Alpha Culinary Love

Chapter 144: Dinner

The sunlight streamed through the large bedroom windows, casting a golden hue over Jiyeon's face. She blinked awake slowly, her mind sluggish from the peaceful sleep. Beside her, Yura stirred, grumbling under her breath and pulling the blanket tighter around her. Jiyeon couldn't help but smile, leaning over to kiss Yura's bare shoulder.

"Morning, sunshine," Jiyeon whispered softly, brushing Yura's tangled hair away from her face.

Yura groaned and turned her face into the pillow, refusing to acknowledge the day. "Don't go," she mumbled, her voice muffled.

Jiyeon chuckled, pushing herself out of bed and stretching her arms above her head. "Someone has to keep the restaurant running. We can't both stay in bed all day."

Yura shot her a half-asleep glare, her lips curled in a pout. "I hate that you have to go back. Can't we just pretend the restaurant doesn't exist for one more day?"

"As tempting as that sounds," Jiyeon laughed, "we both know you'd get bored by lunchtime." She slipped into her chef's jacket, adjusting the cuffs as she admired Yura still sprawled on the bed. "Besides, you have your own empire to manage today, Ms. CEO."

Yura's pout deepened as she propped herself up on her elbows. "You know I'd rather stay here with you." Her possessiveness had always been a part of her personality, but ever since the estrus period, it had grown even stronger. Yura didn't like being apart from Jiyeon, and while Jiyeon found it endearing, she knew they both had responsibilities they couldn't ignore.

Jiyeon leaned over to kiss her again, this time on the lips, soft and lingering. "We'll have dinner together tonight, I promise. I'm just visiting the new branch for a bit."

Yura narrowed her eyes. "The new branch? That means you'll be gone longer. I should just show up there and bring you back."

"You wouldn't dare," Jiyeon teased, running a hand through Yura's hair before walking toward the door. "But if you do, maybe I'll cook you something special. Now, go run your company before it burns down."

Yura rolled her eyes but smiled, finally getting out of bed herself. "Fine. But I'm holding you to that dinner."

---

**The restaurant buzzed with life** as Jiyeon stepped into the kitchen, the familiar scent of garlic, onions, and freshly baked bread welcoming her like an old friend. The clatter of pans, the sizzle of oil, and the hum of busy chefs filled the air, and Jiyeon felt herself fall right back into the rhythm of it all. It was good to be back.

"Chef Jiyeon!" one of her sous chefs called out, waving her over. "We're prepping the new dish you introduced last week. Could you take a look?"

Jiyeon smiled and nodded, moving toward the counter where a series of ingredients were laid out. As she examined the fresh produce and the cuts of meat, her system kicked in—**a soft chime in her head, almost like a whisper.**

_"Carrot slice uneven, suggest adjusting knife angle by three degrees. Chicken temperature five degrees too high, risk of drying."_

Jiyeon's eyes flickered to the details, her mind processing the information faster than her hands could move. She adjusted the carrot slices, refining the cut with the precision of a master surgeon, then lowered the heat on the chicken, watching the skin sear to a perfect golden brown.

"Beautiful," she muttered to herself, satisfied. The system wasn't just a tool, it was an extension of her instincts in the kitchen, amplifying her natural talent to an almost inhuman level. She didn't need it, but it certainly helped her achieve the kind of perfection that made her stand out in the culinary world.

She turned to her sous chef, grinning. "Perfect work, just keep an eye on that chicken. We don't want it overcooked."

The sous chef beamed under her praise and nodded eagerly, returning to his station.

Later that afternoon, Jiyeon arrived at the new branch.The restaurant had been open for a week now, and while everything seemed to be going smoothly, Jiyeon knew better than to let her guard down. The first few months of any new venture were critical, and she needed to ensure that the quality of food and service met the standards she demanded.

The atmosphere of the new restaurant was different—sleeker, more modern than her original one. The kitchen was state-of-the-art, with gleaming stainless steel counters and the latest equipment, but it lacked the lived-in charm of her main kitchen. The chefs here were young, talented, but inexperienced. Jiyeon could sense their nervous energy the moment she stepped in.

"Chef Jiyeon!" A young chef rushed over, looking frazzled. "We've been having trouble with the sauce for the lobster dish. It's not coming out right."

Jiyeon raised an eyebrow. "Show me."

