Chapter 53 Chapter Fifty-Three

Because it was too hot outside, this costa cafe was almost full at two o'clock in the afternoon.Dai Xi came early and only occupied a sofa seat for two by the window.She hesitated when ordering coffee. Dai Xi used to like to drink latte, but since Shuangmei drank what Li Weilian called "the bitterest coffee in the world", she never drank coffee with sugar and milk again.However, Dai Xi still couldn't get used to the strong bitter taste of espresso, and finally ordered a glass of iced Americano. After sitting down, Dai Xi stared out of the window for a while. This cafe is located in the large garden of a hotel. Looking out from the window, the large expanse of lawn under the scorching sun is dazzlingly green. A cloud of hot air was suspended in mid-air.It is completely conceivable that if you go out at this time, your skin will be slightly scalded and tingled immediately - this is one of the fresh feelings of life, right?

The lawn under the bright sun, the white balconies of the western villas hidden in the green trees, and the cicadas that can be faintly heard through the windows, all these bring people an indescribable sense of tranquility and endless reverie.Accompanied by the soft and charming chanson in the room, Dai Xi felt a strong feeling of longing in her heart——"Yi Garden", she had been away from "Yi Garden" for a long time, and she didn't know that in this midsummer, there was a What kind of fragrance is Kazuki revealing, and what kind of feelings are being drawn... She woke up suddenly from her wild thoughts, looked at her watch, and it was more than 20 minutes past the agreed meeting time.Dai Xi sighed, and took out the laptop from the bag. Who knows how long it will take, why not familiarize yourself with the travel information.

This is a travel route starting from Chengdu, Sichuan, passing through the Sichuan-Yunnan-Tibet Plateau and arriving at the land of idyllic beauty - Daocheng Yading.For this trip, Dai Xi has already applied for a vacation in advance, and the departure date is set on July 18. After connecting to the network, Dai Xi opened many relevant URLs saved in the browser.In the past few days, she took a look whenever she was free, and she had a preliminary understanding of the whole route.But until now, Dai Xi is still incredulous about the journey he is about to embark on. The topic that seemed to be casually mentioned when he and Li Weilian met in Beijing more than a week ago has almost come true today, but God knows, Dai Xi never had such a thought It's a travel plan!

How could he obey Li Weilian like this?Dai Xi herself couldn't explain it clearly.Maybe it was Yu Wei who used to have a superior-subordinate relationship?Maybe it was her sincere apology for his current situation?Perhaps it was her deep-seated sympathy for the counselor x? ...Maybe not, but his hopes, troubles, sorrows, joys, and destiny are all deeply engraved into her heart with his mellow charm, making Dai Xi willing to help him as much as he can while empathizing with him. Return the best trust from him, and a little fresh and mysterious thrill. Traveling across the Sichuan-Yunnan-Tibet Plateau, climbing over many snow-capped mountains along the way, enjoying the beautiful scenery of the plateau that combines Han and Tibetan customs, and reaching "the last piece of pure land on the blue planet", how shocking this process must be!When Li Weilian told her the whole itinerary, Dai Xi was surprised and delighted.Of course, this is by no means a simple tour.

"You are...Miss Dai?" Dai Xi quickly raised her head, and a pale pretty face came into view: "Ah, I am Dai Xi. Are you Miss Xue? Please sit down." Xue Baoling was late for a full forty-five minutes, but she didn't show any sign of apology. Her petite face was covered with clouds, which was in stark contrast to the bright sunshine outside.While Dai Xi secretly groaned in her heart, she had to take the initiative to apologize: "It's hot outside, isn't it? Would you like an iced coffee?" "My heart can't take coffee." "Oh, how about some iced tea...or iced water?"

"I never drink ice." Xue Baoling opened the big Gucci satchel and took out a pure wool shawl to wrap it around. Oh my god... Dai Xiyang called out to entertain: "How about a cup of hot lemon tea?" "Just hot water." The hot water was brought to the table, Xue Baoling took a sip, and leaned softly on the back of the chair.Dai Xi felt that her frail appearance was really not suitable for a cafe, and it would be more appropriate to stay in a nursing home. At the same time, Dai Xi found that her head also started to swell, because the task Li Weilian gave her was to accompany this "sick beauty" to the plateau!Just after finishing the iced Americano, Dai Xi simply ordered an espresso to cheer him up.

