Standing Next To You-Chapter 40: Old Trick

"Butler Xin?"

Butler Xin’s expression turned several shades darker.

How dare this girl who was still wet behind her ears address him in this way?

"Your illness must have gone through your head, Young Miss. It’s ’Mr. Xin’ to you. You are not yet in the caliber of your father to call me in that way."

Butler Xin was angered by Bei Sangyun’s nonchalant attitude.

Recalling her impudent greeting to Old Master Lin in front of her father and other family members, and her subsequent unannounced departure, his frustration grew. He had been contacting her since yesterday but she turned off her phone instead. What audacity!

And now, he had to come looking for her personally because she did not return despite what he told her. She was especially rebellious nowadays.

"Young Miss, are you really going to be this way? If the news that you sneaked out again so that you can return to that shabby place leaked out, the other heirs will laugh at you. I have been working so hard so you can adapt easily to the high society and be integrated into the Lin family, but you are destroying everything I worked so far! Didn’t you say you want your grandmother back? How will you get her back if you continue being stubborn!"

Butler Xin said with bared teeth. His patience towards Bei Sangyun was thinning.

Bei Sangyun blinked her eyes. She did not look affected one bit by what he said, her composure unshaken. There was no discernible change in her demeanor as she took a step forward towards him.

Her dark eyes remained locked onto his, an unwavering gaze.

Butler Xin was still puffing in anger. He expected that the young girl before him would bow her head like a scolded child and ask for forgiveness. After all, this wasn’t the first time she had run away.

Yet, Bei Sangyun defied his expectations. She did not lower her eyes nor turn submissive. She bravely met his gaze instead. And as if taunting him, she deliberately stepped forward, closing their distance.

"Using my grandmother again? That’s an old trick. Is that the only thing you knew so you can hold on to the leash tightly around my neck?"

Butler Xin narrowed his eyes. This girl had said something like this during their phone call. When did she learn to be so sharp? Did she meet someone during her disappearance?

"Young Miss, it is you who wants to bring your grandmother with you to the Capital, and I am earnestly helping you so that you can bring her back. The only thing I asked of you is to behave and be obedient."

"You’re helping me to bring her?" Bei Sangyun heard something ridiculous. It was absurd to the point that she couldn’t help but laugh.

"Haha, that’s one of the most ridiculous things I’ve heard from you. Can you even believe your own lies?"

Butler Xin’s ridiculous words brought back bad memories for Bei Sangyun—the empty hut, the devastating news, the past where she arrived too late. She wasn’t even there to hold her grandmother’s funeral or witness her final moments.

Bei Sangyun closed her eyes as the resentment from that time, which she thought had been buried with the destruction of the Lin family, was once again rekindled. She had believed those feelings had died the moment her body perished.

Ah, it was truly difficult to forget the past despite her determination to live without seeking meaningless revenge.

Bei Sangyun took a deep breath to calm the turmoil in her heart. She felt like a fuse ready to be lit and explode. freewёbnoνel.com

"Why are you working so hard, Butler Xin?" Bei Sangyun abruptly changed her demeanor and asked in a gentle voice instead.

Butler Xin felt strange. Seeing the little girl who had been laughing before and was on the brink of exploding suddenly stop and shift her expression to a gentle one left him speechless.

Had she truly become insane? Was the pressure too much for her?

Nevertheless, he still answered her.

"It’s for your sake—"

"Don’t tell me it’s for my sake. I know you very well, Butler Xin. I know the secrets you hide under your fake name and the ambitions you harbor."

Butler Xin’s eyes widened as he heard her words.

He attempted to hide the shock in his eyes but failed and stuttered, "What are you saying-"

Bei Sangyun’s fingers trailed Butler Xin’s necktie, and then she yanked it forcefully, tilting his balance. With his ears close to her lips, she whispered in a voice meant solely for them.

"No need for pretenses with me, Lin Wulou. Or should I say, sixth uncle?"

Butler Xin stepped back in horror as he looked back at the young girl. He tried to speak to deny it, but the smile on Bei Sangyun’s face and the deep gaze in her eyes made him unable to utter the words.

It was as if he wasn’t looking at a little girl, but at a big demon who knew his secrets very well.

"As I told you, I know you very well." Bei Sangyun’s smile turned sweeter, "But don’t worry. No one knows about it except me. At least no one knows it yet."

Butler Xin panickedly looked around and saw that the guards looked at him with confused expression, waiting for his signal.

Butler Xin looked back at Bei Sangyun again. The look in his eyes changed. It was no longer angry but cautious.

"I am not sure what you are talking about or where you heard it. A lot of people wanted to sow distrust between us. Don’t believe what other people said. They are fake stories made up by the other heirs to confuse you."

Bei Sangyun couldn’t help but chuckle at Butler Xin’s blatant attempt to deceive her.

Ah. This was really new.

The past Butler Xin wouldn’t dare lie in front of her. But now, he had every guts to do so.

"Hmm...I was originally planning to take it slowly since I want to change. But the sight of you reprimanding me is really rubbing me the wrong way. It brings back bad memories. I’m starting to think a more direct approach might be fitting," Bei Sangyun mused, her fingers tracing her chin contemplatively.

Butler Xin did not know why but the sight of this little girl shaking her head with a crazed smile made him nervous.

This shocked him.

He had never been scared or nervous with anyone before except in front of Old Master Lin!

Butler Xin was angry at the thought that a little girl was making him feel this way. He gestured for the guard to surround the young miss.

"Since you can’t be reasoned out now, we will talk later. For now, let’s return to the Lin mansion. Your father is looking for you."

The guards surrounded Bei Sangyun and held her arms.

"Who are you people? Where are you taking my granddaughter? Let go of her!"

Grandma Bei, who had returned from the restroom, saw that her granddaughter was being surrounded by adult men. She rushed forward and tried to free Bei Sangyun from their grasp, pounding on the arms that held her.

One of the guards grew annoyed and flung his arm to push Grandma Bei away.

Grandma Bei was a small and thin woman. Despite being stronger than most people her age, she couldn’t withstand the strength of a well-built man in his prime. She was thrown to the floor.