Chapter 11: The Grinder's Invitation

Leo woke to the smell of cheap instant coffee and the sound of Uncle Zhang's wok clanging like a war gong. His legs felt like they'd been replaced with rubber bands—stretched, resilient, but deeply confused about their new elasticity. He swung his feet to the floor, and the Seeking Heart Step kicked in before he even thought about it. His toes curled, his weight shifted, and he rose from the bed i...