The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 33

When Qian Qian couldn’t find Dominique and Song Baili in the room, she felt uneasy. She started fidgeting, moving around restlessly, her fingers rubbing together, her eyes scanning the room constantly, looking around at her surroundings.

Her heart seemed to be set ablaze, a wave of intense jealousy rushing over her like a tidal wave. Her emotions raged like a storm, making her world feel chaotic, and leaving her trapped in a state of anxiety.

By chance, she noticed that the sliding glass door to the terrace was open, and a restless energy quickly built up within her.

Her mind flashed to the image of the two of them alone in the small, romantic garden. She could almost hear their laughter echoing in the air, and it felt as if the scene was right in front of her.

Unable to tolerate it any longer, Qian Qian suddenly stood up, her gaze locked on the terrace. She hurried towards it, making her way to the small garden without hesitation, determined to intervene in what seemed like a perfect moment.

Her heart raced in time with her quick steps, each one more forceful as she closed the distance to the garden.

When she reached the garden, the sight before her stunned her. Anger and disappointment mixed together, and she stood frozen, staring at the scene as if time had stopped.

Her hands instinctively clenched into fists, her body trembling slightly, and her cheeks flushed with fury.

Despite her efforts to control her emotions, her legs seemed to have a will of their own, carrying her forward as she angrily shouted Song Baili’s name.

“Song Baili!”

The sound of her voice shattered the once peaceful atmosphere. Dominique and Song Baili froze, stopping their actions in surprise.

Song Baili quickly adjusted her posture, moving away from Dominique to put more distance between them, minimizing their contact.

She forced herself to suppress the anxiety in her heart, sitting up straight, her hands crossed over her chest as she tried to steady her eyes, which were betraying her inner turmoil.

Dominique, feeling the approaching footsteps, couldn’t help but feel frustrated. The sweetness she had been about to enjoy was cruelly taken away from her.

Her brow furrowed slightly, her teeth biting her lower lip as she struggled to suppress her disappointment and reluctance.

“Is Li Da’s wife here to enjoy the scenery too? Why didn’t you bring Li Ge along?”

Qian Qian squinted at Dominique, her eyes practically shooting flames.

She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, her pale fingers trembling as veins started to show on the backs of her hands. Her anger almost exploded, but at the last moment, she managed to hold it in.

She turned her gaze to Song Baili, only to feel her cold indifference, as if she wasn’t paying attention to her emotions, staring expressionlessly into the distance.

“I came to find Bai Sister,” she said.

The inner storm inside Qian Qian slowly began to calm. She took a deep breath and loosened her fists.

She adjusted her expression, forcing a smile. Despite the turmoil inside, she plastered on a thick face and sat down next to Song Baili.

“Is there something wrong?”

Song Baili’s voice was cold, carrying an air of detachment.

Qian Qian’s previously intense feelings seemed to be smothered by the sudden chill in the air. The bitterness turned into a deep sense of grievance that slowly spread through her.

“I…”

Qian Qian started, her voice hoarse and trembling. She cleared her throat softly and continued, “I came to inform you that the results will be announced tomorrow.”

Her voice lacked confidence, weak and hesitant, betraying her nervousness.

“Got it.”

Under the silver moonlight, Qian Qian watched Song Baili’s delicate profile.

Her beautiful features were even more captivating in the soft light, with the delicate curve of her nose and lips clearly outlined. The shadows cast on her face seemed to add a layer of mystery around her.

Qian Qian’s emotions stirred again, like a tide rising within her. She almost spoke but was interrupted unexpectedly.

“Teacher… Domini, the air’s getting a little chilly. Should we head back to the room?”

“Sure.”

Song Baili stood up, glancing briefly at Qian Qian with a fleeting hesitation in her eyes, as if feeling a slight reluctance.

Suddenly, a cold truth flashed in her mind, shattering her emotions and pulling her back to reality.

