Location: Yichang, Hubei Province | POV: Jetdoe | September 2025

  The trailer convoy moved up onto the elevated bridge connecting a long tunnel across the Wushan Mountains. We were driving so high up that the Yangtze River looked like a tiny ribbon stretching out far below. The water mist from the Three Gorges Dam obscured the sunlight, making the atmosphere look gloomy, damp, and formidable.

  Click!... “Bro! After we’re done unloading in Vientiane, do you want to visit my house?” Sawn's voice crackled out from the radio, interrupting the silence at that moment.

  Pshhh! Pshhh! I stepped on the brakes to steady the truck, slowing down to open the path for people walking out of a roadside vaccination center. Throughout this journey, I have seen the sincere dedication of the Chinese government toward its people—the smiles on their faces and the eyes full of bright happiness of the people who received the opportunity.

  “Why would I go? What’s at your house?” I’ve been close with Sawn for so long that we can almost read each other's minds, and because our countries share a joint history, I love him unconditionally.

  “Tan hasn't been to my house yet. Besides, Loweis will be here for a long time. Do you have business elsewhere, Bro?”

  Since Tan started helping us drive, he has become the beloved younger brother of everyone in our group of friends.

  “Yeah, I’ll wait for him to wake up first and ask him for you. Let's talk again when we reach the rest area. That’s all for now...” I followed the truck in front down the bridge, leaving the group of bicycles far behind.

  “Where are we?” Tan woke up groggily. He sat up and stretched his body back and forth.

  Vroom! I backed the trailer truck into a parking space at the edge of a wide yard. “We’re at the Three Valleys rest area. Go find something to eat and take a shower first.”

  The trailer truck convoy gradually parked in rows in the middle of the wide yard. The Chinese welcome signs and the twinkling lights were dizzying. The music playing sounded more energetic than every other time I had been here.

  Sawn draped a towel over his bare shoulders, which were full of muscle, preparing to go take a shower…

  “Bro! The server told us to go up and eat on the upper floor of the building. They’re organizing an event downstairs.” He turned around and walked away.

  “Let’s go take a shower.” Tan urged. I grabbed my Pakaoma (Thai sarong) and quickly jumped down from the truck.

  “Go follow Sawn first.”

  “We’ve been here before, right ?” Tan turned to look around at the single-story wooden building which had a statue of a long dragon and a swan spreading its wings gracefully intertwined on the ancient clay tile roof. It looked delicate and beautiful but also hidden with a sense of solemnity.

  I felt that my pants pocket was light... like something was missing... “Tan! I forgot the truck keys on the truck.”

  Tan paused, looked at the truck, then turned back. “Forget it! No one would dare steal it.”

  “Yeah! Forget it then.” I was too lazy to walk back as well.

  “Bro!” Tan tilted his body, looking toward the restaurant inside the two-story building.

  “Huh?” I paused my hand while about to push the door of the shared bathroom. “What is it?”

  “I think I’ve met that foreigner somewhere before.” He pointed his face toward the building. I looked along and saw a golden-haired young man, dressed cleanly, sitting and reading a Chinese book...

  “If you know him, go talk to him. I don’t know him.” I didn't pay attention and pushed the door inside, finding Sawn playing in the water with other friends.

  “Whoa, you guys! Tuck your elephant trunks away a bit, will you? Hahahaha!”

  ********************

  "Clang!" An antique clock in a black carved wooden cabinet at the corner of the building struck to tell the time.

  "It’s 7 PM already. I’m so hungry I could eat a whole elephant," Sawn stopped to look at the swinging pendulum of the clock and then walked over to sit around the circular table.

  "Come and eat, the food is ready," I scooped rice into a bowl and placed it for him.

  A variety of Chinese dishes filled the Lazy Susan. I used my chopsticks to pick up a large piece of river fish and placed it in Tan's bowl...

  "Tan... this is Shui Zhu Yu. If you come to Yichang and don't order the Yangtze River 'Surging Wave' Fish, it’s like you haven't arrived. This dish is as big as a laundry basin." After that, I used my chopsticks to pick up a red chili and dropped it into Sawn's bowl just to tease him...

  "Hahahaha, thanks, but you don't have to do that next time!!" Sawn laughed heartily and picked up the chili, tossing it into his mouth and chewing nonchalantly.

  "Isn't it spicy?" Tan looked on with a suspicious gaze.

  "Why eat chili if it isn't spicy? It has to be spicy to be satisfying."

  "What a sadist," Tan smiled slightly, flicking the chili off the fish meat.

  I enjoyed the fun atmosphere of the restaurant today. It wasn't lonely like every other time in the past.

  "The restaurant is playing such lively music today. Red lanterns are hung everywhere like they’re having a celebration. What do those signs say, Sawn?" I pointed to the signs on the area behind the trailer trucks.

