Chapter 28: The Volunteers
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The vehicle drove into the volunteer center. It was an ordinary office building. On the first floor was an exhibition on protecting the environment.
The volunteers had already been waiting for their guests. When they entered the building, young women immediately presented them with snow-white Khatas.
“Tashi Delek, welcome, grogs po (friends), to Golmud Environmental Protection Volunteer Center. I am the captain of the volunteer corps, Duoji.
The captain was about 50 years old. His skin was dark, and his cheeks were red because of the high altitude. Because he smiled often, there were deep creases at the corners of his eyes. He looked kind and benevolent even when he did not smile.
“Hello, Captain Duoji.” Everyone went up to hug the man in greeting.
“Next, I will take everyone on a tour of our volunteer center. We will have to ask you all for help over the next two days and one night to protect Golmud.”
The captain finished speaking and led everyone to the exhibition hall.
There was a large poster of a timeline hanging at the entrance of the exhibition hall. It recorded every incident that had happened, big or small, from when the volunteer corps was established up until now.
Qin Zhuo’s sharp eyes caught a handsome young man who looked rather familiar in a picture of the volunteer service’s opening ceremony. “Captian Duoji, is that you?”
The captain smiled and nodded.
“That’s right. I was part of the first batch of volunteers when the corps was established. 36 years have passed in the blink of any eye.”
“That’s amazing.” Everyone chorused in praise.
“Our volunteer service was first established to resolve the issues of poachers near Golmud and the trash that were left behind by gold diggers. Later, we also collected the trash brought here by tourists who traveled along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway. After that, more and more people traveled to Golmud, and more and more garbage was generated. The team started to focus mainly on Golmud.”
Everyone looked at the photos on the wall as they listened to the captain’s introduction. They could not help but feel upset and excited. They were thankful for the contributions of the volunteer corps but were also sad because the environment had to sacrifice for development.
“We have two tasks that we hope you all can help us finish. The first is to patrol around the Kunlun Holy Spring for trash. The second is to patrol Golmud’s downtown area for trash.”
“Anzhi Hani, who had won the mission to seek for our guests, can choose his task first.”
“Honey?” Qin Zhuo could not help but snigger. Captain Duoji was so friendly. Even he did not dare to call Anzhi his honey.
“Hani means brother in Tibetan.” Feng Lanchu explained by the side. “It’s not the same as the ‘honey’ we use in English.”
Qin Zhuo blushed awkwardly when he heard that. He touched the back of his head and asked in surprise, “Miss Feng, do you know Tibetan?”
“I only know a few simple words like ‘hi,’ ‘bye,’ ‘how much is it.” Feng Lanchu stuck her hands in her pockets and answered the question calmly.
“…” Qin Zhuo was rendered speechless.
Just as the two talked in low tones, Jiang Anzhi walked up to Feng Lanchu without any warning and asked lightly, “Where do you want to go?”
“Er.” Feng Lanchu stared at him in surprise.
Li Yue walked over as well. “That’s right. We will do as you say.”
“This…” Feng Lanchu scratched her head and said, “Actually, the two places are about the same. Perhaps staying in Golmud might be easier. The Kunlun Holy Spring is a little high up, and those with poor health might experience some altitude sickness.”
“Alright, then we shall leave the simpler task to them.” Li Yue discussed with Jiang Anzhi.
Jiang Anzhi did not reply. He stared at Feng Lanchu with his dark black eyes.
“I’m fine. I am pretty healthy.” Even though she had been out of commission for three years, she persisted in training every day so that she could set off again one day.
Having seen Feng Lanchu’s firm nod, Jiang Anzhi finally said, “Alright, we will pick the Kunlun Holy Spring.”