The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 48

Qian Qian changed into a comfortable cotton short-sleeve top and shorts, walking lightly into the kitchen. She saw Song Baili busy at the counter, and stood quietly to the side, smiling as she watched, secretly enjoying her own private performance.

She quietly walked over and gently tapped Song Baili’s shoulder. Their eyes met in an instant, and Qian Qian flashed a mischievous smile like a little sprite.

Qian Qian skillfully washed and chopped vegetables, and their teamwork became more seamless. They exchanged glances now and then, subtly conveying feelings without words.

When their hands accidentally brushed against each other, a faint blush appeared on Song Baili’s face, and a subtle, pleasant feeling stirred within her.

Eventually, a delicious dinner was laid out on the table, colorful and releasing an appetizing aroma.

Song Baili stood in front of the table, a few delicate beads of sweat on her forehead, her gaze fixed on each dish, her face filled with satisfaction from the success of the meal. There was a hint of pride in her eyes.

Qian Qian couldn’t wait to lift her phone, her fingers swiftly gliding across the screen as she adjusted it to the perfect angle, ready to capture the fruits of her and Song Baili’s labor.

When she focused on the lively moment, with Song Baili in the frame, she quickly pressed the shutter, her face displaying a sly grin, pleased with her accidental capture.

“I’m starting!”

Qian Qian eagerly picked up the cheese and gravy fries in front of her.

Song Baili had given this dish a poetic name—”Stealing the Dragon, Transforming the Phoenix.”

Her eyes lingered for a moment on the food in the plate, then she picked up a piece with her utensils. As her teeth sank into it, her eyes sparkled like two shining stars, and a rush of surprise filled her.

Her taste buds were surrounded by a wonderful blend of salty and sweet flavors. The richness of the cheese spread in her mouth, and the tender eggplant combined with a crispy texture gave her an unprecedented taste experience.

Song Baili cleverly used eggplant instead of the usual potato, peeled and cut into strips, coated with a flavorful seasoned flour, and deep-fried. After draining the oil, she scattered the pieces on a boat-shaped ceramic plate.

Then, she covered the eggplant with cheese, poured hot Japanese curry sauce over it, allowing it to seep into the cheese’s texture, melting into liquid gold that exuded a rich and tempting aroma.

While plating, she casually sprinkled crushed boiled egg, and garnished with cilantro and green onions, adding a refreshing artistic touch to the dish.

“Oh my God, this is a major discovery! Fried eggplant is even more fragrant than fries, and with the Japanese curry sauce, the taste is so satisfying, I can’t stop eating!”

As she tasted the food in small bites, Qian Qian’s lips curled into a subtle smile, her eyes narrowing slightly. Her expression became more lively under the lights.

Song Baili watched all of this, unable to help but smile, a sense of indescribable happiness flooding her heart.

Her gaze then shifted to another dish on the table, and without hesitation, she picked it up and placed it in front of Qian Qian.

“Try this bowl of Chinese-style fried noodles with soy sauce.”

Qian Qian’s pupils lit up like a window suddenly opened, revealing a brilliant glow.

She casually wiped her mouth with a napkin, carefully picked up a handful of noodles, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath of the mouthwatering aroma.

Joy spread across her face like fireworks, and she twirled a portion of noodles with her fork, blowing on it lightly before bringing it to her mouth. The silky texture and rich flavor of the noodles immediately overwhelmed her.

“This fusion of Chinese and Western is brilliant! The noodles with pork cracklings and fried shallots are so crispy, the pork fat flavor hits my heart. The chef deserves an award!”

After a few bites, Qian Qian licked her lips, her attention drawn to yet another dish.

The tempting smell of fried food had been wafting in the air, and she couldn’t help but pause her eating to glance at the small, square, golden items shimmering under the lights, sparking her curiosity.

She hadn’t seen this dish being made, but she guessed it was probably crispy fried macaroni and cheese.

She picked one up, gently pulled it apart, and the crispy sound of breadcrumbs echoed in the room. Then, the fragrance of rice filled the air.

Suddenly, her eyes brightened with delight and curiosity, as she realized that in addition to rice, there was leftover salmon from last night, mixed with a few raisins.

She dipped a piece into some slightly tangy ketchup and took a bite, her eyes nearly popping out, her smile instantly forming into a happy curve, almost like a super-happy emoji.

Song Baili sat quietly across from her, watching Qian Qian devour the food enthusiastically, a warm feeling rising within her. It was as if she had caught a bit of the joy from Qian Qian’s open appetite, making her smile.

These three dishes on the table could feed three food lovers, but Song Baili ate like she was admiring flowers, just tasting a little at a time.

As for Qian Qian, she was like a food vacuum, quickly wiping out the entire table in no time.

