Chapter 289 - Planning A Grand Celebration

There was a long period of silence.

Jiang Yubi.

They had indeed not even heard of that name for so long. The atmosphere quickly turned serious and grim.

Lihua blinked her eyes. "Aish. Why are you all so serious? It's a happy day today. I called you all here so that we could discuss arranging Mom's birthday party!"

Jiang Xiurang was shocked. "Arrange her birthday party? Where?"

"Of course here in the main residence."

Silence.

Jiang Fai broke into a cold sweat. "Sister-in-law, I am afraid that is impossible. Old Madam cannot even tolerate listening to her name. That's why she created this whole separate residence for her. You have no idea what kind of volcano would erupt."

Lihua put her hands on her waist. "I know. But we cannot always fear her. It's exactly because of that why Mom suffered for so long."

She looked at Jiang Xiurang. "Right, Aunt Xiurang? It's because you were afraid that she would throw you out of the house if you thought about divorcing Li Tingzhe that you silently endured for eleven years."

Jiang Xiurang lowered her head.

She smiled. "But because of FaiFai, you got the confidence to stand up for yourself and the courage to break the vicious chain of pain and suffering."

Lihua then looked at Jiang Ruiling. "Isn't it right, Jiang Ruiling? You had the support of your whole family which is why you felt encouraged to pursue Shen Yang and be stubborn to make your engagement a reality."

Jiang Ruiling said nothing. She looked at Shen Yang and he smiled back at her.

Jiang Weizhe and Jiang Ninghong calmly listened to her.

Lihua stared at Jiang Li. "And you. You were afraid that the Old Madam would cause trouble to Jiang Lanying which was why you hid the truth from her. But because she resolutely stood beside you, you could break your shackles and confess every last bit of your fear with her, couldn't you?"

Jiang Li squeezed his wife's hands. When he remembered the press conference, he felt his heart filled with warmth and love.

"What I mean to say is that everybody had someone or the other as their support system to overcome their odds against the Old Madam. Don't you think Mom needs that support too? She is the daughter-in-law of this family. I have met her. She is an extremely kind and lovely woman. She deserves all the happiness in this world."

Her eyes slightly shone in mistiness as tears enveloped them. "At least you had your children with you. Mom couldn't even raise her son. Neither she had her family nor her child. Instead of getting a happy ending, she got isolated from everyone. This is not how a family should be. Everybody now...is so happy, right? Don't Mom and Dad deserve to be respected and accepted into the family?

The one who understands this most is Jiang Li and Jiang Ruiling, right? After all, you two did everything you could to marry the ones you loved even if you knew that Old Madam won't allow it. Dad has also followed his heart just like you. But unlike Jiang Lanying and Shen Yang, Mom didn't get her rightful place in this house. I don't want to see her anymore like this. No matter what anyone says, this family is not complete without Mom and Dad."

Lihua pursed her lips. "I cannot see Mom as an outcast anymore. Even before her marriage, she has suffered a lot. And when she was supposed to get a happy family through her husband's, she only got hatred and isolation. That would be so incredibly lonely, wouldn't it?"

She took a deep breath. "Of course, I am not here to force anybody. I will arrange everything by myself and I will face Old Madam's anger and everything. But no matter what happens, I will always stand by my Mom's side."

Jiang Fai jumped up to his feet. "I don't know about others. But I will definitely help Aunt Yubi and my sister-in-law!"

Lihua beamed. "Really?"

"En!"

Jiang Xiurang smiled and nodded. "Count me in."

Jiang Ruiling chuckled. "I would help you too. I would love to see my Aunt who you are praising so much."

Jiang Lanying eagerly nodded. "I will definitely help Aunt Yubi."

Lihua excitedly glanced at Jiang Weizhe. "What about you, Uncle?"

He faintly smiled. "I don't know if big brother would appreciate my help. After all, he really doesn't like me that much."

Lihua blinked her eyes. She recalled Jiang Yubi's conversation about how there formed a rift between him and Jiang Weiyuan because he wished to become the Mafia King. She hadn't talked to Jiang Weiyuan about this, so she couldn't vouch for his thoughts. But somewhere, she felt that he didn't hate him. She just couldn't picture him hating his younger brother.

Jiang Ninghong stared at him and quietly looked away.

Lihua bent on her knees and held his hands. "Don't worry, Uncle. Dad doesn't hate you at all. There might be misunderstandings but Dad will never hate his younger brother."

Jiang Weizhe smiled. "Is that so?"

"En."

He patted her head. "Alright."

Jiang Ninghong softly smiled too.

Lihua grinned. "Great! So, it's decided then! First, we have to do something that will make Old Madam leave the villa for some time. Otherwise, it's difficult to make the arrangements. For now, unfortunately, we don't have the time to make her understand."

Jiang Fai nodded. "Wait! I will find out!"

Two minutes later, he arrived all chirpy and glorious. "We are in luck today! Old Madam is going out to visit the Old Master's grave. She won't be back until the evening haha!"

Lihua clapped her hands. "That's great!"

She quickly iterated everybody's tasks for the day and they left to organize the event for tonight.

"Uncle!"

Lihua caught Jiang Weiyuan's wrist and stopped him. "I want to talk to you."

He paused and nodded. As they were the only ones left behind now, he asked, "What is that you want to ask?"

Lihua pursed her lips. "Uncle. I heard about you and Dad from Mom. But I still don't understand it. Did you really wish to become the Mafia King?"