"My father is a scholar but has never become a Recommended Scholar."
"A scholar? And you have to sell flowers?"
"His legs were broken by bad people. My stepmother grows flowers. The family relies on her for support."
"Is she unkind to you?"
The little girl shook her head and then nodded. Qiao Mai continued, "Do you have any siblings?"
"I have a younger brother, born to my stepmother."
No wonder. With the family relying on the stepmother, the father cannot say anything even if his daughter is mistreated, especially since he is disabled.
Qiao Mai sighed. "If I buy you, you will serve me as a maid and won't have to sell flowers anymore. Are you willing?"
The little girl lifted her head and looked at her. "Can I have enough to eat?"
"You will have three meals and no chores at night."
While eating buns, the little girl shed tears.
"But what about my father? Although his legs are broken now, he was good to me."