The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 54

Qian Qian hurriedly washed up and quickly set to work making a delicious breakfast.

Though she had practiced cooking, whenever she cooked for Li Shao, she always had to keep her mind focused and be extra careful—there could be no mistakes. But when cooking for herself, she could do whatever she wanted and be more relaxed.

However, preparing a meal for Song Baili had a different meaning. It wasn’t just a way to express affection, but also a kind of happy ritual.

In the kitchen, Qian Qian looked a little clumsy, but there was a kind of effort and gentleness in her movements.

She carefully handled the utensils, holding the knife as she cut the fresh ingredients. She was still a bit inexperienced, and the slices weren’t as even as they could be.

By the stove, her hands shook slightly as she stirred the dish in the pot, small beads of sweat appearing on her forehead. From time to time, she would taste the food, cautiously adjusting the seasonings, hesitating about whether to add more salt or a dash of pepper.

Song Baili stepped out of the bathroom, immediately enveloped by the delicious aroma of the food, while the sounds of clinking pots and Qian Qian’s busy movements filled the air, almost like a lively tune playing.

When she entered the dining room, her eyes brightened. The table was set with a clean white tablecloth, elegant tableware, and the food was neatly arranged, releasing an irresistible fragrance.

Lean pork and century egg congee, fried dumplings, steamed buns, pickled vegetables, and eggs.

These were all common dishes, but they made Song Baili remember the times when she used to have breakfast with her father at home.

In that moment, memories that had been buried deep inside her were suddenly awakened. They sprouted and grew quickly, like Jack’s beanstalk soaring into the sky. Waves of emotions rushed through her heart as she remembered those old days.

Time seemed to rewind, and she found herself back in the family kitchen in the soft morning light, sitting with her father, sharing a simple and warm breakfast.

Her emotions buzzed like a swarm of bees, moving through her heart. Those long-forgotten scenes emerged like waves crashing on the shore, vivid memories flashing before her eyes, making her feel as though she was reliving them.

Her uncle’s house had a professional chef, and the food he made was not only visually perfect but also tasted flawless. However, the overly professional approach made the food lack warmth and love, leaving her with the feeling of eating commercialized food.

Seeing Song Baili staring at the food, completely absorbed, and not moving her chopsticks for a long time, Qian Qian’s heart felt mixed.

She couldn’t help but sigh to herself, wondering if her cooking had become so bad that it could only be called “satisfying to look at”?

To ease the awkward silence, she cleared her throat softly and began picking up the utensils, signaling that the food was ready to be enjoyed.

Song Baili snapped out of her thoughts and, with a slightly embarrassed smile, took the bowl of congee that Qian Qian served her. The steam from the hot food immediately drew her in.

She took a spoonful and slowly ate. The soft congee melted in her mouth.

Though the taste wasn’t extraordinary, in this special moment, it was the most delicious food she had ever tasted.

She ate a few more spoonfuls before picking up her chopsticks to try a dumpling. The outer skin was a bit thick, and the flavor was slightly bland, but the filling was tender and juicy, making it somewhat tasty.

Qian Qian often stole glances at Song Baili, carefully observing her expressions and actions.

Song Baili ate slowly but with complete focus, her lips curling into a slight smile as though she was giving her full attention to the food, savoring every bite.

Seeing this, Qian Qian’s frown slowly relaxed, and her worries faded away, replaced by a feeling of contentment and pride. A sense of joy rose within her, and she couldn’t help but smile.

After finishing their meal, the two of them moved two comfortable wicker chairs to the balcony.

They sat down, sipping coffee while enjoying the afternoon sunlight.

The rich aroma of the coffee filled the air, adding a refreshing touch to the atmosphere.

Qian Qian gently stirred her coffee, the sunlight warming her face. She squinted her eyes slightly as her gaze drifted across the deep blue sky, where lazy white clouds drifted by like light cotton in the breeze.

She suddenly realized it had been a long time since she had given herself a true break to do something she had longed to do.

Qian Qian turned her head slightly, her gaze soft like spring water as it rested on Song Baili’s face.

The warm light bathed Song Baili’s features, highlighting her graceful and charming profile, making her look even more elegant and alluring.

Qian Qian’s eyes held a hint of fondness and admiration. Her lips curled slightly as she spoke in a soft voice.

“Baili, look at the weather. It’s so nice! How about we go watch a movie and then find a place to have a nice meal, followed by a bit of shopping? What do you think?”

