Ch 26: Reborn to Raise My Husband

Spring rain fell steadily for two full days. The air was cold and the roads outside were slick, so Qi Beinan barely left the house.

That day, he finally found the time to finish copying a Thousand Character Classic by hand.

He called Xiao Yuanbao over, preparing to start teaching him to read.

Kids at that age picked things up quickly. Learning just three to five characters a day meant that within two years, he’d be able to understand public notices, letters, and even read books with ease.

Even though in small towns it wasn’t uncommon for people to be illiterate—men, women, young, and old alike often couldn’t read—life still went on as usual.

But Qi Beinan felt that literacy, though it required effort, was a skill. Better to have it than not.

And precisely because illiteracy was so common in small places, it was all the more valuable. In places like the prefectural seat, most people could read. In the capital or in prosperous regions like Jiangnan, even many rural households were literate.

Besides, not to brag, but in all of Ling County, there probably wasn’t a better-educated teacher than him.

Other people might spend silver and still fail to find a good tutor, but Xiao Yuanbao had one right at home—what a waste it would be not to make use of that.

Xiao Yuanbao sat on a small stool beside Qi Beinan, flipping through a book as thick as his thumb. He blinked and asked uncertainly, “I have to learn all of this?”

Qi Beinan replied, “Each page has just forty characters. It’s not that much. If you study a bit every day, you’ll finish it in no time.”

Xiao Yuanbao glanced toward the edge of the table. “Brother is amazing. You can read and write so many characters~”

Qi Beinan could tell from his expression that he was already backing out. He remembered how when he first offered to teach him to read, Yuanbao had been just as unenthusiastic.

When it came to grinding ink and laying out paper, he was faster than anyone. But the moment he had to pick up a brush, he’d squirm all over. He even once said he’d rather cook a whole table of dishes than write three characters.

Back then, Qi Beinan had been busy with his own affairs, and Yuanbao’s health wasn’t good. Qi Beinan doted on him, so he didn’t want to force him into anything. A few soft-spoken excuses were enough to let him off the hook.

But now, looking at him again, he felt literacy truly mattered. Learning more at a young age could only be a good thing.

He coaxed, “Didn’t Xiao Bao tell Brother he wanted to become a great cook? Does that still count?”

Yuanbao’s eyes immediately snapped back. “It counts! Xiao Bao remembers it every day!”

Qi Beinan nodded. “I know you don’t enjoy reading. But when you start learning to cook, besides your teacher’s instruction, you’ll also need to read recipes. If you don’t know how to read, how will you learn?”

“We’re not learning characters just for the sake of it—we’re learning so Xiao Bao can become a cook.”

Xiao Yuanbao pursed his lips, thinking carefully about the logic.

“Learning to read is for cooking. Xiao Bao loves cooking. So… Xiao Bao loves learning to read.”

Qi Beinan nodded firmly. “Exactly! That’s it!”

Xiao Yuanbao still felt something about it was a little strange, but his brother made too much sense.

Since it was for cooking, he obediently stayed seated and began his lesson.

That afternoon, the rain eased a little.

Qi Beinan let Xiao Yuanbao take a nap. The weather wasn’t hot, and though the little one usually didn’t care for napping, today he felt tired after studying.

He climbed into bed, and as the curtain dropped and rain pattered softly against the eaves, he drifted off to sleep in no time.

Qi Beinan had just fed the chickens and ducks in the coop with chopped vegetable scraps when he spotted a gray figure walking up the muddy path outside the courtyard.

Xiao Hu had come down the mountain!

Qi Beinan was delighted and quickly went over to help him take off his pack.

It was surprisingly heavy.

“Xiao Bao’s inside—he just fell asleep.”

Xiao Hu was soaked through, his hair dripping in thick, clumped strands.

It had rained even harder up in the mountains.

Qi Beinan saw how waterlogged he was and guessed he must be uncomfortable. He told him, “Just finished washing Xiao Bao’s feet. There’s still hot water in the pot.”

Xiao Hu gave a nod and went inside to grab a change of clothes.

Qi Beinan used the chance to heat more water and stoked the fire, then brought out the remaining half roast chicken and lamb offal, warming them in the pot.

Thanks to the continuous cool rain over the past two days, the food still smelled delicious—no signs of spoilage.

Xiao Hu carried the water inside and washed up thoroughly.

After toweling off his hair, he stepped into the room to check on Xiao Yuanbao.

The child was curled under the blankets, fast asleep, cheeks flushed red.

No one knew what he was dreaming about, but his lips smacked together softly twice.

Xiao Hu’s heart softened. He didn’t make a sound, just quietly stepped back out.

When he reached the main room, the smell of meat hit him—it made his stomach twist with hunger.

