Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Setting Her Up with Yan Xiaoliu?

It didn’t take long for her to figure out what Bai Xue was up to.

While she was in the kitchen prepping ingredients and cooking, Bai Xue stood beside her, staring intently. She wore a foolish expression that screamed, ’I’m secretly learning your recipes, but I won’t say a word.’

The corner of Bai Su’s mouth twitched. She shot her a look. "Want to learn?"

"Of course not!" Bai Xue denied it instantly. "Why would I ever try to steal your recipes?"

Bai Su had been about to say that if she wanted to learn, she should just do it openly instead of being so sneaky. ’Not that she’d be able to learn anything anyway.’

But since Bai Xue refused to admit it, Bai Su couldn’t be bothered to press the issue.

After a moment’s thought, Bai Xue couldn’t resist leaning in closer. "You know, we’re both from the Bai family. There’s really no need for us to fight to the death."

"Look at you now. Your cooking has made you quite famous in the Federation."

"If we worked together, wouldn’t we be unstoppable?"

Bai Su continued chopping vegetables without looking back. "You said it yourself—my cooking has made me famous. What do you bring to the table that would make me want to work with you?"

Bai Xue said, full of self-importance, "I’m a daughter of the Bai family! I’m nobility!"

Bai Su rolled her eyes. "And I’m not?"

Bai Xue was at a loss for words. She reflexively wanted to sneer but quickly suppressed the urge. "That’s not what I meant. I’m saying I’m better at using the family’s resources, and the nobles are more familiar with me and trust me more. If you teach me how to cook food with this Healing Ability, I can build your reputation among the aristocracy."

Her selfish calculations were practically written all over her face.

Bai Su didn’t want to talk to this idiot anymore, afraid she might lose a few IQ points just by listening.

She handed a dish to Bai Xue. "Take this out."

Seeing that Bai Su didn’t respond, Bai Xue felt a surge of annoyance. But the thought that she still needed to steal Bai Su’s techniques made her swallow her pride. She turned and went out to serve the dish.

Fortunately, with an adult like Bai Xue helping out as a waitress, the little ones’ workload was significantly lightened.

Bai Su couldn’t help but wonder if it was about time to hire a server to help with the miscellaneous tasks.

The food she currently served in her restaurant consisted mainly of expensive dishes. Her customers were mostly wealthy influencers and members of rich families who didn’t lack money. As a result, her prices were high, and her daily earnings were substantial.

If she used some of this money to hire a kitchen assistant, she could cook faster. That would increase her output in the same amount of time, and her profits would definitely go up.

She would also need to get another stove, more cookware, and a few steamers. That way, she could steam and stew several main dishes simultaneously.

As Bai Su was lost in thought, her head lowered, she lost focus for a second and the kitchen knife sliced her finger. "Hiss..."

"Are you alright?" Someone reacted even faster than she did, rushing in to grab her hand and snatch the knife away.

It was Yan Xiaoliu, one of her regulars.

He had practically turned his debunking livestreams into eating livestreams lately, coming to her restaurant every single day. As a result, both his physical health and his spiritual power were steadily improving.

Lately, he’d even had the faint feeling that he was about to level up.

He stared with concern at Bai Su’s delicate, fair fingers. There was a deep gash on the rosy pad of her fingertip.

The blade was so sharp it had nearly sliced off a piece of flesh.

Yan Xiaoliu’s heart ached for her. Acting on pure instinct, he immediately put her finger in his mouth.

Bai Su: "???"

"What are you two doing?" Lu Tingyan’s dark voice came from the doorway.

Bai Xue happened to be coming in with dirty plates at that exact moment. A flash of excitement crossed her eyes at the scene, and she quickly chirped, "Yan Xiaoliu, you’re so good to my sister! Not only do you come see her every day, but you’re this heartbroken over a tiny cut on her finger. If I were her, I’d be absolutely smitten."

