Beast World: From Villainess to Cub-Raising Chef

He entered the courtyard with a deep frown. Before he could ask Bai Su what was going on, he spotted a smooth-talking streamer leaning against the kitchen window, chatting her up.

"Hey, little female, where did you learn to cook? You’re incredible!"

"Wow~ Amazing! You’re slicing those radishes perfectly!"

"It smells so, so good! You’re amazing, and such a good homemaker!"

"You actually made all these dishes yourself? You’re so skilled. Isn’t it exhausting? Look, you’re even sweating..."

’This male is clearly interested in Bai Su.’

’Can’t that female see it?’

’How is she not the least bit annoyed?’

’And she’s responding to every single thing he says. Who is that beaming smile for?’

’So I’m the only one who’s been agonizing over this?’

’That heartless female. She didn’t even notice I was half an hour late today.’

’The courtyard is full of males eyeing her like prey, and she’s completely oblivious!’

’Then again, that’s just who she is, isn’t it?’ 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

’She enjoys the attention from all these males, loves being the center of their universe.’

’Being put on a pedestal by so many people must be doing wonders for her ego, right?’

’This woman... she couldn’t care less about a washed-up former Federation Leader like me.’

’Compared to all these males swarming around her, what am I?’

Lu Tingyan scoffed and turned to leave.

Bai Xiaolang glanced at his retreating back, rolled his eyes, and went back to his chores.

Yodel, who had followed silently, looked toward the busy Bai Su in the kitchen, wanting to speak but holding back. After a long moment of hesitation, he decided to go after his Major General first.

Bai Su was indeed very busy. She had prepared enough ingredients for a full day of service, but by 1:00 PM, everything was sold out, forcing her to close up shop early.

Bai Su took a deep breath. She was thrilled at the thought of so many people coming to eat her food.

Mustering her energy, she came out of the kitchen with a smile and faced the customers still waiting in line in the courtyard. "I’m terribly sorry, but we had a huge crowd today and a limited supply of ingredients. Please come back tomorrow. We’re closing up for the day."

"What? So early?!"

"But I just got here!"

"I’ve been drooling over the smell of your food all afternoon, and I didn’t even get a bite! Boo hoo hoo..."

"Oh well, I guess we’ll just have to come back tomorrow."

"What time do you open tomorrow?"

"Yeah, what time do you open tomorrow? I’ll come early to get in line!"

Bai Su smiled. "I’ll open half an hour earlier tomorrow, at 10:30 AM. Anyone who wants to taste my cooking is welcome, and I’ll do my best to prepare more food."

"Great! Sounds good!"

"Make plenty! I’m coming to eat three portions tomorrow!"

"No way! You can’t eat that much! If you eat more, there’ll be less for everyone else!"

"I’ll do what I want! It’s my money, what do you care?!"

Arguing amongst themselves, the crowd gradually left the courtyard.

Bai Su breathed a sigh of relief, returned to the living room, and collapsed onto the sofa.

"Matron!" Bai Xiaolang hurried over, touching her face with concern. "Are you okay?"

Bai Su shook her head wearily. "I’m fine, just exhausted. You should go rest, too. You’ve been busy for so long..."

Bai Xiaolang’s heart ached for her. He leaned in, bumping his nose against hers. "Matron, if you’re too tired, you don’t have to sell so much food. If we’re short on money, we can all eat a little less..."

Bai Su laughed and ruffled his hair. "Don’t be silly. Opening a restaurant is my dream; earning money to raise you all is just a bonus. Now, don’t worry your head about it. Tomorrow will be busy too. I’ll rest for half an hour, and then we can have dinner, okay?"

Bai Xiaolang nodded vigorously.

Bai Su suddenly burst out laughing. She hooked her hands under Bai Xiaolang’s armpits and lifted him up, hefting him in her arms.

Bai Xiaolang jumped in surprise. When he realized what was happening, his eyes filled with excitement, though his face remained deadpan. However, the frantically wagging wolf tail behind him gave away his delight.

Bai Su nodded with mock seriousness. "Hmm, not bad, not bad. You’ve gotten much sturdier. Your little arms and legs are definitely stronger."

