Standing Next To You-Chapter 400: Head Master Vs. Bei Sangyun

The Fei family appeared peaceful with very few internal struggles because the first branch and Fei Hua Jiang were keeping the reins. They knew they couldn’t beat the flawless Fei Hua Jiang, so they supported him.

But now that such a huge flaw had appeared, the other branches would surely have some thoughts about it. Those who had hidden their ambitions would surely use this opportunity to take the reins from the first branch. With Fei Hua Jiang flawed, Fei Min expelled, and Fei Yi Lang banned from the main mansion, it would be easy for them to overpower the first branch.

Then, things would turn for the worst for the Fei family. Once internal conflicts started, they would never have hope of turning the situation around.

How could they win when their businesses were not doing well, their enemies were waiting to attack at any time, and the family members who should be supporting each other were being blinded by ambition and now ruining each other?

"Fei Yangguang, have you thought about what I told you last time?" The First Elder suddenly brought up their last conversation. "The fate of the entire family depends on this."

Head Master Fei closed his eyes and sighed heavily. "...You are right. In this situation, that is the only best way."

He had no other choice but to agree to the First Elder’s plan.

*****

Head Master Fei quickly suppressed the rumors. The media platforms that had published the articles faced lawsuits from the Fei family.

This time, the Fei family was serious. While they had previously used their money to silence several media outlets, this time they employed the law to make an example out of them.

However, despite the articles being deleted and every post with Fei Hua Jiang’s name being promptly removed, the rumor about his questionable sexuality had already spread within high society. Although no one dared to discuss it publicly, it was a topic of conversation behind closed doors.

The other members of the Fei family were also discussing the recent scandal. Although it was taboo to speak of the matter during family meetings, the other branches met behind Head Master Fei’s back and questioned Fei Hua Jiang’s credibility.

As Head Master Fei and the First Elder feared, the Fei family, who had always been in harmony, was now plotting behind their backs. They were eyeing the heir position.

With such a huge opportunity before them, they couldn’t help but entertain thoughts of claiming the heir position for themselves. As for the urgent matters involving external parties, they had lost their urgency and were no longer considered a crisis they needed to address at the moment.

They believed Head Master Fei and the others could settle these issues even without their help. So they began amassing their forces to plot against the first branch.

The harmony in the Fei family was broken.

Bei Sangyun was aware of the situation within the Fei family. As long as the Fei family members were fighting among themselves, she and Fei Chuan could remain passive and watch from the sidelines. Their attention would turn away from them as they became preoccupied with their internal conflicts.

As for Head Master Fei, he would have no choice but to let go of Fei Chuan and focus on maintaining peace within the Fei family. After all, what use was winning against her when he would no longer have a family to return to?

Bei Sangyun waited, and the next day, she received an invitation from Head Master Fei.

.....

There was an exclusive Go club two cities away from the capital. The streets were filled with traditional shops and stores. At the far end stood a two-story Go club.

It looked small and a bit shabby from the outside. However, when Bei Sangyun stepped inside, she was struck by the subtle luxury of the materials used in the furnishings.

The walls were paneled with rare zitan wood, and the reddish-brown hardwood floors were polished Brazilian cherry wood. The ceiling was illuminated by the soft glow of intricately carved lanterns.

Even the wooden tables and partitions were made from high-quality materials. This Go club was far from ordinary.

The headmaster of the Fei family did not choose this place by chance. It matched his prestige and reputation perfectly.

The staff, dressed in traditional clothing, led her to one of the partitioned rooms. Inside, Head Master Fei was waiting for her with a prepared Go board and pieces on the table.

"You have come." Head Master Fei gestured for her to sit.

"I did not expect you to arrive earlier than the appointed time, Head Master Fei. Had I known, I would have come thirty minutes earlier."

The staff behind them began preparing the tea.

The aroma of the tea filled the air.

Head Master Fei chuckled. "I am the one who invited you, so it’s only natural that I should come first. The tea will be ready shortly. While we wait, shall we play a match?"

Bei Sangyun agreed.

Head Master Fei arranged the white stones and gave the black stones to Bei Sangyun. "Have you ever been to this place before?"

"I haven’t." Even in the past, Bei Sangyun had never been here. Old Master Lin never brought her to places like this.

"I see. Then let me tell you, this club only accepts fifty members each year. And the membership cannot be bought but only handed over. Do you know how it is handed over?"

