Chapter 75 – Welcome Aboard (End)

Thanks to a certain lawyer’s meticulous approach to travel, treating it like project management, the duo barely had to exert themselves before settling into their vehicle and setting off westward along the classic Qinghai-Tibet route, taking turns at the wheel.

Bian Ji was accustomed to constant travel, quickly adapting to such intensity, driving both swiftly and steadily. This made Yan Ankuo seem like a novice in comparison.

At an altitude of over six thousand meters, acclimatization was challenging for most people, including Yan Ankuo.

As they ascended, Yan Ankuo felt increasingly dizzy and short of breath. He unzipped his coat, leaning back in the seat to rest his eyes, struggling to recover for quite some time.

Bian Ji noticed something was amiss and asked anxiously, “Are you alright?”

“No problem, just a bit nauseous,” Yan Ankuo said weakly with his eyes closed. “I can’t make it, let’s stop ahead so I can take a breather.”

Bian Ji promptly found a spot to park, checking on his complexion. “Your face is flushed. Any other symptoms besides nausea?”

“Dizzy…want to vomit.”

“You’re not having altitude sickness, are you?”

Yan Ankuo opened his eyes slowly after hearing this, self-diagnosing that Bian Ji might be right. He straightened up with effort, pointing toward the trunk. “There’s medicine in the suitcase.”

“I’ll get it for you.” Bian Ji hopped out of the car, running to the back to open the trunk, shouting, “Which layer?”

Yan Ankuo replied weakly, “In the third bag from the left on the second level.”

Bian Ji rummaged around for a while, puzzled. “Can’t find it…”

To minimize Yan Ankuo’s discomfort, Bian Ji hurried back, anxious. “Did we forget to pack it when we left?”

Yan Ankuo strained to recall the situation. He remembered mentioning that emergency medication wasn’t readily available and needed to be ordered via delivery before he went to work. Bian Ji likely didn’t hear his instructions, leaving the emergency supplies behind.

Seeing Bian Ji’s worried and guilty expression, Yan Ankuo forced a smile and shook his head. “I must’ve forgotten it. It’s fine, there should be a pharmacy nearby.”

As Bian Ji pulled out his phone to check the map, he helplessly realized that the nearest pharmacy was four kilometers away, requiring a detour up and down the winding road, which would take a long time.

“Wait a moment, I’ll ask at that convenience store first.” Seeing the crowd, Bian Ji sprinted into the shop. His quick pace broke the high-altitude survival rules, leaving him gasping for breath.

The shopkeeper, seeing his urgency, advised in less than perfect Mandarin, “Young people need to take it easy here. Don’t run or jump, it’s easy to get oxygen-deprived.”

Bian Ji took deep breaths, asking quickly, “Do you sell oxygen tanks and medication for dizziness?”

Business thrives wherever there are people, even at the top of the world. The shopkeeper smiled, squinting, and nodded, quoting a price.

Without hesitation, Bian Ji pulled out money. “Can I pay electronically?”

The shopkeeper seemed stunned that someone wouldn’t haggle over the price. Hesitant, he produced the payment code, kindly warning, “The higher you go, the scarcer supplies become. You’d better stock up before you leave.”

Bian Ji finished saying “Thank you” as he turned around, not daring to waste any more time. Returning to the car, he handed the oxygen tank and medicine to Yan Ankuo. “Here, try these.”

Dizzied, Yan Ankuo didn’t bother to ask where he got them. He swallowed two pills with water and ripped open the oxygen tank, taking several deep breaths.

Bian Ji got into the car and fastened his seatbelt. “Feeling better?”

After a while, Yan Ankuo finally regained his usual vigor. “Much better. Did you buy extras? What if you start feeling bad later?”

“No, we’ll pass by the tourist center soon, let’s buy some more there.” Bian Ji inadvertently revealed the truth. “That place was too expensive.”

Yan Ankuo chuckled softly.

Bian Ji clicked his tongue. “What are you laughing about?”

Still using the oxygen, Yan Ankuo whispered, “Laughing at Captain Bian being a good steward of the household.”

“That’s true, I need to save up for a house.” Bian Ji laughed slightly as well.

Yan Ankuo looked at him. “And what are you laughing at?”

