Suddenly Feeling Life Has Purpose Again

"No way!!"

Hearing Pan Ning's affirmative reply, Liu Bo propped his chin on his hand and fell into deep thought. At that moment, a trace of intense excitement could be seen in his eyes.

"Pan-jie, are you talking about Qiangtang and Hoh Xil uninhabited areas?" Ji Bo asked Pan Ning.

Pan Ning shook her head. "Qiangtang is correct, but Hoh Xil is in Qinghai—though they’re pretty close. The other one I mentioned is the Ali uninhabited area."

"Oh, I guess I need to brush up on my geography. But it sounds pretty interesting! I’ve seen a lot of people teaming up to cross uninhabited zones online. Still, isn’t it dangerous?"

Before Pan Ning could answer, Su Yang cut in, "Of course it is! They’re called uninhabited areas for a reason. Harsh environments, no signal—that’s just the basics. Plus, the Tibetan region has high altitudes, and those uninhabited zones are full of wild, dangerous animals. What do you think?"

"Damn! So there’s a chance we might not make it back?"

Su Yang glanced at Ji Bo and teased, "If you’re scared, you don’t have to go. Those places are brutal. With your skinny frame, you might not survive—might really be a one-way trip. You’re better off staying in the city."

Hearing this, Ji Bo’s facial muscles twitched involuntarily. He clenched his fists and declared, "Who said I’m scared? It’s just an uninhabited area—if you guys go, I’m going too! How bad could it be?"

Su Yang chuckled and leaned back on the sofa. "Alright then, you’re in."

After pondering for a while, Liu Bo looked up and said, "Perfect! Let’s do it—cross the uninhabited zone. Here’s my idea: we’ll drive into Tibet first, spend a couple of days in Lhasa, then head to Qiangtang, cross the uninhabited area into Xinjiang, and finally visit Sayram Lake."

"That’s a solid plan. Let’s tentatively go with it, and we can fine-tune the route in the next couple of days," Su Yang said calmly.

Liu Bo waved his hands impatiently. "Come on, Yang-ge, why wait? Let’s grab dinner, then find a place tonight to finalize the route. We can prep our gear tomorrow and set off the day after!"

Su Yang sighed in amusement. "What’s the rush?"

"Just thinking about those breathtaking landscapes makes me want to leave right now. I can’t wait!"

Liu Bo then turned to Pan Ning. "Saozi, you feel the same way, right? Let’s just go for it!"

Pan Ning nodded. "Yeah, I agree."

Liu Bo grinned at Su Yang. "See? Saozi’s on board!"

Su Yang relented. "Fine. Then tonight, we’ll grab drinks and hash out the details."

"Hell yeah!" Liu Bo shouted, jumping up excitedly.

The others shot him disapproving looks, and Zhang Ziming yanked him back onto the sofa. "Chill out, man. Sit down."

"Come on, I’m pumped! Feels like I’ve got a new purpose in life!"

"Is it really that big a deal?"

"Absolutely! You don’t get how much I yearn to see our country’s majestic landscapes."

Liu Bo then turned to Zhang Ziming. "So, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Are you coming or not?"

"What do you think? You really think I’d miss this? If I don’t go, I’m afraid you guys won’t make it out alive."

"Oh? So you’ve been there before?"

Zhang Ziming shook his head. "Nope."

"Then what’s the point of bragging?"

"Hey, I’m just saying—this kind of trip needs me. There aren’t many guys in our group, and if the car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, at least I know my way around engines. I’ll be the MVP."

"Pfft. What about Yi Xue? You’re just gonna leave her behind?"

Zhang Ziming thought for a moment. "Well, her grandpa’s got some family stuff going on, so she probably can’t make it. I’ll ask her later. If she can come, great. If not, I’ll go in her place."

"Alright, let’s confirm the headcount then," Liu Bo said, looking around.

