Standing Next To You-Chapter 410: The New Fourth Branch

"The atmosphere in this place seems different," Bei Sangyun remarked suddenly.

Lin Sanju paused mid-step. "...Different, you say?"

"Yeah. It’s like... you all have grown closer?"

Lin Sanju blinked, repeating her words in his mind. Closer?

This was the word he never imagined using to describe his family.

It was true that things had changed around the house. Before, none of the meals served at the table were his favorites. But now, his mother made sure to cook both his and Lin Sunji’s favorite dishes.

And every weekend, his parents would come up with activities for the four of them to bond—whether it was camping, going on trips, having movie nights, and so on.

Even his sister, Lin Sunji, who was used to having all the attention, now asked for his opinion, even if it was just about small matters.

Lin Sanju paused in his thoughts. His family- the fourth branch- had indeed undergone significant changes...

Perhaps, to others, they finally looked like a real family.

A smile slowly formed on his lips. "...Maybe."

He never imagined that one day, his family would grow closer like this.

The hopelessness he once felt had vanished. It was as if daylight had broken through, dispelling all the gloom that had surrounded the fourth branch.

Bei Sangyun noticed his smile and shook her head, smiling as well. "Well, good for you. It seems you won’t be leaving this family this time around," she muttered.

"Pardon?" Lin Sanju didn’t quite catch what Bei Sangyun had said.

"I’m just saying that you’ll have to work twice as hard now. I’m leaving the family."

Lin Sanju was taken aback. "What do you mean by leaving...?"

"I won’t be tied to this family anymore, and I’ll change my surname to Bei," she clarified, making sure Lin Sanju understood.

Lin Sanju fell silent, studying her intently. Seeing that she wasn’t taking back her words, he finally realized she was serious.

It was difficult for him to believe that Bei Sangyun would leave the Lin family, especially when she had the potential to become the heir and lead the entire family in the future.

In the future he envisioned, Bei Sangyun would secure the heir position, with him standing by her as one of her supporters.

But to think she would leave the family and choose to be independent....he never truly expected this.

So what was his role in all of this? Why had she chosen him?

If she was going to leave, what would happen to the fourth branch, which had openly supported the third branch?

Why had she asked him to replace Lin Sunji and made those demands from their branch if she intended to leave...?

Suddenly, a thought occurred to him.

Lin Sanju began to piece everything together, and the idea grew stronger the more he considered it. He looked at Bei Sangyun in shock, cautiously asking, "Then... what is my role in all of this?"

Bei Sangyun smiled. "Since I’m leaving, it would be difficult for me if Lin Zhe, Lin Fei, or anyone else became the successor in the future. So, I’ll be supporting you to become the heir instead. Even though I’ll no longer be a Lin, I’ll become one of your resources. I can promise you that I’ll make you the Head Master."

Lin Sanju was speechless. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn’t have believed them so easily. But Bei Sangyun rarely made promises, and when she did, she always kept them. She was serious.

Reflecting on her past decisions, Lin Sanju’s suspicions were confirmed.

He had always wondered why Bei Sangyun had asked him to step forward and support the fourth branch when she could have used him however she wanted, given that the fate of the fourth branch was in her hands. She had the power to crush them, yet she made such an unexpected decision instead.

He had thought it was because she wanted to make Lin Sunji suffer and punish her in that way.

But after hearing these words from her, he realized that Bei Sangyun had been planning this all along.

"You have a good head on your shoulders. Among the people here in the Lin mansion, you are the best candidate to lead the Lin family. The only thing I ask of you is that once you become the heir, make sure no one involves themselves with me. It’s not for my sake, but for theirs. I don’t want blood to be spilled unnecessarily."

Bei Sangyun didn’t really care who led the family, nor was she curious about the Lin family’s future without her. They could fall into ruin for all she cared.

However, to ensure peace while she grew her own forces, she decided to support an heir who would maintain a good relationship with her.

Someone reasonable and not overly greedy. Someone who could lead the family and still remain human.

And the person who had fled from the Lin family seemed like just the right choice.

