The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 96

The next morning, people who came to buy meat from Butcher Li’s were surprised to see that today’s meat was only displayed on one side of the stall, while a jar sat on the other. A young ger stood behind it, and no one knew what he was doing.

The curiosity of the Amus was strong. Some of them recognized Tian Xiaoman and knew he was Li Wenxuan’s husband, so they asked, “Butcher’s husband, what’s in the jar?”

“Uncle, it’s bamboo shoots. Want to try some?” Tian Xiaoman said enthusiastically.

The uncle hesitated. “No, no, I’m just asking.”

People in the county were different from those in the village. In the village, neighbors shared food—you eat mine today, I eat yours tomorrow. But in the county, people kept more to themselves and minded their own business.

When the uncle asked, Tian Xiaoman offered him a taste. But the uncle, worried he might be pressured into buying it afterward, refused and left quickly after buying his meat.

Tian Xiaoman felt a bit discouraged. He hadn’t sold a single portion all morning. City folk were wary of trying it, and villagers didn’t think bamboo shoots tasted good, so they weren’t interested either.

Seeing that half of the pork on Li Wenxuan’s stall had already sold, Tian Xiaoman felt even more downhearted. Making money seemed harder than he thought.

Li Wenxuan noticed and comforted him, “It’s okay. If you can’t sell it, we’ll eat it at home. My parents and I all like it.”

Tian Xiaoman forced a smile, but he still felt disappointed, like he couldn’t do anything right.

“Why don’t we go to my eldest brother-in-law’s place and see if anyone there might like it? It could be served as a side dish or something.”

Tian Xiaoman’s eyes lit up. That’s right—his brother ran a restaurant. Maybe someone there would want to eat it?

With that thought, his mood improved, and he even hoped Li Wenxuan’s pork would sell out quickly.

Seeing him like this, Li Wenxuan could not help thinking that being a bit single-minded was not such a bad thing. Look how fast his Xiaoman bounced back!

Soon, only a few pieces of meat were left, and at that moment, Zhou Amu arrived. “Brother Li, did you save some pig intestines for me today?”

“Of course, Zhou Amu. I wouldn’t forget!” Li Wenxuan smiled, pulled some pig intestines from under the chopping board, and handed them to him.

After paying, Zhou Amu noticed Tian Xiaoman. “Oh, your husband’s here today? What’s in this jar? Is it for sale too?”

Tian Xiaoman was momentarily stunned, then nodded. “Zhou Amu, these are pickled bamboo shoots. Want to try some?” As he spoke, he opened the jar and picked one out with chopsticks.

“Oh, smells good! Sour and appetizing. I’ll try a piece.”

“Go ahead, any piece is fine!” Li Wenxuan said generously.

Zhou Amu took the chopsticks and tasted the bamboo shoot. “Mm, sour, crisp, and a little spicy—really good! How much per catty? I want to stir-fry it with pig intestines!” The sour flavor could help mask the smell of intestines and reduce the greasiness. He liked it right away.

“Come on, how could we charge you? It’s homemade, nothing fancy. Take it if you like it.” As Li Wenxuan spoke, Tian Xiaoman scooped a generous amount onto a dry lotus leaf, tied it up, and handed it over.

“You young folks are too polite! Alright, Zhou Amu will eat for free this time. But next time, you must charge me!” Zhou Amu said, smiling as he left.

Although he gave it away, Tian Xiaoman felt a bit better—at least someone liked what he made.

Soon after, the uncle who had just left returned. He knew Zhou Amu—his son was the county head. He had tasted all sorts of food, and now that he praised the bamboo shoots, he wanted to try them too.

“Hey, butcher’s husband, that stuff in your jar…” He sounded a little embarrassed. After all, he had turned it down earlier and now came back asking.

Tian Xiaoman understood at once and handed him a bamboo stick with a piece on it.

“…Hmm, not bad. I haven’t had much of an appetite lately, but this gave me one. How much per catty?”

Tian Xiaoman looked to Li Wenxuan for help. Wenxuan subtly held up ten fingers.

“Uncle, ten cents a catty,” Tian Xiaoman said.

The old man frowned—ten cents was the price of half a catty of meat. 

Sensing his hesitation, Li Wenxuan added, “Uncle, this stuff takes a lot of work. Zhou’s Amu just took a big bag. You don’t trust us, but surely you trust her taste? If you wait too long, there won’t be any left today!”

True enough—eating the same thing as the captain’s family did feel prestigious. He’d tasted it already and liked it. Pricey, sure, but worth it.

“I’ll take a catty!”

