Standing Next To You-Chapter 232: Lin Sanju

A/n: This Chapter is fixed. Thank you so much for understanding and waiting. *kisses*

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Butler Xin brought an unexpected visitor to Bei Sangyun’s study room.

Bei Sangyun leaned languidly in her chair, raising an eyebrow at the unexpected guest.

"What brings you here so late in the day, Lin Sanju?"

Lin Sanju took a deep breath, wasting no words as he went straight to the point. "I am here to ask you a favor."

"A favor?" Bei Sangyun was surprised. She suddenly laughed, "You are well aware of our situation. What makes you think I will grant you a favor when we are both each other’s enemies?"

Bei Sangyun was truly surprised when Lin Sanju came to visit her. The third and fourth branches had strict competition, making the fourth branch resent Bei Sangyun the most. Likewise, Bei Sangyun had once despised the fourth branch due to their hateful schemes and plots against her.

However, there was someone in the fourth branch who remained like a bystander—someone not actively participating in the competition or plotting against her, and not standing out like the other heirs.

Among the heirs in the Lin family, the only person Bei Sangyun couldn’t read well was Lin Sanju.

Unlike Lin Sunji, who harbored a deep, schemeful heart but was easy to manipulate due to her greed and pride, Lin Sanju was the opposite. He had little presence and liked to act lazy, leading many to misunderstand him as someone unaware of his surroundings.

Bei Sangyun also once thought of him as someone who did not care about the heir competition. However, after experiencing the previous lifetime, Bei Sangyun came to understand that Lin Sanju was just hiding too deep. Even the past her did not notice.

Considering Lin Sanju’s actions in the future, he didn’t seem like someone indifferent to his circumstances. In fact, he was very much aware.

He was the only person who escaped the doom that Bei Sangyun brought upon the Lin family. He vanished before the fourth branch’s fall and did not receive any burns. Since he didn’t provoke Bei Sangyun, she didn’t actively seek him out.

She transformed the Lin family into the Bei family, and Lin Sanju never once resurfaced. It was as if he abandoned that name, leading a new life with a new identity.

This kind of person who prepared everything beforehand would not be incapable.

He was calculating every possible scenario. Otherwise, why would he come here on his own initiative?

Such an unusual person coming to her for a favor; he must have his reasons.

As expected, Lin Sanju came with a reason.

"I know you have a significant role in why my family’s branch is suffering right now. I can’t deny feeling upset or placing blame on you. I’m a member of that branch, so it’s only natural for me to harbor ill thoughts. I assume you feel the same way. However, my feelings don’t matter."

Lin Sanju pulled out a note from his pocket. "I know you won’t help me if there’s nothing to gain from it. That’s why I’ve prepared this." He handed the folded paper to Bei Sangyun.

Bei Sangyun merely glanced at it and didn’t accept it. She continued to lean on the chair, appearing relaxed and unmoved. "I’m curious, though. Why come to me when you could ask the first or second branch? Wouldn’t it be better to be taken over by them instead of me?"

Lin Sanju clenched the paper in his hand and withdrew it. He answered calmly, "We both know that the first and second branches have no desire to give us any advantage once the fourth branch has been absorbed by them. They won’t allow their former competition to regain strength or provide any chance for growth."

Bei Sangyun tilted her head. "And you think I won’t be the same as them? I hold a grudge against the fourth branch. I could swallow you whole and possibly do worse than them."

Curious about Lin Sanju’s motives, Bei Sangyun wondered what made him choose her. Wasn’t he afraid she might betray him, preventing the fourth branch from recovering?

Lin Sanju remained silent for a moment. When Bei Sangyun thought he wouldn’t answer, he spoke slowly, "...When you discovered that it was Lin Sanju who spread the malicious rumors about you and orchestrated the bullies using your name, I expected you to make her pay, perhaps worse than what she did to you. Surprisingly, you didn’t. You went easy on her."

Bei Sangyun’s eyebrow shot up.