Song Baili took a small sip of her coffee, her lips curling up slightly, and teasingly asked, “Are you suggesting a date?”

In that moment, Qian Qian’s heart skipped a beat.

Her hand, which was holding the coffee, tightened involuntarily. Her eyes flickered for a moment before she lowered her gaze, biting her lip slightly. A faint blush spread across her lips.

Then, she raised her gaze, her eyelashes fluttering, and with a soft smile, she looked at Song Baili and asked gently, “Well, are you going to go?”

“Of course.”

Hearing the answer without hesitation, Qian Qian raised an eyebrow, her expression full of pride. Her eyes sparkled with a bright smile, and she nodded in satisfaction.

She grabbed her phone and, with quick fingers, searched for some movies she wanted to see. However, all the showings were already sold out.

Her smile faded as disappointment gradually replaced the excitement on her face. Her eyes dimmed slightly.

“Ah, all the seats are taken, and there are only couple seats left.”

Song Baili glanced at Qian Qian, her eyes soft with affection. A hint of shyness passed through her gaze before she quickly composed herself.

She slowly raised her arm, brushing a few stray hairs back behind her ear. Her tone was calm and natural, neither too cold nor too warm, as she said, “Couple seats are fine.”

Qian Qian put her phone down, a subtle smile playing on her lips, her eyes full of quiet satisfaction.

“Hmm, I’ve already bought the tickets. Just as you wanted, couple seats.”

Her large, sparkling eyes, when narrowed slightly, radiated a mesmerizing light, warm and captivating, quietly making its way into the other’s heart.

Song Baili was momentarily stunned, then a smile broke across her face.

When they first met, Song Baili had been captivated by Qian Qian’s refreshing and beautiful appearance.

As they spent more time together, Song Baili’s fondness for Qian Qian grew. She realized that Qian Qian’s beauty wasn’t just external—it was an inner charm that made her feel comfortable and happy.

Now, whenever Qian Qian was around, Song Baili noticed her eyes were drawn to her, like metal to a magnet.

The feeling that had quietly planted itself in her heart was like a hidden gem, softly glowing, too precious to reveal.

In the cinema, the air conditioning was set high, and a cold breeze would occasionally sweep through, making her shiver.

As soon as Qian Qian sat down, she felt the chill. She instinctively huddled in her seat, wrapping her arms around herself to keep warm.

Song Baili’s gaze lingered on Qian Qian’s shivering form for a moment. Without hesitation, she pulled out a delicate scarf from her bag, expertly unfolded it, and gently draped it over Qian Qian’s shoulders.

Qian Qian glanced at Song Baili’s thin knit top and realized that her slender frame probably didn’t have enough fat to withstand the cold air in the cinema.

In the next instant, she quickly took the scarf from her own shoulders and gently wrapped it around Song Baili.

The scarf passed between them, and eventually, Song Baili wrapped one end around her own shoulders and the other around Qian Qian, sharing the warmth.

The soft fabric of the scarf seemed to have some kind of magic, pulling them closer together. As they focused on the movie, their bodies naturally leaned towards each other, almost touching.

In the dark, Qian Qian’s hand slowly lowered, unintentionally brushing against Song Baili’s leg. Her heart skipped a beat, and she wanted to pull her hand away immediately but hesitated.

In her hesitation, she decided to leave her hand where it was, feeling that Song Baili didn’t seem to mind. So she let it rest there, not wanting to pull away.

Qian Qian felt the warmth from Song Baili’s body, a quiet and stirring feeling that made her heart swell with sweetness and peace.

She gently leaned her weight against Song Baili, her head slowly drifting to one side until it rested on her shoulder, cautious about getting too close.

Song Baili slightly tilted her head and, noticing that Qian Qian seemed cold, without a word, wrapped her arm around Qian Qian’s delicate shoulders.

Qian Qian felt the warmth of Song Baili’s embrace, her heart racing with every beat, like a drum softly tapping on her chest, making her emotions shift.

Her body trembled slightly, not daring to move too much. She felt wrapped in a blanket of happiness and warmth, struggling to maintain calm, her hand clenching into a fist to keep the overwhelming feelings in check.

Qian Qian’s eyes stayed on the screen, but her heart had already drifted far away from the movie’s plot.

In that moment, every sense was consumed by Song Baili—feeling her breath, smelling her fresh scent, listening to the soft hums that came from her.

Qian Qian could feel Song Baili’s arm gently massaging her shoulder, sometimes tender, sometimes a little firmer. She clutched the edge of the scarf, wishing that this moment could last forever.