Chapter 58 Nowruz Festival "Thief, don't run! Give me back my bag!"
"Knock knock knock..."
At dawn, the rhythmic sound of drums heralded the start of Nowruz, a lively and joyous festival.
Chen Mian was groggily woken up from her sleep. She raised her hand to rub her eyes and looked at Li Hongmei in surprise, thinking she was still dreaming.
Chen Mian: What are you doing here?
Li Hongmei was dressed in a beautiful ethnic costume, with a long, thin black braid under a red plaid hat.
Her own hair wasn't long enough to braid, so Wu Wei had it custom-made for her, and it had a texture almost identical to real hair.
Seeing her friend still dawdling in bed, Li Hongmei urged, "Get up and go to the event. I've already prepared your clothes."
What activity?
"Nowruz! They've already started singing and dancing, hurry up!" Li Hongmei started pulling Chen Mian up and helping her get dressed.
"Wait, why is this festival celebrated at midnight? Can't it be during the day?" Chen Mian was a little confused. She yawned widely. It was one o'clock in the morning, and she had only slept for a few hours.
Even the most enthusiastic ethnic minorities need to sleep.
"Of course it's because we have other plans during the day. This festival will last for three days. Brother Wu said it's going to be a lot of fun," Li Hongmei said.
Chen Mian, dressed neatly, gathered with Li Hongmei and others at the drumming site.
To save time, she was also given a ready-made flower hat. The two girls, who were about the same age, stood together, their clothes matching each other, and from a distance they looked like a pair of beautiful twin sisters.
Both of them were carrying small shoulder bags, which Yu Xiaoyue had recently made in her spare time. The bags were pure white with colorful plaid embroidery, and the interior was divided into compartments. They now contained wallets, tissues, and various snacks.
The inside of the bag is embroidered with the names of the two people, which is quite ingenious.
Li Hongmei was very satisfied with the result; yes, she did it on purpose.
Chen Mian is well-liked; she has so many sisters and cousins. Back in her hometown, she has a younger sister named Chen Muhe, and in Wumu City, she has a cotton farm named Dilidar.
She wanted everyone to know that she was her number one best friend.
The square was brightly lit, with a huge bonfire in the center. The flames swayed with the dancing of the crowd, and the firewood was constantly being consumed by the flames, making crackling sounds from time to time.
Outside the campfire, a group of brightly dressed young men and women were singing and dancing to the exquisite music played by the musician and singer.
People from ethnic minorities seem to have this innate talent, as if they were born knowing how to sing and dance.
Chen Mian has been in Xinjiang for almost half a year and still hasn't learned these skills, but that doesn't stop her from enjoying the pleasure of staying up all night with them.
Young people like us can't stay up late, especially during a holiday.
She quickly convinced herself.
As Chen Mian moved with the crowd, her eyes met, and she seemed to spot a familiar figure in military green.
"Ji Yu, what are you doing here?"
“I’m on duty. Accidents are very likely to happen at these large events every year. Several colleagues and I are here.” Ji Yu replied as he saw Chen Mian stand up straight and salute.
Chen Mian couldn't help but chuckle: "Why are you suddenly bowing to me?"
"Serve the people and be subject to their scrutiny at all times." Ji Yu's lips curled up, her eyes full of mockery.
"Okay, Officer Ji, you continue your service. I'm going to have some fun."
"Be careful when you're playing. There are people everywhere, so be careful your things don't get stolen," Ji Yu earnestly advised Chen Mian, who was alone.
"It's okay, everything's packed in my bag." Chen Mian casually picked up her handbag. "This is a new one my aunt made for me. What do you think? Isn't it pretty?"
"It looks nice." Ji Yu's tone was a little sour. Why didn't his mother make one for him too, so they could use the same thing?
Yu Xiaoyue: When I was making it, I don't know who said that they would never carry such a girl's handbag, even if it meant death.
"Did you come alone?" Ji Yu was still a little worried. He had been on duty here during Nowruz last year and caught several thieves.
Some of them even had knives hidden on their bodies.
Chen Mian: "I came with Hongmei and the others, but she is dating Boss Wu, so I came out for a walk by myself."
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
After saying goodbye to Ji Yu, Chen Mian went to the snack street on the east side alone.
The following morning, Yu Xiaoyue lit a pile of pine and cypress branches in the center of the house and then held the smoking branches and circled them over everyone's heads.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy new year.
Then he took the smoking pine branch to the entrance of the livestock pen and circled it, hoping that the livestock would gain more weight.
On this day, people officially change out of their winter clothes and put on spring clothes, so Nowruz is also called "Welcoming the Spring Festival" in the local area.
March is a wonderful time when ice and snow melt and the earth revives, and they welcome the arrival of spring in their own way.
Yu Xiaoyue has lived in Xinjiang for over a decade. She has gone from being clueless about these festivals at the beginning to now feeling integrated and even enjoying them.
