SA | Chapter 10

His Hidden Agenda

Zhang Li let go of the doorknob and said, “I cooked some silver cod. Come down, we can eat and chat.”

Gu Deng: “…”

Trying to bribe him with delicious food? Though he complained in his heart, Gu Deng still got out of bed.

He hadn’t tasted Zhang Li’s cooking before and didn’t have high expectations, but it turned out to be a feast for the senses. After all, Alaska is home to silver cod, and with fresh fish, it’s hard to mess up.

Gu Deng ate until he was about 70-80% full, then put down his utensils and looked up, saying, “Alright, spill it. What’s your reason?”

Zhang Li poured him a glass of orange juice and after a moment of silence, said, “This arrangement is my own selfish desire.”

Gu Deng just said “Oh,” without much expression.

Zhang Li continued, “I have an older brother.”

Gu Deng kept cutting his fish, “What a coincidence, I have an older brother too.”

“My brother passed away,” Zhang Li said.

Gu Deng looked up in shock, suddenly unable to continue.

Zhang Li’s expression remained calm as he added, “Following the reindeer migration was always his dream. We all thought there was plenty of time, until now…”

Zhang Li didn’t continue, but Gu Deng understood what he meant. If the news reports were true, this year would be Zhang Li’s last chance.

Zhang Li went on, “I said it was for environmental protection, to record the reindeer migration, but actually, it’s to fulfill my brother’s last wish.”

Gu Deng felt a bit uncomfortable, realizing he might have overreacted earlier, and said softly, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know about this.”

“It’s okay,” Zhang Li replied, “I understand, you’re just worried about my safety, like Smith.”

“Of course!” Gu Deng puffed up his chest, regaining his confidence.

After all, he was worried about Zhang Li, which was why he got so upset. Who wouldn’t be concerned hearing their friend plans to trek through the dangerous Alaskan wilderness? Even Smith didn’t support Zhang Li’s decision back at the bar.

“But do you really have to hike?” Gu Deng was still uneasy, “The weather’s terrible, the roads are tough, and there are bears, wolves, and all that.”

Zhang Li affirmed.

Gu Deng wanted to say more but felt it would be disrespectful to the deceased, so he held back.

“But you don’t need to worry about safety,” Zhang Li assured him, “I’ve crossed Hoh Xil, ventured deep into Africa, and the Amazon jungle. I have plenty of outdoor experience and value my life.”

With Zhang Li saying this much, Gu Deng couldn’t argue further and nodded, “As long as you know what you’re doing.”

The conversation eased the tension in Zhang Li’s face, and he seemed to smile, telling Gu Deng, “I’ll come back safe to see you.”

“As if you wouldn’t come back without me,” Gu Deng scoffed, full of sarcasm, “We’re just halfway companions, I can’t handle that.”

Zhang Li apologized again, and to punish him, Gu Deng ordered him to accompany him to buy camping gear.

They went to a large outdoor store. According to Zhang Li, Gu Deng only needed some warm clothes, but Gu Deng went straight to the tents and asked about sleeping bags for the Alaskan wilderness.

The staff recommended a 1500g goose down mummy sleeping bag, suitable for extreme cold down to minus 30 degrees. They also mentioned the importance of the R-value of the sleeping pad and the wind resistance of the tent.

Gu Deng listened carefully, but Zhang Li didn’t understand why Gu Deng needed all this when he wasn’t hiking.

“Oh,” Gu Deng said, “because I plan to walk part of the way with you.”

Zhang Li was taken aback.

Looking at the vast array of outdoor goods, Gu Deng said, “I have nothing else to do anyway, might as well check it out. Just waiting around is boring.”

Zhang Li: “You could drive my car around or join a tour group to see the sights. Alaska has well-established outdoor routes.”

Gu Deng looked up at him, “Since I’m going outdoors anyway, why go through all that trouble with others?”

Zhang Li: “Because this route is very challenging, and I’m afraid you’ll encounter danger.”

Gu Deng sneered, “So you know it’s tough and dangerous?”

Zhang Li suddenly fell silent, his expression seemed touched, but more so resigned.

Gu Deng didn’t expect him to play the pity card, so he put down his things and faced Zhang Li, speaking seriously, “Zhang Li, I’m an adult. I’ll be responsible for my own safety. If I can’t handle it, I’ll naturally leave. Besides, the outdoors is tiring and cold, and you can’t even shower. I’m just in it for the novelty, not planning to go the whole way with you.”

Zhang Li still didn’t speak, quietly watching Gu Deng, his dark eyes shining under the light, like a beast locking onto its prey.

Feeling a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, Gu Deng was about to say something to change the subject when Zhang Li looked away and casually asked, “Do you know how to ski?”

Gu Deng: “What a coincidence, I actually do.”

Zhang Li: “Then get a pair of cross-country skis, it’ll make traveling through the snow easier.”

Gu Deng nodded in agreement.

“And you don’t need to bring a tent, I’ll switch to a two-person tent.”

