After leaving the Miao family's house, Ning Zhiheng walked out of the alley, got into his car, and said to Sun Jiacheng, "Next, we should meet with Station Chief Liu. There are some things we need to discuss properly!"
Ning Zhiheng's trip back to his hometown went very smoothly. He had taken care of most of his personal matters within three days, and a weight was lifted off his shoulders. Now he could focus on completing the important task assigned to him by the director.
The task assigned to him by the director this time was indeed very difficult, with many harsh conditions and restrictions. Ning Zhiheng had no intention of truly completing the task at all, and even just thought of going through the motions and getting it over with.
In any case, his background and connections are incomparable to those of Liu Tongfang and others. Besides, before the Chief Inspector came, he also told himself to act within his capabilities and not to take risks.
Now he needs to get a good understanding of the specific circumstances from Liu Tongfang. If things are truly beyond his control, he will never force the issue.
Upon returning to the Ning family home, Ning Zhiheng went to the study and picked up the phone to call Liu Tongfang.
"Brother Tongfang, I am Zhiheng." Ning Zhiheng greeted him warmly. Ever since Liu Tongfang delivered a generous gift yesterday and treated him with such humility and respect, Ning Zhiheng had a high opinion of Station Master Liu.
Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's voice, Liu Tongfang, who was worrying in his office, immediately perked up and quickly replied, "Oh! It's Brother Zhiheng! I was just about to pay you a visit these past few days, but I know you've been busy with matters back home, and I was afraid of bothering you. Is there anything I can do for you?"
Ning Zhiheng said, "It seems we really have the same idea. Here's the thing, I'd like to talk to you in person, but it would be too conspicuous for me to go to the military intelligence station, and it would be inconvenient for you to come here. Do you know of any quiet places where we can meet?"
Ning Zhiheng's return to his hometown to visit relatives could not be kept secret, which provided the best cover for his upcoming actions.
Only Liu Tongfang knew his true mission, so he only planned to contact Liu Tongfang. There were too many people and too much gossip at Hangzhou Station, so it was better not to go. As for his own home, it was not a good place to discuss matters.
Having been a local tyrant in Hangzhou for many years, Liu Tongfang certainly wouldn't have any problem finding a safe and secluded meeting place.
Upon hearing Ning Zhiheng's words, Liu Tongfang immediately understood that this was an assassination attempt targeting Kawamoto Kuraji. It seemed that Ning Zhiheng was preparing to take action. This case had always been a thorn in Liu Tongfang's side, and he was naturally more than happy to have Ning Zhiheng take the initiative to contact him!
"Understood. I have a resettlement point at No. 25 Beishan Street in the south of the city. It's quiet there, and no one else knows about it. I'll go there and wait for you now," Liu Tongfang said on the phone.
"See you in an hour!" Ning Zhiheng said and hung up the phone.
He gestured for Sun Jiacheng to come out with him, while Zhao Jiang and the other team members stayed at the Ning family's house to wait. Sun Jiacheng was about to go out to start the car when Ning Zhiheng waved his hand and said, "It's not far. I haven't had a good look around Hangzhou yet. Let's walk a few steps ourselves!"
He took the lead and walked ahead, with Sun Jiacheng following behind. Hangzhou, as a coastal port city and the capital of Zhejiang Province, was one of the most prosperous metropolises during the Republic of China period. Walking on the streets, there were shops lining the streets, and cars and people coming and going, making it a lively and bustling place.
The streets are lined with a dazzling array of goods, and the sounds of vendors hawking their wares fill the air.
Ning Zhiheng felt as if he were in the same place, the place where he had lived since childhood. Every street and alley in his memory was so clearly displayed in front of him, making him feel even more at home!
He strolled over to a shop and said, "Give me two servings of rice cakes, lotus flower type!"
The middle-aged woman selling the rice cakes immediately agreed and quickly wrapped two portions, handing them to Ning Zhiheng. She looked at Ning Zhiheng with a smile and said, "It's the second young master of the Ning family. You haven't had our rice cakes in a long time!"
Ning Zhiheng smiled and nodded, saying, "I've been studying away from home, and I was just thinking of coming back to eat your lotus flower cakes. Your family's cooking is still the best!"
This was his favorite snack when he was a child. The Ning family was one of the most prominent families in the area, and he was never short of money. So he had tried all the snacks on every street here, but this shop's was the most delicious.
He paid, exchanged a few polite words with the proprietress, turned around and handed Sun Jiacheng a piece of lotus flower cake, saying with a smile, "Try it, this is the most authentic one in Hangzhou!"
Sun Jiacheng took the cake, tasted it, nodded, and said with a smile, "I've eaten this kind of cake before. It's sticky and chewy, but it's sweeter than this one, though not as flavorful!"
The two ate, walked, looked around, and chatted, taking in the street scenes of Hangzhou. A light drizzle fell, and the women on the street took shelter under the corridors and alleys, whispering sweet nothings. Other pedestrians did not take shelter from the rain and continued to hurry by.
Ning Zhiheng also walked on the street, stretching out his palm to feel the slight dampness. He felt as if he had become one with the world. He hadn't felt so relaxed and happy in a long time. Having lived two lives in this world and integrated into it, this was the feeling he wanted most. Being in his hometown, watching the clouds and listening to the rain, he felt exceptionally comfortable!
The air in Hangzhou was humid, and the light rain would pass by in no time. However, his clothes were only slightly damp. Ning Zhiheng brushed his wet hair with his hands to make it feel clean and refreshed.
Ning Zhiheng was familiar with the roads, and the two strolled for a while before finally arriving at the agreed-upon location. He stepped forward to knock on the courtyard gate, but found it was already open when he pushed it open.
Knowing that Liu Tongfang had arrived first, he turned around and gestured to Sun Jiacheng before pushing open the door and entering.
Sun Jiacheng took a few steps back, looked around at the surroundings, and finally chose a nearby observation point, where he stayed in a corner near the courtyard gate to wait for guard duty.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
