Chapter 5: So It Was a Swallow Returning the Favor!
The village committee has no canteen, so everyone must arrange their own three meals a day. Those living in the village usually go home to eat, returning after their afternoon nap unless there’s something urgent. Residents of Mengla County town typically dine at small local eateries within the village to avoid driving back and forth.
It must be said, the small restaurants in this tourist village serve incredibly delicious food.
Then there are young, capable college graduates serving as village officials like Xiao Sun, who are deeply loved by the villagers. He sometimes drops by their homes for a meal, helps the elderly with chores, buys groceries, and shares a dinner with solitary “Yibu” and “Yiya” (grandparents).
Xiao Sun is preparing to take the graduate entrance exam for Yunnan University; his role as a village official serves both as practical training and as fieldwork for his research.
Liang Youyun booked a table at the village’s signature Dai cuisine restaurant. Yu Xiang ordered small-pot erxian (rice noodles), while Zhang He, preferring sour flavors, chose sour soup rice noodles. He also specially ordered a portion of thin bean flour paste for Liang Youyun, saying that since she had just recovered from illness, she should eat something easy to swallow.
Youyun scoffed, saying, “I sprained my ankle, not my intestines. Why should I eat something easy to swallow?”
As she spoke, she scooped a large spoonful of chili dipping sauce into the thin pea flour paste, then tossed in small pieces of fried dough sticks. Before they could soften, she began crunching them with relish.
The weather was hot; all the windows of the bamboo house stood open. From the restaurant’s windows, one could see the Nanla River not far away.
Sunlight danced upon the river’s surface, creating shimmering ripples, while someone wearing a straw hat fished nearby.
Close by stood a row of lemon trees blooming with creamy white flowers. Their pale yellow stamens emitted a fresh lemon fragrance—these had been personally planted by the owner, Sister Yiying.
Modern Dai houses are typically constructed with a brick-and-timber frame, enclosed by low fences woven from bamboo. These barriers serve primarily to contain livestock rather than to deter thieves, or sometimes simply for aesthetic appeal. Both inside and outside the courtyards, various flowers and plants are cultivated, ensuring a riot of blooms throughout all four seasons.
It was only after being stationed in the village that Liang Youyun discovered how much the local people cherish beauty, especially the young women, whose pursuit of aesthetics is reflected in every aspect of their lives.
They wear beautiful tube skirts, adorn themselves with colorful jewelry, style their hair in neat updos, and apply striking makeup; even when heading out to work in the fields, they take care to dress up.
They believe that presenting a pleasing appearance is a form of respect toward others. Even the elderly don elegant ethnic attire during festivals. At the weekly rainforest market fair held every Saturday, locals attend in full regalia; the mothers and older sisters resemble rainbows descending upon the earth, their vibrant colors winding along the rainforest paths like a flowing stream.
Youyun herself was never one for dressing up, preferring basic clothing, but Yuxiang told her that loving beauty is in a girl’s nature. “Our Dai landscapes are so picturesque; our attire should harmonize with the surroundings!”
Youyun couldn’t help but recall Beijing’s gray, overcast autumn and winter skies, suddenly realizing that her monochrome aesthetic of black, white, and gray might have been shaped by her environment.
Later, she had several sets of traditional Dai skirts and short blouses made at a brocade shop, wearing them for special occasions. She also changed her hairstyle from a simple ponytail to a side-swept braid.
“This person isn’t a tourist, nor a villager; they’ve come here to live in seclusion.”
Zhang He stirred his rice noodles, slurping a mouthful. The rice noodles were similar to the northern-style liangpi but softer and smoother, with more side dishes and condiments. Speaking of the “lifesaver” in the photo just now, he showed great interest.
“Do you know ‘Yanshi’?” Zhang He asked.
“Yes, it’s a famous chain restaurant in Jinghong, specializing in Yunnan cuisine and a must-visit on the Xishuangbanna travel food list,” Yu Xiang replied.
Zhang He nodded: “That’s right. But what you don’t know is that Yanshi started as a small stall selling sticky rice. The owner, Yan Shuai, ran it with his wife; both are from our village. They worked dawn to dusk making sticky rice, starting with a pushcart, then later opening a storefront. After trying their luck in Mengla city for a while, they came back, saying the costs were too high to handle.”
“Stop right there!” Yuxiang scratched her head. “What does what you’re saying have to do with the person we’re discussing?”
Zhang He, looking smug as if privy to some imperial secret, first gulped down a large mouthful of mint lemon water, then continued leisurely: “Boss Yan Shuai has a son who joined the army as soon as he came of age. He became a special forces operator—the only special forces unit in the rainforest region. The selection process was extremely rigorous. He served for about seven or eight years, but unexpectedly, he was killed in action just before his retirement.”
“What?” Yuxiang exclaimed in surprise, filled with regret. “That’s such a pity!”
Youyun also shifted her gaze from the Nanla River back to the dining table and lowered her head to sip her diluted bean flour soup.
“It was the second year after the shop owner’s son made the ultimate sacrifice that a stranger arrived from outside—the very person who saved our Secretary Liang.”
