Let Me Ruffle Your Fur a Little

Chapter 65.1

Stingy Grinch!

Translated by boilpoil
Edited by boilpoil

Mu Yi is here by the time the hotpot is set up. He didn’t drive, but strolled along in casual clothes.

Mu Mu’er answered the door and called him ‘gege‘ with a little smile. He is more relaxed than when they first met.

Mu Yi rubs him on the head as he enters and greets Bai Yao. The man brought a bottle of wine along. Classy stuff – A bottle of Akronte Cabernet Sauvignon from ’98. After uncorking, it’s set aside in a decanter.

They eat downstairs, as the restaurant is closed and it’s more spacious on the large round table with five seats around. Mu Mu’er sits right next to Bai Yao, sticking the chairs almost side-by-side like it’s actually a table with two-and-a-half seats.

The yin-yang hotpot is right in the middle of the table with a variety of meats and vegetables all around.

Mu Mu’er, meanwhile, is intrigued by the decanter in Mu Yi’s hand that has a dark red ‘drink’ inside. After his older brother has poured half a glass of the drink in two tall glasses, he has been waiting patiently for his older brother to pour him some.

That does not come to pass, however. A confused Mu Mu’er, thinking he might have forgotten, asks quietly, “where is Mu’er’s drink?”

The men couldn’t help but chuckle, which confuses Mu Mu’er further. He sulks a little, disappointed.

Mu Yi explains, “you can’t drink it. Children cannot drink alcohol.”

Mu Mu’er doesn’t understand what that means, so he looks to Bai Yao for an explanation.

Bai Yao has always let him drink and eat what he wants if he pleads with him a little.

But not this time, as Bai Yao shakes his head, “Mu’er, you cannot drink this. Your head will hurt.”

To be fair, Mu Mu’er is of age, but it still feels inappropriate to let him drink. Perhaps, it’s because he doesn’t understand the effects of alcohol.

“What is this?” Mu Mu’er is curious.

He probably wouldn’t understand ‘wine,’ so Mu Yi teases him, “grape juice.”

Mu Mu’er does not understand why he cannot drink grape juice. Bai Yao always makes fresh juice with fruit for him.

And in fact, there is actually some in the fridge right now. Bai Yao grabs a can, and, so that Mu Mu’er doesn’t feel left out, Bai Yao pours the juice into a wine glass as well, and drops a few cubes of ice in.

“Yaoyao’s is not as tasty. Mu’er can drink the more tasty one,” Bai Yao makes a show of jealousy, and pretends not to hand the glass over, “Yaoyao doesn’t have this. Mu’er is the only one who can drink.”

Mu Mu’er is quite easily pacified when informed his own glass is better – and as expected, immediately tries to offer it to Bai Yao.

“Then Yaoyao can drink the better juice. Mu’er will drink this…” His hand moves towards Bai Yao’s glass of wine, but Bai Yao quickly removes it from his reach.

“No can do,” Bai Yao says softly, “this is yours.”

Mu Mu’er is sharp with emotions as always. He thinks Yaoyao is being stingy.

Bai Yao then starts dinner as he usually does without minding the fact that Mu Yi is here. It’s the first time Mu Mu’er has had hotpot, so Bai Yao cooks the ingredients for him before putting them in his bowl, and teaches him to dip the sauces.

Mu Mu’er eats whatever Bai Yao gives him without getting picky. Still, he shows a clear preference for seafood over others. His favourites are scallops and fish balls. Then fillets and shrimp pastes. Whenever Bai Yao puts things in his bowl, he’d quietly go ‘thank you Yaoyao.’ He’s practically said more thank yous than eaten food by this point.

Sometimes Bai Yao makes an ‘mm’ of acknowledgement, but doesn’t reply most of the time. Instead, he’s focused on cooking the things Mu Mu’er likes, while also making sure he has enough vegetables and other meats.

Watching Mu Mu’er eat is quite enjoyable to him, and he always wants to feed him more, and help him grow the missing fat and height out. Mu Mu’er has been eating nonstop, while Bai Yao himself hasn’t eaten much.

The table is rather quiet, but it’s not awkward either. Bai Yao doesn’t have much topics of interest with Mu Yi, so most of the time, they’re talking about the cute boy sitting by the side of the table.
Which is just enough.

Mu Yi has eaten his fill, and puts down his chopsticks to observe Mu Mu’er with Bai Yao.

Mu Mu’er has been focusing on eating this whole time, only this time, he looks up and sees the both of them looking at him. Confused, he looks at the bowls on the table, and realises he’s eaten the most by far. Most of them from Bai Yao.

He turns to Bai Yao, “Yaoyao should give some to gege.”

The two men stare at each other, nonplussed.

Mu Mu’er, though doesn’t seem to sense the tension. He himself moves when Bai Yao does not, and gives Mu Yi two slices of lotus root, “Mu’er gives gege food. Gege, eat.”

Bai Yao knocks him on the head lightly, “no need to worry about him. You can eat yourself.”