Chapter 8: Drenched from Head to Toe, Blessed for a Lifetime!
A primary task for village cadres is to chart a course for their village’s development, though each village has its own approach to achieving this.
The most direct, simplest, yet least presentable method is to devise every possible scheme to secure funds from the county government, exhausting all efforts to squeeze resources out of the annual fiscal budget.
If there are relatives from one’s hometown among the leadership, matters become even easier: one can simply plead poverty, leverage familial bonds, and repeat this tactic several times until it yields results.
In this regard, Liang Youyun greatly admires Village Head Yan Wenkan.
Yan Wenkan’s surname is not “Yan.” In the Dai language, the first character of a name does not represent a surname but serves as a title.
“Yan” denotes a male, while “Yu” denotes a female. In the past, nobility typically used “Dao” (“Island”) or “Zhao,” meaning “master.” Examples include Dao Shixun, the last Dai king of Xishuangbanna, and Zhao Cunxin, who served as the prefecture governor for 40 consecutive years.
The Dai people often have multiple names: a childhood name at birth, a monastic name upon becoming a monk, and a parental name after becoming parents.
A parental name is formed by adding the name of the eldest son or daughter after “Bo” (father) or “Mi” (mother). For instance, Yuxiang’s mother is also called “Mi Yuxiang,” and Yan Nuo’s father is likewise known as “Bo Yan Nuo.”
Names within a village are rarely repeated; they are usually bestowed by the eldest monks who have returned to secular life and know the villagers well. Although the characters used recur—such as Xiang, Ying, Kan, Jiao, Bian, Guang, and others—their combinations offer endless variety.
However, with the times changing and intermarriage between the Dai and Han peoples becoming common, many Dai individuals have adopted Han names for easier communication. Yet in the villages around Jinghong, traditional Dai names remain in use.
Yan Wenkan is a native Dai elder, with generations of Dai heritage and relatives scattered throughout Xishuangbanna. Having served in the military in his youth, he maintains close ties with many comrades-in-arms who were later stationed in Yunnan after their discharge, giving him access to all sorts of connections; whenever money is needed, help arrives without delay.
Sometimes Liang Youyun feels that local matters cannot always be handled by rigid rules; in places where kinship bonds are so tightly woven, morality often proves more effective than law.
In fact, the central government provides annual subsidies to ethnic minority regions, and the amounts are substantial and increase year by year, though securing approval for these funds is no easy task.
In recent years, Manle Village has developed its tourism industry by leveraging the “village-enterprise co-construction” model, building upon national subsidies.
The partner company is Yunshui Cultural Tourism based in Jinghong, an enterprise established with support from Liang Youyun’s department. The village head, Yan Wenkan, concurrently serves as the company’s deputy general manager, while the company’s general manager also holds the position of deputy secretary of the village party branch.
Although the company generates considerable profits and villagers’ incomes rank relatively high within Mengla County, subsidies remain necessary, as developing tourism is an extremely capital-intensive endeavor.
Yan Wenkan parked the car in the government compound. He didn’t use an umbrella when getting out and was soaked to the bone by the heavy rain, looking utterly disheveled as he sat in Director Dao’s office.
Liang Youyun knew this was a ploy of self-inflicted suffering.
Yan Wenkan’s purpose for coming this time was to build two new attractions along the rainforest zone of the Nanla River. With the tourism industry struggling nowadays, only by continuously creating new selling points can they attract tourists to a greater extent.
Director Dao has rejected this proposal multiple times. He believes there is no need for Manle Village to expand its tourism projects; the village is too small and located on China’s southwestern border. No matter how attractive it becomes, few tourists would be willing to spend the time and effort to visit.
Moreover, he has his own plans. Leaders from Liang Youyun’s company have discussed with him the idea of comprehensively planning and integrating development across the entire Mengla region, aiming to establish it as a health and wellness tourism destination in southwest China. Otherwise, the company would not have been frequently dispatching village cadres over the years to conduct surveys.
After prolonged haggling between the two, ranging from pleas of poverty to outright arguments, Yan Wenkan finally played his trump card. He called Director Dao by his childhood nickname “A Ban,” reminding him that he often used to come to the village for free meals when he was young. He added that Dao’s grandmother, affectionately called “Yiya,” had been well cared for in the village and, even in her nineties, still frequently visited the village committee to inspect work.
Nevertheless, Director Dao remained unmoved by such emotional appeals. However, considering their shared ties to the local community, he eventually relented slightly. He stated that, in light of the incident where a college student went missing while hiking, appropriate subsidies would be granted to Manle Village under the guise of repairing rainforest protection facilities and cleaning up garbage.
Receiving the money did bring joy; Liang Youyun felt that though she lost in one aspect, she gained in another. Every situation has two sides: the risk encountered this time had been resolved, and her performance report would now look much better.
