The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 47

After finishing her last sentence, Song Baili turned around and walked away, acting as if nothing had happened. She showed no trace of hesitation, walking with the attitude that something important was waiting for her up ahead, like she was about to board a plane.

“Wait, Song Baili, don’t go!”

Qian Qian moved like a scene in a fast-forward movie, taking just a few quick steps before standing in front of Song Baili, blocking her way.

Thinking back to the time when their father-daughter duo was forced to pay off debts due to a scumbag, they had never been in such a helpless situation.

They got through it, survived those tough times without choosing to escape.

But now, it seemed that Song Baili’s situation was more complicated. This matter seemed more serious than it appeared, with many layers to it.

“Don’t think I’m just messing around. I’m serious, Song Baili. Where are you going? Why not take me with you? Let’s stir up some big news together,” Qian Qian said, noticing the slight hesitation in Song Baili’s face. A smile played at the corner of her lips, her eyes flashing with a hint of excitement.

But in the blink of an eye, she quickly regained her composure, acting helpless as she lightly brushed a lock of hair away and frowned slightly, speaking with a soft and almost hesitant voice:

“My dad… he transferred his business. These past few years, I’ve been fighting hard against him… sigh, I never got the life I wanted. Maybe you could take me out for a walk. Who knows, it might help me see the world from a different perspective.”

Song Baili stared at Qian Qian’s bright eyes, soft waves of emotion swirling in her heart, like a broken and fractured soul finally finding a missing piece that fits.

She sighed softly, her shoulders sinking. She absentmindedly ran her fingers along the handle of her suitcase, hesitating for a moment before finally breaking the silence, her voice carrying a slight trace of confusion.

“To be honest, I don’t have any big plans. I just don’t want to go back to my uncle’s place. There’s some difficult stuff I can’t say. And you’re in such a hurry to follow me… aren’t you worried about making a wrong decision?”

In response, Qian Qian crossed her arms in front of her, placed one hand under her chin, and gazed into the distance, her expression serious.

After a moment, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she took a step forward, gently grasping Song Baili’s arm. Her touch was soft but firm, filled with confidence.

“Then come to my place first. I’ll finish up some things at my shop and then we can talk it over, plan it together. If you really don’t know where to go, just leave your luggage at my place. Stay as long as you like.”

“You don’t even know what’s going on, and you’re letting me crash at your place? Aren’t you worried I’ll cause trouble?”

“We’re both in the same boat, good sisters. If there’s trouble, we’ll face it together. And when things get better, we’ll enjoy it together too.”

Song Baili hesitated for a moment, but Qian Qian was already walking toward the dressing room with light steps. When she returned, she held out a house key card with a smile that was as sweet as candy left out in the sun.

Song Baili paused, thought for a moment, and then reached out to take the key card. As she looked up, she found that Qian Qian’s smile had deepened, like a warm breeze that gently brushed her heart, stirring up a soft ripple of warmth.

Song Baili stepped into Qian Qian’s personal space and easily slipped into a pair of slippers she had worn before. She casually placed her suitcase to the side and pulled the curtains open.

A beam of bright sunlight poured in, immediately lighting up every corner of the room. Details that were once hidden now became visible, outlining their unique contours.

The air carried the faint scent of lilacs, and every breath was filled with a soft fragrance. This scent was familiar to her, one she often smelled on Qian Qian, and it had gradually become a unique and unforgettable mark.

Song Baili sank into the embrace of the sofa, her body relaxing in the soft cushions. Her fingers lightly brushed the armrest, feeling the delicate texture.

Her gaze wandered around the room, and she felt like her spirit was joyfully chasing after something in this small space.

Though she had once lived in the luxurious environment of the Song family, the peaceful and relaxed atmosphere here felt like a serene sanctuary, and the contrast made her appreciate the liveliness and calm of this space even more.

In the shop, whenever it was break time, Qian Qian would eagerly grab her phone, her face lighting up with a spring-like smile. Her fingers would lightly tap the screen, like playing a joyful tune.

