The Old Madam laughed. "Win everybody's hearts? Is this some drama going on? You don't need to pull off such nonsense because I am the law here. If I don't like you, nobody else would either."
Lihua raised her brow. "Well, you don't like me for sure and you say that nobody else would either, but that didn't stop your grandson from liking me, did it?"
Wei obediently nodded.
She was stunned at her audacity.
Shi Zhen and Shi Cuifen could hardly believe their ears. It was bold to throw that statement on her face.
The atmosphere froze and the Old Madam's gaze darkened. "The nerve of you…"
"So that means that the other members of this family can like me too, right?" She brightened. "Also, you cannot say that others would follow your decision. Everybody's free to think and decide what they like and what they don't. They don't have to depend on you or any other figure to decide on that."
Jiang Fai widened his eyes. "She is one fiery sister. But stupid. She doesn't know what kind of a place this is," he sighed.
Jiang Xiurang snorted. "She is not gonna get any recognition. She already crossed all her lines by going against the Old Madam. I am surprised she is even alive after talking so much."
The Old Madam's face turned red in anger.
Nobody had ever dared to challenge her authority like that. Her command was final and everybody had to obey her.
The others having their own thoughts? That was just bullshit.
She smiled. "They don't need to have their own opinion because my opinion 'is' theirs."
"It surely isn't my husband's," Lihua shot back, earning a deep glare from her.
Fu Renshu's mouth twitched.
Well, I guess this is her strength then. Dumb people don't know where to stop so they are uselessly brave.
"Don't cross your limits!"
Wei dangerously said, "Don't raise your voice against her."
Lihua held his hand and shook her head. "It's okay."
Wei pursed his lips.
She turned to face her and sighed. "I still cannot believe that even in this day and age, a family has such rules and traditions. They are your family members, not your slaves. You should treat them with respect and love, not force your decisions on them."
Her expression turned ugly. "It has always been that way and it always will. Nobody can change that! The Matriarch is the one who decides everything and others have to follow her."
Lihua smiled. "Shall we test it then? If even one of your family members agrees to my proposition then we will do as I said. You don't agree with my six months plan, but if anyone else from your family does, you will accept it."
Ruomei sneered. That was impossible. Nobody would go against the Old Madam. She was going to lose miserably.
The Old Madam laughed out loud. "Sure. Try it. Let me see who favors you."
Lihua turned and faced the family members. There was Jiang Weizhe, Jiang Xiurang, Jiang Fai and three other members too who were quietly watching her without any change in their expression. Their gazes were unreadable and it was impossible to detect what they thought of her.
She bowed. "Greetings. I am Jiang Lixue, Jiang Wei's wife. I apologize for this mess. I know that the family had already decided on the daughter-in-law for this family. But the situation turned out differently. Even I am unaware of it as I have lost my memory. But I want one chance to prove that I am just as good for him. Will you give me that chance?"
Wei was heavily dissatisfied. He pulled her arm and she looked at him in surprise.
"You don't have to do so much for their approval. I am the Mafia King. Nobody can tell me what I should do and what I shouldn't."
"But before that, you are the son of this family, right? As a part of this family, everybody's opinion should matter. Even if it is unreasonable, we should try to make things in our favor. You are the Mafia King, right?"
"En."
"Then a King doesn't disregard others' opinions," she smiled.
Wei lowered his head and quietly nodded. If his wife said so, he would not go against her.
She brightened and patted his head.
Ah, a husband who listens to you is so nice…
She faced his family and asked, "Will you let me show that I am capable of standing beside him too?"
Silence.
A long time passed by, but there was no response from anybody. Ruomei smirked in victory.
I knew it. Of course, nobody will bother with her farce.
Lihua was still calm even amidst the silence because she knew that one member would definitely support her.
"I agree."
The Old Madam froze. She turned to look at her son, Jiang Weizhe, who calmly agreed to Lihua's proposal. His blank countenance was the same. He didn't seem hesitant in going against the Old Madam.
Ruomei looked at him, stunned.
Uncle…he-he agreed?
Shi Zhen fumed. "Mr. Jiang! What is the meaning of this!? How can you side with this woman who snatched my Ruomei's place?"
He said nothing. More accurately, he didn't bother to respond. He was only supposed to answer Lihua's question and he did.
His behavior infuriated Shi Zhen.
The Old Madam gritted her teeth. "Weizhe!"
Lihua victoriously smiled. As she had forgotten everything, naturally, she forgot about Jiang Weizhe and Jiang Yubi too.
'I will not allow you to follow in your father's footsteps!'
At that time as the Old Madam said that, she understood that there was some tension between them. Wei's father had some history. So, she realized that she could count on him for his agreement. It was a gamble. It was completely possible that he might remain silent too. But she wanted to take that chance.
From the Old Madam's tone, it sounded as if Jiang Weizhe had opposed her before too. So there were chances that he would stand by her if she took that gamble. That's why she mentioned that she needed just one person's support.
She coughed. "See? There is someone whose opinion differs from you."