The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 47

Just as Tian Xiaoman and Le-ge’er stepped out the gate, they saw Li Amu and Father Li coming back together, chatting and laughing.

When Le-ge’er saw them, he immediately ran up and sweetly called, “Grandmu!” then hugged his legs.

Li Amu smiled and picked him up. “Our Le-ge’er is awake? Who put the clothes on you?”

Le-ge’er turned to Tian Xiaoman and gestured to Li Amu, “Momo put them on!”

“Oh, it was Momo who put them on? Did Le-ge’er thank Momo?”

After thinking for a moment, Le-ge’er suddenly clasped his chubby little hands together, tilted his head, and said, “Thank you!”

Tian Xiaoman nearly melted on the spot. Too cute—I can’t take it!

Li Wenxuan walked in from outside and noticed that Tian Xiaoman was no longer angry. He then pulled out a hairpin from his pocket like a prized treasure and waved it in front of Tian Xiaoman.

The hairpin was carved from wood and looked like it was meant to be shaped into auspicious clouds, though it didn’t quite resemble that.

“Xiaoman, who do you think carved this?” Li Wenxuan asked.

Tian Xiaoman answered without hesitation, “It’s definitely not you!” He said it on purpose because of his earlier frustration.

Li Wenxuan pretended to be hurt. “Xiaoman, how can you look down on me like that? I carved this for you…”

Tian Xiaoman remained indifferent, taking the hairpin. “No wonder it’s so ugly. Forget it. For your kindness, I’ll accept it.”

This was the first time Li Wenxuan had given him a gift other than food. Though Tian Xiaoman didn’t care outwardly, he was happy inside.

Li Wenxuan grinned when he saw Tian Xiaoman accept the gift.

“By the way, why did you suddenly think of giving me this?” Tian Xiaoman asked, surprised.

“Father and Amu went to the carpenter to discuss the wood for furniture. I saw that he had many tools, so I made one. It didn’t turn out well, but I’ll try to carve a better one next time.”

Tian Xiaoman thought, So it wasn’t specially made for me after all… I was even considering giving him something in return. Forget it. I’ll wait until he proves himself more first.

Meanwhile, Li Amu carried Le-ge’er into the kitchen. She found that the chestnut chicken was already done, and the rice was fragrant and ready. She added a few more side dishes and called everyone to the table.

The chestnuts were soft and floury, the chicken tender, braised until both skin and sinew were melt-in-the-mouth, richly flavored.

Everyone ate heartily, heads bent over their bowls. Le-ge’er in particular was a sight: mixing rice with rich chicken broth, clutching a big drumstick in his hand, his little mouth shiny with grease. Whenever no one fed him quickly enough, he tugged insistently with his small hand.

Li Wenxuan, chewing his chicken, put a few pieces into Tian Xiaoman’s bowl. “Xiaoman, eat more. It’s delicious!”

Tian Xiaoman took a chestnut and meat, savoring the thick soup and sweet chestnut flavor. He actually liked the chestnuts even more than the chicken. 

He in turn picked a bit and placed it into Wenxuan’s bowl.

Watching the two interact lovingly, Li Amu and Father Li exchanged smiles, feeling particularly at ease.

Tian Xiaoman stayed at Li Wenxuan’s house for four or five days and developed a strong bond with Le-ge’er, becoming fast friends.

On the morning of the day he was to leave, Le-ge’er clung to his legs and cried hysterically.

“Wuwuwu, don’t go! Momo, don’t go!” Le-ge’er raised his little face, eyes red from crying, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Tian Xiaoman felt a lump in his throat, but he knew he had to go back—his parents would be worried.

He crouched down and held Le-ge’er’s shoulders. “Don’t cry. Momo will come play with you next time, alright? Don’t cry, you won’t look nice if you cry too much.”

But Le-ge’er was too heartbroken to listen. He kept wailing, “Don’t go, Momo don’t go!”

The sound of a child crying tugged at everyone’s heartstrings, especially Li Amu, who had raised him since infancy. Their bond was deeper than anyone else’s.

Inwardly, he couldn’t help blaming his eldest son and in-law—only visiting after long absences, showing little affection when they did, leaving Le-ge’er so frightened of them.

Li Amu stepped forward and lifted Le-ge’er into his arms. “Momo hasn’t gone. He’s just going to play with Uncle. Don’t cry. They’ll be back soon.”

Le-ge’er sniffled through his tears. “Not… go?”

“No, not going. Come nap with Grandmu. You’ll see Momo when you wake up.” After saying that, Li Amu carried Le-ge’er inside and gestured for Tian Xiaoman to leave quickly.

Li Wenxuan helped Tian Xiaoman onto the horse, and they left Willow Tree Slope.

During the ride, Tian Xiaoman remained silent, clearly upset. 

Li Wenxuan looked concerned and tried to comfort him. “Xiaoman, don’t be sad. Le-ge’er is just a child. He forgets quickly, and he’ll be fine in a couple of days.”

Hearing this, Tian Xiaoman only felt more sorrowful. 

But that only made Xiaoman’s heart ache more. A child forgets quickly. In a few days, he won’t remember me. But I remember so clearly… The thought that Le-ge’er might forget him by the next visit made his chest tighten.

Li Wenxuan scratched his head, realizing his attempt to comfort Xiaoman had backfired.

The journey lasted over two hours, and they finally returned to Xingtian Village just before lunch.

As soon as he dismounted from the horse, Tian Xiaoman’s mood lifted again. Before entering the courtyard, he called out, “Father, Amu, I’m back!”

Tian Amu, busy cooking in the kitchen, hurriedly responded, “Oh, you’re finally back! I cooked a lot of your favorite dishes for lunch today!”

Tian Xiaoman rushed into the kitchen and clung to Tian Amu’s back. “Amu, I missed you so much! And your cooking!”

Tian Amu teased, “I think you just miss my cooking!” He paused, then added, “By the way, where’s Wenxuan? Why hasn’t he come in yet?”

“He’s talking to Father outside! Don’t worry about him!” Tian Xiaoman answered. Then, remembering the large bag outside, he added, “Amu, there’s a big bag outside. I’ll bring it in. It’s all from Li Wenxuan’s family!”