Chapter 54: Chapter 54: Taming the Fault-Finding Bai Family with Delicious Food

Bai Su smiled faintly and said humbly, "It’s nothing, really. Just a little over 110 pounds."

She was intentionally managing her weight, keeping it around 120 pounds. It was a good balance, so she wouldn’t be unhealthy or too weak.

Most females in the Federation weighed around 88 pounds.

Females there admired a frail, slender build. The more delicate and willowy they were, the more it accentuated their petite, elegant figures.

Bai Su couldn’t get behind that sort of beauty standard.

Bai Ruxin glared at her, displeased. "An elder has been waiting for so long, and you haven’t even invited me in to sit. Is that what you call manners?"

She had been ordered to observe Bai Su today and wasn’t about to go back so easily.

Bai Su’s mouth twitched. This aunt of hers had been away her whole life, rarely ever returning to the Bai family.

She didn’t have any grudge against her aunt, but she didn’t appreciate people finding fault with her.

Bai Su said, "If you have something to say, just say it out here. It’s not like we’re close..."

Bai Ruxin insisted on entering, pushing her aside as she strode in. "I’d like to see what you have to hide. How dare a junior like you..."

Before she could finish, she caught a scent in the air and her eyes widened. "What... what is that smell?"

She couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Bai Xiaolang’s eyes flickered as he put on a sweet, obedient smile. "This is the nutritious meal my mama made. Would you like to try some, Auntie?"

Seeing the adorable little wolf cub, Bai Ruxin felt her heart skip a beat.

She was a full generation older than Bai Su, yet this little one called her "Auntie." ’What an absolutely heart-stoppingly cute little cub!’

Upon seeing the Snow Wolf ears on his head, Bai Ruxin quickly put two and two together and turned to Bai Su. "You really gave the Leader a son?"

Bai Xiaolang’s hand trembled involuntarily, and he didn’t dare look at Bai Xiaoshe beside him.

Bai Su had no intention of hiding it from her guests, so she admitted it matter-of-factly. "That’s right. Who else would it be?"

Bai Xiaolang beckoned obediently. "Come on, you guys. My mama’s cooking is famous far and wide. It’s really yummy, you know."

The aroma made Bai Ruxin’s mouth water uncontrollably. She also wanted to see what Bai Su was up to, so she nodded. "Fine."

She then pointed to the Lion Beastman beside her and introduced him to Bai Su. "This is Captain Yan Jiu of the military. He’s also the primary liaison for the Female Protection Institution, in charge of maintaining its security."

In other words, a military officer who sided with the Female Protection Institution.

Bai Su nodded at him and gestured them in. "Come in and sit down, both of you. It’s time to eat."

The Federation was said to be composed mainly of the Wolf Clan, the Lion Clan, and the Bear Clan.

If Lu Tingyan hadn’t been so overwhelmingly powerful, leading the Snow Wolf Clan to prominence, the Lion Beastman clan would have been the ones to produce the leader back in the day.

After all, Lion Beastmen were once the kings of the forest.

But they struggled to find suitable females, and most of their offspring failed to inherit their ancestors’ talents. They gradually declined, which allowed the up-and-coming Wolf Clan to surpass them.

This was also why the Lion Beastman clan sided with the Female Protection Institution. They wanted to use the institution to gain an advantage and match the Beastmen of their clan with more exceptional females.

Currently, the number of females in the Federation was dwindling. Females with good fertility and strong genetic inheritance were even rarer. Across the entire Federation, only the Bai family produced females in any significant number.

But as a Rabbit Beastman family with a high number of female births, the Bai family’s internal politics were also very complex.

The most promising branch of the family right now was the one descended from Rachel—namely, her daughter, Bai Xue.

Bai Xue had been bright and exceptional since childhood. With her excellent genes, she learned everything quickly. Furthermore, she had recently broken through to Level 5, proving she was a female with the potential to advance even further.

Aside from being a bit spoiled and having a somewhat naive and willful personality, she had almost no other flaws.

That was why Yan Jiu was now essentially working for the mother-daughter pair of Rachel and Bai Xue.

