A Day Off, Warmth with His Brother

The first light of dawn had barely appeared, and lead-gray clouds still hung low, heralding another bitterly cold day. Li Bufan was the first to awaken from a deep, sweet sleep. The first thing he felt was his younger brother's even, steady breathing beside him, and that little hand still unconsciously clutching the corner of his undershirt even in sleep.

That complete dependence and trust was like the gentlest warm current, instantly washing away the exhaustion and tension that had built up in him over the past days. His heart was filled with peace and an indescribable satisfaction. With the utmost care and the lightest movements, he removed his brother's warm little hand from his clothes, tucked it properly back beneath the covers, and carefully pressed down every corner of the quilt to make sure no cold wind could slip inside.

Without disturbing his still-soundly-sleeping brother, he rose silently like the nimblest leopard, dressed himself neatly, and briefly washed up with icy water. The cold stimulation made his mind even clearer. Then, facing the still-biting morning light beyond the door, he strode outside. Today, he wanted to ask Coach Qin for a day off so he could focus on keeping Ping'an company and buy some things for the winter.

The Guard Camp's training ground at Lin Manor was already filled with shouts in the early morning, white breath joining together in clouds. Many diligent guards had long begun their morning practice, honing their fists and feet and tempering their blood and vitality. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and hard work. Li Bufan swept his gaze across the grounds and quickly found Qin Shi, standing like an iron tower as he watched everyone practice their punches with eyes like lightning.

"Coach." Li Bufan stepped forward several paces, clasped his fists, bowed, and gave a standard guard's salute.

Hearing him, Qin Shi turned around. When his bell-sized eyes saw Li Bufan, a genuine smile appeared on his rough face. He patted Li Bufan's arm. "Oh? Bufan, you came so early? I heard you returned very late yesterday. Why didn't you rest a little longer?"

Maintaining his respectful posture, Li Bufan replied, "Reporting to Coach, this subordinate has rested well and is full of energy. I came today because I have something to request. I would like to take a day off."

"A day off?" Qin Shi's brows lifted slightly. His smile faded, replaced by scrutiny and concern. "Is there somewhere you still feel unwell? Have the injuries you received during the Winter Hunt not fully healed? If there are lingering injuries, don't force yourself to endure them. The manor has medicine for wounds." His tone was stern. In his eyes, Li Bufan was the most outstanding promising recruit among this batch of new guards, and he had also greatly enhanced Qin Shi's reputation during this Winter Hunt. Naturally, he valued him highly.

Warmth rose in Li Bufan's heart. He hurriedly shook his head and explained, "It is not that. Thank you for your concern, Coach. My injuries truly are no longer a problem. It's just..." He paused slightly, and his tone became even more earnest. "This subordinate has a younger brother at home. He is only seven years old. I went into the mountains to hunt and patrol this time and did not return for several days. He was alone at home, and he is too young. He was greatly worried and frightened.

"Although I returned yesterday, I saw that he was still somewhat uneasy. This subordinate truly cannot bear it. Therefore, I wish to take leave today and devote myself to keeping him company, calming his mind so that he does not develop a knot in his heart. This subordinate guarantees that I will return to duty on time tomorrow and will not delay in the slightest!"

His words came from the bottom of his heart. When he mentioned his younger brother, the gentleness and concern naturally revealed in his eyes could not possibly have been faked.

Qin Shi was stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting such a reason. Then he actually chuckled twice. His palm-leaf-fan-sized hand landed heavily on Li Bufan's shoulder, making him sway from the force. "I thought it was something serious! So it was for that little brat of yours! Ha ha, good! You look like a man of few words, but you're loyal, righteous, and responsible! Very good!"

His tone became more relaxed as he spoke with a hint of approval. "You new guards already have two rest days every month according to manor rules. You can arrange them yourselves to deal with personal matters; there's no need to specifically ask for leave. You've spent the past few days rushing through the mountains and fighting. You worked exceptionally hard, and after returning yesterday, you were busy until late at night. It would be perfectly natural for you to rest today, and no one would gossip. Besides..."

Qin Shi paused. With undisguised praise in his eyes, he carefully looked Li Bufan up and down, as though admiring an uncarved piece of fine jade. "I've seen your daily performance clearly, boy! After routine training ends every day, everyone else goes to rest and relax, but you, rain or shine, always train on your own until late at night! I've seen that ruthless drive to push yourself, that desire to become stronger! And during this Winter Hunt, you did damn well! Calm in danger, bold and sharp-minded—you greatly enhanced my reputation and that of our entire Guard Camp! Good! Very good! This is how it should be! Go without worry. Today won't count as one of your rest days. I'm granting you personal leave."

This was undoubtedly tremendous preferential treatment and exceptional recognition. Gratitude welled up in Li Bufan's heart, and he quickly bowed again. "Thank you for your understanding, Coach!"

