Standing Next To You-Chapter 152: Neighbors Again

Bei Sangyun glanced at the luggage behind Fei Chuan. Judging by the amount of luggage he had, it seemed like he would be staying at the hotel for a few days.

"Did you run away from home?" Bei Sangyun inquired.

Fei Chuan coughed embarrassingly. "I... I didn’t. Anyway, why are you here?"

"Why can’t I be here?" Bei Sangyun shot back. "We’ll be neighbors again. Do you want me to help you settle your baggage?"

"No." Fei Chuan used the key to open the door.

Was it a coincidence?

She seemed to be everywhere.

Fei Chuan complained inwardly. He always had to interact with Bei Sangyun at school without a choice. Even after school, he had to see her face. How troublesome.

As he was about to close the door, Bei Sangyun suddenly stopped it from closing with her hand.

"Hey, have you had your dinner? I’m just about to get some food outside; want to join me-"

"I have already eaten." Fei Chuan tore Bei Sangyun’s hand from the door. "Enjoy your meal."

Bang!

The door closed in front of Bei Sangyun’s face. She blinked, tilting her head in confusion.

That man had saved her from being drenched by milk tea, like a knight in shining armor. He protected her out of his own will. He was warm and sweet to her sometimes, but then he would act cold and ruthless the next.

Like right now, she extended an invitation for a friendly meal with the idea of thanking him, but he did not hesitate to reject her.

Bei Sangyun kneaded her chin.

Fei Chuan was a really fickle man and very hard to read. He was the same in the future.

Bei Sangyun sighed and had no choice but to leave.

But as soon as she took a step, the door suddenly opened again.

Fei Chuan had an irritated look on his face. "Good. You haven’t left yet. Let’s go."

Bei Sangyun: ?

Fei Chuan walked in front of her. When he saw her not following him with that dumbfounded look on her face, he got more irritated. "What are you waiting for? I thought you wanted to eat?"

Realizing what he meant, Bei Sangyun’s eyes lit up.

It looked like the past couple of days being together had closed some of their distance. Fei Chuan was accepting her invitation now. Didn’t he say last time would be the last?

Bei Sangyun did not dare mention it as she hopped along beside Fei Chuan. She would never remind him what he had just said to her.

On the other hand, Fei Chuan walked with an irritated look on his face, as if the world owed him a huge debt.

He was really going to ignore her. However, as soon as he put down his bag, he remembered his father’s words. He referred to Bei Sangyun as an illegitimate child...

Since Bei Sangyun had come here instead of the Lin mansion, the situation at her house might be worse than his.

After realizing it, Fei Chuan could not ignore it anymore. While irritated at himself for sympathizing with her, he still came out to accompany her.

Well, it was just one meal. After this, he would not accept her invitation anymore.

****

As Fei Chuan expected, the Lin mansion was not peaceful tonight.

Inside the living room, Old Master Lin’s sons and their wives gathered to discuss the rumor that was spreading outside.

"I attended an auction today and met some of my old friends. Do you know what they said the first time they saw me? They asked whose illegitimate daughter Bei Sangyun is! I have been badly humiliated in front of everyone, and I did not even know that such malicious rumors were already spreading!" Lin Xiao, Lin Xiaoni’s father, said angrily.

"It’s not only in the business circle, but this rumor has already spread to every family. I was out with the other Madames when this topic was brought up," Xiao Mi, Lin Xiaoni’s mother, clenched her fist. "Ever since I became the Madame of the Lin family, I have never been humiliated like this."

"One of our family’s competitors tried to embarrass me with this matter. I ask everyone, who among you is so foolish to release such a rumor outside the family? This has implicated everyone and tarnished our family’s image." Lin Baozi, the eldest son, glared at his siblings.

It was just one rumor that seemed harmless; however, this rumor branded the entire Lin family as trash who cultivated mistresses and illegitimate children.

And now they were all affected.

"If Father learns of this and you lot haven’t confessed, you will face greater punishment," Lin Fang, the second son, added with a dark face. He heard some of his employees discussing it, and their expressions changed when they looked at him.

"Why are you all pretending that you did not know? It’s Lin Ruo who played some cheap tricks because her daughter couldn’t beat my daughter! This has to be reported to Father." Lin Ginxian stood firmly.

