Purple hydrangeas, hibiscus, and gentian;
Golden globeflowers and chrysanthemums;
Red clusters, pink peonies, multicolored peonies, pure white gardenias, and lilies.
Dressed in a white, floral-patterned kimono with a long, elegant black kimono coat draped over her shoulders, Mrs. Jiutiao stood under the dripping eaves, admiring the garden during the rainy season.
The sound of rustling kimono sleeves came from behind.
She did not turn around and spoke softly, "It's that time of the year again."
Jiutiao Meijie stepped forward, stopping a palm's distance behind her mother, also gazing at the garden that could almost be called a maze.
Her eyes swept across most of the flowers, finally resting on the roses.
After this year's White Valentine's Day, the Shinbashi villa had been receiving a bouquet of roses every day.
There were also the May roses her mother used for her baths, which she'd smelt while snuggling under the covers as Dubian Che brought them to her bed.
