The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 38

Song Baili felt that the crystal-clear tears falling from her eyes were like drops of water from the river of happiness, a part of every woman’s inner world. Each drop carried infinite tenderness and care.

These tears were not forced out, but born from love for the one who meant the most.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Song Baili’s lips, her gaze unfocused, her eyes reflecting both pain and jealousy. Her hands unconsciously clenched into fists.

Qian Qian parted her lips, but the words she wanted to say swirled in her throat, stuck between wanting to speak and holding back.

Every time she thought about expressing her feelings, her father’s stern warning felt like an unbreakable chain, immediately sealing her lips.

“I’ve decided to pull out of the investment in this restaurant. You have one week to pay back my debt. If you can’t, don’t think this place will be peaceful. I’ll send people to wreck it, and then let’s see how you two survive!”

Li Shao’s words seemed to linger in front of her eyes, refusing to fade. Qian Qian’s fingers trembled slightly, her gaze dimmed, and an overwhelming sense of unease and helplessness washed over her, like a shadow drifting in the darkness, hard to dispel.

Song Baili noticed the increasing tears in Qian Qian’s eyes. Her own heart tightened with anxiety as she nervously scanned the surroundings, but she couldn’t find a tissue to wipe away the tears.

After a brief hesitation, she gently raised her hand, her sleeve softly brushing across Qian Qian’s face, the sensation like a delicate feather, gently wiping away the sorrow from her eyes.

As Song Baili’s arm moved, Qian Qian’s heart seemed to be stirred, the soft touch like an electric current, awakening deep emotions that caused her heart to swell. Unable to control herself, she suddenly leaned forward and collapsed into Song Baili’s embrace.

Qian Qian’s nose trembled slightly, and the sweet scent that filled the air reminded her of jam, smooth and sweet. As she inhaled deeply, the fragrance gradually transformed into an alluring floral aroma.

The scent wasn’t overwhelming but just right—neither too strong nor too faint—like a mix of nostalgia and comfort, gently entering her senses and filling her with an indescribable sense of happiness.

Without warning, Qian Qian squeezed into Song Baili’s arms, her tears wetting Song Baili’s shoulder. She felt her heartbeat quicken, her emotions rising to an uncontrollable point.

She gently wrapped her arms around Qian Qian’s slender body, careful not to hold too tightly, fearing that one wrong move would shatter this fragile moment. Silence replaced words, with only their hurried breaths echoing in the air.

Song Baili could feel the desire surging inside her, but she dared not be too reckless.

Qian Qian’s head rested lightly on the slender shoulder, her eyes closing as her cheek pressed softly against Song Baili’s chest. The sound of the heartbeat in her ears was like a soft melody, gradually easing her inner unease and replacing it with a sense of comforting warmth.

“Bai-jie, I don’t want to be alone at home.”

“Then let’s go for a walk outside.”

“But I also want to go home…”

Qian Qian said, then slowly raised her head, gazing at Song Baili. Her eyes were like the clear waters of an autumn morning, bright and deep, filled with light that seemed to carry endless emotions and feelings, making her even more enchanting.

“Then I’ll go with you. Let’s sit at your place for a while.”

“Bai-jie, you’re the most considerate.”

Qian Qian said excitedly, stepping forward and opening her arms to tightly embrace Song Baili, her arms warm and firm as they wrapped around her waist.

A special sense of satisfaction filled Qian Qian’s heart. In this moment, she could express her feelings without holding back, drawing close and enjoying this intimacy without worrying about being misunderstood.

As Qian Qian thought about being single again, her expression softened, like a knot being undone, with a hint of peace and freedom in her eyes. For a brief moment, she felt a lightness in her heart as if she had no more constraints.

She gently nestled into the warm embrace, her hands gradually relaxing, her body no longer tense, a smile creeping onto her lips, showing a peaceful sense of relief.

When Song Baili and Qian Qian reached the traffic light and were about to turn right into Qian Qian’s neighborhood, they suddenly saw a shiny golden luxury car driving ahead of them, just in front of their path.

Both of them noticed the car at the same time, and their moods instantly froze.

Song Baili frowned slightly, her eyes showing hesitation and caution. Qian Qian, on the other hand, looked around nervously, as if searching for a way to deal with the situation.

She drove on, looking for a place to park, then quickly took out her phone and dialed the security number for her neighborhood.

Her fingers trembled as she held the phone, speaking rapidly, her words flowing out in a rush as she relayed the situation all at once.

When the call ended, Qian Qian’s face turned pale, her eyes shifting with a mixture of unease and confusion, like a distorted reflection, showing her fear and uncertainty.

“He’s really waiting for you in your neighborhood?”

Qian Qian nodded. The light from the streetlamp danced on her face, casting a dim and fragmented image, the shadows around her eyes deepening. She looked exhausted, as if weighed down by an unbearable pressure.

