Mr Shen, who stood stiffly by the window, turned back towards the bed with narrowed eyes.
"Your mother is right. You are the lawful Madam Li. That status will protect you, Li'er. Let no one take it from you."
He glanced out of the window towards the distant gardens where the afternoon sun cast soft golden light over blooming camellias, his expression dark and calculating.
"Li Feng will come around. He has to.... For the boys, and for the family name.... Just focus on your health for now."
Shen Li inhaled shakily, curling her fingers into the sheets as silent sobs wracked her shoulders, though a cold, triumphant smile twisted her lips where they could not see.
That's right… Li Feng… you will come back to me.
No matter what it takes.
PRIVATE STUDY – SAME TIME
Downstairs, Li Feng sat motionless at his desk, the setting sun casting long shadows across his broad shoulders and sharp, exhausted features. His laptop lay closed, untouched, his phone silent on the polished wood.
In the heavy stillness, he pressed his hand to his chest, feeling the dull ache that refused to subside.
"Ruyi…"
He whispered her name like a prayer, his voice cracking under the weight of his grief.
If you were here… would you forgive me for all of this…?
He closed his eyes, shutting out the world, but the ghost of her gentle smile only haunted him deeper.
LI FAMILY – KITCHEN & DINING AREA – EVENING
The atmosphere in the mansion remained heavy as the late afternoon light faded into warm hues across the marble floors. In an unspoken truce, everyone gathered in the expansive open kitchen, hoping to ease tensions before dinner.
Old Master Li sat at the dining table, reading his newspaper with a stern frown, while Old Madam Li stood by the counter, supervising the maids as they prepared vegetables. She glanced coldly towards Shen Li's parents, who lingered awkwardly near the pantry, avoiding her gaze.
Li Feng rolled up his sleeves and silently washed rice at the sink, his powerful hands moving deftly through the grains. Each quiet swish of water calmed his restless mind just slightly.
Old Madam Li sniffed disdainfully, "Who told you to touch kitchen work? You will make the rice taste bitter with that aura of yours."
Li Feng ignored her sharp words, continuing to wash the rice before setting it into the electric cooker. Old Master Li folded his newspaper with a loud rustle and sighed heavily.
"Enough bickering for today. We are all family here. Li Feng, call the boys down. Shen Li should come eat too."
At the mention of her name, Mrs Shen immediately straightened, "Li'er is still weak, Mother Li. She should eat in the bedroom tonight."
Old Madam Li narrowed her eyes coldly, "She can come down if she wants to eat with family. We aren't her servants to wait on her in bed."
Mr Shen bristled at her tone but said nothing, choosing instead to assist in washing the leafy greens under cold running water. The maids scurried about chopping garlic, ginger, and fresh scallions, their movements precise and silent.
Amid the quiet chaos, Li Feng's deep voice finally broke the silence, "We need to settle these family matters soon. Tomorrow, I will arrange a formal discussion, and tonight, we will eat peacefully. The boys shouldn't continue living in such a tense environment."
Old Master Li nodded firmly. "That is the only wise thing you have said today."
Old Madam Li rolled her eyes but said nothing further, focusing instead on inspecting the fish being seasoned for steaming.