Yu Xiaoyue has her own logic: "It's just a few more holidays every year, what's there to resist? As long as everyone has fun together."
After burning the pine branches, the group began a thorough cleaning.
In addition to cleaning the windows, we also need to take apart and wash all the bedding, and take the quilts out to air them in the sun.
Yu Xiaoyue explained, "After the quilt has been sun-dried, it will have a warm smell."
"I really want to get some sun myself too," Chen Mian said.
"You can sunbathe anytime, but the holiday only lasts a few days," Yu Xiaoyue urged. "I heard there's a performance in the city today, why don't you go and have some fun? I'll do the housework."
Chen Mian hesitated for a moment, "Aren't you coming along?"
“I watch it every year, and I’m already tired of it. You should invite your friends to go with you; I’m not going,” Yu Xiaoyue said.
"What kind of performance is it? Is it a traditional opera?" In rural Northwest China, local Qinqiang opera troupes are always invited to perform during festivals. I wonder if it's the same here.
"It's not a theatrical performance; you'll see when you get there. It's very exciting," Yu Xiaoyue said, keeping everyone in suspense.
Chen Mian was intrigued by the "stimulation" in Yu Xiaoyue's words. She slung her small shoulder bag over her shoulder and went to the "Dawaz" performance site with a mix of doubt and anticipation.
The scene was packed with people, all in the same position, heads tilted upwards, mouths agape in surprise, occasionally letting out a gasp.
Chen Mian looked up following everyone's gaze, and only after seeing the performer's position did she understand what Yu Xiaoyue meant by "stimulation".
The performer held a long bamboo pole in his hand and stood on a thin wire, seemingly high in the air.
A gentle breeze blew by, and the performer's body swayed slightly. Chen Mian's heart jumped, but the person seemed completely unfazed.
With a calm expression, he carried the bamboo pole and walked from one end to the other.
After he came down from up there, everyone applauded and cheered, and some people even brought him a magnificent horse as a gift.
Chen Mian was clapping along when she suddenly felt something fall off her. She reached up and grabbed a colorful woven ribbon. This was…
She touched herself and realized that her handbag had been stolen.
The person had somehow gotten close to him and cut the straps covering his body.
Chen Mian looked around. The thief probably hadn't gone far. She quickly pushed through the crowd and said, "My bag was stolen. Please make way, thank you."
"Thief, don't run! Give me back my bag!" She seemed to see her bag and ran in the direction the thief was.
The man, dressed in all black and wearing a hat, had just taken the bag and hadn't even had a chance to look through the valuables inside when he was stunned by Chen Mian's voice and ran away.
"Don't run! Thief!"
Chen Mian chased after the person across the entire street, panting heavily, but still couldn't catch up. Undeterred, she followed the person into a small alley.
"Where is he? Why is he gone?" She clearly saw him come in.
"Don't move," the man said, pinning Chen Mian's body down from behind with his arm, his other hand still clutching his bag, panting heavily. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone, but you've been chasing me relentlessly."
He threw the bag on the ground, then pulled a sharp weapon out of his pocket and held it against Chen Mian's throat.
It is an extremely sharp pair of scissors.
Chen Mian tried to break free, but quickly realized it was no use.
The physical differences between men and women are too great; she needs to find another way to save herself.
"Comrade, let's make a deal." Chen Mian's legs felt weak, and she nervously licked her lips, as if she could feel the chilling aura emanating from the murder weapon.
This person seems to be a repeat offender; she shouldn't have acted so impulsively.
"You're only after money. There's nothing valuable in my bag. If you're willing to let me go, I'll go to the credit union and get you a thousand yuan right away. How about that?" Chen Mian tried to coax him gently, if only her voice hadn't trembled.
The man hadn't expected Chen Mian to be so wealthy, offering a thousand yuan right off the bat. His eyes darted around, and he immediately raised the price, "Two thousand."
"Fine, two thousand it is." Chen Mian gritted her teeth and agreed. "Big brother, can you take this thing back first? I'm scared."
The man put the scissors away and grabbed Chen Mian's arm with his right hand. "Let's go get the money. Don't try anything funny."
"Otherwise, I'll make you regret it."
Chen Mian forced a fake smile and promised, "No, I don't have the guts. Don't worry."
“Once I get the money, don’t even think about calling the police…” the man threatened, pulling down the brim of his hat with his other hand.
"Don't worry, I have face blindness, and I've been out playing all day, so I haven't seen anyone else," Chen Mian said.
As they spoke, the two had already arrived near the credit union.
Chen Mian didn't really want to give the other party two thousand yuan. That money was all she had worked hard to earn, and she wanted to save it to start her farm.
She had worked so hard to secure the right to contract the farm, she couldn't let it all fall apart halfway through.
She quietly observed the surrounding crowd and buildings, hoping to slip away at the last minute.
She knew she wouldn't get her things and money back, so she might as well consider it a waste; saving her life was the priority.
