Mian: Barefoot Tour of the Town

That afternoon, I went to the small town to shoot something, but the model suddenly stood me up. I was at a loss, wandering alone in the town. I had planned to go home and rest when I got tired, but then I met Mian.

At the central square, I noticed a girl ahead who seemed to be barefoot. I quickened my pace, and upon getting closer, I confirmed she indeed wasn't wearing shoes. I immediately took out my camera and took some photos, wanting to find a chance to talk to her. She was carrying a white paper clothing bag, inside which her shoes were visible. She was probably tired from walking, and her shoes were rubbing, so she was walking barefoot. Finally, I appeared beside her, looked at her feet, and asked, “Why are you walking barefoot?” She whispered, “My shoes are broken.” I then identified myself and explained my purpose for being there that day. She was surprised. Then I asked if I could walk with her and record her steps. She still agreed.

She said I could call her Mian. She came with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend went off to do something, and she was waiting outside for him. Feeling bored, she wandered around by herself. Unexpectedly, her shoes broke, so she simply took them off and walked barefoot. I took the bag containing her shoes and put it in my backpack. Then I began extensive photography and videography.

We walked wherever the path led. She was very interested in the town's architecture, stopping and going, visiting many scenic spots. She wasn't very afraid of the uneven pavement and small gravel. Her soles, of course, got very dirty, which was quite a sight. When we reached the central lakeside, the path there was very uneven, with one section even paved with gravel. I suggested she walk that path, and she gladly stepped onto it. Walking on the gravel, Mian's steps noticeably became smaller, but she could still withstand it. Plus, we kept chatting about her dog, so she would also forget what she was stepping on.

After reaching the lake, she washed her feet, and then we walked back to wait for her boyfriend to return to the city together. Mian's soles were very nice to look at—small, dark, and very textured. While walking, she often habitually turned her right foot outward, making it easy to see her beautiful soles and various movements from behind. We finally returned to the starting point. She sat on a stone bench and stretched her feet toward me. After I finished shooting the video and photos, I chatted with her for a while. Later, her boyfriend said he was about to arrive, so I took my leave first, bidding her farewell with my work.