  "Those are signs welcoming the long-distance cycling convoy against the 'White Silence' threat," he replied. He was the only one in our group who could read and speak Chinese fluently.

  "Tan, did you study hard while you were in England?"

  "It was hard. Law is a subject for memorization. That’s the difficult part."

  "And how did you relax?"

  "I like drifting cars."

  "You know how to drift? Teach me sometime."

  "Sure, but what car do you use?"

  "The one I use regularly is a Hummer H2 (SUV) with a V8 engine."

  "That model is hard to drift. Do you have any other cars?"

  "A blue Toyota GR Supra."

  "The Supra has a very good foundation. Light weight, short wheelbase. Just a little flick and the tail comes around. It’s the best for starting practice."

  I felt it was an eyesore… "Didn't your father send you to study law? You squandered money on such nonsense."

  Sawn poked his face in to tease... "Do you even know how? You can't drift a trailer truck, Boss."

  "Hahahaha!" Both the older and younger brothers were being smart-asses.

  "Just eat, or you'll get a split lip," I raised my chopsticks in a playful threat.

  "After this job, do you want to visit my house? The army is surrounding a stronghold in Shan State. Going back this time, I plan to sweep out some trash," he said, slurping the Shui Zhu Yu soup, which was crimson with chili oil.

  I tapped Sawn's head lightly with my chopsticks to warn him... "If you want to go drift cars, go ahead. But don't drag him into the war. If anything happens to him, I won't know how to face Euang."

  Tan spoke while chewing... "It's up to you, Boss. If you go anywhere, I go too."

  Other than politics, Tan never disobeyed my orders.

  "Bro, look at that!..." Sawn spoke with a mouth full of Tudou Si, nodding his face toward the front of the shop.

  Loweis was holding a paper parcel, walking back to the truck.

  I shouted to call him... "Hey! Loweis, come talk for a bit!"

  "I have a headache. I'm going back to rest at the truck. I'm taking food up to eat," he kept walking without paying us any attention.

  I made eye contact with Sawn but didn't say anything. Loweis was acting strange... hiding alone in the truck all the time and checking his phone frequently. What business did he have here? What kind of crazy news could be found on a trailer truck?

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Sawn used his chopsticks to give some Tudou Si to Tan. It was shredded potatoes stir-fried with dried chilies and Zhenjiang vinegar; the taste was sour, spicy, and chewy... "Eat this to cut the grease. It's delicious with hot steamed rice."

  I picked up some Huiguo Rou, stir-fried pork belly with chilies and black beans, put it in my bowl, and asked Sawn... "What's happening at your house?"

  "Bro, you haven't been to my house in a long time. The last time was my mother's funeral. That was over a year ago."

  "Do you have something to show off?"

  "Come help me pick off some soldiers' heads." he said with a smile that showed his dimples.

  Tan immediately added... "Myanmar is having internal problems right now. The villagers are coming out to protest to drive out the military dictatorship. It's a good idea to go; I want to go help them protest."

  "How could you help them?"

  "I'd help stand there so the Myanmar government knows that the Shan people don't agree with this kind of rule." Tan never missed a chance to insert politics.

  I hesitated… maybe taking him along would be good. Let him see with his own eyes how powerful state power truly is. He might have only seen people splashing water on Songkran; if he saw soldiers splashing bullets, he might think twice before trying to go up against state power... /But in another part of my heart, I want to go back to Euang. What should I do... I can't decide./

  While I was hesitating, Sawn leaned in with a teasing smile... "Since when did you become a coward, Bro?" After the jab, Sawn used his chopsticks to put some Hong Shao Qie Zi in my bowl.

  Tan looked at the food Sawn had just given him and frowned... "What is this made of?"

  "Hong Shao Qie Zi. Braised eggplant in sauce. It's delicious, try some," Sawn shared some with Tan.

  Eating culture in Southeast Asia represents respect, honor, and generosity. Eating together is an exchange of stories. Sometimes we eat to reach an understanding, eat to get to know someone, eat to agree on business, or eat for love. Even eating to apologize is possible.

  I looked out at the stimuli by the roadside. The convoy of cyclists began to turn in and park behind the row of trailer trucks. The chatter in Chinese style began to buzz loudly.

  "So, what's the deal? Are you coming to my house or not?" Sawn asked again.

  "I miss Euang. When I go back this time, I plan to take her to Bangkok for a bit."

  "Tsk!..." Sawn turned his face away in annoyance. He didn't like Euang very much.

  "I have to go back to get vaccinated. Long-distance travel has high risks," I prevaricated. I didn't want to go with him; I wanted to go home more.

  Tan lifted a bowl of lotus root and pork rib soup, slurping it loudly... "Sawn, have you been vaccinated with Tame 30 yet?"

