Dündup’s figure disappeared into the distance at the end of the birch forest. For the first time, a complicated mixture of emotions burned in his usually calm eyes.
As he turned his horse around and slowly headed home, his heart was filled with conflicting emotions.
Over the next few days, Dündup was constantly distracted at home.
Sometimes he would stare blankly into the hearth, and other times he would suddenly get up and walk outside the tent, gazing absentmindedly toward the ranch.
“Abou, you didn’t explain this problem as well as Aji.”
Danzeng pouted as he pushed his workbook in front of Dündup.
“Aji only had to explain it once before I understood. You’ve explained it three times already.”
Only then did Dündup snap back to reality. He rubbed his younger brother’s hair apologetically.
“Abou was wrong. Let’s go over it one more time.”
Lazhen, who was mending clothes nearby, couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Dündup being lectured by Danzeng.
She put down her needle.
“You two have been studying for so long. You must be tired. Take a break for a while.”
Lazhen brought over two cups of butter tea.
“Since your Aji teaches you so well, why don’t you go bring A Luo home?”
“Can we?”
Danzeng’s eyes immediately lit up.
“No.”
Dündup thought of what he had seen a few days ago.
“A Luo should be with Tshering these days. She might not want to come back yet.”
Lazhen assumed Sang Luo was simply having too much fun at the ranch.
“Even if she’s been having too much fun, she should still come back. The White Lhamo Festival is coming soon. A Luo has never experienced our Fairy Festival before. Let’s bring her home to enjoy the celebration.”
“Exactly!”
Danzeng excitedly jumped to his feet.
“Aji will definitely want to celebrate the White Lhamo Festival. Dündup Abou, go to the ranch and bring Tshering and A Luo back.”
Dündup’s eyes brightened slightly before returning to their usual calm.
“Okay. I’ll go tomorrow.”
“I’m going too!”
Danzeng immediately jumped up.
“I want to go bring Aji home too!”
“Okay.”
Lazhen pinched Danzeng’s cheek. She was happy to see him becoming more lively and increasingly like a child his age.
“But you have to stay close to your Abou, understand?”
Danzeng nodded happily.
The next morning, just as the rising sun illuminated the grasslands, Dündup set off with Danzeng.
When they arrived at the ranch, they happened to see Tshering teaching Sang Luo how to milk a sheep.
The two of them were chatting and laughing, sunlight falling over them and creating such a beautiful scene that it was difficult to look away.
“Aji!”
Danzeng was the first to jump off his horse and run toward Sang Luo.
“Danzeng? What are you doing here?”
Sang Luo happily hugged the little boy. When she looked up, she happened to meet Dündup’s deep gaze.
“Dündup Abou came too?”
Tshering also enthusiastically came over.
“Abou, why are you here? Did something happen at home?”
“The White Lhamo Festival is coming. Ama sent me to bring you two home.”
Dündup’s gaze unconsciously swept over Sang Luo.
“A Luo has never experienced the Fairy Festival before.”
“That’s right!”
Tshering remembered immediately.
“The White Lhamo Festival is the day after tomorrow.”
He turned to Sang Luo.
“A Luo, let me tell you, there are lots of fun activities during the White Lhamo Festival. You’ll definitely like them!”
Sang Luo had never experienced this festival in her previous life, so she was looking forward to it now that she had the chance.
“Then let’s go home.”
“I’ll saddle the horses.”
Tshering volunteered immediately.
On the way back, Danzeng’s little horse stayed close beside Sang Luo as he complained about Dündup’s “terrible” teaching.
When he saw Sang Luo secretly laughing, he first gave a little huff.
Then his small face filled with reluctance.
“Aji, I’m going to school soon. I won’t be able to see you for a long time.”
Sang Luo gently rubbed his head.
“When you start school, Aji will definitely come to see you off.”
“Really?”
“Of course. When have I ever lied to you?”
“I trust Aji the most!”
