The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 45

“Li Shao pulled out his investment. I can’t keep this restaurant running on my own, and considering my age, I signed a contract this morning to sell the business to someone else.”

Song Baili froze. Her eyes widened, and in the depths of her gaze, she could see the worn-out face of Boss Qian.

Her heart raced in her chest, and she felt an inexplicable shock, unable to believe what she was hearing.

Without thinking, she stepped forward, her body slightly leaning, her hands pressing on the edge of the desk in front of her. Her lips parted as if she wanted to say something, but the questions she had prepared in her mind turned into a silent tremor when she opened her mouth.

She hadn’t expected this. She had been walking steadily along a carefully planned path toward success, confident and composed. But now, halfway to her goal, someone had unexpectedly appeared—like a meddler from nowhere—crashing into the stage she had carefully orchestrated, causing her plan to fall apart in an instant.

What had once seemed so close, now slipped from her grasp like a fleeting dream, lost in an unpredictable turn of events.

Unconsciously, Song Baili clenched her fists, feeling the tension in her knuckles. She lowered her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the desk, while a series of doubts surged in her mind.

Her thoughts scattered like floating dust, trying to find answers amidst the complex situation.

Only a few people seemed to know about Boss Qian’s predicament, and finding the right buyer in such a short time seemed like an almost impossible task.

Unless someone else shared the same plan, silently lying in wait across from her, watching every move she made with the keen eye of a predator, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Suddenly, Song Baili seemed to have an epiphany. She looked carefully at Boss Qian and cautiously asked:

“Could you tell me who the new owner is?”

“It’s a young girl, about the same age as Xiao Qian. Ah, she gave me a business card.”

Boss Qian fumbled through his briefcase for a while, his fingers moving inside for what seemed like ages.

Finally, his hand stopped, slowly pulling out a business card. He stood up and handed it to Song Baili.

The moment she took the card, she felt its luxurious texture. The dark blue background with gold embossed letters gleamed like flowing gold. It read: Secretary Director of Hezhong Group—Fu Jiajia.

Song Baili hurried out of the office, her emotions bursting like a cannonball. Her lips twitched, and she gripped the card tightly, pressing down with so much force that it bent in her hand.

She took deep breaths, trying to calm herself, but the fire in her chest wouldn’t subside. She felt as though she were standing in the middle of a chaotic battlefield, lost in the mist, unable to see a clear direction ahead. A wave of confusion swept over her.

Hezhong Group was originally her aunt’s family business, and now her uncle was one of the board members. Both of her family’s children held high management positions in the company.

The fact that the Secretary Director of Hezhong Group mysteriously bought this restaurant seemed like more than just a coincidence. There had to be something strange hidden beneath it.

The first possibility that came to mind was that this had something to do with Song Yongjun.

Back home, Song Baili learned from the maid that Song Yongjun hadn’t returned yet. A complicated mix of emotions still stirred in her heart as she walked slowly to her room.

Opening the door, the soft light of the room greeted her, and she saw Song Qinyao sitting by the window.

The light fell on Song Qinyao, highlighting her delicate figure. She sat quietly, gazing out the window as if she were part of the scenery outside.

Noticing Song Baili’s arrival, she gently turned her head. Her clear, bright eyes shimmered with a gentle glow.

With a joyful smile, Song Qinyao stood up from the window, looking like a girl who had been confined in the room all day, finally seeing the person she had been waiting for. Her smile was radiant, and her steps were light, as if she might float away.

She stood in front of Song Baili, hands behind her back, her smile as soft as a flower petal, her eyes curved into a charming arc. Her body swayed gently, like a breeze in motion.

“I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first, sister?”

Song Baili’s mind was still in turmoil, but in an effort to not let Song Qinyao notice, she replied in a polite tone, “Either one is fine.”

Song Qinyao squinted slightly, her thoughtful expression softening in the evening light.

Then, she reached behind her, took Song Baili’s arm gently, and with a voice as light and flowing as a breeze, she said:

“Then let me start with the bad news. Boss Qian sold the restaurant, so you can’t be the little darling at the restaurant anymore.”

Song Baili froze for a moment, her gaze drifting across Song Qinyao’s face, her eyes full of subtle confusion, her thoughts swirling.

This little one really does know everything first, like the latest gossip columns.

