Victor's hopes were deflating as fast as his front bicycle tire. He would never make it to the exam on time now, and that in turn would ruin his chance to get an official government scholarship and spend his next year at Peking University. And all because of a bit of shattered glass. The randomness of it all pressed down on him like the morning summer heat.

That was when he heard a familiar voice. "Lock it up and get on," it said. And when he looked up Cindy was hovering there on her flying pigeon, a vintage steel bike that dated back to the late 80's. Her find predated the aluminum bikes that dominated the market these days, and could carry both of them without complaint. As Victor climbed on the back - a new experience - he couldn't help but reflect on how quickly fortunes twisted and turned in China. Life just moved faster here.