The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 22

The phone rang, and Song Qinyao quickly wiped the smile off her face. Her narrow eyes glanced at the screen, her brows furrowing slightly. She walked to the side to answer the call.

From the side, Song Qinyao’s nose was delicate and straight. When she wasn’t smiling, she had a refined, elegant air about her, but also a hint of coldness and detachment. In this regard, she and her sister were somewhat similar.

“I won’t wait for my sister. Please tell her I stopped by.”

“I will.”

Song Qinyao grabbed her bag and hurried toward the door. But after walking a few steps, she suddenly stopped, her long lashes fluttering, her fingers curling tightly into a fist. She turned sharply, lifting her chin slightly, her eyes locking onto Qian Qian.

She stood against the light, her slender figure tall and graceful, her back straight. Her face was cool and beautiful, her eyes narrowing slightly, flashing with a cold, sharp gleam.

“Your sister belongs to herself. Neither you nor I can have her.”

After Song Qinyao left, Qian Qian furrowed her brows, trying to understand the meaning behind her words. She looked around the empty shop, sighing deeply, and a feeling of confusion and melancholy began to spread in her heart, a bit of loneliness creeping in.

Song Baili was the last contestant to enter the kitchen. Dominique’s eyes immediately lit up as she subconsciously adjusted her posture, sitting up straighter, her hands loosely crossed on the table, her gaze following the person in front of her.

Song Baili’s appearance was graceful and unworldly, with a cool and quiet aura. Her movements were elegant, and when she spoke, her voice carried a literary air, showcasing the charm of a cultured young lady.

For a moment, Dominique felt like a judge at a modeling competition, but when Song Baili changed into a neat white coat and began pulling ingredients from the fridge, Dominique snapped out of her trance.

Song Baili moved fluidly, her actions like flowing water. The kitchen turned into a stage, with her graceful figure moving through the misty steam. Occasionally, she glanced at the time, and her eyes would briefly sweep over the judging panel.

Whether she was focused and serious, or when a subtle smile appeared on her lips, Dominique found every moment of her presence enchanting.

With only a few minutes left, Song Baili carefully added the final touches, wiping the edge of the plate with a cloth. Leaning slightly, she surveyed the dish, her clear and lively eyes scanning back and forth. She smiled faintly, her brows relaxing.

Then she stood straight, glanced at the time, and sighed inwardly.

The three judges approached. Dominique stared at the dish for a while, her pale green eyes sparkling with joy. She then gently turned the plate with her thumb and forefinger, nodding repeatedly after pulling her hand back.

Everyone else used traditional white plates, but Song Baili had chosen a slightly worn, pale gray one.

The arrangement of the dish was orderly, starting with a mound of pale yellow bean paste in the center of the plate, topped with roasted vegetables, a delicate pink salmon fillet, a perfectly cooked poached egg, and a small pile of bright green alfalfa sprouts.

It was not only a feast for the taste buds but also a visual treat.

The atmosphere was filled with seriousness as the clinking sound of silver cutlery against plates filled the air. Song Baili stood tall, her hands clasped behind her back, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, and her clear, bright gaze sweeping over the faces of the judges.

Dominique set down her cutlery, took a sip of water, and slowly lifted her eyes. Her gaze landed directly on Song Baili, and in that moment, she felt a slight catch in her breath and her heart skipped a beat.

The food was impeccable, and the person preparing it was equally extraordinary.

Dominique took a deep breath, adjusting her composure. She turned her head to look at the other two judges. Mr. Qian was wiping his mouth with a napkin, his eyes still focused on the plate, while Mr. Li ate with gusto, not even lifting his head.

“The fish skin is crispy and fragrant, the fish flesh is tender and juicy, the bean paste is smooth, and there’s a unique, rich flavor. Even though Lao Sheng is always making this dish, it still can’t compare to yours.”

Mr. Qian nodded, then shook his head, raising an eyebrow and muttering to himself.

Dominique rested her chin in her hand, her long, slender fingers gently touching her cheek. After a moment of thought, she smiled gently, her lips curving into a crescent shape.

After a short pause, she suddenly lifted her eyes, her pale green pupils gleaming like olive stones. She gazed at Song Baili, then smiled again and said:

“The starch coats the fish’s freshness while adding a crisp texture. Fry it until it’s almost done, then let the residual heat cook the inside. That’s how you get tender, juicy fish.”

Mr. Qian’s eyes widened in surprise. He swallowed and muttered in a low voice.

“I see… no wonder the fish is always too dry and tough. If only I’d known this sooner, the business would have been much better… sigh…”

Mr. Li glanced at Mr. Qian and sneered, curling his lips.

“You chefs in the kitchen really can’t do much, huh? Can’t even get one dish right. I should’ve known better than to hire you guys. I’d rather raise pigs!”

