The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 42

After breakfast, Song Baili and Song Qinyao walked out of the restaurant together. The sunlight filtered through the morning clouds, casting a warm and pleasant glow on them.

They strolled along the bustling street, with shop windows displaying all sorts of goods that caught their attention.

Song Qinyao excitedly entered a few shops she liked, carrying bag after bag of shopping spoils.

As the hands of the clock neared the store opening time, Song Baili quickly glanced at her watch, watching the time slip by, and frowned slightly, urging Song Qinyao.

Song Qinyao, while organizing her shopping bags, sensed Song Baili’s impatient gaze. A sense of reluctance rose in her heart. She wanted to hold her sister’s hand and ask her to stay a little longer, but she knew deep down that some things could not be stopped by time.

An hour before opening, Qian Qianzhao arrived at the store as usual, ready to dive into the busy preparation work.

She checked the details of the dining tables and menu displays, wiped down the bar counter, and went through everything as she had always done.

Song Baili arrived as usual and, after changing clothes, joined the operation of the store. On the surface, they were both busy, but their interactions felt as if a faint veil had descended between them, like two strangers meeting for the first time, with a sense of distance and caution.

Just as Song Baili finished the task at hand and was about to move on to other duties, she suddenly heard a soft call.

Her steps paused for a moment, and she turned to look in the direction of the sound. She saw Qian Qianzhao walking slowly toward her, with an expression in her eyes that carried a sense of unusual emotion.

Qian Qianzhao stopped in front of Song Baili, her gaze drifting to the distance, then returning to Song Baili.

Her lips tightened slightly, and her words seemed to hesitate on the edge of her mouth. After a deep breath, she finally spoke.

“Earlier… did you really forget something?”

A fleeting hesitation appeared on Song Baili’s face. Her gaze wandered in the air, her lips trembling slightly as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.

There was a hint of guilt that brushed across her heart, and her hand paused in mid-air before it finally fell back to her side.

“Don’t pretend to be confused. It’s a lie, right?”

Qian Qianzhao spoke softly, her words tinged with bitterness.

Suddenly, a faint laugh escaped her throat, but it felt as if blocked by an invisible film, mixed with a heartbreaking heaviness.

Song Baili clenched her fists tightly, only to unconsciously relax her grip.

She gazed into Qian Qianzhao’s eyes, her body slightly straightening. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions, and her lips parted as she said:

“You know, this wasn’t entirely my idea.”

“Even though you didn’t suggest it, you’re still part of it!”

Qian Qianzhao stepped forward in agitation, slightly lifting her chin, standing tall, her chest visibly rising and falling. A faint sound of her teeth grinding could be heard, like the crackling sound of ice breaking.

Song Baili fell silent for a moment, then tilted her head slightly, looking away, seemingly unwilling to let anyone see the turmoil inside her.

She then raised her head, a slight smirk on her lips, her voice cold and carrying a hint of challenge.

“Wasn’t it something you were happy about?”

“Sister, do you think I always have to look serious?”

“Then you weren’t exactly thrilled either.”

Qian Qianzhao was so angry that she almost felt her frustration burst out. Her fists were clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

Though she remained calm on the surface, inside, it felt as if her heart had dropped into an endless dark abyss, lost and unable to find an exit.

She unconsciously raised her hand and lightly touched her forehead. The moment her fingers touched her skin, a fiery surge of emotion ignited in her chest, her anger so intense it seemed to burn the air.

Her lips moved, and she muttered softly:

“Yeah, I was quite happy. Thanks to you all for meddling so much, so enthusiastically helping me finish it all!”

Qian Qianzhao shot Song Baili a furious look, her lips twitching with both anger and restraint. She turned and stormed off.

Two hours earlier, when the restaurant was about to close, Song Yongjun suddenly appeared, claiming that he had just finished a meeting with some clients and decided to dine here.

The excuse was so old and worn out that Song Baili had grown tired of hearing it. She just wanted to skip past it, shaking her head and stepping aside to let Qian Qianzhao serve him.

Song Yongjun ate his fill, his gaze scanning the restaurant before finally resting on Qian Qianzhao.

Then, with interest, he ordered a coffee and dessert set.