"You made such a ridiculous assumption that it is me who exposed it? Isn’t the fault on your daughter? If she hadn’t been presumptuous enough to offend the Simon children, this wouldn’t have happened. It is because your daughter has no manners and is rude to our guests," Lin Ruo replied.

Lin Ginxian narrowed his eyes. He expected Lin Ruo would deny it.

"Then let’s ask Father to judge whether what I am saying is just an assumption or the truth."

"Enough," Lin Baozi stopped his two brothers from having another fight. "There’s no use in arguing right now. I also sent a butler to Father’s place, but Butler Yang informed me that Father is already resting. We can’t disturb him. For now, we should make a plan on how to dissolve this rumor. Since we’ve already taken damage, what we should do is strengthen our reputation again."

"It’s Lin Ginxian’s rude daughter who is the origin of this mess. You should have asked her what her plan is for fixing this mess," Lin Ruo promptly suggested.

Lin Xiao glanced at his brother and chimed in, "Fourth brother is right. We have to address the source of the rumor." He turned to Lin Ginxian, "You should bring your daughter here."

Lin Ginxian glared at him, "Then Lin Ruo’s daughter and Mr. Simon’s granddaughter should also be here. Since you want to know the origin of this matter, those two who were involved should be present as well."

Lin Ginxian knew his brother wouldn’t dare to offend the Simons right now. He couldn’t bring Bei Sangyun because that unruly child had disappeared, and who knows where. Butler Xin and his men were still looking for her. He had already sent people to the remote village, as his daughter would likely be there.

If he did not present Bei Sangyun tonight, then his brother would deem him useless and mock him again for not being able to control his own daughter.

He could not afford to be embarrassed in front of his brothers!

Lin Ginxian gritted his teeth. Bei Sangyun, that damn child, was really becoming more troublesome.

As expected, Lin Ginxian’s suggestion was rejected. They could not involve the Simons, their father’s guests, as they might incur their father’s fury instead.

Since Lin Ginxian was adamant about not bringing his daughter, the others had no choice but to leave it as it is.

They dispersed because they couldn’t settle this issue without their father and the subject of this trouble.

Tonight, the storm that was about to rage in the Lin mansion had been successfully dodged.

****

It was 2:10 am.

Bei Sangyun glanced at the clock, her eyes marked with dark circles. Midnight had come and gone, and she was still here, stitching a sweater that needed to be finished before breakfast.

Rubbing her tired eyes, Bei Sangyun pondered. Ever since she took on the responsibility of hosting for the Simon children, there had not been a day of rest.

Initially, the twins were friendly towards her, so she strived to be a good host, aiming to make them comfortable in the Lin mansion. From the food they ate to the clothes they wore, she ensured everything catered to their preferences. She worked hard to fulfill her role as a gracious host.

However, it seemed that her sincerity was being taken advantage of as time passed. Even though she was not adept at socializing, Bei Sangyun could sense that Sophia was making things difficult for her.

Sophia became demanding, and one day, her attitude abruptly changed. She didn’t bother to be polite, especially when they were alone.

Treating Bei Sangyun like a servant at her beck and call, Sophia seemed to want to crush her spirit and force her to give up. Perhaps it was so she could complain to her grandfather that Bei Sangyun wasn’t being a good host.

Bei Sangyun gritted her teeth. She couldn’t afford that.

Losing her grandfather’s favor would not only disappoint her father, but it could also lead to Lin Ginxian’s displeasure. With all the effort her father was putting in to win her grandfather’s favor, any mistake she made wouldn’t be overlooked.

She wanted to gain her father’s approval, but at the same time, she feared disappointing and angering him. After all, her father was truly frightening when enraged.

Bei Sangyun felt the pain in her back. She still remembered the day when her father lost his cool and rampaged.

As Bei Sangyun continued to stitch, her phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at it and saw Sophia’s name.

Immediately, she set down the almost finished sweater and answered the phone.

"Good. You’re still awake. Come to the guest room right now."

"Why? It’s already this late—"

"Seriously, you’re questioning me? Sigh. You’re making me lose my appetite."

Bei Sangyun clenched the phone in her hand. She wanted to get angry, however, she couldn’t show her emotions. This frustrated her so much. She couldn’t even express her anger or respond to the ridicule she was receiving.