The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 85

After saying that, Li Yiran came back with Le-ge’er in his arms. 

After they left, Lian Meng came out from the corner room. He had just heard Le-ge’er crying. Although he felt bad, he also thought that Xiao Pang was actually quite well-behaved. As for Le-ge’er, he had scolded him the first time he saw him, saying the child wasn’t very obedient and needed to be raised by himself.

They didn’t take Li Yiran’s words seriously. As long as Li Yiran was still working under his uncle, he wouldn’t dare divorce Lian Meng.

Lian Meng’s belly was getting bigger and he was getting more and more tired, so he told Lian Mu that he would take Xiao Pang to visit Daoist Zhang after his birthday tomorrow.

…

When Tian Xiaoman finished listening, he felt uncomfortable. How could someone think like this? But he had nothing more to say. Everyone stood on different sides; their thoughts naturally differed.

Because of the cold weather, Tian Xiaoman hadn’t cooked these past few days. They had been eating the porridge made by Li Amu. 

But today, knowing that Le-ge’er had been wronged, he had to do something to cheer him up.

He looked around the kitchen. It was only the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, and there were still many ingredients left. 

After some searching, Tian Xiaoman found a bunch of small leeks and decided to make spring rolls to go with porridge for Le-ge’er.

Tian Xiaoman chopped the leeks, added a little salt, and mixed them before squeezing out the water and setting them aside. He cracked three or four eggs into a bowl, beat them with chopsticks, heated oil in a pan, and poured the eggs in. The egg mixture quickly expanded in the hot oil and turned into a large golden sheet. Tian Xiaoman used a spatula to push it aside, then poured in the leeks and stir-fried everything together.

Because the leeks had been salted earlier, there was no need to add more seasoning. Once the mixture was done, he set it aside for later.

He mixed flour with a little salt and water, then baked thin spring roll wrappers in the pan. He wrapped the leek and scrambled eggs in the wrappers. 

Li Amu helped heat some oil, and once Tian Xiaoman finished wrapping them, he fried the spring rolls. They didn’t deep-fry them—deep frying would use too much oil!

Soon, the plate was full of spring rolls. Tian Xiaoman brought them out, and not long after, Li Wenxuan and Le-ge’er came over.

Le-ge’er looked up at Tian Xiaoman with bright eyes and a sweet, flattering smile on his little face. Paired with his slightly purple forehead bump, he looked both pitiful and adorable.

Tian Xiaoman served him a bowl of porridge, cracked an egg, scooped out the yolk, and mixed it in. Then he picked up a spring roll and held it for Le-ge’er to eat. 

One bite—crispy outside, juicy and fragrant inside. Le-ge’er’s eyes lit up, and he took several bites in a row before opening his mouth wide for porridge.

Li Wenxuan also ate with great appetite and didn’t forget to pick a spring roll for Tian Xiaoman.

After breakfast, Tian Xiaoman took Le-ge’er out to visit relatives. On their way, they passed Liu Xilin’s house and found him sitting alone by the door, looking unhappy.

When Le-ge’er saw him, he called out from afar, “Brother Lin~” His voice was as sweet as sugar. After being bullied by that mean brother, he felt even more affection for Brother Lin, who never bullied him.

Liu Xilin looked up, saw them, and smiled. He was changing his teeth, and the black gap in his smile made him look like an old lady. 

Tian Xiaoman laughed so hard he nearly leaned over. Liu Xilin seemed to realize he was being laughed at and quickly covered his mouth, glaring resentfully at his teacher.

“Okay, okay, I won’t laugh at you anymore!” Tian Xiaoman said while suppressing a smile. “Lin boy, why are you sitting here alone? Where’s your Grand-amu?”

Liu Xilin’s expression fell. “Grand-amu’s inside talking to that bad guy!”

“What bad guy?” Tian Xiaoman was surprised. “There’s a bad guy in our village?”

“I think it’s my Amu,” Liu Xilin said softly, lowering his head. 

Le-ge’er squatted down beside him and looked up at him.

“Your Amu?” Tian Xiaoman repeated, suddenly remembering what Li Amu had said—that Liu Xilin’s Amu had abandoned him after giving birth. Why was he here now?

“Yeah… I’m not sure. I’ve never seen him. But I heard Grand-amu scolding him,” Liu Xilin said. He had been driven out.

“What’s he doing here?”

“I don’t know…”

Inside the house, Liu Xilin’s Amu, Cuiyun, was pleading with Grand-amu Liu.

“Amu, I had no choice back then. Who would want to leave their own child if they had a choice?” he said while wiping his eyes.

Grand-amu Liu wasn’t swayed. “No choice? Then why did you take all the money and not care whether your poor Amu-in-law and newborn baby starved to death!”

Zhao Cuiyun paused awkwardly. He turned his head away, eyes flashing with impatience, and said, “I was just scared something might happen. People say even poor folks should have some money when they go out. I had to bring money! Besides, Amu, I know I was wrong. I want to make it up to my son.”

The father had died, the child had just been born, and this ger ran off with everything. He had reported it, but the magistrate called it a family matter and refused to intervene. 

And now this person spoke of making amends—ridiculous.

“Do you even know what the child’s name is?” Grand-amu Liu asked.

“Uh…” Zhao Cuiyun froze. What was his name again? Lin?

Grand-amu Liu could tell he had forgotten. He snorted, pushed him out, and told him to get lost.

When Zhao Cuiyun was pushed out, he nearly bumped into Tian Xiaoman and the kids. He steadied himself, ready to yell, but stopped when he saw them all looking at him strangely.

He forced a straight face and rushed toward Liu Xilin, shouting, “My poor child!” 

But Liu Xilin had learned martial arts from Li Wenxuan and was quick. He dodged, and he nearly fell. 

The words “I’m your Amu” got stuck in his throat.

He looked at Liu Xilin with teary eyes. “My child, you’ve grown so big in the blink of an eye…”

Liu Xilin stared at him. He wanted to see what kind of person had given birth to him. But as he looked, disappointment filled him. He wasn’t even close to what he’d imagined. He always thought his Amu would be beautiful.

Zhao Cuiyun saw he wasn’t responding and tried to tempt him. “Do you want to live with your Amu? We have a big house now. You’ll have good food, clothes, and can study. It’s way better than this broken house.”

After satisfying his curiosity, Liu Xilin looked at him coldly and said, “My Amu is dead. You’re not my Amu.”

He had always been called a wild child. No father, no Amu. He hadn’t wanted him. He used to wonder why he hadn’t just died. At least then people would pity him, not say he was unwanted.

Zhao Cuiyun’s face twisted. This brat dared to curse him to his face?

“I’m your Amu! Did your grand-Amu tell you that? I didn’t mean it—Ah! What are you doing!” he suddenly screamed and dodged. Liu’s Amu had lost his temper and was hitting his with a broom.

“Go! Go as far away as possible!” Grand-amu Liu yelled.

After chasing him away, Grand-amu Liu threw down the broom and sat down crying.

Liu Xilin walked over with red eyes, lay down on his lap, and said, “Grand-amu, don’t worry. I won’t go with him!”

Grand-amu Liu hugged him tightly and burst into tears.