Sang Luo’s hand paused slightly as she gently pressed the wound on Dündup’s shoulder.
She raised her head and met his eyes.
“Yes, but… are women not allowed to go to the ranch?”
“No.”
Dündup shook his head.
He pressed his lips together.
“We don’t have any such rules.”
“That’s good.”
Sang Luo breathed a sigh of relief and continued carefully bandaging his wound, her voice filled with anticipation.
“Tshering Abou has wanted to take me there for a long time, and I really do want to see what the ranch looks like.”
Dündup was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice.
“Go and see it, then. A Luo… is Tshering a very simple person?”
Sang Luo smiled slightly.
“Yes. Tshering Abou is like the sunlight on the grasslands—warm and comforting.”
Dündup didn’t respond.
When Sang Luo finished tying the bandage and looked up, she realized he was staring deeply at her.
His usually calm and restrained eyes were filled with an emotion she had never seen before.
“Abou, you’re acting strange. What’s wrong?”
Sang Luo asked in confusion.
Dündup looked away and shook his head.
“Nothing. We still have to go to the snow mountain ranch tomorrow. You should get some rest tonight.”
After saying that, Dündup stood up and returned to his room.
The next morning, Dündup set off early on horseback to find the Khangpa.
After breakfast, Tshering eagerly took Sang Luo to see the two horses he had prepared.
“A Luo, let’s go!”
His eyes sparkled like a child who had just received his favorite toy.
Sang Luo smiled and nodded before mounting her horse under Lazhen’s affectionate gaze.
Danzeng stood in front of the tent and waved vigorously.
“Aji, remember to come back early!”
Sitting on horseback, Sang Luo turned around and waved at him.
“I know!”
Along the way, Tshering constantly introduced Sang Luo to the scenery around them.
The winter grasslands had yet to awaken with tender green shoots.
The snow-covered mountains glimmered silver beneath the sunlight.
“A Luo, look over there!”
Tshering pointed toward a shimmering stretch of water in the distance.
“That’s the lake I told you about!”
Sang Luo followed the direction he was pointing.
The entire lake looked like a massive sapphire quietly set at the foot of the snow-covered mountains.
The distant peaks were reflected on its surface, while the clear water glittered beneath the sunlight.
“Abou, let’s go take a look first!”
Sang Luo felt completely captivated by the beautiful scenery.
“Okay!”
Tshering turned his horse around, and the two rode toward the lakeside.
Tshering eagerly led Sang Luo through a birch forest before stopping in a clearing with an excellent view.
A beautiful swing hung beneath the largest birch tree, its seat carefully covered with soft sheepskin.
“See? I told you I’d make you the prettiest swing!”
Tshering proudly showed it to Sang Luo.
“I spent a long time choosing the perfect spot. From here, you can see the entire lake and the snow mountains in the distance.”
Sang Luo walked over in delight, gently running her fingers over the intricately woven knot on the swing’s rope.
“It’s beautiful.”
“As long as you like it.”
Tshering excitedly urged her.
“Come on, sit down and try it!”
Sang Luo nodded and sat on the swing.
Tshering naturally moved behind her and gently pushed the swing.
The swing gradually rose higher and higher.
The wind lifted Sang Luo’s long hair, while her skirt fluttered in the breeze.
“Tshering Abou, push me higher!”
Sang Luo rarely let herself be so carefree, but now she called out with a bright laugh.
Tshering gave the swing a strong push, sending it to its highest point.
Sang Luo instinctively released one hand to feel the wind, but in that instant, she lost her balance.
“Ah!”
She cried out as she flew off the swing.
“A Luo!”
Tshering’s face went pale with fright as he rushed forward.
The two of them tumbled together onto the soft grass.
Tshering instinctively shielded Sang Luo with his body, taking most of the impact himself.
When they finally stopped rolling, Sang Luo realized that she was lying completely on top of Tshering.
Their faces were extremely close, and they could clearly feel each other’s breath.
“A Luo, are you all right?”
Tshering asked anxiously, his hand still protectively resting against her back.
Only then did Sang Luo realize their position. She hurriedly tried to get up, but Tshering gently stopped her.
“Don’t move.”
His voice suddenly became very soft.
“What’s wrong?”
“Your hair is all tangled.”
Tshering helped Sang Luo sit up before leading her to the lakeside.
He gently combed through her disheveled hair with his fingers.
His movements were clumsy but incredibly careful, as though he were handling something precious.
“There’s a saying among our people.”
As he arranged her hair, Tshering spoke softly.
“When a man combs a woman’s hair, it is a prayer to the mountain god, asking to spend the rest of their lives together.”
Sang Luo’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
She raised her head and met Tshering’s deeply affectionate gaze.
“A Luo.”
His voice trembled slightly.
“I know I may not be good enough for you. You’re smart, kind, and skilled in medicine, while I’m just an ordinary herdsman. But…”
He took a deep breath, as though gathering every bit of courage he possessed.
“But I’m willing to spend my whole life making you as happy as you were today. Will you… give me that chance?”
Sang Luo looked at the sincere young man before her.
The love in his eyes was as passionate and pure as the sunlight over the grasslands.
She thought about everything Tshering had done for her during these days.
She thought about how, in her previous life, she had never received such open affection, wholehearted concern, or clumsy attempts to win her over.
A warm current filled her heart.
“Tshering, I will.”
She spoke softly, a blush spreading across her cheeks.
Tshering froze, as though he couldn’t believe his ears.
“Really?”
Sang Luo smiled and nodded.
“Really.”
Tshering was overjoyed.
He swept her into his arms and spun her around several times on the grass.
Their laughter echoed across the lakeside, startling a flock of waterbirds drinking by the shore.
“I’ll treat you well!”
After putting Sang Luo down, Tshering continued holding her hand tightly.
“I’ll make you the happiest girl on the grasslands!”
“I believe you.”
Sang Luo was swept up in his passionate happiness.
Tshering felt as though he had fallen into a jar of honey.
He immediately half-carried, half-lifted Sang Luo onto his shoulders and took off running.
“Tshering, what are you doing?”
Sang Luo was startled.
“I’m going to tell everyone that I have a sweetheart, and she likes me too!”
“The horses! The horses are still over there!”
“It’s fine! They’ll find their way back themselves. We’re not far from the ranch. We can just run back!”
Tshering’s figure grew farther and farther away, accompanied by laughter echoing through the snow mountains.
Deep within the birch forest, a figure stood silently.
Dündup had arrived at some point and had witnessed everything.
As he replayed what he had just seen in his mind, his hand tightened unconsciously around the reins.
Finally, he turned his horse around and left the birch forest.