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Entering No Man's Land: Embracing Beauty and Darkness
墨書 Inktalez
“Darling, look! A Tibetan Antelope!”
Sitting in the passenger seat, I admired the scenery along the way while documenting our journey on my phone.
My mom was really something; after watching "Coco Xili" and "No Man's Land," she vehemently opposed our spontaneous trip. “What’s there to see in the Gobi wasteland where you can drive all day without seeing a soul? What if the car breaks down or runs out of gas? And those shady places that engage in illegal activities—they’ll not only swindle you out of your money but might even take your life! If you really want to go, wait for your dad to come back so Brother Biao can be your driver and bodyguard!”
My dear mother, we’re on our honeymoon—why would we bring an unrelated man along? Isn’t that ridiculous?
So, Liang Zhiyuan and I set off quietly, only calling her two days later.
“You little brat, are you trying to give me a heart attack?” My mom scolded from the other end, slapping her thigh. I sent her our location along with photos of the vast desert, unique rock formations, clear blue skies, sunrises and sunsets, the starry night sky, wildlife, and the clean and tidy Tibetan guesthouse… She finally replied helplessly, “Just make sure to leave late and check in early. If anything happens, find a proper police station…”
On the third day, as the red sun dipped low in the west while checking for nearby supplies and resting spots, I realized that there was no mobile signal or internet!
Thinking back, we hadn’t encountered many cars that day.
“Darling, I’m scared!”
“Don’t worry; I’ve made ample preparations. There’s a rest stop organized by a self-driving tour group nearby; we’ll be there soon,” Liang Zhiyuan reassured me.
“Is it reliable? Will they rip us off? What if they do away with us and leave our bodies for wolves and vultures without anyone knowing…” Before I could finish my sentence, I started laughing at myself.
The sky had completely darkened as the vast desolation of the Gobi slipped behind us.
Due to being far from city pollution, the night sky here was exceptionally brilliant; countless stars and a clear Milky Way were visible.
It was truly beautiful!
“Wife, look!”
My husband turned off the road and headed toward one side; I could vaguely see what appeared to be flickering lights getting closer along with the faint melody of “Lasso.”
“A bonfire!” I felt excited too.
“That’s the campsite for the self-driving tour group; let’s go join them for some fun!” My husband exclaimed with enthusiasm.
I admired his planning; this kind of trip was much more interesting than mindlessly following a tour group where you just “get on the bus to sleep, get off to pee, and take pictures at scenic spots.”
The campsite had about thirty or forty people with several cars parked around. Men and women gathered around the bonfire for a picnic. My husband went over and after some negotiation turned back to call me: “Wife, bring down our food and drinks from the car…”
Everyone mingled together, chatting animatedly with various accents filling the air. They raised their glasses of liquor and drinks in cheers while taking turns singing, dancing, and telling jokes. Seeing other women being so bold, I also took my husband’s encouragement to heart and downed three big gulps from an enamel mug alongside a beautiful woman named Tina.
Tina was a stunning beauty, with straight hair, a graceful figure, a slim waist, long legs, and a generous bust. When she danced alone, the men around erupted in cheers and whistles.
I sang a song and received a round of applause as well. The glances from the men near Tina were sharp as knives; it was clear that they harbored desires of possession typical of male animals towards females.
A slight unease flickered in my heart, but I quickly brushed it aside: there were so many people here; I wasn't the only woman. What was there to be afraid of?
A man speaking Tibetan approached with a large chunk of roasted lamb on a knife. I graciously accepted it and clinked glasses with him.
The liquor was strong, making my eyes water and sending me reeling. My husband helped me back to the car, kindly reclining the seat for me. I drifted off into a hazy sleep.
I don't know how much time passed before the car door opened. Groggily, I asked, "What time is it?"
As a pungent mix of raw meat and sweat wafted in, a strong body climbed onto me. A large mouth exhaled the nauseating scent of tobacco mixed with strong liquor as it breathed heavily, and short, coarse stubble scratched against my skin.
This person was not my husband!
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