Su Yang considered it. "Everyone here is in. Old Meng’s coming too, and Qianyu. The rest are the girls from the group chat—just ask in the chat."

"Got it, I’ll do it now."

Liu Bo pulled out his phone, opened the WeChat group, and started typing.

Meanwhile, Chu Qiunan, who had been silently listening to the conversation, fidgeted in his seat, looking like he wanted to say something but was too hesitant.

Su Yang had noticed this earlier. While Liu Bo was texting, he turned to Chu Qiunan and grinned. "Chu-xiong, got something to say?"

"Huh? N-no, not really."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Alright. Why are you sitting so far away? Come over and have some tea."

"Oh, sure." Chu Qiunan stood up, glanced at the group, and moved to a sofa closer to the tea table.

Su Yang smiled and poured him a cup.

"Drink up."

"Thanks."

......

The WeChat group was already buzzing.

Liu Bo had @'ed everyone about the road trip plan, but so far, only Lu Yun, Xia Keke, and Han Xiaoyu had replied—all saying they couldn’t make it.

Liu Bo called out to Su Yang, "Yang-ge, check your phone!"

"Oh, right."

Su Yang pulled out his phone and skimmed the messages.

Lu Yun: I’d love to go too~ But we just got a new colleague, and I’m training her right now. Probably can’t make it this time.

Liu Bo: Isn’t Yang-ge the boss? Just ask him for time off.

Lu Yun: Nah, we just went on a trip last time. This one’s at least half a month—it’d look bad if I disappeared again.

Liu Bo: What’s there to worry about? Hold on.

Su Yang smirked and typed: Xiao Lu, don’t stress about it. I’ll talk to Chen Guowei. Just bring Little Yu along.

Lu Yun: Su Yang, it’s not just that. If I take Little Yu on a trip right after she started, people will talk. Even though it’s your restaurant, we’re still employees. We should act like it.

Lu Yun: Besides, Little Yu’s really into learning the ropes right now. She’s always asking me questions, and I want to teach her as much as possible. We’re both trying to improve and learn from Chen and the others. So this time, I’ll pass.

Reading her message, Su Yang understood. To him, the restaurant was just a side thing—he could easily approve leave with a word, and no one would dare complain.

But for the girls, especially Lu Yun, it was different. To them, this was a serious job—one they took pride in. If they kept taking off for trips, it would raise eyebrows.

Maybe later, when they were more experienced, he could promote them to managerial roles or put them in charge of a new branch. Then, it wouldn’t matter.

After thinking for a moment, Su Yang replied: "You... really not coming?"

Lu Yun: "Not this time~ But next time you guys organize a trip, I’ll definitely join!!"

Su Yang shrugged with a helpless smile, exchanged a glance with Liu Bo, and replied: "Alright then. If you run into any issues at work, just talk to Chen Guowei directly. If he gives you any attitude or anything, come to me!"

Lu Yun: [Cute emoji] "Got it~"

Han Xiaoyu: "I’d love to go~ But this trip is even longer, so I can’t make it again. Ugh~"

Xia Keke: "Same here. My company’s super busy right now. But next time you plan something, I’ll definitely take time off to join you~"

Su Yang: "Sounds good~"

After chatting in the group for a while, Tang Ziyun and Ye Wan, who had been silent until then, finally chimed in.

Tang Ziyun: "I can go~~"

Su Yang: "Then we’ll count you in."

Han Xiaoyu: "So jealous~"

Ye Wan: "I’ve got stuff going on lately, so I can’t make it either~"

Su Yang: "Alright, fine. But let’s agree on this—next time we have a group activity, everyone in this chat has to participate."

The others: "OK!!"

After the group chat ended, Su Yang closed the messaging app.

He thought for a moment, then privately messaged Tang Ziyun.

"Let’s meet up tonight to discuss this. You free?"

"Sure~"

"Cool. I’ll send you the location once it’s settled."

"Sounds good~"

...