vstars Chapter 109 Heading to Batang
Chapter 109 Heading to Batang
318, heading towards Batang
The morning light, like a thin veil, quietly unveiled the mysteries of Litang. The cool air eagerly seeped into every crevice, carrying the uniquely chilly and clear air of the plateau. Sister Tao led the way, hurriedly strutting into the familiar sweet teahouse on the street. Steaming bowls of Tibetan noodles and butter tea were already waiting on the table, their lingering aroma instantly dispelling the chill.
Not long after, Li Fugui's sturdy figure walked in, holding a hand warmer carefully in his hand. Behind him followed Zhang Tingjian and Zhang Nan, both of whom had unconcealable excitement on their faces, like two deer entering the forest for the first time.
"Hurry up, eat it while it's hot, so we can get on with our journey!" Sister Tao shouted, quickly stuffing a chopstick of noodles into her mouth, her cheeks bulging like a greedy little hamster.
Li Fugui handed over the butter tea with a smile, "Dear, please go slowly and don't choke. We still have a long way to go to Batang." Zhang Tingjian and Zhang Nan smiled at each other and teased Sister Xiao Tao for being impatient. Their hands were not idle either. They imitated the locals and devoutly turned the prayer wheels to pray for the upcoming journey.
The car slowly drove out of Litang, rushing like an arrow from a bow towards the vast Maoya Grassland. The grassland looked like a golden paint palette overturned by nature, with withered yellow meadows spreading wantonly to the horizon. Herds of yaks, like frozen musical notes, were scattered leisurely among them, some lying down, some walking, each step creating a simple and leisurely rhythm.
"Stop the car, stop the car!" Sister Xiao Tao jumped out of the car like a lit firecracker, and plunged into the grass. Her hair was messed up by the wind and tangled with the grass strands.
Li Fugui shook his head helplessly, pulled out a thick blanket from the trunk, and ran after him, shouting, "Honey, it's so windy, don't catch a cold!"
Zhang Tingjian carried a camera, and the lens followed Xiao Taojie's nimble figure. The "click" sound continued, freezing her unrestrained posture of spinning and jumping on the grassland.
Zhang Nan leaned over and gently stroked the yak's thick fur, his eyes full of curiosity and tenderness. The yak mooed softly and exhaled warm breath, as if responding to this intimacy.
While everyone was having fun, a hole suddenly appeared in the clouds at the horizon, and sunlight poured in, covering the grassland with a dreamy golden gauze. Every blade of grass was inlaid with fine gold edges, and it sparkled brightly.
Sister Xiao Tao collapsed on the grass, gazing at the azure sky, and murmured, "This place is like a god's bed. Once I lie down in it, all my worries are shaken away."
Li Fugui sat down next to her and handed her the kettle. "Xiao Tao, there are more beautiful views in the back. We can't get drunk here."
We set off again, our car like a lone boat, cutting through the waves on the winding road. Sister Lakes, like two dazzling pearls lost in the world, suddenly came into view.
The lake water is as clear as a mirror, reflecting the snow-capped mountains. The white of the snow and the blue of the lake are intertwined, just like a quiet and cold ink painting. A hint of coolness rises from the lake, refreshing the heart.
Sister Tao tiptoed towards the lake, as if afraid to disturb the tranquility. Her fingertips lightly touched the water, and ripples spread out. "Tsk, this isn't lake water, it's clearly the tears of a fairy. So alluring."
Li Fugui talked about the origin of Sister Lake.
Long ago, on this plateau blessed by a sacred mountain, lived two tribes, led respectively by the beautiful and kindhearted Dolma and the passionate and brave Yangjin. Living side by side, the two tribes felt as close as family, and Dolma and Yangjin were as close as brothers, as close as twins.
One day, a devastating snowstorm suddenly struck the grasslands, freezing livestock to death, starving them of food, and spreading disease. The two tribes were in imminent danger. Drolma and Yangjin were distraught. Upon hearing that a mysterious mountain deity resided atop a distant snow-capped mountain, possessing the power to dispel the storm and heal the disease, they resolutely decided to embark on a journey to seek the deity.
Carrying meager supplies, they braved the biting cold wind as they trekked across the vast snow-capped mountains. Their hands and feet cracked, their provisions depleted, their bodies weighed down by the weight of lead. But whenever they felt like giving up, their encouraging glances rekindled a flame of hope. After enduring 81 trials and tribulations, they finally found the mountain god's abode.
