A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

It took him a lot of effort to lift his foot each time. When he couldn't hold on any longer, he would hold his knee and catch his breath. Sweat mixed with sand and dust streamed down his forehead, making it hard for him to open his eyes.

But he had only one thought in his mind: he couldn't give up, he absolutely couldn't give up! The herders were still waiting for him to bring back news, he couldn't take this petition for nothing, he couldn't leave those red handprints for nothing, he had to persevere.

Just when he was about to collapse, feeling like he would fall if he took another step, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from afar. The sound pierced through the howling sand and grew closer and closer, and he could also vaguely hear people shouting.

Yang Zhitong looked in the direction of the sound and vaguely saw several figures on horseback riding towards them, braving the sandstorm.

The leader, Alimu, shouted at the top of his lungs, "Is that Director Yang? Director Yang, are you here?"

Yang Zhitong felt a surge of excitement, as if he had grasped a lifeline. He responded in a hoarse voice, "Alim, it's me! I'm here! My car is stuck here!"

Hearing the response, Alimu was overjoyed. He quickly urged his horse to gallop faster, riding swiftly to Yang Zhitong's side. He jumped down and helped the swaying Yang Zhitong up, his face full of anxiety: "Director Yang, what are you doing here? I've finally found you! Are you alright?"

Yang Zhitong leaned against Alimu, catching his breath for a while before finally recovering. He asked hoarsely, "How...how did you know I was here?"

"It was my dad who sent us!"

Alimu took the water bottle off the saddle, unscrewed the cap and handed it to Yang Zhitong, saying loudly, "My father went to the office to look for you early this morning. He knew you went to Urumqi before dawn, and seeing that the weather was about to change, he was worried that something might happen to you on the way. He couldn't get through to you by phone, so he asked me to bring the brothers to come and meet you."

He originally wanted to come in person, but I didn't let him. The sandstorm was too strong, and he's too old to handle it.

We searched all the way along the road to Urumqi, and we saw your car stuck here from afar!

Yang Zhitong took the water bottle and gulped down several mouthfuls. The cool water soothed his chapped lips and parched throat, making him feel much better.

As they were talking, Batu, Bek, and the others rode over on horseback, each carrying ropes, planks, and shovels, their faces showing anxiety.

As soon as they saw Yang Zhitong, they walked towards the direction where the vehicle was stuck without saying a word and began to check its condition.

The sandstorm was still fierce, making it hard for people to stand, but they didn't care. Batu and Bek squatted down and used shovels to dig away the sand dunes around the wheels, shoveling the loose sand out one shovelful at a time.

Alimu then laid the wooden planks he had brought in front of and on the sides of the wheels, hoping to give the vehicle some leverage; two other villagers found a thick rope, tied one end firmly to the front of the vehicle, and several people pulled on the other end together, pulling hard backward.

"One, two, three! Push!"

Alimu shouted a work chant, his voice loud and powerful. The herders followed suit, straining with all their might, their faces turning red and covered in sand.

Yang Zhitong wanted to help, but Alimu grabbed his arm as soon as he took a step: "Director Yang, you should rest. You're here to do something important for us, you need to conserve your energy! We can handle this, we'll get it done quickly!"

Yang Zhitong stood aside, watching the herdsmen busily working against the wind and sand. Seeing how they were working so hard to help him, his eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Yang Zhitong subconsciously touched his pocket, and the petition covered in red handprints was still intact. At that moment, he felt a warmth in his heart and was filled with strength again.

After more than half an hour of effort, with the concerted efforts of the herders, the off-road vehicle was finally pulled out of the sand dunes. Alimu walked around the vehicle to check it, patted the sand off the body, and tried to start it. The engine ran normally. He smiled and said to Yang Zhitong, "Director Yang, it's alright, the car isn't broken, it just got a little dirty, it can be driven normally!"

"Director Yang, please get in the car. We'll take you for a while, and you'll be safe once we get you out of this Gobi Desert."

As Alimu spoke, he mounted his horse, and the other herders nodded in agreement, all wanting to accompany him until they saw him on a safe path.

Yang Zhitong held Alimu's hand and looked at each of the herdsmen present. Their faces and bodies were covered in sand and dust, but their eyes shone with sincerity.

His voice choked with emotion, and he couldn't speak for a moment. After a long while, he finally managed to say, "Thank you everyone, thank you so much..."

"If it weren't for Uncle Abduja Token's thoughtfulness, and if you hadn't braved the sandstorm to come, I probably wouldn't have been able to get out today, causing delays and affecting everyone's plans. I'll remember this kindness."

"Director Yang, you're being too polite!"

Alimu wiped the sand off his face with his sleeve. "You've been working so hard for our herdsmen, it's only right that we help you."

"Don't worry, go to Urumqi. We'll keep an eye on things back home, and we'll also keep an eye on the construction team. We'll make sure no one causes any more trouble. We'll stabilize things at home for you, so you can focus on your work!"

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar again, and Abdujah Token arrived on horseback.

He carried a cloth bag, walked up to Yang Zhitong, and handed it to him: "Director Yang, take this with you for the journey, don't go hungry. Inside are freshly roasted naan bread and a pot of milk tea, have something to eat on the way."

I knew you'd run into trouble, but thankfully the children found you. We all believe in you; we're sure you'll bring us good news!

Yang Zhitong nodded heavily, his eyes red-rimmed, and pursed his lips tightly, promising, "Uncle Abuduja Token, fellow villagers, thank you."

I, Yang Zhitong, hereby assure everyone that I will not let you down. Once I arrive in Urumqi, no matter how difficult it is, no matter how many people I need to contact or how many trips I have to make, I will get things done and give everyone a satisfactory answer!

The herders rode alongside Yang Zhitong on horseback, accompanying him as he drove out of the Gobi Desert until the road conditions improved, the sandstorm subsided, and the highway became visible in the distance. Only then did they feel relieved. Before leaving, they gathered around the car, repeatedly reminding him, "Director Yang, be careful on the road! Drive slowly, safety first!"

"Call us anytime if you need anything. We'll be there as soon as we have a signal!"

Yang Zhitong nodded and thanked them again through the car window. He looked at the herdsmen in the rearview mirror, watching them stand on their horses, gazing in the direction he had left, until their figures grew smaller and smaller and gradually disappeared from sight.

After driving for about half an hour, my phone rang, and a faint signal bar appeared on the screen.

Before he could react, his phone rang urgently, displaying his wife's number. Yang Zhitong's heart skipped a beat, a bad premonition rising within him.