The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 82

Tian Xiaoman was holding a large bag of braised food and chewing it contentedly. His mouth was red from the spiciness, but he refused to put it down.

His older brother, Tian Fu, was discussing the purchase of a shop with their father and Amu.

Although they were hesitant at first, fearing that this opportunity might not come again, they still supported Tian Fu’s idea. After all, young people should have the courage to think and take action.

As for money, Tian Fu had saved 265 taels over the years. After all, he was a cook in the capital. However, this amount wasn’t enough if he wanted to live in the capital long-term.

If he were only paying for the shop itself, 265 taels more would be enough. But he was currently proposing marriage, and to open the restaurant he needed to prepare many things. All of that required money.

Tian Amu and Tian Afu were not without silver, but they could not give everything to him. After all, he still had one more brother. And before the New Year, when Tian Xiaoman married out, his family had given him many things as dowry.

Tian Shou, carving a piece of wood with a knife in hand, seemed focused, but he was actually listening attentively.

Noticing his brother’s dilemma, Tian Shou immediately said, “Brother, I’ve saved some money over the years. You can use it for now!” 

Tian Shou had saved nearly 80 taels of silver. It wasn’t that their woodshop didn’t make money, but Tian Shou was just more spendthrift than his older brother.

Tian Fu shook his head. “Second brother, you’re about to get married. How can I take your money?”

Tian Shou laughed. “Brother, right now I only have myself to feed. Our fathers don’t rely on us now either. As for talking marriage, that’s still far away. If you don’t take this money, I’ll end up spending it anyway. Just take it.”

“How about this,” Tian Amu interjected, “You take half from Shou and write him an IOU. The other half will come from us. When you two brothers decide to split up, the money given to a’Fu will be deducted first.” As the saying goes, brothers should settle accounts clearly, and it was better to make things clear now, so there wouldn’t be any issues in the future.

Tian Fu thought for a moment before agreeing to this arrangement. Although he still felt embarrassed to take money from his brother, Tian Shou nodded as well. After all, he trusted his Amu’s wisdom, and he knew that his family wouldn’t let him suffer.

As the brother-in-law, Li Wenxuan couldn’t interfere with Tian Xiaoman’s family affairs, but having been in the county for nearly a year, he had a good sense of which dishes were fresh and cheap. He could still help with the restaurant’s purchases.

Tian Xiaoman whispered in Li Wenxuan’s ear, “Is big brother short of money? Can we lend him some for now?”

Li Wenxuan patted his hand gently. “Big brother won’t take your money. It’s okay. I’ll help him attract more customers to his shop in the county.”

Tian Xiaoman nodded, trusting that Li Wenxuan had his reasons. So, he continued eating the braised food.

Li Wenxuan’s thoughts aligned with the Tian family’s. They wanted Xiaoman to live a happy life without worrying about using his husband’s money to support his Amu’s family.

Tian Fu was even more grateful, especially since Li Wenxuan had already managed to negotiate the price down 40 taels, saving him a lot of money.

Dinner was still prepared by Tian Fu, and everyone ate heartily, constantly praising his cooking skills. 

Tian Xiaoman sat by the fire, rubbing his belly. After eating too much braised food and drinking a lot of water in the afternoon, he couldn’t eat any more. But he didn’t mind; after all, his eldest brother was coming home, and he could always eat whenever he wanted in the future.

After dinner, everyone washed up and returned to their rooms. 

Li Wenxuan hugged Tian Xiaoman as they lay in bed. Suddenly, he sighed disappointedly, “Hey, I think I’m having a conflict with the child…”

Tian Xiaoman was confused. “What do you mean?”

Li Wenxuan continued, “Last time, Le-ge’er! made me hungry. This time, there’s another guy here. I don’t know if he’s a man or a ger. Alas…”

At first, Tian Xiaoman didn’t understand, but then he realized what Li Wenxuan was talking about. He rolled his eyes and thought, Does he always have to overthink everything?

As if understanding Tian Xiaoman’s expression, Li Wenxuan said, “But it’s really uncomfortable. Otherwise, Xiaoman, would you help me out?” 

So, under Li Wenxuan’s coaxing, Tian Xiaoman reluctantly helped him out for a long time…

Afterward, Li Wenxuan wiped both of them with a cloth and water, then fell asleep contentedly. However, it was Tian Xiaoman who couldn’t sleep. He was hungry…

His stomach felt empty, like a little mouth inside him was constantly complaining about hunger. It kept him tossing and turning in bed, but Li Wenxuan didn’t wake up.

Frustrated, Tian Xiaoman yanked the quilt off Li Wenxuan. Who told him to keep bothering me? Now, he’s sleeping soundly while I’m starving!

“Hiss—” Li Wenxuan woke up with a start, inhaling sharply. He opened his hazy eyes and saw Tian Xiaoman next to him, looking upset. He sat up quickly. “Xiaoman, what’s wrong? Are you uncomfortable?”

Tian Xiaoman threw the quilt at him. “I can’t sleep!”

Li Wenxuan breathed a sigh of relief. “You can’t sleep? Then I’ll keep you company.”

Tian Xiaoman hesitated for a moment, then decided to speak up. “I’m hungry…” He was afraid if he didn’t say it, Li Wenxuan would keep chatting with him and he would just get hungrier.

Li Wenxuan burst out laughing. “So that’s it! I thought you just couldn’t fall asleep after everything today. It turns out you’re hungry!” He got out of bed, put on his cotton jacket, and said, “Wait here. I’ll make you a bowl of noodles!”

“I want two eggs and a side dish my mom made!” Tian Xiaoman called out as he leaned against the headboard, already imagining the delicious food to come.

Father Tian hadn’t fallen asleep yet. He’d been thinking about what Tian Fu had said earlier. He was happy for his son’s determination, but also worried about his future. 

Through the walls, he vaguely heard some noises from the kitchen.

There were two walls between their bedroom and the kitchen, so he couldn’t hear clearly. He asked Tian Amu, “Is the kitchen door closed?”

Tian Amu, who had just fallen asleep, groggily woke up and answered unhappily, “It’s closed. All the vegetables and meat are ready. Are you going to sleep or not?”

Father Tian fell silent. If he really annoyed Tian Amu, he’d never get to sleep. Maybe a mouse got in, but his husband had said everything was in order, so it was fine. Well, maybe they’d find a kitten tomorrow to keep the mice away… With that thought, Tian Amu drifted back to sleep.

Meanwhile, the kitchen was more than enough to stop a mouse, but not Li Wenxuan. 

A while later, he returned with a bowl of noodles, two eggs on top, and a plate of side dishes.

“Hehe, husband, you’re back!” Tian Xiaoman grinned, rubbing his hands eagerly.

Li Wenxuan couldn’t help but smile. His Xiaoman was so clever. When he needed him, he called him husband, but when he didn’t, he pulled the quilt away.

Li Wenxuan set a small table on the bed and placed the food in front of Tian Xiaoman. “Eat up!” He hadn’t made much, since it wasn’t good to eat too much at night. He knew his Xiaoman wouldn’t be satisfied unless he was full.

Sure enough, after finishing the noodles, Tian Xiaoman felt full. He picked up the egg from the bottom, held it out to Li Wenxuan, and watched as he chewed and swallowed. 

Tian Xiaoman felt a bit guilty, but he knew that Li Wenxuan should enjoy it as well. After all, he’d cook for him again next time.

After Li Wenxuan finished eating, he cleaned up and brought water for Tian Xiaoman to rinse his mouth. Then, he climbed into bed, and Tian Xiaoman snuggled into his arms, eventually falling asleep.