The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 43

Under Qian Qian’s guidance, Song Yongjun arrived at a bustling bar street by the lake.

This place might seem ordinary during the day, but by night, it takes on a unique charm, like a plain girl who, after some careful makeup, transforms into a little beauty under the glow of the lights.

Various types of music echoed through the street, mingling with the sounds of laughter and singing. The bar lights scattered in all directions, creating a dazzling and colorful night scene. The whole street was decorated like a poem, with small vendors selling all sorts of snacks, their aromas wafting in the night air.

The lake gently rippled, and a soft breeze blew, making the willows by the lake sway gracefully. Under the cover of the night, the scene became a peaceful and beautiful picture.

Song Yongjun and Qian Qian walked through the street and finally chose a cozy bar.

The bar’s design was unique, with brilliant colorful lights swaying in the night sky. The outdoor seating was surrounded by umbrellas in various colors, and the music gently floated in the air.

They chose a comfortable outdoor table where they could feel the gentle breeze.

Song Yongjun’s eyes wandered over Qian Qian’s face, noticing that her expression gradually relaxed. After a few drinks, her gaze became a bit distant.

His brows furrowed slightly, fingers curling lightly as he thought for a moment, then he finally broke the silence and asked:

“Has your family been facing financial troubles recently?”

Qian Qian lowered her eyes, her slender fingers gently tracing the rim of her glass in circles, as if drawing an endless past.

Suddenly, she raised her glass, her lips lightly touching the rim, and the faint scent of alcohol spread.

She slowly took a sip, her brows furrowing slightly. Her voice, worn by the years, sounded a bit hoarse, but with a lingering softness as she spoke:

“Since we opened this shop, we’ve been losing money every month. It’s all been supported by Li Shao, and unknowingly, we’ve fallen into debt.”

Qian Qian paused for a moment, her lips tightening as her gaze fell to the table.

After the recent stir, the family’s issues could no longer be hidden, like a dirty rug being lifted, exposing the mess beneath, leading to unavoidable awkwardness and gossip.

Her fingers lightly swirled the wine glass, letting out a soft sigh, her lips reluctantly curling into a bitter smile. The smile reached her brows, revealing a deep, weighty sense of helplessness.

“We’ve broken up now. The debt still needs to be repaid, but he’s set a deadline for a week. With such urgency, how can I gather the money?”

As her words fell, Song Yongjun leaned slightly forward. Perhaps due to genuine concern, he forgot his usual gentlemanly demeanor and instinctively placed his hand gently over the back of the hand Qian Qian had resting on the table.

“Xiao Qian, let me help you solve this problem.”

Qian Qian froze for a moment. After feeling Song Yongjun’s touch, she hesitated, then without a second thought, pulled her hand back.

Her gaze shifted slightly, and out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of Song Yongjun. For a split second, it seemed like she caught a trace of bashfulness on his face, like a young man entering the world of love for the first time.

The atmosphere grew a little awkward. Qian Qian lowered her head, as if a faint shadow had covered her face. She avoided making any eye contact with Song Yongjun, her fingers nervously stirring the wine in her glass, her movements revealing an uneasy emotion.

“My dad promised to take care of it. I trust him, he’ll find a way.”

Understanding her rejection, Song Yongjun instinctively adjusted his posture, leaning slightly back.

His smile remained, but his lips trembled slightly, and the smile seemed a little forced.

“Alright, if you need anything, just let me know. Don’t feel burdened, I’m always here for my friends.”

Qian Qian nodded, lifting her eyes. Her pupils dilated slightly as a woman suddenly entered her line of sight. The woman’s grace and beauty seemed straight out of a fairytale.

This woman was already eye-catching, and now, she was accompanied by a gorgeous blonde, looking like a pair of moving advertisements. Wherever they went, they became the center of attention.

At this moment, with people constantly coming in and out, Qian Qian deliberately avoided their direction, lowering her head with care, trying to conceal her face.

However, Song Yongjun’s tall frame stood out in this crowded environment.

It seemed like Song Baili had already sensed their presence. She suddenly stopped in her tracks, her gaze shifting toward them, then walked toward them with a calm and graceful manner.

“What a coincidence, you’re here too?”

After Song Yongjun spoke, he suddenly realized that there was a woman standing behind Song Baili.

His eyes instantly lit up with excitement, and he beamed with joy, quickly standing up and straightening his clothes, then extending his hand to introduce himself with a warm smile.

Qian Qian took a deep breath and slowly raised her head, forcing a wide smile. The curve of her lips seemed to be pulled with effort, as if she was trying to cover the deep sorrow inside.

Song Yongjun was a huge fan of Dominika, his eyes sparkling as he listened to her talk. His brow lifted with excitement, and the two of them hit it off immediately, as though they were old friends, their conversation floating like a hot air balloon, becoming more interesting with each word, filled with laughter.

Qian Qian kept her gaze lowered, but she could feel Song Baili’s attentive gaze, as gentle as a beam of light, warm but not intrusive, quietly passing through her lowered hair, brushing against her heartstrings.

