"The damage from this crash is too much!"
While Jiang Beicheng and the others were concerned about whether Wu Keqing was injured, Chen Qilian picked up the drone that Jiang Beicheng had smashed and sighed.
Jiang Beicheng shot him a glance, silencing him.
If you can't say something helpful, keep your mouth shut.
"Sorry!" Chen Qilian nodded with a hunched back, avoiding everyone's gaze.
It took Wu Keqing a while to recover from her panicked state.
"Brother Jiang, thank you," Wu Keqing said, looking at Li Xingying. "Sister… Sister Li, about that drone… I… I'll have to work and earn money to compensate you for it. Don't worry, I won't dodge the responsibility. I'll write you an IOU."
The drone was smashed by Brother Jiang, but he did it to save her. There was no way she could let Brother Jiang pay for it.
In that moment, if Brother Jiang hadn't swung that stick, she might have been disfigured—or worse, she could have died.
Li Xingying, still shaken herself, said, "As long as you're okay, that's what matters."
Jiang Beicheng comforted Wu Keqing, saying, "That DJI Mavic 3 was bought with the Care Refresh service. The main body and lens aren't damaged, so getting it replaced at the store won't cost much."
He then turned to Li Xingying and added, "Don't feel guilty either. George said it was the helicopter going up the mountain early that interfered with the GPS signal. It wasn't your mistake. In outdoor settings, human life always comes first. Even if the drone was completely destroyed, as long as everyone's safe, it doesn't matter."
Wu Keqing's face lit up with a smile, and she nodded. "Brother Jiang, you're such a great person."
At the same time, she cast a sideways glance at Chen Qilian.
Look at your companion.
You're both men, but all you do is brag.
Li Xingying gathered the broken pieces of the Mavic 3 and packed them up, saying with a laugh, "You guessed it right again—it really did crash. Haha!"
She smiled awkwardly. "Good thing you got the Care Refresh service, or it would've been such a loss."
Wu Keqing raised an eyebrow.
The Mavic 3 was bought by Brother Jiang?
As expected. Her suspicions were confirmed again. She looked at Jiang Beicheng and Li Xingying with a knowing gaze, as if she could see right through them.
Li Xingying noticed Wu Keqing's expression and instantly realized that her earlier words might have hinted at her relationship with Jiang Beicheng. She glanced at Jiang Beicheng, wondering if he minded.
Jiang Beicheng didn't care at all. He crouched down to help her remove her crampons.
Wu Keqing felt like she'd just been fed a big bowl of dog food.
And the worst part? This dog food wasn't even the authentic kind.
"Brother Jiang, the social king, you're too smooth," Wu Keqing thought to herself.
"Can you manage on your own?" Jiang Beicheng asked, looking at the crampons on her feet.
Wu Keqing shook her head. "Hehe, I might still need to trouble Brother Jiang a bit."
Jiang Beicheng crouched down again to help her take off the crampons.
Brother Jiang left a deep impression on her today.
He took photos for her, saved her from danger, and even provided thoughtful guide services.
The key point? He was really handsome.
Wu Keqing couldn't hide her smitten gaze as she looked at Jiang Beicheng.
In truth, Jiang Beicheng didn't have any ulterior motives. Even if Wu Keqing wasn't from his hometown, he would still help a struggling or troubled companion to the best of his ability.
This was a virtue and spirit he'd learned from veteran outdoor enthusiasts.
Back when he was caught in a life-or-death situation, it was his guide, Azhuo, who dug him out of a snow pile.
He would pass on this outdoor spirit.
Of course, those reckless "outdoor divas" who had no respect for nature were another story.
By the time the helicopter landed at the base camp, the wind on the mountain was already howling.
If they had been any later, the helicopter probably wouldn't have been able to make it up.
Hiking down the mountain at night would have been too much for the two girls.
The operators of Mount Cook National Park did an excellent job ensuring tourist safety, with well-prepared emergency plans.