Chen Mian wanted to ask people on the roadside for help, but everyone seemed to think they were a young couple having a fight. After all, the man hadn't done anything; he was just holding her arm tightly, making it impossible for her to break free.
She was somewhat disheartened. Was spending money the only way to avoid further trouble today?
At this moment, Ji Yu, dressed in casual clothes, quietly approached the man from behind.
His task today was still to be on duty, but he had changed into civilian clothes. A police uniform would have been too conspicuous in a crowd.
He was actually present when "Dawaz" was performing.
It just so happens that she and Chen Mian are on different sides and a bit far apart.
When Chen Mian shouted for help to catch the thief, he vaguely heard a commotion and heard someone say that a little girl was chasing after the thief, so he quickly followed the direction.
He lost track of the two men for a while, but fortunately, after going around in circles, he found the purse thief again.
However, he never expected that the person being held hostage by the purse thief would be Chen Mian.
Ji Yu felt very annoyed. She shouldn't have said those things yesterday. Ugh, ugh, ugh.
I should have taken leave to be with her.
Ji Yu looked at Chen Mian's unsteady steps ahead, worried that she might have twisted her ankle again, shook her head, and forced herself to stay awake.
He seized the opportunity, stepped forward quickly, and moved with both hands simultaneously. His right hand suddenly grabbed the man's fingers and pulled them backward, while his left hand controlled the man's other arm.
After pulling the man over, she twisted his arms behind his back and kicked him to the ground.
He deftly pulled out handcuffs and cuffed both of the purse thief's hands. "Behave yourself, officer."
Chen Mian finally breathed a sigh of relief when she turned around and saw the familiar figure. Her legs went weak and she collapsed to the ground.
Ji Yu asked anxiously, "Are you alright?"
"No, my legs just felt weak." Chen Mian shook her head, still feeling a little scared.
Ji Yu grabbed the thief with one hand and slowly helped Chen Mianmian up from the ground with the other.
"Can you still walk?"
"able."
"I'll take him back to the police station first, then I'll take you home."
"good."
Chen Mian was still shaken, but knowing that Ji Yu was busy with work, she didn't say anything and silently got into the car.
Ji Yu handcuffed the man's wrists to the handle next to the carriage.
When the purse thief realized he had run into a real policeman, he cowered and couldn't utter a single word.
Jiangjin Road Police Station.
Ji Yu settled Chen Mian in his office, poured her some water, and then took out a box of pastries before going to the interrogation room to take a statement from the bag thief.
This was Chen Mian's first time entering Ji Yu's office. She looked around curiously, then asked with a puzzled expression, "Don't I need to give a statement?"
"Eat something first and rest for a while. I'll come find you later," Ji Yu said gently.
"Okay, I'll wait for you." Chen Mian smiled sweetly.
Ji Yu's eyes were filled with heartache. Chen Mianmian was just a young girl who had encountered such a big thing. The calmer she appeared, the more heartache he felt.
He closed his eyes, suppressed his emotions, and turned to go to work.
The institute just notified me that a high-ranking leader is coming to inspect the area, and he has been specifically chosen to receive him.
The group, dressed in military green police uniforms, stood in front of the police station for a long time, but they didn't see the big leader.
Kalikzi and Ji Yu stood in the corner. Kalikzi nudged Ji Yu gently with his elbow and whispered gossip, "You're really bold, bringing your girlfriend to work."
"Keeping a mistress in a golden house?"
Ji Yu turned her head and glared at him sternly, "Pay attention to discipline."
"First of all, she's not my girlfriend; secondly, she was robbed today, and I brought her back to give a statement."
“Oh, not yet, then it’s coming soon.” Kalikiz raised an eyebrow. “Am I right?”
"Or did you confess your feelings, but the pretty girl rejected you?"
When her colleague exposed her secret, Ji Yu stubbornly replied, "I haven't officially confessed yet, but I think she probably likes me too."
"Alright, then I wish you both a speedy marriage, and remember to invite your brothers to your wedding feast!" Kalikiz said.
"Alright, everyone disperse and go back to work. I reckon the boss won't be coming today." After saying this, the middle-aged man who was leading the group turned around and left with his hands behind his back.
The crowd dispersed, and Ji Yu went back to continue taking notes.
A short while later, a black Santana pulled up to the side of the road. A middle-aged man dressed simply got out of the car. He had gray hair, wore a pair of old black cloth shoes, and was carrying a canned food jar. As he walked, he kept blowing on the tea leaves inside the jar.
Judging from the direction he walked, it seemed to be heading straight for the police station...
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Author's Note: After spending two days out over the weekend, this silly author is frantically trying to save themselves in the remaining days. Wish me luck! [eating melon emoji]
P.S., I've posted the beautiful pictures of misty rain in Jiangnan in other places where I can post pictures. I'll keep writing and writing, when will I finally be able to write about a beautiful woman from Jiangnan? [heart eyes]
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