Standing Next To You
Chapter 95: Confirmation

Chapter 95: Confirmation

Her action was so sudden that Fei Chuan was unable to react in time. He stood there, stiff and shocked by her actions.

This... this again!

Bei Sangyun closed her eyes as she savored the delightful combination of rich, chocolatey, and coffee-infused flavors bursting into her mouth. The long-awaited vivid flavors colored her dull world, awakening every sense within her.

Bei Sangyun indulged in the pleasure on her tongue before she opened her eyes. She licked her lips, expressing her desire to taste more.

"... It’s mocha flavor," she muttered with happiness. Her eyes sparkled as she glanced back at Fei Chuan’s dark expression.

"...This cupcake is something I randomly bought in the cafeteria... not a work of Grandma Pei’s. Then the answer is clear."

It must indeed have something to do with Fei Chuan. For some reason, her sense of taste awakened when he ’blessed’ it.

Bei Sangyun’s heated gaze went to the cupcake in his hand. Could it really be his touch?

"What nonsense is this?" Fei Chuan asked darkly. "I must have gone mad for agreeing."

Fei Chuan felt he had been duped. He passed the cupcake back to her. "I’ll be leaving the hotel today. Since you’ve already settled your debt, I don’t need you to do me any favors."

Fei Chuan then started to leave.

"Wait...!"

Bei Sangyun wanted to catch up, but Fei Chuan glared at her.

"I also have a bottom line you should not cross, Bei Sangyun. I’m done being played by you. You should also tell those people who keep sending annoying gifts to my locker to stop bothering me. You should fulfill your end of the deal."

Bei Sangyun paused. She didn’t dare to follow Fei Chuan. She was afraid he would become even more upset if she pushed him further.

Bei Sangyun sighed.

She got her confirmation. But what should she do now? Fei Chuan seemed to despise the idea of ’blessing’ her food.

But then her eyes brightened. Nevertheless, she won’t give up.

The key that she did not think existed appeared. She did not know why such a miraculous phenomenon appeared or what was with Fei Chuan that he was able to miraculously heal her taste, even if it was temporary.

For now, she had to carefully think of how she would approach him in the future.

.....

That day, Fei Chuan had indeed left the hotel.

They had managed to extend the ’school project’ for a week, and during this time, Fei Chuan’s bruises had noticeably lessened, and he was no longer limping. It made sense for him to leave since a week was already too long, and Grandma Pei might start suspecting.

Bei Sangyun wasn’t able to see him off.

Fei Chuan’s worth to her had increased a hundredfold. He was no longer just a rival, a life-long enemy, or a companion; he had become someone she needed to live a normal life.

However, she could no longer be reckless when approaching him. What if she made him run away?

Bei Sangyun glanced at his door and sighed. Sticking with him for a week had given her the answers she needed, but it had strained their relationship.

She hadn’t come up with an idea on how to approach him. So she gave him space for now. She didn’t want to make their relationship worse.

"Master, it’s time for you to return to the Lin Mansion. The Head Master has summoned everyone for dinner. There’s news that his friend’s family has already arrived in the country," Butler Xin reported.

Bei Sangyun turned around. "I have no business here anymore. Perhaps it’s time to return."

Although she didn’t want to see their faces, she had to play the obedient Lin family member to get Grandma Bei out of the country.

"Master, I’ll remind you again to restrain your words and actions. Please don’t anger Lin Ginxian again."

"I’ll do my best," Bei Sangyun shrugged.

Butler Xin: "..."

He hoped this family dinner would be peaceful, at least for him.

*****

Lin Mansion.

At the long dining table, only the sound of utensils clinking against plates could be heard. The atmosphere was tense, and nobody dared to speak.

The old man hadn’t spoken since he arrived, which left everyone in the room hesitant to break the silence.

Everyone was well aware of the incident between the third and fourth branches that had angered the old man.

Though a week had passed, this was the first time they were meeting Old Master Lin since the incident. No one wanted to be the guinea pig to test the waters and find out if the old man was still upset or had moved on.

Finally, the suffocating dinner ended when Old Master Lin set down his fork. Everyone followed his lead, reluctantly setting down their utensils. They had barely touched their food and were preoccupied with watching the old man.

Bei Sangyun put down her fork expressionlessly, and her plate remained mostly untouched, much like the others.

In this stifling atmosphere, no one could eat, except for the old man.

"I understand that Lin Zhe couldn’t attend today’s dinner, but why is Lin Fei not here as well?" Old Master Lin’s stern gaze was locked on the empty seat in the second branch’s area.

"Lin Fei has gone overseas to handle business dealings with other branches. He regrets that he couldn’t be here today and sends his regards, Father," Lin Fei’s father, Lin Fang, hurriedly explained.

Lin Baozie, Lin Zhe’s father, couldn’t help but harrumph. "Why does your son need to go overseas? My son is already managing that task. There’s no need for Lin Fei to disrupt the dealings. My son is doing a perfect job. Lin Fei’s unnecessary effort could disrupt the business deals."

"If your son is doing such a perfect job, then why hasn’t the business deal with the Sonnie company closed? It’s been two months since your son met with Sonnie’s representative, and we haven’t heard from them."

"Do you believe your son will do a perfect job instead? From what I know, Lin Fei only knows how to party. He hasn’t achieved anything to be proud of."

Lin Fang’s expression darkened. "Whose fault is that? Every task my son takes up gets stolen by your son. Lin Zhe takes all the credit."

"Ha! Do you hear yourself? It’s your son, Lin Fei, who has been stealing my son’s tasks. But your inferior son can’t compete with our Lin Zhe, so he resorts to mockery!"