Bai Xiaolang was only four, not even tall enough to reach Bai Su’s hip. His complexion was much fairer than when she first arrived, and he had gained a couple of pounds. He finally felt substantial in her arms.

Bai Su felt a great sense of accomplishment. "Eat lots, and you’ll grow up big and strong."

Bai Xiaolang’s eyes sparkled, but he still put on a calm facade and nodded. "Mhm!"

Bai Su chuckled and set him down. "Why are you just like Lu Tingyan? You’re too young to be walking around with a stone-cold expression. You should smile when you’re happy, it’s no big deal. Trying to act cool all the time isn’t a good habit, you know."

Hearing this, a flicker of panic crossed Bai Xiaolang’s eyes. "I have nothing to do with that big jerk!"

Amused, Bai Su ruffled his hair. "If you say so. Why are you getting so flustered?"

Bai Xiaolang fell silent, gave her a mumbled response, then turned and scampered up the stairs.

Bai Su shook her head in amusement and went to get the other children ready for their baths.

With their previous caretaker, none of these little ones liked to bathe. The otherwise adorable Little Beastmen were always covered in a layer of grime, looking like little mud monkeys.

Hearing it was bathtime, the faces of the two cat cubs and Little Tiger fell. "Matron, can we please not take a bath?"

"We’re Feline Beastmen! We can lick ourselves clean; we don’t need to bathe!"

"I’m a cat, so I don’t need to either!"

Bai Su’s lips twitched. "That’s no excuse for being covered in mud. I’m going to finish the dishes, and if anyone isn’t clean by then, I’m coming to get you myself!"

The little ones yelped, covering their tails as they scrambled up the stairs. "Matron, wash the dishes slowly!"

Bai Su shook her head with a laugh, then turned and rolled up her sleeves to wash the dishes.

Bai Xiaolang hid on the staircase landing, watching the heartwarming scene below as a shadow passed through his eyes.

’Matron has finally become this wonderful, and I’ve finally started to feel like I have a home.’

’No matter what that big jerk Lu Tingyan says, I’m never, ever leaving with him!’

’I’ve already decided—Matron is my real mom!’

’I don’t need a dad!’

’I’ve been a lone wolf since the day I was born. I don’t need another wolf to look after me.’

’My territorial instincts are extremely strong. From the moment Lu Tingyan first set foot in the orphanage, I disliked that Wolf Beastman and his overpowering scent.’

’For males, another’s scent is a provocation.’

’Even if Lu Tingyan does manage to find my so-called "birth mother" one day, I still won’t leave with them!’

「Nightfall.」

Bai Su had just finished her shower and was drifting off to sleep when she was startled by a knock at the door downstairs.

She yawned, rolled over, and tried to fall back asleep.

But the knocking downstairs seemed determined to challenge her, repeating every few seconds.

Annoyed, she dragged herself out of bed and went downstairs to open the door.

To her surprise, Lu Tingyan was standing at the door.

She stared at him for a moment, speechless. "Major General, what are you doing here so late at night instead of sleeping?"

Lu Tingyan took two steps back and awkwardly rubbed his nose. "I’m here to eat," he said, his expression cool.

Bai Su shot him a strange look, then surreptitiously glanced down at herself. ’I just showered, and I smell good. I shouldn’t be stinky.’

’What is he backing away for? Do I have some kind of awful smell on me?’

Bai Su said testily, "Am I your personal chef? Do I have to jump out of bed and make you a midnight snack whenever you want one?"

Lu Tingyan pressed his lips together. "Dinner."

Bai Su looked at him strangely. "You didn’t eat tonight?"

Lu Tingyan’s eyes darkened. "I didn’t come for food at all today. You didn’t notice?"

Bai Su paused. After a moment of thought, realization dawned. "Oh, you’re right. I hadn’t even noticed until you said something."

Lu Tingyan’s expression instantly soured.

’When he’d come by at noon, he’d seen Bai Su surrounded by a large crowd of males, all of them eyeing her covetously.’

’This was just unbelievable!’

’And he’d actually thought that if he didn’t show up for lunch or dinner, she might worry about him?’

’That heartless woman. He had really overestimated her!’