The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 77

Tian Xiaoman thought of his Amu again. Back then, his Amu had made this for him to eat. Now that he was pregnant, Li Wenxuan had originally wanted to tell Tian Xiaoman’s family right away, but because of everything that happened with Lian Meng, the matter was delayed. 

Fortunately, once the New Year was over, they could return to his maiden home, and telling them then would not be too late.

While Tian Xiaoman held Le-ge’er and told him stories, Li Amu entered with a basin of large bones. These bones had been pickled for a while and had a salty, delicious taste. 

Tian Xiaoman recalled hearing Li Wenxuan once mention a type of seaweed found far from their shore, which, when boiled with these big bones, tasted especially delicious. At that time, Tian Xiaoman had been very greedy. Now, seeing the big bones, he remembered that craving.

But it was fine; without the seaweed, eating soybeans stewed with big bones would still be good. 

The soybeans had been soaked long ago. Tian Xiaoman poured the washed big bones into a different pot, which already contained a small amount of hot water, just enough to blanch the ribs. After skimming off the foam, he used a colander to remove the bones, then replaced the water with cold water, added the soaked soybeans, some ginger slices, and a bit of rice wine brewed by Li Amu. After covering the pot, he let it cook slowly. This pot would be left to stew for a while.

Meanwhile, the meat in the pot in front of him had been bubbling for a long time. Tian Xiaoman opened the lid to find the water level had almost dropped, and the meat was tender and aromatic. Tian Xiaoman and Le-ge’er both swallowed, but Tian Xiaoman restrained himself. He poked the meat with a chopstick and found it to be soft and falling apart. He used a large plate to scoop it out and set it aside.

Le-ge’er almost cried, watching Tian Xiaoman’s actions. He felt the New Year was not good at all…

Tian Xiaoman noticed Le-ge’er’s reaction, poured a bucket of water into the pot, then used tongs to scrape the ash from the bottom of the stove and pulled out the two eggs wrapped in oil paper.

The oil paper had several layers, and the outer layer had turned black and disintegrated at the touch, indicating the eggs had been roasted crispy. 

Tian Xiaoman quickly peeled off the layers, revealing the eggs inside. The eggshell remained white, though the surface was hot. 

Tian Xiaoman tapped the eggs on the stove and started peeling them. The tender egg inside was revealed, giving off a faint burnt fragrance. When Le-ge’er took a bite, he found it tender with the yolk still slightly runny, just solidifying.

Le-ge’er’s eyes lit up as he quickly finished one bite after another. 

Seeing how much he loved it, Tian Xiaoman peeled the second egg, ready to feed it to him. But Le-ge’er just looked at it without opening his mouth. After all, Momo had said he wanted to eat too, so he couldn’t have more.

Tian Xiaoman felt reassured. Le-ge’er was indeed a good ger. He didn’t know what he himself was like when he was younger, but according to his Amu, he had always been protective of his food, certainly not as generous as Le-ge’er now.

After the eggs, Tian Xiaoman started cooking the fish and chicken that Li Amu had washed. These dishes took some time to prepare, so by the time they were done, it was almost dark.

“Amu, Xiaoman, is the meal ready?” Li Wenxuan called loudly as he entered the door. He had been at the village chief’s house all afternoon, and he hadn’t even had a chance to spit.

“The meal isn’t ready yet,” Tian Xiaoman replied, watching Li Wenxuan’s face fall, then laughing heartily. “But the noodles are ready! Let’s eat noodles tonight!”

Li Wenxuan looked at Tian Xiaoman’s mischievous grin, grabbed him by the head, and kissed him several times on the mouth. “Then I’ll eat some meat first.”

Tian Xiaoman playfully hit him a few times. This was outside, so he couldn’t be too affectionate. They could kiss as much as they wanted inside the house. 

However, Tian Xiaoman couldn’t help but laugh again. He was pregnant now, and Li Amu had already told Li Wenxuan not to go overboard.

The noodles were cooked with the broth left over from stewing the meat. Since the ancestors had eaten the meat, it was fine for them to drink some broth first. Tian Xiaoman also fried a few poached eggs and paired them with shallots from the garden, making for a delicious meal.

On New Year’s Eve, Tian Xiaoman woke up to the noise outside.

