Chapter 1641: Chapter 1642: Not Quite Right in the Head
"Little girl, what do you need me to help with?" the woman slowly spoke as she looked at An Ning.
"Well, I want to rent a cow cart to go to the county to find my family, but as a young lady, I’m not familiar with this place. I happened to see this aunty washing clothes in the courtyard, so I thought, could I ask aunty for help to rent a cow cart..." An Ning stepped forward two steps and took out a few copper coins from her pocket and handed them over.
This family seems to be just ordinary poor folks, even if she wanted to give more, she wouldn’t dare to take it out.
As the saying goes, one must always be cautious of others. Though she was not afraid of causing trouble, as a girl she did not want to invite unnecessary trouble.
Holding the few copper coins in her hand, the woman’s face bloomed with a smile.
However, the way the woman looked at An Ning made her feel a bit uncomfortable.
The woman didn’t scrutinize her too much but turned her gaze to the sky outside, saying, "Little girl, you may not know, our village is surrounded by deep mountains. Our families are all poor people, and a cow cart is a precious item. Only the village head’s family has one. But now it’s already this late, I’m afraid they wouldn’t be willing to lend it out..."
An Ning fished out a few more copper coins from her pocket and handed them over. "I still have some money for renting the cart. Could I ask aunty to help negotiate a bit more?"
This time, the woman did not directly accept it but advised, "Little girl, it’s quite a distance to Long’an County from here. It’s already late, even if you rent a cow cart, it would be impossible to arrive at the county before dark. As an older woman, I suggest you rest here for the night and go to the village head’s house to rent the cow cart tomorrow morning. It’ll be easier to discuss then."
After all, nobody wants to go out late at night. Looking at this girl in her coarse linen clothing, she doesn’t seem to have much Silver.
Actually, An Ning was not short of Silver, but alone, she didn’t dare to give too much, afraid of attracting attention.
With the conversation reaching this point, she really had no choice but to stay here overnight.
At this moment, An Ning regretted the most that she didn’t keep a cow in the space.
If she had, she wouldn’t be worrying about this matter now.
"Aunty, then, is there anyone in this village with an empty room that I can rent for one night, just to have a place to settle down!" An Ning asked again.
"Well, it happens that my house has an empty room, and it’s just me and my son living here. If the girl needs it, I can spare a room for you..."
From the conversation, An Ning learned that this aunty’s surname was Wang, her husband died early, leaving her with a sole son as company.
As the night approached, Wang Aunty came over to invite An Ning to dinner.
This was An Ning’s first time meeting Wang Aunty’s son.
He was tall and strong, appeared to be in his 30s, but his expression made her feel very strange.
He kept watching An Ning, laughing in a silly way, which made An Ning feel that his mind seemed a bit off.
After dinner, An Ning voluntarily stood up to clean the table.
Even though she paid for the room, this family is just ordinary farmers, not an inn, so working a bit harder wouldn’t hurt, and it saves from creating any dislike.
Besides, Wang Aunty, at around fifty years old, with a hunched body that doesn’t look very nimble, An Ning didn’t feel right seeing her busy while she stayed idle.
However, Wang Aunty quickly pulled her hand, "Girl, let me handle this, it’s getting late, you should tidy up and rest early."
