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Senior-year exam prep was exhausting for most students, but it was nothing to Su Qing, who was quick-witted and never forgot anything she read. Still, she had to keep up appearances. There was no need to discourage her classmates or worry her parents.
It was Saturday, and Su Qing had finally been allowed to go out alone. She decided to visit the Flower and Bird Market. Buying flowers was secondary; she mainly needed a plausible reason for Little White—the name she had given the white fox—and Phoenix to appear openly. Phoenix could shrink to the size of a canary, but it insisted she call it Phoenix. It was a matter of dignity, apparently.
The market sold everything from flowers and birds to fish and snakes. People had all kinds of interests; plenty liked keeping mice or snakes. Wherever someone was willing to spend money, there was a market. The plants were not as beautiful as those in her space, but they were reasonably priced. Her maternal grandfather liked growing flowers, while her paternal grandfather had a particular fondness for orchids. She had plenty of orchids, but she could not bring them out, and the ones for sale were beyond her allowance. The Su Family was prominent, but they were not in business. Her family lived on salaries, and her parents were incorruptible, so she and her brother received little spending money. Her cousin Lisa often mocked her for it. Su Qing just laughed it off and looked forward to the day that spoiled girl ended up in tears.
Dew-covered roses, fragrant lilies, elegant birds of paradise, bright gerberas, stately peonies, and carnations lined her path, lifting Su Qing's spirits. She bought her mother a bouquet of her favorite lilies and picked up some discarded cuttings and seedlings