Wuhan, Hubei Province, ChinaPOV: Pai Pai | Time: September 2025
The dawn of a new day...
A bright morning that should have been peaceful. But the Jin Long Intersection on the western side of Wuhan was bustling, teeming with an overwhelming crowd. Every face was hidden behind colorful surgical masks, as if they were the mandatory uniform for citizens in this current era.
The 1st Anti-Pandemic Long-Distance Bicycle Race, Wuhan-Chongqing, a distance of 850 kilometers... This event was organized as a grand play for the world to see the success in crisis management, creating an image for the people to rise up and return to normal life under the strict, watchful eyes of the state at every step.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" The indispensable sound whenever there is an auspicious event in Wuhan... the deafening roar of firecrackers to drive away evil and illness. Lion dance troupes, representatives of power, stacked themselves up to jump across bamboo poles, soaring back and forth as if treading on a beautiful risk. People tilted their necks back, staring with mouths agape beneath their surgical masks.
"Ta-lung-tung-chae!" The rhythmic drumming mixed with the clashing of cymbals was so loud it made hearts beat out of sync. Racers arrived with their trusted bicycles, greeting one another. The bikes were beautiful, and the people were handsome...
"Pedal with all your might, Ah Wong! I won't go easy on you. I must win for the 10,000 yuan!" a male racer shouted to inspire and challenge his teammates through his surgical mask.
Greedy thoughts flashed through my head. I walked around "shopping," hiding my lustful eyes behind dark sunglasses to survey the young male and female racers. I secretly gave scores to the thigh muscles of the top seeds in my heart... Oh, both the upper and lower muscles were so firm and bulging! I want them so much! (The only reason I agreed to race was for this eye candy! I’m so thrilled my nose is about to bleed.)
"Peep! Peep! Peep!" The police whistles shrilled to clear the cars, mixing with the "Beep! Beep!" of crowding cars and motorcycles. The thick smell of exhaust fumes penetrated through the surgical masks.
"Get set!" the referee announced through a megaphone, calling for a muster. Everyone wheeled their bicycles into the long, designated lines.
I wore a tight white outfit, showing off my curves to challenge the sunlight. I really wanted to shout to the masses watching... I’ve got some too, you know! And not just a little!
The Triple Monolith building, with the massive giant serpent coiled around it on the right, looked eye-catching and creepy at the same time. It looked strangely at odds with the feng shui of this city of water, like a beast staring down at us from a tower. I wheeled my bike slowly, inspecting the racers one by one, bike by bike.
"Pai Pai! You came too?" friends called out in tones that were hard to tell if they were happy or surprised.
"Ah Mei! Who did you come with?" I bowed my head and gave a pageant-style smile to those who smiled at me, while craning my neck to look at the end of the line where there were about 10 more bikes. But I still didn't find the person I was hoping for...
"One wheel distance, maintain constant speed, no sudden braking or accelerating, give clear signals when encountering potholes, do not overlap front wheels, take turns leading," the referee repeated the rules one last time.
I mounted my bicycle, adjusted my helmet, cracked my knuckles, and jogged in place, preparing to start. My heart began to race, competing with the drumbeats.
"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!" Here in Wuhan, we use the sound of firecrackers as the signal for release. White smoke billowed, and the pungent smell of gunpowder filled the air... the front of the line is moving!
"Kuai! Kuai! Kuai!" (Fast! Fast! Fast!) The supporters urged in high-pitched voices. The front bicycle surged out. The next one began to overtake, closing two lanes. They sped with all their might from the start, swerving left and right, standing on the pedals to gain the advantage.
"Jia You! Jia You!" Supporters on both sides waved multicolored flags frantically. A female police officer closed the traffic until the foot of the bridge across the Hanjiang River. From then on, the bicycle convoy had to travel on their own...
"Whoosh! Whoosh!" The cool wind hit my face. I’ve ridden across this red bridge countless times, but every time I go up, it feels like going to heaven. The sky was clear; large white clouds helped block the sun. The air over the river was fresh. Skyscrapers flanked both sides of the river. The soft sunlight reflected off the water, dancing and sparkling until I couldn't help but indulge in idle fantasies.
"Eh! Or could this light be the flash from reporters waiting to take my picture? Tee-hee! Tee-hee! So embarrassing!" I murmured to myself like a young girl. Thinking about it made my heart swell with a ticklish feeling. (That’s what happens when someone is beautiful and a bit crazy.)