When the dessert arrived, he picked up the spoon and slowly savored each bite, sometimes pausing, sometimes continuing. His expression gradually took on a weary curve, clearly feeling the weight of the food.

Song Yongjun’s demeanor was exceptional, like a star stepping out of a movie screen, especially when he smiled—he seemed to bring light into the restaurant.

The dim yellow light cast a golden glow on him, making his presence feel like a painting brought to life, elevating the atmosphere around him to one of luxury.

Suddenly, a fierce-looking man barged into the shop.

His presence immediately froze the atmosphere inside, as if the peaceful little world had been abruptly engulfed by darkness.

He entered like a beast with sharp fangs, his steps strong and purposeful. His shoulders trembled slightly, and his eyes scanned the room, looking for his target. Anyone who caught his attention seemed bound for a bad outcome.

The angry man finally locked onto his target, his gaze sharp like a hawk, directly heading for Qian Qianzhao. At the same time, another tall figure swiftly stood up and dashed over, stepping in front of the menacing man.

Song Yongjun stood tall, his broad shoulders and stern face creating a barrier in front of Qian Qianzhao, casting a protective shadow over her.

The air seemed to thicken, and everyone silently stopped what they were doing, all eyes fixed on the tense standoff, holding their breath in anticipation of what was about to unfold.

The two of them formed an intense standoff in the small space.

It was as if two irreconcilable forces were clashing, and the towering figure before Li Shao created a feeling of pressure. He felt his throat dry and subtly swallowed.

Li Shao instinctively took two steps back, his gaze passing through Song Yongjun to land on Qian Qianzhao. He raised an eyebrow and pointed at her with a harsh gesture, his hand conveying a clear warning.

Li Shao’s eyes flicked to the side, where a shadowy figure slipped into the office, disappearing into the doorway.

He grinned and swiftly turned, storming toward the office. With a violent shove, he slammed the door open, his anger palpable in every move.

Shouting and insults quickly filtered through the office door, reaching the outside where everyone looked on, their eyes exchanging looks filled with curiosity and unease.

Qian Qianzhao’s eyes flickered with worry, and she hesitated before taking a step toward the office. But as she moved, she suddenly felt a warm presence on her shoulder. A firm hand gently rested on her, signaling her to stop.

She turned around and saw Song Yongjun gently shake his head. His voice was both soft and firm as he said:

“I’ll go check.”

Qian Qian glanced at Song Yongjun gratefully and gave a small nod, feeling a little embarrassed.

She didn’t meet his eyes directly but instead looked down at the floor. When she looked up again, she saw Song Baili intently staring in their direction.

When their gazes met, Song Baili casually shifted her focus away and turned her attention back to the task at hand, as if she were in a world of her own, completely detached from the surrounding noise, seeming colder than any bystander.

In that instant, Qian Qian felt a slight tightness in her throat and a heaviness in her chest, as though a heavy stone had settled there.

She instinctively placed her hand over her chest, trying to hold back tears, biting her lip as she swallowed them down.

The warm embrace she longed for seemed as distant as if separated by thousands of miles. The warmth she yearned for always turned into a fleeting breeze, disappearing without a trace.

The haven she sought was becoming more and more blurred, like a wisp of smoke in a dream—illusory and unreachable.

The person she deeply cared for seemed to constantly, in one confusing way or another, either actively or passively, dissolve her longing, pushing her into the arms of others. And her deep affection seemed only to bring displeasure in their eyes.

Sadness welled up, but the tears were trapped like liquid in a bottle, unable to flow, no matter how much she shook it.

The pain inside her was like an invisible mist, unspoken, but spreading in her eyes.

During the wait, Qian Qian’s thoughts seemed to drift into past memories or perhaps into the possibilities of the future.

She gripped the back of her chair tightly, her eyes locked on the office door, wishing she could sense everything inside through the wooden panels.

The office door was angrily slammed open by Li Shao. He stormed out, and the door slammed shut with a loud bang.

Behind the door, Qian Qian’s eyes widened, her mouth slightly open, her expression as still as an ice sculpture.

Li Shao’s retreating figure grew smaller in her eyes, and time seemed to freeze around her, stuck at that moment.

