The Beautiful Brother of the Orion’s Family (Wearing Book) - 283

 

| TBBOTOF | 283

Wei Dong was sent back inside by Tang Xu. Though he was reluctant, given the latter’s firm stance, he had no choice but to wait until later to bring up whatever he wanted to say.

After taking a break, Tang Xu breathed a sigh of relief.

 No rush, he thought. Whatever it is, we’ll have a chance to talk sooner or later.

Meanwhile, there was no shortage of work to do in the courtyard. The small, scattered tasks kept piling up, but fortunately, they didn’t completely overwhelm Tang Xu’s time.

He called Wei Xi and Tang Yang over to help move some things into the storage room. From the cloth Wei Dong had brought back, Tang Xu picked out a slightly darker roll and took it to Tang Mei’s room.

Luo Pingping hadn’t left yet and was chatting quietly with Tang Mei inside.

Sun Yang and Goudan were both asleep on the kang, while the two women sat by the table.

Tang Xu entered and beckoned the two over.

Confused but curious, they followed him outside to the courtyard.

"Auntie, you’re always making clothes for Grandpa and Grandma. Here, take a couple of pieces of cloth home," Tang Xu said, gesturing to the fabric in his arms.

One look was enough for Luo Pingping to realize that this cloth was different from what they usually wore. 

When she touched it, the cool, smooth texture surprised her.

“What kind of material is this? Why’s it so smooth and cold?” she asked, astonished.

"Silk," Tang Xu said with a bright smile. "There are several rolls. Auntie, you have enough to make two outfits when you go back."

Though there was plenty of fabric, he couldn’t give it all away. He only planned to share enough with close relatives for each to make a single outfit.

Luo Pingping quickly waved her hands, declining. "I can’t accept this. What’s the need for such fine material? Just cut two pieces for your grandparents. They’re getting on in years, and the heat makes them uncomfortable. This will definitely help them feel cooler."

Tang Xu didn’t argue and simply directed her to the main hall to cut the cloth.

Once the fabric was cut, Luo Pingping didn’t linger. She quickly grabbed her small bamboo basket and headed home. 

Originally, she’d only come to deliver some chilled rice cakes to her nieces, but she ended up having lunch here and even left with cool silk fabric. Her basket also held some egg yolk pastries that Tang Xu had given her.

Watching her figure disappear down the village path, Tang Xu and Tang Mei finally turned back toward the courtyard.

"Cousin, you should take two pieces as well. Adults might not need it, but children certainly do. The summer heat can be harsh, and it’s not good for kids to suffer."

Tang Mei chuckled a little awkwardly. "I feel like I’m always taking advantage of you. I can’t help but feel bad about it."

"How is this taking advantage? We’re family. Don’t say such things. Besides, you’ve been a huge help here. Without you, I’d be running around like a spinning top every day," Tang Xu said as he motioned for her to follow him to the storage room. 

He let her pick from the brightly colored fabrics.

"Alright then," Tang Mei agreed, clearly pleased as her face lit up with joy. She didn’t take long to choose, pointing at the top roll of pale yellow fabric.

 "This one looks great," she said with a smile.

Tang Xu handed over the cloth for Tang Mei to cut herself. Then he picked up another roll of pale pink fabric from below and brought it over. "Cousin, while you’re at it, cut three more pieces. We’ll make clothes for those three little ones first—adult clothes can wait."

The weather was getting hotter. Even though their home was at the foot of the mountain, the orientation of the house didn’t make it much cooler.

His three sons were all sensitive to heat. Last summer, despite having ice basins, the heat was still unbearable. Er Bao and Xiao Bao even broke out in a rash across their backs, itching so badly they cried out in discomfort.

Moreover, while ice basins were fine for adults, they weren’t suitable for children to use often. 

So this year, Tang Xu had already planned to buy some cool, breathable fabric to make clothes for his boys. It turned out that his husband had thought of the same thing.

Tang Mei nodded and agreed, saying it was no trouble at all to cut some fabric. A few swift motions, and she was done.

Tang Xu picked up a piece of pale blue cloth, held it under his nose, and gave it a sniff. There was no noticeable smell. Then he pressed it against his face—it felt cool and refreshing. He thought to himself, This is definitely going to feel comfortable to wear.

He wasn’t very skilled at sewing. Patching up torn clothes or mending small holes was manageable, but making a proper outfit? 

