The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 197: Enthusiasm

Could it be that my imitation of my older female cousin was unsuccessful? Absolutely impossible! I am a top student! There’s no way it could fail! Wang Yongzhu declared her disbelief with conviction.

As she touched her face, Wang Yongzhu suddenly had an epiphany!

Indeed, this is a society that judges by appearance; with her current face, her physique.

Even if she were to imitate Xishi clutching her heart, the result would only be akin to Dongshi’s grimace.

Forget it, let’s not harbor any delusions—just honestly walk the path of mutual benefit!

The most important lesson her parents from the previous world had taught her was that the most solid relationships in this world are those based on mutual interest! Everything can be betrayed, but mutual benefits never betray!

Thinking back to that godforsaken love mission, the early stages of intimacy, confidants, and kindred spirits, all those achievements could be maintained through mutual interests, right? As for the ultimate goal of "love stronger than gold," that requires even more shared interests! Sneakily changing tactics should work, right? Wang Yongzhu pondered.

Below, at the bottom of the slope, the carts had been hauled up, and the escort team rearranged things, starting to prepare their meals.

In this desolate wilderness, this was the only place with an open space, and a small river nearby, which the team used as a resting spot.

Since they had to hit the road, nobody dared to waste time. All they did was fetch water from the river, boil a pot of water, cook some salted meat and selected mountain goods together, and distribute a few pieces of hard, cold cakes to each person to eat with the hot soup. That was already quite a treat.

Wang Yongzhu, as a major contributor, and Wang Yongping were invited by Steward Lu to join them by the fire.

The cook filled two large bowls with hot soup for them, containing several pieces of salted meat and mushrooms, which smelled delicious.

Wang Yongzhu and Wang Yongping thanked Steward Lu and took the hot soup.

Steward Lu curiously looked behind the two of them, "Eh? Where’s Brother Song?

Wang Yongzhu, with her head down, blowing on the steaming hot soup, did not reply.

It was Wang Yongping who answered, "He went to the riverside. He should be back soon."

Speak of the devil and he shall appear; Song Chongjin had already washed his hands, and in just a short while, he had caught a rabbit, which he’d cleaned and brought over to the cook.

The cook, rubbing his hands together and seeing no objection from Steward Lu, happily took it, brushed it with oil and seasoning, and set it to roast over the fire.

Steward Lu was very surprised. During his years of traveling, he seldom misjudged people.

But today, these three young people had really broadened his horizons.

At first, when he saw the Wang siblings, he didn’t think much of them. They looked like naive youths from the countryside who didn’t even know their way to the county town, so he didn’t pay them much mind.

Even with Song Chongjin, he just thought the youth was excessively handsome and didn’t seem like a country boy, but the clothes and appearance didn’t make him take a second glance.

Yet these three country folks had opened his eyes today.

Not to mention the girl, with strength that he had never encountered in his many years of experience among men and women. Maybe someone with high martial skills could possess such power, but this young girl, with her floating steps, clearly had no martial training—that could only mean she was born with extraordinary strength.

Such power would be a gift from the heavens for them, a group living on the knife-edge and always on the move.

But for a country girl, it probably just meant she could do more farm work than others? What a waste of natural talent!

Steward Lu was so envious he was nearly beside himself.

And then there was this young man surnamed Song, who appeared reserved and not much of a talker. In the short time it took him to wash his hands, he had actually caught a rabbit. His skills were extraordinary, no ordinary hunter’s.

Especially around here, where because of their frequent stops, the animals of the mountains had long since learned to steer clear of this area. Yet this young man managed to catch prey so quickly, he was not to be underestimated!

He could not help but look at Song Chongjin with a newfound seriousness.

As Song Chongjin sat down, Steward Lu hurried to have the cook serve him a bowl of meat soup before he tentatively spoke, "Brother Song, what brings you to town?"

Song Chongjin glanced at him indifferently, "We’re here to find someone."

Steward Lu was somewhat surprised but quickly concealed it and asked cheerfully, "May I know who you are looking for? Not to brag, but if you want to find someone in Jing County, there’s no better place to ask than the Tianfeng Escort Agency. Is there anything we can help you with?"

Wang Yongzhu had previously inquired with Laoliu about the situation in Jing County, specifically to find Wang Yongan.

Wang Yongan was said to be teaching at the Baiyun Academy in the county town, living not far from the Academy in a small courtyard.

This was common knowledge. Being able to teach at an Academy in the county town was quite an accomplishment for someone from the countryside. Whenever Scholar Wang was mentioned in town, everyone knew where to find him.

The last time, it was an enthusiastic townsman who found Wang Yongan at the Baiyun Academy.

As for where he lived, although the Wang family had never visited, it should be easy to find out just by inquiring about Wang Yongan’s teaching place.

Wang Yongzhu thought that a simple inquiry in the county town would reveal everything, so there was no need to trouble others.

What concerned her more was how, after finding Wang Yongan, to make him hand over the deed and the silver.

If all else failed, she would have to resort to threats of force!

Therefore, she was not too keen to trouble others with Steward Lu’s eagerness, "No need to bother, we can find out once we get to town!"

Seeing Wang Yongzhu refuse, Steward Lu thought it must be something trivial, perhaps they were here to look for relatives. He did not press further, just promised that if by any chance they could not find the person, they were welcome to look for him at the Escort Agency—he would be staying in Jing County for the next two or three days to prepare for loading goods for shipment southward.

Wang Yongzhu thanked Steward Lu.

Steward Lu, seeing that the three Wang siblings were modestly dressed and presumably friendless in Jing County, generously invited them to spend the night at the Escort Agency. It made sense to start their search fresh in the morning, rather than attempting to find a place to stay as it got dark, especially in unfamiliar surroundings.

Particularly for Wang Yongzhu, a young lady, it would be even less convenient.

Wang Yongzhu was indeed worried; considering the time on the road, they might reach the county town only after dark, and lodging costs would be another expense. To spend money without having found the person was distressing.

Upon hearing Steward Lu’s invitation and understanding that he was trying to repay a favor, she felt it would be rude to refuse. Just as she was about to accept, she remembered Song Chongjin, an outsider. She could decide for Wang Yongping but not for Song Chongjin.

Song Chongjin understood Wang Yongzhu’s intention and simply nodded, then took the rabbit the cook had roasted.

According to the unwritten rules of traveling, when Song Chongjin had brought the rabbit he had caught, having the cook roast it meant sharing half.

So the cook had brought half to him, while the other half served as an extra meal for the escort team. Although each man got only a small piece, fresh rabbit meat was far superior to the spoiled salty meat soup, though it was just enough to whet the appetite.

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