The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 32

After the competition ended, the noise in the kitchen gradually faded, leaving only the faint sounds of utensils.

Once the smoke cleared, the entire area still carried the scent of various ingredients, mixed with the smell of roasted meat and the crisp aroma of baking bread.

Li Shao, full of smiles, enthusiastically gestured for everyone to join in the dinner.

The results had not yet been announced, and for now, everyone was still a tightly-knit team.

On the surface, no one dared to go against him, but as they followed Li Shao’s steps, some people appeared tired, exchanging glances with one another. Others walked a bit slower, intentionally maintaining some distance.

The dining venue was located in a quiet corner of the countryside, far from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was near the edge of the forest, with a winding path leading up to the restaurant, flanked by lush trees.

After the car stopped, they were faced with a restaurant that exuded a natural charm.

Li Shao had reserved a spacious private room on the second floor. The floor-to-ceiling windows opened up an entire wall, letting in soft light, while the view outside showcased a peaceful natural scene.

In the distance, rolling green mountains loomed, and close by, fields and trees intertwined, with colorful flowers painting a beautiful picture.

The restaurant was simply decorated with natural elements. Inside, there were wooden tables, chairs, and floors, with smooth surfaces and intersecting wood grain, filling the air with a faint woody fragrance.

The terrace connected to the restaurant offered a wide, open view. Stepping through the glass sliding doors, one could see the lush trees and a sky painted with the colors of sunset.

On the terrace, a few green plants sat in pots, and a gentle breeze carried the fragrance of flowers, softly brushing against their faces.

Elegant wooden benches were scattered on one side of the terrace, providing a peaceful spot for guests to sit and relax. This quiet corner, a private escape, allowed anyone to step out and breathe in the fresh air when they didn’t want to stay in the room.

After a few rounds of drinks, Li Shao’s eyes grew slightly unfocused, his gaze drifting like a flickering candle flame.

In his slightly tipsy state, he let his eyes wander in the ambiguous atmosphere, secretly studying Song Baili’s face, unaware that someone was watching him.

Domineca quietly sat next to Song Baili, her gaze neither too obvious nor shy. She scanned every detail, her ears picking up even the faintest sounds. She was fully aware of everything around her, but her expression remained unchanged.

She then took out her phone, her fingers skillfully moving on the screen before she lightly tapped the send button.

She subtly looked up, her eyes landing on Li Shao, a knowing smile appearing on her face.

Noticing his phone screen lighting up, Li Shao snapped back to reality and instinctively reached for it. As he read the message, his expression stiffened, his lips twitching slightly as his brow furrowed.

“Hey, buddy, did you also get caught by the beautiful chef next to me? Even if your eyes are hidden beneath your eyelids, your greedy gaze is like a magnifying glass…”

Li Shao’s finger trembled slightly as he touched the screen, the shaking making it hard for him to control. The message was rushed, with uneven writing.

Eventually, he deleted the text and retyped a few words casually.

“Hahahahaha, you’re too funny!”

“My wife is way more beautiful than her.”

“I’m a loyal man.”

The dinner had been uneventful so far, with no one knowing how to start a conversation, exchanging meaningless smiles.

Some people absentmindedly played with their utensils, while others were looking down at their phones, occasionally glancing up at the table before focusing back on the screen.

Li Shao casually put his phone down on the table, the soft sound of it hitting the surface a bit rough and careless.

Taking advantage of the moment when everyone paused, his gaze turned to Qian Qian. He suddenly pulled her forcefully into his embrace, holding her tightly.

Qian Qian frowned in displeasure, her body stiffening. In the midst of everyone’s surprised stares, her lips pressed together tightly, uneasy and trying to push him away with a gentle nudge to his shoulder, eager to distance herself from him.

Just when everyone thought that was the end of it, Li Shao suddenly leaned down, pressing his lips against Qian Qian’s pale ones in a sudden and stormy kiss.

A foul, tobacco-flavored breath overwhelmed her, and his teeth pried her mouth open. His tongue, swollen and relentless, pushed into her mouth like a raging storm, sweeping over her.

His rough stubble scraped against her soft skin, causing a slight pain, like unrefined wood brushing against her.