When they reached the helipad at the base of the mountain, Jiang Beicheng, as he always did during outdoor activities, tipped the guide and several staff members, giving each 100 New Zealand dollars.
"Jiang, it's an honor to serve you."
"Mr. Jiang, it's an honor to receive your recognition."
The pilot and guide said with smiles.
Jiang Beicheng nodded with a smile.
"Brother Jiang, you're so classy," Wu Keqing said with a grin.
She also went up and gave each of them a 20 NZD tip.
"Brother Jiang, Sister Li, where are you guys going tomorrow?"
Li Xingying replied, "To the Church of the Good Shepherd to stargaze."
"Me too!" Wu Keqing said excitedly. "But I'm with a tour group, and I have to head back to Queenstown tonight. I'll see you tomorrow, then. Um, hehe, let's add each other on WeChat! Sister Li?"
Li Xingying froze for a moment. She knew Wu Keqing actually wanted to add Jiang Beicheng's WeChat. She pretended to say, "My phone's out of battery. Why don't you add…"
Before she could finish, Wu Keqing had already run over to Jiang Beicheng. "Brother Jiang, scan the code!"
Jiang Beicheng added her contact.
A young girl traveling abroad alone was quite brave, but safety was still a concern.
Her outgoing, social personality was likable during travels, but she needed to be wary of people with bad intentions.
Fresh out of school, Wu Keqing's ability to judge others was still a bit weak.
Looking out for someone from the same hometown was only natural.
"Brother Jiang, thank you again. Bye-bye!" After adding him on WeChat, Wu Keqing turned to head toward the bus. "Sister Li, Brother Jiang, good night and sweet dreams!"
She giggled as she boarded the bus and left.
Jiang Beicheng and Li Xingying didn't leave that night. They set up camp at the nearby campsite.
Li Xingying was busy organizing the footage she shot that day, while Jiang Beicheng went to the nearby store to buy some beer and roast chicken, carrying them to the helipad.
"Oh, Mr. Jiang! The pilot and I were just saying we should invite you for a drink," George said with a laugh, coming over to help carry the beer.
They headed to a nearby cabin.
The pilot lit the fireplace for warmth.
They pulled out a portable table, set up some stools, and started drinking.
Before the pandemic, New Zealand was considered one of the safest countries in the world. Post-pandemic, urban security became tricky, especially in larger cities like Auckland in the North Island, where travel safety relied heavily on personal vigilance.
But small towns and rural areas remained very safe.
The South Island was a critical tourism asset for New Zealand.
Service workers in the tourism industry knew their livelihoods depended on it.
So their service was warm and professional—they wouldn't ruin their own reputation.
As Jiang Beicheng and the airport staff started drinking, a park ranger from the national park joined them after work, sitting down to drink and chat.
Midway through, George even grabbed a bottle of whiskey.
After drinking heartily, they passed out and slept soundly, ready to work again the next day.
This was what Jiang Beicheng meant by seeing the world, its history, its cultures, and, ultimately, its people.
Back at the tent, Li Xingying had just finished editing her video. She climbed up to help Jiang Beicheng take off his shoes and clothes.
Then she snuggled up to him, warming the bed as they slept.
The next day, it was nearly noon when they woke up. Jiang Beicheng emerged from the tent to find George sitting under a canopy, chatting with Li Xingying.
"Jiang, I brought you breakfast," George said, gesturing with his chin.
Jiang Beicheng sat down, picking up the sandwich and milk on the table for breakfast.
"OK, Jiang. Seeing you're fine puts my mind at ease. You're a strong drinker," George said, giving a thumbs-up. "I've got to get to work. Jiang, have a great trip!"
Jiang Beicheng waved with a smile.
The Chinese police officer they drank with the previous night also came by to say goodbye to Jiang Beicheng before heading to his shift.
"Little Boss Jiang, when are we heading out?" Li Xingying asked.
"Pack up the camping gear. We'll leave after breakfast," Jiang Beicheng replied.