The damp cave was icy and gloomy, illuminated only by the precious light filtering through the entrance, casting a dim glow over this corner of the world. Countless tiny insects seemed to lurk in the darkness, their gnawing sounds unsettling.
I lay on my side, pulling my jacket tightly around me, curling up beneath its loose fabric. The pain in my right foot constantly reminded me how hopeless self-rescue felt.
I could only pray my companions would find the way out soon, that they would return quickly.
My body felt both hot and cold. The cave floor held a faint dampness, making it uncomfortable to lie upon. Yet I seemed feverish, my stomach empty for what felt like an eternity. Every ounce of strength had been drained from me, leaving me unable even to shift.
In a daze, a tall figure appeared at the bright cave entrance. Backlit, I could only make out a slender silhouette.
Then came the tinkling of jade ornaments, a sound that rang especially clear in the cave.
My heart began to pound violently. My lips parted, trying to utter a cry for help, but the sound that emerged was so low I could barely hear it myself.
The figure entered the cave, his footsteps light, quieter even than the clinking of his silver ornaments. He walked straight to me, stopped, and looked down at me with a condescending gaze.
As if surveying an insignificant insect.
I couldn’t see his face clearly, but I could imagine the icy, indifferent expression on the fair-skinned youth’s handsome features.
“Save me… save, save me…”
The vibration of my vocal cords brought a tearing pain. He finally took pity, bending down to press his ear to my mouth, listening clearly to my humble plea.
Then, the boy moved his lips to my ear. Each soft opening and closing of his lips swept suggestively across my cheek.
It sent waves of tingling sensation, like the flutter of butterfly wings, or the fine crawl of insects.
He said, “You told me people outside practice barter, fair exchange. You want me to save you—what can you offer in return?”
I struggled to lift my eyes and only then noticed the look in his gaze—like some terrifying beast fixated on prey it had long coveted.
——
Mountains rolled endlessly, the air warm and humid.
I glanced at the rearview mirror. Dense forests receded rapidly alongside the highway. No other vehicles were in sight at the road’s end. This wasn’t a national highway, and the remote location meant sparse traffic was normal.
“Once you reach the Miao village, don’t wander off anywhere!” “The man with a scruffy beard sat in the passenger seat, his thick, dark eyebrows growing wildly and untamed, never having received proper care. He was actually quite handsome, but his unkempt appearance made him look somewhat shabby. Speaking Mandarin with a strong regional accent, he said, ”There are many rules in the Miao village. You may be outsiders, but you mustn’t break them. Otherwise, I… I won’t be able to help you…”
I grew irritated listening to him, especially his peculiar tone. If not for my teacher’s recommendation, I never would have hired him as a guide. My fingers tapped the steering wheel unconsciously as my gaze fixed on the road ahead.
The mountain road twisted and turned, full of sharp bends, perilous indeed. I dared not relax, fearing one careless moment could send the car and its occupants tumbling off the edge.
But my companions were fascinated, listening intently to his stories from the backseat.
This man named “Anpu,” our hired Miao guide, was a local in his thirties, sturdy and muscular, his hands thick with calluses from farm work. When we found him and explained we wanted him as our guide, he seemed utterly flattered, his hands clasped together nervously as if he’d just stumbled upon a windfall.
“When we enter the Miao village, the locals will offer you a welcome wine. It’s delicious, but drink sparingly!” Anpu gestured with his hands, leaning halfway toward the backseat, eager to get closer to his devoted audience.
I glanced up and caught a glimpse of Xu Zirong through the rearview mirror. His eyes were sparkling with excitement as he exclaimed, ” Wine!”
This drunkard perked up the moment he heard the word “wine.” If it weren’t for accompanying his girlfriend, why else would someone like him choose to take a course like “Exploring Ethnic Cultures”?
Qiu Lu, sitting beside him, nudged his chest with her elbow, her voice soft and sweet: “You promised me—no drinking!”
Xu Zirong clutched his chest, feigning deep injury as he exaggeratedly grimaced: “Lu Lu, my dear, if I don’t drink this heavy responsibility, who will?”
Qiu Lu pouted, signaling with her eyes: “Make Li Yuze drink it!”
When they suddenly mentioned me, I merely gave a noncommittal, lukewarm “Hmm.”
An Pu chimed in from the side: “Oh my, this handsome young man—pretty face, but so delicate. Our door-blocking liquor is strong stuff, fiery!”
Xu Zirong chimed in immediately: “Exactly! Yuzhe is a top student in the literature department. He’s so pure and virtuous—how could he possibly be good at drinking? Let us athletes handle these things!”
Truth be told, Xu Zirong was a track athlete, tall and sturdy. Even sitting in the backseat of the small SUV, he had to curl his legs.