"Miss Dai, William said you would accompany me to Sichuan?" Although Xue Baoling's spirit was sluggish, her hostile gaze was always lingering on Dai Xi's body. "Uh... yes." "Why did he ask you to accompany me?" "I..." Dai Xi was really angry. Could it be that the daughter of the great traveler doesn't even know the basics of manners?She immediately asked back, "Didn't he tell you the reason?" Xue Baoling was slightly taken aback, and then said: "He said you studied medicine...Miss Dai, are you a doctor?" "Well... Actually, my major is psychology, but I have also studied regular medical courses, so I have more knowledge in this area than ordinary people."

"Oh, that's right." Xue Baoling nodded, "He's really thoughtful." Everyone was silent.Dai Xi took a sip of espresso, it was really bitter!Looking at Xue Baoling's haggard and gloomy appearance, and thinking about Li Weilian's repeated entreaties, Dai Xi's heart softened: "Miss Xue, since you have a heart problem, why do you have to travel to the Sichuan-Tibet Plateau? It will definitely be dangerous. .” Xue Baoling glanced at Dai Xi, and replied weakly: "In order to realize my father's last wish, no matter how big a risk I have to take. Ms. Dai, did William tell you about my father's identity?"

"As I said, Miss Xue's father was a great traveler." "My father has traveled around the world all his life, but his favorite place is the Sichuan-Tibet region of our country, that is, Shangri-La. Therefore, before his death, his will specifically mentioned that he would scatter his ashes in the world known as 'Shangri-La' The soul of Aden... Dad said that it is the closest place to heaven, the resting place he chose for himself, where his soul resides and his heart is at ease." Xue Baoling's eye circles turned red as she spoke, panting slightly, making her look even weaker.

Dai Xi hurriedly said: "Miss Xue, I checked the route to Aden. Although starting from Chengdu, the altitude rises all the way, which is conducive to gradually adapting to the plateau, but that is for ordinary healthy people. Your heart already has The problem is that if you have to climb many snow-capped mountains, it will be really difficult for you. Relatively speaking, the route from Zhongdian in Yunnan to Daocheng is of course less scenic, but the altitude is relatively low and the distance is relatively short. It is much shorter, and I think it is more suitable for your physical condition. So I would like to suggest you to choose the latter route.”

