Chapter 40

Chapter 40

At the end of September, the rainy season in Kekexili had just passed, and the air was cold.

Qu Yixian had just gotten out of the car when a strong wind swept across the plain from the end of the snow-capped mountains. The chill cut through her, stinging her cheeks.

She hissed, lowering her head to zip up her jacket, shielding her face.

They had arrived early; the protection station hadn’t opened yet. Only a police car was parked in the open space at the entrance, with a flag fluttering in the wind.

Qu Yixian walked ahead of Jiang Yun, introducing: “This is the main entrance. The row of small houses next to it is the guest lodge for tourists and drivers on the Qinghai-Tibet route.”

Since Kekexili was banned from being traversed, fewer and fewer caravans went deep inside. The convoy leaders treated the Sonandaje Protection Station as the last stop in Kekexili—pulling guests here to take photos, sell the nostalgia, and then take them back.

No one dared to let guests stay overnight at over 4,000 meters in Kekexili.

“That row of tin houses is the wildlife rescue center.” Qu Yixian turned in place, lifting her chin to point at the prairie-colored sign: “There are many such signs along this road, showing the contact number for the protection station.”

She spotted Fu Xun and teased: “Look, this gentleman used to volunteer at the protection station. Let him tell you—it’ll be way more vivid than what I can say.”

Fu Xun had just finished his cigarette, lips a little dry. Hearing this, he glanced at Qu Yixian and asked, “What do you want to know?”

Jiang Yun, one step behind Qu Yixian and walking at a distance of three Yuan Ye’s lengths from him, saw that he didn’t even glance at her and directly asked Qu Yixian, pursing her lips, lowering the corners of her mouth.

She didn’t dare speak to Fu Xun. Unlike Qu Yixian, who would immediately snap back at words she didn’t like, Fu Xun’s coldness was real. A single glance from him could freeze her heartbeat.

Especially now… he was talking to Qu Yixian. She dared not interrupt.

Seeing Jiang Yun silent, Qu Yixian asked herself: “Which part was later expanded? I heard a lot of money was invested, but it still looks so shabby…”

Fu Xun’s steps halted, and he stood in place: “Qu Yixian, come here.”

The serious tone made Qu Yixian realize she had spoken out of turn. She walked over, and before she could even put on a smile, Fu Xun grabbed the hood of her jacket and pulled it over her head.

Her vision went dark. When she pushed the hood aside, Fu Xun stood by the solar panel near the stone monument and said: “The protection station was established through Mr. Yang Xin selling his works for charity—you know that, right?”

“That was in ’97.” Fu Xun’s tone was flat, lazy: “By ’98, with various contributions, solar and wind power equipment, a high-altitude observation tower, a kitchen, a bathroom, and additional solar and wind power devices were installed.”

“If ’98 counts as meeting basic living conditions, ’99 improved infrastructure, and by the end of ’00, it was equipped with a computer, satellite phone, and a Beijing Jeep. At that time, Sonandaje Protection Station had the best equipment among all units in the Yangtze River source area.”

Fu Xun glanced at her and added: “By ’17, seven million had been invested in renovations, and the expanded building area reached over 2,000 square meters. Decades and generations of effort.”

Qu Yixian: “…My apologies.” She cursed her loose tongue.

Fu Xun didn’t pick on her. Over the past four years, because of him, Qu Yixian had a unique perspective on Sonandaje and was entitled to feel something.

He thought for a moment and asked: “You’ve never even gone inside, right?”

Qu Yixian wanted to argue, but Fu Xun didn’t give her the chance: “There’s a small ecological exhibition inside the protection station. Do you even know what’s on display?”

Bringing out a quiz?

Qu Yixian shook her head, dragging her voice: “I don’t know.”

Fu Xun nodded and called Yuan Ye: “Take Jiang Yun inside for a tour. When you come out, tell Qu Yixian what’s in there.”

Yuan Ye, enjoying the scene, was startled when called and laughed, his eyes squinting. He raised a hand to signal Jiang Yun: “Come on, come on, brother will give you a quick intro.”

He happened to find the outside cold anyway.

Qu Yixian: “…”

She had only muttered a comment, and Fu Xun held a grudge that much?

Still, she felt at fault and stayed silent, spending the time looking over the stone monument carefully from start to finish while Yuan Ye and Jiang Yun explored.

Fu Xun stood two steps away from her. When he glanced sideways, he could see the pale skin behind her ear as she looked down at the monument. In the sunlight, it was smooth, fair, translucent like congealed cream, subtly reflecting light.

Most guides, though rarely female, had darker skin. Even without comparison, Fu Xun could tell Qu Yixian’s complexion was far fairer than average.

She didn’t really care about sun protection, wore sunglasses and a cap while guiding, sometimes arm sleeves to shield her arms. Her skin seemed naturally resistant to tanning. Through the peak tourist season, her skin tone hadn’t changed.

Qu Yixian noticed his gaze but didn’t turn her head.

Not far away, the wheels of a train on the Qinghai-Tibet Railway clicked as it moved, the vast grassland and sky so still it felt like a frozen film frame.

She calmly finished reading the content on the stone monument and turned to Fu Xun: “That year, what made you think of coming here as a volunteer?”

Fu Xun withdrew his gaze, his tone indifferent: “Forgot.” Maybe to change his mindset, or maybe he just wanted to volunteer. Four years had passed, and many things were already blurred.

He never remembered unimportant things for long.

