Chapter 133: Chapter 133: Saving Money Again

After An Ning and An Guoming arrived in the county town, they went their separate ways.

An Guoming returned to the textile mill, while An Ning took her blueprints and went to the machinery factory.

When she arrived at the machinery factory, as luck would have it, she ran into An Guocheng—her Third Brother from her eldest uncle’s family.

"An Ning?"

An Guocheng recognized An Ning at a glance and ran over to her from the gate.

"Third Brother."

An Ning pointed at the truck by the gate and asked, "Are you heading out, Third Brother?"

"No, no, I’m just helping load some things."

An Guocheng reached out to help An Ning with her things, but she refused, saying, "There’s no need. I’m just here to drop something off. I’ll be leaving in a bit."

"Alright, then you can go on in. I’ll finish up this job."

"Okay."

After speaking with An Guocheng, An Ning greeted the old man at the gate and went inside.

A few of the young guys working with An Guocheng by the gate teased, "Hey, An Guocheng, who was that?"

An Guocheng’s expression turned serious as he said, "That’s my younger cousin. Don’t mess around."

"Younger cousin? Didn’t you say you were the youngest in your family?"

An Guocheng said as he moved some items, "She’s my cousin from my younger uncle’s family."

He didn’t want to say any more. These guys told plenty of dirty jokes back in the dorms.

Sure enough, the moment he said that, several guys started prying.

"How old is your cousin? Does she have a boyfriend?"

An Guocheng didn’t say another word. An Ning’s marriage prospects were her own family’s business.

Besides, in his eyes, not a single one of them was a good match.

It wasn’t that they were bad people, just that they weren’t good enough for An Ning.

Now inside the machinery factory, An Ning found her way to Director Jin’s office with ease, but someone was inside.

So, An Ning simply sat down outside to wait.

Before long, footsteps echoed in the hallway, and a familiar face appeared.

"Isn’t that An Ning?"

Director Jin’s brother-in-law enthusiastically came forward to greet her.

An Ning just gave a faint nod, her expression neutral.

Director Jin’s brother-in-law didn’t mind at all. After all, he had received a comprehensive education from his own brother-in-law.

The core principle of that education was: when you see An Ning, treat her as you would your own ancestor.

Be respectful, be deferential, and don’t get any funny ideas.

"Are you here to see Director Jin?"

"Yes."

"I’ll go get him for you. No need to wait out here."

As Director Jin’s brother-in-law spoke, he moved to knock on the door. An Ning didn’t want to interrupt; besides, she wasn’t in a hurry.

"I don’t mind waiting."

An Ning’s words made the brother-in-law quickly change his tune. "The thing is, *I’m* the one with urgent business."

"I’m in a hurry."

He went anyway.

After he knocked, Director Jin chewed him out for a bit, but the scolding ended abruptly when he saw An Ning at the door.

Inside the room were none other than Zhang Qihua and Li Chengze.

"An Ning is here!"

At Director Jin’s words, Master Zhang and Li Chengze whipped their heads around and saw An Ning sitting by the door.

The three of them practically raced out of the office. Master Zhang swatted the brother-in-law at the door aside.

"An Ning, you’re here! Why didn’t you just come straight in? Don’t be so polite next time."

"Exactly! Just come find me directly when you visit."

"An Ning, hello."

The three of them stood in a row, each saying a line, like they were rehearsing for a Spring Festival performance.

An Ning stood up and handed over the blueprints she had prepared.

"These are for three machines. Everything is labeled in detail. Since Li Chengze is here, he should be able to understand them."

"I’m about to go on a trip, so if there are any questions, we can discuss them when I get back."

Li Chengze, across from her, was the first to grab the blueprints. He opened them immediately and was instantly mesmerized, unwilling to look away.

"This one is an excavator, this one is a machine for harvesting corn roots, and this one is a corn sheller."

Li Chengze looked up, seeking confirmation.

An Ning nodded.

"You’re right. Every step is broken down in here. There shouldn’t be any problem building them."

Master Zhang was also looking at the blueprints, his heart filled with shock. ’This is incredible!’

’It’s only been half a month, and she’s already come up with three machines.’

Director Jin kept thanking An Ning, who smiled faintly and said, "Just pay me. I need the money."

"Yes, yes! Right away! I’ll go get the money for you."

Director Jin showed no hesitation at all, completely abandoning the usual haggling he did when negotiating business. He even seemed eager to give her more.

For the three machines, Director Jin gave her a total of twenty thousand yuan.

When An Ning received the money, even she was a little surprised.

"This much?"

"Not at all, not at all. It’s what you deserve."

Director Jin said nothing, knowing that the profits each of An Ning’s blueprints would bring to the machinery factory would be far greater.

"Alright, I’ll accept it."

An Ning didn’t mention signing a contract. She hadn’t given them her most crucial technology anyway.

’If I wait a little longer, it probably won’t be long before Ancient Earth’s patent laws are established.’

’At that point, I’ll be able to patent my technology, and it will be a continuous source of income for me.’

’Then all I’d have to do is farm in peace.’

An Ning took the money, preparing to deposit it into her passbook.

The person who handled her transaction was the same female teller from last time.

Du Guijuan looked at An Ning and felt a sense of familiarity. The address was also somewhat familiar, but she just couldn’t place it.

’But who on earth is this girl?’

’Twenty thousand yuan, deposited just like that. So impressive.’

An Ning took her passbook, left the savings co-op, found a deserted corner, and put it into the Klein Bottle before preparing to find An Guoming.

However, just as she was putting the passbook away, someone approached. And it wasn’t just one person.

The footsteps were hurried and chaotic.

Within seconds, several men holding switchblades appeared in the alley.

An Ning turned her head and nodded in understanding.

’So, it’s a robbery.’

In the narrow alley, three men stood in front of her and three behind, trapping her in the middle.

An Ning’s spiritual power spread out. There were two more outside, acting as lookouts.

’In other words, they sent eight people just to rob little old me. I should feel honored.’

"Thanks."

An Ning’s "thanks" stunned the six men blocking the alley. ’Is this girl crazy or something?’

Regardless, a man who seemed to be the leader stepped forward without a single wasted word.

"Hand over the money and you can walk. Otherwise, you’ll lose both."

An Ning showed no fear at all and faced the leader, asking a question.

"Why send so many people?"

"I don’t have the money on me, so how are you going to take it? Do you have an accomplice at the savings co-op?"

After asking her questions, An Ning added emphatically, "But first, tell me why you chose me. I’m rather curious."

The two questions made the six men in the alley look at each other in confusion.

The leader didn’t answer An Ning’s questions at all. He just waved his hand.

"Get her!"

"Sigh... you just had to make things difficult."

An Ning moved.

All they saw was a flash of a shadow, followed by three loud THUDS.

The three men in front of her were already on the ground, unable to get up.

"This one’s tough! Let’s scram!"

The downed leader shouted, and the three men behind him tried to flee.

"Why run? Since you’re already here, let’s stay and have a chat."