Standing Next To You-Chapter 408: Am I a joke to you?

"How can I take full advantage of it?" Bei Sangyun asked, her eyes glinting with anticipation. Did Maid Ye Zhai know of ways to make Fei Chuan love her more, and perhaps bind him to her forever?

Although the current Fei Chuan was more romantic and affectionate than ever, Bei Sangyun wouldn’t turn down anything that might help ensure her relationship with him remained strong and everlasting.

"Young Miss, I don’t doubt your love, but I can’t say the same for your partner’s feelings. I’ve seen many couples deeply in love only to break up later. I assume you want him to be your endgame, right?"

"Endgame..." Bei Sangyun was unfamiliar with the slang that most people used nowadays. She wondered where Maid Ye Zhai had picked it up. "I only want Fei Chuan to be my boyfriend now and my husband in the future. My mind won’t change, I assure you."

"I thought so. You’re the type who either loves one person deeply or doesn’t love at all," Bei Sangyun nodded in agreement with Maid Ye Zhai’s opinion of her.

"I haven’t met this man personally, so I can’t get a good read on him. But since you’re more invested in this relationship, if you two break up, you’ll suffer the most. So it’s best to make sure he’s just as invested as you are," Maid Ye Zhai’s eyes glinted. "Make him love you as much as you love him, so he won’t dare break up with you."

Bei Sangyun blinked. She had never considered who loved more in their relationship. Perhaps it was because she had witnessed how Fei Chuan had stood by her side for so many years in her previous life that she only thought of repaying him by treating him well.

When she fell in love with him, she resolved to love him unconditionally.

Bei Sangyun hesitated. "...Does it really have to be that way? I don’t mind loving him more. I’m willing to invest and endure any losses."

Maid Ye Zhai was silent for a moment, observing Bei Sangyun’s expression. The Young Miss wasn’t joking—she was sincere.

Maid Ye Zhai’s usually composed face cracked slightly. Her brows furrowed. "...You’re in too deep, Young Miss."

This spells trouble.

Although Maid Ye Zhai had been listening to Bei Sangyun’s stories and supporting her, it was because it was the first time the Young Miss had expressed her feelings and pursued what she truly wanted.

But good things never last. The Young Miss and that boy were still young. Though they loved each other now, as they grew and their worlds expanded, there would inevitably be misunderstandings, fights, and perhaps even separation.

And usually, the one who loved more was the one who suffered the most.

She didn’t want the Young Miss, who had finally found her smile, to have her heart completely broken when that time came.

"...Then, you need to do everything you can to keep this relationship strong, Young Miss." Maid Ye Zhai resolved to provide her best advice. "There are two ways to keep him. First, get pregnant. Although, I don’t recommend it."

Bei Sangyun nodded, seriously considering the suggestion. If the time ever came when Fei Chuan suddenly wanted to leave their relationship, she might consider this move. However, she didn’t want to use this tactic unless absolutely necessary. If she ever had a child in the future, she wanted it to be a product of their love.

So this... would be a last resort.

"As for the second and most probable method, make him desire you."

"...Desire me?"

"Yes, men often have strong instincts when it comes to that area. Tempt him, but don’t give him everything. Keep him wanting more, keep him unsatisfied. You have to keep him playing in the palm of your hand. Studies suggest that men tend to stay longer in relationships and value their partners more when their partner remains somewhat unattainable. It fuels their desire to conquer."

Bei Sangyun thought about it, but she felt that Fei Chuan wasn’t like other men. And besides, between the two of them, it was Fei Chuan who was ’unattainable’.

"...Is there a third option? I don’t think this will work. I can’t control my urges when it comes to him. He’s too irresistible." The last time they kissed, she was the one who wanted to continue, while Fei Chuan was able to stop himself. He seemed perfectly fine.

Maid Ye Zhai: "...."

Maid Ye Zhai pondered the matter, but before she could respond, Lin Ginxian’s personal butler suddenly knocked on the door.

"Young Miss, the master wishes to see you."

Bei Sangyun glanced at Maid Ye Zhai. "Let’s continue this conversation later."

Maid Ye Zhai nodded, deciding to research more on the subject during her break.

But unbeknownst to them, fate was already weaving cruel tricks that would catch them completely unprepared.

....

In the silent study room, Lin Ginxian stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, his expression blank as his thoughts wandered.

There was a knock on the door. His personal butler led Bei Sangyun inside.

