Тhе nеws about Zhаng Сhеnguаng аrrived at just the right timе—еxaсtly onе mоnth аftеr his disарpeаrance.
At that momеnt, Вaуunyе wаs оn thе viewing рlаtfоrm оf Sêjilа Mоuntain in Tibet, tаking рhotоs for a few guеsts with Mount Nаmcha Ваrwа in thе bасkgrоund. It was rathеr frustrаting—throughоut hеr сarеer, shе hаd never оnсe sеen the true fаce of Nаmсhа Bаrwa when pаssing bу this рlaсе. It wаs аlwауs shroudеd in mist аnd clоuds, like а veiled mаiden. Sо, shе fullу understооd whу this bеautiful snow-cаpped mountain wаs called thе "Shy Mаiden Реak."
Тhe guests lingered on the viewing platform, reluctant to leave. She returned to the car first to wait and pulled out her phone, only to see a news notification. It said that another group of mountaineering enthusiasts had accidentally discovered a backpack identical to the one Zhang Chenguang had carried when he went up the mountain. However, it was completely empty—not even a piece of chocolate for energy. Upon identification, a badge from the mountaineering association of his city was pinned to the backpack, making it almost certain that it was his belongings.
Netizens exploded with discussions about various possibilities. Some said he had fallen into a snow cave, waiting for rescue until he exhausted all his supplies, ultimately losing all hope. Others claimed Zhang Chenguang had gone there to commit suicide, which was why he carried nothing. Still, someone who claimed to be from his hometown revealed that he was actually a gambler who owed a lot of money and might have faked his disappearance to evade his debts.
In the following replies, a netizen called for crowdfunding to organize another mountaineering team to search the mountain again. However, very few responded, and some even accused him of profiting from others' misfortune.
Bayunye let out a soft, disdainful snort.
Her phone vibrated incessantly—it was a call from Brother Long.
"Brother Long," Bayunye answered, suppressing her thoughts, her expression blank.
"Can you make it in three days?"
"Yeah."
"Waiting for you."
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"Understood. I'll keep an eye out once I reach Nyingchi."
A commotion suddenly erupted from the viewing platform, accompanied by a few women's screams. Bayunye leaned out to look and saw a chaotic scene over there—most likely another fight breaking out over tourists scrambling for photo spots. The college students she was guiding came running back, chattering all at once as they described the cause and effect of the brawl, saying a slender man had actually knocked a burly fellow to the ground with one punch, leaving him gasping for oxygen.
Bayunye wore a cheerful smile on her face, but her eyes held no real amusement. She started the engine and quipped, "Better toughen up here, or you won't stand a chance against others at Sheep Lake. Tourists fighting over photo spots—it's another 'beautiful sight' in Tibet besides the scenery."
"No way..." The female college student in the passenger seat took her joke seriously, looking shocked. "Then will we even get a turn to take photos?"
Bayunye's smile gained a hint of sincerity, tinged with a rogue-like swagger. "Don't worry, when it comes to fighting, Master Ba won't lose."
The car erupted in laughter.
The most beautiful scenery in Nyingchi isn't within the city itself. So, when Bayunye settled her group of guests in Nyingchi City, she reminded them they'd have to wake up at 5 a.m. the next day to head to Lhasa before the Linzhi-Lhasa Expressway closed.
A few restless guests went out shopping in the evening, while Bayunye stayed in the hotel to plan the route into Qiangtang. Over the past couple of days, she had looked up Zou Kaigui's personal information online and learned that he had been cycling across the country in search of his daughter, Zou Xiaowen, who had been abducted ten years ago, but he had never found her.
Netizens said Zou Kaigui had quit his job and had no income, relying on donations from non-governmental charity organizations and kind-hearted people along the way for his cycling expenses and equipment. His search for his daughter was not only a personal perseverance but also reflected societal compassion, and so on.
