On How To Defeat Dr. Qing Leng Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Regret

Mount Everest North Slope Base Camp.

Wen Yelan sat on the simple bed in the medical tent. The throbbing pain in his ankle was far less severe than the heaviness in his heart. Outside the tent, voices were noisy, and intermittent instructions crackled over the walkie-talkies; the aftermath of the rescue operation was still ongoing. Sunlight streamed through the tent’s seams, casting shifting light and shadow on his pale face.

The tent flap was abruptly pulled open, and Zhao Feng, the expedition leader, strode in, a rare look of anger on his face. He was a researcher at the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, CAS, and the overall head of this scientific mission.

“Dr. Wen, can you explain what happened yesterday?” Zhao Feng’s voice was tight with suppressed fury. In his hand was a report he had just received. “I was informed that you left the team without authorization, ventured into an avalanche zone, and got injured because of it?”

Wen Yelan calmly raised his head. “A team was caught in an avalanche, people were injured. What if—”

“What if what? What does that have to do with you!” Zhao Feng cut him off, his voice rising an octave. “You are a scientific researcher, not a rescue worker! Your primary mission is to complete the research project and ensure your own safety! Do you know how dangerous your actions were?”

“The situation was urgent. It would take the rescue team at least two hours to arrive. If their equipment was scattered, in this weather—”

“Then you wait for professional rescue personnel!” Zhao Feng slammed his hand on the table. “Wen Yelan, you are not some fresh-faced graduate! You are a young expert from the Institute of Geological Sciences; you should be aware of the risks of acting independently at high Altitude! If something happened to you, how am I supposed to explain it to your unit? How am I supposed to explain it to your family?”

Hearing the word family, Wen Yelan’s lips moved but no sound came out. A dead silence fell inside the tent, broken only by the sound of the wind outside and distant human voices. Wen Yelan lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting faint shadows on his face. He knew Zhao Feng was right. Even if his family wouldn’t care about him, there were still the leaders at the Institute of Geological Sciences. They had secured this opportunity for him, and he… had wasted it.

“How is your ankle injury?” Seeing his demeanor, Zhao Feng’s tone softened slightly, but remained serious.

“Ligament strain. I need two weeks of rest,” Wen Yelan replied calmly, as if discussing someone else’s affairs.

Zhao Feng took a deep breath and rubbed his temples. “Listen, Yelan, I understand you wanted to save people. But as the person in charge of the expedition, I must consider the safety of the entire team and the completion of the project. Your injury makes it impossible for you to continue high-Altitude work.”

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully. “The Institute just sent a notice requiring you to immediately evacuate Base Camp and return to Beijing for assessment.”

Wen Yelan’s body stiffened almost imperceptibly. Although he had anticipated it, his heart still sank when he actually heard the decision.

“The vertical observation via airship and the ice core sampling…” he tried to say something.

“Someone else will take over,” Zhao Feng’s tone was final. “Ling Yue will temporarily be responsible for your work, and Professor Wang from the Peking University team will arrive tomorrow. He will replace you as the leader of the ice core sampling group.”

Wen Yelan fell silent. Professor Wang was his senior, and his capability was beyond doubt. But this meant that the Mount Everest scientific expedition, for which he had prepared for two full years, was over just like that.

“The evacuation is scheduled for this afternoon,” Zhao Feng continued. “A supply vehicle is heading down the mountain. You will go with the vehicle back to Lhasa first, and then fly back to Beijing from there.” He sighed. “Yelan, you are excellent, but this time… it’s extremely disappointing.”

After Zhao Feng left the tent, Wen Yelan remained sitting quietly, like a statue. The sunlight shifted, illuminating the mountaineering boots placed beside his bed—the boots specially purchased for this expedition, which he now couldn’t wear.

The tent flap was pulled open again. This time, it was Ciqie, the experienced Sherpa Guide, who entered. His face held a complex expression.

“Dr. Wen,” Ciqie’s Mandarin had a heavy accent, but his tone was very earnest. “You should not have gone yesterday.”

Wen Yelan looked up, awaiting the older guide’s admonishment.

