02. Curious people everywhere

As she left the house she realized why the house was so cheap. A day before she just was happy having her own home where she could continue to live. But now she just sighed and rose her sleeves.

Everything was so dirty that she needed half of a day to clean everything completely. Only after she heard her own belly she realised that it was already late. With a sigh, she went to the kitchen and saw only one pot and one bowl clean from last night. Everything else was filled with so much dust that she will probably need a few days to scrub it all clean.

As she stood there with the desperate expression a knock could be heard on the main gate. She could see her hands clean but the clothes were completely dirty from all the cleaning but she didn't really care she took bit ashes and dirtied her hands and face and went to the door.

The people got shocked by her dirty appearance and stepped back.

Mina blinked and innocently pointed at the house. ''I am cleaning it since early mornings and I am still not done. So much to do... By the way, who are you?''

A middle-aged man approached confidently and stood in front fo her. ''I am the oldest son of Gong family.'' And looked at her confidently but then astonishment fleeted his face. ''You never heard of us?''

Mina shook her head. ''I arrived the day before. Don't take it personally but I have no idea who you are or who your family is.'' She said the truth.

He rose his nose up letting her almost see inside of it and pointed at a certain direction. ''Our Gong family owns six stores in town and one in the capital. We are quite wealthy.''

Mina just shrugged. ''Oh. Good for you. But what does that has to do with me?''

The man almost fell as he heard her words. ''You... you don't care?'' It was the first time that no one tried to slime themselves to him to get something.

''Listen, say what you want and then let me go. I need still to clean the rest of my home. Look how dirty is it.'' She came closer with her almost black hands and he almost jumped back in fear.

''I heard village chief saying that you accepted her request to be a scribe for the village. I might have some things for you as well. Can I come in?'' He was about to enter but then remembered that she said about how dirty her house is and gave up. ''Or we can talk after you are done. In few days?''

Mina shook her head. ''Sorry, uncle. But I am a single woman and can't ever let you inside my private rooms. But in two days I promised the village chief to visit her and take care of some paperwork. If you want to give me more work, you can come there.''

He completely understood her words and changed his face. ''I am maybe few years older than you, but not that old to be called uncle.''

Mina bowed politely. ''Please forgive me mister Gong, but I wanted to be just polite. I will not show any disrespect from now on. So I shall see you in two days. Please forgive me now.'' She bowed once more time in front of him and slowly closed the door.

From inside could be heard moving of big tings and hits. Suddenly the whole cloud of dust rose from the yard making him cough lungs out. He could hear her coughing as well so he let it go. But as he walked away he realized what she said but chose to just let it go. He was indeed curious but she was right.

If he went in he would have to marry her and he already had plans to marry a little widow from the city that owned own house and store. For him to take an unknown woman into his household his elders would have ripped his back and probably have killed her. He patted his chest. Luckily she acted wisely, or he would have been now doomed.

Mina at first just made huge sounds so he would leave and as she heard his rushed steps disappearing towards village she sighed in relief and went to the kitchen. ''Plain rice again? If I had at least some vegetables or seasonings.''

She sighed as she stared at a big bag filled with rice. ''The rice will not be enough for a long time. I need to buy more.'' She looked at the big pots inside the storage and found two pots with strange liquid inside that smelled hellish while in two more pots she found something she didn't expect.

One pot had old salt, nothing wrong with that, and other pot had as it seems alcohol or something. She tasted it and it was very good quality. If she could sell this in town maybe she could gather more money. She needs to be careful. The roof needs to be repaired and windows need to be plated with paper again.

She needed some food as well. With a sigh, she looked at the nearby forest and shook her head. She had no idea what is edible in the forest and what not.

She looked at the rice and had really no wish to eat just plain rice. As soon she entered her house she checked her bag and luckily she had quite an amount so she put a clean set of clothes on and walked towards the Elder Kang's home.

Of course, people curiously stared at her but at the same time didn't speak to her as she was literally newcomer. But one woman was just too curious and had to ask. ''You are new, right?''

Mina bowed politely. ''Yes. My name is Mina Lang. I will be village scribe.'' She didn't want to explain much but it was enough to say such words in front fo this curious person as she would probably spread it fast enough around the village.

Actually, Mina didn't look bad. Not devastatingly beautiful but not bad looking. She sold her original clothes and bought a couple of sets of simple commoner clothes that she wore right now. But her old clothes and simple wooden hair accessory showed her poverty so the woman just nodded and walked away with just small bow.

Mina knew that it will take them time to accept her in the village and they might never accept her. But it was maybe even better in this situation. Less bothersome...