The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 38

Just when Tian Xiaoman was about to run out of ideas, Li Wenxuan finally came over. “Xiaoman, so you were here with Le-ge’er. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

Tian Xiaoman glared at him. Clearly, he was the one who disappeared without a trace, yet he dared accuse him of wandering off!

When Le Ge’er saw Li Wenxuan, he immediately threw himself into his arms, then peeked out and continued to look at Tian Xiaoman. 

Li Wenxuan smiled and introduced him to Le Ge’er, “This is Uncle Tian! Call him Uncle Tian or momo!”

“Tian?” Le Ge’er didn’t know how to say “uncle,” so he just called him “Momo.”

Tian Xiaoman immediately smiled widely, but when Le Ge’er saw him, he buried his head in Li Wenxuan’s arms again. 

Tian Xiaoman sighed in frustration. “Do I look scary?”

Li Wenxuan stifled a laugh. “How could that be? Xiaoman, you’re so cute! Le Ge’er is my brother’s child. I told you before that he’s two years old, but because he was born on a different day, he’s actually just over one. He’s just learned to walk and can only say a few words. He’s quite shy.” After saying this, Li Wenxuan asked Le Ge’er, “Do you want Uncle to help you put on your clothes?”

Le Ge’er looked up at him blankly and said, “Piggy dress!”

Li Wenxuan skillfully dressed him, putting on a small red coat since the child wasn’t very resistant to the cold. He then helped him into small shoes. It was clear that he had done this many times before, his movements smooth and efficient. 

After getting dressed, Le Ge’er hurried off, shouting, “Eat rice!”

“The meal’s not ready yet! Can you play with momo here for a bit?” 

Le Ge’er refused flatly. He wanted to eat!

Xiaoman, unwilling to lose to a toddler, thought: Hmph, you greedy little thing, just you wait! “You play with him, I’ll go help your Amu in the kitchen!”

Li Wenxuan glanced at Tian Xiaoman’s back and then bent down to talk to Le Ge’er, “Oh, your Tian Momo seems angry. Are you scared, Le Ge’er? Hahaha!” 

Le Ge’er shivered at the word “scared,” muttering, “Scared—big tiger!”

Li Amu loved telling stories about tigers, and Le Ge’er often listened to them, thinking tigers were the scariest creatures.

Tian Xiaoman entered the kitchen and greeted Li Amu. 

When Li Amu saw him, he quickly urged, “Xiaoman, go outside and play. Let me handle this!”

“It’s okay, Li Amu. I’m free, I’ll help!” Tian Xiaoman insisted. He wanted Le Ge’er to come to him on his own. 

Li Amu hesitated but was pleased to see him so determined and allowed him to help.

Tian Xiaoman looked at the ingredients Li Amu had prepared, spotting a large yellow pumpkin. He remembered how much he loved pumpkin buns when he was young, especially since Tian Amu would shape them into different forms to coax him to eat. He didn’t believe any child could resist them!

After explaining his idea to Li Amu, he found some flour and yeast for him. Tian Xiaoman peeled the pumpkin, cutting it into thin slices so it would steam faster.

Once the pumpkin was steamed, he mashed it up with a little water to form a smooth puree. He then mixed in flour, yeast, and a bit of icing sugar. Despite the pumpkin being sweet, the flour still needed some extra sweetness.

After everything was prepared, Tian Xiaoman let the pumpkin puree cool slightly before mixing it with the flour. He covered the dough with a cloth and set it on the stove to rise faster.

While waiting, he helped Li Amu fry a couple of dishes. 

Li Amu was impressed by his quick work, silently noting that Wenxuan was in for a treat. While Li Amu was good at many things, cooking wasn’t one of them. Fortunately, Father Li excelled at making large meat dishes, and the home-cooked sides weren’t a big hit in their family.

A while later, Tian Xiaoman checked the dough, finding that it had risen perfectly. The hole didn’t shrink when he poked it, and the dough had a honeycomb texture. The whole thing looked yellow and smelled sweet with pumpkin. Tian Xiaoman was already craving it.

He moved the dough to a countertop dusted with flour and rolled it into long strips. After cutting it into small, even pieces, he shaped them into balls, tied them loosely with string, and placed them on a rack to steam.

Walking outside, Tian Xiaoman saw Le Ge’er and Li Wenxuan playing in the yard. The sunlight made Li Wenxuan look particularly handsome.

Standing by the door, Tian Xiaoman smiled at them. 

Li Wenxuan caught his gaze and smiled back, his expression full of affection. Tian Xiaoman noticed that Li Wenxuan had a small dimple when he smiled!

Soon, the sweet aroma of the steamed buns filled the air. 

Le Ge’er, still playing, stopped and sniffed the air. He looked at Li Wenxuan, saying, “I want to eat!”

Li Wenxuan laughed, “Didn’t you just eat pastries? Can you still eat more?”

Le Ge’er nodded seriously, “Eat!”

