Summary

In Chapter 7, Sang Ly has her next lesson with Sopeap, who is drunk and unkind. Ki is frustrated by Sang Ly's distraction with her homework, questioning the importance of learning at all. He fears Sang Ly will no longer need him after she is literate. Sang Ly says learning will help them leave the dump, and therefore help Nisay heal. A few days later, Sang Ly goes picking, practicing reading letters on scraps as she works. The first word she makes out is "luck." She thanks her grandfather for his help.

In Chapter 8, Sang Ly attempts to reconcile her mind and body as she reads. When Sopeap tells her she no longer needs lessons now that she can read sentences, Sang Ly asks to learn about literature. Sopeap is hesitant. Sang Ly asks her why she even lives at the dump, but Sopeap...