This butcher shop was located at the deep end of North Street, and a blank white lantern hung at the entrance.
Just as she was contemplating whether to knock, she saw a woman, her head swathed in a headscarf, remove the door panel.
Seeing a young girl standing outside, the woman looked somewhat surprised and after a moment's pause, finally asked, "Are you here to buy meat?"
Nanzhi nodded, and the woman looked her up and down again before inviting her inside.
"Come in."
Following the woman into the butcher shop, Nanzhi was finally able to take in the sight of the interior.
The dawn had yet to break, so Nanzhi could only make out the surroundings by the dim light emanating from the woman's oil lamp.
Besides the large wooden table and rack, the only other items were a pair of cleavers and a pile of iron hooks.
The woman was dressed in coarse clothing, a brown leather apron tied around her waist, leading the way.