Spring was almost over now and Dee's birthday was near. She would be twelve years old and was delighted that she got to spend her birthday in China. In the kitchen she had gotten a peek at the birthday cake they were making for her, covered in white sugar frosting and decorated with Chinese symbols of good fortune. Li Rong had hurried her away from the kitchens and off to her morning training. That afternoon, the woman took Dee out shopping in the market.

{There is a special feast being prepared for you tonight. Are you excited?} she asked.

{Yes! This is going to be the best birthday I've had so far!} Dee said, looking around the market at the colorful wares being offered.

{I'm glad. We wish you to be happy here, Xiaohu. Are you and Manchu speaking again?}

A cloud rolled across Dee's face at the mention of that boy. {No, Li. He won't speak to me.}

{Have you tried speaking to him?}

{Me? Why should I speak to him?! He's the one who insulted me!} fumed Dee.

Li Rong stopped and pulled Dee aside. Taking the girl's hands in her own, Li Rong gave Dee a stern look. "Little Tiger, there are times in your life where you must look past your own stubbornness. You and Manchu are as hardheaded as they come. If neither one of you apologizes, you will lose a good friendship! I know he is the one who started it with his comments, but remember that he, just as you, are at a very impressionable age. See past what he said. This is not worth losing him as your friend. Besides, I am growing tired of having to bandage each of you up after practice because neither one of you wants to pull their blows." Leading Dee back into the flow of the market, Li Rong added, "I will say no more of this. Just think on what I've told you. You will show more strength in being the one to come forward."

"Yes, Ma'am," Dee said sullenly.

{Now, we must find you a dress for tonight.}

{A dress?!} Dee gasped. So far she had not been made to wear a dress. The last one she had worn had been at the orphanage and was full of ruffles and ribbons. Mr. Packard had insisted she be put in a dress to make her look "more feminine and appealing". He had been furious when he had seen the mess she made of it after playing in the mud. She had gone two nights without dinner because of that dress.

{Yes, a dress. Don't worry. You'll look beautiful in it,} Li Rong said, tightening her grip on Dee's hand as the girl tried to pull away.

{But...But...} stammered Dee as Li Rong pulled her toward a shop. {I don't...} Her words came to a halt as Dee went wide-eyed at the dresses in the window. There was no hint of ruffles and ribbons here, just beautifully tailored silk dresses, simply decorated with embroidery and high collars. {I'm gonna get to wear one of these?} she asked in amazement, looking at the rainbow of different colors on display.

{Of course. Did you think we would be putting you in some silly American idea of a dress? You are in China where the clothing is beautiful!} Li Rong said with pride.

For the next hour and a half, Dee tried on dress after dress, delighting in the look and feel of the silk on her. She stared at herself in the mirror, noticing, for the first time, the girlish curves her figure was beginning to show. In the background, Dee heard whispers between Li Rong and the saleswoman, but couldn't quite make out what they were saying.

{She will be a beautiful woman when she grows up. It is a shame that more girls do not have the poise and presence that she has already,} the saleswoman said.

This made Li Rong's chest fill with pride. {Yes. When she is older she will be a very special woman, this I can tell.}
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