Qiu Lu chuckled, “Getting drunk is no big deal. It’ll just give us a chance to take care of our little Yu, right Lingyu?”
Here we go again.
My heart skipped a beat. I glanced up at the rearview mirror, catching Wen Lingyu’s gaze fixed on me. Caught off guard by my gaze, her face flushed instantly. She averted her eyes to the window, muttering, “Lu Lu, stop joking around.”
Qiu Lu grinned, leaning into Wen Lingyu’s shoulder. “Our Lingyu is the department beauty of History,” she teased, “she could easily match anyone.”
The two were roommates in the same department and usually inseparable. I’d heard remarks like this countless times before and could now calmly pretend not to hear them.
As for this road trip, they were both a couple and roommates, making me the only “outsider.”
We were classmates who had all taken the elective “Exploring Ethnic Cultures.” This year, our advisor, Ye Wensheng, happened to have a graduate school recommendation project available, but it required field research into Miao ethnic customs. So the four of us formed a research team, heading to the Miao village to conduct fieldwork and gather materials for our advisor.
Noticing the atmosphere grow slightly tense, Anpu added, “Once you enter the village, there are a few more things to keep in mind. It’s peak tourist season now, so it’s crowded. Plus, it coincides with our festival. If you need to enter someone’s house, you absolutely must not step on their threshold! That’s a major taboo!”
Qiu Lu tilted her head. “Why not? What if I do step on it?”
“In our Miao tradition, stepping over someone’s threshold means you’re trampling their fortune for the entire year. Miao people are straightforward and unfiltered. If you cross that line, you might get kicked out of their home. Worse still, you could be expelled from the entire village!”
“That serious!” Wen Lingyu gasped softly.
Xu Zirong gripped Qiu Lu’s hand. “Lu Lu, don’t wander off or step on anything carelessly. Otherwise, we’ll have to sleep outside in a tent.”
“Xu Zirong! Do I look like the type to be so clumsy?” Qiu Lu snapped, annoyed.
I chuckled inwardly. This couple couldn’t go a moment without bickering, always finding something to quarrel about.
Seeing this, An Pu changed the subject. “Besides, during this season, eligible young men and women go out to meet and make friends. It’ll be lively—you’ll probably enjoy it. But be careful. I see you young folks are all quite handsome. If you don’t want to stay in the Miao village forever, you’d better be careful!”
Qiu Lu ignored Xu Zirong, sat up straight, and asked curiously, “What is ‘traveling to make friends’?”
Anpu explained, “It’s how we match couples of marriageable age. A bold young man will step on the instep of the girl he likes. If she steps back on his foot, it means mutual affection. Then they can prepare love songs, exchange betrothal gifts, and start a family!”
“Wow!” Qiu Lu exclaimed, cupping her face in awe. “You Miao people are so romantic!”
Xu Zirong, hearing this, feigned outrage. “What? You want to find another boyfriend?”
Qiu Lu shrank her neck, stuck out her tongue, and rolled her eyes discreetly.
Wen Lingyu, her voice soft, smoothed things over. “We’re here to explore folk culture. What better time than now!”
An Pu laughed heartily.
The SUV was instantly filled with cheerful energy again.
“If you need anything or want to learn more during your stay, feel free to ask me. I live nearby and know more than you do. If you run into trouble, just mention my name.”
Wen Lingyu smiled. “Thank you so much, Brother An Pu.”
“It’s nothing! You’re Teacher Ye’s students, so naturally I should look out for you a little more.”
It seemed An Pu and Teacher Ye had a good relationship. He must be a reliable person; otherwise, Teacher Ye wouldn’t have sent us to find him.
“Ah, and one more thing…” An Pu was about to say something else, but the vehicle rounded a bend, and the scenery ahead abruptly changed.
The lush greenery faded, dense forests gradually receded, and the cement road grew wider and smoother. A wooden gate with distinct ethnic charm came into view.
The gate bore the four characters “Dongjiang Miao Village” in gold-trimmed red characters, exuding a strong ethnic flair.
I must take some good photos when we get out—these folk customs are worth documenting. As I looked around, I began mentally outlining my field notes for the visit.
“No parking inside. You have to leave the car outside,” An Pu reminded me.
“What else did you say?” I asked, suddenly recalling An Pu’s unfinished sentence as I turned off the engine and pulled over.
“Nothing much,” Anpu shook his head, then murmured under his breath, “Anyway, you probably won’t encounter…”
His final words were so soft I wasn’t sure I’d heard correctly. Before I could ponder further, Qiu Lu impatiently urged us to get out, her shrill voice clamoring incessantly.
Our destination had arrived.
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