Bei Sangyun finished arranging the black stones on the board. "Let me guess, is it by winning a match?"

Head Master Fei raised his brow in approval. "You guessed right. The fifty members of this club have their own rankings, and these can be maintained indefinitely. They can only be replaced if someone challenges them to a match and beats them in front of the members of this club. The winner takes their place, thus the ranking and membership sometimes change."

Head Master Fei smiled at her with a somber and intimidating gaze. "My ranking might not be high, but ever since I won a place here, I have never lost."

Bei Sangyun met his gaze and smirked. "Have you considered that they don’t dare challenge you? You are the respected head of the Fei family, after all."

"Ha. But this youngster in front of me does not even show respect. How ironic."

"I treat everyone with respect unless it is broken. Have you ever wondered why I lost respect for someone as dignified as you, Head Master Fei? Based on your expression, you must already have an idea."

Head Master Fei stared at her with intimidating eyes, and Bei Sangyun did the same.

Under their intense gaze, neither backed down.

Head Master Fei’s expression darkened. Being ridiculed by someone several decades younger left a bitter taste in his mouth. He took a deep breath and composed himself.

"Well, I shouldn’t take offense. I’ve heard that even your own grandfather and father are not spared from your disrespect. It seems you treat everyone with disdain."

"You’re mistaken. I treated the old lady at the dumpling stall with respect, as well as the old man at the tanghulu shop and the old guard at school. Didn’t your spies inform you? They must be lacking in skill."

Head Master Fei’s face turned green. Was she saying she respected those people more than him, the head of the Fei family?! To think he was being compared and lose against those insignificant people.

"But I will still give you the benefit of the doubt, given your connection as Fei Chuan’s grandfather," Bei Sangyun added.

Head Master Fei’s mouth twitched. "...How generous of you."

The staff finally finished brewing the tea and began pouring it into their cups.

The sound of water filling the cups broke the ominous atmosphere.

"I will agree to your proposal, Ms. Bei," Head Master Fei said after both teacups were filled. "However, under one condition."

"And that is?"

"I need to speak with my grandson first."

Bei Sangyun narrowed her eyes.

"Fei Chuan is my youngest grandson. And whether you believe it or not, I treasure him. Before I let him go to do whatever place he wants, I want to bid him a proper farewell. We’ve never had a chance to talk properly, after all."

Bei Sangyun watched the steam rise from the teacup as she fell into deep thought.

This proposal was both good and bad.

If she agreed, Fei Chuan would be able to leave the Fei family safe and sound. With Head Master Fei keeping his promise, the Fei family would be unable to touch Fei Chuan as long as Head Master Fei was head of the family. This would give Fei Chuan the time he needed to grow.

Head Master Fei’s reasoning makes sense. As Fei Chuan’s grandfather, it was only right for him to have closure with the Fei family so Fei Chuan could leave without looking back. This was something she couldn’t deny Fei Chuan.

On the other hand, if she rejected, the Fei family would not stop pursuing Fei Chuan. Even if she won the case, the Fei family would continue to monitor Fei Chuan and scheme against him. Once cornered, the Fei family might do something drastic, and Bei Sangyun didn’t want to risk Fei Chuan’s safety.

However, accepting this condition also posed a huge risk.

She still hadn’t forgotten that the majority of the Fei family was against Fei Chuan. Everything had spiraled out of control because of him. What if they set a trap for Fei Chuan on the day of the meeting?

"...If you’re too worried, then beat me at this game. If you win, you can set another condition that I must abide by." Head Master Fei noticed her hesitation and suggested.

"And if you win?" Bei Sangyun asked.

"Then I’ll set another condition. The meeting place will be at the Fei mansion—the place where Fei Chuan lived with his parents before. Since Fei Chuan needs to talk with his father as well."

Bei Sangyun tapped the table with her fingers in frustration. She wanted to reject the idea, but she couldn’t decide this matter for Fei Chuan.

"Head Master Fei, whether I agree or not doesn’t matter. This decision is solely for Fei Chuan to make. I’m only his friend; I have no right to make this decision for him."

"I heard you’re his girlfriend. As someone who convinced him to leave the Fei mansion, you already have a significant influence on his decision. So, wouldn’t he consider it if you suggested this to him?"

"Out of everything you’ve said since I met you, this is the only thing I actually like." Bei Sangyun suddenly broke into a smile.

’His girlfriend’—those words never failed to bring a smile to her face.

Head Master Fei: "...."