The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 32

Tian Xiaoman still couldn’t figure it out, so he decided to let it go. Anyway, as they had said, he would understand when the time came!

Before his second uncle and his friends arrived, Tian Xiaoman sneaked out. He was feeling a little hungry, so he decided to find something to eat.

Uncle Shen and his friends had set up food outside, but with so many people coming and going, there was nothing left.

Tian Xiaoman peeked outside and saw several uncles gathered around Li Wenxuan, asking him questions. Seeing his embarrassed expression, Tian Xiaoman couldn’t help but smile, feeling no sympathy. 

This is what happens when a new brother-in-law comes to your house!

He turned and sneaked into the backyard, heading toward the kitchen. His second and third cousins were there today. Both were married, and something had come up at his Amu’s house, so they came back to help out so that Uncle Shen and his friends wouldn’t be too overwhelmed.

“Brother Jie, Brother Qing, is there anything to eat? I’m starving!” Tian Xiaoman asked, giving them a pleading look. 

The two cousins exchanged smiles. Shen Jie spoke up, “We have sweet potato porridge. Want some?”

“Yes, yes, yes!” Tian Xiaoman immediately grabbed a large bowl from the cupboard and handed it to Shen Qing with a grin, waiting for him to serve it.

Tian Xiaoman knew the sweet potatoes had been planted late this year, and it would be mid-September before they could be eaten. But his uncle’s family had planted them early, so they could eat them now!

Sweet potato porridge was sweet and sticky, a favorite of Tian Xiaoman’s. However, he didn’t like eating it alone. It was always better with some side dishes made by his uncle—it made it even more enjoyable.

Shen Qing filled his bowl to the brim. Seeing that, Shen Jie frowned and said, “Give him less. If you give him so much, will he still eat later?” 

Shen Qing was about to scoop some out when Tian Xiaoman quickly stopped him. What a joke—he could definitely eat more! 

Tian Xiaoman sat down at the small table in the kitchen with a full bowl of porridge. He quickly devoured it, savoring the fragrant, spicy dried radish alongside it.

Once he finished, Shen Jie glanced outside and said, “Looks like the time’s about up. Let’s head out first.”

They walked outside, where a crowd had gathered. 

Tian Xiaoman spotted Li Wenxuan among them and made his way over to the front.

Li Wenxuan’s face lit up when he saw Tian Xiaoman, “Xiaoman, where have you been? I’ve been looking for you!”

Tian Xiaoman gave him a look of contempt. He hadn’t moved an inch, yet he claimed to have been looking for him! 

Tian Xiaoman gently twisted his hand, signaling him to stop talking, as the ceremony was about to begin.

The third day of the third month is also known as the “third-morning bath.” was meant to ward off disasters and misfortune, and pray for blessings and good fortune. Usually, the family would invite a respected midwife—someone known for longevity, good fortune, and a harmonious household—to bathe the baby.

The midwife set up an incense altar outside the birthing room, offering incense to thirteen deities, including Lady Bixia, the goddess who bestows children, and the goddess who brings protection from smallpox. 

Once she carried the baby out of the room, the ritual began.

Relatives, from the oldest to the youngest, lined up in front of the basin. First, they added a spoonful of water, then threw in a few copper coins, which was called “adding to the basin.” Those who couldn’t afford the coins would place auspicious fruits, like red dates or longans, on the tea tray.

Tian Xiaoman remembered that there was someone in their family who was particularly stingy. Whenever he went to others’ houses to “add to a basin,” he would only add a spoonful of water. Later, when his family had a baby, most of the relatives who came to his house did the same—just adding a spoonful of water. The midwife was so angry, because the contents of the basin were her payment! The following year, when his second son was born, she nearly refused to come at all!

Soon, it was Tian Xiaoman’s turn. He pulled out six copper coins from his pocket and tossed them into the basin. 

The midwife said something like “Six six brings smooth fortune,” and other phrases. What she chanted depended on what you offered: blessings of cleverness, blessings for early sons, and so on.

Li Wenxuan stood behind Tian Xiaoman, unfamiliar with the scene and feeling curious. He watched as Tian Xiaoman threw in six coins and thought about doing the same. However, he realized he didn’t have any money. 

His heart sank. What if the relatives thought he was stingy?

In a moment of desperation, he considered taking off his ring and tossing it in, thinking it was better than embarrassing himself in front of Tian Xiaoman’s relatives. 

Fortunately, Tian Xiaoman noticed his hesitation and guessed that Li Wenxuan had no money. Quickly, he reached into his own pocket, pulled out some coins, and handed them to him, sparing the ring.

Li Wenxuan dropped the coins into the basin and hurriedly stepped away, whispering to Tian Xiaoman, “Xiaoman, it’s not that I’m stingy. I changed my clothes today and forgot to bring any money! Really!”

