vstars Chapter 132 Yanshiping Town
Chapter 132 Yanshiping Town
Adventures in Andor: A brown bear's night visit and a terrifying RV experience
The road from Anduo to Yanshiping Town seemed deliberately wrought into its rugged form by nature, its washboard-like surface causing the cars to creak and squeak. Li Fugui and Xiao Taojie's RV led the way, like a strange ark slicing through the waves. Zhang Tingjian and Zhang Nan set up their tripods inside, their cameras trained on the fleeting wilderness outside, capturing the bumpy and majestic scenery of the journey. Zhang Bei's pickup truck trailed closely behind. Xiao Xing, holding her panda dog, Abao, would occasionally poke her head out, coughing in the cold wind, her hair tangled in the wind.
Sister Xiaotao had her eyes glued to the window the whole way, muttering, "It would be nice to have a bear. It's furry, silly, and so adorable to look at." Li Fugui had been hearing this all the way, and he started to think about it. When the car was about to reach Yanshiping Town, he found a time to stop and rest, pulled Zhang Bei over and whispered, "Brother, stay in the car tonight and give the RV to Sister Xiaotao. She has been longing to see a bear, and there might be one nearby. Let's make her wish come true." Zhang Bei was reluctant at first, as a pickup truck is not as comfortable as an RV. But he couldn't resist Li Fugui's nagging, and seeing Sister Xiaotao's eyes full of expectation, he gritted his teeth and agreed.
The Origin of Yanshiping Town
Yanshiping Town is located in the heart of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, on the northern foot of the Tanggula Mountains. This land has a unique and long past, and its origins carry many stories over the long river of time.
Long ago, this region was a natural pasture for nomadic peoples. The vast Qiangtang Grasslands were traversed by herders, herding their herds of cattle and sheep, following the path of water and grass. Beneath the azure sky, tents dotted the landscape, and melodious pastoral songs drifted in the breeze. Because of its strategic location on a major transportation route, connecting northern Tibet with Qinghai, Gansu, and other regions, small settlements gradually emerged, serving as a resting place for passing merchants and travelers, and a place to exchange supplies.
The poetic name "Yanshiping" is said to originate from a hill near the town that resembles a boulder that wild geese rest on. During migration season, flocks of wild geese fly over the snow-capped mountains, stopping around the boulder to rest and feed. The scene is spectacular, and the herders spread the word, and "Yanshiping" gradually became the nickname for the area.
In modern times, construction of the Qinghai-Tibet Highway began, winding through the area like a giant dragon, transforming Yanshiping Town. Construction teams set up camp there, bringing in large numbers of people and supplies. After the project's completion, supply stations, auto repair shops, and restaurants sprang up to ensure smooth highway travel and serve travelers, marking the beginning of the town's growth. Subsequently, mineral exploration and mining in the surrounding area injected new vitality into the area, attracting miners, expanding the residential area, and improving infrastructure.
Tibetan culture is deeply ingrained in the town's roots. Local traditional festivals are bustling, horse races are ablaze, and Tibetan opera performances feature melodious singing and dazzling costumes. The shimmering golden roofs of temples and the lingering sound of lamas chanting soothe the hearts of residents and imbue the town with a sense of peace and tranquility. Through the ages, Yanshiping Town has evolved from a primitive pasture settlement to a bustling transportation hub and a distinctive town. Quietly standing on the plateau, it has witnessed the footsteps of countless travelers pursuing their dreams and continues to write its own legend.
Night, like thick ink, quickly engulfed the desolate countryside surrounding Yanshiping Town. The RV sat quietly in the open, surrounded by rustling, dry grass. The distant mountains, shrouded in darkness, resembled a prehistoric beast lurking in the darkness. Zhang Bei, Xiao Xing, and A Bao climbed into the RV, and the small space instantly became crowded. Everyone sat in a circle, chatting casually, the warm yellow light barely creating a small, cozy space.
Zhang Tingjian was fiddling with his livestreaming equipment, joking in a low voice, "It's a wild place out here tonight, maybe there'll be a surprise." Before he could finish his words, several dark figures flashed past the car window, their bodies large and their steps heavy. Zhang Nan gasped, his hands gripping A Bao like a pair of pliers. A Bao whimpered softly, and Xiao Xing's eyes widened, unconsciously leaning towards Zhang Bei. Zhang Bei frowned, sighed softly, and raised his hand to turn off most of the lights in the car, leaving only the small red dot on the camera flickering faintly, like a pair of eyes peering into the dark night.