Seeing Qian Qian’s slightly swollen stomach, a clear sign of being completely satisfied, Song Baili couldn’t help but smile secretly, then teased her playfully.

“With such a small appetite, can you still fit in dessert?”

“There’s not much room left, but if the dessert doesn’t mind being squeezed, I should be able to make it fit.”

“!!!”

Song Baili raised an eyebrow, eyeing her slender figure with amusement, wondering where all that food had gone. The woman was so skinny that it looked like a gust of wind could blow her away, with hardly any flesh on her, just air holding her shape.

Could it be that she had a small food storage pocket hidden in her chest?

But with such a small chest, it didn’t seem likely.

Song Baili’s gaze shifted, and after a moment’s pause, she stood up gracefully, gently brushing her loose hair, and walked into the kitchen.

She tied on her apron again, skillfully took out several ingredients from the fridge, and with a few smooth motions, the room was soon filled with the sweet scent of dessert. A delicate sweet treat was born under her magical hands.

Qian Qian looked at the delicious treat on the table, her eyes filled with surprise. She pulled out a chair, sat down with her feet lightly tapping the floor, her face breaking into a hungry expression.

On the plate in front of her was an irresistible Mexican tortilla. The golden outer layer gave off a tempting aroma, looking crispy and hot, still releasing a little steam.

Sugar powder like snowflakes was sprinkled over the tortilla, and bright red strawberry sauce was cleverly drizzled over it, creating an enticing pattern.

A scoop of vanilla ice cream lay next to the plate, slightly melting and forming soft creamy ripples, its white color contrasting beautifully with the vibrant colors of the dish.

Qian Qian picked up the knife and fork, looking a bit conflicted, as if faced with an exquisite piece of art, reluctant to ruin its perfect appearance.

At that moment, Song Baili walked over with a cold drink in her hand. The ice cubes in the clear liquid gently clinked together, producing a crisp sound.

“Since today’s schedule was a bit tight, I ended up making mostly fried food. Here’s some lemonade to help balance out the richness.”

Qian Qian opened her mouth, seemingly about to say something, but her gaze stopped on the cool drink. A brief hesitation flickered in her eyes before she held back her words.

She gently raised the cup, feeling the chill spreading through her hand, and swirled it before taking a small sip.

The refreshing liquid slid through her lips and down her throat, filling her mouth with a cool taste.

She slowly set the cup down, her fingers brushing her lips as she smiled, a trace of satisfaction appearing in her expression. She looked at Song Baili and said:

“This lemonade is really good, just what I needed to go with dessert.”

“Bon appétit.”

Song Baili’s smile spread like a warm sun across her face. Her voice carried a unique melody, like the soft murmur of a distant stream.

Qian Qian held her knife and fork, looking like a hungry cat, and when she took a bite, her smile grew, her eyes narrowing into slits, and the happiness in her gaze overflowed, making her expression come alive.

Her beauty was like a flower, her smile like spring, with beauty and cuteness blending together.

Song Baili thought that this smile was even more beautiful than any dish she had made. It was a heartwarming dessert, beyond any recipe.

Her eyes sparkled with tenderness, and her body leaned forward slightly. She absentmindedly took a sip of tea, her hand resting lightly on her chin as she gazed at Qian Qian’s beautiful face, the joy in her heart uncontainable.

Suddenly, Song Baili seemed to remember something, as if jolted by an electric shock. Her posture straightened, and she appeared anxious and tense as she sat upright.

Her lips parted slightly, and she asked in a hurried, uneasy voice:

“I snuck out from Uncle’s house. Have you told anyone about this?”

Qian Qian, with her fork in her mouth, looked at Song Baili with eyes that sparkled like stars.

She then lightly parted her lips, her voice sweet and melodic as she replied:

“I’ve kept it to myself, I haven’t told anyone.”

Hearing this, Song Baili felt the weight on her shoulders lift, and her furrowed brow relaxed.

She slowly leaned back against the chair, one hand casually resting on the table, her head tilted back as her gaze wandered over Qian Qian’s face. After a moment, she pressed her lips together and softly said:

“Then you mustn’t say anything, not even to Yongjun and the others.”

With a sigh of relief, Song Baili’s tone became lighter, filled with a sense of release.

Qian Qian lifted her gaze, her eyes full of affection, gazing at Song Baili with warmth and depth.

She wanted to tuck Song Baili into her pocket—so many people must be longing for such a treasure!

She’d worked hard to get this great happiness, so she certainly wouldn’t let it be exposed to the world, making everyone envy and hate her.

She gently set down her utensils, took a napkin to dab at her lips, and solemnly said:

“Don’t worry, my mouth’s like a seal, not a single word will escape.”