The chatter in the Educated Youths Courtyard gradually faded as twilight spread over the window lattices like thick ink.
Secretary Li had just sat down in the wooden chair in his office and drained the cold tea from his enamel mug when he heard the clip-clop of footsteps outside, mixed with the crisp crunch of gravel.
"Secretary Li!" Wei Manni’s bright voice came first. As she pushed open the wooden door, a gust of cold air rushed in. She breezed inside, followed by a somewhat hesitant Wang Li.
Chapter 52