On the way, Yan Wenkan smiled and told her, “Actually, building a tourist attraction was just an excuse. Such projects cost too much, and Director Dao would never approve them. So we had to settle for requesting some subsidy instead. But if you had directly asked him for funds, talking about protecting the rainforest and such, he wouldn’t have agreed so quickly.”
“I see now. You truly are remarkable,” Youyun said admiringly.
Yan Wenkan chuckled, “Development means cutting down trees; the rainforest can’t withstand such turmoil. As village head of Manle, I’m already content with how our village looks today. However, as your elder uncle, I cannot let my own girl suffer losses. Once the government funding arrives, we’ll immediately implement these protective measures and find people to help promote them. Don’t worry, Ah Yun. When you return to Beijing, Uncle will make you a ceremonial banner so your leaders can properly commend you!”
Youyun was grateful; Yan Wenkan was not only skilled at negotiation but also adept at handling the aftermath.
But the two characters “silk banner” suddenly reminded her of Mr. Jiang, who had saved someone’s life. For some reason, a vague worry stirred in her heart; she felt instinctively that matters were not yet fully resolved.
The Dai Water-Splashing Festival also marks the Dai New Year and stands as the most solemn and grand celebration in the Dai calendar.
Before the festival, every household sweeps their homes, soaks rice, steams meals, plucks banana leaves, and prepares “Haobeng.”
There are also various sacrificial rituals; the entire Dai people practice Buddhism, with shrines enshrined in their homes. On New Year’s Day, a Buddha-bathing ceremony is held: villagers dressed in vibrant reds and greens gather at the Burmese temple to chant sutras, cleanse ritual implements, and bathe the Buddha statues. The water used to wash the statues is then taken home, regarded as sacred water imbued with spiritual power, believed to safeguard the entire family’s peace and well-being.
In accordance with national regulations, all organizations are granted a three-day holiday during the Water Splashing Festival.
On the day of the festival, tourists poured into the village like schools of fish emerging from the deep sea, filling every corner.
The liveliest area was along the Nanla River, reminiscent of Beijing’s Houhai bar street, where various bands and open-air bars set up stalls. Music filled the air continuously, drones buzzed overhead, and live streamers surrounded the riverbank in layer upon layer.
A small celebration was also held in the courtyard of the village committee.
Liang Youyun got up early to make preparations. Drawing on her experience, she skipped the traditional Dai attire in favor of a dark T-shirt and shorts, pairing them with earplugs and a sun hat; from the moment she stepped out of her home, the water-splashing had already begun.
“Get soaked, stay blessed for life!”
The neighbors rose early, with ladles and basins already filled with water. They splashed one another, and amidst the flying droplets, the festive atmosphere of the Water-Splashing Festival quickly reached its peak.
Especially in the village’s central square, where tourists gathered in the greatest numbers, curtains of water soared several meters high. Everyone was already drenched, yet laughter and cheerful voices never ceased; describing the Water-Splashing Festival as “bursting with energy” would be no exaggeration.
The first time Liang Youyun experienced the Water-Splashing Festival, she was truly awestruck by such a grand spectacle.
In her memory, the Water Splashing Festival was quite refined: willow branches dipped into clay bowls to gently sprinkle water on others. After all, how could one have the heart to drench someone?
But in reality, if you don’t splash others, you’ll end up soaked like a drowned rat! Moreover, splashing water on people is actually a way of sending blessings.
A continuous rainbow arcs across the water curtain, while young Dai girls adorned with flowers, dressed in traditional attire with dazzlingly vibrant Dai brocade, become the most stunning sight in the square.
The Dai people are naturally gifted in song and dance. Every year during the Water Splashing Festival, lively festival tunes are released across the region, where men and women, young and old, join together without distinction to sing and dance to the music.
Of course, things have gotten out of hand before. Tourists used to throw water-filled balloons at people, but this practice has now been banned as it causes significant pain and is highly unfriendly. Over the past two years, Liang Youyun and other village officials have focused on inspecting and addressing such unauthorized water-splashing incidents.
By noon, the Ganbai market was packed with tourists eager to sample authentic Dai cuisine.
The barbecue stalls are the most popular, with Dai-style grilled fish and chicken being the classics. Alcohol is also indispensable, often enjoyed until dawn.
Every household opened their courtyard gates, arranging a variety of delicacies in the yards: water-splashed rice cakes, rice noodles, and rice sheets. Especially the rice noodles and sheets, served in a large pot, accompanied by an array of dipping sauces on the table—all made from locally sourced ingredients, finely chopped and mixed. No matter what you added, it tasted delicious; guests helped themselves.
Liang Youyun once felt she must have been Dai in a past life; these dishes, generously infused with mint, had awakened her taste buds.
Of course, there were also items too challenging to eat, such as “Bai Wang,” a dish primarily made from fresh pig’s blood, and soft-bodied insects.
On the noon of the festival’s second day, after finishing the long-table banquet at the village chief’s home, Liang Youyun was pulled by Yuxiang onto a bus heading to Jinghong.
