49: Gesang flower

The Designated Driver pushed his small electric bike, which he treasured like a priceless gem, toward the back of the car.

Facing this colossal beast worth tens of millions, he was truly meticulous, terrified that the pedals or handlebars of the electric bike might scratch the luxury car's paint —a damage he couldn't afford even if he sold himself.

He folded the electric bike, held it carefully with both hands, and gently placed it into the spacious trunk, even using his own towel to cushion the edges.

"To Yuanchen Guanhai Villa District."

Jiang Yuan opened the rear passenger door and then sat inside.

"Alright, Boss, please hold tight."

The Designated Driver took a deep breath, adjusted the seat and rearview mirrors, started the ignition, and shifted gears, his movements as precise as if he were taking a driving test.

The brabus started smoothly and merged into traffic.

The sudden downpour earlier had come quickly and left just as fast. Although the ground was still wet, reflecting the neon streetlights, the air was exceptionally clear.

Because the rain had stopped, people who had been cooped up indoors poured out.

The coastal boardwalk was filled with citizens and tourists out for a stroll and to aid digestion.

Some were walking dogs, others were holding up phones to stream the night view. The sea breeze, carrying a coolness, blew through the half-open window, dispersing the faint lingering scent of hotpot inside the car.

Jiang Yuan leaned back against the leather seat, watching the streetscape retreat outside the window, his expression lazy.

Yuanchen Guanhai Villa District is a wealthy area by the sea, but units are often rented out, so a night isn't terribly expensive —only about ten thousand yuan.

With prime sea views and the beach right outside the door, it was perfect for a vacation.

Before long, they arrived at the villa district. The guard only allowed them entry after verifying Jiang Yuan was a resident here. After several turns, they finally reached the residence.

This was a three-story detached villa, part of the row closest to the sea. The scenery and location were excellent, with the ocean only dozens of meters away.

However, Jiang Yuan was not in the mood to look at the sea right now; having drunk alcohol, he felt somewhat feverish.

Jiang Yuan paid the designated driving fee, casually tipped an extra two hundred yuan, and sent the profusely thankful young man away.

"Let's go, mistress."

Jiang Yuan entered the password, and the heavy front door opened in response.

The whole-house smart system sensed the owner's return; lights instantly illuminated layer by layer, and the curtains automatically drew open slowly.

Gu Xinyu walked into the house and was instantly stunned by the sight before her.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling glass wall of the huge, high-ceilinged living room was the unobstructed, dark, and deep ocean. The sound of waves crashing against the reefs was clearly audible, creating a much greater impact than viewing it from a high-rise hotel. (A fabrication; I don't know if such a place exists in Qingdao.)

"Do you like it?"

Jiang Yuan wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder, his warm breath fanning her ear.

"I like it..."

Gu Xinyu looked at the sea outside the window, her voice slightly wavering.

"If you like it, we can come often."

Jiang Yuan's hand mischievously traced upward along her waistline, his voice low and hoarse, "But now, it's time for us to... continue."

Gu Xinyu's body went soft. She hooked her arms around his neck and actively offered her red lips.

Outside the window, the waves surged violently.

Inside the house, the scene of passion surpassed the sea view... After the passion subsided, the room was filled with a lazy atmosphere following intimacy.

Two hours later, Jiang Yuan leaned against the headboard, holding his phone and scrolling aimlessly.

He was currently experiencing a "happy dilemma."

He felt drawn both to the mild South to see the misty mountains and rivers, and to the desolate and magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Northwest and Southwest.

Since he couldn't have both, he was temporarily caught in a dilemma, his finger scrolling rapidly across the screen without clicking into any video for a closer look.

"What's wrong, Brother Jiang?"

Gu Xinyu curled up in Jiang Yuan's arms like a lazy kitten, her ink-black hair spread across her fair skin.

She watched Jiang Yuan, his brow slightly furrowed, swiping his finger back and forth across the screen with apparent enjoyment, which made her curious.

"Nothing much, just thinking about where to go next for fun."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and sighed, "My decision paralysis has kicked in."

Just then, it was as if Big Data had heard his thoughts.

With a light swipe of his finger, a new video entered his sight, instantly capturing Jiang Yuan's attention.

It was a shocking and moving scene.

The majestic snow mountain resembled a pyramid left by God on earth, its body forming a perfect triangle, entirely white, piercing the clouds.

At the foot of the mountain was a river so clear that you could see the bottom, blue like a massive piece of jade.

The lakeside meadows were emerald green, dotted with wildflowers, creating an extreme visual contrast with the distant, austere glacier.

The video's BGM flowed slowly, accompanied by a caption that made hearts tremble:

[Sir, I cannot leave the Divine Mountain. Please take a sprig of gesang flower with you.]

It was poignant and beautiful, sacred, and carried an unspeakable sense of destiny.

"Is this... Mount Sap?"

Gu Xinyu's eyes lit up. She peered out from Jiang Yuan's embrace, her voice filled with surprise, "It's so beautiful, like a painting."

"You know this place?"

Jiang Yuan turned his head and looked at her, slightly surprised.

"I've scrolled past it. After all, it's been the hottest 'King of Divine Mountains' for the past couple of years."

Gu Xinyu smiled, drawing circles lightly on Jiang Yuan's chest with her finger. "And, I also know that the gesang flower mentioned in the video's background music has a very touching story behind it."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Jiang Yuan became interested, put down his phone, and played with her beautiful hair with one hand. "What kind of story could a single flower have?"

"The gesang flower is also called 'Gesang Meiduo' in Tibetan."

Gu Xinyu's voice was soft, like the night wind outside the window. "In the Tibetan Ethnic Group, 'Gesang' represents beautiful times and happiness, and 'Meiduo' means flower."

"Together, it means the flower that carries hopes of happiness and beauty."

"Its flower language is —Cherish the person before you."

She looked up, gazing gently at Jiang Yuan. "So, on the plateau, any wildflower that is tenacious and carries people's good wishes can be called a gesang flower."

Jiang Yuan suddenly realized that the gesang flower was not a specific plant but a symbol of spirit.

"Moreover, there is a widely circulated legend about a highly virtuous monk regarding it."

Gu Xinyu continued to narrate slowly, like telling a bedtime story.

"Legend has it that a long, long time ago, a terrible plague broke out in the Tibetan Region. People died in droves, and the local leader worried until his hair turned white, yet he was helpless."

"Until one day, a highly virtuous monk from a distant land passed through the area."

"Using a plant growing locally, he miraculously cured the infected people."

"However, the highly virtuous monk toiled day and night to treat the common people, eventually falling ill from overwork and sadly passing away."

"Because of the language barrier, the only impression the locals had of the highly virtuous monk was the word 'Gesang' that he often chanted —which was the name of the life-saving herb."

"Therefore, to commemorate him, people respectfully referred to him as 'Gesang Living Buddha'."

"From then on, the beautiful flowers on the grassland gained a name: Gesang Meiduo."

Gu Xinyu spoke slowly, her voice carrying a trace of reverence and yearning for the legend.

Jiang Yuan listened, remained silent for a few seconds, and then a determined smile curved his lips.

"Alright, no need to struggle with the choice."

He decided, "The next stop will be Tibet. We'll drive ourselves to see that Divine Mountain."