“Go up a little, go up a little, no, no, come down a little!” Li Amu’s father stood below, directing Li Wenxuan, who was standing on a stool, to paste the couplets.

As soon as Tian Xiaoman stepped outside, he saw Li Wenxuan, looking exasperated, listening to his father’s instructions. He had been pasting for at least a quarter of an hour, and Li Wenxuan couldn’t figure out where exactly his father wanted him to paste them. 

Tian Xiaoman walked over and picked up the “Fu” (blessing) characters, auspicious symbols, window decorations, and more from the stone table. Together with Le-ge’er, who followed with a small paste bucket, they decorated every door and window. 

With everyone working together, the entire yard turned bright red and festive. They even pasted “Long Flowing Water” on the well in the yard.

“Amu, where are the two red lanterns you bought last time?” Li Wenxuan asked. 

The lanterns in front of the courtyard gate had almost faded and needed replacing. He remembered that his Amu had bought two new ones recently.

“In the attic of my room!” Li Amu replied, and Li Wenxuan went to fetch them. 

Tian Xiaoman followed to help him hold the ladder. In truth, the attic Li Amu referred to was just a few beams above the room with wooden boards laid across to store things.

Most people would have to use a ladder to reach it, but Li Wenxuan was skilled enough to climb up the wall in a few steps. 

While retrieving the red lanterns, he also found a lot of New Year goods, likely bought by Li Amu for entertaining relatives. Before coming down, Li Wenxuan grabbed a handful of peanuts and stuffed them into his pocket along with the lanterns.

He handed two peanuts to Le-ge’er and kept the rest for Tian Xiaoman. 

Le-ge’er looked at the handful of peanuts in Tian Xiaoman’s hand with wide eyes, feeling slightly jealous. But fortunately, Momo treated him well and filled his pocket with peanuts, even punching his uncle playfully.

When hit, Li Wenxuan saw the shy-angry look in Tian Xiaoman’s eyes and felt his heart melt. But now was not the time. 

He hurried out with the lanterns.

Tian Xiaoman felt a bit embarrassed, as it seemed that Li Wenxuan treated him like a child in front of Le-ge’er.

Li Amu, watching the two eat peanuts, smiled and shook his head. 

Since childhood, Li Wenxuan had been mischievous, jumping around all day and using the kung fu he learned from his father.

After the lanterns were hung, the entire yard looked vibrant. 

Tian Xiaoman nodded in satisfaction. This was what the New Year should feel like!

Since they ate late in the morning, they skipped lunch and waited for the reunion dinner.

Li Amu had already prepared the menu. In addition to the usual braised pork, braised fish, and roast chicken, there were also stewed bones with soybeans, spinach meatball soup, braised lion’s head, braised spareribs, braised pig’s trotters, eight-treasure duck, stewed mutton with radish, nine-turn pig’s intestines, and fried celery.

Among the twelve hot dishes, celery was a must. For farmers, hard work was essential, and eating celery was believed to keep one from becoming lazy. Four cold dishes were also prepared, including fried peanuts, cold pork head, boiled eggs with sauce, and chive boxes.

A total of sixteen dishes were prepared. There was always an even number, but they were paired to make the meal feel complete.

The men were ready to drink jars of liquor from the tavern. It wasn’t high-end, but it was strong. Meanwhile, the brothers heated rice wine brewed by Li Amu, cracking two eggs into it for a nourishing soup.

After noon, each household began to invite their ancestors to enjoy the reunion dinner first, then burned paper money and set off firecrackers, gathering together for the feast.

The family sat at a square table: Father Li and Li Amu at the top, with Li Yiran and his husband, Li Wenxuan and Tian Xiaoman on either side, and Le-ge’er sitting at the bottom. Everyone wore new clothes.

On this important day, there was no conversation about anything else. Everyone’s face was filled with happiness as they toasted and drank into the night.

After the dishes were cleared, Li Amu brought out a pot of dumpling stuffing and began kneading the dough. 

The family sat together, chatting and making dumplings. Le-ge’er took the New Year’s money from everyone and happily ran around with a new windmill. 

Watching this, Li Amu thought to himself that a child could be very lonely. But when Xiaoman’s belly grew, Le-ge’er would have a companion…