Day Off

In the blink of an eye, Xu Qing had been at the academy for seven days.

That evening, after practice, Chen Wang gathered everyone together and clapped his hands. "Another ten days have passed. Tomorrow is a day off. Those who should rest, rest; those who should go home, go home. The roads outside the city are hard to travel at night, so if your home is far away, wait until dawn tomorrow before leaving."

He paused, and his tone grew serious. "You all know the academy's rules. Once you go home, don't use the academy's name to stir up trouble outside. Understood?"

Everyone answered in unison, then went their separate ways.

After dinner, Qin Liang packed his things while talking to Xu Qing. "Junior Brother Xu, I won't be staying in the courtyard tonight. You don't know it, but every time there's a day off, the streets get crowded. My father can't handle the work alone, so I have to go back and lend him a hand. What about you? Going back to Blackwater Bay?"

Xu Qing nodded. "Yes."

"All right, be careful on the road." Qin Liang slung his bundle over his shoulder and waved with a grin. "I'm off first. Just shut the door when you leave."

With that, he ran off in a flash.

Instead of going to the training ground to practice his fists as usual, Xu Qing went to his uncle-in-law's steamed bun shop. He was returning to Blackwater Bay tomorrow, so he needed to let his aunt and uncle-in-law know and visit them while he was at it.

When he arrived, night had not fully fallen yet. Wisps of white steam drifted from the bun shop, carrying the fragrance of flour and meat.

Xu Cheng was tidying up the steamers by the entrance. The moment he looked up and saw Xu Qing, his face broke into a smile.

"A-Qing! What brings you here at this hour? Craving meat, are you?" Xu Cheng said as he set down the steamer and wiped his hands on his apron. "Go inside and find your aunt first. I'll head to the butcher's and get two jin of beef. We'll give you something extra for dinner."

As he spoke, he started to head out.

Xu Qing hurriedly stopped him, smiling. "Uncle, I've already eaten. We had meat for dinner."

Before Xu Cheng could reply, he added, "Uncle, I eat very well at the academy now. They specially added meals for me in the courtyard. Every meal has meat, and I even get medicinal soup. Tomorrow is a day off, so I plan to go home for a visit. I came by to let you and Aunt know."

"Medicinal soup?!" Hearing the commotion, Xu Yan hurried out, her face full of worry and her brows knotted tightly together. "What medicinal soup? Qing'er, were you injured last time?"

Last time, Xu Yan had gone home and told Xu Cheng about Xu Qing kicking over the food box.

Xu Cheng had been so angry then that he wanted to seek out his elder brother and have words with him. But after Xu Yan told him that Xu Qing had given Xu Qing a lesson, he had temporarily suppressed his anger. Even so, he still felt chilled by the conduct of his own nephew.

To search his conscience, he had been exceptionally doting toward Xu Qing. He had spent no small amount of silver on him and sent him plenty of good food.

Xu Yan had been no different. Ever since she learned that Xu Qing was practicing martial arts at the academy, she had been afraid he would wear down his body, so she sent meat over every few days.

Xu Qing's actions this time had truly wounded the hearts of the couple.

Xu Cheng patted Xu Yan's hand and explained with a smile, "It's medicinal soup to replenish qi and blood after martial arts training. Look at A-Qing's ruddy complexion. Does he look injured to you?"

At that, Xu Yan relaxed a little and turned to Xu Qing. Only when she saw him nod did the stone in her heart finally fall to the ground.

Xu Qing briefly told them about his recent situation at the academy: his stance training was going well, the Five Elements Fist had reached minor accomplishment, and the academy had specially improved his treatment...

"I only came to tell you and Uncle that tomorrow is a day off, and I'm going back to Blackwater Bay to see Second Uncle and Second Aunt." Xu Qing smiled. "Aunt, Uncle, you're busy. I have nothing else to do, so I should head back to the academy and practice my fists."

"Yes, this good news should be told to Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law." Seeing Xu Qing about to leave, Xu Yan quickly caught his sleeve. "A-Qing, don't go yet. Have your uncle pack you some buns to take home tomorrow."

Xu Qing did not refuse. He knew those buns were for Second Uncle, Second Aunt, and Xiuer.

Before long, Xu Cheng came out with the buns wrapped in oiled paper, a large, bulging package.

Xu Yan walked Xu Qing to the street corner. The wind had blown her hair into a slight mess, and she smoothed it back as she instructed him:

"Be careful on the road. Tomorrow, tell your Second Uncle and Second Aunt not to keep scrimping and saving. Eat when you should eat, drink when you should drink. Xiuer is still young and growing; she needs good food to nourish herself. If money gets tight at home, come find me."

"I know, Aunt."

After Xu Qing had gone some distance, he looked back. His aunt was still standing where she was. The dim yellow lamplight fell over her, stretching her shadow long behind her.

All at once, he felt deeply at ease.

Early the next morning, Xu Qing tucked the buns and silver into his clothes and left the academy gates.

The city streets bustled with people carrying shoulder poles, pushing carts, and driving donkeys. Hawking cries, haggling voices, and donkey brays mingled together, stirring the morning into a lively commotion.