The bicycle convoy took turns overtaking freely. Everyone leaned their backs and looked at the road in the same posture. We rode close to the shoulder. Some sections skirted mountains where the next part was a deep abyss. The view of the complex red, yellow, and orange mountain ranges during the changing leaves was mesmerizing. But when I glanced at the abyss on the side, so deep the bottom couldn't be seen... I have to say, it was so beautiful it made my stomach churn with nerves.
The first rest stop was still far. The bicycle convoy surged forward as fast as a bullet, wheel to wheel, chasing relentlessly. Thigh muscles bulged into knots from continuous pedaling. The sweat dripping from faces showed the internal driving force. The distance and road conditions were proving both the mind and the tough body. Everyone was focused on victory as their common goal.
Fish Out of Water at the Great Marsh
POV: Natalie Park
A vast marshland with a paved road cutting across like a black thread on the water. The lake was still and clear like a giant mirror.
I lay down, exhausted, spreading my limbs beside my trusted bicycle. I looked at the sunlight filtering through the holes in the ceiling of a two-story tiled pavilion on a small island in the middle of the large marsh. A flock of cranes flew across the clear sky filled with clouds. The clear, calm lake reflected the sky as a single image. Far off in the distance, a small boat fishing was a lonely black silhouette. High mountains surrounded the area in the distance; the vivid colors of the mountain range were soft to the eye in autumn.
Time passed as the sun gradually intensified its light. I decided to set my base in Chongqing and find a way out of China from that point. I’ve had suspicions about the foul play regarding the Aeon 30
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"Flap!" Water birds diving for fish by the roadside were startled and flew up together, drawing my eyes to look. The sun began to scorch, heat haze rising from the road surface until the image looked shaky and blurred.
"?????" Eh!... My heart raced again when my eyes caught a red car speeding toward me. The stickers on the side were just like the car of those who chased and shot at me yesterday.
"??????" The closer it got, the more confused my heart became... The instinct for self-defense commanded me to stop thinking. Fear warned of danger; an abnormal event must be happening.
I slithered to hide behind a pillar, trying to rethink the mistakes. Torn, I didn't want to believe they would know I fled here. And I still believed it was impossible... I hadn't even planned to escape.
Suddenly, a group of bicycles rounded the curve and surged down the hill in a line from the right. The head of the line pedaled with all their might to push themselves up the high slope on the left.
I calculated the escape route. Why are they coming this way? The probability of coincidence is zero. Where are they going? Or are they waiting ahead?
Oh... then I remembered. Right! I left my clothes at the market.
I slumped down in confusion. This road is a dead end; there’s no escape. Looking around, there was only water as far as the eye could see. The only way to continue fleeing is into the water. If I go into the water now, I’ll become a sitting duck. But if I stay on land, I’m just a fish out of water waiting to be caught.
"Beep! Beep!" The car horns on the road blared loudly.
The sound of bicycle brakes went "Screech" one after another in succession.
"Huh!... Why are the bicycles stopping?" In my head, there were only question marks as the group of riders slowed down.
POV: Pai Pai
Suddenly, the lead car of the convoy went up the hill and raised a hand to signal. He waved his right hand up and down to slow down. I slowed down according to the signals passed along. Then the signal changed to "right arm at a right angle," which meant to stop the vehicle immediately...
Out of curiosity, I hurried along the line to the front of the convoy. The sound of racers panting heavily harmonized. The closer to the front, the clearer the stress and anxiety on the sweat-drenched faces.
Ahead, a bright red sedan with yellow dragon stickers was parked across the road, selfishly blocking traffic in both lanes. Five men wearing dark sunglasses walked in a line toward us like a shakedown gang. A bald man whispered something to the person beside him before they all rushed forward.
"Eh!" I recognized these faces well; I’ve seen them since I was a kid... the petty thugs who collect protection money from shops in the city.
"Rang kai!" (Move out of the way!) Especially the fat one pushing people in the front row. He once had trouble with the staff at my clothing store. These guys aren't up to any good. Yesterday evening, I still saw them prowling around the neighborhood, causing annoyance everywhere.
When the bicycles came to a full stop, they turned to wave for the cars that were backed up to pass first. The sound of cursing horns blared. (If the people of Wuhan get to cursing, it’s like sparks flying. But these thugs remained indifferent as if their hands were full of influential people’s business cards.)
The one named "Zhu Bajie" arrived first, waving his hands and barking orders loudly... "You all sit and rest first. I need ten minutes to find something."
"Huh!" I looked for suspicious signs before moving to hide behind a male racer who was negotiating... "Gege! What's happening? Why close the road?"
"Don't know yet. Let me ask first." He moved toward them.
