The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - CHAPTER 4

After dinner, Song Baihe and Song Qingyao strolled through the streets. In the cool night breeze, amidst the neon lights of a bustling alley, the crowd ebbed and flowed, filling the vibrant scene. The two sisters walked side by side, naturally weaving through the streets and throngs of people.

As they made their way through the busy street, Qingyao casually took Baihe’s hand. Her grip was firm yet gentle, as if she was holding onto a balloon, afraid it might float away into the crowd if she let go.

People hurried past, cars rushed by, and between their clasped fingers, Baihe felt a warmth that reassured her. Quietly, she turned to glance at Qingyao’s youthful face, full of vitality—a reflection of her younger self, ambitious and ready to soar.

But the courage and determination she once had, despite stumbling through challenges, had now become cautious after repeated emotional storms. Each step she took felt tentative, like walking on eggshells. Her heart had grown wary, hesitant to take bold strides.

The dazzling lights of the city around heAfter dinner, Song Baili and Song Qinyao strolled through the streets. In the cool night breeze, amidst the neon lights of a bustling alley, the crowd ebbed and flowed, filling the vibrant scene. The two sisters walked side by side, naturally weaving through the streets and throngs of people.

As they made their way through the busy street, Qinyao casually took Baili’s hand. Her grip was firm yet gentle, as if she was holding onto a balloon, afraid it might float away into the crowd if she let go.

People hurried past, cars rushed by, and between their clasped fingers, Baili felt a warmth that reassured her. Quietly, she turned to glance at Qinyao’s youthful face, full of vitality—a reflection of her younger self, ambitious and ready to soar.

But the courage and determination she once had, despite stumbling through challenges, had now become cautious after repeated emotional storms. Each step she took felt tentative, like walking on eggshells. Her heart had grown wary, hesitant to take bold strides.

The dazzling lights of the city around her were lively, yet a strange loneliness lingered in her heart. She felt like a small boat adrift in a vast sea, surrounded by endless quiet and emptiness.

Suddenly, a passerby accidentally bumped into them. Startled, Baili froze, unsure of which way to step aside.

Noticing the oncoming danger, Qinyao instinctively pulled Baili close, wrapping an arm protectively around her. Holding her firmly in an embrace, she shielded Baili with her own body.

In the dimming twilight of the street, Qinyao stood tall, exuding a steady and mature presence. Leaning closer to Baili’s ear, her voice, now calm and confident, carried a soothing warmth.

“Sis, hold onto me. Don’t wander off alone.”

Baili froze momentarily, as if time had stopped. Qinyao’s gentle words were like a soft murmur, yet they struck straight at the doubts and confusion in Baili’s heart.

Lowering her gaze, Baili looked at their intertwined hands. Qinyao’s slender fingers were delicate yet strong, like a seemingly fragile net capable of offering steadfast protection. The touch calmed Baili’s fears and eased her restless mind.

Though loneliness often crept into her heart, Baili realized she had someone special—a source of courage and strength—to rely on.

In the still, unopened café, Qian Qian heard the door creak open. She immediately straightened her posture, casting off her earlier relaxed demeanor. A friendly smile spread across her face as she swiftly walked toward the entrance.

“I’m sorry, the café isn’t open yet. Could you wait a moment—”

When Qian caught sight of the visitor’s face, her words faltered. Her expression froze in surprise, her usual customer-service phrases suddenly vanishing from her mind. Her throat felt dry as she instinctively swallowed. Just as she was about to speak, the visitor beat her to it.

“Hello, I’m Baili Song. Today’s my first day at work.”

As Baili introduced herself, Qian’s eyes widened. Her lips parted in a small “o” of surprise, her hand unconsciously clutching her chest as if trying to calm her pounding heart. Emotion rippled through her face like vivid strokes on a painting, reflecting her inner excitement.

Baili frowned slightly, raising her hand awkwardly to scratch her cheek before glancing downward. She tried to avoid Qian’s gaze, which was filled with astonishment.

Before leaving home, Baili hadn’t anticipated Qinyao’s impromptu send-off.

When they met at the doorway, Qinyao’s eyes sparkled mischievously, brimming with playful defiance. Without warning, she grabbed Baili’s cheeks and planted two quick kisses on them.

The kisses, loud and crisp, left Baili startled and flustered. She instinctively raised a hand to wipe her cheeks but hesitated and instead lightly scratched the spot with her fingers.

“Sis, feeling nostalgic? We used to part like this all the time,” Qinyao teased.

Baili stared at Qinyao’s bold lipstick, her vibrant lips standing out like fiery embers. The moment carried a warmth so genuine it felt angelic—an unguarded, golden affection encapsulating the pure bond of sisterhood.

Having spent ten years abroad, Qinyao had fully embraced the cultural habits of her new environment. To her, such actions felt natural, even as others found them perplexing.

Watching Qinyao’s figure fade from view, Baili sighed softly, a mix of emotions surging within her. Realizing she was running late, she glanced at her watch, furrowed her brows, and hurriedly left.

Rushing along, Baili dabbed at her face with a tissue, as if creating an abstract art piece. Oblivious to the curious stares of passersby, she remained focused, completely forgetting to stop by the restroom before arriving at work.

