Chapter 332 - A Lightning Comes Down From the Snow Mountains (2/2)

The howling wind pa.s.ses by her ear and the resistance of the horse of heaven becomes more and more fierce. Anar’s braid has all fallen down. Her long hair is flying up and down in the wind. She clutches the strong leather rope tightly with both hands. The horse of heaven is struggling very hard. Even though she has worn leather gloves, she still has a feeling that all her fingers are about to be cut off.

All wild horses are stunned. Seeing a human riding on their leader, they all run away wildly. It’s not until the horse of heaven goes over two gra.s.sy hills that they realize what is happening. They rush to follow the horse of heaven. The huge sound scares away many small animals looking for food on the gra.s.sland.

The horse of heaven is bounded and temporarily it can’t shake off the person on its back. It has lost its cool and self-control. All wild horses follow it to pa.s.s by some pastoral areas. Occasionally, when herders who live in these areas see this shocking scene, they are stunned and quickly pinch themselves to make sure they are not dreaming.

It’s really abnormal to see the horse of heaven, not to mention that there is a woman on its back!

Rustic and arrogant herdsmen can’t get over the shock. They snap their whips fiercely, trying to catch up to see what happened. But they are left behind in no time by wild horses with incredible speed.

Horses are important property of all herdsmen. In order to survive from the cold winter every year, their horses are fed so well that they are all plump and st.u.r.dy. How can they catch up with the wild horses?

The white horse of heaven leads mighty wild horses towards the snowy mountains.

On its back, Anar sets her mouth in a grim line tightly. There is a sense of stubborn perseverance in her eyes.

…

Three days later, in Chongqincardo, north of the Naqu Town, thousands of yurts are scattered on the edge of the gra.s.sland. This place is also close to Gongli. Every year, besides herders’ family from several hundred miles away, many tourists are attracted to here by its reputation.

The trade fair has been on for a few days. Herders and other Tibetans dressed in costumes are all smiling, showing their white teeth. It seems that the fair this year is a great success, and they have all got something they want.

Ze Yitong’s yurt is not very gorgeous, but the horn combs her nana made are very good and popular with tourists. With the help of other herdsmen, all cattle and sheep that Ze Yitong plans to sell are sold out. Dun Zhu’s feet were injured, so now Ze Yitong takes the charge of managing the family, purchasing all necessities for the whole year.

It is reasonable to say that her family’s plan in Chongqincardo has faultlessly been fulfilled. However, Ze Yitong is still unhappy.

Today is the day when the Naqu Horse Race officially starts. On this day, riders and horses that enter the finals will be decided after races.

Ze Yitong quietly signed up for Anar a few days ago. But until now, there is still no news of Anar.

The staff of the compet.i.tion has come to remind her several times. Ze Yitong asks them for more time. Seeing how young Ze Yitong is, they don’t make things difficult for her, and agree to adjust Anar’s order to the last.

Even so, she is so uneasy all day, and this day soon comes to an end.

“Your family can only choose to give up. Neither your rider nor your horse is here. We have no choice.”

Ze Yitong shakes her head. It’s impossible for nana to wait until next year. n.o.body knows if her eyes problem will worsen.

She looks far away. The sun is about to set and players of the last group are preparing. However, Anar is still not there.

—maybe her Ajia, Anar, really can’t make it?

Ze Yitong is very frustrated. If Ajia can’t join in the horse racing, why should she stay here? After all, she is only twelve years old. Children’s temper is always changeable. With disappointment, she wants to persuade Dun Zhu to go back home immediately.

The referee shouts “Ready”, and the riders are all on their horses getting ready.

The crowd suddenly surges. The small flag of the referee has not been waved yet. The referee cannot help looking at where the restless crowd is.

On the green gra.s.sland, a graceful female rider is on a horse’s back, rus.h.i.+ng to the field like a flash of lightning.

With the green gra.s.s and blue sky as background, the horse is like coated with the whiteness of Snow Mountains. Everyone can’t help gazing at it.

“Ajia, Ajia Anar…”

—Ze Yitong takes off her little hat and throws it to the sky.