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Ten days later, a group of seven successfully gathered at the "Embrace of the Peacock Sea" bar.
Mo Nan closed the bar for the occasion to welcome his brother, his brother's partner, and their friends.
The small bar was bathed in a mysterious blue light that flickered like the depths of the ocean. Mo Nan mixed over a dozen "Millennium Old Dream" cocktails, serving them as a farewell toast before their journey, also a prelude to their anticipated celebration of victory.
Lin Luo was having a great time; Mo Nan's cocktails were exquisite.
Li Xiang from the medical school and Cheng Ge from the tourism management department were another couple who believed in experiencing love through hardship. Chen Tuo, an archaeology enthusiast from the history department, was equally excited. They were all thrilled about the mysterious marsh that had existed for two million years and vanished in 1972, which, like the equally magnificent Loulan, promised a world full of excitement and surprises. Some among them were elite members of the school's travel club, confident in facing the challenges and difficulties of desert travel.
During the gathering, Li Xiang feigned pessimism and said, "What if we get lost in the desert and die out there? What then?"
Chen Tuo ignored him and raised his glass, shouting passionately about his ideals: "If I can die in her embrace, my soul will surely roam thousands of miles with the wind and sand, gaining infinite freedom. That would be worth it!"
Cheng Ge added dramatically, "Even if we die, I want to be holding Li Xiang. One day when others see our bones, they'll understand we were a couple."
Amidst everyone's teasing, Lin Luo and Mo Bei shared a "cup of union."
Only Elida remained relatively silent due to language barriers. He sat quietly among the crowd, observing these young people fervently chasing their ideals and seeking thrills, with a hint of worry and compassion reflected in his expression.
Mo Nan sighed and said, "After my brother started school, I was left alone in our hometown. The day we parted was just like this; we drank together knowing we would be separated by thousands of miles yet still faced life with smiles. This is the spirit we seek!"
As the chill of midnight seeped through the door into the room, everyone gradually succumbed to sleep under the influence of alcohol.
Lin Luo found herself walking through the desert of Loulan in her dreams, a feather tucked into her hair. The vast expanse of sky and land stretched endlessly, and a bird flew past, its frantic flight seeming to inadvertently inquire about a shattered farewell.
The next morning, everyone prepared their gear. Each person packed enough food and water, primarily flatbreads stacked on their backs, resembling a large millstone.
Mo Bei had also gathered some essential emergency medications. Lin Luo noticed various bottles being stowed away in the backpacks, and one small vial slipped from her fingers, rolling across the ground before disappearing into the gap beneath the bar.
At noon, they reached Lop Nur.
The October wind had lost some of its intensity but still howled fiercely. Above them hung the scorching sun, its blazing rays piercing through the thin clothing of the group like swords.
Lin Luo's eyes stung from the sweat streaming down her face. Just as she raised her hand to wipe it away, more sweat rolled down instantly. Her head felt heavy, as if something were rumbling inside her, and she sensed her body's moisture evaporating rapidly.
The others were not faring much better. Chen Tuo cursed loudly in an attempt to alleviate his physical suffering while shouting, "This damn sun! I swear I’d kick it down just to take a cool shower; dying would be worth it!" His incessant complaints only deepened Li Xiang's already furrowed brow.
The group entered from the west of Lop Nur, following the alluvial fan of the Peacock River. After traveling over forty kilometers, Mo Nan could not have anticipated such an unfortunate start; the off-road vehicle he had meticulously maintained broke down right in the heart of the desert.
With a series of sputtering engine sounds, the vehicle came to a halt.
This sudden predicament left everyone at a loss. Retreating felt unacceptable; yet continuing meant they would have to walk. All eyes turned to Mo Nan, hoping this leader and guide would provide a viable solution.
Mo Nan inspected the vehicle once more and, confirming there was no chance for repair, gritted his teeth and declared, "Let’s move forward! Didn’t the famous explorer Yu Chunshun traverse Lop Nur alone? We have seven people; what’s there to fear?!"
Thus, their off-road vehicle stood still on the northern bank of the Peacock River.
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