The patient held the oxygen tank to cover his nose and mouth. Unable to resist, Bian Ji leaned on the steering wheel, shaking with laughter. “Laughing at how you resemble that meme now.”

Confused, Yan Ankuo removed the oxygen tank, staring into the rearview mirror for a long time. “Which one?”

Bian Ji suppressed his laughter, not answering. Starting the engine, he said, “Let’s hit the road!”

Although he spent a fortune on supplies far above market price and took a three-kilometer detour due to poor GPS signal, Bian Ji still considered it a perfect trip when they arrived at Namtso Lake’s Zaxi Peninsula.

The thin air made the sky appear clear and vast, stars seeming within reach, forming a grand fireworks display of brightness and sparkle. Bian Ji had been to many highlands and seen countless starry skies, yet the scene before him left him speechless with awe.

The two lay in tall, soft grass, the ground cool beneath them.

Bian Ji rolled onto his side, propping himself up on an elbow. “You know, this is the most sightseeing I’ve done on a trip.”

Yan Ankuo also turned to face him. “Aren’t you supposed to have been to many places?”

“Yes, but I usually don’t plan much, going with the flow.” Bian Ji explained honestly. “I fly all over for work; if traveling were the same, it would be too exhausting.”

Yan Ankuo thought he meant he was tired today, blaming himself for not arranging a better itinerary. “Then today…”

“I’m not tired today.” Bian Ji inwardly criticized the need for his boyfriend to blame himself. “After all, your habit is to have everything planned out, within control. So, this should also be the most unexpected trip you’ve ever experienced, right?”

Yan Ankuo didn’t answer directly, but his smile said it all.

Bian Ji came to this conclusion. “This shows that we’re really two different kinds of people — in every sense of the word.”

Yan Ankuo didn’t argue, lying down and looking at the vast starry sky. “Yeah, if it were a year ago, I couldn’t have imagined us together.”

The wind blew through the wilderness, leaving no echo.

Bian Ji silently felt the wind brush against his cheeks, closing his eyes. After a while, he said, “If you knew I was this kind of person earlier, would you have boarded my flight a second time?”

“Yes.” Yan Ankuo answered without hesitation, countering, “And you?”

If he knew they’d have to go through so much, would he have invited him to that compensation dinner?

Bian Ji rested his head on his arms, looking down at the person below. “Of course, why wouldn’t I? I owe you, since I ruined your shirt.”

Mentioning the shirt, the culprit flashed a barely noticeable, guilty smile.

Bian Ji pretended not to see this strange expression, suddenly leaning down to whisper, “I want to kiss you.”

Yan Ankuo slowly stopped smiling, lowering his head to gently outline Bian Ji’s lips with his mouth. Whether due to the thin air or something else, he said he felt oxygen-deprived.

Silence enveloped the grassland, the Milky Way visible, suitable for silence and kisses.

Wasting money and getting lost were originally frustrating events, but at night, the two of them lying on the plateau, using the grass as cover to do intimate things, transformed the bad into gentle moments.

Bian Ji muffled a sound, burying his head in Yan Ankuo’s chest, panting heavily.

Yan Ankuo held his wrist, guiding him downward.

Bian Ji blushed, after a moment, suddenly shuddering, wanting to cry out but not daring to. He could only bite Yan Ankuo’s shoulder.

“Do you…still feel oxygen-deprived?” After a while, Bian Ji lifted his head, his mouth glistening.

Yan Ankuo shook his head, wiping the moisture from his eyes with his thumb. “Clothes, button them up.”

Bian Ji sat up, fastening his shirt completely.

Yan Ankuo’s phone had been ringing for ten minutes, the screen flickering on and off. Finally, its owner answered. It was the big client from England seeking advice, eager to connect with Yan Ankuo before boarding his flight.

“Sorry, I have a meeting to attend suddenly.” Yan Ankuo apologized to Bian Ji. “Twenty minutes, I’ll come back to find you after it’s over.”

Bian Ji shook his head. “It’s okay, go ahead. Is there internet on your phone?”

Yan Ankuo held up his phone, shaking it twice. “The signal isn’t great, but audio should be fine.”