Zhang He shot Youyun a meaningful glance; she returned it with a sideways look, slightly disliking the phrase “Secretary Liang’s savior,” as if she were the only one who had been rescued.
“Rumor has it they were comrades-in-arms, bound by life-and-death loyalty, and he intended to settle down permanently to care for the elderly couple. Beyond that, I know little. According to the former village head, this man’s surname is Jiang, originally from Beijing. His parents also ran a restaurant. Within three years, he transformed a small sticky rice eatery into a regional chain. Now, the whole family lives in luxury in a villa in Jinghong and rarely returns to the village.”
“However, this Mr. Jiang returned a year ago, selecting an old bamboo stilt house at the foot of the mountain for renovation. I visited several times back then. He was a man of few words, projecting a cold demeanor. All household tasks—sawing wood, painting, wiring—he handled alone. Truly versatile, as expected from someone with special forces training. It wasn’t until last month that he finally completed everything and moved in.”
“So it was a swallow returning the favor!” Yuxiang sighed.
“Isn’t he going home? Normally, veterans leaving the military are assigned positions, especially those selected as the best of the best from the special forces. It seems like a waste of talent for him to stay here! Doesn’t he need to care for his aging parents? Why would he choose to remain here alone?” Youyun couldn’t make sense of it.
Zhang He fixed her with a mischievous gaze: “Tsk, tsk, tsk. Oh, Secretary Liang, if you’re curious, why not ask him yourself? I, the director, happen to have some free time and would be honored to accompany you. Besides, he saved you, your colleagues, and those college students, averting a crisis. As the party secretary, shouldn’t you present him with a commendation banner?”
Youyun had indeed begun to consider this idea.
“Yes, yes! I second that!” Yuxiang got excited: “Secretary, my dear sister, at the very least, we should personally visit to express our gratitude!”
Youyun looked at Yuxiang with confusion: “I’ve never seen you so dedicated to work before.”
“How about we go this afternoon? Mannuan Village is only six li away from Manle Village; we can walk there in no time,” Yuxiang said even more enthusiastically.
Zhang He agreed, saying he was just about to go door-to-door to remind everyone about safety precautions for the Water Splashing Festival. With more tourists around, accidents could happen, and villagers needed to stay alert; this would be a good opportunity to check on the situation.
Liang Youyun couldn’t resist their insistence and was reluctantly squeezed into a small, red, paint-chipped Polo by the two of them. Zhang He stepped on the accelerator, and the three of them left the village.
In truth, she didn’t want to go. Although she knew she owed someone a proper thank-you, she still preferred to wait a little longer.
She always believed in timing, and under the current circumstances, the timing simply wasn’t right—it was far too rushed. At the very least, they should have made a phone call beforehand, or asked Zhang He to contact the person in advance to arrange a meeting place. She could then write a letter of gratitude or prepare a silk banner, and invite Village Head Yan Wenkan to join the visit, making the gesture appear both formal and sincere.
Such haste always suggests ulterior motives.
Although she knew Yuxiang must have some curious ideas, Zhang He’s behavior was also strange; he was not usually a straightforward person, so this sudden enthusiasm seemed highly suspicious.
The car soon arrived at Mannuan Village. After entering the village, they continued further inward, crossed the Nanla River, and headed toward the foot of the mountain.
Mannuan Village is even more remote, with Laos’ Phongsaly Province lying just across the mountains. However, the environment here is more beautiful, featuring lush trees and clear, swift-flowing rivers, without any trace of commercialization.
Tourism in Jinghong City, Mengla County, and the surrounding towns and villages developed early, resulting in a high degree of commercial exploitation. Meanwhile, the nearby Manle Village has become a popular tourist destination due to hosting the only rainforest market fair in the entire prefecture.
Due to its remote and secluded location, Mannuan Village has preserved the most authentic Dai ethnic settlement, free from throngs of tourists and devoid of a hodgepodge of shops.
Zhang He’s decision to station himself in this village was driven by personal motives.
In recent years, the company has expanded its market presence in the health and wellness sector, establishing sanatoriums and wellness centers across multiple regions nationwide. While company leadership has long recognized Yunnan as a prime opportunity, tangible progress has remained elusive.
Zhang He attributed the situation to relentless power struggles among the company’s top executives and an unfair distribution of benefits. Thus, he firmly believed that once the leadership reached a consensus, significant moves would inevitably be made in Xishuangbanna in the near future. As long as he held his ground, he was destined for great achievements ahead. After all, only by enduring the hardest hardships can one rise above others!
Liang Youyun harbored no such grand ambitions; she was already content with having a respectable job. She simply hoped to return to Beijing soon, settle down to work and live peacefully after being promoted to deputy director, and feel no regrets for the rest of her life.
The scene before them suddenly opened up.
With mountains behind and a lake ahead, a building stood prominently on a spacious, elevated ridge.
