Requesting Leave for a Break, A Warm Time with My Brother

The sky was barely light, leaden clouds still hanging low, heralding another day of bitter cold. Li Bufan was the first to wake from deep, fragrant slumber. The first thing he sensed was his younger brother's steady, even breathing beside him, and that small hand that even in sleep unconsciously clutched the hem of his inner robe.

This complete dependence and trust, like the gentlest warm current, instantly washed away the exhaustion and tension that had built up over the past few days. His heart was filled with a tranquility and indescribable satisfaction. Carefully, with the utmost gentleness, he pried his brother's warm little hand from his clothes and tucked it back deep under the covers, meticulously smoothing every corner to ensure no draft could sneak in.

Without disturbing his still-sleeping brother, he rose as silently as the most agile leopard, dressed neatly, and washed his face with icy water. The cold shock sharpened his mind. Then, facing the still-biting dawn outside, he strode out the door. Today, he planned to ask Coach Qin for a day off to focus on keeping Ping'an company and buying some winter supplies.

The morning training ground of Lin Manor's Guard Camp was already filled with shouts and grunts, plumes of white breath mingling in the air. Many diligent guards had already started their morning drills, honing their fists and tempering their qi and blood. The atmosphere reeked of sweat and effort. Li Bufan's gaze swept across the field and quickly found Qin Shi, standing like an iron tower, his eyes like lightning as he urged the men through their forms.

"Coach," Li Bufan said, stepping forward a few paces, cupping his fist and bowing in a standard guard's salute.

Qin Shi turned at the sound. Seeing it was Li Bufan, a genuine smile cracked his rough face. He patted Li Bufan's arm. "Oh? Bufan? You're here early. I heard you got back very late yesterday. Why not rest a bit more?"

Li Bufan maintained his respectful posture and replied, "Reporting to Coach, I've rested well and have plenty of energy. I came today to ask for a day off."

"A day off?" Qin Shi raised an eyebrow, his smile fading into a look of scrutiny and concern. "Is there still something wrong with your body? The injuries from the Winter Hunt haven't healed properly? If there's a hidden wound, don't tough it out. The manor has medicine." His tone was stern. In his eyes, Li Bufan was now the most outstanding seedling among the new guards, the one who had brought him great face during the Winter Hunt. Naturally, he valued him.

A warmth spread through Li Bufan's chest. He quickly shook his head and explained, "It's not that. Thank you for your concern, Coach. The injuries are indeed fine. It's just..." He paused briefly, his tone growing more earnest. "It's just that I have a young brother at home, only seven years old. I was away in the mountains hunting and patrolling for several days, leaving him alone. He's too young, and I was very worried he'd be scared.

I came back yesterday, but I could see he was still unsettled. I couldn't bear it. So I wanted to take today off to focus on keeping him company, to calm his mind, so he doesn't develop any lingering fears. I promise I'll be back on duty on time tomorrow, without delay!"

He spoke with genuine emotion. When he mentioned his younger brother, the tenderness and concern in his eyes were unmistakably real.

Qin Shi was taken aback at first, as if he hadn't expected such a reason. Then he let out a couple of hearty laughs and slapped Li Bufan's shoulder with a hand as big as a cattail leaf fan, the force making Li Bufan sway. "I thought it was something serious! Turns out it's for your little brat! Haha, good! You, kid—quiet as a mouse, but you've got heart and a sense of responsibility! Very good!"

His tone lightened, laced with approval. "You new guards, according to the manor's rules, already get two days off each month to handle personal matters. No need to specially ask for leave. You've been out in the mountains fighting and struggling these past few days—hard work. You came back yesterday and worked late into the night. Taking today to rest is only right. No one will say a word. Besides..."

Qin Shi paused, his gaze filled with undisguised praise as he looked Li Bufan up and down, as if admiring an uncut jade. "I've seen your usual performance clearly, kid! After every day's routine training, when everyone else goes to rest and relax, you're the only one who stubbornly stays behind to train on your own late into the night! That drive to push yourself hard, that hunger to get stronger—I've seen it all! And this Winter Hunt, you did damn well! Calm in crisis, quick and decisive—you brought honor to me and to the entire Guard Camp! Good! Very good! That's how it should be! Go ahead. Today won't count as your regular day off. I'm approving it as personal leave."

This was an extraordinary favor and a rare acknowledgment. Gratitude surged in Li Bufan's heart. He bowed again, his tone sincere. "Thank you for your understanding, Coach!"

