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
The long polished table was set with steaming dishes of stir-fried beef with peppers, garlic-sauteed bok choy, delicate steamed fish, fragrant rice, and the pork bone soup. The family sat down together, the boys on one end, guarded quietly by two discreet security men at a distance.
Shen Li had been helped down by her father and mother, her pale face and frail demeanour drawing immediate concern from Old Master Li but earning only silence from Old Madam Li.
They ate in silence for a few minutes before Old Master Li cleared his throat.
"Tomorrow, we will return to proper family discussions, and tonight, you all eat and rest well. We will solve this as a family, whether peacefully or not."
Li Feng lifted his teacup silently in agreement, his dark eyes never rising to meet Shen Li's across the table.
And as the muted sounds of chopsticks against porcelain filled the dining hall, each person remained trapped within their own quiet storm of guilt, fear, calculation, and bitterness.
LI FAMILY MANSION – AFTER DINNER
The dinner ended in heavy silence, punctuated only by the quiet clinking of bowls and chopsticks as the maids cleared the table. Shen Li was helped up by Mrs Shen, her movements slow and delicate as if every step cost her strength.
"Come, Li'er," Mrs Shen whispered gently, supporting her by the elbow, "Let's get you back to bed so you can rest properly."
Shen Li nodded weakly, leaning into her mother's hold, her pale lips curling into a faint smile as her eyes flickered towards Li Feng for the briefest moment, only to find his gaze averted, cold and unmoved.
Old Master Li rose from his chair, stretching his stiff shoulders as he addressed everyone in a low, commanding tone.
"Go and rest. We will continue discussions tomorrow morning. There is no use arguing when we are all tired."
Old Madam Li snorted softly but did not object. She turned to the maids briskly, "Prepare the guest rooms for Mr and Mrs Shen. They will not leave tonight."
"Yes, madam."
Mr Shen bowed politely to the old couple before following his wife and daughter up the grand staircase towards the master bedroom.
Li Feng remained standing by the dining table for a while, staring down at his half-finished cup of tea, his fingers tracing the smooth ceramic edges absentmindedly.
Old Master Li came to stand beside him, resting a large, heavy hand on his son's shoulder, "Don't carry everything alone. Resolve this quickly before it destroys the boys completely. You should know by now what these fights can cause...."
Li Feng said nothing, only bowing slightly in acknowledgement.
The boys were escorted quietly to their rooms by the guards, their faces tense with unspoken fear and guilt.
Soon, the once-bustling mansion fell into deep silence, only the faint humming of the central heater and the soft rustling of tree branches in the garden audible through the closed windows.
Old Madam Li retired early to her suite, refusing assistance from the maids, while Old Master Li sat by the window in his study room, staring at the moonlit courtyard with a heavy sigh.
And Li Feng… he returned alone to his private bedroom, his mind weighed down by memories, grief, and the unspoken truth of what the next day would bring.