A few months ago, Zou Kaigui posted in his social media circle that he intended to trek across Qiangtang to raise his profile, so more people would learn his story and help him find his daughter. After that, he actually arrived in Lhasa and shared a photo of himself taking a bus from the passenger station to Shiquanhe. In the photo, he held up a picture of his daughter, while a faded red flag planted behind a snowmobile fluttered in the wind, bearing five large characters: "Thank You, Kind Hearts."
This was the last photo Zou Kaigui posted in his social media circle. The first two batches of Rescue Teams sent into Qiangtang for search and rescue reported that the last person to see Zou Kaigui was an armed police officer at a checkpoint. After that, he went missing, and his current status—alive or dead—remains unknown.
After reading this, Bayunye sketched out Zou Kaigui's approximate route across Qiangtang in her mind—the terrain of Qiangtang is higher in the west and lower in the east, with prevailing westerly winds. He took the east-west route, starting from Songxi Village in Rutog County, Ngari Prefecture. She heard he had brought 60 days' worth of rations. Even if he managed to stretch those for 60 days, by now, he would have been without food for at least 10 days, making his chances of survival extremely low.
When trekking in extreme environments, it's not as simple as just trying to conserve rations. Whether the rations are enough is one thing—who knows if you might end up as takeout for the wildlife?Brother Long's information was spot on; the next morning, the Linzhi-Lhasa Highway was closed. Fortunately, Bayunye and her red Wrangler had long since been speeding along the broad road to Lhasa. As they neared Lhasa, the milky-blue Lhasa River could be seen winding through the yellow earth and brown mountains on one side of the road, like a turquoise bead adorning a yellow robe—both majestic and ethereal.
Arriving at Deji Inn marked the official end of this Sichuan-Tibet route journey. Several college students, still unsatisfied after visiting the Potala Palace, were offered a deal by the savvy businessman Brother Long. Seeing their flights were scheduled for the next evening, he proposed that if each of them got three friends to follow the Eagle Club's official account, they would get a free trip to Yamdrok Lake the next morning.
Bayunye slept like a log, unaware of the time when she woke. Opening the door, she saw the sky ablaze with sunset. Brother Long and Hippo were squatting in the courtyard, counting the newly acquired Medog stone pots.
Hearing the noise, Brother Long glanced up and saw her drowsy-eyed, unusually wearing a slightly fitted thin sweater that gave her a touch of allure. She plopped down casually in front of them, her shoulder-length hair loose and disheveled. Even without makeup, her distinct features and eyes with a hint of exotic charm made her stand out more than most.
Seeing her, Hippo eagerly said, "Master Ba, there's a guy this time—man, he's totally your type."
"I don't mess with clients."
Hippo continued promoting, "He's not really a client; more like a partner, since he's not here for tourism."
Bayunye remained uninterested. "If you're so keen, you go for him."
"I don't like men!"
"You've never tried; how do you know you don't like them?"
Hippo blurted out excitedly, "You'll see when you meet him. I bet even you could be turned by him."
Bayunye stretched her arms out, resting them on the backs of the chairs on either side, crossing her legs in a domineering boss-like pose. She looked down at Hippo, almost enunciating each word, "Me, turned by a man?"
Hippo slapped his forehead hard; he had almost forgotten Bayunye was a woman.
Brother Long couldn't help but chuckle. "As the saying goes, yin and yang complement each other. You, Master Ba, and Diao Zhuo are both yang—what could possibly complement? I just hope they don't end up killing each other if they clash on the road. With Captain Diao's build, well... Master Ba, you might not win in a fight."
"If he doesn't provoke me, why would I start anything?" Bayunye lazily propped her cheek on one hand, sniffing the air. "What smells so good?"
"Hand-ginseng stone pot chicken." Brother Long stood up, brushing the dust off his pants. "Come on, let's talk over dinner."