By the time they finished talking, Tian Xiaoman had already set aside some buns for Li Amu to try. He held the plate in front of Le Ge’er, who immediately focused on it, looking up at Tian Xiaoman with big, eager eyes. He only ever asked for food from people he trusted, never strangers.

Tian Xiaoman squatted down so Le Ge’er could see the plate up close. The buns were shaped like small pumpkins, their yellow color bright and cheerful. 

When Le Ge’er saw them, his eyes lit up.

Tian Xiaoman asked, “Le Ge’er, do you want to eat?”

Le Ge’er nodded, his fingers instinctively reaching for his mouth.

“Then call me, and I’ll give it to you, okay?”

“Amu!”Le Ge’er called out without hesitation.

“Nope.”

“Grandpa!”

“No!”

“Piggy!”

“Wrong!!” Xiaoman cried helplessly. “Call me uncle, please!”

“Mumu!” Le Ge’er repeated again and again, smiling happily at the prospect of food. 

Finally, Tian Xiaoman gave in. “Alright, Momo it is!”

He handed Le Ge’er a small bun, which he immediately stuffed into his mouth.

The bun was soft, sweet, and fragrant, and Le Ge’er clearly enjoyed it, smiling with his eyes.

Li Wenxuan watched their interaction, took a bun for himself, and imagined what it would be like to have children of their own one day.

When the meal was ready, it was a bit later than usual, but no one minded. Everyone had already eaten several steamed buns, and even Le Ge’er, who had eaten two, was now playing in the yard, not mentioning food.

Father Li returned from the mountain, picked up Le Ge’er, and greeted him. 

When Le Ge’er saw him, he immediately called him “Grandpa,” pointing toward Tian Xiaoman and saying something about an uncle making delicious pumpkins. Father Li didn’t quite understand but looked in the direction Le Ge’er pointed. He saw a young man he didn’t recognize, looking awkwardly at him.

“Is this Xiaoman?” Father Li asked, and when Tian Xiaoman smiled and whispered, “Father,” he understood. “Don’t be shy. Treat this place like your own home!” Father Li smiled and carried Le Ge’er to the table, where Li Amu served him a bowl of rice. 

The meal passed in laughter, and Father Li praised the dishes, especially the fried bacon with garlic and autumn cabbage.

“These two dishes are amazing today!” Father Li exclaimed, picking up a few more. “These were made by Xiaoman?” 

Li Amu smiled and nodded. 

Father Li turned to Tian Xiaoman in surprise, “Your cooking’s so good! We old folks are in for a treat from now on, haha.”

After the meal, Tian Xiaoman offered to help clean up, but Li Amu refused, urging him to rest. 

Tian Xiaoman gave in and went back to his room. 

Li Wenxuan chatted with Father Li for a while before following him back.

In his room, Tian Xiaoman made the bed and prepared to sleep when the door creaked open. A little head peeked inside, looking at him curiously.

“Le Ge’er, why are you here?” Tian Xiaoman squatted down and asked.

Le Ge’er smiled shyly and stood by the door, not entering. 

Tian Xiaoman repeated, “Le Ge’er, I’m going to sleep. Do you want to sleep?”

“Yes!” Le Ge’er replied in his baby voice, reaching out for Tian Xiaoman to hold him into bed. 

Tian Xiaoman was momentarily stunned but then picked him up, helped him out of his coat and shoes, and tucked him into the blanket before lying down beside him.

Le Ge’er giggled and kept calling out “Mumu,” Xiaoman answered, so Le-ge’er treated it like a game, chanting it over and over. Patiently, Xiaoman responded each time until the boy drifted off, and soon he too fell asleep.

Li Wenxuan came in later, saw the two asleep, quietly closed the door, and walked toward the kitchen. He had to tell his Amu that Le Ge’er was with Xiaoman, or he’d worry.

While Tian Xiaoman slept soundly, he suddenly felt something tugging at his eyelids. He almost swatted it in his sleep, but then he realized it was Le Ge’er. 

Startled, Tian Xiaoman sat up and shouted, “I’m awake! I’m awake!”

Le Ge’er, amused by his reaction, smiled. 

Tian Xiaoman sighed. “Le Ge’er, why are you awake? Do you need to pee?”

“Hungry!” Le Ge’er pouted, rubbing his little belly.

Tian Xiaoman realized Le Ge’er was probably hungry since he only ate a couple of buns earlier. “What do you want to eat?”

“Guagua!” Le Ge’er mimicked a frog’s call, but Tian Xiaoman realized he meant the pumpkin buns.

Tian Xiaoman quickly got dressed and went to the kitchen, telling Le Ge’er to stay in bed. 

Li Amu had already guessed and warmed up some porridge and buns. When Tian Xiaoman returned with a tray, he smiled and carried it back to the room.

Li Amu sighed, watching the boy take care of Le Ge’er so thoughtfully. 

Sigh, he thought. Even Le-ge’er’s own Amu hasn’t fed him this attentively, yet this new ‘uncle’ has already taken such care. What a strange world this is!