“What’s he doing this time? Why is he coming after you?”

“Probably nothing good.”

Qian Qian’s gaze was like a sky consumed by a storm, filled with confusion and despair, her lips pressed tightly together. Her shoulders were slightly hunched, as if she was bearing the weight of the world.

When they were together, she had believed that Li Shao would be like a sturdy tree sheltering her from the storm, but instead, he was more like a leaking umbrella, only useful in a light breeze.

Qian Qian may not understand astrology or fortune-telling, but she could sense that she had become the unfortunate target of a storm. She knew, deep down, that Li Shao wouldn’t let her go easily after their breakup, and she felt trapped in a situation she couldn’t escape.

Song Baili lowered her head slightly, biting her lip as she quietly weighed her options.

Suddenly, she raised her head and locked eyes with Qian Qian, her expression holding a touch of hope, though her inner anxiety was hard to hide.

She swallowed, then hesitated before speaking, her voice soft and uncertain.

“Maybe you should consider staying at my place tonight. I’m actually not comfortable with you being alone at home.”

When Qian Qian heard this, a spark of hope suddenly ignited in her heart, like a beam of morning light piercing through the gloom.

Her tightly furrowed brow slowly relaxed, her body softened, and a smile spread across her face. For a moment, she felt as if her heart had been lit up like a candle, warm and bright.

God had closed all her doors, but had somehow locked her and the one she cared about behind the same door.

The surprise was more sudden than receiving free ice cream, and in that laughter, she could almost taste the sweetness.

“Then I guess I’ll trouble you tonight.”

“No problem. I’ll just give my uncle a call and let him know.”

Song Baili quickly took out her phone, pressed the dial button, and waited patiently.

When her gaze turned to Qian Qian, the corners of her eyes lifted, and a smile spread across her lips. Her smile was not just on her mouth but also in her eyes, in her whole expression.

The phone rang, but the voice on the other end wasn’t the one she had expected—her uncle, Song Zuming. Instead, it was Song Yongjun.

Song Baili blinked in surprise, then quickly regained her composure, speaking in a calm tone.

“Is Uncle busy?”

“Dad is still in a meeting. If it’s something urgent, I can go tell him.”

“It’s nothing big. My friend wants to stay at my place tonight. Can you pass the message to Uncle?”

“Wow, wow, wow, is this your crush…”

On the other end of the line, Song Yongjun’s voice was filled with excitement, as his imagination ran wild, only to be interrupted by Song Baili’s firm response.

“It’s Qian Qian. She ran into a little trouble and can’t go home for now.”

The other end of the phone grew silent. After a moment of stillness, Song Baili called out twice, “Hello? Hello?”

Finally, after another brief pause, Song Yongjun’s voice came back, slightly excited.

“If your friend needs help, we can’t just leave them hanging. Don’t worry, I’ll go tell Dad.”

“Okay, that’s settled. We’re heading back home now.”

Qian Qian knew this was a wealthy neighborhood, but she had no idea just how grand the house would be.

As she walked through the underground parking lot and stepped onto the second floor, she caught a glimpse of the luxurious scene reflected in the glass wall. As she walked down the spacious hallway, her pupils widened, her fingers gently gripping her clothes, slowing her breath, and her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings.

The walls on either side of the corridor were adorned with magnificent paintings, and the furniture was tasteful and luxurious. The large windows let in plenty of light, and every detail of the place exuded wealth and unique artistic charm.

Qian Qian’s eyes moved continuously, sometimes squinting, sometimes stopping to admire, her fingers lightly touching the walls, unable to hide her shock and awe.

She had thought the Li family’s home was luxurious, but Song Baili’s mansion seemed to be made of golden bricks, and this difference was massive. It seemed the Li family had a lot of work to do to catch up to the Song family’s standard.

Song Baili’s bedroom was spacious and comfortable, with a color scheme of gray, white, and blue, creating a fresh and peaceful atmosphere.

The room featured a private dressing room and bathroom, and the furniture was simple yet refined. It had only a comfortable double bed and an elegant sofa.

By the window, there was a spacious bay window with a full bookshelf. The bookshelves were filled with a wide range of literature and academic works, adding a touch of artistic atmosphere to the otherwise simple yet tasteful room.

Qian Qian carefully followed Song Baili’s actions, clumsily hanging her bag and coat on the coat rack. She stood in the center of the room, her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, observing every corner of this new space.

Unconsciously, she adjusted her clothes, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her face, as if she were a girlfriend visiting her beloved boyfriend’s house for the first time—nervous, yet full of anticipation.

“The towels and pajamas are in the bathroom. All the other necessities are in the storage cabinet. Go ahead and take a shower,” Song Baili said.

Qian Qian turned, her gaze fixed on Song Baili. Slowly taking a step forward, she looked up slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. She spoke with a teasing tone, her red lips parting slightly as she said, “Bai-jie, how about we bathe together?”