The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 44

Song Yongjun drove Qian Qian to her doorstep and parked the car in the quiet night. Sitting in the driver’s seat, he felt a storm of emotions rising in his chest, as if a hot stream of water was surging within him.

As he thought back to the way Qian Qian had been hurt, his feelings of pain for her grew even stronger. He wished he could create a peaceful sky for her, imagining painting a colorful rainbow in the sky for her, so that every day would be a bright, clear day.

He swore he would make the woman in his heart smile, but he also felt a sense of caution, afraid that his passion might be too overwhelming.

Although the sun is warm, not everyone is fond of summer.

Song Yongjun’s hands gripped the steering wheel as he aimlessly drove through the city streets. The scenery outside the car window flashed by in a blur, just like the restless state of his heart.

Suddenly, the crisp sound of a phone ringing broke the silence. He answered the call, and Song Qinyao’s voice came through the phone, inviting him to dinner.

Even though he felt his stomach was still slowly digesting, he smiled and agreed.

After hanging up, the car shifted direction like a light boat and slowly drove toward a new destination.

Song Qinyao had ordered some delicious food. When she glanced at the table, seeing that Song Yongjun had only ordered a drink, she raised an eyebrow, lightly ran her fingers through a strand of her hair, and, with a teasing smile, said:

“Tsk, you’re not even having dinner. Are you relying on love to fill you up now?”

“I just had dinner with Xiao Qian. After I dropped her off, your call came in.”

Song Qinyao gracefully picked up her utensils and began twirling her spaghetti. As she did so, she softly said:

“I was actually planning to have dinner with my sister, but when I saw your car ahead, I suddenly remembered it’s been a long time since we ate together. So, it wasn’t you who came to keep me company, it’s me who’s keeping you company.”

Song Yongjun agreed wholeheartedly.

He slightly raised his eyebrows, leaned back in his chair, resting his body against the back of the seat. His arms crossed in front of him, and he looked at Song Qinyao with a helpless expression.

Song Qinyao’s obsession with her older sister was something that silently flowed through everyone in the Song family. It was quiet, but unmistakably evident.

If Song Baili hadn’t returned to stay at their house first, no matter how persuasive their parents were with their touching words, the family’s princess would not have easily been convinced to come back.

“I’ve got something to tell you. My sister has been hanging out with the idol I like. We bumped into them at the bar, and Xiao Qian told me they’ve been together a lot lately. It seems like they’re really close.”

Song Qinyao’s movements suddenly halted, as if an unspoken alarm went off in her heart.

She furrowed her brows slightly and unconsciously gripped the knife in her hand harder, the sound of the knife and fork clinking against the plate echoed, like the sound of turmoil inside her.

“Who’s your idol, bro?”

“Do you remember Dominique? I remember you said you went to her restaurant abroad and thought she was pretty. But personally, I feel…”

Song Yongjun’s sentence trailed off, his lips slightly parted, as if lost in thought.

“The last time I saw her was years ago, and I thought she was pretty then. But after all these years, even pigs can become fat pigs, right? I wonder if she’s evolved into another species by now.”

Song Yongjun chuckled mischievously, leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on the table, tapping his fingers lightly on the surface.

The light illuminated his eyes, making his expression sparkle with brilliance.

“Not just evolved, but she’s stunning to the point of being unfair. She must be entranced by her own reflection when she looks in the mirror!”

Song Qinyao couldn’t help but roll her eyes dramatically.

“Are you saying she’s more beautiful than your Qian Qian?”

“Well, this is like comparing two different types of tea. Xiao Qian is the fresh green Longjing, while Dominique is the deep, rich black tea. It’s impossible to compare—they’re both beautifully fragrant in their own way.”

Song Qinyao’s heart stirred like a drumbeat, a surge of unease overwhelming her. She frowned, slowly set down her utensils, and for a moment couldn’t focus on the food in front of her.

She gently picked up her glass, drinking all the clear water in one go.

Holding the glass, her gaze became still as she stared into the water, her expression gradually tightening. Her fingers tapped lightly on the side of the glass, and between her clenched teeth, it felt like a cold iron chain had wrapped around her heart, holding back the flames within.

In Song Qinyao’s eyes, Song Baili was beautiful, kind-hearted, and talented. As the years passed, she had grown more mature, like a bright fruit exuding a tempting fragrance in the sunlight.

The passage of time hadn’t dulled her beauty; instead, it had refined her charm, like a fine bottle of aged wine that only became more fragrant with time.

Though not as universally irresistible as cash, nor as frequently sought after as a popular snack, many people still adored Song Baili—so many, in fact, that it was like a bunch of grapes in a basket, one after another.

Today, she had finally managed to send one suitor away. It had been harder than a battle. But like playing a game of Whac-A-Mole, just when she’d knocked one down, another popped up.

“Xiao Qian broke up. Bro, aren’t you the one who wins by taking her away? I see you two are progressing fast. Have you…”

Song Qinyao stopped abruptly, raising an eyebrow, her mouth curling into a slight smirk. She made exaggerated hand gestures, her eyes gleaming playfully.