"When my sister exposed your background and let it circulate at school, I thought she was finished. Yet, you went easy on her again, even though you could have severed ties with her. The same happened in the recent incident. She ruined your moment, but you only asked for an apology letter and her expulsion from school."

Bei Sangyun was surprised. Now that Lin Sanju laid it out in front of her, it became clear that she had been lenient with Lin Sunji.

The Bei Sangyun from the past wouldn’t have been so forgiving; she would have schemed to embarrass Lin Sunji until she wasn’t able to lift her face for the rest of her life. That’s how deep her grudges hold.

But...

Bei Sangyun smiled, though it did not reach her eyes. "You think that because I went easy on her, I’m somehow better than Lin Zhe and Lin Fang? You’re mistaken. I’m the reason why Lin Sunji lost her right to compete for the heir. In other words, I’m the cause of the current dilemma in the fourth branch. I’m not a good person, Sanju. If that’s your reason, then I believe you’ve come to the wrong person."

Bei Sangyun confessed her sin. It didn’t matter if Lin Sanju or other people discovered it.

Lin Sanju paused. But her confession did not deter him. He already expected that Bei Sangyun had a hand in that incident. After all, some things did not fall into place.

"I’m not wrong," Lin Sanju replied stubbornly. "I don’t know what happened, but I can sense that you’re giving Lin Sunji a chance. Many times, in fact. Unfortunately, my foolish sister didn’t appreciate it or notice it. Her elimination is something she deserves. And, I’m asking you, not for her sake but for my family’s sake. Please give our branch another chance."

Bei Sangyun snickered. Lin Sanju was being ridiculous. "I don’t care what happens to your branch. Honestly, I’m prepared to lead you all to doom. I’m just waiting for the first and second branches to take the bait, and then boom! I’ll seize everything I can while they’re left with only crumbs."

She revealed her plan without a hint of concern for anyone overhearing. It was as if everything she said would undoubtedly come to pass.

Lin Sanju bit his lip. As expected, Bei Sangyun was the oriole behind the mantis that stalked the cicada. The fourth branch was the cicada, and the first and second branches were the mantises.

He had already suspected Bei Sangyun’s involvement, and now, hearing it directly from her, Lin Sanju’s suspicions were confirmed.

At this moment, a thought occurred to him—Bei Sangyun had already grown this powerful. Yet, none of them were aware of her methods and the extent of her capabilities. There was no way he could compete with someone like her.

The only way out was to surrender and align with her.

Lin Sanju possessed a sharp memory and keen intuition. It was his instinct to keep a low profile to live peacefully in this mansion. Moreover, his intuition told him that Bei Sangyun was dangerous. Hence, he discreetly kept a watchful eye on her. The more he observed, the more his suspicions were confirmed.

Lin Sanju took a deep breath and decided to take a gamble. "I’m not asking you because I think you’re a good person. My intuition tells me that among the three of you, you’re most likely to succeed. It’s up to you whether you want to stab me in the back and prevent the fourth branch from rising again. I won’t be able to stop it even if I want to. But please consider my words." He placed the folded paper on the table. "I won’t just offer this, but also my services. I haven’t been idle these past years."

Lin Sanju retrieved his phone and opened some documents. "I’ve been investing overseas and managed to establish connections abroad. I can link you to them. If you help the fourth branch, I’m willing to work under you and be loyal. That’s my word."

Bei Sangyun stared at him, not touching anything he gave and just tapping the armrest.

The hand on the vintage clock continued to run. In the silent study room, only the ’tick’ ’tock’ sound and Bei Sangyun’s tapping reverberated.

Finally, the tapping sound ceased as Bei Sangyun reached out for the paper.

She unfolded the paper under Lin Sanju’s nervous gaze.

Upon seeing the contents, Bei Sangyun paused for a while. Then, she burst out laughing.

She threw the paper on the desk and asked, amused, "Are you sure it’s okay to give me this? You’re not really afraid, are you?"

"That’s a sign of my sincerity. I have to at least show my dedication. Besides, I already know you’re gathering them. This is just icing on the cake," Lin Sanju calmly replied.