“In the mountains, we have a rule: ‘Here, you must be capable of being responsible for yourself.’ Rescue is noble, but the premise is that it should not sacrifice more lives.” Ciqie’s voice was low and serious. “You are a scientist. Your value lies not in risky rescues, but in completing your research.”

He paused, then continued, “I know your intentions were good, but good intentions can sometimes cause greater trouble. If a secondary avalanche had occurred during the rescue yesterday, not only would you have been in danger, but the entire expedition team would have had to risk rescuing you. One person’s impulse could endanger the entire team.”

These words were like a blunt knife, slowly cutting into Wen Yelan’s heart. He understood that Ciqie was right. As a geological expert, he knew the risks and potential consequences in the mountains better than anyone.

“I understand,” Wen Yelan said softly, his voice slightly hoarse. “Thank you for the reminder.”

Ciqie nodded, his expression softening slightly. “Go back. Your ankle injury needs proper rest. The mountain will always be here; there will be other opportunities.” With that, he turned and left the tent.

Will there be? Wen Yelan smiled bitterly in his heart. The Mount Everest scientific expedition doesn’t happen every year; this opportunity was something he had earned through years of effort. More importantly, this research project was highly compatible with his professional field, and the results could directly impact his future academic career.

And now, everything had turned to dust.

A commotion arose outside the tent. Wen Yelan looked through the seam and saw Pei Yan and his team preparing to continue their climb. They seemed largely unaffected by yesterday’s incident, still full of energy and fighting spirit.

Pei Yan was checking his gear, occasionally joking with his teammates. The young man named Lin Mo was talking on a satellite phone, his voice loud enough to be faintly heard through the tent. “…No worries, just a minor incident… Yes, anyway, I’m not aiming for the summit this time. I’ll wait down here for them to come down and we’ll go back together… Don’t worry!”

Wen Yelan watched them silently, a complex emotion welling up inside him. He had saved these people, and now they could continue their ascent, while he himself had to leave early.

Just then, Pei Yan seemed to sense his gaze. He turned his head and their eyes met. He paused, then said something to his companion and walked toward the medical tent.

“Wen Ming,” Pei Yan lifted the flap. “I heard you’re heading down the mountain early? Is it because of yesterday’s injury?”

Wen Yelan nodded, his tone flat. “My ankle needs treatment. I can’t participate in high-Altitude work anymore.”

Pei Yan frowned. “You got hurt saving us… I’m very sorry. If you hadn’t brought water and equipment, we might not have made it through.” He sighed softly. “Is there anything I can do to help? I can arrange a helicopter to take you directly to the hospital in Lhasa. I know people. Or perhaps funding for your subsequent projects.”

“No need,” Wen Yelan interrupted him. “The expedition team has established evacuation procedures. Thank you for the offer.”

Pei Yan seemed about to say more, but seeing Wen Yelan’s calm yet distant expression, he eventually just nodded. “Well, I wish you a speedy recovery. Let’s exchange contact information. You can reach out if you ever need help.”

“No need,” Wen Yelan’s tone remained calm, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

Someone outside called Pei Yan’s name. He answered, looked at Wen Yelan again, and pursed his lips. Seeing that the other man had no intention of taking out his phone, he took a business card from his pocket, placed it gently on the bed, and turned to leave.

Wen Yelan sat quietly until Pei Yan’s footsteps faded away, only then allowing his shoulders to slump slightly. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and forcibly suppressed the surging emotions deep inside.

At two in the afternoon, the evacuation vehicle was ready. Wen Yelan’s luggage was packed. Besides his personal belongings, he had the preliminary data and samples he had collected—these would be handed over to the colleagues taking over to continue the research.

The expedition team members gathered to see him off, the atmosphere awkward and heavy. Everyone had heard what happened, and they were filled with mixed feelings.

“Dr. Wen, take care of yourself,” Ling Yue said, her eyes red. “I will make sure to complete the follow-up work properly.”

Zhao Feng stepped forward and patted Wen Yelan’s shoulder. “Go back and recuperate well. I will try my best to explain the situation to the Institute. Your professional ability is unquestionable, but this time, you were indeed a bit impulsive.”