On the day of departure, Bayunye habitually arrived early at the agreed meeting spot—the gate of the Agricultural Bank University—leaning against her freshly washed car, chewing dried mango while she waited. Wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, with a small ponytail tucked into the magic scarf around her neck, her rather dashing movements and tall stature made her look like a guy from both near and far. Even passing students couldn't help but take a second look.
Before long, an orderly convoy arrived. Leading the way was a black Grand Commander, followed by several Cherokees, looking imposing. Behind them were a Land Cruiser and a black pickup truck. The back seats and trunks of each vehicle were packed with empty barrels for gasoline, all to be filled upon reaching the destination to ensure each car had at least 600 liters of fuel for crossing the Uninhabited Area.This was Bayunye's first time taking on a rescue guide assignment. Before setting off, Brother Long reminded her that this group of clients wasn't here for sightseeing or seeking thrills. She was to follow Captain Diao Zhuo's instructions completely, guiding them along Zou Kaigui's hiking route and, if necessary, extending the path to explore.
Hippo waved from a distance. Once everyone had gotten out of the vehicle, Bayunye immediately recognized which one was Diao Zhuo.
It had to be said, he really stood out in the crowd. Beneath the black brim of his cap, a pair of sharp eyes resembled an eagle soaring over snowy peaks—piercing and intimidating. The faintly protruding veins on the back of his hands and the bulging muscles on his arms all showcased his strength. The man looked solid as a rock.
Damn, he's exactly my type—Bayunye thought to herself.
"How is he?" Hippo whispered beside her, sounding like a matchmaker.
Bayunye, who had drifted between physical and emotional connections over the years, replied, "Not bad. Worth a shot."
Diao Zhuo didn't hear their hushed conversation. As usual, he extended his hand for a handshake, feeling a slight incongruity. Compared to the imposing nickname "Master Ba," "his" hand was too soft, unlike a man's hand. The feeling was fleeting, and he didn't dwell on it.
A tall, thin man said, "I'm Da Qin, from Xi'an."
A man wearing black-framed glasses waved his hand. "Tan Lin, from Huizhou."
A burly, dark-skinned man said, "Me, Qi Zi, from the Northeast."
The youngest-looking, fair-skinned young man greeted her with a smile. "Hey, Master Ba, I'm Xiang An. I'm studying in Jiangsu and graduating in June."
...
The team members introduced themselves one by one and began bombarding her with questions—
"How old are you, buddy? Where are you from?"
"Your nickname is pretty badass. What's your real name?"
"Your car is awesome! Must have a lot of modifications, right? The girls must love it."
"Is this what you do for a living? Driving every day?"
With 11 team members, Bayunye couldn't remember them all at once and could only nod. Through their questions, she noticed something interesting: not a single one of them seemed to realize she was a woman. On one hand, it was because she was bundled up in a hat, sunglasses, a buff, and a windbreaker. On the other hand, it might have been because she was... flat-chested.
Heh, if that were true, it would be pretty amusing.
Ye Xun, supported by Xiao Zi, staggered out of the car last, his face pale and sickly, looking extremely unwell.
Xiao Zi introduced him, "Mr. Ye Xun, the initiator of the rescue operation and one of the sponsors of Zou Kaigui's search for his daughter."
Bayunye nodded in greeting.
"Mr. Ye has severe altitude sickness. He hasn't been able to get out of bed for the past two days and is afraid to use oxygen, worried about becoming dependent. Aren't we heading to Ali soon? The altitude there is even higher than Lhasa. I'm not sure if Mr. Ye can handle it," Xiao Zi said worriedly, relieved that aside from a headache on the first day, she hadn't experienced any other symptoms.
Bayunye curled the corner of her mouth, glancing at Hippo with a knowing look. Such "psychological altitude reaction patients" usually weren't in serious condition. They'd observe the situation first and, if necessary, use their usual "treatment" methods.
Hippo checked his watch and got into the passenger seat. "Let's go!"
The first destination of the search and rescue journey was the starting point of Zou Kaigui's trek—Shiquan River.
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