Qian, captivated by Baili’s fresh and lovely appearance, felt her thoughts momentarily halt. It was as if time rewound, and this extraordinary person stood vividly before her once again.

Snapping out of her daze, Qian realized her earlier lapse in composure. She quickly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to suppress her blush. With a soft, welcoming smile, she approached Baili, extending her hand gracefully.

“I’m Qian Qian. Welcome aboard.”

“Thank you. Please guide me well,” Baili replied, shaking hands with Qian.

As their hands touched, a surge of excitement rippled through Qian. Her lashes fluttered slightly, and a shy yet joyful smile lingered on her lips. This moment felt like a long-lost wish coming true.

Three years ago, Qian had missed the chance to meet Baili, and that regret had planted a seed in her heart—a hope of crossing paths again. Now, fate had granted her wish.
r were lively, yet a strange loneliness lingered in her heart. She felt like a small boat adrift in a vast sea, surrounded by endless quiet and emptiness.

Suddenly, a passerby accidentally bumped into them. Startled, Baihe froze, unsure of which way to step aside.

Noticing the oncoming danger, Qingyao instinctively pulled Baihe close, wrapping an arm protectively around her. Holding her firmly in an embrace, she shielded Baihe with her own body.

In the dimming twilight of the street, Qingyao stood tall, exuding a steady and mature presence. Leaning closer to Baihe’s ear, her voice, now calm and confident, carried a soothing warmth.

“Sis, hold onto me. Don’t wander off alone.”

Baihe froze momentarily, as if time had stopped. Qingyao’s gentle words were like a soft murmur, yet they struck straight at the doubts and confusion in Baihe’s heart.

Lowering her gaze, Baihe looked at their intertwined hands. Qingyao’s slender fingers were delicate yet strong, like a seemingly fragile net capable of offering steadfast protection. The touch calmed Baihe’s fears and eased her restless mind.

Though loneliness often crept into her heart, Baihe realized she had someone special—a source of courage and strength—to rely on.

In the still, unopened café, Qian Qian heard the door creak open. She immediately straightened her posture, casting off her earlier relaxed demeanor. A friendly smile spread across her face as she swiftly walked toward the entrance.

“I’m sorry, the café isn’t open yet. Could you wait a moment—”

When Qian caught sight of the visitor’s face, her words faltered. Her expression froze in surprise, her usual customer-service phrases suddenly vanishing from her mind. Her throat felt dry as she instinctively swallowed. Just as she was about to speak, the visitor beat her to it.

“Hello, I’m Baihe Song. Today’s my first day at work.”

As Baihe introduced herself, Qian’s eyes widened. Her lips parted in a small “o” of surprise, her hand unconsciously clutching her chest as if trying to calm her pounding heart. Emotion rippled through her face like vivid strokes on a painting, reflecting her inner excitement.

Baihe frowned slightly, raising her hand awkwardly to scratch her cheek before glancing downward. She tried to avoid Qian’s gaze, which was filled with astonishment.

Before leaving home, Baihe hadn’t anticipated Qingyao’s impromptu send-off.

When they met at the doorway, Qingyao’s eyes sparkled mischievously, brimming with playful defiance. Without warning, she grabbed Baihe’s cheeks and planted two quick kisses on them.

The kisses, loud and crisp, left Baihe startled and flustered. She instinctively raised a hand to wipe her cheeks but hesitated and instead lightly scratched the spot with her fingers.

“Sis, feeling nostalgic? We used to part like this all the time,” Qingyao teased.

Baihe stared at Qingyao’s bold lipstick, her vibrant lips standing out like fiery embers. The moment carried a warmth so genuine it felt angelic—an unguarded, golden affection encapsulating the pure bond of sisterhood.

Having spent ten years abroad, Qingyao had fully embraced the cultural habits of her new environment. To her, such actions felt natural, even as others found them perplexing.

Watching Qingyao’s figure fade from view, Baihe sighed softly, a mix of emotions surging within her. Realizing she was running late, she glanced at her watch, furrowed her brows, and hurriedly left.

Rushing along, Baihe dabbed at her face with a tissue, as if creating an abstract art piece. Oblivious to the curious stares of passersby, she remained focused, completely forgetting to stop by the restroom before arriving at work.

Qian, captivated by Baihe’s fresh and lovely appearance, felt her thoughts momentarily halt. It was as if time rewound, and this extraordinary person stood vividly before her once again.

Snapping out of her daze, Qian realized her earlier lapse in composure. She quickly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, trying to suppress her blush. With a soft, welcoming smile, she approached Baihe, extending her hand gracefully.

“I’m Qian Qian. Welcome aboard.”

“Thank you. Please guide me well,” Baihe replied, shaking hands with Qian.

As their hands touched, a surge of excitement rippled through Qian. Her lashes fluttered slightly, and a shy yet joyful smile lingered on her lips. This moment felt like a long-lost wish coming true.

Three years ago, Qian had missed the chance to meet Baihe, and that regret had planted a seed in her heart—a hope of crossing paths again. Now, fate had granted her wish.