Standing Next To You-Chapter 471: Visit the Lin family

Bei Sangyun finally broke her gaze with Lin Sanju and turned her attention back to Lin Sunji. She patted her shoulder gently.

"Trust me," she said with an uncharacteristic softness. "Don’t waste your energy on Zhong Cheng. That man will always be more loyal to me than to you. You’ll only end up hurting yourself. The right person will come for you—just make sure to look carefully when he does this time."

Lin Sunji: "??"

Bei Sangyun didn’t bother to explain and headed upstairs with Lin Sanju following closely behind.

Left alone, Lin Sunji recovered her composure, replaying her cousin’s words in her mind. Slowly, her face turned red.

"H-Hey! I don’t have feelings for that idiot! I’m just upset because he stopped hanging out with me, okay? It’s like my butler suddenly decided to get busy, that’s all! Seriously!"

Her protests fell on deaf ears as the two disappeared upstairs.

In the study, Bei Sangyun settled into a chair, motioning for Lin Sanju to sit across from her.

"Tell me," she said, folding her hands neatly on the desk.

Lin Sanju wasted no time and dove into the situation regarding the Lin family.

After the Royal Banquet, although Lin Zhe and Lin Sanju weren’t particularly popular, they still managed to make some connections and leave an impression. Even forming one or two connections there was already a monumental achievement.

Lin Zhe had succeeded in making friends, but so had Lin Sanju. The attendees of the Royal Banquet were sharp and discerning. With just a single phone call to their contacts in the C country, they quickly grasped the internal dynamics and identified who the strongest contender for the inheritance was in the Lin family.

And, as expected, they bet on Lin Sanju. They saw greater potential in him and wanted to maintain ties. However, the real turning point was Fei Chuan’s support.

Fei Chuan had personally introduced him to key individuals, which opened doors Lin Sanju couldn’t have accessed on his own.

Lin Sanju’s lips twitched into a faint smile. "What truly sealed their trust in me was Fei Chuan. It’s because of him that those people decided I am worth their investment." ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Bei Sangyun’s expression also softened at the mention of Fei Chuan, but she said nothing.

"Grandfather seems to have made up his mind," Lin Sanju continued. "He’s planning to announce the heir at the upcoming banquet. He wants you to come."

Bei Sangyun opened her mouth to refuse, but Lin Sanju cut her off.

"I also invited Fei Chuan," he added, watching her reaction closely. "It’s thanks to him that I was able to make those connections at the Royal Banquet. And it’s also thanks to his invitation that our family even got to attend in the first place."

Bei Sangyun: "...."

She narrowed her eyes at Lin Sanju, her tone sharp. "You’ve learned to be sneaky."

Lin Sanju grinned, a rare flicker of playfulness crossing his face. "If it gets you to visit home, I’ll take that as a compliment. Come on, you have to see me being announced as the heir. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event."

Bei Sangyun stayed silent, her gaze unwavering.

Lin Sanju leaned forward, his voice softening. "I’m not asking you to forgive anyone or come back to the family. Although you have changed your surname to Bei, I still want you to know that there are a lot of Lins who still consider you as family. Like me and my parents.

"Besides, if you’re going to visit at least once, let it be on my crowning day. You are the one who made everything possible after all."

Bei Sangyun did not immediately agree to Lin Sanju’s invitation. Instead, she offered a measured response. "I’ll keep it in mind."

Lin Sanju nodded, understanding her hesitation. He then shifted the conversation to business-related matters concerning the family.

"By the way," he began, his tone more cautious, "the first and fifth branches must be feeling cornered now. Lin Zhe saw you at the Royal Banquet. They might approach you out of desperation."

Bei Sangyun’s gaze hardened. "Lin Zhe can be dangerous when he’s desperate."

"Exactly," Lin Sanju said. "He’s a pretentious lion—roaring up front but slithering like a snake when cornered. He won’t hesitate to use dirty tricks to gain an advantage."

Bei Sangyun nodded knowingly. She had already witnessed Lin Zhe’s cunning ways in the past. "I’m aware. Don’t worry about me. Focus on protecting your sister and your parents."

"You have to be extra careful too, Sangyun."

"Of course. But you—stay vigilant. Don’t underestimate him, Sanju."

Lin Sanju smiled faintly, trying to ease her concern. "I won’t. I’ve taken precautions. I just hope to see you at the banquet."

"I’ll think about it."

When Lin Sanju left the office, Lin Sunji, who had been lounging on the couch impatiently, sprang up and clung to Bei Sangyun’s arm with a grin. "Your meeting’s over, right? Let’s hang out!"

Bei Sangyun shook off her arm, looking at Lin Sunji with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "We’re not close enough to hang out. Your brother’s business is done. Go home."

"No way!" Lin Sunji pouted dramatically. "I came here for you. It’s been four years. Whatever misunderstandings we had back then—they’re in the past now. We’re cousins, bound by blood. We share a bond, you know?"

Bei Sangyun couldn’t suppress the laugh that bubbled up at Lin Sunji’s exaggerated declaration. "That’s the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard you say."

Lin Sunji’s smile faltered slightly. "What’s so absurd about it?"

"Didn’t you once say my blood was tainted? That it diluted whatever Lin family blood I had?" Bei Sangyun’s tone was light and playful as if those words did not carry any weight at all.

Lin Sunji froze. "When did I ever say that?"

Bei Sangyun crossed her arms, unimpressed. "The first dinner I had with the family."

Lin Sunji opened her mouth but closed it again, her smile now entirely gone.

"Look," Bei Sangyun said, shaking her head. "You don’t need to butter me up just because I helped your brother and your family. Let’s not pretend we’re something we’re not."