“And the good news?” she asked.

Song Qinyao suddenly straightened up, placed her back hand over her mouth, cleared her throat, and said with a serious face:

“I’ve taken over your restaurant. It’s mine now, and this is my little gift to you. Don’t forget to give me the employee discount from now on.”

Song Baili stood frozen, her face seemingly stuck in time. Her eyes grew wide, and her mouth fell open, as if afraid her chin might hit the floor.

After a moment, she regained her composure, furrowing her brow in confusion. She lifted her chin slightly and fixed her sharp gaze on Song Qinyao.

“What on earth made you do something like this?”

Song Baili’s expression turned cold, her eyes like a sharp, icy sword, piercing through Song Qinyao as if she could see into her very soul.

A powerful, unyielding aura filled the room, pressing down on Song Qinyao like an invisible force.

Song Baili’s sudden intensity left Song Qinyao stunned. She had never seen her sister look at her this way. Her heart tightened, and without realizing it, she took a step back, as if engulfed by an unseen pressure.

She opened her mouth but found that the words she wanted to say were swept away like a retreating tide, leaving only a heavy silence.

“Don’t get involved in my business again!”

Song Baili said this and turned to leave, but Song Qinyao, suddenly snapped out of her shock, grabbed her wrist. The force in her fingers was there, but it carried a tremor of helplessness.

With a warm smile, she quickly pulled Song Baili back, her voice soft and coaxing.

“Sister, don’t be mad. It’s your room, so if anyone should leave, it’s me. What do you think?”

“Fine. Then you go.”

Song Baili pulled her arm free, her eyes showing clear dissatisfaction. She shot Song Qinyao an angry look before walking over to the couch, crossing her arms tightly across her chest. Waves of fury churned inside her like a storm at sea.

Song Qinyao stood still, her eyes filled with deep helplessness.

She slowly walked toward the door, a trace of hesitation in her step, as if her emotions were wavering.

Near the door, she suddenly stopped, her body shifting slightly. Her gaze grew intense, and she looked directly at Song Baili.

After a brief pause, she walked decisively to her sister.

Sitting beside Song Baili, she looked at her with a playful gleam in her eye, her voice lowering to a conspiratorial tone.

“Ah, sister, let me explain. Actually, Boss Qian had already found a buyer—it’s one of our clients. I really worked hard to convince him, talked him through the night, and even got my arm touched to get him to agree to sell me the restaurant.”

Seeing that Song Baili’s gaze softened slightly, Song Qinyao took the opportunity to get closer, leaning her body just enough to let her fingers gently rest on Song Baili’s lap.

Her body bent slightly in a graceful, yet seductive motion, and her eyes met Song Baili’s with undeniable intimacy.

“Come on, sister, you’re so mad, like a little bee. I’m getting allergic to the pollen.”

Song Qinyao’s posture was fluid and alluring, her face displaying a mischievous, almost innocent look, as if trying to show her most vulnerable side, her eyes full of sweetness.

Song Baili couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh, relaxing her crossed arms. Her brows furrowed in a mixture of resignation and helplessness.

She gently brushed a strand of hair from Song Qinyao’s face, tucking it behind her ear.

“At least next time, tell me before you do something like this. Don’t go around making decisions without consulting me first.”

“Oh, I just wanted to surprise you! Besides, we just signed the contract this morning. It’s not like I waited until next year to tell you.”

Song Qinyao’s words were light and playful, like a smoothing iron, easing the tension in the air.

In that moment, Song Baili’s anger faded, and she almost felt a sense of gratitude.

“I’ll buy in according to the share ratio. I understand that you’re doing this out of kindness, but this gift is too extravagant for me to accept.”

Song Qinyao sat up straighter, gently tilting her head. She rested her elbow on the armrest, her hand lightly propping up her chin.

Her bright eyes sparkled as they scanned Song Baili’s face, filled with contemplation.

“Well, sister, whatever you say. But I worked really hard for this. Have you thought about how you’ll compensate me?”

“What compensation do you want? Anything I can do, we’ll do it right away.”

“Well…”

Song Qinyao gracefully crossed her legs, her fingers lightly touching her chin.

A wave of bright energy danced in her eyes as she smiled mischievously.

“That night, I really put in all my effort. Now, tonight, you should help me unwind again with another round!”