His dry lips were like stones, hard and cold, offering no warmth, just an unpleasant, sandpaper-like feeling.

It felt like being bitten by a pig.

The entire scene felt like a visual punch, repeatedly attacking your eyes, making your retinas quiver.

The disturbance set off a frenzy in the dining room, like a fire suddenly igniting.

Some people raised their glasses and cheered, some jumped up and pounded the table, while others exchanged gestures and whispers. The room was filled with laughter and applause.

Song Baili’s heart skipped a beat, her emotions taut like a bowstring, ready to snap at any moment.

Unconsciously, she gripped her pants tightly, her fingers digging into the fabric as she hurriedly shifted her gaze to the table, avoiding making eye contact with Qian Qian.

At that moment, her once bright golden sky seemed to lose its color, turning from a vivid brightness to a dull, shadowy haze.

Song Baili took a deep breath, brushing her hair with her hand, trying to compose herself. She smoothly turned to Domineca, starting a conversation to distract herself and get lost in the flow of words.

Qian Qian silently watched Song Baili and Domineca talk animatedly across from her. A complex emotion flickered in her eyes as she pursed her lips, a wave of bitterness swelling within her, threatening to burst and overwhelm her with uncontrollable emotions.

She absentmindedly adjusted her utensils, gently smoothing out the creases on the table, trying to transfer her anxious feelings into mechanical movements to distract herself.

When no one was looking, Song Baili quietly stepped out onto the terrace.

She found a secluded corner and sat on a quiet bench, letting the gentle breeze wash over her, no longer hiding her inner turmoil. Her thoughts drifted freely in the sunset’s glow.

As the sky slowly dimmed, the once clear blue gradually became streaked with colors, as beautiful as an artist’s painting.

Everything seemed so beautiful and captivating, yet Song Baili felt her sadness like a shadow falling, blending with the vibrant scenery around her.

Suddenly, a chill swept over her, a cold sensation running through her body, but her thoughts were burning, hot and overwhelming.

In this torment of contrasting sensations, she felt her eyes water slightly, as if a long-held bubble was about to burst, but at the last moment, she managed to suppress it.

Her arms crossed instinctively in front of her chest, hugging herself tightly.

Her gaze seemed lost, staring into a distant place, unable to stop biting her lip, maybe too hard, as a faint red mark appeared on the corner of her mouth.
Her mind was trapped in a broken world, her thoughts swirling like a vortex, making the sounds from the outside world feel as though they were coming from another dimension. She couldn’t even sense the footsteps approaching her.

“Are you okay?”

A voice, warm like a flood, suddenly rang in her ears. It seemed to pierce through the silence in her heart and, in an instant, broke through her loneliness and indifference.

Song Baili turned her head toward the source of the voice. Against the backlight, a face with graceful lines and clear contours came into view.

Her delicate skin shimmered under the light, giving her features a painterly glow.

Soft golden hair, like fine satin, shimmered with each strand, almost like tiny fibers of light. Her long, neon-like eyelashes cast faint shadows under the light, framing bright and deep eyes, perfectly beautiful, as if straight out of a painting.

A dreamy halo surrounded her, as though a goddess from an ancient legend had descended to earth.

From the very beginning, Dominika had been paying close attention to every subtle change in Song Baili. Seeing her now, with eyes full of confusion and uncertainty, she gently walked over to her and sat down beside her.

“Are you okay?”

“I… I’m fine.”

Dominika sat very close to her. Song Baili’s expression stiffened slightly. She gently placed her hand on the armrest of the bench, making a tiny, almost imperceptible movement to shift slightly away, creating a bit more space between them.

Their gazes wandered across the terrace’s scenery, sometimes gazing at the distant mountains, sometimes silently taking in the surroundings. It was as if the quiet between them spoke louder than words.

In this calm, Song Baili slowly began to ease the turmoil in her heart, allowing her emotions and contradictions to be reorganized.

Earlier, she had been wandering in a boundless mental fog, unable to find the way out.

Now, by shifting her focus elsewhere, she finally spotted a glimmer of light in the gloomy corner and escaped the maze of sadness.

