"You are such a good cook… much better than that daughter-in-law of mine," Aunt Fu said loudly, her laughter filling the room as she dished out the meal Li Manman had just finished preparing.
"Indeed, Mother. We would have starved if not for her," Fu Jia quickly supported her mother, grabbing her own share of food.
"You are praising her too much," Grandma Fu said coldly, casting a look of disgust at Li Manman. "She is just a maid after all. She chose to follow our family into exile; serving us is her duty." She scoffed, staring at the food in front of her and pretending it smelled bad.
But Li Manman did not care about the old woman's words. Her attention was focused on someone else entirely.
Along with cooking, she had lit a small fire in the middle of the room, finally making the place bright, warm, and less cold and lifeless. Everyone ate eagerly, stuffing their mouths with food, while Li Manman simply smiled. Yet her smile never reached her eyes.
