"Gra..gra....Grandmother!" Old Madam Li was startled at what Lena said but quickly composed herself.
"Well, welcome then." She replied.
Madam Li smiled at them both and pulled a chair for Lena to sit next to Kris. Madam Li sat next to Lena so that Lena was in between the mother and son.
Kris did not speak anything further nor gave Lena any attention. He kept his unemotional and steady face.
Elder Li signaled for the cook to bring out the food. They did not take much to understood his command and rushed to get the dishes out and set them on the table.
The first few minutes of the brunch was very quiet. No one spoke. Lena secretly glanced a few times to observe Elder Li. So far... the man looked like any old grandpa... but people are not always as they look like.
"So... Miss. Shen, what do you do?" Old Madam Li asked.
"Well, currently I am just helping my parents with the company."
"Helping? Are you going to take over the company soon?"
"No. I am just working in a small branch of the company."
"I see." Old Madam Li smiled. "I forgot to introduce you to Nina Long. She is currently working to become CEO of the Long Law Firm."
"Nice to meet you, Miss. Shen."
Lena smiled at Nina. "That"s wonderful. You are a lawyer?"
"Yes. I completed my degree at University A."
"Quite an accomplishment." Lena complimented.
"Of course... such woman like Miss. Long will have a successful life for any man she marries." Old Madam Li added in.
"Depends..." Lena replied back.
"Depends?" Nina was confused.
Not every woman can complete a law school from the best university in China and quickly take over such a large law firm in such a short amount of time.
"If I remember correctly, it was the Long Law firm that defended the Bai Wentao during his trial. Seems to me and majority of the public, such law firm defends those who can load them with money rather than for justice. Someone can fall as quickly as the rise."
Kris cleared his throat. He actually burst into a small laugh but quickly covered it by clearing his throat. He took a sipped of water and acted again like he was disinterested in the conversation.
Lena glanced at him... this man... can"t he hold his laughter until later? She was not done yet.
Nina composed herself. "That is indeed true... but every person deserves a fair trial and the right to an attorney. And our firm took his defense pro-bono, not for money. I am very much a hard-working woman, and I can stand by the work that I do. Does Miss. Shen do anything for the community?"
"Of course. I am keeping the community safe by keeping the most dangerous man off the streets and next to me instead." Lena looked at Kris then went back to her plate. She took a bite of her food and chew.
Nina was confused but Old Madam Li and Elder Li knew exactly what Lena was referring to.
"Miss. Long works long hours to help people. And when she is not working, she is putting her free time to continue to help others. She is a very good and caring person." Old Madam Li spoke.
Lena swallowed her food and took a drink of water. "Miss. Long, if I may ask... you are planning to get married sometime in the future, correct?"
"Of course!" She smiled and looked at Kris. She was so proud of herself.
"And how many children do you want?"
"Just one."
"Just one? Lena confirmed.
"Yes. Just one is enough for me to be a mother and work. I need to be there for my husband and his family. As much as I am working at my own company, I still need to support my husband and his work."
Old Madam Li smiled, approving the answer that Nina said. Even Elder Li nodded, agreeing that Nina was a good child. Today was the first day that he was meeting Nina. He knew that his wife always brought in a new person each time to introduce them to Kris.
Elder Li never particularly like anyone so far but he did not have a good feeling about Lena. There was just something.... slightly off about Lena.
"You see... that is the difference between you and me. I personally want to get married and become a full-time wife and mother." Lena inputted her opinion.
Both Elder Li and Old Madam Li stared at Lena. They did not expect such an answer from her.
"Full-time wife and mother? Who would pay for all the living expense? Don"t you want to be able to provide for your family?" Nina asked.
"Why? Are you suggesting that Kris Li can"t afford to take care of me and OUR children?" Lena frowned and looked at Kris.
"I--- I didn"t say that. I was not referring to Kris."
Lena smiled and slightly shrugged. She picked up the large spoon used to scoop food and grabbed some vegetables. She put on them Kris" plate.
"Kris does not like vegetables. He prefers meat." Nina quickly interrupted Lena.
"Indeed... you did not know?" Old Madam Li chimed in.
"I know. But he needs to eat more vegetables to get his vitamins and be more healthy. After all, he needs to be able to give me healthy babies too."
*Cough Cough* Madam Li coughed several times, choking on the water she was drinking.
"Kris... eat your vegetables," Lena demanded from him.
Kris looked at his plate. He did not pick up his eating utensils.
"Kris. You don"t have to eat that. I made plenty of meat dishes just for you." Old Madam Li spoke.
Kris looked up at his grandmother then he suddenly picked up his fork. He stabbed a few vegetables and ate it. He did not talk at all and just continued to eat.
Elder Li did not know if Kris ate the food because of Lena or because he wanted to go against his wife.
"Miss. Shen, you are quite inconsiderate of Kris and his preferences." Elder Li finally spoke.
"Inconsiderate?" Lena scoffed. "It"s ironic hearing that from a man who had been inconsiderate of his grandson for half of his lifetime."
"You---!" Elder Li slammed his hand on the table and pointed his finger at Lena.