The sound came quietly at first.
A low, shameful gurgle from her stomach.
Wei Lian froze.
Only when the sound repeated—louder this time—did she realize it wasn't just her.
Behind her, three small bodies shifted.
"Mama…" the middle one whispered hesitantly, pressing a hand to her own belly.
"I'm hungry…"
The youngest sniffed.
"My tummy hurts."
Wei Lian closed her eyes.
Only now—after the shouting, the blood, the knife trembling in her hand—did her body remember something basic.
They hadn't eaten.
Not her.
Not her daughters.
Adrenaline had carried her through the violence, but hunger came back mercilessly once the danger faded.
She looked down at the three girls sitting close together, thin shoulders hunched, eyes dull with exhaustion and hunger.
Guilt hit her harder than any blow.
"I'll cook," she said softly. "Mama will cook."
The words felt strange in her mouth.
Cook.
The kitchen.
Her chest tightened.
Memories surfaced—sharp, ugly.
This body…
had never been allowed in the kitchen.
That place was not for her.
It belonged to the mother-in-law, the step-grandchildren, the favored ones. If Wei Lian so much as stepped near the stove before, she was beaten, slapped, dragged out by her hair.
Useless woman.
Waste of grain.
You think you deserve food?
Her fingers curled.
That was before.
She looked at her daughters again.
Fear flickered in their eyes too—they remembered.
"Mama…" the eldest said carefully, "kitchen is bad place."
Wei Lian knelt in front of them.
"Listen to me," she said quietly but firmly. "Stay here. Don't open the door for anyone. If someone knocks—don't answer. Do you understand?"
Three heads nodded instantly.
"Wait."
"Hide."
"No open."
Wei Lian stood, stepped outside the room, and closed the door gently.
Then—
She locked it from the outside.
Her hand paused on the latch.
"If Mama doesn't come back immediately," she said through the door, "don't be afraid. I'm right here."
"Mama be careful," the youngest whispered.
Wei Lian inhaled slowly.
Then she turned toward the kitchen.
---
The Forbidden Place
The kitchen smelled of oil and smoke.
It was larger than her room, cleaner too—because it was never hers. Pots hung neatly. Jars of grain lined the shelves. Everything was arranged with care.
She saw it immediately.
A basket on the counter.
Inside—
Eggs.
Wei Lian counted.
Twenty-two.
Her mother-in-law had prepared them for her step-grandson.
Her jaw tightened.
She reached out and took four eggs.
Only four.
Not stealing.
Not begging.
Surviving.
She filled a pot with water and placed it on the stove. Her hands moved quickly, efficiently—muscle memory from another life returning.
She grabbed wheat flour, washed vegetables, and added a pinch of salt.
The fire crackled.
The smell of cooking slowly filled the kitchen.
For a brief moment, it almost felt normal.
Then—
A shrill voice screamed.
"Mother!! Look!! She's in the kitchen!!"
Wei Lian stiffened.
Her sister-in-law—one of the mentally damaged daughters—stood at the doorway, eyes wide, pointing with shaking fingers.
"She stealing food!!"
Wei Lian turned slowly.
Her gaze was cold.
The girl screamed and ran.
Footsteps thundered.
Curses followed.
"You slut!!"
Her mother-in-law burst in, face twisted with rage, hair disheveled.
"Who gave you permission?!" she shrieked. "That food is not yours! Get out!"
Wei Lian didn't answer.
She reached into the stove and pulled out a burning piece of wood.
Flames licked the air.
She stood up straight, holding it firmly in her hand.
The kitchen fell silent.
Her mother-in-law froze mid-step.
Wei Lian took one step forward.
Her voice was low.
Steady.
"If you take one more step," she said, "I will burn this house down."
The old woman stared at her as if seeing a ghost.
"You—what nonsense are you—"
Wei Lian raised the burning stick higher.
"I have nothing left," she continued. "No husband. No family. No protection. If you touch me or my daughters again—"
Her eyes burned brighter than the fire.
"—I will kill you."
The words were not shouted.
They were promised.
Her mother-in-law's legs trembled.
"You're mad," she whispered. "You've gone mad."
"Yes," Wei Lian replied calmly. "I have."
She took another step forward.
"If I die, I'll take you with me. And your sons. And this house."
The silence was suffocating.
The sister-in-law whimpered and hid behind her mother.
Her mother-in-law swallowed hard.
She backed away.
"This… this isn't over," she muttered weakly.
Wei Lian didn't follow.
She didn't need to.
They retreated.
The kitchen door slammed shut.
Wei Lian stood there, heart pounding, the burning wood shaking slightly in her grip.
Only when she was sure they were gone did she exhale.
Her hands trembled now.
Not from fear—
From restraint.
She returned to the stove, finished boiling the eggs, and poured batter onto the pan.
The pancakes cooked quickly, golden and fragrant.
She placed the food on a plate and carried it carefully back to the locked room.
---
Warmth After Terror
She unlocked the door.
Three small faces looked up instantly.
"Mama!!"
She knelt and handed them food.
"Eat slowly," she said, forcing her voice to stay gentle.
They ate eagerly, hands shaking, eyes bright with relief.
The youngest took a bite of egg and smiled weakly.
"Warm," she said.
Wei Lian sat beside them, eating last.
Only then did she realize—
Her body was shaking.
But she didn't cry.
Not tonight.
She leaned back against the wall, one arm around all three daughters.
Outside, the house was quiet again.
Inside, hunger was gone.
Fear remained—
But it no longer ruled her.
Because tonight, Wei Lian had done something she had never done before.
She had claimed space.
And she would never give it back.
They ate slowly at first, still cautious, as if afraid the food might disappear.
Each of the girls held one boiled egg, peeling the shell carefully the way Wei Lian showed them. The yolk was soft and warm. They chewed with shining eyes.
Then came the pancakes.
Two vegetable pancakes each—thin, golden, fragrant with salt and fresh greens.
For the first time since arriving in this world, they ate without fear.
When the last bite was gone, silence fell for a heartbeat.
Then—
Burrrp.
The middle one froze, eyes widening.
Another sound followed.
Burrrp.
The youngest covered her mouth too late.
Wei Lian blinked—and then all four of them burst out laughing.
Even Wei Lian couldn't hold it in.
They laughed until their stomachs hurt, clutching each other, tears gathering at the corners of their eyes.
"So full…" the eldest sighed happily.
"My tummy round," the youngest declared proudly.
Wei Lian wiped their mouths gently, smiling from the bottom of her heart.
"Full is good," she said softly.
They leaned against her, warm, fed, safe.
For this brief moment—
The world outside didn't matter.
And hunger no longer ruled their lives.