adily toward the county town.

The road to the county town led directly west from West Village without passing East Village. Between them was a makeshift floating bridge made of several small, rickety boats strung together. Naturally, cars couldn't cross it. The tour via the small bridge, a few kilometers away, was mainly Secretary Fu’s way of showing off to Secretary Liu.

Despite not having a driver’s license, Secretary Fu handled driving proficiently, contrasting Secretary Liu’s lack of talent—he usually drove into fields. Moreover, Secretary Fu had a dedicated driver which Liu lacked.

They drove near the county bus station.

"Stop!"

"What’s wrong, Big Brother?" Fu Yushui steered to the roadside.

"Doesn't that bald guy look familiar?" Fu Yushui carefully identified him.

"Seems like our village's Brother Gouzi."

"Wasn’t he sentenced for fraud?"

"Big Brother, seeing him sneaking around, could he have escaped from prison? I’ve heard of many escapee stories on the news."

"Don’t talk nonsense. Let’s go check; don’t you know our own brother?" The two approached the bald man, about 1.7 meters tall, carrying a small bag.

"Gouzi?" Secretary Fu called out. The middle-aged man paused, recognizing Secretary Fu and Fu Yushui. After the initial panic in his eyes dissipated, he appeared somewhat delighted.

"Big Brother, Shui, is it really you?"

"What! You still recognize Big Brother after all these years?" Secretary Fu patted Gouzi’s thin shoulder heavily with his callused hands.

“Big Brother, I’m not..."

"Not what? It’s good you’re back! Everyone missed you. Old Uncle Seven's health is failing, and Aunt can’t see anymore. They’re living alright but really miss you."

“Father! Mother!” Gouzi suddenly squatted down, holding his head and weeping. After a while, he started running but was caught by the quick-handed Fu Yushui.

"Gouzi, what are you doing? Abandoning your parents?" Secretary Fu thundered, drawing the attention of passersby.

"Take him away. I refuse to believe there could be such an unfilial descendant in our villages." Fu Yushui carried Gouzi back to the car.

"Brother Shui, please let me go! I can’t face the village people."

“Brother Gou, I can’t make that call! Who would dare disobey the Secretary? Just be calm and beg the Secretary; maybe he’ll show mercy and let you go.”

Fu Yushui placed the struggling Gouzi in the back seat. Secretary Fu in the passenger seat looked livid, lips tight with anger.

“Big…” Secretary Fu signaled for him to be quiet.

“Brother, I don’t care how you got back. You’ve suffered these years, but let’s eat, see your parents, and then decide what to do.”

“Big Brother! Do you think I escaped prison?"

"Is that wrong?"

“Big Brother! I'm a part of the Fu family. I faced my responsibilities for my business fail

 Prev. P 13/495 next