A fresh breeze blew through, gently caressing her face, as though a soft power was sweeping away the gloom from her soul.

She slightly tilted her chin up, feeling as though her mood had been instantly cleansed, and a light, refreshing feeling washed over her heart.

“Are you sitting here because you’re feeling uncomfortable?”

Dominika’s voice flowed gently, like a stream, breaking the silence and bringing a soft, peaceful atmosphere.

“It’s a bit noisy. I’m not used to it.”

“Tonight’s dinner feels like a wild party for men, I’m not used to it either.”

Song Baili lightly pursed her lips, a soft smile appearing on her face.

Her eyes lowered slightly as she thought quietly for a moment. Then, she slowly raised her eyes and turned toward Dominika.

“Do you also dislike noise, teacher?”

“Yes, but there’s something else I’m afraid of.”

“What’s that?”

The breeze ruffled Dominika’s soft, cloud-like hair, making it sway lightly.

A few strands of golden hair brushed across her face. She raised a hand to push them aside, revealing her exquisite features clearly.

Suddenly, she turned to look at Song Baili. Her lips curled up gently, and her eyes shone with a soft, almost liquid-like smile, filled with warmth and a touch of light.

She parted her lips slightly, and a deep, melodious voice slowly came out, accompanied by her sincere and charming gaze.

“I’m afraid of missing you.”

Song Baili’s face suddenly turned a bright red, like the sun at midday. But just as quickly, the flush faded into a sense of confusion.

She tightly gripped the edge of the chair, her fingers curling slightly. Her lips moved, but she hesitated, unable to say anything.

The curve of Dominika’s eyes seemed to carry a hidden amusement. She raised one eyebrow playfully, a mischievous smile on her lips. In a relaxed tone, but with a teasing edge, she said:

“We’re on the same wavelength, every time I see you, I get this feeling.”

Song Baili’s gaze slightly hardened, and she felt as though her breath was caught in her chest, like someone had tightly squeezed it. For a few seconds, she couldn’t breathe properly.

“You know, the first time… the sound of the trumpet blaring,” she mumbled nervously.

Song Baili involuntarily coughed, feeling her throat dry. She nervously swallowed, licking her lips, her expression torn.

Unable to withstand Dominika’s bold and direct words, even the ice-cold goddess felt like she was melting.

Song Baili’s calm demeanor had vanished, her usual composure gone. Her lips parted slightly, as if about to say something, but then her words turned back into silence.

Dominika couldn’t hold back any longer and let out a quiet, soft laugh, like a refreshing summer breeze—clear and pleasant.

Song Baili’s cheeks flushed, like a delicate veil of pink, a trace of emotion flickering before it faded. Her eyes reflected a complex and awkward feeling, difficult to sort out.

She straightened her back, took a deep breath, and with a tone full of helplessness, said:

“Teacher, stop teasing me.”

“Just call me Dominika. ‘Teacher’ makes me feel like I’m on the express train to old age.”

“You’re not old at all, you’re still youthful and charming, very handsome.”

Dominika’s expression instantly brightened.

She raised an eyebrow, gently tilted her head, and placed her long arm on the bench.

Her long fingers propped up her chin, her slender eyes like crescent moons. Her smile was soft, with a hint of mystery, her gaze clear and full of allure.

“Am I the type you like?”

Song Baili hesitated slightly, instinctively shifting her body a little, creating some distance between them.

Dominika’s gaze seemed to carry an invisible pressure. Song Baili tried to avoid the intense stare but couldn’t quite escape it.

Her heartbeat raced like a speeding train, her breath almost out of sync with the speed. Her voice stammered as she said:

“Young and beautiful girls… that’s a universal appeal… I think everyone likes them…”

Hearing this, Dominika smiled gently.

She subtly moved closer to Song Baili, the space between them almost gone. She slightly leaned forward, tilting her head as she looked at Song Baili, her eyes soft and playful.

“So, does this mean… you like me?”

Dominika leaned in, and suddenly, like a ghost, she was so close to Song Baili.

Song Baili didn’t have time to react. She leaned back slightly, feeling the air charged with an invisible current. She could feel the warmth of Dominika’s breath spreading on her skin. Her eyes widened as those lips neared…