The sight of more people finally snapped Yan Xiaoliu back to reality. Blushing furiously, he quickly let go of her hand. "Sorry, I’m so sorry! I shouldn’t have been so forward. I’m really sorry!"

"I just saw all that blood on your finger and panicked. There was chili on the knife, and I was afraid it would sting..."

"Uh, maybe you should hurry and rinse it under running water, so the wound doesn’t burn."

Bai Su had been startled, and now that she’d processed what happened, she couldn’t help but blush. They were all adults. Having someone suddenly stick your finger in their mouth and wrap their tongue around it... she wasn’t made of wood.

Suppressing her awkwardness, she mumbled an uncomfortable reply and turned to rinse her finger at the sink.

Lu Tingyan grabbed Yan Xiaoliu by the back of his collar and hauled him out. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Bai Xue’s heart leaped with joy. ’There! Now Major General Lu has seen her for the flirt she is, right?’

’What’s there to like about such a cheap woman?’

A mocking smile on her face, she sidled closer. "My, that Yan Xiaoliu is certainly good to you."

The heat faded from Bai Su’s face as she composed herself. "Oh? And what does that have to do with you?"

Bai Xue wasn’t the least bit annoyed. On the contrary, she said enthusiastically, "He comes every single day, and he can afford to eat so much. His family must be quite well-off."

"Honestly, you should just marry him and make him your first Beast Husband. I mean, look at him! He has such a great personality, so shy and pure. The fact that he goes around livestreaming and debunking fakes proves he has a good, honest heart."

"He comes to the restaurant every day, and even with a great beauty like me wandering around, his eyes are only for you. That proves he’s devoted! If I were you, I’d be absolutely smitten. Just marry him!"

Bai Su gave her an odd look. "If you like him so much, why don’t you marry him?"

"How could I possibly marry a commoner like that?" Bai Xue couldn’t stop her voice from rising.

Bai Su replied, "I think you two are a perfect match. He’s not exactly handsome, what with being covered in crocodile skin. Plus, he’s a commoner who loves the spotlight, always chasing clout online and annoying people. He’s just a Level 3 Beastman with no real talent, yet he dares to make enemies everywhere. When he gets beaten down, all he can do is lick his wounds and hide in his shell. He’s perfect for you! If you marry him, he’ll never have to worry about getting beaten up again."

Every one of these criticisms was something Bai Su had overheard Bai Xue muttering and complaining about in the kitchen before.

She had even called Yan Xiaoliu a broke-ass commoner who ate so much every day, forcing her to make several extra trips.

Hearing her own words thrown back at her, Bai Xue was both furious and flustered. "I! That was before I knew him!"

"Besides, the whole world knows I like Major General Lu. You and Yan Xiaoliu are the ones who are a perfect match, aren’t you?"

"You can’t possibly like Major General Lu too, can you? I liked him first. You wouldn’t just copy me because you see that I like him, would you, sister?"

If Bai Su had one weakness, it was that she couldn’t resist a good catfight with a two-faced schemer.

Catching a glimpse of Lu Tingyan’s figure just outside the kitchen door, Bai Su’s eyes glinted. She turned to Bai Xue with a look of pure innocence. "What do you mean, you liked him first?"

"I’ve liked him ever since that time Major General Lu let me go instead of throwing me in a cell."

"He’s such a good person. He may seem cold and distant on the surface, but he’s helped me so many times. I just know he’s actually very soft-hearted."

Clutching her injured hand, Bai Su looked at Bai Xue with a troubled and timid expression. "I know you’re the real young lady of the Bai family, and Mom and Dad always protect you... but I really, truly like Major General Lu. Please, just let me like him..."

"Absolutely not!" Bai Xue bit out, her voice sharp and final.

’Anything else was negotiable, but Lu Tingyan was someone she was determined to have. She would be the wife of the Federation’s future leader! She would be the most dazzling female in the entire Federation!’

Bai Su lowered her head, looking wounded. "Fine. I understand..."