Qian Qian’s eyes were like bright stars, sometimes glistening, sometimes staring lovingly at the screen, sometimes widening in surprise, and other times breaking into a joyful laugh. It seemed as though the world she created with her messages existed only for her and the person she was chatting with.

During this time, Qian Qian gathered all the employees in the staff room. The atmosphere was filled with various expectations, guesses, and worries, and the space was filled with a tense and uncertain energy.

Standing in the center of the room, Qian Qian cleared her throat and announced that a new boss would be taking over the restaurant.

Her words echoed in the air, like a heavy shockwave, causing waves of disturbance.

For a moment, the room seemed to freeze.

The employees’ emotions were mixed, some furrowing their brows, others showing doubt in their eyes. Some sighed, and as their gazes met, different expressions flickered across their faces.

The four chefs who had been poached by Li Shao decided to leave early. The breach of contract fees were being covered by someone else, and there was even backing from a higher power.

These chefs, though not all particularly skilled, had struggled to make their way up over the years. Yet, in just a few words, they had clashed with Qian Qian, their tone growing harsher and more arrogant as they clearly drew a line between themselves and her.

In the midst of the chaotic meeting, the four chefs left the room. As they disappeared out the door, the remaining waitstaff exchanged glances in silence.

Some whispered, others quietly reflected. Their eyes revealed a mix of worry for the unknown and helplessness in the face of the current situation.

The entire scene was filled with a sense of bleakness, as though the restaurant had lost its soul and turned into an abandoned temple.

Qian Qian, however, wore a calm and composed expression, her shoulders relaxed, and her fingers lightly strummed the air as if playing a cheerful tune.

She casually glanced at the watch on her wrist, her eyes clear and transparent. Through the window, she looked out, raising her eyebrows slightly and letting a faint smile appear on her lips.

After changing clothes, Qian Qian excitedly took out her phone and typed a message.

The glow from the screen reflected on her face, and as she sent the message, her eyes lit up, as though the joy of the words she had written was shared in the moment.

After a while, a reply came in, and when she saw it was from Song Baili, she quickly opened the message.

“Can you help me go to the supermarket?”

“Get me some vegetables, beef, onions, and eggplant.”

“Make sure to pick the fresh ones.”

The words on the screen flowed into her eyes like water, and her smile blossomed, radiating sweetness as it painted her face with happiness.

The message also included a red envelope.

Qian Qian replied with two words: “Okay,” but deliberately didn’t open the red envelope.

Walking into the supermarket, Qian Qian strolled down the bright and clear aisles.

The shelves were filled with a wide variety of goods. As she selected ingredients, her shopping basket grew heavier, filled with all sorts of delicious items. She felt like she was in the midst of a blissful honeymoon time.

She knocked on the door with a soft tap, and the anticipation in her heart spread like ripples with every knock.

After a few seconds, the door slowly opened, and Song Baili’s figure appeared, smiling at her. The familiar and gentle light in her eyes welcomed Qian Qian.

In that instant, Qian Qian felt a surge of emotion. After living in this little nest for so long, she finally felt the warmth of home, like a cup of sweet warm sugar water that instantly melted her heart and brought her the joy of finding a place to belong.

Before, the bed was always neatly made, but the emptiness beside the pillow made the room feel lonely.

The clean plates and utensils only showed the traces of one person eating, and the sofa was always missing someone to sit down and share laughter and stories.

Now, as she watched Song Baili carry a pile of grocery bags into the kitchen, Qian Qian’s eyes followed her, and a smile tugged at her lips, her eyes full of deep contentment.

She slipped into her indoor slippers, and as the door closed, she suddenly felt a rush of fresh air, as if the room had been injected with new life. The atmosphere in the room was more pleasant than it had been that morning.

Her gaze instinctively wandered across every corner of the room, noticing small details. Things that had once been scattered were now carefully arranged, creating a more elegant and tidy environment.

She couldn’t wait for Song Baili’s fingerprints to leave marks all over the house, making every corner feel like it had her presence and imprinted the memories of their shared life together.

Gradually, the house no longer felt empty. The air seemed to carry the scent of another person, flowing gently and warmly through the space, creating an atmosphere full of life and warmth.