The mountain god was moved by their sincerity and resilience, but he sighed helplessly, "I can save the tribe, but one of you must transform into a sacred lake, forever guarding this place, nourishing the mountains and rivers, and protecting all living things." Zhuoma and Yangjin looked at each other and, without hesitation, simultaneously offered to sacrifice themselves. The mountain god was moved and unleashed his magic. In an instant, the two transformed into two adjacent lakes, their waters as clear as their pure souls, their shimmering waters like their once lively eyes.
The snowstorm abruptly ended, and the warm sun pierced through the clouds, illuminating the lake with a golden glow that evoked their selfless love. The lake's waters flowed along the mountain streams, nourishing the land and bringing new life to the tribe. Livestock flourished, and flowers and grasses flourished. Since then, people have called the two lakes "Sister Lakes." During festivals, they come to the lakeside to pray and express gratitude for the two women's selfless protection. As the legend spreads through the ages, the Sister Lakes have become a timeless sacred sight on the plateau, a symbol of deep friendship and fearless devotion, quietly guarding the mountains and rivers year after year.
After hearing this, Zhang Tingjian was very excited. He quickly picked up his camera and looked for different angles, trying to capture every inch of the charm of the lake, switching between long focal length and short distance.
Zhang Nan squatted nearby, picking up a flat stone and skipping it across the surface. The stone's bouncing across the lake disrupted the stillness, prompting Sister Tao to feign anger and chase after her, intent on "teaching" her a lesson for this "troublemaker." Li Fugui leaned against the car, watching the three playful people, his smile blooming like the warm sun, melting the coolness of the landscape.
Just as I was lost in thought, the sound of clear bells approached from afar. It was a group of cyclists, swept up with the wind and courage. Their faces were dark, etched with determination, their clothes soaked with sweat, and their backpacks were overflowing with stories from their journey.
Sister Xiao Tao hurried over, handing over mineral water and energy bars, her eyes full of admiration: "Oh, you guys are amazing! You must have suffered so much in the wind and sun all the way here!"
The cyclists grinned, revealing their white teeth, and shared the thrill of flat tires and climbing hills on the road, as well as the romance of encountering the beautiful sunset. Those stories were like jumping sparks, falling into the hearts of Sister Xiaotao and her group, igniting a deeper desire for the journey.
Drive past the cyclists, and the road ahead becomes increasingly dangerous. On one side, there are cliffs carved by knives and rocks, and on the other side, there is a deep valley, like the mouth of a giant beast swallowing the sky.
Li Fugui gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white, beads of sweat on his forehead. The car carefully maneuvered around the bend, the tires rustling as they rolled over stones. The three people in the back seat fell silent, their hearts in their throats. They gripped the handles tightly, their eyes fixed on the road ahead, not daring to breathe.
Sister Tao secretly glanced at Li Fugui, seeing how focused he was, and whispered, "Fugui, calm down, there's no need to rush."
Li Fugui gritted his teeth, nodded in response, slightly adjusted the steering wheel, and "danced" steadily on the edge of the cliff. He finally passed through the dangerous section. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and the laughter of surviving the disaster instantly filled the car, dispelling the tense haze.
At dusk, Batang appears like a hidden paradise in the afterglow.
Smoke rose from Tibetan houses, and the aroma of food filled the streets, tempting everyone's hunger. The four of them found a quaint restaurant with flickering warm yellow lights, mysterious thangkas on the walls, and simple Tibetan tables and chairs.
In a moment, the steaming hot Tuanjie buns were served on the table, with fluffy dough and solid fillings. One bite and the aroma of meat and vegetables "exploded" on the tip of the tongue; the yak meat soup was mellow and fragrant, flowing warmly into the stomach, comforting the journey.
After having a good meal and a good drink, I strolled along the streets of Batang, where the wind carried the sound of string music and dance.
In the square, Tibetans formed a circle, their long sleeves fluttering and their dance steps graceful. Sister Xiao Tao was enthusiastically pulled into the dance group, and Li Fugui and the other two followed closely, trying to learn in a hurry. They made some mistakes and caused bursts of good-natured laughter.
But amidst the interweaving of dance steps and the blending of laughter, all the fatigue and fear along the way turned into attachment to Batang and 318, engraved in the heart, becoming a treasure glimmering in the depths of the soul, and also turned into full anticipation for tomorrow's unknown journey, like a star guiding the way, rushing to the next appointment with mountains and rivers.