In this radiant May, as the sunlight grows even brighter, I am reminded of the promise I made with Guanshan that year. That promise to the mountains and waters of Guanshan, which was once hindered by wind and rain. Over the years, outdoor activities have become the most wonderful days of my life. No matter the form of outdoor pursuit—because you can simply live in the moment without overthinking, and feel that such days are so joyful, so transcendent, so luxurious and fulfilling. Now, as May arrives once again, it rekindles the promise I made with Guanshan last year. Imagining the red-covered ridges above the hills. The red on the ridge awaits its moment, and I await the season of May. To have an encounter with the red-covered ridges of Guanshan in May. Because at this moment, the flowers will meet me at a time that surprises even me. Like a song, it adds another layer of red charm. I think May in Guanshan must be red. A kind of serene beauty blooming quietly, simple and pure.      Guanshan is located within the territories of Yifeng and Tonggu counties, spanning the western section of the Jiuling Mountain Range in northwest Jiangxi. It is one of the earliest established nature reserves in Jiangxi, with over 30 peaks exceeding 1,000 meters in elevation. Its main peak, Magu Jian, stands at 1,480 meters, making it the highest peak in Yifeng County. It is a mountainous nature reserve that integrates natural protection, scenic landscapes, cultural heritage, and revolutionary history. Before the activity began, due to weather uncertainties and other factors, there was much hesitation. Eventually, it was confirmed on Friday. Since it was a self-driving trip, the final number of participants was set at 15 based on vehicle availability.      Because the route was quite long, we chose to start early. To avoid delays along the way, we decided to take the expressway the whole way—getting on the Yichun-Tonggu Expressway, then bypassing the Changliu Expressway, and finally reaching the Tianbao exit via the Da Guang Expressway. Along this journey, amidst the full morning sunlight of early summer, we could feel the gradually approaching warmth of the season. The weather was warm and cozy. The distant mountains and nearby waters were all draped in thick greenery, exuding the unique fragrance of the season. The sunlight fell on the lush leaves—intense, warm, and seemingly carrying even more emotion.      My memories of Guanshan still date back over a decade. But back then, I climbed up with a group of friends from Shuanghong Village, Xianhe Town, DaxE, Tonggu. There was no concept of outdoor adventures at that time—it was purely a casual hiking trip among friends, without any particular reason. Our group arrived at the entrance of the Jiutian Grand Canyon Drifting Scenic Area around 9 a.m. Forest police had set up a cordon there and informed us that "without permission, all vehicles and personnel are prohibited from entering the protected area." It turned out that the forest area had recently entered a fire prevention safety period, and the protection station had forbidden unauthorized entry into the mountains. Fortunately, we were prepared—Mr. Zhang, who was with us and a local, quickly called a friend, and we were soon allowed to proceed. However, the forest police still diligently reminded us to adhere to fire prevention and environmental protection requirements.      The car continued on until we finally reached the parking lot at the end of the drifting area. As usual, everyone got out to organize their gear before setting off. Soon, our laughter filled the once silent mountains and valleys. We felt like we had entered a green labyrinth. Shades of yellow-green, blue-green, fresh green, dark green, deep green, and emerald green were blended together as if masterfully mixed by an artist, perfectly complementing one another. In the distance, the lean reds and lush greens of the mountains served as the perfect accent. As the altitude increased, the mountain path became steeper, immediately posing a challenge to our group. Under the early summer sun, many of us quickly broke into a sweat and were panting heavily.      The steep, rocky path seemed endless, and with heavy breathing, we had no heart to admire the scenery on either side. Whenever we reached a shaded spot under trees, we would stop to rest for a while. With every step forward, our legs felt as if weighed down by a thousand pounds, our steps unsteady, and our thighs slightly trembling. By this time, our laughter had gradually diminished. The occasional bursts of amusement were merely attempts at lifting spirits amid exhaustion, tinged with a sense of helplessness—like wilting bok choy, drained of vitality. After a grueling climb, no matter how enticing the scenery ahead, it was hard to feel excited. What lay ahead? This became the motivation for everyone to keep climbing. The best views are at the summit—everyone understands this. So along the way, those at the front would often pause to encourage those behind.      Perhaps due to the altitude, the bamboo forest gradually disappeared, replaced by dense shrubbery. Along the way, there were also wild cherries. The path was hidden within shrubs over a person’s height tall, where the green and the occasional red of azaleas created the perfect color combination. At this point, one could even imagine the red scenic beauty awaiting at the mountaintop. This is why outdoor activities can strengthen one’s willpower, teaching you never to give up, because the most beautiful moments often come at the end. And then you realize that all the exhaustion is worth it. It was noon by this time. Considering the strong sunlight higher up, we decided to eat and rest under this shrubbery. Throughout this time, groups of hikers kept descending from the summit. Upon asking, we learned that they were volunteers from Yifeng, organizing an environmental protection hike in Guanshan over the weekend. We truly applaud their love for nature!!!      