After all, it was the first time for the off-road crossing, so most of the people present were quite cautious.

The ladies didn’t stray far from the campsite, mostly they just wandered nearby to find pretty spots for photos, then headed back to their tents for rest.

The uncles were even more at ease and content, having brought fishing gear and spent the entire afternoon addicted to fishing.

Besides that, the only slightly dangerous-looking ones were Dao Lang and Old Chen.

When Li Younan and Ma Jing returned, Old Chen was leisurely paddling a kayak, drifting across from the opposite side of the lake.

To someone like Li Younan, who couldn’t swim, it looked rather terrifying.

The sky grew dim, and the temperature began to drop.

The altitude here wasn’t low; autumn comes deeper and earlier than inland areas, and without sunlight in the afternoon, the temperature can drop by over ten degrees.

Old Chen started packing up his inflatable mat while Chef Master Li and a few assistant leaders busied themselves with preparing dinner.

Tonight, there was a special treat, though not the risky mushrooms.

Everyone caught quite a lot of fish, big and small, mostly those no bigger than a finger, each catching over a dozen, totaling up to around a hundred.

Li Younan pondered whether to help out in the kitchen, glanced over, and saw Master Li’s approach was simple and crude: snipping out the intestines with scissors, washing them clean, coating them in a mix of egg batter and flour, tossing them into the pot for frying, served later with a dip.

Apart from these small fish, there were bigger fish suitable for soup-making.

Li Younan mentioned if any help was needed, Chef Old Li smiled, "Not that I don’t trust you, but this isn’t quite like cooking at home, I’ll handle it."

Li Younan didn’t insist further.

There was still some time before dinner.

This area now had a signal, so Li Younan returned to the car and sent all the video footage shot today to JK Long.

Of course, Li Younan didn’t include the part about the toxic mushrooms in the video footage.

As usual, after receiving the video, JK Long replied, "Got it."

A little later, JK Long probably had watched all the video footage and asked, "How do you feel about this crossing trip?"

Li Younan lay comfortably on the camper mattress, thought for a bit, sat up, unfolded the small folding table, and used the foldable, instant-heating electric notebook kettle, drew water from the mineral water bottle, brewed himself a cup of hot black tea with a chunk of rock sugar, slowly taking a sip.

After some thought, he recorded a first-person shot of what he was doing and sent it to JK Long, adding two words: "At ease."

Surprisingly, JK Long didn’t reply for a while, then eventually sent back, "Good, keep going."

In his heart, Li Younan was quite grateful to JK Long.

No matter JK Long’s intentions, since getting to know him, it indeed has saved Li Younan a lot of trouble.

Li Younan’s account now boasts many followers, largely thanks to JK Long, yet he has never asked for anything.

Li Younan at least felt he had reason to believe that he, too, should be someone interested in travel.

Li Younan tried to entice him, "Brother Long, actually, I think finding a convoy for such crossing trips has some hassles. If everyone in the group is experienced, skilled travelers, it’s fine. If not, two people per car seems good. A solo traveler might find it too lonely, and there would be no one to consult in tricky situations. If two guys go together, it’s different — divide the work, everything becomes simpler, enhancing the travel experience while maintaining a compact team."

JK Long sent a speechless emoji: "Are you just eager to meet me?"

Li Younan chuckled, "Don’t get me wrong, just saying it’ll be more enjoyable with two guys, didn’t say it had to be with you."

But unexpectedly, this half-joking remark didn’t elicit a playful response from JK Long; instead, after hesitating, he replied seriously, "Honestly, not to mention such crossing trips, even ordinary travel, I might be a burden."

Reading this, Li Younan felt his heart skip a beat, gently furrowed his brow.

Could it be that JK Long is physically disabled?

If that’s the case, then joking as such would be somewhat over the line.

After pondering, Li Younan cautiously replied, "I’m not quite understanding."

JK Long said, "What’s so hard to understand? Basically, about the collaboration you mentioned... I probably can’t help much, might even be a hindrance. Alright, don’t ask anymore, I’m going to edit the video now."

"Also, stay safe."

The last statement from JK Long was sent separately, highlighting his serious tone.

A complex emotion stirred in Li Younan’s heart.

Despite not having met JK Long in person, he knew him quite well, yet remained largely unknown to JK Long. Nonetheless, he felt as if they were trustworthy old friends.

Li Younan sighed softly, aware that JK Long probably had a reason for not wanting to meet. The more it was so, the more curious he grew.

Regardless, it was something to understand gradually later.

...

Dinner was very lavish, besides the extra fish dishes Li Younan saw before, there were charcoal-grilled beef and lamb, and large chunks of braised pork belly.