Bai Susu was not put off at all. She rubbed her flat little belly and said to Chen Ye with an air of entitlement:
"Hey! I’m hungry, hurry up and get me something to eat!"
As she said this, she secretly concealed her eyes, and a trace of sadness flashed deep in those beautiful amber eyes.
Upon hearing this, Qing Jun’s hair stood on end, and she blocked Chen Ye like a little cat guarding its food, complaining:
"How outrageous! You’re actually trying to snatch food from Qing Jun! Qing Jun can cook for herself! Are you just a little girl?"
Bai Susu couldn’t stand being called small, especially by a little silver-haired girl shorter than her.
Her eyebrows immediately rose with anger: "Don’t speak so unpleasantly! What do you mean by snatch! Ha, do you think your master’s cooking is that great?"
"Master’s cooking is the best in the world!" Qing Jun proudly puffed out her little chest and declared.
Bai Susu scoffed indifferently and shook her head: "Ignorant! You’ve probably only eaten your master’s food, but do you know how many chefs are better than him, like carp crossing the river?"
Chen Ye listened to the two little girls arguing endlessly about his culinary skills, finding it amusing.
He looked at Bai Susu, pretending to look disdainful but unable to resist quietly swallowing, and felt a stir in his heart.
The threat from the Xu Family was imminent. If he could get Bai Susu, a True Disciple of the Lingyin Sect and future heir of the Bai Family, to slightly favor his side, or even just not interfere, it would be a great help to him.
With that in mind, Chen Ye resolved to showcase his skills today and conquer this golden-haired little girl’s appetite.
He cleared his throat and smiled gently: "Since Junior Martial Uncle Bai is hungry, it’s naturally my duty to serve. But I wonder what flavors Junior Martial Uncle Bai likes? The ingredients are limited today, so if anything is lacking, I ask for your understanding."
Bai Susu felt comfortable seeing Chen Ye’s respectful attitude.
She raised her delicate chin and said with feigned restraint: "Anything is fine, I’m not a picky eater. But... if it’s too bad, hmph hmph! I’ll press you under the Five Finger Mountain... cough cough."
Chen Ye understood her implication and said no more. He turned and went into the kitchen.
But, Five Finger Mountain?
Was she really following him?
Wasn’t she clearly listening to the stories he told?
Chen Ye shook his head and started cooking intently.
Indeed, he made an all-out effort today, taking out several treasured pieces of Demon Beast meat from the Storage Bag.
Applying his Perfection-level culinary skill fully, the fragrance of various ingredients filled Luoli Courtyard, making one’s mouth water.
About a two-hour later, Chen Ye came out of the kitchen with a few plates of exquisite small dishes.
Bai Susu’s nose twitched, already drawn by the alluring scent.
She quietly took a deep breath, feeling even hungrier and her mouth salivating.
But she maintained a look of disdain on her face, though her amber eyes couldn’t help but glance at the dishes on the table: "It doesn’t look like much..."
There weren’t many dishes, but each was exquisite.
Bai Susu picked up her chopsticks and carefully took a small piece of Jade Bamboo Shoots into her mouth. The crisp and refreshing taste made her eyes light up.
Then she eagerly took another bite.
Bite after bite, endlessly.
Chen Ye also called his two apprentices to eat together.
"Hm, I suppose you have some skill. It’s almost on par with the top chefs of the Cloud Clothing Pavilion."
Bai Susu put down her soup bowl and couldn’t help rubbing her belly.
"You will cook exclusively for me in the future! You can’t let your apprentices eat! Especially this little apprentice of yours!"
"Ow!" Qing Jun roared.
"How annoying..." Zhiwei frowned.
Chen Ye sighed, showing a trace of difficulty: "I’m afraid there won’t be time in the future..."
"Oh?" Bai Susu raised an eyebrow and looked at him somewhat unhappily.
Only then did Chen Ye briefly explain the situation with the Xu Family and ended with a bitter smile: "Does Junior Martial Uncle Bai know the Xu Family? My little apprentice is a descendant of the Xu Family, and the Xu Family wants to forcibly take Qing Jun back. I’m going to be overwhelmed in the meantime..."
Bai Susu suddenly realized, no wonder this old guy Chen Ye was so diligent today, he was seeking her help.
But it’s said, ’once you eat someone’s food, you can’t easily refuse their request,’ and besides this meal, she’s been secretly listening to Chen Ye’s stories at Luoli Courtyard for a while...
Oh well.
Bai Susu thought to herself.
She pondered for a moment before saying:
"Xu Family? The Xu Family from Moon Rhinoceros Lake? They do have a few unremarkable disciples in the Inner Sect. This matter is indeed tricky, after all, blood ties can’t be ignored..."
She paused then continued:
"However, it’s not like there’s no room for maneuver. If you were a Foundation Establishment True Man, the Xu Family would be eager to recognize you as master! Do you really think they want your little apprentice that badly? The Xu Family is a large family, and they’re simply considering benefits. They don’t want their ’direct’ bloodline to fall into the hands of an unknown Spirit Plant Cultivator. It would be better to raise them for future alliances."
She spoke logically, and Chen Ye couldn’t help but change his opinion of her.
It seemed that Bai Susu, who appeared rebellious and willful, was actually very perceptive, seeing through the family issues clearly.
"So... it’s still a matter of not being strong enough."
Chen Ye had a headache.
For Loose Cultivators, being a Sect Spirit Plant Cultivator was a dream job, offering little future but stable and peaceful living.
Playing with flowers, tending to plants.