Hearing the conversation between the siblings, Dündup and Tshering, riding ahead of them, both turned around and looked at the pair with smiles in their eyes.
The next day was the eve of the White Lhamo Festival.
As evening approached, Dündup and Tshering coincidentally arrived at Sang Luo’s door at the same time.
“A Luo.”
Tshering knocked first. When Sang Luo opened the door, he took out an exquisite wooden box from inside his coat.
“This is the White Lhamo Festival gift I prepared for you.”
Sang Luo had received the jewelry Lazhen prepared for her when she returned home the previous day, and she also knew about this festival tradition.
A girl’s jewelry was prepared by her family or by the man she loved.
If a girl wore jewelry given to her by the man who loved her, it meant that she accepted his feelings and was willing to be with him.
Noticing the anticipation in Tshering’s eyes, Sang Luo readily accepted the wooden box.
When she opened it, she found a beautiful set of red agate jewelry.
There was a necklace, earrings, and bracelet. Each piece of agate was full and smooth, glowing with a warm luster.
“So beautiful…”
Sang Luo couldn’t help admiring them.
“Hehe.”
Tshering shyly rubbed his messy hair.
“I got these by trading what I hunted while guarding the ranch over the past few years. I can finally give them to you now.”
He pointed at the wooden box.
“I strung all of these myself.”
“They’re beautiful.”
Sang Luo didn’t hesitate to praise him.
Just then, Dündup stepped forward as well, holding another wooden box.
Inside his box was a set of turquoise jewelry. Its design was more elegant and dignified, and every piece of turquoise had its own unique pattern, making the set look exceptionally precious.
Sang Luo hesitated for a moment before finally refusing to take Dündup’s box.
“Thank you, Dündup Abou, but this is too precious. You should save it for the girl you like.”
She hugged the red agate jewelry Tshering had given her.
“I’ll wear this tomorrow.”
Tshering’s face immediately lit up with joy.
Dündup’s eyes dimmed for an instant, but he quickly returned to his usual calm expression and silently withdrew the wooden box.
Tshering watched him and shook his head.
He put an arm around Dündup’s shoulders.
“Abou, why are you disappointed? The girl you like will definitely choose you someday.”
Dündup simply turned around and walked away in silence.
On the day of the White Lhamo Festival, the young women dressed in their finest festive clothes, adorned themselves with beautiful jewelry, and danced traditional Tibetan dances.
Wearing the red agate jewelry Tshering had given her, Sang Luo looked especially radiant.
As night deepened, the young men of the village began gathering in the center of the grounds for the traditional Beiga wrestling competition.
It was the most anticipated event of the White Lhamo Festival, a way for young men to demonstrate their strength and courage to the women they loved.
Tshering was the first to enter the ring, easily defeating several opponents.
Every time he won, he would glance toward Sang Luo, his face filled with a confident smile.
What surprised everyone was that Dündup, who was usually composed and rarely participated in such activities, also stepped into the ring this time.
As expected, the final match was between the two brothers.
Tshering initially assumed that his older brother would let him win as usual.
But he quickly realized that Dündup was serious.
With every exchange, Dündup gave it his all, his eyes filled with unprecedented determination.
“Abou?”
After being pinned down once again, Tshering couldn’t help asking quietly,
“You’re serious?”
Dündup looked deeply at his younger brother, his grip not weakening in the slightest.
“I’ve always been serious.”
Several young women gathered around Sang Luo and enviously said,
“Sang Luo Manba is so lucky. She has several such outstanding husbands.”
Sang Luo hurriedly explained,
“You misunderstand. I’ve only accepted Tshering. Dündup Abou has someone he likes.”
The girls exchanged knowing glances and smiled.
Clearly, they thought Sang Luo was simply being shy.
Standing not far away, Zhandui witnessed everything.
On the way home, he remained silent the entire time.
That evening, Zhandui sent Danzeng away to clean up the things left behind from the festival, then seriously asked Lazhen,
“What do you think about letting A Luo marry Dündup and the others?”