Standing Next To You
Chapter 354: Lifting the Veil

Chapter 354: Lifting the Veil

The room was filled with intense silence. Everyone who should attend the family meeting was present except for one person. The very person responsible for this gathering had the audacity to arrive late.

The members of the Lin family looked at each other, readying their cannons to fire. One person started to light his cannon and began firing, breaking the silent atmosphere.

"I can’t believe that after the fuss she made last time, she has the gall to arrive late. Is she belittling us? Even I wouldn’t dare disrespect Father like this."

"She angered Father last time, yet she didn’t show an ounce of remorse for what she did. That unruly child won’t change unless she learns a real lesson."

"If my children behaved like this, I would surely straighten them out." Each of their words was directed at Lin Ginxian, provoking him as usual.

However, strangely enough, Lin Ginxian just kept silent with his head down. No one could see what was going on in his mind.

"Silence. I did not call you here to start fighting again." Old Master Lin glanced at his sons, who only knew how to fight every time they met.

"Father, I think you are being too biased toward Sangyun. Lin Sunji has angered you and has been punished for her actions. Yet, Lin Sangyun, who committed disrespect and tarnished the family’s name, has been forgiven again and again. This is unfair to the fourth branch." Lin Xiao spoke, dragging the fourth branch’s name with him.

They hinted a lot to their father that Bei Sangyun needed to be punished severely, yet the old man did nothing.

The fourth branch looked at Lin Xiao with a death glare. They had been silent and tried not to get dragged into this matter, yet the bastard kept pulling them in.

"Lin Xiao, did I allow you to speak? Just because I called for a family meeting doesn’t mean your past transgressions will be forgiven. My attitude towards you and the others hasn’t changed. So keep your mouth shut." Old Master Lin reminded everyone of the words he said during the last family dinner.

Due to the last incident caused by that certain person, Old Master Lin’s mood had worsened. They were affected by that brat’s actions and were not allowed to visit the old man’s office or talk to him. Now, the old man summoned them again, even though they were not to blame for the recent scandal.

They felt wronged. They weren’t to be blamed, yet they were affected by the old man’s anger.

Everyone in the room shut their mouths, but their faces told otherwise.

However, seeing the old man’s face devoid of any emotion, just like the calm before the storm, they obediently kept silent. This wasn’t the time to complain about other branches or brag about their children.

Finally, after a long silence, the door opened.

Under the intense eyes of her family members, Bei Sangyun entered the room with confidence, as if she owned the whole place and they were just unnecessary guests.

Bei Sangyun greeted the old man with a nod. "Pardon me for being late. I was informed about the family meeting quite late. Anyway, you can continue the meeting."

Everyone: "...."

Lin Ginxian’s face distorted. However, for the first time, he did not berate his daughter in front of everyone and just remained silent.

Old Master Lin glared at his condescending granddaughter. The calmness on his face was slowly breaking.

"I have overlooked your past rude actions because of the last incident. I have forgiven you over and over despite you not asking for forgiveness. However, there is a limit to my patience."

Bei Sangyun just raised her eyebrow. "Oh."

Old Master Lin’s face darkened. "If you keep doing this, I will have no choice but to strip you of the benefits you are receiving as my potential heir. Do you understand?"

The other members at the side gasped, excitement showed on their faces. The wrongness in their hearts immediately subsided. Another heir being kicked out of the competition? It was nothing but good news!

They looked at Bei Sangyun with expectation, hoping this unruly child would continue angering the old man.

Lin Ginxian almost stood up from his seat. He glanced at Bei Sangyun with a warning glare, hoping this child would not continue being disrespectful.

But Bei Sangyun was unbothered. "I see. What else?"

Old Master Lin felt a headache coming. He doubted whether there was a screw loose in this child. He had just warned her, yet she kept egging him on!

"...Lin Sangyun. This is the last time I will be magnanimous to you. You can’t use the last incident as an excuse to continue being disrespectful to your elders."

Bei Sangyun nodded. "Alright. And?"

Snap. The calmness he was trying to master collapsed. Old Master Lin slapped the table in anger. "Are you listening?!"

"I am listening. But did you call me just for that? Is there anything else?" Bei Sangyun looked at him with anticipation.

Old Master Lin: "...."

He felt he had just swallowed his anger and got choked on it.

He took a deep breath and intimidated her with a threatening gaze. "I heard you are messing around with that boy from the Fei family. I understand that youngsters like you easily fall in love. However, don’t let that infatuation block your path to success. This is not only a warning for you but for everyone: you can’t just have a relationship with anyone."

Old Master Lin glanced at everyone. "You have a duty to fulfill as someone carrying our family name. Soon, each of you will choose a fiancé from a reputable family that will help you gain more connections and influence. Your parents and I will help you choose the right person. Until then, you must maintain your good reputation. Don’t taint it with something like puppy love." Old Master Lin directed the last sentence to Bei Sangyun.

The others were a bit surprised that Old Master Lin did not scold Bei Sangyun for having a relationship or forcefully break up the couple. He was actually allowing it for the meantime. However, when a chosen fiancé was introduced to her, she had to stop messing around and accept the person the family chose for her.

They were quite disappointed. They thought this should have been enough to kick Bei Sangyun out of the competition or put pressure on Lin Ginxian. But it looked like the Head Master still had a soft spot for Bei Sangyun. This made them glance at Bei Sangyun with envious, dark eyes.

"That won’t happen, Grandpa."

The cold look on Old Master Lin’s face receded when he heard Bei Sangyun’s answer. It seemed this granddaughter of his still had a bit of sanity left in her. He was about to nod with satisfaction; however, Bei Sangyun’s next words made him freeze.

"You don’t have to choose a fiancé for me. I already have someone in mind. I am quite loyal and faithful. I have decided to spend the rest of my life with my boyfriend. No one else."

The people in the room dropped their jaws. How bold and presumptuous of her--

"Lin Sangyun!" A storm passed across Old Master Lin’s face. "Have you gone out of your mind?!"

On the side, Lin Ginxian staggered. He looked like he would pass out any moment. Because he was busy with the first and fifth branch’s attacks, this was the first time he was hearing about his daughter having a boyfriend.

Bei Sangyun was calm amidst the nerve-wracking atmosphere. "I am perfectly sane. I have never been this sane before."

"You! Are you purposely making me angry?! Do you really want to ruin your life because of that incident?! What more do you want?!" Old Master Lin thought Bei Sangyun had been rebelling because he wronged her. But this was too much.

"I think you are misunderstanding something. I am telling you this because I have no intention of going along with your ways of finding me a prospective husband. I have a handsome, smart, capable, adorable, and sweet boyfriend. Why would I find someone else when I already have the perfect man beside me?"

Everyone in the room was dumbfounded. Not only did Bei Sangyun fail to explain herself or comfort the old man, but she was also just making things worse! This wasn’t the time to compliment her boyfriend!

Old Master Lin closed his eyes, trying to reason with his rational thoughts. He asked with a heavy voice,

"....You want to bring him into the family? I am sure you know what position that boy holds in the Fei family. Do you think you can gain the approval of both families for your relationship? They have the means to dig into your background. To their eyes, you are simply an illegitimate daughter with a questionable background!"

His loud voice echoed in the room. The dumbfounded eyes of everyone turned to Old Master Lin.