“Thank you, Captain Zhao, for your guidance these past days,” Wen Yelan nodded slightly. “I apologize for causing trouble.”

Leaning on his crutch, he walked step by step toward the off-road vehicle that would take him away. With every step, a sharp pain shot through his ankle, but compared to the disappointment in his heart, this pain was almost negligible.

Before getting into the car, he looked back one last time at the majestic Mount Everest. The sun shone on the golden peak, magnificent and distant. He knew this might be the only chance in his life to reach the heights of Mount Everest—not as a climber, but as a scientist, conducting unique scientific exploration at the roof of the world.

And now, that opportunity was lost forever.

The vehicle started, slowly driving away from Base Camp. Wen Yelan leaned against the window, watching the familiar tents and figures gradually shrink, eventually disappearing from view. He closed his eyes, and a single tear fell onto the notebook spread open on his lap. On it was written a quote: ‘The mountain is never conquered; it merely allows people to pass.’ Below it, a small line of text, now dampened by the tear, read: ‘I hope Mount Everest can also allow me to pass.’

It was evening when they reached Lhasa. He was arranged for preliminary examination and treatment at the county hospital. Lying on the hospital bed, he began writing the accident report and situation explanation. Objective, calm, detailing the incident and his decision-making process, without defending himself or shifting blame.

After finishing the report, he stared at the screen for a long time before finally clicking the send button. The email was successfully sent; the report would soon reach the Institute leaders’ inboxes.

The next day, he took the earliest flight back to Beijing. As the plane took off, an indescribable pang of sadness welled up in his heart. The mountains were still there, as they had been for millennia, but his dream had drifted away. Wen Yelan clenched his fist, then slowly released it. Never mind, he thought. He was used to this feeling anyway.

Upon arriving in Beijing, he went straight back to his office at the Institute of Geological Sciences. Colleagues were surprised to see him appear on crutches. The news had clearly spread; the looks they gave him were complex—there was concern, sympathy, and also confusion and mockery.

“Yelan, you’re back?” Professor Zhang, who shared his office, walked over. “What happened to your foot? I heard you had an accident on Mount Everest?”

Wen Yelan nodded calmly. “A sprain, nothing serious. Captain Zhao should have reported the incident to the Institute already.”

“Yes, we all heard,” Professor Zhang sighed. “Why were you so impulsive? The expedition team has its rules, and rescue work is for professionals. If something had happened to you, how would we explain it to your family?”

Family again… Wen Yelan didn’t argue, just silently organized the files on his desk. His desk still held the Mount Everest topographic map and project schedule, which now looked particularly jarring.

“I think maybe Dr. Wen just wanted to hitch a ride on Young Master Pei’s big ship, so he deliberately put on a show…”

Wen Yelan paused in his steps, ignoring the person who spoke, and turned toward the Director’s office.

Director Li, an elderly geologist past sixty, looked at Wen Yelan with a mix of reproach and regret. “Yelan, I’ve read your report. Saving people is commendable, but the method was flawed. You are a professional talent trained by the state; your value is not in taking risks.”

Wen Yelan listened quietly, offering no rebuttal.

“According to regulations, you need to suspend all fieldwork and undergo safety training and psychological evaluation,” Director Li continued. “I have already assigned Professor Liu to take over the Qilian Mountains survey project scheduled for next month. You will stay at the Institute and focus on data analysis for the time being.”

“I understand,” Wen Yelan replied. “I will comply with the Institute’s arrangements.”

After leaving the Director’s office, he returned to his dormitory. The moment he closed the door, he finally allowed himself to drop all pretense, leaning slowly against the door panel, his body trembling slightly.

In that moment, Wen Yelan allowed himself a brief immersion in regret and grievance. He had prepared for this expedition for two full years—learning Tibetan, undergoing high-Altitude acclimatization training, researching the latest ice core analysis techniques, and collaborating with domestic and international experts.

All that effort and dedication had been wasted due to one impulsive decision. This was his choice, his price.