Standing Next To You-Chapter 255: Right Decision

A/n: This Chapter has been fixed. Thank you for waiting.

*****

Bei Sangyun looked ahead and spotted the food stall. She sniffed the air, a delightful smile spreading across her face.

"The old lady has something spicy today!" With that, she dashed off to the food stall to place her order.

Fei Chuan snapped out of his daze, shaking his head in resignation.

Who wouldn’t be moved by those silly words?

The very thing he feared... was beginning to unfold.

.....

As the two exchanged bites of their respective foods, a car parked some distance away.

This car had discreetly trailed them from the moment they set off from the alleyway.

The tinted window of the car rolled down, revealing a handsome face with piercing phoenix eyes observing the two teenagers enjoying their meal at the food stall.

The young man’s eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Cousin seems quite serious about this boy. I’ve never seen her this happy." He tapped his fingers on the armrest, contemplating, "Could this puppy love be a weakness... or a strength?"

He chuckled to himself, "Silly me. Genuine feelings are always a vulnerability. I just hope cousin’s feelings are truly sincere. In that way, she will keep playing around my fingers."

*******

It was the onset of spring when the fourth branch unexpectedly announced that they wouldn’t align themselves with any of the other branches, choosing instead to support their last remaining heir, Lin Sanju.

Their decision received surprising approval from Old Master Lin.

During dinner, Old Master Lin, his sons, and their wives gathered to dine together, leaving the younger generation to another dining room. The conversation predominantly revolved around adult matters.

"It’s commendable that you’re thinking clearly now. Your branch may have weakened, but this isn’t the end for you," Old Master Lin praised Lin Ruo’s decision, displaying an unusually amiable demeanor. He seemed to approve of the fourth branch’s stance and was proud of it.

With the patriarch’s endorsement, the first and second branches had no choice but to suppress their discontent. They couldn’t express their objections in front of Old Master Lin.

Nevertheless, their eyes shot daggers at Lin Ruo.

Lin Ruo, like others, was surprised to have earned Old Master Lin’s favor with this decision.

The young girl’s words had proven accurate.

Following Bei Sangyun’s instructions, Lin Ruo neither outright rejected nor accepted the offers from the first and second branches. They led them to believe that they were at their wits’ end, offering no indication that they intended to continue the fight.

The first and second branches both believed that the fourth branch had surrendered and continued to raise the stakes while aiming their figurative guns at Lin Ruo. Enduring the pressure, Lin Ruo maintained his facade of demise.

He awaited the opportune moment to declare his stance, precisely as Bei Sangyun had advised, choosing the family dinner as the ideal occasion.

As anticipated, his abrupt announcement elicited wide-eyed stares from his two brothers. Judging by their expressions, they weren’t pleased with being deceived by him. They would undoubtedly seek retribution and make him pay for manipulating them.

However, his father’s approval and praise bolstered Lin Ruo’s courage.

Just as Bei Sangyun had predicted, his father would be pleased with his decision. With Old Master Lin’s blessings and support for this decision, his brothers wouldn’t dare to make any bold moves with their grandfather present.

Lin Ruo breathed a sigh of relief. At least he had brought joy to the old man.

Ignoring his brothers’ hostile glares, he continued to interact warmly with Old Master Lin.

During their conversation, Old Master Lin suddenly mentioned the second branch.

"By the way, I heard that Lin Fei has returned to the country quite some time ago. Why hasn’t he returned to the mansion? Doesn’t he wish to greet his grandfather?"

Lin Baozhi, the head of the first branch, seized the opportunity to attack the second branch and remarked, "Some of my clients spotted Lin Fei hanging out with many youngsters at the K Star Hotel. Apparently, he’s been squandering money there and hosting pool parties every now and then."

The K Star Hotel was a luxurious establishment affordable only to the most affluent and prominent families. Lin Fei had been lodging there since his return to the country, not to mention the exorbitant costs associated with hosting parties.

Despite Lin Baozhi’s jab, Lin Fang maintained a composed smile. "If you paid attention, you’d know that my son is staying there for a purpose. He’s gathering information and forging connections through these parties. Haven’t you realized that young people network through such gatherings? Times have changed, brother, and we must broaden our perspectives."

Lin Baozhi was left speechless.

He was about to retort when Old Master Lin intervened, putting an end to their squabble. "I was merely inquiring. Tell your son, Lin Fei, to visit me once he’s finished with whatever business he’s attending to. It’s impolite to keep his elders waiting and neglect to greet them when he’s already here."

"I understand, father."

The meal became noticeably tense and subdued thereafter.

After Old Master Lin retired for rest, Lin Baozhi and Lin Feng turned their attention to Lin Ruo.

"What’s the meaning of this, Lin Ruo? Must you resort to using your family’s trash just to reject us? Aren’t you looking down on the first branch?"

"Wasn’t I clear enough? We offered you a fair deal, yet you dared to play tricks on me?"

Both Lin Baozhi and Lin Feng were seething with anger. They were itching to tear Lin Ruo apart.

"If you were in my position, would you accept those conditions? I’m doing this for my family’s survival. We don’t have high hopes for this competition. But I can’t allow my family’s future to rest in your hands. I may not care about my own future, but I won’t jeopardize my children’s. If I had agreed to either of you, my children wouldn’t have a good life."

"What nonsense! You know full well the consequences if you continue to fight and lose in the end. I don’t show mercy to losers, even if we’re family," Lin Baozhi threatened.

Lin Fang added, "I’ve been patient with you and offered you a better deal than him. If we had worked together, we would have been unstoppable. But you kept us waiting, and I hold a grudge. I won’t let this end so peacefully, Lin Ruo."

Lin Ruo wasn’t fazed by their threats. He had already anticipated the potential consequences of agreeing to Bei Sangyun’s deal. Their level of intimidation didn’t even come close to what Bei Sangyun had inflicted.

"Father supports my decision. If either of you dares to harm my family, Father won’t forgive you. So think carefully," Lin Ruo warned sternly.