I talked with him for a bit, small talk, and gave him a cigarette with a filter.
After lighting the cigarette, he said, "Young man, I still owe your father five Yuan, but I can't use my money. You take this pipe and give it to him, and that'll square it."
"Why do you have to do that, Mr. Zhao?" I asked.
"You get on home, now," he said. "Your Ma and Pa are looking forward to seeing you!"
The pipe was made of agate and it was very cold when I took it from him. I quickly said goodbye to him and hurried off into the village.