TATLC Chapter 30 – Instant Noodles for the Poor

Chen Xiaomi watched as Xiaocai left with Xiaomai. He blinked before asking, “You sent Xiaocai to do errands again?”

Lu Lin replied somewhat innocently, “No, I just wanted him to go out and make more friends.” And run some errands on the side, he thought. Chen Xiaocai was a young man who would eventually need to stand on his own. Lu Lin was simply planning ahead, developing the child’s independence.

Chen Xiaomi rolled his eyes. “You’re still sending him to do work.”

Lu Lin: “…” He was doing it for the boy’s own good. Social skills were important too. “Haven’t you noticed he’s become much more outgoing lately?”

Chen Xiaomi thought for a moment. “Yes, he does seem different.”

Lu Lin smiled with a hint of teasing. “Maybe he’s experiencing his first crush, that’s why he’s a little different.”

“Xiaocai is still too young!” Chen Xiaomi protested.

He gave Lu Lin a skeptical look. Was this guy really a scholar before? It didn’t seem like it! What scholar would speak so carelessly?

“I was just joking,” Lu Lin said. Nine years old was still young, but many childhood sweethearts first developed feelings around this age.

Chen Xiaomi glared at Lu Lin, then suggested, “Now that Xiaocai and Xiaomai are gone, let’s have some instant noodles.”

Last time, when Lu Lin went hungry on the mountain, he cooked some instant noodles, only to have them snatched by Chen Xiaomi.

Chen Xiaomi complained that Lu Lin was keeping such good food to himself, but Lu Lin explained that in his world, these noodles were considered junk food. Eating too much could lead to malnutrition and poor health.

Chen Xiaomi didn’t believe him and thought Lu Lin just wanted to keep the noodles for himself.

Still, he agreed not to let Xiao Cai and Xiao Mai know about them.

Lu Lin cracked an egg, added some sliced ham, and tossed in a handful of greens to the noodles.

He burned the packaging in the fire. Lately, he’d been quietly clearing out the convenience store, getting rid of unused items to free up space.

Soon the noodles with egg, ham, and vegetables were ready. Chen Xiaomi’s eyes had been glued to the pot the whole time, and the moment the food was served, he slurped them down happily.

As he ate, he looked at Lu Lin in disbelief. “This is really what poor people eat?” How could something so delicious be junk food? It was hard to imagine that the poor in Lu Lin’s world ate so well.

Lu Lin nodded. “That’s right.”

Chen Xiaomi saw his sincere expression but still didn’t believe him. He quickly finished every last bit of the noodles.

After he finished, Lu Lin cleaned up the dishes.

Judging by Chen Xiaomi’s expression, if he wasn’t there, the guy might’ve licked the bowl clean.

After tidying up, Lu Lin entered the room to find Chen Xiaomi lying on the bed, hugging his stomach and humming contentedly like a well-fed cat.

Lu Lin tilted his head. If the villagers saw him like this, they probably wouldn’t be so scared of him.

……

Chen Xiaomai rolled around on the new kang bed, bundled up in his cotton-padded jacket.

“Gege, come roll around…” he said.

Chen Xiaocai glanced at the carefree Chen Xiaomai and replied, “You roll by yourself. I’m fine.”

Chen Xiaomai pulled out half a flatbread from under his pillow. “Here, have some.”

Chen Xiaocai’s mouth twitched slightly. “No need. I don’t want any.”

He looked at his little brother with some frustration. His little brother had always had a habit of hiding food. At first, it was because he never got enough to eat, but now, who knew why he still did it.

Lu Lin doted on Xiaomai. Whenever the little one clung to Lu Lin for attention, Lu Lin would always give him something to eat – sometimes sugared water, sometimes steamed eggs, sometimes egg pancakes, and sometimes things Chen Xiaocai didn’t recognize.

Chen Xiaocai poked his little brother’s cheek. “Starting today, it’s just the two of us sleeping here.”

Chen Xiaomai blinked, looking at Chen Xiaocai with confusion.

Seeing his brother’s dazed expression, Chen Xiaocai felt somewhat helpless. Big Brother was married now, and might soon have Lu Lin’s children. He needed to look after their little brother more carefully.

Chen Xiaocai touched the quilt. This blanket was newly bought by Big Brother from town a few days ago, and it was not cheap! Now, his little brother already managed to get it dirty in just a few days.

Chen Xiaomi walked into the room but didn’t see Chen Xiaocai and Chen Xiaomai. “Where are Xiaocai and Xiaomai?”

Lu Lin blinked. “There’s a new kang bed next door with new cotton quilts. Those two couldn’t wait to sleep over there.”

Chen Xiaomi responded with an “Oh,” his face turning slightly red.

In the countryside, darkness fell early. Without lights after nightfall, people generally went to bed. With Xiaocai and Xiaomai around before, Lu Lin hadn’t been able to make any further moves, but tonight, with the two kids sleeping next door, Lu Lin felt this opportunity couldn’t be missed!

He pounced, wrapping his arms around Chen Xiaomi. Their breaths tangled together quickly.

Chen Xiaomi didn’t resist, which gave Lu Lin some confidence.

Lu Lin knew very well that if Chen Xiaomi wasn’t willing, he could kick him off the bed without much effort.

The room was pitch black, which greatly bolstered Lu Lin’s courage.

Both Lu Lin and Chen Xiaomi were virgins, but they soon found themselves caught up in the heat of passion.

After getting a taste, they both wanted more. After kissing and hugging for a long while, they began a second round.

Chen Xiaomi was actually quite innocent. His father died early, and his mother rarely discussed such matters with him, so he felt a little lost about it all.

Lu Lin was different. Although he had no practical experience, he grew up in an era of endless resources. He certainly had his fair share of educational material. Theory-wise, he was well-prepared.

They kept at it for a long time, careful to stay quiet so the kids next door wouldn’t hear.

Xiaomai had fallen asleep long ago. The new environment didn’t bother him, especially with his familiar second brother beside him. His soft snores filled the room.

Chen Xiaocai was different. He had a vague idea of what might be happening next door. Although he was trying his best to sleep, he found it difficult to drift off. It almost sounded like there were rats scurrying around in the other room.