Chapter 12 – A Henpecked Husband

Look at the grin on that boy’s face—Old Wen really couldn’t bear to watch.
“When you two are leaving, come pick it up. Or I’ll give you a prescription, and you can get it filled when you return to the base. Do as you like.”

Ye Tao’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Uncle Wen.”

Huo Tingwu also echoed, “Thank you, Uncle Wen.”

Before leaving, Huo Tingwu left the pastries behind. The old man was fond of sweets in his age.

Old Wen didn’t stand on ceremony, even told him to bring more next time.

“If you eat too many sweets, your teeth won’t last,” Huo Tingwu warned, deliberately buying less for him.

Exposed in front of Ye Tao, Old Wen’s face stiffened. “Don’t talk nonsense.”

“Goodbye, Uncle Wen.”

“Goodbye, Uncle Wen.” Ye Tao obediently bade farewell.

It was nearly lunchtime, so the two decided to eat in town before heading back.

Huo Tingwu led her to the state-run restaurant. They arrived right at the lunch rush, the place packed with people.

It took ten minutes before they got a seat. After checking Ye Tao’s food preferences, Huo Tingwu went to order.

Leaning back in her chair, Ye Tao thought it was pretty comfortable. If only there were a recliner, she’d put it under the Huo family’s tree—it would be the perfect cool spot.

“Hello, comrade.”

A man in a white shirt and glasses, face slightly flushed, came over. “Is anyone sitting here? May I sit?”

“Sorry, this seat is taken.”

She thought that would end it, but the man stayed put, staring at her.

Annoyed, Ye Tao frowned. “Do you have some business with me?”

The man quickly explained, “No, no, I just wanted to have a chat.”

The moment he walked in, he had been drawn to the girl by the window and couldn’t resist trying to strike up a conversation.

“What exactly do you want to chat with my wife about?”

A tall figure loomed behind him. The heavy pressure from Huo Tingwu’s presence made the man scuttle away at once. Seeing the uniform on him, he knew better than to provoke trouble. He stammered an apology and slipped off.

Huo Tingwu sat down, face dark, lips pressed into a straight line.

“What’s wrong, are you really angry?” Ye Tao propped her chin, carefully studying him.

Of course, he wouldn’t admit to being angry over such a small thing. “I am not.”

Ye Tao laughed aloud—he didn’t even bother making his lie sound convincing. His face was black as thunder, and he’d scared the man off in seconds.

“So that means you’re jealous.”

Huo Tingwu gave an awkward cough, trying to cover his panic. His eyes darted everywhere except toward her.

“Alright, alright, I like you just the way you are. Those bookish types—I don’t like them one bit.”

Her candid confession made his ears slowly turn red. “You said it—you only like me.”

Ye Tao didn’t bother correcting his wordplay. Smiling, she nodded. “Only you.”

Relief finally settled in his chest. No matter how handsome the other man was, his wife liked only him.

“Number seventy-eight!”

Their order was ready. Huo Tingwu went to fetch the food.

Three dishes and one soup in total.

“Why so much?” Ye Tao was wide-eyed.

In these days, food at a state-run restaurant wasn’t cheap, but the portions were generous—big plates covering nearly the whole table.

“Try everything. I ordered their specialty, sweet-and-sour ribs. See if you like it.” He picked up a piece and placed it in her bowl.

“Mmm, it’s delicious.”

Though far from modern cuisine, Ye Tao had adapted well. The ribs were just right—sweet and tangy. She ate several pieces in a row.

“And I got chili peppers, too.”

Ye Tao’s eyes widened. How did he know she liked spicy food?

Noticing her surprise, Huo Tingwu explained, “Last night at dinner, you kept picking at the chili dish.”

So he guessed she’d enjoy it. And he was right.

She hadn’t eaten much spicy food as a child, but at university in the capital she’d had a Sichuan roommate, a chili-lover. Over time, Ye Tao’s tolerance and fondness grew.

