82: Gesanglam

Night fell, and the city lights began to glow.

Jiang Yuan did not drive the overly conspicuous 'guardian' RV.

That behemoth of steel was practically a roadblock on the streets of Lhasa, far less convenient than a taxi. It was only suitable for driving in the wilderness.

The taxi pulled to a smooth stop in front of the InterContinental Resort Lhasa Paradise.

Before he could even push the door open, Jiang Yuan saw the group of people waiting under the portico through the car window.

Dorje stood at the forefront, accompanied by several middle-aged men of similar age.

All of them wore exquisitely crafted traditional Tibetan robes, with expensive prayer beads coiled around their wrists. Their every movement exuded the steady aura of those long accustomed to high positions.

Having such a wealthy boss personally welcome a guest in the cold wind was an exceptionally grand gesture.

Jiang Yuan pushed the car door open and stepped out.

For the banquet, he had specifically changed into a master-level casual suit custom-made by the system.

It appeared to have no conspicuous logos, but the top-tier tailoring and the subtly flowing texture of the fabric under the light silently spoke of the outfit's value.

Facing a gathering of formally dressed Tibetan luminaries, he was not overshadowed in the slightest; instead, he carried an added air of composed nobility.

Besides those gentlemen, there was another particularly eye-catching figure standing beside Dorje.

It was a Tibetan girl, around twenty years old.

A fitted Tibetan robe in black and white perfectly outlined her tall, slender figure.

Her facial features were deep and three-dimensional, possessing the distinctive contours of Tibetan people, yet adorned with delicate, understated makeup.

A pair of green turquoise earrings swayed gently in the evening breeze on her earlobes, and a traditional amber talisman necklace hung around her neck, setting off her snow-white skin.

Unlike the common 'plateau blush,' her skin was fair and delicate, clearly the result of meticulous care.

Yet, standing there, she still exuded a quality that women from the Jiangnan region lacked.

It was a unique wildness and sharpness belonging to the snowy plateau, like a gesang flower blooming on a cliff edge.

A beauty that was bold and brimming with vitality.

"Brother Jiang! You must be tired from the journey!"

Dorje strode forward, gripping Jiang Yuan's hands tightly with an enthusiasm as if meeting a long-lost brother.

"Come, let me introduce you."

He turned slightly, gesturing to the men beside him.

"Dawa Tashi, Basang Nyima, Sonam Dondrup. These are my best friends in Lhasa, and old business partners."

The middle-aged Tibetan men stepped forward one by one, their eyes appraising Jiang Yuan with goodwill and a touch of curiosity.

After brief greetings and handshakes, Dorje's gaze fell on the girl beside him, his eyes filled with affection.

"This is my daughter, Kelsang Lhamo."

Kelsang Lhamo took a step forward, looking at Jiang Yuan with graceful composure, a bright smile playing on her lips.

"Hello, I'm Jiang Yuan."

Jiang Yuan gave a slight nod, his gaze clear, responding politely with neither subservience nor arrogance.

Everyone took their seats, and the atmosphere in the private room quickly warmed up.

Waiters filed in, placing a succession of exquisite dishes on the dining table.

In addition to authentic Tibetan dishes like hand-grabbed mutton, stone-pot chicken, and cold-tossed yak tongue, Dorje had specifically instructed the kitchen to prepare several delicate Huaiyang and Sichuan dishes.

This meticulous consideration fully demonstrated the importance he placed on Jiang Yuan.

During the banquet, the seating arrangement was also carefully considered.

Jiang Yuan was honored as the guest of honor. To his left sat Dorje's business partner Basang Nyima, and to his right sat the wild-beauty Kelsang Lhamo.

Uncle Dorje sat cheerfully on the other side of his daughter, looking every bit the parent watching a show.

"Jiang Yuan, what do you do for work?"

Kelsang Lhamo turned her head, her bright eyes fixed directly on Jiang Yuan.

