This morning, I stepped outside my apartment and couldn’t find my bike, so I assumed it had been stolen. A bemused resident asked why I was staring at an empty spot for so long, and I tried to explain in very broken Chinese. Then I realised it was no big deal at all. No-one got hurt and the bike was a cheap one anyway. Also bike-theft happens everyday, and there is no reason why it shouldn’t happen to me as well.

Losing my bike was likely to be the worst crime that I was going to experience in China. And I do feel very safe here, more-so than in England, where I was mugged twice in the space of a year (in Nottingham). So I forgave the thieves, though I didn’t condone what they did, and went about my day’s business. I was going to find half a roasted duck to eat for lunch.

After going home and eating the duck I went downstairs and had a pleasant surprise when I found my bike sitting inside the apartment block. A kind stranger had moved it inside for me. I felt extremely thankful and happy.