The young chef led her to the stove, where a pot of sauce simmered, thick and rich. Jiyeon dipped a spoon in, tasting it. Her system chimed again, delivering a series of suggestions—**too much salt, not enough acidity, balance with lemon zest.**

"Your base is good, but you're overpowering it with salt," Jiyeon said, her voice calm but authoritative. "Try adding a touch of lemon zest and some white wine. It'll brighten the flavor."

The young chef nodded, eager to fix the mistake. Jiyeon watched him closely, offering gentle guidance as he worked. She enjoyed this part—teaching, mentoring. It wasn't just about the food; it was about shaping the next generation of chefs, helping them grow into their own talents.

As the new sauce simmered, Jiyeon tasted it again, and a smile spread across her face. "Much better. Keep working on it. You've got potential."

---

**Meanwhile, across the city, Yura sat at her desk, her phone buzzing with notifications.** She was in the middle of a contract negotiation, her mind laser-focused on the details. But every now and then, her thoughts drifted back to Jiyeon.

She picked up her phone during a lull, sending Jiyeon a quick message: _Don't forget about our dinner. I'm holding you to it._

She smirked, setting the phone down and returning to the contract. Her assistant walked in, handing her a new report. Yura skimmed through it, but her mind wasn't entirely on work. **Jiyeon always managed to distract her, even from a distance.**

---

**By evening, Jiyeon returned home**, the scent of fresh herbs and garlic clinging to her. She'd spent the last few hours making sure everything was running smoothly at the new branch, and now all she wanted was to relax with Yura.

She found Yura waiting for her in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a glass of wine in hand. "I thought you said dinner," Yura teased, raising an eyebrow. "Not 'I'll come home smelling like dinner.'"

Jiyeon laughed, wrapping her arms around Yura's waist and kissing her cheek. "I am dinner."

Yura grinned, pulling Jiyeon closer. "You're lucky I'm starving."

They spent the next hour cooking together—**Jiyeon guiding Yura through the steps as they prepared a simple but delicious meal**. The kitchen was filled with the sound of chopping vegetables, the sizzle of meat on the stove, and their laughter. It was rare for Jiyeon to be able to cook at home these days, but she cherished these moments with Yura, when it was just the two of them.

As they sat down to eat, Yura reached across the table, taking Jiyeon's hand in hers. "I missed you today," she said softly.

Jiyeon smiled, squeezing her hand. "I missed you too. But tomorrow, we do this again."

Yura smirked. "Another dinner at home? You're spoiling me."

The quiet clink of their wine glasses echoed through the room, the soft glow of the kitchen lights casting a warm, intimate atmosphere over the scene. Jiyeon sat back in her chair, her gaze lingering on Yura, who was still smiling—one of those soft, content smiles that Jiyeon had come to treasure.

"You're really enjoying this, aren't you?" Jiyeon teased, taking a sip of her wine.

Yura shrugged, feigning nonchalance, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed her. "Maybe. Or maybe I just like the fact that we finally get some time to ourselves, without work pulling us apart."

Jiyeon smiled softly, her fingers tracing the edge of her glass. "We'll always have our separate responsibilities, but that doesn't mean we can't make time for each other. Today was a busy day, but coming home to this," she gestured at the table, the food, and Yura, "makes it all worth it."

Yura looked at Jiyeon, her expression suddenly more serious. "I worry, you know. That with the new restaurant, you're going to push yourself too hard again. You do this—you throw yourself into your work so much that you forget to take care of yourself."

Jiyeon blinked, surprised at Yura's sudden change in tone. She set her glass down, leaning forward slightly. "I'm not pushing myself too hard. I know how to balance things now."

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Yura arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Do you? You didn't even take a break today, did you? You went straight from the restaurant to the new branch without stopping to eat."

Jiyeon opened her mouth to argue but quickly realized Yura was right. She'd been so wrapped up in making sure everything was perfect that she had, once again, neglected her own needs. With a small sigh, she leaned back in her chair, offering Yura a sheepish smile. "Okay, maybe you have a point."

Yura's serious expression softened as she reached across the table to take Jiyeon's hand. "I'm not trying to scold you, Jiyeon. I just worry because I love you. I don't want to see you burn out."

Jiyeon squeezed Yura's hand gently, her heart swelling at the concern in Yura's voice. "I'll try to be better about it, I promise."

Yura gave her a playful smile, her thumb brushing over Jiyeon's knuckles. "Good. Because I'm holding you to that."

Jiyeon chuckled, nodding. "You always do."

They finished their meal in comfortable silence, the warmth between them palpable, a quiet promise of more moments like this to come.