  "I got it seven days ago. I was the first one in line. I'm afraid to die," Sawn spoke while picking a lotus root from his bowl and putting a pork rib in mine.

  "A guy like you is afraid to die like everyone else too?" I bit into the tender pork rib; the aroma of Chinese herbs filled my mouth.

  Sawn wouldn't stop trying. He really wanted Tan to visit his house... "Take Tan to open his eyes. Opportunities like this don't come often! I don't have to take him sniper-shooting. Let him just stand there to be counted with the mob."

  I knew Sawn well. That look in his eyes, speaking with a smile like that... he was clearly taking us to a battlefield. That guy could smile even in the midst of death.

  I turned to ask Tan so he could decide for himself... "What do you say, Tan? Do you want to go to Sawn's house or go home?"

  The commotion from the group of cyclists grew much louder and larger by the minute.

  "I'll go. At least I can be a morale booster for those demanding justice."

  "Yo!" Sawn did a high-five so hard that rice flew all over the table.

  "I don't want to go!" I decided to go home instead.

  Tan looked at my face and sighed softly, his eyes looking at me as if something was still lingering in his mind... "Seriously, Bro, you have a girlfriend, so why are you still a womanizer, secretly seeing other women?"

  Oh! He still hasn't forgotten about that?

  "Hahahaha!" Sawn laughed out loud.

  I was afraid he’d go tell Euang, so I had to quickly bluff to cover it up...

  "That doesn't count as being a womanizer, okay? Because I still love Euang just the same. Besides... I’m not keeping the precepts; I’m not a monk. You guys know I haven't even married Euang yet. We’ve never even had anything deep together. Ask Sawn."

  "Is that true, Sawn?! If it's not, I'm really going to tell Euang when we get back." Tan threatened like a kitten, but it worked every time he used Euang as a bargaining chip.

  That Sawn just rolled his eyes and kept chewing, not giving any answer.

  I had to quickly emphasize what nature intended… "People need to have sex sometimes. Haven't you heard? Whatever you have but don't use, God will take back. I’m afraid it’ll shrink."

  "Hahahaha! Even if 8 inches shrinks to 4, you can still pee! Hahahaha," Sawn said with a mischievous face.

  I wanted to kick him once; he was being way too annoying.

  "Is it true? Is what he said true?" Tan turned to stare, waiting for an answer from Sawn.

  Thump-thump!... My heart was racing, wondering if Sawn would betray me.

  "We have to separate love from sex. Or do you want him to go have sex with Euang?"

  "Pffft!!" The moment he finished speaking, the fish on the spoon that was about to enter my mouth went flying...

  "Ouch! That hurts! Was that a hand or a foot?! So heavy!" Sawn clutched his head with a dry smile.

  "Hahahaha!" Tan laughed loudly.

  "Jetdoe! You’re starting to cross the line... Euang is someone who should be respected. I want to take care of her so she has a peaceful and happy life, not think about dirty things like you guys."

  "So what’s the deal? Going or not going?" Tan looked at me like a witness for the prosecution.

  "Fine, I'll go. But you must not tell Euang."

  "Hahahaha!"

  I turned to look at Sawn with annoyance... "Do you even dare to talk to the girl you like yet? When are you finally going to have a wife?"

  This troublemaker is good at everything. He’s so handsome that girls turn to look, but his tongue gets tied every time he meets someone he likes. He’s never been successful in love.

  “…………….” Sawn went dead silent, his weakness hit dead center. Everyone has a weakness, and Sawn's weakness happened to be something very delicate.

  "Beautiful girls from good families come to like you, and you don't like them back. You're only brave with the beer girls, but when you meet the real deal, you're as quiet as a grave. Your mother waited for a grandchild until she passed away, and you still couldn't find one for her."

  "I'll be brave eventually. I want to have a wife who is a soldier," he looked away and immediately shut his mouth in silence.

  “%#$@%!!^!” The buzzing chatter of the cycling group pulled my attention back to the roadside, behind the row of trailer trucks.

  ***************************

  Run, Recite, Survive Location: Yichang, Hubei Province | POV: Pai Pai | September 2025

  **************************

  Same time, at the end of the trailer truck convoy by the roadside.

  I walked along, hugging Natalie's slender waist, following a large group of cyclists toward the dining tables. The rhythm of the music blasting from the surrounding speakers made the atmosphere in the wide yard feel energetic and festive.

  I couldn't help but start nodding my head to the melody while the red lanterns lined up along the eaves swayed in time with the rhythm of the wind.

  ‘Tud... Tud... Tud... Tud...’

  I swept my hands and swayed my hips fluidly by instinct. My hips shifted and my waist moved back and forth to the heavy bass beat.

