Flight Traces

Thanks to a certain lawyer's meticulous approach to travel, treating it like project management, the duo barely had to exert themselves before settling into their vehicle and setting off westward along the classic Qinghai-Tibet route, taking turns at the wheel.

Bian Ji was accustomed to constant travel, quickly adapting to such intensity, driving both swiftly and steadily. This made Yan Ankuo seem like a novice in comparison.

At an altitude of over six thousand meters, acclimatization was challenging for most people, including Yan Ankuo.

As they ascended, Yan Ankuo felt increasingly dizzy and short of breath. He unzipped his coat, leaning back in the seat to rest his eyes, struggling to recover for quite some time.

Bian Ji noticed something was amiss and asked anxiously, "Are you alright?"

"No problem, just a bit nauseous," Yan Ankuo said weakly with his eyes closed. "I can't make it, let's stop ahead so I can take a breather."

Bian Ji promptly found a spot to park, checking on his complexion. "Your face is flushed. Any other symptoms besides nausea?"

"Dizzy...want to vomit."

"You're not having altitude sickness, are you?"

Yan Ankuo opened his eyes slowly after hearing this, self-diagnosing that Bian Ji might be right. He straightened up with effort, pointing toward the trunk. "There's medicine in the suitcase."

"I'll get it for you." Bian Ji hopped out of the car, running to the back to open the trunk, shouting, "Which layer?"

Yan Ankuo replied weakly, "In the third bag from the left on the second level."

Bian Ji rummaged around for a while, puzzled. "Can't find it..."

To minimize Yan Ankuo's discomfort, Bian Ji hurried back, anxious. "Did we forget to pack it when we left?"

Yan Ankuo strained to recall the situation. He remembered mentioning that emergency medication wasn't readily available and needed to be ordered via delivery before he went to work. Bian Ji likely didn't hear his instructions, leaving the emergency supplies behind.

Seeing Bian Ji's worried and guilty expression, Yan Ankuo forced a smile and shook his head. "I must've forgotten it. It's fine, there should be a pharmacy nearby."

As Bian Ji pulled out his phone to check the map, he helplessly realized that the nearest pharmacy was four kilometers away, requiring a detour up and down the winding road, which would take a long time.

"Wait a moment, I'll ask at that convenience store first." Seeing the crowd, Bian Ji sprinted into the shop. His quick pace broke the high-altitude survival rules, leaving him gasping for breath.

The shopkeeper, seeing his urgency, advised in less than perfect Mandarin, "Young people need to take it easy here. Don't run or jump, it's easy to get oxygen-deprived."

Bian Ji took deep breaths, asking quickly, "Do you sell oxygen tanks and medication for dizziness?"

Business thrives wherever there are people, even at the top of the world. The shopkeeper smiled, squinting, and nodded, quoting a price.

Without hesitation, Bian Ji pulled out money. "Can I pay electronically?"

The shopkeeper seemed stunned that someone wouldn't haggle over the price. Hesitant, he produced the payment code, kindly warning, "The higher you go, the scarcer supplies become. You'd better stock up before you leave."

Bian Ji finished saying "Thank you" as he turned around, not daring to waste any more time. Returning to the car, he handed the oxygen tank and medicine to Yan Ankuo. "Here, try these."