The two returned to the village and headed for the Gao Family's home.
Gao Jiefang had heard rumors about Ning Ziping's return, and just awhile ago had overheard others discussing Ning Ziping's visit to Zhang Dezheng's home. He guessed that nobody had told him about the village's recent events and assumed Zhang Dezheng was still the village secretary.
He shook his head and walked towards his house.
But soon after he arrived home, he heard someone outside the gate shouting, "Is the secretary in?"
Gao Jiefang saw the person standing at the door: "Ziping, you're back. Come in and have a seat."
Ning Ziping placed his belongings on the table in the courtyard: "Uncle, I've come back for a visit. This is a little something from me."
Gao Jiefang laughed to himself, thinking about what he had heard before. What was he being taken for? "If you have something to say, just speak up. I'll definitely help if I can, but I can't accept this."
He gestured for them to sit down.