"Hmm," Qin Shi nodded with satisfaction. He seemed about to add something, his lips moving, his gaze sweeping meaningfully across the other guards sweating through their drills on the field. But in the end, he just waved his hand habitually and returned to his usual tone. "Go on, go on. Spend time with your little brother. Kids do get scared easily. Be back on time tomorrow. Training is like rowing against the current—not a day of slack!"

"Yes, sir! I understand! Thank you, Coach!" Though Li Bufan keenly sensed that Coach Qin seemed to have more to say, his mind was on his little brother at home, so he didn't dwell on it. He saluted again and turned to leave.

The leave was granted far more smoothly than he'd expected, even with extra consideration from the coach. Li Bufan's mood grew lighter and more cheerful. His steps quickened, and he almost jogged all the way home.

When he pushed open the familiar, slightly worn wooden door, Li Ping'an had just woken up. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing his sleepy eyes, his little face still clouded with drowsiness. Seeing his big brother return, he blinked in surprise, his eyes full of joy and confusion. "Brother? Why are you back? Don't you have to work at Lin Manor?" In his small world, his brother was always busy every day.

Li Bufan walked over with a smile and ruffled his brother's sleep-tousled, soft hair. His voice was light with laughter. "Today, I asked the coach for leave. I'm taking the day off to stay home with you!"

"Really?!" Li Ping'an's eyes went wide, shining like the brightest stars, all traces of sleep vanishing in an instant! He jumped off the bed, hopping up and down in excitement, nearly bumping his head on the low ceiling. Ever since their parents had passed, his brother had always been busy running around to make ends meet. Days like this, when he could spend the whole day with him, were few and far between—each one precious.

"Of course it's true! Have I ever lied to you?" Watching his brother look like he was about to fly with joy, Li Bufan's heart felt completely filled with warm sunlight. "Come on, get dressed, wash up. I'm taking you to the market! We're going on a big shopping spree today!"

"Big shopping spree?" Li Ping'an fumbled excitedly, pulling on his patched old clothes, looking up with curiosity and anticipation.

"That's right! We've got money now!" Li Bufan laughed, pulling out the coin pouch from his chest. Though he'd spent a fair amount, it was still decently heavy. He jingled it in front of his brother, the copper coins clinking together in a crisp, cheerful sound. "I'm going to buy you a new winter coat! A thick, warm cotton one! And lots and lots of good food! This winter, the two of us won't have to freeze or go hungry anymore!"

The brothers got ready in record time. Li Bufan carefully locked the door, then tightly held his brother's slightly sweaty little hand, and they headed cheerfully toward the busiest market in the southern part of town.

The morning market was already alive with noise and energy. All kinds of vendors were hawking their wares, customers haggling fiercely, and the mixed smells of food and medicinal herbs wove together into a vivid tapestry of everyday life. Li Bufan kept his brother close as he nimbly wove through the jostling crowd.

First, he took Li Ping'an to a well-stocked clothing shop. The shop was filled with all kinds of winter clothes, from thick cotton coats to thinner lined jackets. Li Bufan's sharp eyes immediately locked onto a navy-blue cotton coat hanging in the middle. The fabric was thick and durable, soft to the touch, and the cotton padding inside was even and generous.

"Boss, could you take down that navy-blue coat for us to try?" Li Bufan pointed, his tone steady.

The owner, a sharp middle-aged man, saw a customer and eagerly took down the coat. Li Bufan helped his brother take off his old coat and carefully put on the new one. It was a bit big, the sleeves a little long, but Li Bufan thought that was perfect—he could layer more old clothes underneath for warmth, and since kids grew fast, it would last a couple more years.

Li Ping'an, now in his new coat, had a face flushed with excitement, like a happy little sparrow. He kept touching the smooth, thick fabric with his small hands, tugging at the wide hem, his eyes sparkling with disbelief and joy. He looked at the new coat, then up at his brother, his grin stretching almost to his ears.

"Looks great! Sharp! We'll take it!" Without a moment's hesitation, Li Bufan paid the price the boss quoted. Watching his brother bounce with joy, unable to stop touching his new clothes, he felt this money was better spent than on any martial arts manual!

Next, he took his brother to buy neatly stacked firewood—enough to last over a month. In winter, ordinary folks could only burn wood to keep warm.

Then came the most important purchase: food. He went straight to the grain shop and bought a whole heavy sack of coarse rice that would keep for over a month, enough for the two of them. He also bought a small bag of fine, snow-white rice that gave off a fragrant aroma, planning to occasionally treat his brother to the sweetness of white rice.

