Does anyone know? There are theories, reincarnation cycles they more or less believed in, even if not strictly following certain paths of spiritualism or religious thought. What's being asked is something he can only speak to as an outsider, but...

He reaches out, clasping his friend at his shoulder, and then supporting his forearm, holding it at the elbow.

"We return to the world we're from, in theory. No one can say if it's the time we left, or if being here means we do go missing there. I don't know that any one of us who recognises each other even necessarily shares a world." He pauses, then offers Wen Ning a tired, apologetic smile. "I'm sorry I don't have a better answer for you, Wen Ning. You deserve one."

He deserves the hope of his sister, not just the reality of her loss all over again. Hesitating, because he's genuinely not good at this, he then steps forward and pulls Wen Ning into a nice, boney, slightly less awkward hug.

Sixteen years ago, he'd been too late. He might not have anything to say for that, but here, he can guess at what Wen Ning has already been told. Here, he's not too late for that.

"So does she."