Bai Su ushered them inside to sit, gave the two of them a look, and then went back into the kitchen to whip up two more dishes.

Seeing how she was preparing it, Bai Ruxin frowned slightly. "Are you sure fresh food can be eaten after being treated like that?"

Bai Su brought out the Sliced Pork with Tomato, Numbing-Spicy Chicken, Clams Stuffed with Shrimp Paste, and Sour Plum Spare Ribs and set them on the table, not the least bit annoyed by the skepticism. "Why don’t you taste it and find out?"

Yan Jiu hesitated, not daring to pick up his chopsticks.

Previously, Miss Bai Xue had been provoked by her and suddenly declared she was going to open a restaurant, after which she spent several days messing around with recipes at home.

They looked almost identical to these dishes. He had tasted her creations—they were bitter and astringent, and some even had the rotten smell of over-fermentation.

It was enough to make his skin crawl, a complete betrayal of their vibrant, fresh appearance.

But there was no denying that the aroma was incredibly appetizing.

Both Bai Ruxin and Yan Jiu hesitated.

Bai Xiaolang slipped into his professional mode, flashing a cute smile and giving a thoughtful pitch. "You should give it a try! It doesn’t cost anything to taste. Not only is my mama’s food delicious, but it also has a certain Healing Ability. It’ll leave you feeling refreshed and completely relaxed!"

Bai Xiaoshe shot him a sidelong glance, his face a mask of exasperation.

’Just last night, he ran off to the black market to take an assassination contract.’

’His spiritual power had only just recovered last night, which is why he was careless enough to get his neck grazed by the target. If I hadn’t stepped in and used my Companion Skill to strangle them, Bai Xiaolang would’ve been hurt much worse.’

’He certainly wasn’t acting all cute and subservient like this last night.’

’I have no idea what kind of potion that woman, Bai Su, has given him to make my older brother so willing to shamelessly suck up to these people.’

’Acting like some restaurant waiter.’

’Those hands of his can create a Tearing Space that instantly annihilates a crowd. Are they meant for carrying plates?’

’That woman, Bai Su, is really something else...’

Just as Bai Xiaoshe was lost in thought, he suddenly met Bai Su’s gaze.

Bai Su narrowed her eyes. "What are you thinking about, sweetheart?" 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Bai Xiaoshe stammered, "Ahem... N-nothing."

Bai Su pinched his little cheek. "If it’s nothing, then hurry up and eat. If you keep glaring at Mama like you want to eat someone, you’ll get ten fewer quail eggs for dinner!"

"Ah—I was wrong! I wasn’t! B... Director Mom." He put on an incredibly obedient, fawning expression that was every bit as convincing as his brother’s had been moments before.

Bai Su just hmphed and said nothing.

Yan Jiu watched this exchange, growing even more puzzled. "Is this food really that good?"

Bracing himself as if going to his death, he couldn’t resist picking up a piece of the Numbing-Spicy Chicken and putting it in his mouth. The moment it entered, a rich, fragrant aroma of spices filled his senses.

When he bit down, the tender, smooth texture of the chicken exploded in his mouth. A rich, savory flavor burst forth—a medley of seasonings intertwined with the chicken’s natural essence. The meat was unbelievably juicy, tender, and delicious!

Yan Jiu shot to his feet, eyes wide with disbelief. He clapped a hand over his mouth, staring at the Numbing-Spicy Chicken on the table. "This... This is..."

Bai Ruxin didn’t understand. "What is it? Did the food bite you?"

Almost reverently, Yan Jiu reluctantly swallowed the piece of chicken. A savory aftertaste lingered, along with a wondrous, tingling numbness.

It felt as if every cell in his mouth had been awakened, a pleasant, tingling sensation spreading as blood rushed through his entire oral cavity.

He felt his deadened taste buds slowly reviving under the stimulation of the numbing spice. The rich, piquant aroma moved him to the point of tears.

Bai Ruxin: "?"

Two streams of hot tears rolled down Yan Jiu’s rugged face. "This is incredible! I’ve never eaten anything so delicious in my life! My soul is ascending!"