The Taste of Love Starts in the Kitchen (GL) - Chapter 77

Qinyao Song sat quietly in her seat, her eyes slightly narrowed as she closely observed the subtle changes in the atmosphere between Mr. Li and his assistant.

Her phone buzzed repeatedly, signaling several new messages. Picking it up, she glanced at the screen, her lips curling into a faint, victorious smile.

The evidence exposing Mr. Li’s son for embezzling company funds to trade stocks had been sent to every shareholder.

Suddenly, Mr. Li’s phone rang, shattering the silence in the private room. He glanced at the screen, his face immediately darkening as if he’d been drenched with cold water. Despair and panic surged through him.

Handing the phone to his assistant, Mr. Li watched as the assistant hurried out of the room to take the call.

Taking a deep breath, he worked to steady his emotions. Turning back to Qinyao Song, he forced a smile, pretending nothing had happened, as if the earlier tension was just a minor hiccup.

Qinyao took a sip of her wine, the liquid leaving a faint red stain on her lips.

Suddenly, she set her glass down and leaned forward slightly. Her piercing gaze locked onto Mr. Li, her expression grave and intense.

“Mr. Li, I didn’t come here today just to talk business. There’s something else I’d like to discuss with you—something that might require your personal attention.”

“Ms. Song, please go ahead. If it’s within my ability, I’ll make sure it gets done promptly.”

Qinyao raised an eyebrow, her playful smile rippling in her charming, narrow eyes, making her all the more alluring.

Unwittingly, Mr. Li met her gaze. Her mesmerizing look was like an electric current, yet it sent a chill down his spine. Sweat began to bead on his palms.

He had heard rumors about Qinyao’s ruthlessness. Though unsure of their accuracy, he knew better than to cross her. She was one of those figures no one dared to provoke.

Especially now, as her seductive smile concealed a sharp edge. Mr. Li’s instincts screamed a warning, his unease deepening with every passing second.

“Your son, that ‘prince’ of yours, first caused trouble at my bar, even laying hands on my brother. I hadn’t settled that score yet. Then, he went to my brother’s restaurant, made trouble again, and even staged a fake video that nearly ruined the business.”

The air conditioning hummed softly, contrasting with the sweat glistening on Mr. Li’s forehead. He repeatedly dabbed at it with a handkerchief, creating a bizarre image of discomfort in the cool room.

Despite his usual bravado, he now felt an overwhelming sense of shame before this young woman, struggling even to meet her eyes.

Having navigated the business world for decades, he had always played it safe, avoiding conflicts with powerful players. This approach had allowed him to carve out a modestly successful career.

But his reckless son seemed hell-bent on destroying all that.

Over the years, Mr. Li had smoothed over countless messes his son had created. Yet this time, he sensed an unprecedented crisis. If this storm truly hit, even keeping his own “territory” intact might prove impossible.

“I’ll overlook the past incidents, but there won’t be a next time. If there is, I won’t bother coming to you for a polite discussion.” Qinyao’s tone was firm, her words cutting like a blade. “Your son’s an adult now. It’s time he learned to take responsibility for his actions.”

Despite the summer heat, Mr. Li felt a chill run through him, like someone had poured icy beer down his back. He shivered involuntarily.

He wasn’t new to threats, but most were empty posturing, like paper tigers with no real bite.

However, he knew that Qinyao wasn’t bluffing. When she threatened, she meant it—and she didn’t hesitate to act.

On the same day, a video quickly went viral online, sparking an uproar.

In the clip, four arrogant diners were seated at a table, bragging about their wealth and mocking those less fortunate. Their haughty attitudes painted a picture of entitlement and disdain for others.

During the meal, their behavior worsened. They treated the staff rudely, looking down on them as if the whole world should bow to their whims.

But what shocked viewers most was the footage of a man and woman secretly adding white bugs and cockroaches from a jar into their food. They then staged a heated argument with the staff, playing the victims and acting as though they were entirely in the right.

The video’s comment section exploded with outrage. Some netizens even risked legal consequences to publicly reveal the identities of the four diners, ensuring they became targets of widespread condemnation.

As the truth emerged, the scandal, dubbed “The Bug Incident,” finally vindicated Song Baili’s restaurant. Its tarnished reputation was restored, and the business began attracting positive attention.

Riding this wave of public interest, Dominique filmed a promotional video for the restaurant. Upon release, the video gained massive traction, propelling the restaurant’s popularity to new heights.

The establishment became a city hotspot, frequented by celebrities and drawing crowds of curious patrons. Lines stretched endlessly as customers, intrigued and reassured, eagerly awaited their turn to dine.

