Procurement, Lavish Dinner

After finishing his training, Li Bufan felt completely refreshed, his adaptation to the new clothes and weapon taking another step forward. He estimated the time and headed to the Academy again to pick up Ping'an.

Unlike yesterday, today Ping'an practically bounced out of the Academy, his little face beaming with a brilliant smile, eyes sparkling as if filled with stars.

"Brother!" He spotted Li Bufan from afar, waving excitedly as he ran over, grabbing his brother's hand with much more force than usual.

"So happy today?" Li Bufan smiled, ruffling his brother's hair, feeling his joy lift his own spirits.

"Mm!" Ping'an nodded vigorously, chattering away with unrestrained excitement. "Brother! You were so cool today! So impressive! After you dropped me off this morning, those people who talked about me and laughed at me yesterday—none of them said a thing today! They were all well-behaved! And... and even a few kids who never played with me before came up to talk to me, wanted to hang out!"

Li Bufan listened, understanding well, but also feeling a pang of emotion. The fickleness of the world was just as direct even among children. He said gently, "That's a good thing. But remember, little brother, people who get close to you because of your brother might not be sincere. True friends are judged by character, by whether they're still there when you're down. We don't bully others, but we can't trust everyone either. Most importantly, you have to strive for yourself—study hard, understand reason, learn skills. When you have real ability, you'll be even more impressive and cooler than your brother!"

Ping'an looked up, listening seriously to his brother's words. Though some principles were still beyond him, he knew his brother meant well. He nodded firmly. "Mm! Brother, I get it! I'll study hard! Will I really be cooler than you?"

"Of course!" Li Bufan affirmed. "When has your brother ever lied to you? Studying brings understanding, and passing the imperial exams in the future—that's real glory, much more respectable than your brother swinging a blade as a guard."

The brothers chatted as they walked home. The setting sun stretched their shadows long. With improved meals over this period, Ping'an's change was obvious. His face was no longer the sallow, wrinkled look of malnutrition but had become rosy and full. He'd started putting on flesh, no longer skin and bones, and even seemed to have grown a bit taller. Though his clothes were still plain, the inner vitality radiating from him was a world apart from the timid, grubby little boy of two months ago.

Passing the market, Li Bufan stopped. With his finances a bit more comfortable now and knowing his future training would demand more resources, he decided to stock up heavily.

First, he went to the grain shop and said directly to the shopkeeper, "Boss, give me fifty catties of coarse rice and thirty catties of polished rice."

The shopkeeper recognized him and, seeing his guard uniform, didn't dare slack off, quickly calling a shop assistant to weigh the rice. Two heavy sacks were soon placed at the door.

Next, he walked to the butcher's stall. Pointing at the hanging meat, he said, "That whole pork hindquarter, and that big slab of beef brisket—I'll take both."

The butcher deftly wrapped the two large cuts in oilpaper, tying them securely with straw rope, each weighing twenty or thirty catties.

Finally, he went to the general store and bought oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and various seasonings, filling a big bag.

When Li Bufan hoisted the rice sacks onto his shoulder, carried the two heavy slabs of meat in one hand, and the big bag of seasonings in the other, his "restocking" look immediately drew the attention of the entire street.

Passersby turned their heads, eyes filled with surprise, envy, and longing.

"Buying that much rice and meat! How long will that last!"

Ping'an stayed close to his brother, listening to the murmurs around them, watching him carry so much yet walk steadily. His little chest puffed out even more, face brimming with pride.

At the entrance to their alley, a few familiar neighbors were chatting. Seeing Li Bufan's haul, they gathered around in surprise.

"Oh my, Bufan, buying so much stuff?" Wang Daniang from next door couldn't take her eyes off the meat, swallowing hard.

"Yeah, Wang Daniang. Training martial arts takes a lot of energy, so I need to stock up on food." Li Bufan replied with a smile, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Of course, of course! Now that you're a guard, you need to eat well!" another neighbor, Li Dashu, chimed in with a flattering tone.

Most eyes were glued to the fresh meat and grain, flickering with envy and even greed, but no one dared show the slightest covetous intent. They all knew this youth was no longer the poor kid they could casually look down on. He was a guard of Lin Manor, a proper Warrior, a man with real skills! Who would dare mess with him?

Li Bufan exchanged a few polite pleasantries with the neighbors, then carried his goods back to their small courtyard with Ping'an.

Closing the wicker gate, he set down the heavy haul. Looking at the rice and meat piled in the house, a sense of solidity and hope for the future welled up inside him.

"Little brother, see that?" Li Bufan said to Ping'an. "This is what comes from your brother working hard at martial arts. From now on, our lives will only get better. But remember, all of this depends on me having enough strength to keep it. So you have to study hard too, so you can protect what's yours in the future, and even gain more."