“Alright.” Gu Deng didn’t refuse. With Zhang Li’s muscles, he was happy to lighten his own load.

While choosing a sleeping bag, Gu Deng suddenly became cautious, “Wait a minute, do you snore when you sleep?”

Zhang Li thought for a moment, “I don’t know, but I don’t think so.”

Gu Deng looked skeptical, warning, “Just so you know, I won’t share a tent with someone who snores. If you lie to me, I’ll be mad.”

Zhang Li shook his head, “I won’t.”

Satisfied with the sleeping arrangements, Gu Deng continued shopping. Passing by the water activities section, Zhang Li mentioned needing an inflatable boat for river crossings.

Gu Deng: “You’re bringing a kayak too? How heavy will your gear be?”

Zhang Li thought for a moment, “About 25kg.”

And that’s not counting the drone, camera, tripod, power bank, spare batteries, and solar charging panel. All his equipment together would weigh around 30kg.

Gu Deng: “…”

“May I ask, are you planning to use yourself as a mule?”

Zhang Li felt the comparison was inaccurate and corrected, “Mules carry much more weight than I do.”

“…”

Now he’s comparing himself to a mule.

Gu Deng was speechless and asked, “Are there many rivers on the way? Do you really need the inflatable boat?”

“Not many, but there are some.”

“Did you bring an inflatable boat before?”

“No.”

“Then how did you cross the rivers?”

“I swam.”

“…”

Gu Deng understood, this kayak was prepared for him.

“No need for you to carry it,” Gu Deng said, “I can swim across too.”

“You won’t make it across,” Zhang Li said.

Gu Deng: ??

Just as Gu Deng was about to get angry, Zhang Li recommended an MRS nitrogen backpack boat weighing only 0.88kg, barely adding to the load. Gu Deng weighed it and found it indeed very light, just a bit heavier than a bottle of water.

“Then I’ll carry it myself,” Gu Deng said, and this time Zhang Li didn’t refuse.

Most of the big items were bought, but Gu Deng still needed a professional hiking backpack. The store had a whole wall of outdoor backpacks, most of them ugly, with only a few brightly colored, stylish ones.

Gu Deng immediately liked them, pointing and saying, “I want this one, and this one, that silver one is nice too, I want them all.”

The staff explained the functions, materials, and carrying systems to him.

Gu Deng didn’t care about any of that, as long as it looked good, telling the staff, “Just take the bags down for me.”

Zhang Li, a regular at the store, had just borrowed a tape measure from the staff to measure Gu Deng’s back length. When he returned, there were already several daypacks at Gu Deng’s feet, and he was trying them on one by one.

“Zhang Li,” Gu Deng turned to ask him, “How about this one? Does it look good?”

He seemed to have reverted to the lively, curious Gu Deng he was when they first met.

Zhang Li: “It looks good.”

Gu Deng picked up another one, “And this one?”

Zhang Li: “Also looks good.”

Gu Deng was pleased, “Seems like our tastes are quite similar.”

He didn’t like people without taste, and if Zhang Li had bad taste, he’d be a bit upset.

“What about you? Where did you go just now?” Gu Deng asked again.

Zhang Li took out the tape measure, saying he needed to measure Gu Deng’s back length to choose the right backpack size.

“Oh.” Gu Deng stood still, turning his back to Zhang Li, letting him measure his back length.

But after waiting for a while, there was no movement behind him.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Deng asked, looking back.

Zhang Li finally said, “There might be some physical contact.”

“That’s not okay,” Gu Deng said with a straight face, “Touch me once, and it’s a 5000 fine.”

Zhang Li paused, then started to pull out his phone, asking Gu Deng for his bank account number.

Gu Deng was stunned, then laughed so hard he couldn’t stand straight, “Are you dumb? You’re actually going to pay?”

Zhang Li held his phone, looking confused.

“Can’t you tell it’s a joke?” Gu Deng wiped the tears from his eyes, shaking his head, “We’re both men, what’s the big deal about a little touch? Besides, I’m not some rare artifact, touching me won’t make me lose a piece of flesh.”

“Then pardon me,” Zhang Li said, reaching out to pinch Gu Deng’s waist.

It was indeed a pinch, with four fingers together, thumb facing up, sliding along the back to the most prominent bones of the waist.

Gu Deng’s waist was ticklish, and Zhang Li’s touch made him a bit sensitive, but he held it in.

Then Zhang Li spread his thumb and middle finger, one hand pressing the two protruding bones, while the other hand moved to feel Gu Deng’s neck bone, pressing the most prominent vertebra.

It was too ticklish, and Gu Deng instinctively moved forward, but Zhang Li immediately pulled him back.

“Don’t move.”

The man’s deep voice came from behind, one hand pressing Gu Deng’s lower back, the other at his neck, conveying an unspoken sense of control, leaving Gu Deng a bit at a loss.

Then came the sound of the tape measure being pulled, and after a while, Zhang Li finally let go, stating a number.

Gu Deng didn’t really hear it, he just mumbled an “mm” without looking up at Zhang Li.