Above him stood that Old Locust Tree.
Sunlight leaked through gaps in the leaves, scattering mottled patches across his face, a little dazzling.
Su Li lay on the ground, the back of his head pressed against a stone. The pain made him bare his teeth.
He was alive.
No, that wasn't right—he was alive again.
He tried moving his fingers. All ten were there, able to bend and stretch. Then he wiggled his toes. No problem there either.
He was still wearing that linen shirt, so tattered it could not have been any more ruined. The collar was frayed, and two patches had been sewn onto the sleeves.
Same old formula, same old flavor.
Su Li had barely sat up when a figure rushed out from behind the Old Locust Tree.
She was absurdly fast.
Saina threw herself at him, both arms clamped tightly around his neck with enough strength to nearly choke the breath out of him.
"You're alive! You're alive!"
Saina's voice was hoarse and trembling. She buried her face in the hollow of his shoulder, her tears soaking a huge patch of that tattered linen shirt.
The impact knocked Su Li backward, and the stone beneath him jabbed him again.
"Loosen up, loosen up. My neck's about to break."
Saina did not let go. She held Su Li even tighter, hanging off him with both feet nearly leaving the ground.
"I thought you were dead! When that red light came, I couldn't see anything. I thought you—"
She could not finish. Her sobs left her gasping for breath.
Su Li raised a hand and patted her back.
This girl's body had returned to its original state. Her arms bore thin calluses from hard labor, her shoulders were narrow, and she was skinny as a bamboo pole.
She