"Mhm." Qin Shi nodded in satisfaction. He seemed to want to say something else; his lips moved, and his meaningful gaze swept across the other guards on the training ground, who were training until sweat poured down their bodies. In the end, he merely waved his hand out of habit, his tone returning to normal. "Go on, go on. Keep your brother company properly. Children really are easily frightened. Return on time tomorrow. Cultivation is like rowing against the current—if you do not advance, you fall behind. You cannot slack off for even a day!"

"Yes! This subordinate understands! Thank you, Coach!" Although Li Bufan keenly sensed that Coach Qin seemed to have more to say, his heart was with his younger brother at home, and he did not dwell on it. After clasping his fists in salute once more, he turned and left.

The process of asking for leave had gone far more smoothly than he had imagined. He had even received extra consideration from his coach. Li Bufan's mood grew lighter and happier, and his steps became brisk as he nearly jogged home.

When he pushed open that familiar, somewhat shabby wooden door, Li Ping'an had just awakened. He was sitting on the edge of the bed, rubbing his sleepy eyes, his little face still wearing a dazed expression. Seeing his elder brother return after leaving, he widened his eyes in surprise, filled with delight and confusion. "Brother? Why did you come back? Don't you need to work at Lin Manor?" In his small understanding of the world, his elder brother was supposed to be busy every day.

Li Bufan walked over with a smile and vigorously ruffled his soft, messy hair. Even his voice carried laughter. "Your brother asked Coach for leave today. I'm taking the day off to stay home and keep you company!"

"Really?!" Li Ping'an's eyes instantly became round as saucers, shining brighter than the most brilliant stars, and every trace of sleep vanished in an instant! He sprang from the bed and jumped up and down on the spot several times in joy, nearly hitting the low roof beam. Ever since their parents had passed away one after another, his elder brother had always been busy running about to support them. Days when he could spend the entire day with him were few enough to count on one hand, and every one was incomparably precious.

"Of course it's true! When have I ever lied to you?" Seeing his younger brother looking as though he were about to fly with happiness, Li Bufan's heart too seemed completely filled with warm sunshine. "Come on, get dressed and wash up. Your brother is taking you to the market! We're making a big purchase today!"

"A big purchase?" Li Ping'an asked curiously and expectantly as he hurriedly but excitedly pulled that old garment, patched upon patches, over himself.

"That's right! We have money now!" Li Bufan smiled and took out the money pouch from his chest. Though it had already been spent from quite a bit, it still had some weight to it. He deliberately shook it before his brother, the copper coins clinking together with a crisp, pleasing rattle. "Your brother will buy you a new winter coat! A thick, warm new padded coat! And lots and lots of delicious food! This winter, we brothers will never have to suffer cold or hunger again!"

The brothers finished getting ready as quickly as they could. Li Bufan carefully locked the door, then tightly took hold of his younger brother's little hand, damp with excitement, and headed cheerfully toward the bustling market in the south of the city.

The morning market was already buzzing with voices and brimming with life. All kinds of hawkers' cries, the fierce haggling between customers and stall owners, and the unique mingled scents of food and medicinal herbs wove together a vivid tapestry of worldly life. Li Bufan kept his brother close at his side and nimbly moved through the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd.

He first took Li Ping'an to a rather well-to-do clothing shop. All kinds of winter clothes hung inside, from thick padded coats to relatively thin lined jackets. Li Bufan's sharp gaze immediately settled on a new dark-blue padded coat hanging in the middle. The fabric was thick and durable yet exceptionally soft to the touch, while the cotton stuffing inside was thick and evenly spread.

"Shopkeeper, please take down that dark-blue padded coat for us to try." Li Bufan pointed at it, his tone steady.

The shopkeeper was a capable middle-aged man. Seeing customers arrive, he immediately took the garment down with enthusiasm. Li Bufan helped his brother remove his old coat and carefully put on the new padded one. It was a little large, and the sleeves were slightly too long, but Li Bufan thought that was perfect. His brother could wear more old clothes underneath to keep warm, and children grew quickly, so it would last him another two years.

Wearing the new padded coat, Li Ping'an's little face flushed with excitement. Like a happy sparrow, he kept touching the smooth, thick fabric with his small hands and tugging at the wide hem. His eyes shone with incredulous joy as he looked at the new clothes, then up at his elder brother. The corners of his mouth nearly stretched to his ears.

"Looks good! Very spirited! We'll take this one!" Li Bufan did not hesitate in the slightest and directly paid the price quoted by the shopkeeper. Seeing his younger brother so thrilled by the new clothes, unable to put them down, he felt that this money had been better spent than on any martial arts manual!

Next, he took his brother to buy enough hard firewood, stacked neat and orderly, to last them over a month. Every winter, ordinary families could only rely on burning firewood to ward off the cold.

Then came the most important food purchases. He went straight to the grain shop and bought a whole heavy sack of durable brown rice, enough for the brothers to eat for more than a month. He also deliberately bought a small sack of fine white rice, snow-white and glistening with the fragrance of grain, intending to occasionally improve his brother's meals and let him taste the sweetness of white rice.