Ping'an looked at the food filling the room and nodded heavily. This time, his brother's words truly sank in.

Back home, Li Bufan first carefully stored the grain in a cool, dry place to prevent dampness. Then he dealt with the two large slabs of meat, cutting most into appropriately sized pieces, lightly salting them, and hanging them in the ventilated area outside to air-dry for longer preservation. He kept only a small portion of fresh meat for tonight's meal.

Looking at the ample supplies inside and outside the house, Li Bufan felt deeply satisfied. He decided to make a hearty dinner—both a celebration and a way to build up energy for tomorrow's trip to Lin Manor.

First, he took out all the remaining Tiger Bear meat from his earlier hunt—a great tonic for blood and qi—and simmered it slowly over a low flame until the meat became tender and the aroma gradually filled the air.

Next, he sliced the fresh pork and beef separately, making one dish of stir-fried pork with garlic sprouts and another of scallion beef, cooking them to perfection with rich, meaty fragrance.

Then he stir-fried a plate of bright green vegetables and fried a large pan of golden, glistening eggs.

Finally, he cooked a full pot of mixed coarse and polished rice, over three catties in total.

When all the dishes were set on the simple wooden table, the small room was filled with an irresistible, mouthwatering aroma. Ping'an's eyes went wide, staring at the unprecedented feast, swallowing repeatedly.

"Brother... so many dishes, can we finish it all?" Ping'an asked, both delighted and worried.

"Don't worry, we can! Remember how it was before? Your brother can eat a ton now!" Li Bufan laughed, filling his brother's bowl with a heaping portion of rice. "Come on, eat up! There's plenty today!"

The two brothers sat across from each other and dug in. The Tiger Bear meat was incredibly flavorful, melting on the tongue, sending a warm current spreading through their limbs. The stir-fried pork was tender, the beef savory and chewy. The vegetables cut the grease, the eggs were fragrant, and the mixed rice had a satisfying bite with the natural sweetness of grain.

This meal left them both greasy-mouthed and sweating, utterly content. Ping'an's little belly was round and full, almost too heavy to stand. Li Bufan polished off most of the dishes, his enormous appetite leaving Ping'an staring in awe again.

After the meal, Li Bufan didn't immediately send his brother to study but let him rest a bit to digest.

"Little brother, take a short break, then light the lamp and review your lessons. I'll go outside and practice some boxing to help digest." Li Bufan said as he cleared the dishes.

"Mm! Got it, big brother, don't worry!" Ping'an replied obediently, his face still flushed with satisfaction from the meal. "Teacher Wang praised me today too! Said I learn characters faster than anyone else! In a few more days, I'll be able to read books on my own!"

Hearing this, Li Bufan's face lit up with genuine joy and pride. He set down his work, walked over to his brother, and ruffled his little head firmly. "Really? Our Ping'an is that amazing? That's great! I knew you were the smartest kid! Study hard, and you'll go far!"

Receiving his brother's praise, Ping'an's eyes crinkled into slits as he nodded vigorously. "Mm! I definitely will!"

After encouraging his brother, Li Bufan went out to the small courtyard. Night had fallen, stars dotted the sky, and the chill was deepening. But after his hearty meal, his blood and qi were strong, and he didn't feel cold at all.

He assumed a stance and slowly began practicing the Nameless Fist Technique and the movements of the Spirit Ape Muscle Tempering Technique. This time, he wasn't pushing for breakthroughs but moving at a relaxed pace, gently digesting the blood and qi energy from the food, nourishing his muscles, and promoting absorption.

His movements were smooth and fluid, his mind calm, merging with the quiet night. He could feel the essence from the Tiger Bear meat, especially potent, slowly strengthening his physique.

Inside, after resting a bit, Ping'an lit the oil lamp on his own, took out his sand tray and books, and began reviewing the characters he'd learned at the Academy that day, occasionally reading aloud in a low voice. Under the dim yellow light, the little boy's expression was focused and earnest.

Over an hour later, Li Bufan slowly finished his practice, feeling warm all over. The food had been digested, and his spirit was even more vibrant. He pushed open the door and saw Ping'an just closing his book, yawning.

"Done reviewing?" Li Bufan asked softly.

"Mm, brother, I remember all the characters today!" Ping'an said, tired but proud.

"Good, then wash your face and get ready for bed." Li Bufan fetched some hot water. The two brothers washed up briefly, blew out the oil lamp, and lay down on the bed.

In the darkness, they chatted casually about funny things at the Academy and plans for tomorrow. Ping'an's voice gradually faded into steady breathing—clearly exhausted from the excitement and full meal, he'd fallen asleep.

Li Bufan listened to his brother's peaceful breaths, looked at the faint starlight filtering through the window, and felt a deep calm and resolve. Slowly, he too drifted off to sleep.