Lin Ginxian straightened up and awkwardly gestured for Bei Sangyun to take a seat.

"Please prepare tea for us, Butler Dan."

"Yes, Master." Butler Dan left the room, leaving the two alone.

The study room plunged into silence.

Unlike Lin Ginxian, who was feeling restless and awkward, Bei Sangyun sat leisurely. She looked him in the eye, waiting for him to speak first.

Lin Ginxian felt her gaze and grew even more uneasy. He wished Butler Dan would hurry and bring the tea to ease his nerves.

"...I heard you’re staying somewhere else." He started awkwardly.

"Yes, I’ve been staying there for a while now, and I might continue doing so," Bei Sangyun answered.

Lin Ginxian opened his mouth to say something, but then hesitated.

When he had arrived at the Lin mansion early that morning, his father had summoned him.

Old Master Lin had spoken about his daughter’s current living situation, hinting that Lin Ginxian should persuade Bei Sangyun to stay at the Lin mansion instead of in a house with that boy from the Fei family.

Lin Ginxian was also against Bei Sangyun living under the same roof as that boy, but if his father, the head of the family, couldn’t change her mind, then there was no way Bei Sangyun would listen to him.

He sighed. "You know how other people perceive it. I hope you have plans to handle that." He could only advise her to be cautious.

"Of course. Fei Chuan and I aren’t ordinary kids. We know what we’re doing. Besides, we’re not alone in the house. His grandmother is staying there too. Anyway—" Bei Sangyun glanced at him. "You didn’t call me here just to talk about that, did you?"

Lin Ginxian felt awkward again. After his daughter saved the third branch of the family, Lin Ginxian could no longer see her as the naïve, obedient girl he had brought from the countryside.

She was someone who had given him the key to counterattack the first branch. Without her, Lin Ginxian knew the third branch would have been absorbed by now, and he would have been ousted from the Lin family.

This event made him realize his own shortcomings and just how formidable his daughter had become. In ways he hadn’t noticed, his daughter had grown far more than he had realized. She had become someone who couldn’t be chained down.

It was shameful, but he had to admit Bei Sangyun’s abilities.

In the past few days, Lin Ginxian’s mind had reconstructed itself over and over again. Through painful realizations, he had come to accept things he couldn’t have imagined considering before.

And now, facing his daughter again, he felt strange. It was as if he was meeting her for the first time.

"I... t-the information you gave... was useful."

Bei Sangyun nodded. "Of course it was useful. Anything else?"

"...I..." Lin Ginxian stammered, growing more awkward. "...I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to do anymore."

As he spoke those words, the gripping tension in his heart slowly began to ease. Starting was hard, but once he managed to say the most embarrassing words, the rest came out with less difficulty.

Lin Ginxian took a deep breath. "You’re more effective when you’re allowed to do what you want. I won’t stop you from going back to your grandmother. I... am impressed with your abilities. Keep up the good work." freewёbnoνel.com

Bei Sangyun fell silent. The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Lin Ginxian glanced at her, but there was no joy or surprise on her face.

Her blank expression made Lin Ginxian suddenly nervous. Had he said something wrong? But he was giving her freedom and even complimenting her—

"Lin Ginxian, am I a joke to you?" Bei Sangyun’s cold gaze pierced through his heart.

"You abandoned your daughter and never even considered bringing her back until the inheritance came into the picture. You took on the responsibility as her father, but all you gave her was a heap of burdens and pressure. You never once treated her with affection. And when she does a great job, the only thing you offer are those empty words of ’keep up the good work.’"

Bei Sangyun’s tone grew heavy. "I didn’t give you that information and strategy to hear those words from you. I’m no longer the child who craved your approval. So don’t play that card on me. It’s disgusting."

Lin Ginxian’s so-called ’compliment’ only reminded her of how foolish she had been in the past. It was as if the remorse, regret, and disappointment that little girl had buried deep in her heart were dug up and displayed for her to see.

Bei Sangyun stood up, unwilling to listen to him any longer or hear about his decision. She felt like a fool for coming here.

What had she even been expecting?

It was enough that she had given him a chance. If he wanted to jump into the fire and provoke her further, she wouldn’t show him any mercy. This would be the last time.

"Since you’ve seen what I’m capable of, don’t dare stand in my way again. If you do, I promise you I won’t touch the third branch."

Bei Sangyun left just as Butler Dan arrived with the tea.

Lin Ginxian stood as well, but he couldn’t find the words to stop her.