Almost instantly, three brown bears appeared in front of the car, one large and two small, their furry outlines outlined in the moonlight. The mother bear was a powerful figure, surveying the surroundings with an awe-inspiring presence; the two cubs followed closely behind, naive yet curious, occasionally standing up and shaking their heads. Everyone in the car held their breath, their heartbeats amplified in the silence. Zhang Bei leaned close to the window and whispered, "Hold still, don't startle them." But his hands clenched unconsciously, his knuckles turning white.
Zhang Tingjian reacted quickly and quickly turned on the livestream, focusing the camera on the brown bear family outside the window. His voice trembled slightly, "Look out, brothers and sisters! Wild brown bears! You don't see them often!" Comments of the audience instantly streamed in, filled with exclamations and concerns. The gift effects flashed dazzlingly, but no one dared to cheer loudly. Zhang Nan bit his lip, tears welling in his eyes. A-Bao, in his arms, was much more composed, his dark eyes fixed on the brown bears, occasionally whimpering.
A family of brown bears seemed to be patrolling their territory. The mother bear leaned over to sniff the tire, casually scraping the ground with her paws, kicking up dust. The cubs played with each other, rolling in a ball, their furry figures like nimble furballs in the moonlight. Sister Tao covered her mouth, her eyes filled with surprise and shock. She leaned forward, almost pressing herself against the window, her fear completely forgotten. Li Fugui gently put his arm around her shoulders, silently comforting her.
Time seemed to freeze. A few minutes passed, and the brown bear seemed tired. The mother bear called out a few times and slowly disappeared into the darkness with her cubs. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and slumped down where they were, their backs already soaked with cold sweat. Zhang Bei wiped the sweat from his forehead and said with a wry smile, "Good boy, this wish fulfillment is so exciting!" Xiao Xing patted her chest and said coquettishly, "I almost got scared, but it was so spectacular, it was worth it!"
Zhang Tingjian stared at the live broadcast data and smiled from ear to ear: "This live broadcast was a hit! I received a lot of gifts and the number of fans increased a lot." Li Fugui waved his hand: "Don't worry about the money for now. It is luck and fate that we encountered this rare thing. We must promote the protection of wild animals in the future." Everyone nodded, and the atmosphere in the RV changed from tense to emotional in an instant.
Later that night, sleepiness faded, and everyone gathered to review the video footage. Moonlight streamed through the car window, casting awe-struck faces. This brown bear's nighttime visit became an unforgettable surprise of the trip, more breathtaking than any other scenery. As the sky began to break, the RV started up again, heading deeper into Yanshiping Town. Carrying this adventure with us, we headed for the next unknown. The wheels rolled, crushing any remaining fear in the night, and embarking on a new journey, like travelers carrying a treasure, full of hope for more such awe-inspiring encounters ahead.
For the rest of the trip, the brown bear's nighttime visit became a recurring legend. Every time they stopped to rest, nearby travelers gathered around after hearing about it. Zhang Tingjian would play the video of that night over and over again, vividly describing the details. Sister Tao would add in the bear's adorable antics, her eyes sparkling. Zhang Bei would hold Abao in his arms, and Abao seemed to understand, barking occasionally, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Arriving at the market in Yanshiping Town, local Tibetans, upon hearing about their journey, enthusiastically invited them to drink butter tea and try yak jerky. They gave them a thumbs-up and said, "You are blessed! The brown bear showed up; it's the blessing of the sacred mountain!" They also presented them with several hand-woven, multicolored ropes, wishing them a safe journey. Li Fugui and his companions solemnly accepted them and tied them around their wrists. The vibrant colors shone brightly in the sunlight, seeming to carry the warmest friendships and adventures of their journey.
After resting and setting off again, the scenery outside the car window rapidly receded. The mountains, grasslands, and streams remained as magnificent, but everyone felt a strange sense of worry. Xiao Xing kept muttering, "I wonder how the three brown bears are doing, if they're well fed." Zhang Bei smiled and replied, "Don't worry, this wilderness is their home, and they're perfectly content." The RV and pickup truck, one in front and one behind, carried the lively atmosphere of Yanshiping Town, the blessings of the Tibetans, and the night shadows of brown bears as they raced towards the skyline, heading for the next Tibetan wonder. The dust kicked up by their wheels seemed to sow the seeds of adventure along the way, and they hoped that they would blossom into more breathtaking surprises in the future.