Liang Youyun had never seen such a beautiful house! Built upon the foundation of a traditional Dai-style bamboo stilt house, it incorporated numerous modern elements. Constructed with brick and tile, it surpassed even the most fashionable guesthouses in Manle Village in both elegance and refinement, blending the beauty of northern and southern architectural styles. In short, it looked incredibly comfortable; living inside must be equally delightful!
How blessed must the owner of this house be!
The courtyard walls were not high, painted white, enclosing a spacious yard. The center was paved with solid wood flooring, featuring a terrace, a tea table, a sun umbrella, woven bamboo lounge chairs, and tall stools. Here, the owner could sip tea or coffee, relax into emptiness, or indulge in hearty drinks.
Flowers and plants grew both inside and outside the courtyard walls. Within the yard lay a rose garden, where coral-colored cherry blossom roses bloomed into a sea of flowers. There were also lemon trees, bodhi trees, papaya trees, and banana trees… Was this not a hidden paradise?
The house is spacious, and everything inside is clearly visible.
Liang Youyun noticed a rowing machine and a treadmill by the floor-to-ceiling windows on the second floor, while the living room on the first floor featured a brown leather sofa, an intricately carved tea table, and a beechwood bookshelf filled with books.
The owner must truly understand how to live well, indulging in considerable luxury; not to mention anything else, even that non-motorized treadmill alone costs over a hundred thousand yuan.
Rather than saying this person came here to live in seclusion, it would be more accurate to say they came here to enjoy life.
In ancient times, those who chose seclusion mostly lived austere lives; where would they have found the leisure or inclination to furnish their homes with high-end furniture?
Youyun has worked in the company’s general manager’s office for ten years, serving leaders at all levels. Those seemingly plain yet invaluable treasures adorning their offices—she has long absorbed enough knowledge through observation to recognize their worth.
The wooden courtyard gate stood open. Zhang He, delighted, turned to Youyun and said, “It seems Mr. Jiang is home. Please gather your thoughts; consider how best to express our gratitude.”
Suddenly, Youyun found the situation rather odd. Wasn’t Zhang He placing too much importance on this? Moreover, it was evident that Mr. Jiang preferred avoiding public attention; otherwise, he wouldn’t have departed immediately after rescuing someone.
“Is Mr. Jiang at home? Sorry to disturb you. I’m Zhang He from our village committee, Director Zhang—you remember me, I’ve been here before!”
Zhang He shouted at the top of his lungs from the doorway, afraid those inside might not hear him clearly.
But no one responded from within.
Puzzled, Zhang He wondered if they had stepped out temporarily. Yet, since he had already come all this way, he decided to pretend someone was home. Taking matters into his own hands, he pushed the door open, plastering a wide smile across his face: “Uh, I’m here today for two things. First, the festival is coming soon…”
“My brother isn’t here.”
Before Zhang He could finish speaking, a young man came down from the second floor. His skin was dark, his frame slender, and he clutched a rag in his hand, wiping the stair railing as he descended.
“Yan Nuo?”
Zhang He recognized him: Yan Shuai’s nephew, the boss. In his mid-twenties, he had leased a plot of land behind the mountain to grow roses.
“You’re here alone? Where’s your older brother?”
“I don’t know. He just said he’s going out for a bit and asked me to come over to take care of the yard.”
“When will he be back?”
“Next week.”
“Next week?” Zhang He placed his hands on his hips, feeling a sense of defeat, then tried to save face by asking, “That long? Did he go back to Jinghong to spend the holiday with your eldest uncle?”
“It’s possible.” Yan Nuo had already come downstairs, his eyes alert as he looked at the three inexplicable visitors.
Seeing this, Youyun felt a secret surge of delight and said to Zhang He, “Since that’s the case and they’re not home, let’s head back for now!”
Zhang He refused to give up, asking Yan Nuo, “You must have your older brother’s contact information, right? I need to speak with him about something very important.”
Yan Nuo hesitated for a moment, then pulled his phone from his pocket and made the call. It connected within seconds: “Brother, Director Zhang He from the village is here; he says he needs to see you about something… seems pretty urgent… Alright, I’ll hand the phone over to him then.”
Zhang He said “Thank you,” took the phone, cleared his throat, and his voice immediately softened several degrees:
“Hello, Mr. Jiang, it’s Zhang He here… Oh no, no, I’m not calling about that matter; it’s regarding Manle Village. I just wanted to confirm whether it was you who rescued people last Friday? Please don’t deny it; I saw you in the media photos and have already confirmed with Secretary Liang of their village. It was indeed your help that ensured their safe return. Secretary Liang is also very grateful to you and has been trying to reach you these past couple of days. When would be convenient for you to meet?”
The other party neither responded nor hung up.
Those few seconds felt especially long; Zhang He, feeling guilty, glanced uneasily at Liang Youyun.
Suddenly, the man on the other end of the line asked in a deep voice, “Is she there?”
Zhang He didn’t react immediately and paused for a moment. Glancing at Liang Youyun, he suddenly realized who “she” referred to and quickly replied, “Yes, yes, yes! Secretary Liang is right beside me. I’ll hand the phone to her so she can speak with you!”
“Alright, thank you,” the man said.