Bian Ji fell silent, walking to the flat grassland, unfolding the tent, and starting to hammer in stakes.

This tent was smaller, designed to open automatically, requiring little effort to set up the frame. Bian Ji worked alone, and by the time Yan Ankuo finished his meeting, the entire space was ready.

Yan Ankuo returned, somewhat embarrassed. “Didn’t we say I’d handle it when I got back?”

Bian Ji waved his hand. “You’re already in such a tough spot, how could I let you work?”

“Not tough.”

“This tough? Working even on vacation.”

“Got used to it.” Yan Ankuo sat down in front of the canopy, casually opening a new bottle of mineral water and handing it to Bian Ji. “Come over and rest a bit. It’s cold, watch out for altitude sickness.”

Bian Ji felt himself now to be terrifyingly strong, patting his chest. “I’m not like you, I’m in great shape.”

Someone who had once been dominated by altitude sickness dared not offer too many opinions. He simply pulled him back into his arms, quietly watching his boasting.

Bian Ji resembled a little dog showing off his fur, finishing his display and then retracting his sharp edges, snuggling obediently in the crook of the human’s arm.

“Baby,” Bian Ji slowly closed his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Do you remember when I mentioned to you before that the company was adjusting routes and collecting intentions in the group chat?”

Yan Ankuo nodded. “Yes, what about it?”

“I applied to frequently fly the China-UK international line and the Beijing-Shanghai route,” Bian Ji rolled over, resting his ear on Yan Ankuo’s leg. “You often travel to Beijing and London for business, so…at least we can meet more often this way.”

Yan Ankuo didn’t expect Bian Ji to consider things to this extent, stunned into silence for a long time.

Bian Ji continued. “We have a pile of problems between us, but fundamentally, it’s all because we see each other too little, making every date feel like stolen moments.

“In the past, I was used to it, even thinking it was good because we both had a lot of personal space. But ever since being with you…

“I can’t bear to be alone anymore.”

Yan Ankuo found these words deeply moving, lowering his head to kiss his temple.

Bian Ji turned his face, naturally turning it into a kiss. “Want to spend more time with you, want lots of time to share joys and sorrows, want to be close, want to hug, want to make love.”

At this point, Bian Ji suddenly sat up straight, straddling Yan Ankuo’s thighs, wrapping his arms around him, staring straight into his eyes. “Yan Ankuo, I’m becoming insatiable.”

Yan Ankuo looked earnestly into Bian Ji’s eyes, speaking with utter sincerity and determination. “Me too.” He pulled Bian Ji tightly into his embrace, whispering in his ear, “When do you start flying again after we return?”

Bian Ji’s schedule was already out. Thinking for a moment, he said, “Wednesday, to London.”

“What’s the flight number?” Yan Ankuo pressed.

Bian Ji pulled out his phone, showing him the flight number, then curiously asked, “Why do you want to know this?”

Yan Ankuo also pulled out his phone and took a photo of the schedule, shamelessly cheating. “Want to have another chance encounter.”

Saying he wanted a “chance encounter,” Yan Ankuo wasn’t kidding around.

On December 14th, Bian Ji had said he would switch shifts to celebrate Yan Ankuo’s birthday, but Yan Ankuo insisted he shouldn’t, citing reasons like “too many shift changes this month” and “having work of his own,” forcing Bian Ji to stick to his original plan to fly to London.

Bian Ji knew exactly what Yan Ankuo was up to, but boyfriends with a strong sense of ritual were hard to persuade not to provide surprises they promised.

So, even though he had already spotted a familiar name on the passenger list in advance, Bian Ji didn’t expose Yan Ankuo’s antics.

The chief steward stood as usual in his dark blue uniform, greeting each passenger warmly at the cabin door.

Yan Ankuo pushed the couple’s matching luggage, wearing the scarf and gloves Bian Ji gave him, holding the roses prepared for Bian Ji, waving ceremoniously to the chief steward of this flight.

Bian Ji could smell the rose fragrance and recognize the arrival, unable to feign surprise but expressing joy without pretense. His eyes curved into a smile, repeating the phrase he never tired of saying, “Hello, welcome aboard.”

Thus, the two met again on the flight, about to watch the magnificent sea of clouds over the Pennine Mountains together.