Hearing this, Song Baili frowned slightly, her eyes catching the twisted features of Mr. Li’s face. The sneer on his lips made her feel disgusted. A flash of disdain quickly passed through her eyes, and she clenched her hands behind her back, her long lashes casting a shadow over her eyes, hiding her emotions.

Dominique sighed, raising an eyebrow and glancing over at Song Baili. She felt the whole scene was suddenly much clearer and more pleasant.

Her gaze lingered on Song Baili’s face, which seemed to glow with the softness of autumn water, and the curve of her lips appeared like a crescent moon nestled between mountains and clear waters, exuding a captivating charm.

Song Baili was so close that Dominique couldn’t help but look at her beauty with an almost mesmerized expression. She quickly pulled her gaze away, instinctively touching her nose and blushing as she smiled awkwardly.

“The bean paste is so smooth. Is that special fragrance from adding butter or cheese?”

“No, I used boiled eggs, kidney beans, and extra virgin olive oil, then blended it all together and strained it.”

Mr. Qian’s previously furrowed brow relaxed as he took a forkful of bean paste, tasting it carefully with his eyes closed. After finishing, he fell into deep thought.

He had always stuck to traditional methods, never daring to try something new. But Song Baili seemed like a magician, turning ingredients into something entirely new.

He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket, wiping away the sweat from his forehead, and muttered that this competition was about who would be eliminated last. He now worried for the others.

“Xiao Li, what do you think…”

Everyone turned their attention to Mr. Li, and the atmosphere became tense for a moment. Song Baili lowered her head slightly, holding back a smile with the back of her hand.

Dominique raised an eyebrow, her arms crossed as she smiled in a teasing manner, her eyes holding a hint of mockery.

Mr. Qian opened his mouth, but his dry lips barely moved, unsure of what to say.

Mr. Li wiped his mouth with a napkin, then patted his stomach, grinning shamelessly.

“I don’t waste food. I’m all for the clean plate movement. I’ll take what’s left and finish it off.”

“Do you want to take all the leftovers from everyone else too?” Dominique joked.

Mr. Li’s smile faltered, his expression darkening. He raised an eyebrow and shot a glance at Dominique, then smirked.

“I can’t eat all this. The others can take their leftovers or feed them to the dogs.”

Dominique shrugged and returned to her seat, picking up her pen to write on her scorecard. Her perfectly shaped brows furrowed slightly, her lips pressed tightly together, her expression shifting from playful to intense.

The competition’s scoring categories included theme adherence, plating, taste, and execution, with a perfect score of 5 points. Anyone scoring less than 12 would be eliminated on the spot.

The results of the first round were now in Mr. Qian’s hands. He held a piece of paper in each hand, his eyes narrowing slightly as his deep gaze swept across the group of four men and one woman. His expression was complex.

He took a deep breath, put on his reading glasses, and spoke in a low, hushed voice, slowly reading the words on the paper.

Qian Qian finished cleaning the counter and silently gazed at the empty shop. She suddenly snapped out of her thoughts, grabbed another cloth, and wiped down the chairs and tables. When she grew tired, she sat down and absentmindedly twirled her fingers.

She glanced at the time, then looked toward the kitchen, her eyelashes fluttering. She hesitated for a moment, then turned to the bar and started making coffee.

She took a sip, and immediately her brow furrowed in confusion. The rich bitter flavor mixed with an odd saltiness. Quickly, she drank a gulp of plain water to dilute the taste and sniffed the glass jar of white powder, placing a bit on her tongue. She gasped sharply and took another drink of water.

At that moment, she heard a commotion, her heart skipped a beat. Her pupils widened, and she set down the cup, turning her head to look. She saw Sheng Fan and the others walking out, speaking in low tones. The air around them felt heavy.

Qian Qian quietly stepped into a corner, waiting for them to leave. Once they did, she hurried to the kitchen, not noticing the slender figure walking towards her. Before she could react, she bumped into them.

For a moment, she was caught in their arms, and as she regained her senses, she inhaled the soft, fresh scent of summer wind. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and she felt as though it were galloping like a thousand horses.

Time seemed to freeze for a moment, and instinctively, she wrapped her arms around the person’s waist, her heartbeat synchronizing with theirs, creating a beautiful melody.

“Are you alright?”

In the quiet space, Song Baili’s soft, clear voice rang in Qian Qian’s ear. Immediately, a warmth spread to her earlobes, and a blush crept onto her fair cheeks. Flustered, she pulled away and created some distance between them.

Qian Qian lowered her head slightly, hiding the emotions in her eyes. After a moment, she raised her gaze, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She gently parted her lips and cautiously asked:

“How did the competition go?”