Standing Next To You-Chapter 379: The Chaotic Fei Mansion

The brightly lit garden, which was lively just moments ago, was now being cleaned up by the staff. The remaining entertainments for the night were canceled, and the party ended earlier than planned.

Usually, after a successful party, each branch of the family would host a small celebration at their residences to commemorate their new business deals and connections with guests, ending the night with deep, contented sleep. But tonight, the Fei mansion was shrouded in a stifling and gloomy atmosphere.

In the Head Master’s office, the air was heavy with suffocating silence. The elders, the heads of each branch, and their wives were present, except for Fei Yi Lang. At the desk, Head Master Fei sat with a grave expression.

Across from him, Fei Yuxuang, Fei Mengqi, and Fei Ling kneeled on the ground. They did not dare speak or raise their heads. They were afraid to face the wrath of the rest of the family.

"...Father, you must retract your ban. My husband lost his reason because of what happened to our youngest son. Not only was Hua Jiang’s party ruined, but our youngest son was humiliated and his reputation has been dragged through the mud. How can my husband remain silent? He lost his temper because it concerned our son. Please forgive him just this once, Father!" Fei Yi Lang’s wife, Su Yurou, begged.

Fei Hua Jiang, who was beside Su Yurou, also bowed to Head Master Fei. "Grandfather, what my brother did cannot be undone. I understand that he needs to be punished for his actions. But this fault isn’t only my father’s, it’s mine as well. As Fei Min’s older brother, I did not educate him enough."

"Hua Jiang! What are you saying! You can’t be blamed for this! Father, if you are looking for someone to blame, then it is me! I am Fei Min’s mother; I should have stopped it when I first heard the rumors!"

"Mother, since father is being punished for this, I might as well be punished too. I understand how immensely this scandal has harmed the family. I am willing to share the punishment."

The other members of the Fei family glanced at each other in the face of the show. They could clearly see what play these mother and son were enacting; however, they did not point out the obvious and decided to play along.

After all, even though Fei Min and Fei Yi Lang were now out of the Head Master’s favor, Fei Hua Jiang was still the strongest contender and might become the successor that would lead the family in the future.

They needed to support him and ensure it was remembered that they had helped him tonight.

"Father, there’s no way Hua Jiang could have been aware of Fei Min’s despicable deeds. He has been diligently focused on his heir lessons and bringing honor to the family. While Fei Min was bullying Fei Chuan over the years, Hua Jiang was abroad undergoing training," supported by Fei Yuxuang’s father, Head Master Fei’s second son, who was also the head of the second branch.

"That’s correct. It’s not your fault, Hua Jiang. You should not bear the burden of your brother’s actions. Fei Min is an adult and should be held accountable for his own behavior," added Fei Menqi’s father, Head Master Fei’s third son, the head of the third branch.

"Hua Jiang just returned to the country. Today should be a joyous occasion for him, but this incident occurred," An elder voiced his opinion as well. "Fei Yangguang, wouldn’t it be too severe to punish both his father and his brother upon his immediate return? For Hua Jiang’s sake, can’t we consider pardoning Fei Yi Lang?"

Another elder chimed in, "Indeed, Fei Yangguang. Let’s not be too harsh on Hua Jiang. He sacrificed many years abroad, enduring lonely days for the sake of the family. Now that he’s returned, he shouldn’t be estranged from his father and brother so abruptly."

Everyone with authority in the family spoke their minds to help Fei Hua Jiang. The latter looked at the elders gratefully.

With everyone speaking on behalf of Fei Yi Lang for the sake of Fei Hua Jiang, Head Master Fei finally softened a bit.

"I am already merciful enough by only banning him from coming into the main mansion for Hua Jiang’s sake. If he weren’t Hua Jiang’s father, I would have completely removed Yi Lang’s name from the family records. You understand why I am being so stern about this, right?" His last sentence was directed at Fei Hua Jiang.

"I understand, Grandfather. Father acted too hastily and misjudged the situation, making things worse. However, I believe he only had my and my brother’s well-being in mind. Still, he made a mistake, so I won’t hold it against you if you choose to punish us."

Fei Hua Jiang’s response lightened the Head Master’s heavy expression. "You are the only one here capable of rational thought among these fools. You were unaware of your brother’s despicable actions, so I won’t blame you for this. As for your father, I will consider an appropriate punishment for him."

Fei Hua Jiang and Su Yurou sighed in relief. But Head Master Fei’s next words made them pause.

"As for your younger brother, he shall never step foot in the main mansion or enter the company. I don’t care if you want to hide him abroad. But he is not allowed to appear at any public event nor represent our family name in the future. If I ever hear of him using the family name, I will strip him of his rights as a member of the Fei family. Then he will never receive any money from me or the company."

Everyone was taken aback. Wasn’t this the same as kicking out Fei Min?!

Su Yurou staggered. It was such a cruel punishment. If her son learned that he could no longer return to the main house, step foot in the company, or use the family name as he wanted, he would surely be devastated! frёewebnoѵēl.com

"F-Father... can you please think about this again? Why must you ban Fei Min? Even refusing entry to the company? My son worked so hard to prove himself for the family—"

"He wanted to prove himself? Then why must he bully and harm Fei Chuan today, of all days! I turned a blind eye to his past transgressions because I thought they were only childish pranks between children. But I was wrong."

Head Master Fei vented all the anger he had restrained earlier. "He did not think of the consequences, nor his older brother. If he were truly thinking of the family, he would have considered those matters before doing such things. Tell me, is that how a person trying to prove himself for the family should act?"

Su Yurou and the others turned silent. Facing Head Master Fei’s anger, they couldn’t say anything to help Fei Min right now, or they might receive the brunt of Head Master Fei’s anger.

Su Yurou panickedly turned to the First Elder. He was the oldest among them and Fei Yangguang’s older brother. If he spoke, Head Master Fei might listen to him.