The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 36

When a more beautiful woman suddenly appeared, the man’s gaze froze. He felt as if his eyes had been cleansed, becoming clear and bright, and the satisfaction in his vision instantly leveled up.

Song Baili stood before them, her eyes falling on the man.

Her eyes were like pearls in a painting—clear and captivating. Her delicate skin resembled white snow, glowing with a natural luster. Her face was like a fine painting, flawless from top to bottom.

The man unintentionally adjusted his posture, his slightly awkward movements showing his inner nervousness. He didn’t dare to look directly at Song Baili, afraid that his gaze would seem too obvious. Instead, he stole a sideways glance, admiring her beauty in secret.

Song Baili noticed that the man’s features were sharp, with a broad, flat forehead—clearly not an ordinary person.

Her hand gently rested on the bar, her posture graceful and natural. She smiled slightly, her voice soft yet powerful as she said:

“Sorry, this is my sister. Would you mind if I chat with her for a while?”

“Of course, go ahead. I won’t interrupt you two.”

The man smiled and nodded, gently waved his hand, his tone warm and sincere. After speaking, he turned and walked away, understanding the situation.

Before leaving, his gaze lingered for a moment, admiration and awe flashing in his eyes.

Song Baili was right in front of him, but Song Qinyao’s gaze seemed to pass through her, without any connection. She regarded the man as if he were invisible.

Song Qinyao expertly lifted her glass, the liquid inside trembling slightly, its edges catching a faint light, like a soft halo surrounding it.

Song Baili slowly reached out, her fingers delicately sliding along the rim of the glass, gently taking it from Song Qinyao.

This action didn’t seem to bother Song Qinyao.

Her gaze remained calm and deep, without any hint of emotion. She slightly lowered her eyes, her slender fingers softly tracing the pink roses in the glass vase, moving gently between the petals, silent.

“It’s late. Let’s go home,” Song Baili said softly, turning her head to meet Song Baili’s gaze.

Then, her narrow eyes subtly narrowed at the corners, forming an alluring curve. A smile blossomed on her face, light and sparkling, like bubbles in amber champagne, exuding an intoxicating charm.

Alcohol may be able to intoxicate, but this smile possessed a transcendent allure, enough to make countless admirers fall in love.

“It’s so late. Why aren’t you going home yet?” Song Baili asked.

“I came for work,” Song Baili replied.

Her gentle voice seemed like a delicate needle, gently piercing through Song Qinyao’s defenses. She tried to maintain a façade of indifference, but the power shaking her exterior revealed her softer side once again.

Song Qinyao’s expression seemed to soften at the touch, but her lips parted. Just as she was about to speak, her mind flashed with the memory of Song Baili’s attitude that day.

Her irritation shifted her mood, and the words she was about to speak twisted, changing tone as she said:

“Fine, you do your work. I’ll drink my wine. I’m not a child. When I’m done, I’ll go home. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Song Qinyao, come home with me right now!”

Song Baili’s face was like a snow-covered mountain, cold and serene. But the light in her eyes began to flicker, like ripples beneath a still lake, betraying an inner unease.

“Why?”

Through Song Baili’s eyes, Song Qinyao seemed to find a hint of warmth and care, but beyond the warmth, there was no deeper emotion, or perhaps just a glimpse of something beyond ordinary feelings.

This gap between expectation and reality made her feel disappointed.

“Just go!” Song Baili’s patience had burned down to its end, no longer able to tolerate any more.

She suddenly grabbed Song Qinyao’s slender arm, pulling her up as if she were a fragile flower, ignoring her struggles. She moved with hurried but steady steps, forcefully dragging her away from this place of temptation.

Song Baili hurried to a shiny luxury car, without hesitation, shoving Song Qinyao into the passenger seat before taking her place in the driver’s seat.

The car smelled faintly of newness. She adjusted the seat and rearview mirror, her fingers lightly touching the steering wheel as her eyes scanned the interior. Pressing the start button, the engine hummed to life, the sound deep and steady.

Song Qinyao leaned back in the soft leather seat. As the car drove smoothly, she felt her body gradually relax, falling into a hazy state.

