The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 36

Li Wenxuan had already handled matters with Tian Amu, and now all he needed to do was convince Tian Xiaoman. 

After they finished the soup, Li Wenxuan turned to him and said mysteriously, “This crucian carp soup is delicious, but I think it’s missing something!”

Tian Xiaoman’s curiosity was piqued. “What’s that?”

Li Wenxuan asked, “Have you ever eaten crabs?”

Tian Xiaoman immediately lost interest. Of course he’d eaten crab before. Back in the mountain streams, they could catch small ones—tiny, hardly any meat, all shells to chew on. “You mean small crab? How could that taste better than carp soup? Don’t joke with me.”

Li Wenxuan chuckled. “Xiaoman, those were just small crabs, right? But have you ever eaten big crabs?” He spread his hand wide. “Have you ever had crabs bigger than my hand?”

Tian Xiaoman looked at his hand, shook his head, and eyed him suspiciously. What kind of crab could really grow that big? Wouldn’t it weigh several taels at least? Could it be some kind of spirit creature?

Li Wenxuan grinned, seeing Tian Xiaoman’s doubts. “We have a lake where these crabs live. Xiaoman, do you want to come to my house and play for a few days? I’ll take you there and you can try the crabs!”

When Tian Xiaoman heard this, he hesitated. “Forget it. I’m not going to travel all that way just for a bite of food!” But his curiosity got the better of him, and he added, “Can’t you bring some home for me to eat?”

Li Wenxuan shook his head. “No, these crabs can’t be out of water for too long. If they die, they won’t taste as good.”

Tian Xiaoman was disappointed. His appetite had been stirred, but now he was told he couldn’t eat them. He felt annoyed but also couldn’t help feeling tempted by the thought of it. “You’re cruel, Li Wenxuan, teasing me like this!”

Li Wenxuan smiled slyly. “Xiaoman, are you sure you don’t want to try them? They’re delicious, whether steamed or braised! If steamed, you can gently open the shell, and the crab roe is incredible. It’s rich, a bit sweet, and if you dip it in ginger vinegar, it’s amazing! After you’re done with the roe, I’ll crack open the legs for you—tender, juicy meat you can dip in vinegar… it’s the best!”

Tian Xiaoman’s mouth watered at the description. He was trying hard not to give in. 

“But alas,” Li Wenxuan added with mock regret, “you won’t get to eat such good crab this year. You’ll have to wait until this time next year.”

Tian Xiaoman almost couldn’t hold himself back. “What! No, I won’t wait until next year! I’ll go!” Tian Xiaoman swallowed his saliva, eyes firm. He wasn’t going for the food! He was going to expose Li Wenxuan’s lies. There couldn’t possibly be crabs that big. And if Li Wenxuan really was lying to him, he’d pound him to death!

Li Wenxuan raised his hands in mock surrender. “Ah, that’s great. I was just feeling sorry that you’d miss out on them.”

Tian Xiaoman gave him a skeptical look, but seeing how happy Li Wenxuan was, he couldn’t help but laugh. 

As their gazes met, the air between them seemed to charge with a warmth.

But Tian Xiaoman started worrying. His Amu wouldn’t even let him go dig lotus roots—how would he ever agree to him traveling far away to Li Wenxuan’s home? 

He voiced his concern, but Li Wenxuan only smiled. “Don’t worry, I already spoke to Amu. He agreed.”

Xiaoman nodded. That was fine, then. But his simple mind never thought to wonder—why had Li Wenxuan gone to his Amu before telling him?

Once it was decided they’d go into the county first tomorrow, then on to Li Wenxuan’s home, Tian Xiaoman went to pack his clothes. The more he packed, the more restless he felt. 

An unspeakable feeling rose in his chest. He even thought, if only he hadn’t agreed just now! But once words are spoken, how can they be taken back? Stuck between two choices, he didn’t yet know the saying: “An ugly son-in-law must eventually meet the parents-in-law.”

After chopping firewood for Tian Amu, Li Wenxuan noticed Xiaoman still hadn’t come out. 

He went to his room, knocked a few times, but got no reply. Curious, he pushed the door open and saw Xiaoman sitting on the bed, staring blankly at a pile of clothes.

“Xiaoman, what’s wrong?”

“Huh?” Tian Xiaoman snapped back to himself, looking up at him as if surprised he was there.

“You were supposed to be packing—why are you daydreaming?” Li Wenxuan bent down, cupped Xiaoman’s face in both hands, and asked gently.

“Li Wenxuan, I feel so unsettled. I don’t want to go, okay?” For once, Xiaoman revealed his confusion, his vulnerable expression making Li Wenxuan want to kiss him.

“Why not?”