"Excuse me, what's happening? Why close the road?"
"None of your business. Rang kai!" The fat pig didn't care, walking with his belly bumping through, pushing into the group toward me.
He pointed at everyone's faces and threatened in a harsh voice... "Everyone stay still. Cooperate so we can finish quickly." He walked and glanced around casually, not searching anything in particular.
I didn't quite understand their actions. But what was certain was that they had no right to do this. And since no one was stopping them, I was the one who wouldn't allow it... (Wuhan blood surged to my face. As someone who is beautiful but a bit of a thug, there's no way I’m backing down.)
"Stop right there!" I grabbed that large wrist when he reached me.
"Hmph!" He shook it off. A group of male friends moved to block the fat man from passing.
"Shan kai!" (Get lost!) He pushed once and the group scattered. A struggle and pushing ensued in the chaos.
Suddenly...
"Hey!" a roar boomed.
"................." Everyone turned to look toward the sound. (I didn't feel good; I quickly hid behind a man immediately.)
They walked toward the man I was hiding behind... "Just a moment of your time."
"We have a goal too. And right now, you are obstructing traffic." He pointed to the line of cars honking their horns.
"If you don't want trouble, it's better to stay still." The thug gritted his teeth and flicked his tongue to lick his lips before putting his hands on his hips and scanning all the racers. He pulled up his shirt to show a black gun tucked into his waist. My heart dropped to my ankles immediately. It’s the real deal.
My male friends were all chicken-hearted, standing still and doing nothing. I would never let this pass. Thinking that, I secretly opened my phone camera to record a clip.
"Hey, you! Move out of the way. We’re going on." A female fellow rider tried to negotiate. But they didn't care.
"We have limited time. Don't make us waste any more of it!" another racer added with a voice trembling from dissatisfaction. But they didn't care.
"So selfish," I remarked casually. The bald man, the gang leader, turned abruptly and strode over...
"Hey, Ah Long! This is the daughter of the clothing shop in the market, isn't it? She grew up to be this beautiful?" He gave a terrifying sneer.
"Yes, boss! This one is sharp! She once chased me and Ah Tue away with hot water." Gap-toothed Long reported to his boss.
The fat one joined in... "Not just once! She’s as fierce as a dog." He pointed at my face with a vengeful gaze.
I didn't remember at all when I did that.
"Boss! The bicycle shop next to her shop said a woman bought a bicycle. Last night I closed the city to search but didn't find her!" The fat one reported.
".............." I secretly thought along and wondered if it was the same person as that beautiful woman.
"This morning I had a hunch she might be hiding with the bicycle team, so I invited the boss to wait here."
The gang leader turned toward me... "Hey... little sister! Yesterday, did a woman with long hair about this tall come to buy things at the shop?" He raised his hand to my ear, which was about the same height as that beautiful woman yesterday.
"People enter the shop all day. I don't remember!" I answered without looking at his face, starting to feel certain she was involved with these guys.
"Think carefully." He moved closer until I caught a pungent perfume scent.
"Yesterday I wasn't at the shop." I brushed it off completely.
"................" He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. I stood stiff, my heart pounding.
"Coming to ride a bike far away like this, leaving Mama at home alone. Aren't you worried?" The bald man left with a direct threat to Mama. My heart dropped in a heap on the floor immediately... a cold shiver ran down my entire spine.
"My soldier uncle came to visit. Not worried," I told a big lie to protect Mama indirectly.
He ignored it and turned to order his subordinates... "Let's find her!"
"Whoosh!" The thugs dispersed, walking and looking at the faces of the bicycle riders one by one down toward the end of the line.
"Your cooperation, please." They didn't just walk and look casually as thought. They were frantic like rabid dogs.
The bald one barked orders in a high-pitched voice... "Open up! Take off all the masks!"
The gap-toothed one limped over and yanked the surgical mask off a female racer who had her long hair tied back, pulling her head back...
"Eek!"
"Sorry!" he cursed in disappointment when he saw the face under the mask wasn't the person he was looking for, then pushed her away heartlessly until she almost fell.
"Hey! You could have asked nicely. There was no need to be this violent!"
"Back off if you don't want to get hurt!"
I stood there, clenching my fists tightly. One part of me was afraid, but another was boiling with rage. My head was filled with nothing but questions about just how important that object must be to make the local gangsters want her this badly!
After a while, the group at the end of the line ran back without finding what they were looking for. The bald guy then spun around…
“Thank you for your cooperation.”
I watched them leave with suspicion. Their behavior was very clear—they weren't looking for an object; they were hunting for a person.
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