The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 44

Li Wenxuan led the horse into the yard and saw Tian Xiaoman and his Amu sitting together, shelling beans, while Le-ge’er sat behind them, playfully tossing beans in his hand.

Seeing that there was no sign of unhappiness on their faces, Li Wenxuan was completely relieved and called out, “Amu, Xiaoman, I’m back!”

“Le-ge’er!” Le-ge’er glared at Li Wenxuan and said loudly.

“Okay, Amu, Xiaoman, Le-ge’er, I’m back!” Li Wenxuan emphasized the three words “Le-ge’er,” which made Le-ge’er laugh. 

This little rascal—so young, yet already so particular.

“Is the meat sold out?” Tian Xiaoman asked, noticing that Li Wenxuan had returned earlier than usual.

“It’s sold out. I killed two today. Business is good!” Li Wenxuan replied as he walked to the well and drew a bucket of water to wash himself.

“Hey, hey, hey, what are you doing? Have you forgotten what I said?” Tian Xiaoman immediately guessed his next move and hurriedly stopped him. “It’s freezing cold, what are you doing?”

Li Wenxuan paused, then, with a flattering smile, explained, “Xiaoman, no, I’m taking it to the kitchen to boil! How could I forget what you said?”

“Better,” Tian Xiaoman said, shaking his head. “Go quickly and boil it up!”

Li Amu watched the two bickering and secretly felt pleased. Li Wenxuan had been told this multiple times, but because he was young and healthy, he didn’t take it seriously. Every time, he would pour cold water over himself without a second thought. Tian Xiaoman controlling him was a good thing—perhaps it was even better to have someone like that around!

Li Amu didn’t think too much about Tian Xiaoman being too strong-willed and domineering later on, as it seemed harmless for now. He had doubted before, but after meeting him, Li Amu was absolutely confident in his judgment.

The three of them continued peeling beans, with a large bowl in front of each of them and a small bowl for Le-ge’er. But instead of peeling the beans, Le-ge’er kept reaching into their bowls, grabbing a few beans, and adding them to his own.

The beans they were peeling were edamame, which Li Amu had just harvested from the vegetable garden. When dried, they would turn into yellow beans. These beans weren’t too old yet, so they weren’t great for frying. They were being peeled for another purpose today.

Before long, Li Wenxuan came out, having taken a hot shower. A little sweat dotted his forehead, and the young man appeared full of energy.

He brought a stool and sat next to Tian Xiaoman, picking up a bean and beginning to peel it.

“Amu, are we making fermented beans?” Li Wenxuan asked.

Li Amu chuckled. “Ay, this child! When Xiaoman asked just now, I kept it a secret—and now you’ve blurted it out.”

Li Wenxuan turned in surprise to Tian Xiaoman. “Xiaoman, you’ve never eaten fermented beans?”

Tian Xiaoman nodded. He had never eaten them, since his Amu had never made them, and he wouldn’t have known about them otherwise.

“Then Xiaoman, you must try it! Amu’s fermented beans are delicious. Once we’re done, we’ll take a jar to your father and Amu to taste.” Li Wenxuan highly recommended them.

Though Li Amu’s cooking couldn’t compare to his Amu-in-law’s or Xiaoman’s, his fermented beans were still quite good as a side dish.

The three of them peeled beans together, working faster than before, and quickly filled a basin.

Li Amu washed the beans and put them in a pot to steam. When they were halfway cooked, they’d be ready to serve.

While the beans steamed, Li Amu went to the woodshed to grab a bundle of straw, trimming it with scissors and evenly spreading it in a large basket.

Tian Xiaoman watched closely, eager to learn. He had a great enthusiasm for all things related to food.

Li Wenxuan also followed Tian Xiaoman and joined Li Amu, though his attention was more focused on Tian Xiaoman.

Once the beans were steamed, Li Amu scooped them out, placed them on a board to cool, and then poured them into the basket lined with straw, spreading them evenly. He covered them with a piece of white cloth and set the basket in the sun to ferment.

Tian Xiaoman raised an eyebrow. “Amu, is this all? Do beans like this really taste good?”

“Not yet. This is just the beginning,” Li Amu replied with a smile. “If it were that simple, everyone could make them.”

Li Amu explained that the beans needed to ferment in the sun for several days. Only when white hairs grew on them could they be considered fully fermented.

Next, they would need to pick some fresh red peppers, chop them up, cut some young ginger, peel a handful of garlic, and chop everything together. After mixing it all well, the beans would be added, along with some coarse salt and a bit of white wine. After sealing the jar, the fermented beans would be ready to eat after ten days.

Tian Xiaoman frowned. “This sounds too tiring. It’s not the time it takes; it’s the waiting that’s painful!”

Seeing that it was still early, Li Amu decided to pick some chestnuts. Whether stewed with meat or chicken, they would make a delicious meal.

As soon as he mentioned it, Tian Xiaoman eagerly agreed. He loved going to the mountains.

And since Xiaoman was going, Li Wenxuan naturally followed. 

All three turned their eyes toward Le-ge’er, who instantly yanked his finger from his mouth, startled.

Li Amu thought for a moment and decided to take Le-ge’er along. They could find his grandfather later and enjoy a meal together on the mountain.

Everyone quickly packed what they needed, put it into a backpack, and set off.

Li Wenxuan carried the largest backpack, with Le-ge’er sitting inside. 

The little one was ecstatic, having never been carried this way before. His tiny hands clung to the edge of the backpack, and he peeked out, curiously watching everything around him.

In truth, he had simply forgotten. When he was younger, Li Amu, with no one to help, often carried him in a basket while cooking or working in the garden.

With cheerful steps, they made their way up the mountain. Not far from where Father Li had set a trap, a few wild chestnut trees stood. Every year, any villager who wanted chestnuts could pick some, and the rest were usually taken by small animals like monkeys and squirrels.