Struggling with her feelings, she unconsciously fiddled with her fingers, gritted her teeth, and resolutely turned to leave.

Dominique followed closely behind her. As she got near, she casually removed her jacket, swung it gracefully in the air, and then gently draped it over Song Baili’s shoulders.

Song Baili was surprised and slightly flattered. Her hand moved instinctively, awkwardly reaching behind her to push away the kind gesture, but Dominique gently stopped her.

“I don’t need it. Your jacket is a bit thin. You should wear it yourself.”

Dominique, with her long arms, slipped around Song Baili’s body, her fingers lightly touching her shoulder. Her lips brushed her ear, sending a soft, warm sensation over her skin. The touch was gentle yet meaningful.

In a deep, alluring tone, Dominique whispered into Song Baili’s ear, “Wear the jacket? Or kiss me?”

Dominique’s tall and elegant figure stood out in comparison to Song Baili’s, her chiseled features sharp and distinct. She carried an innate aura that made it impossible not to be drawn to her, as if her very presence commanded submission.

Song Baili reluctantly but gently put on the jacket.

Dominique extended her arm, embracing her gently. As they walked together, chatting happily, laughter filled the air. Every topic they touched upon seemed to resonate deeply between them, as if they had known each other for years.

When Qian Qian saw the scene of Dominique and Song Baili laughing together, her brows furrowed tightly. Her chest heaved with anger, and her teeth clenched, making a faint, sharp sound.

One of her hands formed a fist, pressing hard against her lips, her fingers trembling slightly from the frustration.

Back at the dining table, Qian Qian’s face was overshadowed by a dark cloud. The atmosphere around her felt heavy, as if she were isolated from the laughter and joy around her.

As everyone continued chatting, Qian Qian quietly pushed her chair back, slowly standing up with a downcast gaze. She didn’t say goodbye to anyone and, with light steps, made her way through the archway, leaving the dining room one step at a time.
Late at night, everything was quiet.

Qian Qian’s anger was still hard to calm. She tossed and turned in bed, gripping the sheets tightly. She couldn’t escape the scenes that kept resurfacing in her mind. Though she was wrapped in the warmth of her blankets, her heart felt as if it were trapped in an icy place.

She came up with many reasons to justify her anger, making all her frustrations feel valid. However, when she saw Song Baili’s beautiful face the next day, the anger began to fade. She started to realize that these emotions didn’t come from others, but were driven by her own inner insecurities and conflicts.

After everything that had happened, Qian Qian felt that her skin had thickened a little. She subconsciously touched her cheek, lifted her lashes, and when she saw Song Baili walking toward her, her heart tightened, as if a string had been pulled. A rush of nervousness surged inside her, making her hands and feet feel a little out of control.

She gently brushed her clothes, tidied her hair a bit, and tried to appear relaxed. She greeted Song Baili with a calm and natural tone.

The moment their eyes met, Song Baili’s expression changed slightly. A complicated emotion passed through her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by indifference. She smiled at Qian Qian, a faint smile that was like a gentle breeze, soft and fleeting.

Qian Qian watched Song Baili’s retreating figure, her brow furrowed. Inside, she felt like a pot of hot porridge was boiling, stirring up restlessness, making it hard to calm down.

She always tried to understand the waves beneath that calm face, trying to decipher the story behind the mysterious veil. But the deeper she went, the more she felt trapped in an endless fog.

One hand rested on her waist, the other lightly covering her forehead, and she let out a soft sigh.

The results of the competition had been posted in the group.

There was no doubt about Song Baili’s performance that day; she had scored the highest, standing at the top.

Following her was Sheng Fan, but his score was far behind hers, and the third-place finisher barely scraped by, just reaching the passing mark.

The remaining two contestants had disappointing results. Their abilities formed a stark contrast to the others, far from reaching the standard.

After work, Boss Qian kept Song Baili behind, and the others stared, watching the unfolding scene with curiosity, guessing what was going on.