She needed Lin Sanju to play and manage the Lin family so that she could have the peaceful life she desired with the people she loved and cared about.

Lin Sanju now understood his role. Although he was still shocked deep down, he maintained his composure on the outside. "So when are you going to leave?"

"As soon as possible. Gaining my freedom on graduation day could be a sweet gift, don’t you think?"

...Until graduation.

Lin Sanju frowned. Could Bei Sangyun really manage to leave the family in such a short time?

"What do I need to do?" he asked.

"Excel. I’m sure you have plenty of skills that still needed to be showcased. The old man has his eyes on me now—make him focus on you instead. I’ll handle the rest. Your only concern should be to outperform Lin Zhe. But I’m confident you can do that."

Lin Zhe might appear outstanding, but Lin Sanju had more potential and a sharper mind.

Lin Sanju nodded. "I’ll make it happen."

Bei Sangyun was pleased with his response. "Good. Now let’s discuss the things I need to hand over to you."

For her to leave the family successfully, the fourth branch needed to excel to the point where they could rival the first branch on their own.

Initially, she had planned for Lin Ginxian to support them; had he not provoked her earlier, she would have built a bridge to connect the third and fourth branches.

But that plan was no longer viable. Still, the fourth branch could succeed even without the third branch’s help. Her support and the information she possessed were enough.

Her conversation with Lin Sanju lasted for a long time, and by the time they were finished, the sun was beginning to set.

"I’ll send you the rest by email. If you ever need my help or anything related to what we’ve discussed, contact Butler Xin. He’ll personally assist you."

Lin Sanju’s mind was still reeling. He was overwhelmed by the information and the realization of just how far Bei Sangyun had planned.

He nodded absentmindedly.

Bei Sangyun snapped her fingers in front of him. "Wake up. It’s too early to be shocked. When you receive my emails, you’ll need a clear head to decide how to use the information. Make sure it’s all worth it."

Lin Sanju composed himself and nodded.

He personally escorted Bei Sangyun out. His tone and gestures toward her had become noticeably more respectful, as if he were escorting a revered ancestor. His drastic change in demeanor didn’t go unnoticed by others.

After Bei Sangyun left, Lin Sunji nudged her brother with her elbow. "What’s wrong with you? Did she give you a mountain of cash to make you act like that?"

Lin Sanju shook his head. "It’s not just a mountain of cash. She gave us several lives and a strong foothold we can rely on for years to come."

Lin Sunji and the others: "??"

Lin Sanju sighed. "I can’t go into detail, but when you see her in the future, treat her like our ancestor. Never be rude to her. We are not her equals."

Lin Sunji, annoyed, lightly kicked her brother on the back of the knee. "We’re her cousins! Of course, we’re equals!"

Lin Sanju bent down from the kick, looking at her in shock. "Did you just kick me?"

Lin Sunji realized what she’d done, her face turning red. "...You deserved it, you f-frog!" She then walked off with her cheeks puffed in annoyance.

Lin Sanju watched her retreating figure, bewildered, before bursting into laughter.

Lin Sunji had used every animal she knew to insult him, but she never called him "useless," like she used to.

And unlike before, when her words were as sharp as knives, she had kicked him instead—something he much preferred over those harsh words.

Was this how siblings usually fought with each other?

"You should have convinced her to stay longer. We could have all had dinner together," Li Mei couldn’t help but voice her thoughts. "I cooked her favorite dishes."

Lin Ruo also expressed his regret. "It’s rare for her to visit us. We should have used this opportunity to show our gratitude."

Lin Sanju was stunned by his parents’ words.

Was he hearing this right? His parents were grateful to Bei Sangyun? How so?

Wasn’t it just a few months ago that they had cursed Bei Sangyun for threatening their branch?

"You’re right. We haven’t thanked her. She has done so much for us," even Li Mei, who had previously hated Bei Sangyun, agreed.

She glanced at her dumbfounded son. "Next time she comes to talk to you, or when she summons you, make sure to invite her to our house for dinner."

Lin Sanju nodded, still bewildered.

He never imagined that his parents could have moments when they were genuinely grateful to others.

Another huge change to add on the list.