Return of the Crippled War God

Chapter5

The matriarch's words struck Mei’s heart, she hissed and found herself a chair, feeling disappointed at her grandmother. She couldn’t believe her grandmother, who was a woman like her, was taking sides with her brother.

Mei wasn’t surprised, her grandmother, the matriarch, was old and wanted to press the old tradition on her. But her heart burned with hesitation. She had fought too hard, sacrificed too much, to let it all crumble now.

The room was covered with silence, nobody said anything to challenge the old woman, instead they all murmured amongst themselves.

Then suddenly, the Matriarch’s voice broke the silence, her voice sharp and commanding this time. “You never cease to amaze me Mei, you have got a lot of courage in you.”

“What gives you the audacity to speak to your brother in such a temper?” The matriarch voice flared up, “Do you think it is your place to object to the decision of this family? As a woman, you should know your limits.”

“Limits?” Mei scoffed, raising her chin, her eyes filled with sorrow but also without fear. “Grandmother,” she began, her voice calm despite the challenges right in front of her, “I object not because I wish to defy you, but because I am being forced to give up what I have built, what I have earned. I am your granddaughter, a woman like you. Why, then, would you make this more difficult for me?”

“You have a lot to learn, Mei.” One of her uncles muttered from where he was seated. “Your grandmother will only advise you on the best thing to do.”

“I hope she listens to you, uncle.” Wei snapped, a slight smirk forming on his lips.

“Grandmother is a woman like me, I know she understands this better than any of you.” Mei voiced out.

“That’s enough!” The matriarch’s lips curled into a faint sneer. “Do not compare yourself to me, child. I have upheld this family’s legacy for years. I can’t just sit and watch you lead us to ruin with your reckless ambition. The family name is too precious to gamble on your schemes.”

Mei’s fingers dug into her palms. “Ruin? Is that what you think I will bring? I have doubled the profits of the family business in two years. I have forged alliances that no one else could. And yet, because I am a woman, all of that means nothing?”

“Wei has done nothing but bring shame to the family’s name, it’s crazy how all of you think so highly of him.” Mei added, her voice trembling.

“You dare compare the profit you made in two years with the family’s heritage? The name?” the matriarch snapped. “Your brother, Wei, is the rightful heir. Your role is to support him, not challenge him.”

“Your mother knows about this, I expect her to educate you more.” The matriarch added.

Mei quickly turned to her mother, Lian, but she narrowed her eyes away, neglecting Mei.

Wei laughed out loud as he gained support from the matriarch, he walked closer to Mei and sat across from her, leaning back with a casual smile. “She’s right, Mei,” he said, his voice smooth but covered with seriousness. “You have done well for the family, but it’s time to hand over the reins. You will still be part of the family group, working alongside me. Isn’t that enough?”

“You should consider my offer now, you might not have the chance to join the family group again.” He added.

Mei turned to her brother, her eyes covered with anger. “Enough? For whom will I hand it over? For you, so you can take the credit for my work? Or for Grandmother, so she can hand it over to you and sleep peacefully knowing her precious traditions are intact?”

Wei raised an eyebrow, unbothered by her words. “You are being too dramatic here. This isn’t about credit. It’s about what’s best for the family.”

“Why are you so stubborn? We don’t have to lecture you a whole day before you understand all of this.”

Mei laughed bitterly. “Best for the family, or best for you? Let’s not pretend, Wei. You don’t want me in the family business, you want me out of the family entirely.”

The room became calm again, leaving the murmurs from the other family members and the matriarch who aggressively stood from her chair.

Mei words had struck the matriarch, she stepped down and walked closer. “Mei,” she called out coldly, “if you cannot abide by the decision of this family, you leave us no choice. You will either join the family group to assist Wei, or you will sever all ties with us. The choice is yours to make now!”

The matriarch's words made Mei’s heartbeat race faster than before, she couldn’t think of any other way to defend herself, but she refused to let her emotions show.

She couldn’t just agree with them, not when she had fought against them for long.. She stepped forward and met her grandmother’s gaze, her smile calm but stern. “Then I will make my choice, Grandmother. But not now. Not here. I need time to think.”

Wei stood up and walked close to her, a slight smirk on his lips. “You can take all the time you need to think about it, sister. But don’t keep the family waiting, we don’t have time.”

Mei ignored him, and turned back to the matriarch. “I guess we are done with this meeting,” she said politely, though her words were filled with anger and disappointment. “I will see myself out.”

“Hold on, Mei. Grandmother isn’t done yet.” Wei grabbed her hands, stopping her from moving. Mei didn’t take it easy with Wei, she struggled with her, trying to break free from him.

The uncle sensed what was happening and quickly he raised his hand, cutting through their argument. “Both of you, stop! This isn’t the time or place to tear each other apart. Wei is taking charge of the company and I hope you guys stop this madness.”

A slight smirk escaped Mei’s lips, “I don’t want to be a part of this meeting anymore, I have to go back home and think about what we have discussed and decide if Wei takes charge or not.”

Before Wei could respond, Zhao Yun stepped into the grand living room, his presence immediately drawing everyone’s attention. “She won’t hand over the company to you, Wei!”