Xu Qing followed the flow of people toward the city gates. Just as he arrived, he heard someone calling from the roadside, "Candied hawthorns! Sweet and sour candied hawthorns!"

His steps paused, and he turned to look.

An old man carried a straw rack over his shoulder, with strings of bright red candied hawthorns stuck into it. Their sugar coating glimmered amber in the morning light, while the hawthorns shone a clear, vivid red that made one's mouth water just looking at them.

Xu Qing thought of Xiuer's little face.

Whenever she saw candied hawthorns being sold on the street, the little girl's eyes would go straight to them. But how could the family afford such things? Second Aunt could only coax her by saying, next time, next time she would definitely buy some.

Next time, next time—countless next times had passed, yet Xiuer had never once tasted one.

He touched the copper coins in his clothes, walked over, and asked, "Old sir, how much are the candied hawthorns?"

"Two coins a skewer! Made with fresh hawthorns—sweet and sour!"

Xu Qing took out two coins, picked the largest skewer, and had the old man wrap it up before carefully tucking it into his clothes.

By the time he returned to Blackwater Bay, the sun had already climbed high overhead.

From afar, Xu Qing saw his family's little courtyard. Its walls were low, and the roof tiles had clearly seen many years, their bluish gray tinged with black.

The courtyard gate stood half-open, and the painting of the door gods pasted onto it had already faded.

A tiny figure was squatting at the entrance, using a twig to draw something on the ground. She was drawing with great concentration, muttering to herself all the while.

"Xiuer!" Xu Qing called out with a smile.

The little girl raised her head and froze for a moment when she saw Xu Qing. Then she sprang to her feet, threw away the twig, and ran toward him as fast as her little legs could carry her.

"Brother! Why are you back?" She plunged into Xu Qing's arms, rubbing her little head against his chest like a puppy.

Xu Qing stroked her head and carefully took the paper-wrapped candied hawthorn from his clothes.

"Look what Brother brought you."

He tore open the paper and held the skewer up before her.

Xiuer's eyes lit up at once, growing round as saucers, while her mouth fell wide open.

She stretched out her little hand to take it, then drew it back. Looking up at Xu Qing, she asked timidly, "Brother, is this for me to eat?"

"If not for you, then for who?" Xu Qing stuffed the candied hawthorn into her hand. "Eat it."

Xiuer held the skewer and carefully licked it once.

The sugar coating melted on her tongue, so sweet that her eyes curved into crescents. She licked it again, then took a tiny bite of hawthorn. The sourness made her bare her teeth, but her face blossomed with a smile.

"Brother, it's so sweet! You eat some too!"

She held the candied hawthorn up to Xu Qing's mouth, lifting it as high as she could while standing on tiptoe.

Xu Qing took a small bite. Sweet and sour—it really was delicious.

"Come on, let's go home."

He took Xiuer's hand and pushed open the courtyard gate.

The hinges let out a creak.

Second Aunt was busy by the stove. Hearing the sound, she wiped her hands and came out of the kitchen. The moment she saw Xu Qing, she froze before breaking into a smile. "A-Qing! Why are you back? Are you hungry? Aunt will make you something to eat!"

"Second Aunt, I'm not hungry." Xu Qing smiled and walked over to her. "The academy provides meals. I've already eaten."

Second Aunt wiped her hands on her apron again, then pulled him over and looked him up and down. Her eyes reddened slightly. "You've gotten thinner... Is it hard at the academy?"

"It's not hard." Xu Qing shook his head. "The academy is very good. Master and the senior brothers all look after me."

As they spoke, Xu Erniu came out from the inner room, leaning on a wooden stick and walking very slowly.

Xu Qing saw at a glance that something was wrong. Second Uncle's complexion was waxy yellow, his lips pale. He coughed every so often, and each time he coughed, his brows drew together sharply.

"Second Uncle, what happened to you?" Xu Qing's heart sank violently. He rushed forward in two strides and supported him.

Xu Erniu waved a hand, coughed several more times, and forced out a smile. "Nothing... nothing. Just caught a bit of a chill. Cough, cough... I'll be fine after resting a couple of days. Don't worry. Train well at the academy."

Second Aunt stood beside them with reddened eyes. Her lips trembled a few times, but in the end, she said nothing. She only lowered her head and rubbed her eyes hard with her sleeve.

Xu Qing did not reply.

He stared at Second Uncle's waxy yellow face for several breaths.

Whenever Second Uncle spoke, his brows unconsciously tightened, as though something inside his chest were tugging painfully. His cough did not sound right either. It was not coming from his throat, but rising dully from deep within his chest.

This was definitely not a chill.

Xu Qing understood in his heart. Second Uncle would not say it, and Second Aunt did not dare say it, all because they were afraid he would worry, afraid it would delay his martial arts training. They swallowed this bitterness down and would not even let him hear a sound of it.

He did not press further and swallowed the words that had reached his lips.

Yet it felt as though a fire had been lit in his heart, burning his chest tight, burning his fingertips into his palms.

But he did not erupt.

He merely slowly unclenched his fists, stepped forward, and reached out to support Second Uncle's arm. His voice was steady, as though nothing had happened. "Second Uncle, I'll help you inside."