Her tone was straightforward and light, without the probing of business dealings or those cumbersome honorifics.

In her eyes, Jiang Yuan was simply a new friend she had just met.

This long-absent sense of equality and genuineness made Jiang Yuan feel a wave of relaxation.

"I have a small company."

Jiang Yuan picked up a piece of tender stone-pot chicken with his chopsticks and explained casually:

"But I don't usually manage things. I'm just responsible for investing money. You could say I'm a hands-off boss."

The Prosperous Stars Foundation was managed by Gu Xinyu. He really hadn't worried about anything except transferring funds.

"Oh, I see."

Kelsang Lhamo nodded thoughtfully, then a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes:

"I haven't left Lhasa much, especially to go exploring in uninhabited places. Could you take me along to play sometime in the future?"

She looked at Jiang Yuan, her eyes as clear as the waters of Namtso Lake.

It was a look Jiang Yuan rarely saw in the world of fame and fortune—pure, clean, untainted by any utilitarian impurities.

Faced with such a gaze, it was hard for anyone to utter a refusal.

"Well..."

Jiang Yuan gave a dry laugh, his gaze shifting past Kelsang Lhamo to Dorje on the other side:

"That would depend on whether Uncle Dorje gives permission, haha."

He cleverly passed the ball to the parent.

He had thought Dorje would tactfully refuse. After all, letting his precious daughter run around with a man still carried risks.

Unexpectedly, Dorje set down his wine glass, glanced at Jiang Yuan, his face full of smiles.

"If you don't find this girl troublesome, I have no objections."

Dorje's words were straightforward.

As someone with a bit of a reputation in Lhasa, he had seen all kinds of people.

He didn't care how much money Jiang Yuan had, because he wasn't short of money himself.

What he valued was character.

From the chivalrous assistance on the rough road in Danba, to the kindness shown to Tsering in Jiaju Tibetan Village, to the composure in facing everyone without being swayed by praise or criticism.

This young man's quality of character was the most difficult and precious thing to find.

Entrusting his daughter to such a person to broaden her horizons, he felt completely at ease.

"Yay! Dad is the best!"

Kelsang Lhamo cheered, picking up the juice in front of her to toast Jiang Yuan.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere was lively.

Jiang Yuan set down his chopsticks, wiped his mouth, and spoke casually.

"Brother Dorje, everyone."

"I actually have another goal for coming to Lhasa this time."

"Tomorrow, I plan to head to Tingri County. I want to challenge myself to summit Mount Everest."

As soon as the words fell, the previously noisy private room instantly fell silent.

The uncles who had been playing finger-guessing games and drinking froze mid-action.

"Summit... Mount Everest?"

Basang Nyima's eyes widened, his intoxication instantly half gone.

Although commercial climbs on Mount Everest were quite mature, this was absolutely not like going for a stroll in the park.

That was a no-man's-land for life.

At an altitude of 8,848 meters, even the oxygen was thin enough to be fatal.

Add to that unpredictable blizzards, avalanches, crevasses... many bodies were left up there every year.

"Brother Jiang, this is no joking matter."

"Yes, the recent weather window is unstable, and you haven't done any acclimatization training..."

They all began to dissuade him one after another, their words full of concern.

Born and raised on the plateau, they understood the majesty and terror of that sacred mountain better than anyone.

Looking at their anxious expressions, Jiang Yuan felt a warmth in his heart, but his eyes were exceptionally firm.

"Don't worry, I know my limits."

"Since I'm here, I should at least go see the highest place."

Seeing those calm yet burning eyes of his, Dorje opened his mouth but ultimately swallowed his words of dissuasion.

He knew that once a man with that look in his eyes made a decision, not even nine oxen could pull him back.

"Alright."

Dorje took a deep breath and picked up a full glass of barley wine.

"Since your mind is made up, we won't stop you."

"This glass of wine is to your courage! May you return safely!"

"tashi delek!"