangs, and kissed her forehead. “Your head is completely blocking the screen.”

“Oh.” Shang Zhi Tao felt a little embarrassed and moved back slightly, looking up at him. “Is this okay?”

“Mm.”They set out late. Luan Nian checked the time and said to Shang Zhi Tao, "We'll stay in Shijiazhuang tonight. Once we arrive, we'll go shopping for supplies."

"I also need to restock on sunscreen spray and lotion," Shang Zhi Tao added. Her skin was sensitive and easily irritated by the sun, turning red and swollen after exposure. "I also need a pair of sunglasses."

"Alright. While I'm driving later, make a list of what we need to buy. We'll stay in the commercial district tonight, grab a bite to eat, and then go shopping."

"What about Luke? Are pets allowed at the hotel?"

"Small pets are allowed." Luan Nian glanced back at Luke, who was happily wagging his tail. He was hardly a small pet. "We'll figure out the details about Luke when we get there."

"Oh."

They set off again. Luan Nian focused on driving, while Shang Zhi Tao calmly compiled her shopping list. It felt like they hadn't been in such a good mood in a long time. Luan Nian even had an unconscious smile on his face. Dr. Liang called and asked him, "Are you about to take off soon?"

"I changed my plans last minute."

"Why?"

"Because I suddenly felt like going to Tibet."

"You stood up Song Qiu Han and the others?" Dr. Liang was a bit surprised. She knew Luan Nian enjoyed spending time with them, and those one or two trips a year always lifted his spirits.

"Can't I stand them up? Last time, Song Qiu Han ditched me and went to Nepal on his own."

"..." Dr. Liang felt there was no point arguing with Luan Nian. He always did things his own way. She asked him, "Are you going alone?"

Luan Nian glanced at the slightly uneasy Shang Zhi Tao. "No."

"With Flora?" Dr. Liang had a hunch Luan Nian was going with a girl, and that girl was likely the Flora who had taken care of him when he was sick. This Flora might also be the "Shang Zhi Tao" that Luan Si Yuan had mentioned in the family group chat. And if it was an even bigger coincidence, this Shang Zhi Tao might be the same one Dr. Liang had been chatting with on the dating website. If such a "four-in-one" coincidence really existed, Dr. Liang would consider it a match made in heaven.

"...You have a great memory."

She chuckled softly. "Hello, Flora." Perfect, two-in-one.

Shang Zhi Tao hadn’t expected Dr. Liang to greet her and immediately straightened up, feeling a bit nervous. "Hello, Dr. Liang."

Dr. Liang laughed heartily. "So there really is someone. I thought Luan Nian was talking nonsense again."

...Luan Nian and Shang Zhi Tao exchanged a glance. He raised an eyebrow and pursed his lips. "Why would I lie to you? I'm driving now. I'll call you back when we reach the city where we're staying tonight."

"Don’t. Why would you young people call me while you’re out having fun? Just send a message to let me know you’re safe." After saying this, Dr. Liang called out to Shang Zhi Tao again. "Flora."

"Yes, Dr. Liang."

"Luan Nian has a bad temper and a peculiar personality. Thank you for putting up with him. But you don’t have to put up with too much. If he does something wrong, just tell him." Dr. Liang knew her son well. Given how long Luan Nian had been with this girl, she must have endured a lot. She wanted to add, "You can argue with him, oppose him, but don’t leave him easily. My son has never been with a woman for this long." But Dr. Liang didn’t say all that. She didn’t want to seem too involved. This was their own business.For some reason, Shang Zhi Tao's eyes reddened slightly upon hearing Dr. Liang's words, and her heart ached as if she had suddenly been understood. Why was Luan Nian's mother so gentle? And why did such a gentle mother have such a tough son like Luan Nian?

Shang Zhi Tao responded with a muffled "Mm."

"I have a good temper, and my personality isn't strange. Goodbye." Luan Nian hung up the phone, pursed his lips, and stared silently at the traffic ahead.

It took Shang Zhi Tao a long time before she spoke again: "This is the first time between us that we're setting aside our own social circles and personal space to travel together. I'm really happy you suggested it, and I hope this trip will be very, very enjoyable. If we have any disagreements, please don't leave me alone in Tibet."

Luan Nian laughed: "How did you get so good with words? Did you take a public speaking class?"

"..."

Way to ruin the moment.

On the other end, Dr. Liang hung up the phone and said to Luan's Father, "Our son seems to really be in love, and he really likes that girl."

"Just because they're traveling together? Didn't he hang out with Zang Yao for ten years?" Luan's Father thought Dr. Liang was being overly sensitive.

Dr. Liang glared at him: "No wonder they say businesspeople only know how to make money. First, our son ditched Song Qiu Han and the others to travel with this girl; second, they're going alone. Has he ever gone on a trip alone with Zang Yao? Third, he openly called her his girlfriend—has he ever said that before?"

Luan's Father scoffed: "Whether I understand or not, I know, and I also know you're already dreaming of holding your granddaughter."

"Why a granddaughter?"

"Don't you and your son both prefer girls?" Luan's Father sneered and walked away. Dr. Liang sat there for a long time, convinced her judgment was right. After all, Luan Nian had never acknowledged any relationship like this before.

Luan Nian acknowledged Shang Zhi Tao.