"Miss Dai, William asked you to be a lobbyist, right?" Xue Baoling laughed sourly, "He has told me many times...but I can't go that route." "why?" Xue Baoling sighed leisurely: "Because my travel company has always wanted to operate a special travel route from Chengdu to Aden, which is also one of my father's last wishes, so I have to check the conditions along the way during this trip. In addition, according to my According to the news from the Chengdu branch of the tourism company, the road from Zhongdian to Daocheng began to be repaired in July this year, the road condition is very bad, landslides often occur, so I can only choose to start from Chengdu.” "Oh," Dai Xi thought for a while, "if that's the only way to do it, then we should try our best to make as much preparation as possible." "That's not a problem. My company's branch in Chengdu is responsible for all the itineraries, and the local arrangements in Chengdu must be very thoughtful." Xue Baoling looked at Dai Xi thoughtfully, "Then William, he really...has no time. Come with me?" Dai Xi lowered her head and drank the espresso, muttering vaguely: "I'm also...not sure." When Dai Xi was packing her luggage at home in the evening, she received a call from Li Weilian. Dai Xi briefly reported on the meeting in the afternoon, and finally said: "I tried to persuade her, but she still insists on taking the Chengdu route." "Baoling is too capricious... Dai Xi, I still have to thank you." Just as Dai Xi was about to speak, the doorbell rang. "It's a courier." Dai Xi signed, holding the cardboard box and continuing to talk to Li Weilian, "I don't know where it came from..." "I gave you." "what?" "It's some necessities for travel. Time is tight. I'm afraid you won't have time to prepare them." In addition to the commonly used anti-altitude sickness medicines, there are also digital cameras, flashlights, walkie-talkies and an oxygen bag in the carton. "After entering the mountainous area, the mobile phone is often disconnected. There is a walkie-talkie to prevent it. In addition, the oxygen bag cannot be carried on the plane and must be put in the checked luggage." Li Weilian explained carefully. After he finished speaking, Dai Xi hesitated and said: "William, what I heard from her today seems to be that if you are willing to accompany her, maybe she will listen..." "I will definitely not go with her!" Li Weilian replied firmly, paused, and then said, "Going from Chengdu has its advantages, as long as you don't stay in areas above 4,000 meters above sea level, you will be fine." It shouldn’t be a big problem. Dai Xi, don’t be burdened. It’s not easy for you to help me like this. So I still hope you can fully enjoy this trip, and the scenery along the way will make you unforgettable forever. Don't miss it." "I see." "Dai Xi," Li Weilian emphasized again before hanging up the phone, "Remember, never stay longer than four kilometers." "Miss Dai, do you know Mr. Xue very well?" As soon as Dai Xi and Xue Baoling set off from Chengdu, the accompanying manager Shao Chunlei of the Chengdu Branch of the East Asia Travel Company began to chatter non-stop. He seemed to be very curious about Dai Xi, and his topics and eyes kept wandering around Dai Xi. Dai Xi turned her head out of the car window, ignoring Shao Chunlei.Dai Xi didn't have a good impression of this short, chubby man who spoke Sichuan-style mandarin, and she especially hated his pair of small, unpredictable eyes embedded in his round face. According to the original plan, we should leave at 8 o'clock in the morning.Because Xue Baoling was not feeling well, she got up late and was delayed until nine o'clock before the Toyota off-road vehicle arranged by Manager Shao drove out of the Kempinski Hotel.Shao Chunlei is Xue Baoling's subordinate and the whole planner of this trip. In addition to ensuring the safety and smoothness of the trip, he also needs to introduce Xue Baoling's accommodation and travel along the way, so that she can make a company plan based on these first-hand information. The decision to develop this tourist route. There were four people in the Toyota car.The driver is a Tibetan boy named Zhaji.The route from Chengdu to Yading has to climb many snow-capped mountains along the way. Only Tibetans who have adapted to the plateau environment since childhood can drive it. Therefore, the drivers on this line are all Tibetans. At first glance, Shao Chunlei is quite conscientious.After the Toyota was started, his mouth was never idle. Like a full-time tour guide, he introduced the scenery along the way wittily, and repeatedly emphasized that this was the favorite travel route of the late Xue Zhifan.It's a pity that his talk and laughter didn't get a positive response. Xue Baoling put a big black bag on her knees, and she held it motionless after getting into the car. As the car moved forward, her pale paper face became sad Nong, no need to ask, this black bag must contain the ashes of Xue Zhifan, and the daughter immersed in the pain can only drag her sick body and embark on the journey alone... Dai Xi guessed Xue Baoling and Li Wei more or less Seeing Xue Baoling's helpless and pitiful appearance, she felt very uncomfortable. The only exciting thing is that the weather is very good. After driving out of Chengdu for nearly two hours, the car entered the rolling mountainous area.The mountain peaks on both sides of the road are becoming more and more majestic, the sun illuminates the blue sky clear and bright, and the golden brilliance smudges the thick green in the mountains, making every scene passing by the car window like a colorful postcard. Late July is the peak tourist season. When Toyota vehicles meander along the winding mountain road, tourist buses, large and small trucks line up in front and rear.Looking down along the steep mountain, all kinds of vehicles on the winding mountain road connect with each other, making this mountain wilderness full of lively scenes like going to a market. "Tourism in the Sichuan-Tibet area is getting hotter every day. Hehe, Mr. Xue, look, our company really has to hurry up and open this line, otherwise the business will be lost by others!" Shao Chunlei said loudly. It's not just You Xing who is hot, the weather is also getting hotter.As the mountain road twists and turns upwards, the blue sky is approaching one foot at a time. Between the clouds and the clouds, the lingering Xiasi is drawn out, which is thinner, lighter and thinner than what you see in Shanghai. Could it be that the clouds are also diluted by the sun? ?Dai Xi blurted out: "It's getting closer to the