The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 22

After lunch, Li Wenxuan and Niu Jin said their goodbyes. Tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and as a man, he had to go home to help out.

Tian Xiaoman walked him to the edge of the village. 

The two lingered together for a long while until Niu Jin, looking miserable, finally interrupted them, and only then did they reluctantly part.

Tian Xiaoman walked back with his head lowered, kicking at stones on the roadside. What should he do? He didn’t want to be apart from him anymore. Their time together always felt too short…

“Xiaoman!” He heard someone call his name. He looked up and glanced around, but saw no one. He kept walking, now a bit more alert.

Then came another call.

Tian Xiaoman’s hair stood on end. Normally, he wouldn’t be this paranoid, but tomorrow was the Mid-Autumn Festival. He had heard too many ghost stories over the years from the old grannies in the village during those cool evenings, and now he was terrified. Someone was clearly calling him—but there was no one in sight. What else could it be?!

He didn’t dare look around anymore. He ran all the way home, leaving behind a trail of screams…

Up in a tree, Yang Xiaoguo was feeling very wronged. He had called Tian Xiaoman so many times, but Xiaoman ignored him and ran home like he’d seen a ghost.

When Tian Xiaoman reached home, he slammed the gate shut, bolted it, and finally exhaled. He stood there for a moment, catching his breath and feeling his heart pounding wildly.

Tian Amu looked at him, confused by his strange actions. “What’s wrong, Xiaoman? Was a dog chasing you? Why are you running like that?” That couldn’t be right—didn’t all the dogs in the village take a detour whenever they saw him?

“Amu, I think I saw… that…” Tian Xiaoman spoke mysteriously. In their village, the word was taboo—they always said “that” instead.

Tian Amu’s face went serious. “Don’t talk nonsense! It’s broad daylight—how could there be that?” This silly child, not even bothering to look at the sky before making up scary things.

“I’m serious, Amu! Do you believe me or not?” Tian Xiaoman said anxiously. “Someone called my name by the river, more than once, but I couldn’t see anyone. Isn’t that weird?”

“…” Tian Amu frowned but still didn’t believe it. Something like that wouldn’t dare show up in broad daylight—was it trying to be that bold?

Suddenly—Bang bang bang! There was a knock on the door. 

Tian Xiaoman jumped. Was it coming for him now?

“Xiaoman, go open the door. Someone’s here.”

“Amu, let’s not open it!” he pleaded. “Who would come knocking at this time of day?!”

“You little coward.” Tian Amu looked at him, completely helpless. He was usually brave—what happened today?

He set down what he was working on, walked over, and opened the courtyard gate.

Tian Xiaoman stood frozen, watching nervously.

Then he heard Yang Xiaoguo’s voice from outside.

“Hello, uncle Tian! I’m looking for Xiaoman. I called him a bunch of times just now and he didn’t answer!”

So that’s what happened.

Tian Amu turned to look at Xiaoman with teasing eyes. 

Ashamed and annoyed, Tian Xiaoman ran at Yang Xiaoguo and shouted, “Bad Xiaoguo! I told you not to scare me!”

He tackled Yang Xiaoguo and unleashed the tickle attack. 

Yang Xiaoguo laughed so hard he couldn’t breathe and tried to fight back.

Tian Amu just smiled at the two little troublemakers, shook his head, and went back to his room with his things.

After horsing around, the two gers went to Tian Xiaoman’s room. 

Yang Xiaoguo sprawled across the bed like he had no bones in his body. Tian Xiaoman plopped down next to him, exhausted after all that running and playing.

“Xiaoman, was the fish good today?”

“It was great. My mom made it a new way—it was delicious!” Tian Xiaoman replied, deliberately trying to make him jealous.

But to his surprise, Yang Xiaoguo didn’t show his usual greedy look. Instead, he puffed up proudly and said, “I caught it! Of course it was good!”

He looked expectantly at Tian Xiaoman, hoping to see some admiration. But all he got was a skeptical expression that clearly said, Yeah right.

Yang Xiaoguo got frustrated and sat up. “You don’t believe me, huh? I really caught it!”

“You caught it all by yourself?” Tian Xiaoman asked. He knew Yang Xiaoguo too well. The kid only knew how to eat. Every time they went fishing, it was always Xiaoman who caught them while he played around. There were so many today—no way he caught them alone!

“Uh…” Yang Xiaoguo wanted to lie but surrendered under Xiaoman’s judging eyes. “Fine. Brother Tian Fu helped too.”

Ah, that made more sense. There’s no way he caught that many alone. Childhood friends really did make it hard to brag.

“I helped too, you know…” Yang Xiaoguo tried to defend himself weakly.

“Okay, okay. You did great,” Tian Xiaoman let it slide, then changed the topic. “Want some candied haws?”

Yang Xiaoguo’s eyes lit up immediately. He nodded eagerly, completely forgetting everything else.

Tian Xiaoman brought out some candied haws from the kitchen. 

Li Wenxuan had bought them for him on the way back, even getting a couple extra. He probably figured there was a big eater always hanging around Xiaoman.

Yang Xiaoguo took one and happily started munching. Tian Xiaoman also began eating his—he had to eat quickly. If he ate slowly, Yang Xiaoguo would definitely ask for a bite once he finished, and he didn’t want to give him that chance.

As he ate, Yang Xiaoguo sighed, “Xiaoman, I think it’s great having a husband.”

“Why?”

“Because your husband always buys you food. And you get to eat meat every day!”

“What husband? We’re not even married yet!” Tian Xiaoman blushed furiously.

“Xiaoman, are you embarrassed?” Yang Xiaoguo teased him with a mischievous grin.

“Eat your food! Is there anything that can shut you up?” Tian Xiaoman quickly shoved the rest of the candied haws into Yang Xiaoguo’s mouth.

The two brothers laughed and messed around, filling the room with laughter.