He also went to the butcher's shop and weighed out several pounds of fresh pork with beautifully marbled fat and lean meat. At the dried goods shop, he bought a large, savory salted fish, then purchased a great pile of winter vegetables that would keep well, such as green-skinned radishes and firm Chinese cabbage. He even extravagantly bought some expensive dried fruit and a small packet of malt sugar, intending them as snacks to sweeten his brother's mouth.

After making the rounds, both brothers' hands were full of goods. The money pouch that had once been heavy indeed shrank at a visible rate, and the copper coins were spent almost down to the last. Yet as Li Bufan looked at these tangible things in his hands—things that could sustain their lives and let his brother live better—not only did he feel no reluctance at all, he was filled with an unprecedented sense of security and satisfaction. This was where money ought to be spent.

Li Ping'an remained in a state of extreme excitement, as though he were dreaming, the entire time. Watching his elder brother generously buy so many wonderful things that they had never even dared to imagine before without batting an eye, his little hand tightly gripped his brother's clothes as he followed every step, as though afraid that the moment he let go, all this happiness before his eyes would vanish like a beautiful dream upon waking.

The brothers returned home laden with goods. By the time they got back to their humble yet warm little house, it was nearly noon.

Li Bufan let his brother carefully lick the malt sugar at the side, savoring that rare sweetness, while he himself skillfully began to light the fire and cook. The newly bought charcoal burned bright red in the small stove, blazing fiercely and continuously giving off pleasing warmth. Soon, the entire little house was baked warm and toasty, as though it belonged to a completely different world from the bitter cold outside.

He measured out the fine rice, carefully washed it clean, and put it on to cook. Before long, an enticing fragrance of rice spread through the room. Then he cut the marbled pork into even chunks and placed it in a clay pot with peeled radishes cut into rolling chunks. He added the right amount of water and salt, covered the pot, and let it slowly stew over a low flame. As time passed, the rich aroma of meat and fat mingled with the radishes' sweet freshness, filling the entire house. Li Ping'an kept swallowing as he watched beside the steaming, bubbling clay pot like a little greedy cat, wishing time would pass faster.

The food was soon ready. The brothers moved their little table beside the warm stove. On it sat two large bowls of steaming white rice, each grain distinct; a huge basin of glossy braised meat, tender enough to fall apart, with radishes soaked full of meat juices; and a small dish of fragrant steamed salted fish.

This was the first abundant, reassuring, warm meal they had enjoyed in a very, very long time since their parents had passed away.

"Come, little brother, eat more meat and grow strong!" Li Bufan used his chopsticks to place several large pieces of tender, melt-in-the-mouth meat into his brother's bowl, then ladled a generous spoonful of rich broth over the rice.

Li Ping'an nodded hard, his eyes sparkling. He shoveled a huge mouthful of rice soaked in meat juices into his mouth, then impatiently took a big bite of meat. Both cheeks puffed out like a little hamster storing food, and his eyes narrowed into two thin, happy slits. He mumbled indistinctly, "Mmm... Brother, it's delicious! So delicious! It smells so good!"

Seeing his younger brother eat with such sweet satisfaction, Li Bufan's own appetite was greatly stirred. A hunger unlike any he had felt before rose within him. The brothers sat facing each other and said no more, both burying themselves in the meal. Like a wind sweeping away clouds, they cleared every bit of food on the table, eating until sweat beaded on their foreheads and their bellies were round.

After the meal, Li Ping'an volunteered to clean the bowls and chopsticks, his little face full of pride in doing work. Taking advantage of the rare warmth of the afternoon sun, Li Bufan neatly stacked the newly bought charcoal and firewood beneath the eaves, then thoroughly cleaned the inside and outside of the house. The windows shone bright and clean. Though the home was simple, every corner carried the air of people earnestly living their lives.

For the entire afternoon, Li Bufan did not race against time to cultivate as usual. Instead, he moved that creaking old stool to the doorway and watched his brother run excitedly around the little courtyard in his new padded coat. From time to time, he told him some unimportant but amusing stories from Lin Manor, or patiently answered his childlike, curious questions.

Winter sunlight fell upon them, warm and comforting. Time itself seemed to slow, becoming gentle and soft, filled with an ordinary yet precious sense of happiness.

Night quietly descended once more. Using the newly bought firewood, the brothers made the house even warmer. They washed up early with hot water and climbed onto that wooden bed which carried all their warm memories.

There was solid food in their bellies, warm new clothes on their bodies, ample firewood in the house, and their dearest brother at their side. That night, both brothers slept especially deeply, sweetly, and peacefully. Li Ping'an even began to snore softly and evenly in his sleep, the corners of his mouth unconsciously curving upward in a sweet, satisfied smile, as though he were having the most wonderful dream.

In his hazy drowsiness, Li Bufan listened to his brother's peaceful breathing and felt the security and warmth that had been so hard-won, earned by his own two hands. His heart filled with surging strength and unshakable determination. Protecting this only family member by his side, protecting this small yet vital warmth—this was the most primal and powerful source driving him to grow stronger.

Outside the window, the north wind still howled tirelessly, sweeping up powdery snow from the ground with mournful wails. But within this shabby little house, so full of life, spring had already arrived, and it was filled with hope for the future.