Standing Next To You
Chapter 123: Teaching Her a lesson?

Chapter 123: Teaching Her a lesson?

"Did you manage to contact them? Are they on their way?"

Sophia asked her brother desperately. She had no intention of participating in Bei Sangyun’s bizarre plans or staying in this dreadful place.

This inn was too terrible.

The rooms and furnishings were ancient, devoid of any modern amenities. There was no heater, only a small wood-burning stove. The bathroom had no shower or hot water, and the bed was just a simple, uncomfortable mattress. The bed sheets were far from being made of pure cotton, and there was no electricity, just a dim lamp. This place seemed to have been built in the distant past.

How was it even operational at this point?

Sophia had no intention of remaining in such a dreadful place.

Richard, with a frown, held his phone up near the window and declared, "... There’s no signal. We’re in a very remote location."

"Are you serious?" Sophia checked her phone as well but found no signal. Frustrated, she tossed her phone onto the bed. "Bei Sangyun planned this all along! She purposely picked this place to watch us suffer!"

Her anger bubbled up, and Sophia gritted her teeth. "I shouldn’t have agreed so easily to go along with her."

Richard abandoned his attempt to get a signal and turned his attention to his sister, who was on the verge of losing her composure.

"It’s not all that bad. We’re stuck here, and so is she. We’re two, and she’s just one. Furthermore, Father and Grandpa often brought us hunting and to rural areas to experience nature. While the conditions here are worse than what we’ve experienced before, I don’t think she’ll fare any better. We have more advantages than she does."

Sophia found her brother’s words to be quite reasonable, and she gradually calmed down. "You’re right. I can’t believe she can endure this place either. She’s probably doing this to break us. We can’t let her win."

Richard, gazing out of the window at the mountain, suddenly had an idea. His green eyes sparkled with excitement. "Do you want to get back at her? You have been itching to teach her a lesson."

"Absolutely. I’m quickly losing patience with her. I’m eager to see her crying," Sophia affirmed. She looked at her brother with curiosity. "Why? Have you come up with a plan?"

Richard smiled slyly. "I just thought of something. Since we’ve hiked before, I think we can pull it off."

.....

Bei Sangyun stood outside the inn, fully geared up and ready for the adventure. She waited with her arms crossed, the hired guide standing beside her.

More than half an hour had passed, but the two hadn’t yet appeared.

Bei Sangyun wasn’t concerned that they might attempt to run away. They were unfamiliar with the area, and their phones wouldn’t work here. If they attempted to escape, the nearest establishment was miles away, and they wouldn’t make it on foot. They had no way to ask for help and would be forced to wait for the driver.

Of course, there was also that possibility that the two would choose to not go outside their room and wait until midnight.

But...

Bei Sangyun smiled coldly.

There was no way that those evil brats would stay silently. They would grab every chance to bare their evil claws at her.

As expected, after waiting for an additional ten minutes, the two finally showed up. They had changed into the sportswear Bei Sangyun provided, each carrying a backpack.

Bei Sangyun introduced them to the guide.

"Are you both ready? Let’s get going."

Sophia and Richard exchanged glances and followed the guide and Bei Sangyun.

The guide was a local, explaining the trails and sharing fascinating stories about the mountain. Bei Sangyun translated for the siblings.

In reality, Bei Sangyun already knew that Sophia and Richard were fluent in the local language.

Due to that ’incident’, she accidentally discovered that the two were very proficient in their mother’s mother tongue.

How could they not be? Their mother was born in this country and had taught them the language.

They just pretended to only know French because it was fun for them to see other people struggling to communicate with them.

***

The group continued to hike for over two hours, taking two breaks along the way. They were now midway up the mountain, at another resting area that had a well where tourists and locals could get free water.

Everyone in the group set their belongings down and settled on the wooden benches under the shed to rest. Bei Sangyun got up and went to wash her face with well water.

Sophia and Richard exchanged a meaningful glance.

Richard approached the guide, who was taken aback to see a foreigner speaking their local language. The guide thought these foreigners could not speak their language since they even needed a translator. But it seemed that it was not the case.

Richard placed a finger to his lips, signaling the guide to remain silent.

"We have something to ask you," Richard whispered.

....

Bei Sangyun finished washing up, taking her time as if she had plenty to spare. Her movements were deliberate and unhurried.

Once she was done, she turned towards the wooden shed where her bag and the others were supposed to be resting.

But she found the place empty. Even her bag with all her necessities, had vanished.

Bei Sangyun stood there in silence. A smile slowly formed on her lips.

She was glad that the two did not disappoint her.

****

On the mountain’s winding trail, the sunset painted a mesmerizing tableau across the sky.

The sun began its descent behind the distant peaks, casting a warm, amber glow over the rugged landscape. The horizon transformed from intense oranges and reds to the cooler purples and blues of evening, while the breeze carried the soothing fragrance of evergreens.

This was undoubtedly a breathtaking scene; however, the two hikers who were sneezing nonstop could not enjoy the wonderful view.

Sophia hugged her jacket tightly as she followed her brother’s trail. "We have been walking for more than two hours now. Why can’t I see any resting place? Did you lose our way again?"

Richard did not respond. He remained silent as he continued to descend the mountain.

Sophia grew irritated. "You lost our way again, didn’t you? I thought you memorized the map!"

"Shut up, will you?" Richard snapped. His usual gentle facade was now gone, replaced by a dark and impatient expression. "You have been chattering nonstop. If you weren’t so slow, we wouldn’t have lost the guide."

Richard was very irritated.

His plan was supposed to make Bei Sangyun get lost in the mountain all alone. When she was desperately looking for help, he would swoop in as her savior.

Any woman would fall for a handsome knight.

However, before he could execute his plan, they lost the guide, and now they had lost their way.

All because his sister was very slow.

"Why are you blaming me? You are the one who suggested this whole setup! I thought you had it covered!"

"I am just as new to this place as you are. Can you stop your chatter? It’s not helping. You’re making me lose focus."

Sophia was cold, hungry, and tired. Her brother’s frustration was affecting her badly as well. She couldn’t help but blame her brother. "I shouldn’t have listened to you."