9 :A dream of dreams
ingstoowardshergoal.Thechallengeswereimmeshefacedthemwitharesolvefedinthefiresofherpastexperiences. Sukie’stransformationdidnotgounnoticed.Herteacherswereimpressedbyherdedication,herpeersinspiredbyherrelentlessdrive.Sheformednewfriendships,bondsbuiltonmutualrespedsharedaspiratio,amidsttheflurryofacademicpursuits,herthoughtsoftendriftedtoHanFengling,hispreseantsourcethandmotivation. Oernoon,afteraparticurlygruelingexam,Sukiesatintheschoolcourtyard,hermindragwiththoughtsofthefuture.ShewasjoinedbyMeiLing,herloyalfriendfromherpreviouslife,whohadalsocrossedovertothistime. “You’veged,Sukie,”MeiLingsaid,hervoicefilledwithadmiration.“There’safireinyouthatwasn’ttherebefore.”