After resting for a while, we continued on. The summit was now visible ahead, and the number of azaleas was increasing. Large rocks also became more prominent along the way. Not far away, we could see a "stone mountain" formed by piles of boulders on the ridge, resembling stone flowers blooming in a green screen, very eye-catching. As our group approached the floral stone mound, the dazzling red of the azaleas by the roadside had already become one of the main features of the ridge, while the green now played a supporting role, slightly appearing lonely. The flowers were in full, vibrant bloom. A grand feast of mountain blossoms awaited us. A gentle breeze blew, and the feeling was absolutely delightful. Standing on a protruding rock and looking back, the mountain peaks stretched endlessly, with countless peaks competing in beauty... My mood suddenly shifted, and the hardships of the climb vanished. At that moment, I felt the boundless openness of the sky and earth, the gentle beauty of nature, and a transcendent sense of pride. The mountain flowers surely brushed against my face with their fragrance. A faint longing welled up inside me. Amidst the picturesque scenery, there was almost no sense of regret or sorrow. The unrest in my heart gave rise to vague desires and expectations.      At this moment, I had completely forgotten the earlier fatigue. The higher I climbed, the better I felt. The slopes were covered with massive rocks—some shaped like screens, others like spheres. Some lay flat, while others were stacked. The stacked rocks appeared majestic or peculiar, round or square, conical or columnar, with pointed tops like swords piercing the sky—all naturally formed, a true masterpiece of nature. Having endured millions of years, they remained unmoved. And now, these rocks were like the stars of the ridge, surrounded by clusters of fiery red mountain flowers. Soon, we reached the highest point of the ridge, where a huge rock had several large stones piled on top, interlocking and leaning against each other. These stacked stones were estimated to be seven or eight meters high, leaving everyone in awe of nature’s wonders. Truly a marvel of craftsmanship. Engraved on them were words like "Shihua Jian" (Stone Flower Peak) and "Elevation 1445." This is one of the "Three Peaks" of Guanshan—"Shihua Jian," named for its resemblance to a stone flower.      Uneven rocks stood atop various ridges, like towering giants standing in the red sea of flowers on this May ridge. Their straight and upright forms stood out amidst the surroundings. They seemed so extraordinary, like an encounter with admiration in the mortal world, as if a love story of breathtaking beauty. Invading your world, stepping into my heart. Beneath the rocks, in the crevices, in clusters here and there, or spread out in patches. Amidst the pale green ridges of May, they created a scene of misty splendor, making the entire world feel ethereal, subtle, yet passionate. The tranquil mountain ridges were rendered vibrant and lively. Standing within this sea of ridge-top flowers, I couldn’t help but close my eyes, letting the wind blow and watching the flowers sway. The feeling was truly indescribable.      Standing amidst this sea of red, I felt as if I were burning as well. Fallen petals, blown by the wind, clung sporadically to my hair, shoulders, and even slipped into my collar. A faint floral scent permeated the air. The more I breathed it in, the more I felt my own breath carried that fragrance. The bunches of bright red azalea flowers before me resembled small red trumpets, each with five petals, and dozens clustered together looked even more strikingly vibrant. Looking around, numerous blooming azaleas came into view. The surrounding ridges had been dyed red by them.      Each flower is a world. Standing quietly in this fiery red floral world, immersed in the sentiment of the red blooms. A faint fondness arises, a quiet preference, a subtle sense of release. The beauty of the flowers swept away the fatigue of the climb. The fragrance of the blossoms gave me a dreamlike cleansing of the mundane, returning a sense of my true, serene self. As the faint floral aroma wafted through the air, the swaying azaleas shielded the chaos of the world, making everything feel peaceful, serene, and pure. My heart swayed with the red. I suddenly understood—aren’t the lives of people and flowers the same? Coming with a breeze, leaving with a night of rain. Their brilliance is because of my existence, their withering because of my departure. As long as they have given something to this world, even if just a moment of beauty, the journey of life is not in vain. Because in the cycle of life, they will bloom again like azaleas, never distinguishing between nobility and humble status.      I had lost track of how long I had been wandering in this sea of red. In a daze, I had never strayed from this endless ocean and continuous waves of green. Finally, I reached the highest peak. Standing on the summit rock, looking out, all I could see was endless green. In the distance was a sea of red, and nearby was another stretch of red. The ridge was covered in blooming azaleas. When the fiery, rosy azaleas came rushing toward me, my heart was ignited again and again. My deep affection lay intoxicated among the myriad flowers, praising and singing for them. I firmly believe that her sorrow falls as drops of blood-red, and her demise is for an even more beautiful bloom next year. Next May, she will return to this ridge as promised. Because I know she will continue to interpret her life even more spectacularly, spreading her crimson hues across the ridges. If there are flowers, let them bloom freely. If there is fragrance, let it be released freely. Unaffected by vulgarity, unbound by constraints. She made me a promise.              From time to time, bird calls echoed among the branches on the ridge, mingling with the mountain winds. The endless glow of the sunset seemed to reflect the sea of flowers, once again dyeing the mountains red. Such beautiful scenery. Such beautiful flowers. But I am just a fleeting passerby on the ridges of Guanshan, destined to leave. I can only let time brew the rain and let the past fade like smoke. Perhaps next May, these wonderful memories will be unlocked once again. All I can do now is to capture them well with my camera. To record this "May among the mountains, the red of Guanshan Ridge" with words, and cherish it deeply. I hope that next May, we can truly keep this promise. There, on that ridge, in that scenery, on those rocks, among those fiery red flowers—we will have an even more passionate reunion.