They saw one with a serious expression and the other calm and collected, walking into the office one after the other.

The office door slowly closed, and the sound was shut off like an invisible curtain, isolating the noise inside. It felt as though only a mysterious atmosphere seeped through the cracks in the door, increasing everyone’s curiosity.

Messages in the group exploded like fireworks.

Everyone was holding their phones, eyes glued to the screen, fingers quickly tapping on the keyboard.

One by one, people alternated speaking, their words flashing on the screen like musical notes, each sentence adding to a more thrilling story.

The group chat was filled with guesses and rumors about Song Baili.

Some speculated she would be promoted to head chef, others said she already owned shares in the company, and some even boldly claimed that Li Shao had taken a special interest in her.

As the group chat swirled with rumors, Boss Qian remained focused, gently tilting a teapot to pour tea, the liquid flowing like a waterfall into the cup, releasing a fragrant aroma.

He took a sip of tea, the wrinkles on his face easing into a smile, like small rivers flowing across his features, showing the passage of time and calm.

On the sofa, Song Baili sat elegantly, her hands folded, fingers interlaced gently. Her posture exuded a natural, harmonious rhythm, like a peaceful landscape.

In the silent atmosphere, it felt like still water in a lake—smooth and mirror-like on the surface, but perhaps hiding depths full of possibilities. Whether the water hid blooming flowers or lurking beasts, only a dive into its depths would reveal the truth.

Her teacup gently turned between her fingers, her eyes aimlessly wandering around the room. She then took a sip of tea and, through the rising fragrance, subtly observed Boss Qian, noting every little change in his expressions and actions.

“Xiao Song,” Boss Qian said, “honestly, you’ve really impressed us all. I have to admit, you’re better than me! The apprentices I’ve taught, oh, they’ll need quite a while to reach your level!”

“Boss Qian, you’re too kind.”

“Those guys, they cook just to get by, but you’re different. You’ve got passion and a special talent. When they cook, it’s just food, but when you touch it, it turns into something alive…”

Boss Qian’s praise continued to fill the air. Song Baili’s gaze remained calm as her fingers absentmindedly caressed the rim of the cup, watching the ripples in the tea. She had already formed her judgment in her heart.

The more praise he gave, the more it felt like a sugar-coated bullet, with a hidden danger beneath the sweet exterior.

“Boss Qian, if you don’t mind, I’ll be straightforward,” Song Baili said.

Boss Qian realized his vagueness and unconsciously touched his forehead, slightly adjusting his posture. “Ah, go ahead, tell me. I’m listening.”

He pushed his glasses up, crossed his hands, and gently rested his chin on them, his eyes fixed on Song Baili.

Song Baili sat upright, her hands resting on her lap. After a slight pause, she lifted her eyelids and looked directly at Boss Qian with determined eyes.

“I want to stay as a waitress. The others should stick to their roles. Our restaurant is short-staffed, and it’s more reliable to keep the old employees rather than bringing in new ones.”

“Well…”

Song Baili’s words hit the core of Boss Qian’s needs, but being a calculating person, he intentionally showed hesitation. He furrowed his brows slightly, twirling his chin and casting a glance to the side, not yet ready to give his answer.

“Most customers aren’t chefs, but they’re food enthusiasts. If we tweak the menu a little, add some fresh ideas, I think our business can continue to thrive.”

Song Baili watched Boss Qian’s graying hair and slightly hunched back, his frequent nodding movements now becoming slightly strained.

She furrowed her brow, her eyes gently swaying in thought as if peering through time, trying to understand the pressure behind this elderly man.

Her gaze lingered on Boss Qian for a moment, and in her eyes, there was a glimmer of realization. She sighed softly and, with a gentle smile, said, “Is there anything else you need, Boss Qian?”

“Alright, alright. I’ve kept you too long. Go ahead, get back to it.”

Boss Qian waved his hand as he spoke.