Standing Next To You-Chapter 335: On Defense

As the previous matter came to a close, Lin Xiao suddenly brought up another topic. "Grandfather, I think there is another matter we should discuss."

Everyone looked at him with apprehension. The fight between the first and second branches had just ended, and given the intensity of their earlier exchange, they couldn’t help but be on guard.

Lin Xiao glanced at Lin Ginxian and then at Bei Sangyun. "I heard from my daughter that Bei Sangyun lost the number one rank and she is not anywhere in the list. Could it be that someone messed with the results to target her?"

Lin Xiao finally revealed his card.

He made it seem as if he was a concerned elder for Bei Sangyun, but his inquiry just informed everyone that the advantage Bei Sangyun once had was gone.

Several eyes widened in surprise.

Those who weren’t aware of the news glanced at the third branch in astonishment, including Lin Ginxian.

Lin Ginxian turned to Bei Sangyun with wide eyes. He was also unaware of the news. No one, not even the butler he assigned to keep watch on Bei Sangyun, had informed him.

He was shocked but then composed himself. Since there was no report from his men, this must be a lie.

"Are you slandering my daughter? You keep tainting our third branch’s reputation under your hypocritical concerns."

"I am just worried for the sake of my niece. Lin Sangyun did not have any ranking. And it seems that the school did not inform you about this matter. If you think I am lying, then ask my daughter." Lin Xiao turned to Lin Xiaoni.

The younger generation, such as Lin Xiaoni, the twins, and Bei Sangyun, were not allowed to speak at the table unless the adults asked them to.

Lin Xiaoni got the hint and began to speak. "I am telling the truth. She is no longer the top rank. It’s been the talk of the school for a while now. Lin Sunji and Lin Sanju are in the same class as her. They know about it as well."

Lin Xiaoni’s words caused Lin Ginxian’s face to darken. Since she said it this way, it must be true. But how come he never heard of this? freēwēbnovel.com

He glanced at Bei Sangyun with an inquiring gaze, hoping this unruly daughter would tell everyone that it was a lie.

But Bei Sangyun ignored his gaze and calmly played with the dessert in front of her as if the topic wasn’t about her.

It was natural that Lin Ginxian wouldn’t know about this. The school was on her side, and the principal was trying to contain the news. Meanwhile, Butler Xin would never tell him unless he asked.

Looking at the third branch’s reaction, the others finally believed the news.

With Lin Xiao and Lin Xiaoni paving the way to attack the third branch again, the first and second branches naturally did not let this opportunity pass.

"She has been the number one rank since she entered Tian Shen High. What happened? How can her grades fall so suddenly?"

"Not on the entire list? Is there a mistake?"

"What could possibly have happened? She must be distracted from her studies and just playing around."

"According to my daughter, even Lin Sanju, who hasn’t been able to enter the first class, has now ranked second in the entire school. He made so much improvement while she..." Lin Xiao did not continue his sentence but his words added fuel to the fire.

Everyone glanced at the fourth branch in surprise. This was another big news.

They thought it would be Lin Sunji who defeated Bei Sangyun, but it turned out it was their nephew, who never spoke at the dining table, who turned the tables.

Lin Ruo and Li Mei began to sweat. The attention had suddenly turned on them.

The eyes of the first, second, and fifth branches hinted at them to add more flames. If anyone could overthrow the third branch right now, it would be the fourth branch. Their children defeating Bei Sangyun was a great weapon to start eliminating the third branch.

They thought that, after how the fourth branch suffered defeat at the hands of the third branch last time, the fourth branch would retaliate strongly.

However, after being looked at for so long, the fourth branch remained silent.

Lin Zhe glanced at the fourth branch. His eyebrow twitched, sensing something.

The table was silent for a few seconds when the sound of a spoon dropping disrupted the tense atmosphere.

Everyone subconsciously turned to Lin Sanju. Lin Sanju bowed politely for causing a disturbance while a butler hurriedly picked up the spoon.

With the ruckus he made, Lin Sanju successfully diverted everyone’s attention to him.

Old Master Lin, who had remained silent at the center, finally spoke and asked Lin Sanju, "Is it true that you ranked second?"

Lin Sanju politely nodded.

Unlike the others who had no idea, Old Master Lin already knew this. He had eyes and ears everywhere. Even though the principal of that school tried to hide the truth, Old Master Lin had ways to inquire more about the situation.

However, he did not meddle in the young ones’ affairs. But there was something he was curious about.

"You still made such an improvement. From 44th rank, you jumped to second. Why didn’t you tell me? I should have given you a reward for doing well."

"I did my best, but my points are still far from the number one’s score. It is still just a second rank. No one remembers the second place. I thought only the first rank deserves to be rewarded."

Lin Sanju rarely spoke at the dining table, but when he did, he spoke so straightforwardly. His words left everyone, even Old Master Lin, stunned.

Lin Sanju’s words were irrefutable. In the Lin family, what mattered most was the result. So everyone strives hard to get the best outcomes. There was no need for second or third place; only the best could satisfy Head Master Lin’s expectations.

But to say it in this way seemed like a slap on Old Master Lin’s face.

Lin Sunji, who had been in second place for years, glanced up at her brother. It might just be a coincidence, but...Lin Sanju’s words somehow appeased her.

It was as if he was voicing the grievance she had kept for years to their grandfather, who always remained blind to her efforts.

As a second placer, Lin Sunji was never rewarded. Although her parents tried to placate her with rewards and parties, it didn’t make her happy. She knew it was a failure in her grandfather’s eyes.

She clenched the utensils in her hand. There was no way her brother said that for her. If he really did, how foolish could he be?

He should have used this opportunity to gain favor. But he had to say it so offensively. Did he want to lose their grandfather’s favor?

Although her grievance was delivered, she was nervous. Her brother speaking this way could anger their grandfather. What was he thinking?

Lin Ruo and Li Mei also sweated for Lin Sanju’s sake. They prepared to jump in if the headmaster got angry.

Old Master Lin frowned, staring at his grandson, whom he rarely paid attention to. He never expected that this silent grandson had such a bold personality. He was unruly, just like his third granddaughter.