He also went to the butcher's and bought several catties of fresh pork, nicely marbled with fat and lean. At the dried goods shop, he bought a strip of salty dried fish. He grabbed a bunch of winter vegetables that stored well—green-skinned radishes, firm cabbages—and even splurged a little on some dried fruit and a small packet of malt sugar, a rare treat for his brother to snack on and sweeten his mouth.

After the shopping spree, both brothers had their hands full. The once-heavy coin pouch had visibly shrunk, the copper coins mostly spent. But looking at all these solid, life-improving goods that would let his brother live better, Li Bufan felt no regret. Instead, his heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of security and satisfaction. This was what money was for.

Li Ping'an was in a state of extreme excitement the whole time, as if in a dream. Watching his brother buy so many good things without batting an eye—things they'd never even dared to imagine before—he kept his little hand tightly clutching his brother's clothes, following every step, as if afraid that if he let go, this happiness would vanish like a dream.

The brothers returned home fully loaded, their simple but cozy little hut, just before noon.

Li Bufan had his brother sit to the side, carefully licking the malt sugar and savoring the rare sweetness, while he himself started a fire and began cooking. The newly bought charcoal burned bright red in the small stove, radiating a steady, pleasant warmth that quickly turned the whole hut toasty and warm, a world apart from the freezing cold outside.

He measured out the fine rice, washed it carefully, and put it on to boil. Soon, the tempting fragrance of cooked rice filled the air. Then, he cut the fatty and lean pork into even chunks, peeled and chopped the radish into rolling cuts, and put everything into an earthenware pot with some water and salt. He covered it and let it simmer slowly over low heat. As time passed, the rich, oily aroma of meat mingled with the sweetness of radish, filling the entire hut and making Li Ping'an swallow constantly. Like a little glutton, he stood by the bubbling pot, staring at it, wishing time would go faster.

The meal was soon ready. The brothers moved the small table close to the warm fire. On it sat two large bowls of steaming, fluffy white rice, a big pot of glistening, tender braised meat with radishes soaked in savory gravy, and a small plate of fragrant steamed salted fish.

This was the most abundant, comforting, and warm meal they'd had in a long, long time since their parents had left.

"Come on, little brother, eat more meat so you grow up strong!" Li Bufan used his chopsticks to pile several pieces of melt-in-your-mouth braised meat into his brother's bowl, then ladled a big spoonful of rich broth over the rice.

Li Ping'an nodded vigorously, his eyes sparkling. He took a big mouthful of rice soaked in gravy, then eagerly bit into a piece of meat, his cheeks puffing out like a little hamster storing food. His eyes squinted happily into thin slits as he mumbled indistinctly, "Mmm... Brother, it's so good! Really tasty! So fragrant!"

Seeing his brother eat with such joy and satisfaction, Li Bufan found his own appetite roaring to life. The two sat across from each other, saying little, just digging in and wolfing down the food like a storm, until their foreheads were sweaty and their bellies were round.

After the meal, Li Ping'an eagerly volunteered to clear the dishes and wash them, his little face full of pride at helping out. Li Bufan took advantage of the rare warm afternoon sun to neatly stack the new charcoal and firewood under the eaves, then gave the hut a thorough cleaning inside and out. The windows were bright, the surfaces clean—though humble, everything showed the mark of a life lived with care.

The entire afternoon, Li Bufan didn't rush to train as usual. Instead, he dragged out the creaky old stool and sat by the door, watching his brother run excitedly around the small yard in his new coat. Occasionally, he'd tell him some trivial, amusing stories from Lin Manor, or patiently answer his childish, curious questions.

The winter sun fell on them, warm and gentle. Time seemed to slow down, soft and tender, filled with a plain but precious happiness.

Night fell again, quietly. The brothers used the new firewood to make the hut even warmer. They washed up early with hot water and climbed onto the wooden bed that held all their warmest memories.

With real food in their bellies, warm new clothes on their backs, plenty of firewood in the house, and their closest kin by their side, both brothers slept deeper, sweeter, and more soundly than they had in a long time. Li Ping'an even let out soft, even snores in his sleep, his lips unconsciously curving into a sweet, satisfied smile, as if he were having the most wonderful dream.

In the haze of drowsiness, Li Bufan listened to his brother's steady breathing and felt this hard-won peace and warmth, earned by his own hands. His heart swelled with immense strength and unwavering resolve. Protecting the only family he had left, guarding this small but vital warmth—that was his most primal and powerful motivation to keep growing stronger.

Outside the window, the north wind howled tirelessly, whipping up snow dust with a mournful wail. But inside this worn but vibrant little hut, it was already spring, full of hope for the future.