Her fingers lightly clutched the hem of her clothes, and her heartbeat seemed more pronounced under the attention of that gaze.

She understood that all she needed to do was slightly lift her head to break the invisible barrier, but she stubbornly kept her head down, unwilling to meet the other’s gaze.

Dominika’s gaze floated like a breeze, lightly passing between the handsome man and beautiful woman, capturing every subtle exchange of glances and body language.

Suddenly, a faint smile appeared on her face, and she skillfully wrapped up the conversation.

She and Song Baili chose a quiet and comfortable spot, with Dominika draping an arm over the back of the chair as she gracefully sat down. Her gaze lingered on Song Baili’s face for a moment, as though savoring the sight.

“Your brother is really handsome, tall, with perfect looks. You both must have great genes.”

“That’s why some people get attracted, spending the morning together and then wanting to stay together again at night.”

These words had been on Song Baili’s mind since the morning, and now that they were spoken, it seemed she hadn’t realized that these emotions had already brewed inside her into something subtle, revealing a slightly sour tone.

Dominika’s eyes drifted toward the stunning couple, her head tilting slightly as she spoke with a puzzled tone:

“Wait, wasn’t Qian Qian Li Shao’s girlfriend?”

Dominika instantly caught the look in Song Baili’s eyes, seeing her fall silent, and knew exactly what that meant.

Couples sometimes appear like clothes on the body—whether they fit is obvious to onlookers. She wasn’t surprised by their breakup, but what surprised her was that Qian Qian had always had her heart set on the younger brother, not the older sister.

Song Baili casually glanced around, her eyes quickly sweeping through the restaurant. Her hand gently grasped the cup handle, raising the cup to take a sip. A refreshing fragrance spread in her mouth, accompanied by a faint lemon scent.

Unintentionally, she caught Dominika’s gaze, which was like a bright spotlight, and she gently set the cup down, speaking with a slight smile:

“Don’t hold back, just say it. What’s the collaboration you want to talk about?”

“I’m planning a few video shoots around here. Can you do me a favor and be my special guest?”

“I don’t do well on camera, find someone else.”

“Stop with the reverse psychology. You’re just scared of being famous. People still talk about you, the beautiful chef from the competition.”

Song Baili’s brows lifted slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Her fingers lightly traced the rim of her cup, her gaze distant yet distinctive. Her cool detachment was mixed with an elegant subtlety, like an observer who inadvertently captivated everyone around her.

Song Baili’s gaze unconsciously drifted back to the table where Qian Qian sat. Her eyes seemed deep, like she was staring at a star far away in the sky. Her brow furrowed slightly, a barely perceptible shadow passing over her face.

Dominika, sensitive to this subtle expression, keenly observed her, her eyes like an artist’s delicate strokes, capturing the emotions hidden beneath the surface of Song Baili’s face, as if reading a deep, mysterious book.

The small wooden table in the restaurant felt cramped. Dominika sat closer, her long fingers reaching out to gently stroke Song Baili’s silky hair. Her eyes held a tender light, her lips curving up slightly, her fingers lingering at the ends of her hair as she softly spoke:

“Xiao Baili, don’t be sad. You still have me, your backup.”

At that same moment, Qian Qian’s gaze cut through the distance, locking onto Song Baili.

Suddenly, her actions froze for a second, like a phone screen lagging at one frame, her eyes frozen in mid-air.

She put down her fork and knife, grabbing her wine glass and taking a large gulp, her movements seeming abrupt. The wine shimmered in the glass, but a thin mist clouded her brilliant eyes. Her gaze, sparkling with sadness, seemed to reflect the sorrow of autumn.

Song Yongjun, noticing Qian Qian’s sudden change in mood, felt a wave of surprise. His brows furrowed instinctively, and he gently wiped his mouth with a napkin, asking with concern:

“What’s wrong?”

“I suddenly feel unwell. I think I need to go home and rest.”

Qian Qian slightly lowered her head, her fingers lightly touching her forehead, her hair gently swaying with her downward motion, hiding part of her expression.

“Alright, you’ve had some drinks. I’ll drive you home.”

Song Yongjun paid the bill and turned to find that Qian Qian’s small nose was lightly flushed. Her brows were tightly furrowed, yet silent sadness streamed from her eyes.

Her lips, moist and delicate like a red rose holding snow, looked soft and fragile, revealing a sense of vulnerability like a flower drenched in rain, its petals drooping with helplessness.

Song Yongjun’s heart tightened, an indescribable pain surging within him.

He instinctively reached out, intending to place his hand on her delicate arm, but felt an emptiness as if his hand had no target. It hovered in the air for a moment before retreating.

Qian Qian nimbly avoided his touch, her deep eyes like a still pond, hiding any ripples within.

Song Yongjun’s hand was left hanging in mid-air, his expression shifting from concern to confusion. A silent barrier stretched between them, as if their hearts were silently speaking of a distance that couldn’t be crossed.

Qian Qian held back her tears, stealing a glance at Song Baili before she left. A surge of sorrow filled her chest, her throat tight as if wrapped in soft silk, and she choked back the words:

“This place is making me feel worse. Let’s go.”