Once her words fell, Song Yongjun’s gaze darkened. He pursed his lips, raised his hand to rub his forehead, and sighed with a slightly hoarse voice.

“She seems to be struggling lately, and with the family’s debts, I don’t think starting a relationship is high on her list of priorities right now.”

“Debts?”

Song Yongjun briefly explained the situation, and Song Qinyao listened attentively, her expression serious.

She tilted her head slightly, her long fingers gently touching her chin, nodding occasionally, and her eyes sparkled as if everything she was hearing was reflected in her gaze.

“This little issue, I’ll handle it. If Xiao Qian is happy, you can take the credit. If she causes a fuss, I’ll take the responsibility. I’ll just consider it a lesson learned.”

Song Qinyao finished, patting Song Yongjun’s shoulder lightly, her lips curving into a smile.

“Thanks, you’re like a power-up in my life, bringing my happiness to the next level!”

“Bro, this is a big deal. Helping you win over a girl like this, I’ve really put in some effort. Next time, when I chase after love, you’ve got to give me some sunshine. Even if our parents oppose it, you’ve got to stand firm and support me!”

“Even if there are no conditions, I’ll stand by you. If anyone dares to block your happiness, I’ll let them crash into my shield.”

“Really? No matter who I fall for, you’ll support me without any objections?”

“Even if the person you like is a century older than you, weighs as much as a ball, is shorter than you, and comes from a poor family, I’ll still fully support you, no prejudice!”

Who doesn’t know that age is just a number, height is just a small unit of measurement, and weight is just a pressure gauge?

No money? So what? True happiness is the real wealth.

Looking at Song Yongjun’s serious face, Song Qinyao couldn’t help but twitch the corners of her mouth, blinking a few times, showing her impatience with the conversation.

Song Yongjun paused for a moment, scanning the area around them. His face alternated between light and shadow in the dim lighting, making his expression more mysterious and complex.

He leaned forward slightly, coming closer to Song Qinyao, and softly whispered in her ear.

“I’m not joking. Whether it’s an aunt dancing square dance or a grandma with wrinkles, I’ll support your unique taste 100%!”

Song Qinyao froze for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing.

Her laughter was like a wind chime, light and cheerful, full of freshness and joy. She laughed while comparing the person Song Yongjun described with someone in her mind, laughing even harder than a happy nut.

“Haha, your imagination is so wild! Did you get infected by the enthusiasm of the square dance aunties when you came back to China?”

Song Yongjun straightened up immediately, his eyes narrowing with focused light as he gazed at Song Qinyao’s face. Carefully, he asked:

“I’m just guessing, don’t tell me I’ve made an accurate prediction?”

“Haha, bro, your way of thinking is even more advanced than the average Earthling. I’m happy to hear it. Just go with the flow and follow this train of thought. It can’t be worse than what you just described.”

Song Yongjun watched Song Qinyao, a pampering smile spreading across his face. He raised his right hand and lightly twirled his hair, exhaling in relief, his smile growing softer.

He had already prepared for the worst, ready to accept and support whatever Song Qinyao liked—whether they were male or female, old or young, rich or poor.

Song Baili secretly sent out investigators and learned about the turmoil within the restaurant, especially regarding the huge debt the restaurant owner owed to Li Shao. She had already expected all of this, and now she watched the situation unfold, waiting for the right moment to take action.

As the news spread, the employees began discussing it in their group chat. The complex rumors swirled around, and anxious feelings lingered in every word. These speculations were like a cold wind, dispersing the calm of the past, each piece of information carrying a sense of unease, as if standing at the edge of the unknown, ready to face any changes that might come.

The sudden disappearance of the restaurant owner cast a dark shadow over the entire restaurant.

A few days later, his reappearance was like a flash of unpredictable lightning, giving a sense of foreboding.

He looked grave, his forehead furrowed, and he gripped the files tightly, his knuckles slightly white. His steps were slow, as if walking along the edge of fate, like a condemned prisoner heading to the execution grounds, dragging along heavy and sorrowful steps.

Just before closing time, the entire shop was nearly empty, with only faint lighting casting hazy shadows, like a weak struggle, symbolizing an unseen future.

Song Baili, seizing this moment of calm, walked slowly to the office door. She lightly tapped the door with her fingertips. After a brief moment, she heard the restaurant owner’s response and gently opened the door.

The door closed quietly. Inside, the lighting was dim, casting shadows over a pile of documents on the desk.

Song Baili quietly approached the desk and saw the restaurant owner sitting there, looking deeply tired and anxious. His hands unconsciously rubbed the edge of the folder, letting out a silent sigh.

“小宋, are you also wondering if this is a decision to keep people or lay them off?”

“I didn’t come for that. Actually, I wanted to discuss some work matters with you.”

The restaurant owner slowly looked up. His weathered face, under the dim office light, appeared even older. Wrinkles spread across his forehead like ripples, and a few strands of silver hair scattered carelessly.

He crossed his hands on the desk. The faint smell of tobacco filled the room, and suddenly, he let out a deep sigh, his eyes meeting Song Baili’s as he spoke, his voice laced with helplessness:

“This restaurant isn’t under my management anymore. You should talk to the new boss about work matters.”

“New boss?”