The woman smiled warmly. "All right, Gu Zi, was it? I'll remember that. And don't worry too much—most people around here are decent. Oh, by the way, my name is Jiang Nan. My parents were hoping for a boy, so they gave me this name. I thought about changing it when I got older, but it felt like too much hassle. So Jiang Nan it is. If you ever need anything or have questions, just come ask me, all right?"
With that, Jiang Nan bustled off, leaving Gu Zi standing at the doorway, troubled.
She stepped back inside the house with a heavy heart. The place might be charming, even picturesque, but it certainly didn't feel safe—not with burglars prowling about and convicted murderers lurking nearby. No matter how lovely the courtyard looked in the dappled afternoon sun, she didn't feel the slightest urge to appreciate it now.