“Okay,” Tian Xiaoman took the coins with a smile. 

His first sale! He quickly packed it, handed it to Li Wenxuan to weigh.

“Look, it’s even a bit extra—one catty and one ounce. Consider it a favor. If you want more, come again!”

Pleased by the good deal, the old man left happily.

Tian Xiaoman slipped the ten coins into his pocket—his first official “private money.”

Li Wenxuan chuckled quietly. It’s all yours anyway, why bother hiding it?

Once business started, it didn’t stop. Soon, the whole jar of bamboo shoots—only about seven or eight catties—was sold, half a catty here, one catty there.

Aside from what Zhou Amu got for free, Tian Xiaoman earned over sixty coins. He was thrilled.

“Let’s go—I’m treating you to a meal!” Seeing that Wenxuan had sold out of pork too, Tian Xiaoman swaggered off proudly.

Li Wenxuan followed, quietly watching the surroundings.

It wasn’t lunchtime yet, so Tian Fu’s restaurant, Ke Lai Xiang, was still quiet. As they entered, they saw Yang Xiaoguo leaning on the counter, daydreaming.

“Brother-in-law?” Tian Xiaoman grinned mischievously and called out softly.

Startled, Yang Xiaoguo flinched. “Xiaoman! You scared me!”

“What were you thinking about? Didn’t even notice customers coming in.”

“What customers?” He immediately looked around.

Tian Xiaoman gestured to himself. “Right here, standing in front of you!”

“Huh? Aren’t you one of us? How are you a customer?”

“I’m here to spend money today! Go call my brother—I’m treating myself!” Tian Xiaoman found a table and sat down like he’d brought a bag of silver with him.

Yang Xiaoguo gave him a helpless look and called inside, “Brother Fu, Xiaoman and his husband are here!”

Tian Fu was helping the two Amus wash vegetables. Hearing that, he wiped his hands and came out.

“Xiaoman, brother-in-law, what brings you here today?”

“I’m here to spend money!” Tian Xiaoman waved his coin pouch. “Boss! Bring out all the best wine and food!” He said it dramatically, like a line from a storybook, unaware that he sounded like a spoiled noble.

“Right away, young master!” Tian Fu played along, flicking his apron with flair, making everyone laugh.

“Brother, don’t listen to him. Just bring us something simple,” Li Wenxuan said with a smile.

“Nope, I’m paying, I decide!” Tian Xiaoman insisted. “At least… four dishes!”

“Alright, alright, wait right here!” Tian Fu turned to the kitchen, and Yang Xiaoguo brought over some melon seeds. He and Tian Xiaoman started chatting and snacking.

Meanwhile, Li Wenxuan went in to talk with Tian Fu.

When the seeds were gone, the dishes arrived. These weren’t the usual home-cooked meals—they were fancy dishes not often served to regular folks.

Tian Xiaoman leaned forward and sniffed deeply. “Brother, they smell amazing! What are these called?”

“Meat-stuffed cabbage rolls, fried fish fillets, peach kernel chicken, osmanthus scallops, crispy suckling pig, and mushroom and shredded chicken soup,” Tian Fu listed.

The two bumpkins stared blankly.

Li Wenxuan had heard of them before. He’d eaten at big restaurants when he lived in the provincial capital.

Though neither Xiaoman nor Yang Xiaoguo was very hungry, they couldn’t resist once the aroma hit them. Even Wenxuan ate more than usual—his brother-in-law’s cooking was no joke. These weren’t listed on the signboard; most customers here were regular folks who couldn’t afford such luxuries.

After the meal, Tian Xiaoman pulled out his pouch to pay, but Tian Fu tried to refuse. Still, Tian Xiaoman insisted.

Tian Fu thought for a moment and said, “Just give me sixty coins.”

If these dishes were served at a big restaurant in the capital, they’d easily cost a few taels of silver.

Tian Xiaoman paused. So what he earned this morning was just enough for a meal here? Maybe his brother gave him a discount out of kindness.

Trying to act generous, he paid, then turned to Li Wenxuan. “Let’s go dig bamboo shoots when we get back!”

Speaking of bamboo shoots, he turned back and asked, “Brother, want some bamboo shoots for your restaurant?”

“Bamboo shoots?” Tian Fu asked, “What kind?”

“Pickled ones. Li Wenxuan taught me. Sour, from another region. Tastes really good—I just sold out!”

“Alright, next time you make them, bring some for me to try. If they’re good, I’ll sell them here.”

Tian Xiaoman nodded proudly. They’re definitely good! With the weather getting hotter, people will crave this for sure!