The Beautiful Brother of the Orion’s Family (Wearing Book) - 351

 

| TBBOTOF | 351

Wei Dong told Tang Xu that they wouldn't be going out this year; he decided to wait until the house was fully built and everything was in order before leaving.

He was worried about his husband and children when he left home.

Early May had the most comfortable weather—gentle breezes, fresh air. The trees and flowers on the mountain had already begun to flourish, no longer showing any of the withered yellow from early spring. Now, everywhere you looked was vibrant green.

Because the children at home were still young and there were many small chores in the front and back yards, Tang Xu had actually rarely gone up the mountain to pick wild vegetables in the past two years.

So when Old Wen suggested taking the kids up the mountain for a walk while the weather was nice, he couldn’t sit still anymore.

“Looks like tomorrow will be a fine day. Let’s get up early and go dig up some wild vegetables, if we find mushrooms, we’ll pick those too.”

The night before, just before bed, Tang Xu stood in the courtyard, tilting his face up and staring at the sky for a long while. The sky was a deep blue under the moonlight, with a few scattered clouds and twinkling stars that made his eyes shimmer brightly.

Though they'd been married for many years and had spent most of their time together, except for the past two years when he had often been away. Wei Dong still felt a rush of heat in his heart looking at his husband like this.

He raised his arms and pulled the man into his embrace, lowering his head and kissing him.

When Tang Xu was suddenly kissed, he looked confused, but he didn’t resist. Instead, he jumped up and wrapped himself around the other’s waist right then and there.

Clinging to his neck and rubbing his cheek against him, Tang Xu’s face was warm as he asked, “What are you doing? Weren’t we just talking about going to dig wild vegetables tomorrow morning?”

Why was he so excited? 

He better not toss himself out so much that he can’t even get out of bed in the morning!

Wei Dong's face was full of tenderness, his eyes brimming with love as he looked into Tang Xu’s eyes. He lowered his head and rubbed noses with him before murmuring in response. Then, still holding him, he turned around and walked back into the house. “There are still a few hours before morning, there’s plenty of time.”

Tang Xu blinked, his face turning red. He turned his head to glance at the rooms where the children were sleeping. After thinking for a moment, he lowered his voice and said, “Just… just once.”

“Mm.” Wei Dong nodded seriously, but the eagerness in his eyes betrayed him. His strides were noticeably longer than usual.

The result of their nighttime “exercise” was that the original plan—to get up before dawn, cook, and then head up the mountain was completely derailed. Tang Xu ended up sleeping in until broad daylight. 

Thankfully, Wei Dong remembered how much he’d been looking forward to picking wild vegetables and woke him up when it was about time.

Tang Xu sat on the kang in a daze, his head still foggy, clearly not fully awake.

Wei Dong reflected a bit on his actions, then asked, “Do you still want to go dig wild vegetables?”

Tang Xu nodded, his voice hoarse as he replied, “Yes.”

Wei Dong turned around and poured a cup of warm water for him, helping him drink it. “Get up now, the kids have already finished breakfast.”

Tang Xu turned to glance out the window, then turned back and glared at his man, grumbling in clear dissatisfaction, “I told you no more, and you just wouldn’t stop!”

Wei Dong smiled with his eyes, picking up clothes to help him get dressed.

After quickly tidying himself up, Tang Xu went to the kitchen and ate the breakfast that had been saved for him. His energy finally returned. Picking up his basket, he called out, “Kids~ let’s go up the mountain with Dad!”

In a whoosh, children of all sizes and heights came rushing out of the rooms. Even Xiao Nuan came toddling over with her tiny basket strapped on her back.

This little one had been sleeping with Liu Ge’er the past few nights. After a few days of good food and rest, her cheeks had clearly filled out a bit, she didn’t look so skinny and sallow anymore.

Tang Xu bent down to catch Xiao Nuan as she threw herself at his legs. Smiling, he asked her, “Xiao Nuan, you want to go dig wild vegetables too?”

Xiao Nuan, her cheeks rosy, nodded and leaned against his leg. In a soft voice, she replied with just two words: “I do.”

