Shen Ni also presents Bian Jin with a rensheng that she made. This one is red and pink, with a cute face that is definitely not crooked
Awwww. Also, extremely on brand of Shen Ni to have done this well.

she couldn't have imagined that the tongue behind those abstemious lips could be so warm and soft
Well. We're all thinking the same thing, aren't we.

Bian Jin is astonished as, understandably, no one has ever compared her to a kitten before
As Ning Yuan said in her author's note for this chapter:
Bian Jin: I am a terrifying all-consuming beast who is an emotionless void
Shen Ni: She's a cute little kitten

Li Shan mentally describes her as a fox in sheep's clothing
Excellent description of Shen Ni.

One of the officials asks her in hushed tones whether they need to check to make sure the machine is functional, and Shen Ni, ever-helpful, repeats this to Li Shan in tones of great concern. Li Shan hisses at them all to fuck off
HEEEEEEEEEE. An excellent demonstration of Shen Ni's fox-in-sheep's-clothing nature.

perhaps the person Bian Jin was always cruellest to was herself
BIAN JIN JIEJIE