That was beyond him.

This fabric was too good to risk ruining with his clumsy hands. Yet, at the same time, he felt a strong desire to personally make clothes for his kids.

The thought weighed on him—his children were already three or four years old, and the only thing he’d made for them were a few simple bellybands when they were younger. 

All their little shirts, pants, even their small undergarments and socks, had been made by Wang Cuicui. As their father, he had done so little by comparison, and it made him feel a twinge of guilt.

Tang Xu rubbed his chin, wondering why he was fine with knitting sweaters or weaving baskets but found sewing clothes with a needle and thread so challenging.

His fingers always felt stiff and uncooperative when he held an embroidery needle.

“Xu Ge’er?” Tang Mei patted his shoulder.

Tang Xu turned back to look at her. “What’s up?”

“Do you want me to help you make the clothes? You’re always so busy; you might not find the time,” Tang Mei said, pointing at the fabric in his hands.

Tang Xu shook his head and replied with a cheerful smile, “I want to make a set for them myself. Cousin, could you teach me while you cut the patterns?”

Seeing his enthusiasm to learn, Tang Mei had no reason to refuse. She suggested, “There’s nothing pressing to do right now. Why don’t we head to the main hall and get started?”

Tang Xu nodded. “Sure.”

He was eager to learn, quickly grasping the basics of drawing patterns and cutting the fabric. 

However, when it came to sewing, he was especially meticulous. He watched Tang Mei’s movements closely, observing how to align the seams and ensure the stitches were tight and even.

Meanwhile, Wei Dong, who had been napping for an hour, woke up. He climbed down from the kang and went looking for Tang Xu, first heading to the kitchen, thinking he might be there. 

But the kitchen was empty.

He then checked the children’s room. The three boys were still fast asleep, so he left quietly and continued his search.

Passing by the main hall, Wei Dong noticed the open window and saw the two of them working together inside. Raising an eyebrow, he lifted the door curtain and stepped in. “Why are you working in this room?”

Hearing his voice, Tang Xu looked up and grinned. “You were all napping, and there wasn’t much space elsewhere. This room has a big table—it’s perfect for spreading things out.” 

He held up a sleeve he had just finished sewing and proudly showed it to Wei Dong. “Look, I did this.”

Wei Dong reached out and gave Tang Xu’s cheek a playful pinch.

Tang Mei, sitting nearby, froze for a moment before her face flushed bright red. Her eyes darted around nervously, unsure where to look.

Is this something she should be witnessing?

She had always known the two shared a close and loving relationship, but this open display of affection—pinching his face right in front of her—was entirely new to her.

Tang Xu, initially stunned, quickly reacted by swatting at Wei Dong’s wrist. His face turned a shade of pink, caught between embarrassment and annoyance.

He glared at him with a mix of indignation and shyness.

Wei Dong’s eyes softened, full of warmth.

His husband’s puffed-up cheeks and feisty demeanor only made him seem more endearing.

Even after being swatted, Wei Dong didn’t withdraw his hand. Instead, he kept touching and pinching gently. In a low, steady voice, he murmured, “Good.”

“Huh?” Tang Xu blinked, startled by the sudden remark. “What’s good?”

Tang Mei, sitting nearby, wanted to cover her face—or perhaps her ears. Do she really have to sit through this?

Wei Dong chuckled softly and gestured with his chin toward the half-finished sleeve in Tang Xu’s hand. “You sewed it really well.”

Tang Xu: “...” Wait, he was talking about the sleeve?

He had thought the praise was about him!

Then, as he mulled it over, he decided it didn’t matter since it was all complimenting his effort. 

Feeling a bit proud, he tilted his head smugly. “Of course! I put a lot of effort into it.”

“Mm-hmm,” Wei Dong responded with a nod. “Take a break. Let’s go check out the new room.” 

He pulled the sleeve out of Tang Xu’s hand and casually tossed it onto the table.

Then, wrapping an arm around Tang Xu’s shoulders, he firmly guided him toward the door. “You could use some fresh air too.”

“Oh, alright,” Tang Xu replied, letting himself be led. 

As they walked out, he turned back to Tang Mei. “Cousin, you can continue without me. I’ll come back later to learn more!”

Tang Mei quickly nodded, eager to have them out of her sight. Yes, yes, go ahead. Just stop showing off in front of her.

Previous TOC Next