Liu Ge’er held a small straw hat and gently placed it on Xiao Nuan’s head, then retied the drawstrings on her sleeves. “I told her to stay home and wait, but she wasn’t having it.”

Tang Xu chuckled and poked Xiao Nuan’s cheek. “If she wants to go, let her go. In a bit, ask Ah Dong to pick a shoulder pole. If she or Xiao Bao gets tired, they can sit in the baskets.”

“Dad~” Xiao Nuan said softly, her tone sweet and full of affection.

Even though Tang Xu had already given birth to three sons, one of whom was a little ge'er—being called "Dad" like that made his heart burst with joy. It made up for his tiny regret of not having a daughter. 

Daughters were supposed to be delicate and sweet like this. Once she put on a little more weight and turned into a chubby dumpling, she'd be even more adorable.

“Maybe I should go along too,” Liu Ge’er said, tilting his head to glance at the few overly energetic kids bouncing around nearby. “I’m afraid I won’t be able to keep an eye on all of them.”

“What’s there to worry about? The older ones can watch over the younger ones.” Tang Xu waved his hand, signaling not to be so anxious. “You go do your chores, head to the cold storage and take out a rack of ribs to soak. I’ll stew them when I get back around noon.”

“What are you feeding the workers at the new house site today?” Liu Ge’er asked.

“Stew some pork with potatoes and cabbage. Slice the meat a bit thicker, they’ve been working hard lately,” Tang Xu replied.

He never cut corners when it came to feeding the workers. While he didn’t serve them meat at every meal, he made sure the food always had enough oil and substance. Every few days, he’d even stew up a couple of chickens or ducks for them.

If the workers were well-fed, they’d work earnestly on building the house. Otherwise, there could be all kinds of shady behavior, cutting corners was one of the milder issues.

Liu Ge’er said, “They talk about those two meals every day, saying that since we feed them well, they’ve got the energy to work hard.”

Tang Xu held Xiao Nuan’s hand and nodded. Then, seeing someone say something to her, he gently waved her hand toward Liu Ge’er. “Come on, Xiao Nuan, say goodbye to Sixth Brother.”

Xiao Nuan grinned widely at him and said, “Brother~ goodbye~”

Liu Ge’er watched them leave and then closed the courtyard gate. Turning to Zheng Qing in the backyard, he said, “I’m heading to the new house site to cook. You two, make sure to lay dry straw in the pigsty.”

The two immediately nodded. They’d been full of energy these past few days, gathering firewood in the morning, watering and weeding the garden in the front and back yards every day, and even helping tidy up.

“I heated some buns in the pot. When you are hungry after work, let Aunt Wu bring them to eat,” Liu Ge’er said, glancing at the sky before heading off to the cold storage to get the meat.

Wei Dong and Tang Xu, along with a few little ones, set off up the mountain. Aside from Sun Yang, who was two years older, the oldest among the rest was actually Yue Ge’er.

Yue Ge’er was by Xiao Bao’s side. He was a thoughtful child, usually quiet, but he was genuinely devoted to Xiao Bao.

Walking next to Xiao Bao, Yue Ge’er held a small bamboo tube and asked softly, “Xiao Bao, do you want some water?”

Xiao Bao shook his head and leaned in closer to him, smiling brightly. “Great-grandpa said there are flowers in the mountains. Let’s pick a lot later.”

Yue Ge’er nodded. “Okay.”

Tang Xu was walking slowly while holding Xiao Nuan’s hand. He looked ahead at the group of little ones and suddenly burst out laughing.

Wei Dong had a shoulder pole over one shoulder and was carrying two stacked bamboo baskets in his hand. Hearing Tang Xu laugh, he looked over in confusion and asked, “What are you laughing at?”

Tang Xu raised his arm and pointed at Xiao Bao and Yue Ge’er, who were walking hand in hand up the mountain, then at Da Bao and Er Bao, who were running and jumping around instead of walking properly, and at Sun Yang, who kept scolding the two for not walking right. 

He chuckled and said, “Dragging the whole family along, boys and girls, it really feels like we have a whole brood now.”

Wei Dong raised an eyebrow and let out a small amused snort.

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TL: Thank you again Chubbiest Cheeks ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