"Next time we go to the black market, leave Saina at home."
Elena walked over to Su Li's side, lowering her voice as she glanced back at Saina, who was holding that bottle of black pepper and sniffing it from every angle.
"She went in to buy seasonings and nearly traded recipes with that half-elf stall owner on her way out."
Su Li said nothing and kept walking. The three of them followed the wall of Dark Alley toward Ginkgo Alley.
Saina jogged a couple of steps to catch up, stuffed the pepper into her cloak pocket, and grabbed the hem of Su Li's clothes at his lower back with both hands.
"I heard that, Elena. Who were you talking about?"
"You."
"What did I do? I only bought one bottle!"
"How long were you squatting in front of her stall? Everyone in the entire black market was staring at you."
"That's because she ground it so fine! I can grind all day at home and still not get that texture—"
"Enough." Su Li patted the back of Saina's hand. "We'll talk when we get back."
The three of them turned into Ginkgo Alley. The moon hung above the rooftops, casting the stone-paved road in a layer of grayish white.
Su Li pushed open the courtyard gate. Silver was squatting on the steps with a moth of unknown origin clamped in its mouth, its wings still fluttering wildly.
Saina shrieked, rushed over, snatched the moth from the cat's mouth, and threw it away.
"Why do you put everything in your mouth?!"
Silver licked its paw, looking utterly innocent.
Su Li took off his cloak, hung it on a nail by the door, then went to the well and drew half a bucket of water to wash his hands.
Elena took