C12 (2/2)
Towards Ning's confused little eyes, Ning Yan explained, ”This is your name, after we built the house, we started to arrange for you to go study. Now, follow me and learn a few simple words.”
”My name?”
Ning Yu lowered her head and stared at the three words on the ground. It seemed as if she wanted to imprint those words onto her heart.
”Write it by name.”
”En!”
Seeing her serious look, Ning Yan felt much more at ease in her heart. All the teachers in the world probably liked students like her.
Seriously, self-abnegation.
Ning Yan sat under the tree and watched Ning Mo draw out the crooked lines again and again. She got up and said, ”Write on first, Mom will go to your Grandma Huang's house for a while.”
”Yes.” Ning who was engrossed in his studies answered and continued practicing writing.
The words Uncle wrote were much better than the ones he drew, so he had to work hard.
Walking out of the courtyard, Ning Yan was still a little worried. She said, ”If someone from Ning Family comes over, you don't have to worry about anything else. Go find me first.”
”I know.”
Hearing that she had more than enough time to respond, Ning Yan was relieved. She picked up a piece of limestone by the side of the road and continued to walk towards the Zhang Family's Blacksmith Shop.
Mrs. Huang was still not home. Ning Yan walked to the forging room and started hitting the iron rod on her hand with the hammer. The sweat on her forehead started to drip.
The boy in the horse coat, who was squatting beside the bellows, had been replaced by a girl with braids. The girl, Zhang Tiehzhu, had died a long time ago, and his face was flushed.
”Isn't the knife you bought suitable?” Seeing Ning Yan in the courtyard, Zhang Tiehzhu asked.
Ning Yan shook her head and explained: ”There's nothing inappropriate about it. I just want to borrow your forging room to use it on a little thing.”
”Women can't do this job, the hammer is heavy.”
”I'm strong.”
”That won't do, it's too hot here, you can't take it.”
”Heh, what you mean is that I can't even compare to a child.” Ning Yan's gaze swept across the little girl who was pulling the bellows.
Zhang Tiehzhu was completely speechless, he stayed silent for a long time before saying, ”If you can't forge iron, you will be injured.”
”No, I will pay attention.” Ning Yan shook her head. She must be here to familiarize herself with the Forging Room and other things. On the way, she would also take out some small things, such as the Trident Thorns.
As for not knowing how to forge iron, was that a joke?
She had once learned from a declining old blacksmith how to use primitive tools to make the best weapons. Due to time constraints, she didn't participate in the smelting process, but there was a rumor in the circle that using handmade weapons would increase one's spirituality.
Although it was only a legend, the stubborn Ning Yan still gave it a try.
It was easy to use, but no one knew if it had something to do with the spirit of the rumors.
Zhang Tiehzhu placed the things he had prepared in his hands into the cold water, and with a ”squelch” sound, white mist came out from the barrel.
As his voice grew softer and softer, Zhang Tiehzhu finally said in a conflicted tone, ”Why are you so disobedient?”
”Let me try. Just once.”
”Alright, I'll watch from the side.” Zhang Tiehzhu could only agree to Ning Yan's request.
He chased the little girl out, afraid that Ning Yan's immature technique would implicate the others.
”No problem.” After Ning Yan finished speaking, he took out a red metal piece from the furnace with a fire pincer.
The scorching temperature grilled her hands, causing her clothes to be drenched in sweat. Ning Yan did not care about that, and took out the limestone she was carrying out and grinded it into the furnace, then placed the scarlet red metal piece into the furnace once again. There was an indescribable smell in the air.
”What are you doing?” Zhang Tiehzhu suddenly stood up, his tiger eyes staring straight at the smelting furnace.