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

For Luan Nian, this was also a challenge. But he was sincere when he invited her. While waiting for her to deliver the buns outside the neighborhood, he canceled his tickets for the Netherlands trip—flights, hotels, paying a hefty cancellation fee. When he called Song Qiu Han and the others, they asked him, "Why?"

"Because I want to travel alone with a woman." Chen Kuan Nian and Tan Mian mocked him, but Song Qiu Han remained silent. After a few seconds, Song Qiu Han said, "You never mentioned you had a woman."

"It's a long story. I'll tell you next time we meet."

"Looking forward to it. Have a great trip—we'll send you videos from the Netherlands," Song Qiu Han replied.

Song Qiu Han understood Luan Nian's decision. He also wished he could travel with the woman he loved, like Luan Nian. But he probably wouldn't take her to Tibet; he'd take her to Hulunbuir. He might never have such an opportunity in this lifetime.

Luan Nian had always been like this—making decisions decisively. He invited Shang Zhi Tao, prepared for her rejection, but left himself no way out. What if Shang Zhi Tao refused him? Then he'd just take Luke and go alone.Shang Zhi Tao did not refuse him. When he saw her get into the car and fasten her seatbelt, he suddenly realized that his previous understanding of her insistence on independent space and individuality had been too one-sided. The independent space and individuality she spoke of should be about leaving room for each other after they had established a genuine intimate relationship, not about refusing to let the other into their lives from the very beginning.

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

He felt it was still not too late to make amends.

The two of them purchased supplies in Shijiazhuang. By evening, after washing up and lying in bed, they finally began planning their trip in earnest.

Shang Zhi Tao rested her head on Luan Nian’s arm, watching him mark locations on his phone. They debated for a long time whether to pass through Qinghai or Sichuan, eventually deciding on the route via Taiyuan, Ningxia, and Qinghai. He calculated that, traveling 600 kilometers per day for most of the journey and 350 kilometers per day for the final stretch, it would take them six days to reach Lhasa.

Along the way, they would encounter the Yellow River, Qinghai Lake, Tuotuo River, Namtso Lake, and the endless scenery of National Highway 109. It would be a challenging journey.

“Afraid of hardship?” Luan Nian asked her.

“No.” I’ve experienced something even harder—loving you, Shang Zhi Tao thought to herself.

“But I can take over. I can drive too,” she said, sitting up and patting her chest. “You’ve ridden in my car in the northwest. I’m a good driver. I can take over on the easier stretches.”

Luan Nian pulled her back down. “Alright, I get it. You can talk lying down. No need to get so worked up.”

Shang Zhi Tao laughed again.

“So, we’ll still take six days to drive to Tibet,” Luan Nian recalculated. If Shang Zhi Tao took over driving the next day, they could see more scenery. “Once we enter Tibet, we can slow down.”

“Sounds good,” Shang Zhi Tao suggested. “Then let’s plan what to eat each day, okay?”

“Sure, what do you want to eat?”

Shang Zhi Tao pointed at the cities on the map. “Local specialties! Beef, lamb, yak meat… things like that.”

“And?”

“And I want to take photos! Wear Tibetan clothes! Take photos!” She sat up again, clasping her hands together. “Photos like this. I want to take them with you too.”

“No way,” Luan Nian pulled her down again. He hated taking tourist photos while traveling—it felt strange to him. The scenery was etched in his heart, and he could always return if he wanted to. What was the point of tourist photos?

“Oh,” Shang Zhi Tao murmured, stealing a glance at Luan Nian and calculating the likelihood of forcing him into it once they reached Lhasa.

“Don’t even think about it. Not a chance.”

“Then I’ll take photos with Luke. I think Luke and I would make a dream team.”

“Suit yourself,” Luan Nian remained unmoved.

“Hmph!” Shang Zhi Tao turned away with a huff. Luan Nian turned off the light, wrapped his arms around her from behind, and whispered, “Have a pleasant journey, Shang Zhi Tao.”

Shang Zhi Tao’s heart softened. She turned around, her fingers finding his face in the dark, tracing the arch of his brow with gentle strokes. She spoke to him, her voice soft and tender, as if sharing a secret: “Luan Nian.”

“Hmm?”"I'm so happy you invited me on this trip with you. The whole day today has felt like a dream. So as this day comes to an end, I want to wish us—the two of us, no, wait, Luke too—the three of us, a wonderful journey."

Just a little further, and she reached his lips. Shang Zhi Tao gently parted her lips and took his mouth into hers. At first, it was just light pecks, but soon both their breaths grew heavy, mingling with soft, hushed sounds in the darkness.

Luan Nian pushed her away. "I forgot to buy condoms."

Shang Zhi Tao placed a small, round, and thin object into his hand and said, "That was the first thing on my shopping list."

Luan Nian couldn't help but laugh at Shang Zhi Tao, playfully biting her slender neck. He suddenly lifted her onto him, thrusting upward with force. Shang Zhi Tao couldn't steady herself, but he held her firmly in place. In the darkness, his voice was slightly hoarse as he asked, "Don't you like being on top?"

Sometimes, passion is contagious.

Shang Zhi Tao shed her clothes, her skin prickling with goosebumps. The soft, intimate sounds in the darkness drifted into Luan Nian's ears. He closed his eyes and, after a long moment, murmured, "That sounds nice."

Mmm~