Qi Beinan brought out two steaming hot dishes of meat for him.

Winter had passed, and though spring game in the mountains wasn’t as plentiful as in autumn, the woods were still lively.

He’d come across a few good catches recently and had been busy setting traps—leaving before dawn and returning after dark.

Days spent burning energy like that, even someone strong as him would collapse into bed the moment he returned.

Meals were kept simple—being able to grab even a few bites on time was already a feat.

Seeing real meat now, he immediately went to fetch his wine.

“You bought these in town?”

Qi Beinan replied, “No, they were a gift from Zhao Guangzong—Village Head Zhao’s son. I’ve been seeing him often lately.”

He didn’t go into detail with Xiao Hu about Zhao Guangzong’s situation at the private school—only said that since they were both scholars, they got along well and Zhao had invited him over for dinner that evening.

Xiao Hu was surprised. “He went to study in the city from a young age and rarely interacted with the local kids. Didn’t expect he’d be this friendly with you.”

He hadn’t actually seen much of Zhao Guangzong himself, but every time he did, the boy was always dressed immaculately and said very little.

Villagers often said Zhao Guangzong was proud and aloof, and over time, Xiao Hu had come to believe the same.

Yet in just a few short days, that boy had already come bearing fine meat and dishes.

Xiao Hu felt Qi Beinan really had a knack for dealing with people.

“You’re someone who knows boundaries—you’re clear on how to handle relationships. And besides, the Village Head’s family isn’t bad. It’s a good thing if you’re getting closer to them.”

Qi Beinan was relieved to see that Xiao Hu trusted him and didn’t press him for details. He then brought up the matter of finding a cooking teacher for Xiao Yuanbao.

When Xiao Hu heard this, he took on a serious look. “As long as it’s something he truly likes, it doesn’t matter how much silver we spend for him to learn. I’ll go ask around the village kitchen folks myself.”

Qi Beinan said, “With Uncle Xiao’s support, I’ll feel at ease putting real effort into this. You’ve already got a hard life in the mountains—leave the small errands to me.”

Xiao Hu thought for a moment. Qi Beinan was thorough and reliable—he agreed. “That works. You check first, and if there’s trouble, let me know.”

—

When Xiao Yuanbao woke up, he rubbed his sleepy eyes and stumbled out—only to see that Xiao Hu had returned. He lit up with joy.

He didn’t say a word, just rushed forward and grabbed Xiao Hu’s hand.

Xiao Hu was under the eaves, sorting through the mountain goods he’d brought back. Suddenly, something soft clung to his palm.

He looked down and saw Xiao Yuanbao beaming up at him like a little tail. For a moment, his heart melted.

In the past, when he returned from the mountains, the child would avoid him timidly for a couple of days before daring to come close.

But now—he came straight over on his own.

Xiao Hu was both surprised and delighted. He bent down and scooped Xiao Yuanbao up into his arms.

Qi Beinan watched the child clinging happily to Xiao Hu’s shoulder, rubbing his cheek against him and acting all spoiled. He laughed and asked, “Since you love father so much, are you going to go with Brother to Brother Zhao’s for dinner later, or stay home with father?”

Xiao Yuanbao blinked at the question.

He wrapped his arms tighter around Xiao Hu’s neck.

Though he really wanted to go eat at Brother Zhao’s house with gege, if he left, father would be all alone at home.

After thinking it over carefully, he said, “Father just got back from the mountain after many days. Xiao Bao wants to spend more time with father.”

Qi Beinan reached out and pinched his cheek.

This little one loved his father—he approved greatly.

Xiao Hu, hearing the boy’s words, was visibly pleased.

“You’re going to the Village Head’s house—take a mountain pheasant with you,” Xiao Hu said to Qi Beinan. “Even if they’re the ones inviting you, it’s better to bring something than to show up empty-handed.”

Although Xiao Hu had only been up the mountain for a short time this trip, he’d brought back a fair haul.

Two speckled mountain pheasants, three quails, a pair of waterfowl, and one black rabbit…

Living off the mountain meant relying a lot on luck—some days you might land excellent prey, while other days you could go out for several days and not catch a thing.

He’d had to reset all his traps this year, and the new ones hadn’t yet paid off. Still, getting this much just through hunting over a few days was already a fine yield.

Qi Beinan agreed. The Zhao family lived comfortably—they might not think much of ordinary goods, but they’d surely appreciate fresh mountain fare.

Later that day, Qi Beinan tied up one of the mountain pheasants and, oil-paper umbrella in hand, made his way to the Zhao house.

To his surprise, there was a guest at the Zhao residence—none other than Master Jiang from Cat Slope, one of the cooks he had been asking about lately.

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