The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 37

Song Baili was momentarily stunned, her thoughts spinning like a chaotic movie in her mind. Countless scenes flashed by, but she couldn’t find any familiar clues.

She had once speculated that Song Qinyao’s crush might be on some calm middle-aged man, or maybe someone else’s husband. But she had never imagined it would be a girl.

After all, Song Qinyao’s straightness felt like a perfectly straight highway, heading straight toward the destination of heterosexuality, with no curves or deviations.

Anyone who could make Song Qinyao bend—either had irresistible charm or had mastered the art of “bending” someone.

Song Baili’s face grew serious, her forehead lightly furrowing as her thoughts flowed like a winding stream, chaotic and tangled.

Song Qinyao sensed the surprised look from Song Baili and, after a moment, became lost in deep thought.

“Sis, you can’t accept this, can you?” Song Qinyao stared into Song Baili’s eyes, trying to read what lay deep within her heart.

But despite her best efforts, she couldn’t see past the fog of uncertainty in her sister’s mind.

After a brief silence, Song Baili spoke, her voice calm:

“I can accept it. I just didn’t expect you to be bent too.”

As soon as those words left her mouth, Song Qinyao seemed to realize something. Her eyes widened in surprise, and she suddenly jumped up from the bed, sitting up straight.

“You said ‘too’? So I was right! Qian Qian is bent as well!”

“Stop joking. She has a boyfriend.”

Song Baili’s brows furrowed, and an unpleasant memory from that dinner party resurfaced. Li Shao’s overly emotional expressions and deliberate intimacy had made her feel disgusted.

The images of that night were like a stain, slowly tarnishing the once-pure memories of a happier time.

“Having a boyfriend doesn’t mean she’s straight. She could be interested in girls, especially the way she looks at you—it’s different.”

“You don’t know her that well. You’ve barely met her, so don’t make assumptions.”

Song Baili’s eyes shifted as she scanned Song Qinyao, trying to find some familiar energy or connection. But she felt nothing that mirrored her own.

“Are you really sure she has no interest in girls?”

Song Baili’s lips tightened, her heart a bit tangled, and her thoughts were still in turmoil. Yet, without thinking, she said:

“I’m sure.”

Her voice was somewhat weak as she spoke, and an inner conflict showed clearly on her face.

“Well, in that case, I’ll relax. I hope my brother can step up and win Qian Qian’s heart.”

“They really do suit each other.”

Song Baili nodded lightly, expressing her quiet approval of the situation.

Song Qinyao’s brows relaxed, her previously tense expression softened into a gentle smile, and her heart felt lighter, as if a heavy weight had been lifted.

Song Baili wouldn’t pressure her to follow the traditional path of marriage and was open to her liking women.

Qian Qian was straight, and from Song Baili’s attitude, it seemed she had no special feelings for her either.

It was as if a gentle breeze had blown away the clouds in Song Qinyao’s heart. Her wilting flower began to feel the warmth of the sun again, slowly blossoming.

Song Qinyao had set her sights on Song Baili, a goal that seemed as difficult as trying to catch the moon. Her progress was slow, like a tortoise dragging a stone, but she was determined to break through this challenge, believing that one day, she would succeed.

The faint smell of cleaning agent filled the restaurant, the floor still marked with the janitor’s footprints. The staff was busy setting up dishes, and the kitchen just started to release its aroma. The restaurant was still quiet.

In this calm moment, Song Baili was surprised to see Li Shao enter the restaurant.

His arrival cast a heavy shadow over the still-unopened restaurant. The staff paused in their work, their voices dimming as they exchanged silent glances, sensing something unpleasant was coming.

Li Shao, with his chestnut-colored head and thick eyebrows like caterpillars, had small eyes that hid behind them but now gleamed with a dangerous light. His face was twisted with disdain, and his mouth was set in a deep frown, as if carrying the weight of his contempt.

He stood there, his brows tightly knit, nostrils flaring as if exuding an aura of threat, making it clear he was here to cause trouble.

Qian Qian hurried out of the restroom, and just as she released a sigh, another bigger trouble quietly arrived.

As expected, when the two of them met, it was like lighting a powder keg. A storm of insults erupted immediately, and the argument escalated quickly.

Li Shao’s anger was so intense his eyes turned red, veins bulged on his forehead, and he pointed a finger at Qian Qian. His words were filled with hatred, but it was clear the fury inside him could not be contained by words alone.

Their verbal clash grew fiercer, soon turning into a heated argument.

The staff split into two groups—one curious and eager to gossip, and the other hesitant to intervene.

The male staff members were all a little intimidated, none brave enough to step in.

Seeing that no one dared intervene, Song Baili bit her lip, took a deep breath, and, without hesitation, rushed into the chaotic scene.

Just as Li Shao raised his hand, about to strike Qian Qian’s cheek, Song Baili moved like lightning, stepping in between them, using her body as a solid wall to block the blow.

Li Shao froze, his hand suspended in the air, his gaze locked on the face he had once admired. Time seemed to stop for a second.

Song Baili lifted her chin slightly, her eyes unflinchingly meeting Li Shao’s, her expression calm and unperturbed, as if she were a calm lake.

The anger that had been building inside Li Shao began to dissipate as his gaze softened at the sight of her beauty. His hand, raised in anger, slowly lowered.

He stared at Song Baili, slightly opening his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately chose silence.

“Mr. Li, we’re about to start working. Can we deal with this later?”

Song Baili smiled faintly, her voice smooth and calm, each word carrying weight but also a soft melody. There was something soothing and peaceful about her voice.

Li Shao’s brows finally relaxed, and he straightened up slightly, silent, but his posture showed he was accepting her suggestion.

He then glanced at Qian Qian, pointing at her as if to say, “I’ll deal with you later,” before turning and leaving the restaurant.

The atmosphere in the restaurant slowly calmed down, as if the entire scene had been reset. The workers returned to their tasks, the laughter and chatter filling the space once more.

In the afternoon, the restaurant owner arrived, and a heavy atmosphere blanketed the entire restaurant.

He called for Qian Qian to go to his office, and when the door quietly closed behind them, everyone felt the weight of the situation. It seemed like a disaster was brewing.

As time passed and the sky outside began to turn a faint yellow from the evening light, the restaurant began to empty, and the staff cleaned up, returning to a quiet state.

When the office door opened again, the restaurant’s lights had dimmed, and the silence was so thick you could hear your own heartbeat.

Qian Qian entered the changing room, looking tired and helpless. Her eyes, once clear, were now red like a rabbit’s, her eyes swollen, and her delicate nose tinged with a faint redness. She sniffled, trying not to make too much noise.

“Are you okay?”

Qian Qian was lost in her thoughts, completely unaware of the presence in the changing room.

Suddenly, there was a noise, and she froze like a scared kitten. Her body tensed, and a look of alertness spread across her face as she searched for the source of the sound.

Through the dim light, Song Baili’s figure appeared, her elegant posture and sparkling eyes clear in Qian Qian’s sight.

Qian Qian instinctively wiped her eyes, trying to hide her red-rimmed eyes, but it was futile.

“Bai-jie…”

Song Baili stepped closer to her, brows furrowed in concern, her fingers gently touching Qian Qian’s arm. She tilted her head slightly, her eyes soft as she gazed at Qian Qian’s face.

“What happened? Can you tell me?”

Qian Qian’s long-suppressed emotions broke free, like a lake being violently stirred, and soon her eyes filled with tears.

The tears, which had been held back, fell like pearls slipping off a broken string, unstoppable.

Song Baili held her clothing tightly, her fingers seemingly pressing through the fabric, as if feeling the rain of her own heart.