“Because it’s your home. I’m a little scared…”

Li Wenxuan chuckled. “Scared of what? Xiaoman, there are no tigers at my place. Don’t worry, my father and Amu are very kind. And besides—you’ll have me there.” 

He had always thought Xiaoman carefree, bold, and unbothered by anything. He hadn’t expected him to have fears too.

But in Xiaoman’s heart, the scary part was exactly Li Wenxuan’s family. Until now, he hadn’t truly accepted the fact that he was about to marry. He thought of Li Wenxuan as a good playmate who treated him especially well, someone he liked a lot. 

But now, with the visit to Li Wenxuan’s home looming, he realized this meant leaving his own family forever—just like his Amu, only able to return on holidays.

Suddenly, Xiaoman couldn’t hold back and burst into tears. 

Li Wenxuan was stunned. After a moment’s daze, he quickly pulled him into his arms, comforting, “Don’t cry. If you don’t want to go, then we won’t. We can always go another time, okay?”

Hearing his gentle reassurance only made Xiaoman feel more guilty. Li Wenxuan was so good to him, yet he couldn’t even agree to such a small thing. He was awful! 

Crying harder, he clung to him, while Li Wenxuan, out of words, could only repeat, “We won’t go, we won’t go.”

After a while, Xiaoman cried himself out. Resting his head against Li Wenxuan’s chest, he suddenly laughed. Right, what was there to fear? He wasn’t even scared of the gossipy village boys—what was there to fear about Li Wenxuan’s family? How melodramatic of him!

After this little self-mockery, he lifted his head. 

Li Wenxuan, seeing him calm again, sighed in relief. He silently vowed never to make Xiaoman cry again—he really wasn’t good at coaxing him.

“Xiaoman, do you still want to go?” Li Wenxuan asked carefully, braced for rejection.

“Of course I’m going! I haven’t eaten a big crab before. But if you’re lying to me, just you wait!” Xiaoman’s voice was still a little nasal as he shook a fist at him.

“Don’t worry! Xiaoman, I would never lie to you!” Li Wenxuan was overjoyed.

Seeing his happiness made Xiaoman smile too. Their eyes met, and the air between them grew warmer, until they were just about to kiss—

However, just as they were about to get closer, they heard a voice from outside.

“Xiaoman, Wenxuan, it’s time to eat!” It was Tian Amu.

Li Wenxuan quickly pulled away, laughing awkwardly. “I’ll be right there!” 

He dashed outside, leaving Tian Xiaoman alone, chuckling to himself at the sight of Li Wenxuan running off.

The next morning, Tian Xiaoman packed his bag and grabbed the basket his Amu had asked him to bring to Li Wenxuan’s parents. He stood outside for a while before Li Wenxuan arrived on horseback. 

Li Wenxuan had slaughtered the pig for today’s sale, and after a quick shower, he was ready to pick up Tian Xiaoman.

As Tian Xiaoman climbed onto the horse, he noticed Li Wenxuan’s body felt cold. “What’s wrong? Why are you so cold?”

Li Wenxuan explained, “I was worried you might not be able to stand the smell of the pigs, so I took a cold shower.”

Tian Xiaoman rolled his eyes. “What season is it? And you’re still bathing in cold water? Don’t ever do that again. It’s not like I don’t know you’re a butcher!”

Although Tian Xiaoman complained, Li Wenxuan could hear the concern in his voice. It warmed his heart. He leaned over and kissed Tian Xiaoman on the cheek, causing him to elbow him in return. 

Laughing, they rode toward the county.

When they arrived at the county, they tied up the horses and entered the butcher’s shop. 

The streets were bustling, and several people were already waiting outside. One customer immediately grumbled, “Why are you late today? We have guests coming over, and we need the meat!”

Li Wenxuan apologized and took Tian Xiaoman inside, where he quickly donned an apron. He began cutting the meat as requested, with Niu Jin helping on the side. 

Though Niu Jin was skilled at cutting meat, he wasn’t confident with the math for the customers’ payments, so he waited for Li Wenxuan to do it.

Tian Xiaoman eagerly sat in his usual spot, ready to help Li Wenxuan collect the money. He enjoyed the sense of earning money.

“Brother, give me a pound of pork belly!”

“Hey, hey, don’t take the intestines, brother! Weigh that for me!”

“Kidneys, kidneys! I’ve been having back pain lately, need some kidneys!”

As the morning rush continued, customers filled the shop, each with their own requests. Tian Xiaoman felt a bit overwhelmed but was impressed with how Li Wenxuan handled it. He not only cut the meat just right but also chatted with the customers, making them feel at ease.

Li Wenxuan, too, felt satisfied. He couldn’t help but think, “A good couple makes work easier!” 

If Tian Xiaoman helped him with the shop every day, they’d be able to sell even more!