Chapter 278 - Fight Death

It was already lunchtime when the entire family gathered together. The little ones were out playing by the ponds, while the elders continue to chat with each other leaving the women to work in the kitchen. 

"Lizzy, do you want me to cook the fish now?"

"Should we prepare some wrap as well?"

"Weiwei, should I put some rice cake out?"

Liu Yifie was puzzled and did not know what to do. Everyone seems to be working well with each other that she didn't know where to place herself and felt useless. 

"Sis Yifie, can you help Grandma Kuo and Auntie Kuo with the spring rolls," Elizabeth asked, noticing the girl was just standing by the door like a Buddha. 

"Sure."

Liu Yifie went over and help the two Kuo ladies out as she converses with them at the same time. It surprised Liu Yifie to find out she was working with such an elite family. She now realizes when Elizabeth said the family does not really care about status was true. She found out that everyone is where they are now since they work hard. Also, the fact that the family works hard to help each other as long as you're willing to achieve what you want. 

"Ah, Shaoli the one making the dessert is actually studying abroad, so she just arrived today. She's studying Art since she loves painting." Elder Madam Kuo said. 

"That's Weiru, she's currently studying in the same university as you and Lizzy." Madam Kuo added.

"She is?"

"Ah-  did I forgot to mention that to you. Most of our relatives are studying at the university except for those who wish to study abroad." Elizabeth added as she overheard their conversation. 

"I studied at the university too before I moved abroad," Shaoli said, hearing her name being mentioned earlier. 

"You did?" Liu Yifie was surprised.

"Sis Shaoli is older than you Sis Yifie, she already 29 and Bro Zheng is her husband. They only return to the country during holidays since Sis Shaoli is busy with her studies and Bro Zheng is working in the company abroad to be with her." 

"So that's why you insisted for me to study at the university." Liu Yifie looked at Elizabeth who was checking all the different food. 

"Yup, since it's kind of a tradition that the family study in the university," Elizabeth answered her after tasting the sauces. 

"Oh-"

"Don't worry child, the family is very traditional, but we won't hold you back if you have other plans. Just like Shaoli and Lizzy... They do what they want and the family will just support you." Elder Madam Kuo grabs hold of Liu Yifie's hand to assure her. 

"Since you're a traditional family, does that mean Grandpa Zhao is the current head of the family?"

Liu Yifie was dumbfounded when she notices everyone in the kitchen laughing. 

Lady Zhao then approached her and patted the girl in the head. "When you mean head, meaning making all the decisions for the family, then it's everyone. We are indeed traditional family, but we don't think about such matter and status."

"If we do does that mean Grandpa Xian will be the head then. Isn't he older than Grandpa Zhao?"

"But Isn't Grandpa Kuo a few months older thought?"

"I always thought if we have a head I'll be you, Auntie Weiwei." 

Everyone then started discussing which surprised Liu Yifie. They really don't care about status and all. 

Lady Zhao chuckled as everyone continued to discuss such a trivial matter, "Well, if I was to say... I think Rob could be the family head for all the family."

Everyone agreed with what Lady Zhao suggested. Since most elders respect him so much for what he has done for the family especially for the Xian when they have business problems. 

"True, but isn't Uncle afraid of Lizzy?"

They all chuckled, thinking that the man only has one weakness and it's his daughter. 

"Well, from what Xinyi explained to me. Lizzy is to inherit all of the Zhao as well." 

"That's true."

"Now I think about it, it's possible Lizzy could be the head."

"Wow, I'm the head." Elizabeth beams such delight just thinking about it even though it does not matter to her. 

"Haha, silly child." 

"Oh, darling, why do you always act so silly."

"You ladies seem to be having fun?"

An old man spoke as he entered the kitchen. 

"Grandpa Xian, I'm the head of the family." Elizabeth runs to the old man proudly declaring what they just talked about. 

"Haha, head leader, what can I do for you?" Elder Xian smiled as he respectfully bowed in front of Elizabeth. 

It surprised Liu Yifie to see the old man actually showing such respect in front of Elizabeth. 

"Auntie, what have I done?" Liu Yifie panicked as to how things ended. 

"Child, calm down." 

"Yifie, no worries. It's not a big deal." 

Liu Yifie looked at the old man who was patting Elizabeth's head like a grandfather would to his grandson or granddaughter. She saw how much care the old man was showing and did not care about how the girl acted. 

"You really don't care about status?"

Lady Zhao went closer to Liu Yifie and murmured whilst gazing at her daughter, "Yifie, what does one status mean?"

"Acknowledgement, people will show greater respect if they know your status in life." Liu Yifie answered.

"Well, despite Lizzy acted in such a manner she still respects the elder as her elders and will always be below them no matter what. One status in life does not define who you are. No matter who you are, one must always show respect to others. Like Lizzy always said, your name, clothes, status does not define who you are. But how you act in society will define who you are as a person."

"Auntie, I'll always keep that in heart."

"Alright everyone, let's finish cooking..." Lady Zhao declared as they all went back to what they were doing.

...

Once they've all finished all the preparation, they all gather at the main hall as every member of the family seated together. They were arranged by family order, seated in the center of them all was the elders of the family. 

"So, Lizzy we heard you've been seeing someone?" 

"Lizzy, are you by chance dating the Young Heir of the Feng family? I've met him once and he is indeed a great man."

"But I thought she's seeing the Young Heir of the Yuns?"

"Lizzy, when do you plan to announce your identity?" 

Elizabeth could only force a smile on her face after hearing all her family's questions. Her relationship with the two heirs are indeed great. But she has no confidence in answering any of them. "They are just my boss, and I'm close to Shen because of Little Yan. His daughter is attached to me."

Lord Knightley only watched and stayed silent. The extended family wasn't informed yet of what happened to Elizabeth. It was a matter, as a family, they need to discuss later.

...

That evening, all the elders, including those who hold great authority in each family gathered together. 

"Then why is Lizzy still here, why didn't you take her back to England?"

"Uncle, Lizzy's life is in danger. If she stays here, she'll..."

The room turned dreary like a graveyard. Not a soul spoke after one of them almost spoke of something which shouldn't be mentioned ever again. They looked at each other anxiously as to what the father of the girl would say. 

If the family does have a head, they would classify the man seated in the corner as the family head. He was feared and worshiped by others. 

The reason as to why everyone is so protective towards the girl is she died ten years ago. The man couldn't accept the fact his daughter die that they even waited 48 hours before they finally announce her death. But the man himself did not accept it till the end and did something miraculously that day. Strangely, that night they declared the girl was dead... He just disappeared with the girl without any trace and was out of reach and couldn't be contacted. 

After a month or so, he returned with the girl and she was alive and well. They doubted it was the same girl, so they even did a DNA test just to make sure... But she was indeed alive. However, on that day they all discovered something horrible. It was the day that the girl lost her memories and false memories were planted. 

But from what they found out before the girl died, she already had her memories removed. Which is the reason as to why she suffered and died... 

Lord Knightley notices everyone anxious expression, he sighs as he looked at them and answered all their concerns. "Be it, I'll fight death if I must again..."

Everyone continued to stay silent as they felt the strong intimidating and frightening aura the man was giving off. He was indeed someone who would fight death and the world just for his daughter. But everyone felt that there was one easy solution which can solve everything without him needing to fight death again and that is...

Elizabeth must not see the Yuns again.