They opened several new branches, bringing in some new employees while promoting long-time staff members. Among them, Qian Qian was promoted to store manager.

Song Baili’s life became extraordinarily busy, consumed entirely by work with barely any time for herself.
Though Qian Qian often tried to reach out to her, their conversations were frequently interrupted by work. They hadn’t had a chance to spend time alone together, and their growing responsibilities seemed to form a wall between them.

Song Yongjun had suggested celebrating Qian Qian’s promotion multiple times, but Qian Qian always found an excuse to avoid it. Finally, she set a condition: she would agree to the celebration if Song Baili could attend.

Song Yongjun chose a restaurant in the heart of the city. Despite its central location, the restaurant was designed to feel like an escape, with a natural ambiance that brought tranquility.

On the rooftop garden of the restaurant, the city lights sparkled below. The bustling streets were alive with movement, while the distant skyscrapers shimmered with glowing windows, creating a vibrant and dazzling view.

The restaurant’s design carried a distinct Eastern charm. Wooden tables and chairs gave off a faint woody aroma, while the soothing sounds of birdsong and flowing streams played in the background like a symphony from nature.

Song Yongjun held a wine glass, swirling the liquid inside as he tried to steady his emotions. The romantic lines that Song Qinyao had coached him on kept popping in and out of his mind.

Qian Qian tilted her head slightly, resting her cheek against her hand. Her eyes carried a tender softness, as though she were admiring the cityscape through the window.
But in truth, her gaze often shifted secretly toward Song Baili. To her, the view outside couldn’t compare to the beauty and charm of the woman sitting nearby.

Every detail about Song Baili drew Qian Qian’s attention: the graceful contours of her face, her warm smile, and even the slight flirtatiousness in her gaze. All of it stirred waves in Qian Qian’s heart.

“There’s good news,” Song Yongjun suddenly announced. “That jerk Li Shao fled abroad. As long as I’m here, I promise no scumbags will ever come to the store to bully you ladies again.”

Qian Qian stifled a laugh. Wasn’t Li Shao’s real target Song Yongjun? Yet, in the end, it was the women who had worked together to resolve the chaos.

So, who was really protecting whom?

Qian Qian took a sip of water, her brow lifting slightly as if a thought had struck her. She placed her glass down and turned her gaze toward Song Baili. Her voice carried a mix of curiosity and suspicion as she asked,
“Bai-jie, how did you get that video?”

“A customer gave it to me,” Baili replied nonchalantly.

“Was it a girl or a guy?”

A nostalgic look crossed Song Baili’s face. Her eyes softened as though she were reliving that moment, and a faint, unguarded smile appeared on her lips.
“It was a really cute girl.”

Qian Qian’s expression froze for a second, her movements pausing.

An inexplicable displeasure rose in her chest. She thought the video’s significance lay in the evidence it provided, not the person who handed it over. Why emphasize the girl’s appearance?

She lifted her head slightly and stared at Baili, her gaze sharp and tinged with irritation, as if the stars in her eyes had transformed into little daggers.

“No wonder you’ve been so hard to reach lately. Seems like Bai-jie’s been busy playing chauffeur or babysitter for this cute little girl, huh?”

“What are you even saying?” Baili laughed. “I’ve been genuinely busy. I don’t have time to hang out with anyone, cute or not.”

A twinge of hurt flickered across Qian Qian’s face. She fiddled absentmindedly with her glass, her voice barely audible as she murmured,
“You only care about being busy… You don’t care about me anymore.”

The room seemed to grow colder, the atmosphere weighed down by Qian Qian’s sudden melancholy.

Baili glanced at Qian Qian, a sense of helplessness washing over her. She realized the situation could become even more awkward since Yongjun was there, and any conflict might ruin the mood entirely.

Looking over at Yongjun, Baili noticed his flustered expression. He was staring at Qian Qian with a mix of anxiety and determination.

Sitting up straight, Yongjun clasped his hands together on the table, his gaze steady and intense as he turned to Qian Qian. Taking a deep breath, he tried to keep his voice calm and gentle.

“Qian Qian, you still have me. Bai-jie has a lot on her plate, but I want to be the one to bring you happiness. I… I’m still waiting for you to agree to be my girlfriend.”

For a moment, Baili froze, her expression shifting to one of surprise. Then a small, knowing smile crept onto her face. Her fingers toyed with the edge of her glass as she turned to Qian Qian, curiosity glinting in her eyes.

Qian Qian’s face betrayed no sign of excitement. She merely raised an eyebrow, as though she had anticipated this declaration long ago.

Letting out a soft sigh, she lifted her gaze to meet Yongjun’s, her tone calm but resolute.
“I’m sorry. I can’t date you. I already have someone in my heart.”