sky, and the sun is getting closer, so the weather is getting hotter?" Shao Chunlei burst into laughter: "Hahaha, Miss Shanghai, the higher the altitude, the lower the temperature, but the temperature difference between day and night is also large, so you feel hot now! Don't cry out that you are freezing at night!" Dai Xi's face was hot, and he quickly turned to look at Xue Baoling beside him.This summer trip to the mountains and fields failed to add a little brilliance to her pale face. Xue Baoling seemed to be frozen in sadness. She said coldly: "So many people and cars make me think It’s still in Shanghai. If it’s like this all the way, then where can I find the peerless beauty described in my father’s notes?” Shao Chunlei was stunned for a moment, and then he said with a sneer: "Uh...China, which places are not overcrowded as soon as they become famous? Jiuzhaigou, Zhangjiajie, Lijiang...Compared with those places, Daocheng Yading is not bad, after all, the altitude is too high. Besides, the road conditions along the way are good, but the road behind is not so easy." "Miss from Shanghai," he said emphatically, tilting his head towards Dai Xi, "you must be mentally prepared." It seems that he has already decided that Dai Xi is a pampered city girl with no field experience. Because they were in a hurry, they didn't stop at the first stop in Ya'an, and the Toyota drove west along the beautiful Qingyi River into the mountains of the Erlang Mountains.As if to confirm Shao Chunlei's words, as the mountains in front became steeper, the thin silky clouds and mists also began to become dark and thick, and gathered around the top of the mountains one after another, covering the green mountains with a layer of haze. When driving through the four-kilometer-long Erlangshan Tunnel, his eyes couldn't adapt to the endless darkness, and a round spot of light flashed in front of Dai Xi's eyes for a long time.Manager Shao introduced the yin and yang wonders of the tunnel with his male duck voice. The noise made the small space in the car even more depressing. Dai Xi felt that Xue Baoling beside her was trembling slightly. She stretched out her hand and gently held Xue Baoling's right hand resting on her knee. In the midsummer season, this hand was as cold as if in an ice cellar. The pale face smiled gently, comforting softly: "Don't be afraid..." The tunnel finally came to an end.As soon as I got back under the blue sky, the scenery in front of me changed greatly. The trickling river suddenly turned into a raging and roaring Nuchuan, galloping in the canyon that was chiseled by knives and axes.The mountains on both sides are soaring into the clouds, the edges of the clouds are covered with snow, and the snow peaks on the plateau are just showing their majesty! Sure enough, the road conditions were worse than before. Gravel was piled up everywhere on the narrow road close to the cliff. The driver Zaji seemed familiar with the road and did not slow down the speed at all.Despite his confidence in the driver, Dai Xi, who was always staring out the window, became nervous.In just half a day, she witnessed the vicissitudes of nature, and she already realized the vastness and danger contained in the majestic beauty of the snow-covered plateau. The mountains and rivers of the Sichuan-Tibet Plateau are precious because they are surrounded by evil and blocked by barrenness.Except for the Tibetan people who have multiplied here for generations and survived with the most persevering courage, all outsiders are afraid here. Even if they have great ambitions, they can only bow down in front of thousands of mountains. The nature shown here With supreme dignity, it can easily crush the arrogance of human beings. Sunshine, everything depends on the sun.How fascinating and intoxicating is the poetic and picturesque scenery just now under the bright sun.At this moment, with just a little bit of haze, the pastures and lakes in the mountains turned from bright and clear to dark, and the calm and calm charm suddenly disappeared. Large black and brown rocks stood out on the peaks, and the bottomless ravines seemed to come from prehistoric times. The cracks in the sky, and the ice peak pointing directly at the sky, even though they are rare and magnificent in the world, but the rolling clouds set off all kinds of chills, with extreme indifference that despises the common people. Looking down at the convoys trudging along the mountain road, even if they are in groups, they are just clustered together for courage.Dai Xi was secretly shocked. On the journey getting closer and closer to the sky, she deeply felt the insignificance of human beings.Where the soul is, where the heart is at ease... At least until now, Dai Xi has not experienced peace of mind, but feels confused and lonely in the soul. It may be because this journey is special, or maybe she is a city girl after all. Dai Xi paid attention to Xue Baoling beside her, and her expression became even more depressed. "Mr. Xue, you must visit the Dadu River and the Luding Bridge, right? The average depth of this section of the canyon is 3,000 meters, which is deeper than the Grand Canyon of Colorado. This is the biggest attraction on the route of the first day." "Well," Xue Baoling reluctantly agreed, "What's the altitude now?" "More than two thousand meters." Shao Chunlei replied, "Are you feeling okay?" Xue Baoling did not speak, took out the pills for heart disease from her bag and swallowed them. Many tourists gathered beside the Luding Bridge on the Dadu River. The water flow in the canyon was fast and the sound was booming. People were busy watching and taking pictures.Xue Baoling only stood for a while, and then told Dai Xi that she was very dizzy, and she was escorted back to the car by Manager Shao. Dai Xiduo took a few photos and fell behind.Among the crowd were a few young men dressed in jackets and donkey suits, talking and laughing loudly with each other in Shanghai dialect.Dai Xi walked up to them and asked in Shanghai dialect, "Are you going to Daocheng too?" "Ala has already visited Daocheng Yading, and now we are going to Chengdu. Are you going to Yading?" A young man said proudly. "Well," Dai Xi nodded with a smile, "It's a pity that the road is not good, otherwise I still want to go to Shangri-La this time." "The road is not good?" The young man scratched his head, "It's okay... Allah came from Zhongdian, and he walked a long way." Back in the Toyota car, Xue Baoling's condition got worse. Dai Xi was a little worried, so she asked Manager Shao about the rest of the itinerary for the day.