Qu Yixian said “oh” and didn’t speak further.

Occasionally, off-road vehicles sped by on the highway, their dust stirred by the wind and hitting her face.

She spat twice and sat down by the monument. The warmth of the sunlight was as useless as the balance in her bank account.

After sitting a while, she couldn’t bear it. The wind was too cold; she sniffled and went back to the car.

Back in the driver’s seat, she was about to turn on the heater when a white, fluffy head popped up over the center console.

Diao Chan had been woken by the cold, her whole body shivering like leaves in the wind, staring up at her with her little furry head.

Qu Yixian said “hey”: “Why are you staying in the car?”

She raised the temperature and rolled down the passenger window, calling Fu Xun: “Hey, your ferret’s in the car.”

Fu Xun was playing with the cigarette case. Hearing her, he got into the car.

Diao Chan was freezing. Seeing him, she clambered against his pant leg, trying to jump onto his lap. Qu Yixian watched the little creature climb agilely onto Fu Xun’s thigh and whistled playfully: “You usually keep it like this?”

Fu Xun didn’t answer.

He picked up the ferret, holding it in his arms, and instead asked Qu Yixian: “See if you lost anything?”

Qu Yixian’s scalp tightened at the question. The memory of Diao Chan hiding her change resurfaced. She searched through the boxes, unable to resist: “Damn it.”

She had thought she couldn’t mistreat the little animal. Even though the heater was generous, the little thief had managed to hide her change again without her noticing.

“I haven’t even had time to deal with her yet. Isn’t it too early for the chicken breast feeding?” Qu Yixian glanced at Diao Chan’s small tail sticking out, restraining the urge to grab her for the pot, exhaling sharply: “What, does she have a rule for paying with money and meat?”

Fu Xun raised his eyes, meeting hers for a moment, explaining for Diao Chan: “It bit you this morning because it thought you were having a nightmare and wanted to wake you.”

Qu Yixian froze: “It said that?”

This ferret, which only makes “chitter” sounds when angry or happy, and “chitter-chitter-chitter” when amused or sulking—besides tattling, it could communicate with Fu Xun?

Fu Xun countered: “Otherwise?”

Qu Yixian already believed nine-tenths of it. When she saw in her dream that the cloud-hook jade pendant Fu Xun retrieved was identical to the small item she had bought a few days ago at the antique store in Xining, her heart raced, almost fainting.

Even recalling it now, her neck tingled and felt chilly.

She temporarily forgot to ask where Diao Chan had hidden her change again. Her mind was full of: “If the jade pendant in her hand really came from Xiang Xiaolong via Fu Xun, and is priceless, would she be breaking the law?”

But thinking further…

Everyone in the Dunhuang antique circle knew a genuine Hongshan culture cloud-hook jade pendant had appeared on the market. Could it really sell for three thousand to her?

That shop owner was clever, not likely to misjudge that badly.

She pondered this matter, feeling the need to clarify with Fu Xun.

But the misunderstanding between them had just been cleared, and the foundation of trust was still unstable. If it was true, would he think she and Xiang Xiaolong were in cahoots?

If that impression took hold first, her honesty would be no different from confessing. Fu Xun would think she admitted it just to save herself, and her reputation would be ruined.

Qu Yixian frowned.

She deliberated for a long time, then cautiously asked: “I have a friend. A few years ago she bought a small item at an antique shop, but she suspects it’s fake. Do you think she should have it appraised?”

Fu Xun raised an eyebrow: “Where, what kind of item, and what price?”

“I don’t quite remember. It seemed to be in a tourist city’s visitor center street. She bought a piece of jade. The owner said it was definitely jade, just quality varies. Wearing jade can nurture it; over time, it can become a protective charm. Even if deceived, it’s not really a loss…”

By this point, Qu Yixian barely needed to skirt around the question. She almost believed the jade was worth three thousand, not a penny more.

Fu Xun frowned and asked again: “The price?”

“Three thousand.”

Fu Xun quietly looked at her for a moment, not immediately exposing her, then asked for some details: “What about the jade quality? And the color?”

“Jade quality… I don’t know. The color is white, that kind with some glaze, a little aged-looking white.”

Fu Xun smiled, meaning something: “You know quite a bit.”

Qu Yixian gave a dry laugh: “I’ve seen it, I’ve seen it.”

“The shape?” Fu Xun’s voice lowered slightly, giving examples: “Jade comes in many shapes: Ruyi locks, hidden Eight Treasures, egrets holding flowers, entwined lotus, azure dragon teaching its child, dead wood meets spring. More common ones include cloud patterns, Guanyin, Buddha, green bamboo, and the twelve zodiac animals.”

“Which one does your friend have?”

Qu Yixian wasn’t sure if it was her illusion, but she felt Fu Xun emphasized the words “your friend” more heavily.

Seeing her not answer, Fu Xun asked again: “Receipt?”

“What receipt?” Qu Yixian asked.

Fu Xun smiled. The expression was a mix of frustration and helplessness, with a trace of disdain, exuding roguish charm.

His voice was low, carrying subtle strength, each word piercingly clear.

“Qu Yixian, you have a ready-made appraisal expert in front of you. What treasure do you want that you can’t get?”

“Whoever tricked you, I’ll help you settle it down to the last cent.”

Author’s note: Qu Yixian: I have my grievances.

Diao Mei: I also have my grievances.

Cute Peking University student: You’re both bitter, I’m sweet!