On the kitchen island, Li Feng moved to help slice vegetables alongside the maids. His tall figure bent slightly as he worked silently, his expression devoid of emotion. Nearby, Mrs Shen stirred a pot of nourishing pork bone soup, tasting it delicately before adjusting the salt.
"Li Feng…" she spoke softly without looking at him, "Li'er has suffered a lot. Please… treat her with some kindness tonight."
His knife paused on the chopping board, the blade pressing down hard enough to crack the carrot slightly. Slowly, he resumed slicing without replying, his eyes dark and distant.
"Kindness?" he murmured under his breath, "If only she knew what that word meant."
Mrs Shen frowned but said no more, focusing on her soup as Old Madam Li watched them both with contempt.
DINING TABLE – LATER