  "You're so good at this," Natalie stopped and smiled as she watched.

  "The song is catchy. Whoever dances to this song will get rich." Currently, the song is going viral in China.

  Suddenly...

  "Vroom... mmm!!" A red sedan with a yellow dragon sticker and the words "Wuhan Dragon" plastered across the center swerved sharply, cutting right in front of the cycling team.

  "Stop right there!" A bald man stepped out, followed by two of his lackeys.

  "Aiya!" I recognized them immediately. It was 'Gap-toothed Long' and 'Fatty Tue', and they were rushing straight toward the group.

  "Onnie, sit down," I pushed her head down while bending my knees.

  A premonition of bad luck always comes in the form of a red car. I pulled Natalie's hand to make her sit on the ground, using the height of the crowd as cover.

  "What now?!" The annoyed muttering of the racers buzzed everywhere.

  The bald man, the big boss, shouted out in a fierce tone... "We need your cooperation once again. Do not move. Do not go to the bathroom."

  "What is it this time? I’m so hungry I’m about to faint, dammit!" The complaints rose in a single chorus. Everyone looked at each other in confusion, but no one dared to step forward and confront them.

  The team leader shouted an order... "Step out one by one and gather over there." The bald guy pointed to the left, toward the spot where the fat guy and the gap-toothed mummy were standing.

  "Will they see us?" Natalie gripped my arm tightly.

  "No." I scanned through the legs of the crowd, searching for an escape route.

  But it seemed luck was not on our side; there was nowhere to go. The exit was blocked by an overpass. The only blind spot was behind the row of giant trailer trucks, which was far off toward the end of the line. I completely forgot that the Chinese government's surveillance cameras here are razor-sharp in every square inch!

  The voices of my friends in the group complaining reached my ears... "Damn it! If I had a gun, I’d spray them all, those bastards. I need to pee so bad." They could only vent their rage while shaking their heads in weary disgust.

  "Ah Long! If you see anyone break rank, shoot them until their guts spill out!" That threat made my skin crawl. Just this morning, that gap-toothed guy had already shown his gun to us.

  To the left of the group, near the dining tables in front of the shop—the back of our group was pressed against the tail of a trailer truck. They flanked us on both the left and right, each holding a handgun, without showing the slightest bit of fear toward state power.

  "Front of the line, move out!!" The bald man roared, making everyone jump.

  His command sounded like it was sent straight from hell, forcing the first man to walk forward with a reluctant face. He was pointed toward the left, and the others began to follow one by one.

  "Pai Pai, what are we going to do?" Natalie whispered, asking for my opinion.

  Thump-thump... Thump-thump... My heart was racing, but I didn't lose my cool. However, the stress on Natalie's face was impossible to hide.

  "Follow me." I crouched down and did a duck-walk against the flow of the group toward the end of the line. Even though I was scared, when I turned back and saw her, I secretly smiled because she looked exactly like a penguin.

  The bald man’s voice continued to threaten... "Everyone, stay calm. Do as you're told, and you’ll get to eat and rest. Walk forward!"

  The more people from the group went out to report themselves, the more we had to waddle toward the end of the line, until we started to become the center of attention for the other cyclists.

  "Pai Pai, what are you playing at?"

  "My friend has a stomachache. She can't take it anymore."

  "Pai Pai, I really can't do this anymore," Natalie slumped to the ground, rolling like a tumbling penguin.

  "Try again, get up." I still tried to move, waddling and swaying against the flow of the group who looked down at us with furrowed brows. The number of people on our side began to dwindle every second.

  I searched for an escape route but felt hopeless. Walking was too slow. Hiding at the dining tables was impossible—Gap-toothed Long was right there. Running into the building was out—Fatty Tue was blocking the way.

  "Onnie, this way." Only one path remained: walking into the narrow gap between the trailer trucks.

  My heart was racing as if there were warhorses galloping inside my chest. Just those few steps felt like my heart was going to explode. My stomach churned with nausea until I wanted to vomit. I tried to move my legs to sneak away. /Right now, I really wish I could disappear./

  "Onnie, we have to change how we walk."

  "How?"

  "We have to crouch and run as fast as possible to crawl under the trailer truck." I shifted, standing up slightly to peek, using the heads of the crowd as a shield.

  "Are you ready?" I hunched my back, grabbed her wrist, and gave the order.

  "Go!"

  "Stop!" The bald man’s voice struck my chest...

  "Aiya!" My legs froze mid-step.

  "Structure and components of animal cells... 1. Cell membrane, having the characteristics of a thin film consisting of proteins and fats, functioning to maintain the cell's shape and control the passage of certain substances such as water, air, and various solutions..."

  At the sound of her voice, my mind could only think of my mother’s face and the home I had left behind. I can't die here because of a stranger I just met!

  ************************