The Magic of Feet

Speaking of taking on apprentices, Bailu thought for a moment and said, "Madam, how do you plan to take apprentices?"

Su Li said, "I'm very particular about taking apprentices, yet not particular at all. Regardless of gender, background, age, or status, I only look at one's character and fate. Character comes first; I can't tolerate those who betray their masters or ancestors. As for fate... at least they have to be pleasing to my eyes and willing to be accepted."

Bailu took careful notes, but since she was a woman, it wasn't convenient for her to appear too much in public to scout suitable apprentices. It seemed she would have to rely on Steward Xiao Yuan for help.

Su Lanxiang quietly listened nearby, resting her chin on her hand as she stared at the empty porridge bowl, thinking to herself, If Sister Ali cooks so deliciously, would becoming her apprentice mean I could cook this well too?

After Bailu finished talking with Su Li, Su Li saw Su Lanxiang yawning and knew the little girl was still sick and needed more rest, so she told her to keep sleeping while she had a whole bunch of things to busy herself with.

As soon as she stepped outside, she saw Yuanbao standing like a guardian at the door, a thin layer of snow resting on his shoulders.

Su Li saw Yuanbao and immediately smiled, tiptoeing to gently brush the snow off his shoulders. "At home, do you have to guard me this closely?"

Yuanbao chuckled and blocked Su Li in his arms, "I just want to guard my wife. Look, Zhang Mu also guards his wife, Wu Caiwei."

Su Li covered her mouth laughing, "You learned that from Zhang Mu, huh? His wife is about to have a baby, so of course he has to guard her these days. I'm fine, I don't need you to follow me everywhere."

Yuanbao suddenly caught sight of a fluttering piece of clothing at the end of the corridor out of the corner of his eye and thought to himself, With such a watchful person at home, how can I not keep a close eye!

Suddenly, Su Li felt her feet lift off the ground as Yuanbao swept her up into a princess carry.

"Wife, there's snow on the ground, your feet would be cold walking. I'll carry you." Yuanbao squinted his eyes as he looked at the woman in his arms.

Su Li's face instantly flushed red. "Ah, put me down quickly! What would people think if they saw this!"

"No, I won't, I'll just hold you!" Yuanbao was stubborn, his eyes sparkling with deeper laughter as he whispered in Su Li's ear, "Wife's little feet are precious, they must not get cold, or else tonight I won't be able to..."

Su Li's ears turned even redder, recalling last night when Yuanbao, having learned some new technique from somewhere, actually used her own foot to...

Ah, just thinking about it makes me want to die of embarrassment!

While Su Li was overwhelmed with embarrassment, Yuanbao innocently and cutely leaned closer, breathing warm air in her ear: "Wife's feet are so soft, so smooth... I can't control myself..."

"Stop talking!" Su Li, embarrassed, covered her face and put a finger to Yuanbao's lips, "You silly husband, why are you so shameless!"

Yuanbao immediately looked wronged, blinking his eyes pitifully and pouting, "I just care about my wife's feet getting cold from the snow. Did I say something wrong to upset you? Are you punishing me?"

Su Li, both embarrassed and angry, actually punched Yuanbao's chest a few times with her small fists. Yuanbao pretended to howl and act hurt, but Su Li knew he wasn't really in pain and felt sorry for him, so she stopped hitting him.

"Wife, don't be mad!" Yuanbao kissed Su Li on the cheek.

"Hmph!" Su Li turned her head away in a tsundere manner, "I still have to meet with Mr. Li today to discuss the vegetable wholesale business after the new year!"

It's Li Yanhao again! Yuanbao grunted twice, thinking to himself that he would find a way to bankrupt Li Yanhao later!