Her consciousness floated in an ethereal realm. When she closed her eyes, Song Baili’s image flooded her mind.

But when she slightly opened her eyes, she found that the person she longed for was sitting right next to her, in the driver’s seat.

The boundaries between illusion and reality blurred. Song Qinyao was caught in a confusing state, unable to tell which part was truly real.

After reaching home, Song Qinyao got out of the car. Her steps were unsteady, her vision hazy. It felt as if she was walking through mist, each step unsure, moving slowly like a swaying snake from the parking lot to her room.

Finally, arriving at her room, her bed felt like the finish line of a marathon, and she couldn’t help but dive onto it, as if leaping into a soft, green field. Her body relaxed instantly.

Song Baili quietly entered the room, gently closing the door. She walked lightly to the bed and sat down, leaning slightly forward, gazing at the person lying on the bed.

Song Qinyao lay still, as though already asleep.

Song Baili gently nudged her, but when she received no response, she looked at Song Qinyao’s tranquil profile. Her gaze lingered for a moment before her brows furrowed slightly, unintentional worry crossing her mind.

After a moment, Song Baili relaxed her tense shoulders, massaged her stiff neck, sighed deeply, and then slowly stood up to leave.

Just as Song Baili turned, Song Qinyao suddenly rolled over, half sitting up, propping herself up with her elbow.

Her hand waved in the air, and with a soft voice, it broke the room’s silence like a refreshing stream.

“Sister, I want some water.”

Seeing the person who had just pretended to be asleep, Song Baili paused for a moment, narrowing her eyes, her gaze scanning Song Qinyao’s face, as if trying to discern the truth from the illusion.

There was a hint of hesitation in her eyes, but she nodded gently and went downstairs.

She walked down the wide corridor, her feet brushing over the smooth marble floor, passing the lavishly decorated living room, and entering the open, bright kitchen.

Song Baili walked over to the sink, gently turning on the faucet. The clear, pure water flowed into a delicate glass.

She carefully held the glass, worried about spilling even a drop of water, and walked steadily back up the stairs, arriving at Song Qinyao’s room.

She pushed the door open softly and entered.

Song Qinyao hurriedly drank a sip of water, but lost control of the pace, coughing violently as the water went down the wrong way. It felt as though a thousand tiny needles were stabbing her throat, and her breath was blocked. Tears welled up in her eyes.

Song Baili gently patted her back with firm hands. Seeing the coughs subside, she stopped, offering a tissue to Song Qinyao and then gently wiping the wetness from her face.

Her voice hoarse, Song Qinyao struggled to speak:

“Sister, you’re still so concerned about me. Do you still think of me as your precious one?”

Song Baili gazed at Song Qinyao, her eyes like the lake after the wind, clear and calm, holding depths yet unexplored.

“Are you really that bored to ask such questions?”

Her tone was soft and clear, like raindrops falling on leaves after a storm. Her answer was gentle yet evasive, unwilling to reveal her deeper thoughts.

In that moment, time seemed to pause. Song Qinyao felt as though she had caught a glimpse of hope, offering her a little courage and expectation.

“Sister, if you don’t mind me, why do you keep encouraging me to date? You always mention Lan Zhengping, saying we’re a good match.”

Song Baili brushed her clothes, her shoulders shrugging lightly. Her voice was calm, with a hint of a smile:

“I’m not trying to persuade you. I just think Lan Zhengping is pretty reliable. As for whether you like him, that’s up to you. The most important thing is that you’re happy. Whoever you’re with, it’s fine.”

“Really? Anyone will do? Even if they…”

Song Qinyao’s words stopped halfway, her heartbeat pounding like drums in the hands of a giant. Each beat was heavy, resonating.

Her breathing became more rapid, like she was giving a speech in front of a crowd, nervous and speechless.

She glanced at Song Baili without meaning to and found that her sister’s eyes were like a transparent window, seeing right into her deepest emotions.

Her hand unconsciously gripped the bedspread, her cheeks flushing slightly, as she swallowed hard, her lips trembling as she whispered:

“Even if… even if the person is… a woman… you wouldn’t mind?”