Pouting, Jian trudged back into the small house, the faint scent of smoke and soil clinging to his clothes. Inside, the low murmur of morning voices met him — Li Wang and Nansich were already awake, crouched by the stove, boiling the handful of potatoes they'd dug from the backyard garden. The air was warm with steam and the faint sweetness of earth.
"Hey, you're up early," Nansich said, glancing over his shoulder with a grin and nudging Jian lightly. "How about a quick spar after breakfast?"
Jian only nodded, lips still curved downward, his pout making him look like a sulky child.
"What's with that cute pout?" Nansich teased, leaning in to pinch the edge of Jian's lip.
"Don't," Jian muttered, swatting his hand away with a scowl. "I'm pissed."
