Lillian watched the woman enter the kitchen. Her eyes remained fixed on her back, seeing how she busied herself.
With the constant clattering of the plates and rushing around, Lillian could tell the woman did not know her way around the kitchen. She grabbed one end of the carrot and chopped down violently with the knife into thick pieces.
Although she placed her concentration, the vegetables were unevenly cut. Her hands fumbled, the blade slipping dangerously close to her fingers with each reckless motion.
It was painfully chaotic.
A sigh left her mouth before Lillian got up from her seat and entered the kitchen.
"You will injure yourself if you keep on continuining like this," Lillian pointed out.
Lillian's voice caught the woman off guard, and she immediately turned back. Then, she said in a hurry, waving her hand. "Get out from the kitchen. There are too much fumes here."
As if on cue, Grace covered her nose and started coughing, feeling the suffocation build up. Her face contorted slightly from the irritation in her throat.
Lillian's gaze drifted toward the stove. The frying pan was smoking aggressively- the oil nearly burned through.
Without a word, she strode forward and shut off the flame.
"Uh, I forgot about it," Grace expressed with a sheepish smile. "I haven't been in the kitchen for a long time."
"Let me do it," Lillian said curtly, taking the knife from her hand.
Grace's eyes widened. "No, how can I let you do that? Let me call your third brother. He can-"
"I am hungry," Lillian cut her off coldly. "I know my way around the kitchen well."
Lillian noticed how Grace froze for a second before nodding. "I will let you do it now then. I am sorry for the inconvenience."
Grace's response made her feel awkward, and unable to deal with the surging emotions within her, she worked on chopping the vegetables. Her motions were swift and practiced. Grace stood beside her, silently watching her.
The affection and care Grace showered her left Lillian feeling helpless.The woman could've easily ordered food for lunch, but even when she couldn't, she had to go out of her way to enter the kitchen for Lillian.
Even when Mary didn't know about the exchange, Lillian didn't think she received this warmth from her. There was always a sense of distance. Mary never went out of her way to do something for Lillian.
This overwhelmed Lillian, and she did not understand how to behave around Grace.
Grace quietly accompanied her as Lillian was done whipping up few simple side-dishes along with rice. She took the initiative to set up the plates and served the food.
Lillian sat down on the chair and picked up the chopsticks about to eat when she felt Grace's gaze fixed on her.
She paused her movement and lifted her head to look at her questioningly.
"Mom wants to watch you eat," Grace said in distress. "Look at how skinny you are. The Chens are up to no good truly."
"The food will get cold," Lillian quickly replied before averting her gaze and starting to eat.
She took a few bites in silence, trying to steady herself. Then, she slowed down unconsciously, waiting for Grace to taste the food. Grace picked up the egg roll with the chopstick and took a bite.
Her eyes brightened up immediately, savoring it. "Why is it so delicious? This is the best egg roll I had in my fourty five year of life. It must be because my daughter did it."
Her voice was filled with wonder.
In her previous life, Lillian has cooked countless meals for the Chen Family, but never did her efforts meet with an warm reception. Feeling appreciated was entirely new to her.
Lillian didn't respond and carried on with eating.
Grace complimented all the dishes along the way as she ate.
"This tofu is seasoned so well, and these green beans are perfectly done!" Grace exclaimed between bites.
"You're noisy," Lillian mumbled.
Grace raised one of her eyebrows. "Do you need anything?"
There was a soft smile on Grace's face that made Lillian feel strange inside. A sigh of grief then left her mouth.
"For you to cook so well at such an young age, my dear, you must have suffered a lot in the Chen Family," Grace commented, "I will teach them a lesson for you, alright?"
Before Lillian could catch it, a flash of dark look crossed through her eyes.
Lillian wasn't familiar with pouring out her grievances. From a young age, she was taught to pick up after herself. No matter what she dealt with, her emotions were kept to herself. She took her vulnerability to be shameful, especially after her rebirth.
She didn't want to seem pitiful.
Maybe this is what made her so hardhearted.
Crying child gets the candy they say, but Lillian was never taught to cry.
"No," Lillian replied, "it is just a hobby I picked up. I like to cook."
Lillian found it humiliating, thinking how she learned the skill to impress Jason Chen. But even then, it was a skill she placed her time and effort to in mastering. Lillian wouldn't abandon it.
Lillian's defensive behaviour did not go unnoticed by Grace, but she knew that she had to take it slow with Lillian. Although her emotions were calm and composed, mentally, she remained no far from a bomb close to exploding.
Grace smiled and joked.
"I should learn then, given how incompetent I am," Grace stated, "What is Lillian's favorite food? I will make it for you."
Lillian blinked.
Her favorite food?
Lillian couldn't recall the last time she had one. Her last life was filled with constant efforts to fit with the Chen Family that all her likes and dislikes have been removed from her memory.
Her grip against her chopstick tightened.
"It's alright," Grace softly said, "we will take our time slowly deciding, alright?"