The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 62

Liu Xilin sat at the door in a reserved manner, his small hands resting on his legs, looking lost.

Li Amu pulled him closer and patted his head. “Don’t be afraid, Lin boy. Grandmu likes you very much! You’re a good child.” He then opened a package of cakes he had bought at the market and handed him a piece. Here, Grandmu’s treating you to something sweet.”

Liu Xilin had never tasted anything this good before. The white, tender cakes in front of him emitted a rich, sweet fragrance, making his mouth water without him realizing it.

Although he really wanted to eat, he knew it was already a big favor that they let him ride with them, and he couldn’t take their food too. “Grandmu, I’m not hungry. Let the little ger have it.”

Li Amu smiled. “The little ger still has his share. It’s fine. Grandmu will give it to you!” Without waiting for him to respond, he placed the cake into his hands.

Le-ge’er, who had been watching his grandmu, handed the candied haws to Tian Xiaoman and then stretched his sticky little hand toward his grandmu for some cake.

Li Amu noticed that he hadn’t finished one thing and was already asking for more. Not wanting to encourage his greedy behavior, he didn’t give him any. 

Le-ge’er’s bottom lip stuck out, and his eyes looked like he might cry.

Tian Xiaoman couldn’t help but laugh. The clever ger was obviously being stingy. He didn’t want his Grandmu to be kind to anyone else, so he was trying to outdo Liu Xilin to win his favor. He hadn’t expected Li Amu to refuse him.

Le-ge’er, seeing that his Grandmu hadn’t reacted yet, really looked like he might cry. He shut his eyes tightly, but before the cry could escape, he suddenly felt something heavy in his hand, and his tearful whimper stopped instantly.

When he opened his eyes, he saw the cake in his hand. His face lit up, and he grinned, showing two porcelain-white teeth.

“Oh, Lin, why did you give him your cake? He already has plenty!” Li Amu said with both laughter and exasperation. 

There were no other children in the family, so he didn’t know that this little ger was just being petty.

“It’s fine, I’m not hungry. Let the little ger eat it.!” Liu Xilin tried to sound casual and generous, refusing to look at the pastry he had just given away—even though his heart ached for it. I should’ve at least taken one bite first, he thought bitterly.

Tian Xiaoman looked at Liu Xilin, who was lowering his head, and then turned to Le-ge’er, who was happily munching on his cake. “Le-ge’er, is your tummy hungry?”

“Hungry!” Le-ge’er replied without hesitation, as if afraid Tian Xiaoman might take the cake back.

“Your big brother’s tummy is hungry too, you ate his pastry—what about him?” Tian Xiaoman teased.

Le-ge’er, hearing this, glanced at Liu Xilin’s hand and realized that there was no cake left there.

“Hmmm…” Le-ge’er seemed torn as he looked at the cake, then quickly hid it behind his back. He hadn’t eaten it yet! 

Thinking of how this brother had frightened him earlier in the morning, he was even more reluctant to share.

But since Momo said this brother was hungry and looked like he might cry, Le-ge’er didn’t know what to do.

Tian Xiaoman watched as Le-ge’er furrowed his brow and looked distressed. He couldn’t help but laugh. 

Just as Li Amu was about to offer another piece to Liu Xilin, Le-ge’er’s eyes lit up. He grabbed the candied haws from Tian Xiaoman’s hand and handed them to Liu Xilin.

He had already eaten some, and there was still plenty left, but now he wanted the cake, so he decided to give the candied haws to this brother.

Liu Xilin stared at the candied haws in front of him in surprise. There were six remaining, though there should have been eight—two had been eaten by Le-ge’er. The skewer of candied haws was long, and since Le-ge’er’s wrist was too weak, he usually had to hold it with both hands. Now, with one hand holding a piece of cake, the candied haws nearly fell to the ground.

Liu Xilin reached out just in time to catch them before they could drop. 

Le-ge’er sighed in relief and patted his chest. He, too, had been worried that the candied haws would fall, and Li Amu would never let him eat something that had touched the ground.

Liu Xilin wasn’t sure what to do with the candied haws, so he looked up at Li Amu for help.

Li Amu glanced at the situation. Le-ge’er always ate neatly and never touched the second candied haw before finishing the first. The skewer was still clean, without any signs of saliva from him.

“Lin boy, if you don’t mind, just take them. It’s fair—he took your pastry, so you can eat his candied haws.” he said with a smile.

Le-ge’er didn’t mind at all. He was happily eating the white cakes. After all, his uncle would buy him more tomorrow if he wanted.

Liu Xilin shook his head. He had always wanted to try candied haws. They were so bright red and smelled so sweet, and people said they had a sour taste. He couldn’t understand why something could have two flavors. Today, he finally had the chance to taste them.

But he couldn’t bring himself to eat them. He held them carefully in his hand, knowing his Grandmu had never eaten them either. He thought about sharing it with his grandmu.

Li Amu observed him quietly and said nothing. He knew he would have to say something to him once they reached Madam Liu’s house. After all, a little kid who dared to go to the county town alone might get into trouble if he wasn’t careful.

The carriage suddenly stopped. Li Amu looked out the window and saw that they had arrived at Madam Liu’s house.

Liu Xilin was thrilled. He jumped out of the carriage and ran into the house, still holding the candied haws. To his surprise, Madam Liu was already sitting on the doorstep with a thin stick. As soon as he saw him, he struck him lightly on the bottom.

“You… cough, cough… you’re so bold! You dare to stay out all day and not come home? Where have you been?” Madam Liu asked between coughs, his voice filled with frustration. This kid was so disobedient, always out playing and never coming back for meals!

Li Amu also got off the carriage. 

Seeing that Madam Liu was angry, Liu Xilin just stood there stubbornly, still holding the candied haws, not running away even after being struck. 

Li Amu stepped in to explain.

“Madam Liu, don’t be angry. Lin boy went to get medicine for you!” Li Amu quickly explained, taking the medicine Liu Xilin had left in the carriage.

For a long time, Madam Liu just moved his lips, not knowing what to say. A deep bitterness settled in his heart. All the men in his family were gone, leaving them alone. This boy’s Amu had run off with someone else during this critical time, taking away the only silver the family had left.

As Liu Xilin grew older, his temper became just like his Amu’s. He couldn’t stand losing anything, so Madam Liu grew stricter with him. When he didn’t come back today, he feared he had left just like his Amu.

Who would have thought that this child…

Looking at his small, swollen hands and his stubborn face, yet secretly worried about him, Madam Liu threw away the stick and hugged him, tears welling up in his eyes.

No matter how tough Liu Xilin was, he was still just a child. He hadn’t cried when that uncle hit him, but now that he was crying, he couldn’t help but cry too.

The big and small cried sadly, and Li Amu quietly left, leaving behind the medicinal materials and a bag of cakes before walking out.

Le-ge’er and Tian Xiaoman, still in the carriage, heard the crying inside and curiously asked, “Momo, who’s crying?”

Tian Xiaoman wasn’t sure how to explain, but Li Wenxuan chimed in, “Le-ge’er ate the big brother’s pastry, and the big brother cried because he’s hungry.” He had overheard their conversation outside and was now teasing Le-ge’er.

It was meant as a joke, but Le-ge’er, feeling somewhat blamed, opened his mouth and cried in Tian Xiaoman’s arms.

Tian Xiaoman glared at Li Wenxuan. “Stop teasing the kid!”

Li Wenxuan rubbed his nose sheepishly. 

Well, he’d better keep quiet…