II. Marriage or disownment

"Be quiet!" Wang Jing boomed. She lifted her hand to hit Zhang Mei again, but someone caught it; it was Liang Chen.

He came between the mother and daughter, serving as a shield for Zhang Mei, who was on the receiving end. "Please, Aunt, spare her; she is already going through a lot."

"Liang Chen, let me beat that shameless girl." Wang Jing struggled to reach her daughter, but Liang Chen's big frame and height protected Zhang Mei.

"Please, Aunt, I know you are upset, but this is not the right way to handle things," Liang Chen implored. He turned to Zhang Mei with a gentle frown, his full lips pressed in a thin line. "I think it would be best if you apologize."

"And I think it would be best if you shut up!" Zhang Mei retorted. Her reply sent everyone into another state of shock, but she was not done. She pursed her lips and looked at Liang Chen from head to toe in a condescending manner. "And who are you to interfere in my family matters? What rights do you have?"

Again, everyone's mouths dropped. It was as if they were watching the world come to an end before their very eyes. Doubts in their minds were increasingly adding up, but they all hoped that it was not what they thought.

Zhang Mei stepped back and crossed her arms. "I asked a question: who the heck are you?"

"Mei Mei..." Liang Chen trailed off, his voice barely above a whisper. "Have you forgotten me?"

"I don't bloody care who you are, dude. Just stay out of my family's matter," Zhang Mei huffed.

She wanted to speak again, but before she could, the loud voice of the patriarch cut through the air. "Zhang Mei!" The anger in his voice was evident, sending shudders down the spines of his family members.

He had never involved himself in the family affairs of the smaller family, but this involved his favorite granddaughter, Zhang Mei.

"You entered this room and didn't bother to greet your elders, and I forgave you, but I will not let you disrespect Liang Chen," Patriarch Zhang Wei warned, his hands clenched the armrest of the chair as he tried to contain his anger. "Liang Chen is your future husband and should be treated with respect."

"What?" Zhang Mei's mouth dropped in disbelief, her gaze anxiously shifting around the room, searching for anything that could prove that it was all a joke. "This is a prank, right?" Her laughter faltered. "Well done, family, I am officially surprised. You all managed to convince Grandfather to join your act. Bravo!"

"Zhang Mei!" Patriarch Zhang Wei's voice thundered. "Enough of your shenanigans. You publicly disgraced this family, yet you want to continue even behind closed doors?"

The Zhang family was very famous in E city; they were wealthy and had a lot of power, just like the Liang family. The video that leaked would leave a stain on their pristine family image.

It would take a lot of effort to do a proper cover-up for what happened.

"I formally wanted to have the awakening ceremony before the engagement, but now, I want you married," the patriarch declared, and everyone but Zhang Mei found nothing wrong with the proclamation.

The patriarch heaved and pinched between his brows; this situation had altered his plans. "That is; if Liang Chen and his family are still willing to have Zhang Mei as their daughter-in-law," he said.

"I am still willing to marry Zhang Mei," Liang Chen answered almost immediately with no doubt in his voice. He looked at his parents for their approval, and they nodded at him, consenting. "I will marry Zhang Mei."

"Excuse me, who wants to get married to you?" Zhang Mei interrupted Liang Chen. She walked to her grandfather and knelt before him, an act that greatly surprised her family members. "Grandfather, please, it hasn't gotten to this. Please don't force me to marry a man I barely know."

"Did you say a man you barely know?" Wang Jing shouted from behind Liang Chen and struggled to break free from his hold, but he didn't let her. He knew she would go and attack her daughter again. "Let me go, that disgraceful child needs to be taught a lesson."

"Wang Jing, be quiet!" Patriarch Zhang Wei warned, and his daughter-in-law instantly stopped struggling and bowed her head in respect.

He looked at his granddaughter, her big almond-shaped eyes were wet. His heart was burdened with pity for her, but his hands were tied. "You will marry Liang Chen today and cover up this mess, then we can have the awakening ceremony when everything is settled."

Zhang Mei shook her head defiantly, tears pouring down her cheeks. Her small heart-shaped pink lips quivered. "I will not marry him."

"You don't have a choice, Zhang Mei, it is either marriage or disownment," the patriarch declared.

This was not something that could easily be brushed under the carpet; Zhang Mei was seen participating in a rather shameful act with a bunch of men. He was just grateful that the Liang family still accepted Zhang Mei, although he knew it was for their own selfish reasons.

The other members of the family nodded in agreement, some began to whisper while avoiding eye contact with Zhang Mei's father.

Zhang Mei gazed desperately around, hoping to find support, but there was none.

She looked back at her grandfather and gave it one last shot. "Grandfather please, don't force me to do this."

"It is your choice, Zhang Mei, but remember that once you walk out that door," Patriarch Zhang Wei pointed at the grand entrance. "You can never walk back in."

Zhang Mei's mouth quivered in self-pity, revealing an inner turmoil she was feeling inside. She clenched her fist so tight it turned white. This was not part of the plan. She only wanted to stir up drama so she could easily carry out her mission, and this complicates everything.

However, she can't afford to be disowned not now that she is certain that the murderers of her twin are within the family. No, she must take revenge.

The tension in the room was palpable as everyone awaited Zhang Mei's decision; she had already proven that she respects only the patriarch, but can a girl like her truly submit?

Zhang Mei inhaled deeply and shut her head up." I will do as you wish grandfather, I marry him."