Tian Xiaoman rolled his eyes at him. “I know, don’t worry. They won’t say anything. At most, they’ll think I’m controlling your money before we get married!” Tian Xiaoman knew that many people had seen him hand over the coins, and they would probably think he was the one handling all the money.

“Heh, if you really control it, I wouldn’t mind at all!” Li Wenxuan said sweetly. 

Tian Xiaoman thought to himself, Let’s see if you still say that once it really happens! My father is so honest, but even he knows how to hide his private money!

After the basin ceremony, the midwife stirred the water, chanting, “Stir once, stir twice, stir three times—may elder brothers lead the younger to run and play…” Then, he took the baby and started washing. 

As soon as the baby touched the water, it cried loudly, and everyone cheered. This was called the “the basin’s cry.” 

The midwife continued, “Wash the head, to be a lord; wash the waist, each generation better than the last…” After washing, he tapped the baby’s head with a green onion, chanting, “One tap for wisdom, two taps for cleverness!”

Finally, someone threw the green onion onto the roof, and the ceremony concluded. 

The midwife collected the copper coins and fruits from the tea tray and took them home, while the relatives waited for the meal. 

The main dish for the third day of the third month was noodles, also called “third-day noodles.” Along with the noodles, there were fried eggs and refreshing side dishes. The noodles were cooked in bone soup, with shredded meat added, which wasn’t considered a simple meal.

As they ate noodles, Tian Xiaoman felt embarrassed. He had boasted that he could eat a lot, but now, holding a large bowl of noodles, he felt like crying. Country folk didn’t leave food behind, so Tian Xiaoman had no choice but to finish it all, one bite at a time.

Usually, his stomach was like a bottomless pit, but today it just couldn’t handle it. 

Tian Xiaoman frowned. As a child, his parents would help him finish his food, but now that he was grown up, how could he ask for help?

After finishing his bowl, Li Wenxuan felt full as well. The bowls used by men were much larger than those used by the gers. Li Wenxuan thought Tian Xiaoman would finish quickly, but he didn’t expect that Tian Xiaoman had only eaten a small portion.

“Xiaoman, are you feeling unwell?” Li Wenxuan asked, concerned.

“No, I just ate too much and can’t eat anymore! What should I do?” Tian Xiaoman looked at Li Wenxuan with pleading eyes, hoping he would suggest something.

Li Wenxuan looked at the barely touched bowl of noodles and swallowed hard. “How about I help you eat it?” he suggested tentatively.

Tian Xiaoman’s eyes lit up. “Okay, okay! You can finish it!” He quickly handed the bowl to Li Wenxuan.

Li Wenxuan looked at the bowl and smiled bitterly, then picked it up and shoveled the noodles down. In a few big gulps, he finished it. 

Tian Xiaoman stared in surprise. “Do you want some more?”

Li Wenxuan shook his head, He was afraid that if he opened his mouth, the noodles would come bursting back out! He swore he wasn’t touching noodles for the rest of the week.

A little later, Li Wenxuan said, “Let’s go out for a walk to digest the food. I saw a path behind the house with some nice scenery.”

“Okay!” Tian Xiaoman loved going out, and the path behind his uncle’s house led to a mountain with a beautiful lake.

After greeting Tian Amu and the others, they walked along the path. Tian Xiaoman’s earlier frown was now gone, and he was full of energy again.

Li Wenxuan, feeling a little uncomfortable, watched Tian Xiaoman happily skipping ahead. 

He joked, “Xiaoman, I just ate all your noodles, and you haven’t repaid me yet!”

“Ah? You said you’d help me eat them!”

“I helped you because you couldn’t finish them! Now my stomach’s upset!” Li Wenxuan exaggerated, holding his stomach.

Tian Xiaoman turned to look at him, saw him holding his stomach, and felt a little guilty. He slowed his pace and walked over to Li Wenxuan. “How do you want me to repay you?”

“Why don’t you give me a kiss, Xiaoman? Then I’ll feel better!” Li Wenxuan grinned wickedly, waiting for him to flare up and hit him.

But Tian Xiaoman hesitated. On the one hand, he wasn’t a fairy—how could his kiss have such magic? On the other hand… maybe it really would work? He remembered seeing his father kiss his Amu’s wounds before, and after that, his mother would smile.

After thinking for a moment, Tian Xiaoman stood on tiptoe, kissed Li Wenxuan on the cheek quickly, and ran off, embarrassed.

Li Wenxuan stood there, stunned, then quickly chased after him. If he had known Tian Xiaoman would believe him, he would have told him that only a kiss on the mouth worked!

Tian Xiaoman ran ahead, a smug thought crossing his mind—See? One kiss and he’s all better!