The chef’s skills were solid. She ate a small bowl of rice and a bowl of soup.

Rubbing her full belly, she thought she’d eaten too much—next time she had to be careful. Overeating wasn’t good for the stomach.

Huo Tingwu finished off all the leftovers.

On their way back, they stopped by the butcher, bought a chunk of pork and a few big bones. They returned home loaded with goods.

Dinner was pork bone soup with homegrown greens—light and refreshing.

Ye Tao loved it, drinking two bowls.

Huo Tingwu dug out the marrow and placed it in her bowl. “Pork marrow’s very nutritious. Eat more.”

It looked greasy, and Ye Tao wasn’t eager, but remembering Old Wen’s advice, she tried a bit. It was tolerable, so she didn’t reject it.

After dinner, Huo Tingwu set up a clay pot in the yard to brew medicine.

The pungent smell of herbs filled the air. Huo Tingjie kept a good distance, glancing at his sister-in-law with sympathy—wasn’t she going to throw up her dinner?

Ye Tao wanted to sneak away, but Huo Tingwu’s eyes never left her. She didn’t dare.

Her expression made him chuckle. He went inside and brought out a small dish, setting it in front of her.

“Eat this after the medicine.”

But not even a plate of pastries could mask the bitterness. Pinching her nose, she gulped the decoction, quickly popped a pastry in her mouth. Only when the sweetness dulled the bitterness on her tongue did she swallow.

Her face fell miserably afterward. Just thinking about drinking this for half a year made the bitterness rise in her throat again.

“Wenxiu, what are you doing at home?”

Zhao Dongmei arrived with her daughter, Huo Tingting.

“Sister-in-law and Tingting are here.” Liu Wenxiu asked Huo Tingjie to bring out stools.

The younger ones greeted politely. Huo Tingwu took out pastries to share.

Zhao Dongmei sat down and wrinkled her nose. “What’s that smell? I could smell it from a distance.”

“Doctor checked on Tao Tao’s health, prescribed Chinese medicine. Three times a week—today’s the first dose.”

“How is she? What did he say?” Zhao Dongmei leaned close, whispering to her younger sister-in-law, worried Ye Tao might be embarrassed.

Liu Wenxiu’s temper flared—when her son came back, she’d dragged him into the kitchen to ask about the diagnosis. Just the names of the conditions were a long list. That heartless Ye family couple had raised her like this after nineteen years!

But family matters couldn’t be said too bluntly. She only mentioned lightly, “She’s alright. Just overworked these years, malnourished. Needs proper care.”

Zhao Dongmei remembered meeting Ye Tao last year in the mountains. That frail girl, struggling under a bundle of firewood taller than herself. She’d tried to help, but Ye Tao had refused, saying she could manage. Step by step, staggering, she’d hauled it home. Her ten frostbitten fingers whitened with lime powder to prevent infection.

It had pained her to watch.

Now, marrying Tingwu might not be a bad thing. At least she’d escaped that family. Anywhere was better than that.

Besides, Tingwu was cold outside but warm inside. If he didn’t want to do something, no one could force him. But now, looking at how he doted on Ye Tao—peeling apples for her while watching her eat—clearly he treasured her.

“She does need to be nourished. Put on some flesh—otherwise she’s so bony, she’d hurt your hands just holding her.”

She hadn’t lowered her voice. Everyone heard. Ye Tao’s face flushed red with embarrassment, wishing she could hide.

Huo Tingwu held up a slice of apple to her lips, motioning for her to eat.

Ye Tao gave him a glare—couldn’t he see her aunt was teasing them? And here he was, feeding her on purpose!

But Huo Tingwu was innocent—he’d just finished peeling the apple, that was all.

Huo Tingjie had been force-fed dog food all evening. He felt stuffed to the brim. Who would believe his tough second brother could be so lovesick, such a henpecked husband?