The drive to Jinghong takes over two hours. Since they planned to drink heavily, Yuxiang decided not to drive.
“How can we celebrate the festival without hitting the Dai disco?”
Yu Xiang, dressed in heavy makeup, a camisole top, and denim hot pants, insisted on taking her to Jinghong’s hottest bar for drinks and dancing.
During previous holidays and Lunar New Year celebrations, Yu Xiang had suggested this several times, but Youyun always declined; she lacked any talent for singing or dancing and simply couldn’t let loose.
Unlike Yu Xiang, who considered having fun more important than work, girls here were generally carefree. Going to bars was commonplace—making friends, drinking, and falling in love, none of it got in the way of anything else.
This time, Youyun readily agreed. She thought this might be her last chance to let go; once back in Beijing, such an atmosphere and sense of ease would be hard to come by again.
Youyun’s understanding of bars had previously been limited to drinking and listening to music. It was only when the nightlife kicked in and the Dai disco beats started playing that she realized how rich bar culture could be—not just a place for drinks, but also for watching handsome performers take the stage!
Nearly everyone was moving to the rhythm on the dance floor. In the center of the stage, dancers clad in golden performance costumes were performing a modern ethnic dance.
After several songs, the most exciting part began.
Muscular men with bare torsos began strutting seductively on the runway. Yuxiang tugged Youyun forward, squeezing through the crowd while shouting, “Hurry up, hurry up, or we won’t get to touch their pectoral muscles!”
At the booth closest to the stage, a pair of eyes pierced through the crowd, locking onto Liang Youyun’s figure amidst the chaos.
Jiang Muhe never expected to see her here!
The woman was wearing a goose-yellow slip dress, her hair completely loose, with red lips and bright eyes that made her stand out sharply in the crowd.
Ever since he entered, he had spotted that splash of yellow; at first, he thought he was mistaken. After checking several times and confirming it was indeed her, he became distracted, and even the dice in his hand refused to obey.
His friend across from him interrupted several times, asking if something was on his mind. Jiang Muhe offered an awkward smile and said nothing was wrong; he just hadn’t been to a bar in so long that everything felt a bit overwhelming.
Even so, Jiang Muhe held his own in the game. After nearly an hour of sitting, several friends had lost at cards and were drinking until their cheeks flushed crimson, yet he hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol.
His gaze drifted to Liang Youyun. A girl beside her was holding up her arm, reaching out to touch the pectoral muscles of a male dancer crouching on stage.
She looked slightly embarrassed, her hand hesitating as it extended, unlike the girl next to her who was tugging at the man’s belt, almost ready to kiss him.
The venue erupted in excitement. One friend joked, “Not bad! The girl in the yellow dress is in luck. This is the bar’s most sought-after ‘Dai Prince.’ Look at those muscles; he’s in such great shape. He’s got chest, he’s got waist. Unlike us—sigh—middle-aged spread and jowls!”
Another friend shook his head and made a lewd remark: “Just look at our Brother Mu—his muscles are rock-hard and tight. What ‘Dai Prince’? Legs that thin clearly have no strength; he’d last five minutes at most and get dumped by any woman!”
“How do you know he even likes women?”
“Men are the same—who’s into skinny weaklings?”
Jiang Muhe listened silently, appearing calm on the surface, yet his hands instinctively traced over his arms, chest, abs, and thighs.
In his mind, he wondered: Are these really that useful? What’s there to touch? Those women had gone wild, sitting on the male models’ laps, letting them spin them around!
Yet, he could no longer find that glimpse of goose-yellow.
The lights flickered, making it hard to tell one person from another. Where could she have gone in this brief moment?
Instinctively, Jiang Muhe rose from the booth and headed straight toward the dance floor; when his friend called out to him, he offered no reply.
In that very instant, a flash of goose-yellow suddenly darted out from the crowd, nearly colliding head-on with him!
Liang Youyun covered one ear with her hand while holding her phone in the other, shouting into the receiver, “Huh? What? I can’t hear you! Don’t hang up yet—let me get outside first!”
Jiang Muhe stood rooted to the spot, watching as she hurriedly made her way out through the bar’s main entrance.
His friend called out to him again; he turned back and said, “I’m stepping out for a cigarette.”
His friend made an OK sign, watching his upright figure walk away, and teased, “Brother Mu really showed us respect today. He’s always the hardest to invite. Before the holiday, a boss asked me to arrange a gift-giving meeting; we even had beautiful hostesses from the hotel ready, yet he changed the venue to a teahouse at the last minute.”
“A-Mu doesn’t like chasing women; you know that.”
“It’s unavoidable in business, besides, he doesn’t have a woman anyway.”
“Ah Mu, that beast, certainly doesn’t lack women; it’s just that ordinary women can’t tame him!”
“Even a beast can’t withstand so many women chasing him; otherwise, why would he hide in Mannuan Village?”
“Hahahahaha…”