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Senior-year exam prep was grueling for most people, 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, and she wanted to put her parents at ease.
It was Saturday, and Su Qing had finally been allowed to go out alone. She decided to browse the Flower and Bird Market. More than buying flowers, she wanted an excuse for Little White—the name she had given the white fox—and Phoenix to appear openly. Phoenix had shrunk to the size of a canary but insisted she call it Phoenix, claiming it was a matter of dignity.
The market sold everything from flowers, birds, and fish to snakes. People had all kinds of interests; plenty enjoyed keeping mice or snakes. Where there were willing buyers, there was a market. The flowers and plants were not as beautiful as the ones in her space, but they were good value and 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 buying them at the market seemed beyond her allowance. The Su Family was prominent but did not run a business. They lived on their salaries, and her parents were honest officials, so she and her brother did not get much spending money. Her cousin Lisa always mocked her for it, but Su Qing just laughed it off. She looked forward to the day that spoiled girl cried.
Dew-covered roses, fragrant lilies, elegant Birds of Paradise, bright yet unpretentious Gerberas, stately Peonies, and Carnations—everything Su Qing saw as she walked along lifted her spirits. She bought her mother a