Qian Qian snapped out of it, hurriedly pushing open the office door. The room was filled with a suffocating atmosphere, papers scattered on the desk like the aftermath of a storm.

Mr. Qian sat at his desk, shadows casting over his face, outlining the years on him. He rested his forehead on his hand and sighed. Qian Qian rushed over, wanting to say something, but was speechless in the face of her father’s aging appearance.

The tension in the room was like a turbulent sea, and the exchange of glances between Qian Qian and her father conveyed mutual understanding and concern. The sighs and the worry in their eyes hit them like waves crashing into their hearts.

Song Yongjun stood by the door outside, arms crossed, sometimes squinting at the closed door, occasionally glancing at his watch. A soft sigh escaped his lips, unaware.

At the bar, Song Baili was calmly wiping glasses.

Each wipe carried a little extra force, and her gaze would occasionally drift toward the office door. The longer the wait, the more tightly her brows furrowed, a faint anxiety flickering in her eyes.

The office door opened quietly, and dim light spilled out, illuminating Qian Qian’s tired face.

She lowered her eyelids slightly, her steps heavy, as if each movement required extra effort.

“Is everything okay?”

As soon as Song Yongjun saw Qian Qian emerging, he rushed over in a hurry, his eyes full of concern and affection, as if the world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in their own little world.

Song Baili, unfazed, continued wiping the glasses at her pace, observing the scene with a cold expression. Her eyes flashed with a hint of mockery as she thought to herself:

“Look at this anxiety. It’s as if someone is at death’s door…”

Qian Qian’s gaze swept across the bar, surprised to find that Song Baili had not yet left. Her face softened with a hint of joy.

She cleared her throat lightly, making a slight noise, hoping to catch Song Baili’s attention.

“My dad said he has a solution, told me not to worry too much, he’ll take care of it.”

As she spoke, Qian Qian lightly raised her hand, gently brushing her forehead, her fingers brushing against her skin. Her tone carried a faint helplessness, while her eyes subtly flicked toward Song Baili behind the bar.

Song Yongjun’s furrowed brow relaxed, and his gaze lingered on Qian Qian’s face for a moment, as warm as sunlight on her skin. He then smiled softly and straightened up, his tone light as he said:

“I know a place. How about we go there and unwind a bit?”

Qian Qian paused, hesitation spreading across her face.

Her eyes drifted over to Song Yongjun’s face, but she couldn’t help but glance at Song Baili behind him. She parted her lips to speak, but her expression was indecisive.

Song Yongjun raised an eyebrow, turning to look behind him. A bright smile spread across his face, his eyes flickering as if he’d made a new discovery.

He walked lightly toward Song Baili, gently suggesting:

“Sis, you don’t have plans tonight, do you? There’s a great spot, want to join me?”

“I’ve already made plans with a friend. She’s about to arrive, maybe next time.”

Song Baili didn’t look up from her work as she spoke.

Once she finished arranging the last cup, she cleaned the workspace, neatly placing the cloth aside, and wiped her hands. Everything was perfectly finished for the day.

As she passed by Song Yongjun, Song Baili lightly patted his shoulder. At the same time, she felt Qian Qian’s gaze on her, as though it lightly brushed past her, sending a flutter of emotion and hesitation through her.

Her long lashes fluttered slightly, but she didn’t stop or look up to meet that gaze. Instead, she pretended not to notice, maintaining her calm expression as she continued walking.

Qian Qian watched as Song Baili’s figure slowly disappeared at the end of the restaurant. A slight, defeated curve appeared at the corner of her mouth, as if a heavy hammer had struck her heart, leaving her feeling suffocated.

She had thought Song Baili was waiting for her, but now it seemed that wasn’t the case.

Qian Qian mechanically adjusted her disheveled hair, her eyes showing signs of fatigue and helplessness.

She turned her body and looked at Song Yongjun, trying to force a smile, but it was twisted by the bitterness inside, holding something unspoken.

She pursed her lips, pausing for a moment. The brief silence seemed to reflect the intense inner conflict, before she sighed lightly and said:

“I want to go somewhere to clear my head tonight. What do you think?”