[This is Chapter 62. The previous chapter was flagged for review, so you can read this later to avoid a break in continuity.]
Ning Rongrong was still fuming. At his words, she shot the coachman an impatient glance and waved her little hand. "What are you rushing me for? It's not like I won't pay you! Do I look like someone who's short on money?"
As she spoke, she took a gleaming gold soul coin from the embroidered purse she carried and tossed it over without even looking. "Here, one gold soul coin. Keep the change."
The coachman hurriedly caught it. It felt heavy in his hand—real gold.
His face instantly lit up, and he bowed repeatedly. "Thank you, miss! Thank you! You really are such a kind person..."
Ning Rongrong had no patience for his flattery. She waved him off, pondering how she could win back a round.
Little did she know that her lovely, charming face, her exquisite and expensive clothes, and her lavish young-lady manner had instantly drawn quite a few eyes near the city gate.
Among them was a fellow with ill intentions.
At the edge of the crowd, a fat boy sporting a bizarre red Mohawk was staring lecherously at Ning Rongrong with his tiny eyes.
His gaze swept greedily over her lovely face and bulging purse, and a malicious, lascivious grin curled his lips.
"Tsk, tsk. What a fresh little beauty—and a rich one, too..."
Ma Hongjun licked his lips, greed and wicked thoughts flickering in his tiny eyes.
He had been a little short on cash lately and was worrying about where to get some money.
He straightened his greasy clothes, smoothed his signature red hair, and plastered on a smile he considered "handsome and charming."
In reality, it was utterly sleazy. Swaying