Standing Next To You-Chapter 323: An Affair?

Twenty minutes ago.

Bei Sangyun sat in her study, poring over the reports from the spies she had dispatched to track Lin Zhe.

Lin Fei hadn’t lied; Lin Zhe had indeed taken a flight two days earlier. However, instead of heading straight home, he hid somewhere within the country. With how discreet his movements were, he was likely investigating matters related to the fourth branch.

Since the first branch was quiet about Lin Zhe’s arrival, they must be plotting something.

Bei Sangyun considered the possibility that Lin Zhe might link the sudden changes in the fourth branch to the third branch.

Lin Zhe was meticulous, adept at sniffing out loopholes in people’s schemes. There was no doubt that he would have noticed by now that the fourth branch wasn’t acting independently.

But with Lin Fei acting as a shield, there was still time before Lin Zhe figured it all out.

Bei Sangyun tapped her fingers on the table, contemplating her next move. How could she exploit this situation?

Just then, a knock interrupted her thoughts. She looked up to find Jang Shin standing there.

"May I join you?" Jang Shin asked.

Bei Sangyun glanced at the few empty tables beside her and frowned. "No."

Undeterred, Jang Shin continued, "I actually need to discuss something with you."

"You can just say it to me," Bei Sangyun replied curtly, showing no intention of inviting Jang Shin to sit.

Jang Shin leaned in, lowering her voice. "It’s about Fei Chuan. My friend’s brother knows Fei Chuan’s cousin, and it seems the cousin has been asking around about him."

Bei Sangyun’s interest was piqued. She sat up straight, "Tell me more."

According to Jang Shin, his friend’s brother has asked for a favor—to inquire about specific details regarding Fei Chuan’s current situation at school.

Jang Shin’s friend assists his brother by gathering the posts from online forums- which consisted of the bullying and the ’coward’ image of Fei Chuan.

"At that time," Jang Shin continued, "no one knew he was part of the Fei family. And Fei Chuan, back then, was widely known as the school’s loser."

Bei Sangyun narrowed her eyes at him.

Jang Shin defended himself, "That was the situation a while back. Anyway, my friend didn’t share this with me until yesterday."

"Why now?" Bei Sangyun pressed.

"It’s because...his brother is asking the same thing again. But this time, it’s a much more difficult favor."

"What kind of favor?"

Jang Shin hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Fei Chuan’s cousin seems to have placed a tail on him. He’s well-informed about Fei Chuan’s current situation and wants my friend to tarnish Fei Chuan’s reputation—by any means necessary."

Bei Sangyun’s eyes darkened.

Jang Shin quickly added, "Don’t worry. My friend knows he’ll be in trouble if he actually goes through with it. He’s caught between a rock and a hard place. Offending Fei Chuan’s cousin isn’t an option, but he can’t risk offending you either."

Bei Sangyun scoffed, "So between that person and me, you chose me. I’m quite flattered."

Jang Shin shrugged, his gaze unwavering. "We’ve witnessed how you rule the school. I trust you’re more capable than some random person. Anyway, since I’ve shared this with you, I assume you have ways to handle it."

"Yeah," Bei Sangyun replied, her sharp eyes fixed on him. "You don’t need to worry. I have my methods. But did you really come here just for that?"

She had met different kinds of people, but they all have similarities. Whenever a person came to her and revealed such a card to her, they did this not only for their own survival but because they wanted something more.

Jang Shin paused. He stared into her eyes. For some reason, he felt that Bei Sangyun was looking straight at him, gazing into his heart.

"I am just wondering if I did this, I might earn some brownie points from you. After all, you and Fei Chuan have not yet set your relationship in stone," Jang Shin said.

Bei Sangyun blinked in surprise. She thought Jang Shin wanted something more materialistic like connections and power. But...he was greedier than she thought.

Wait.

’My relationship with Fei Chuan?’

Bei Sangyun paused and panicked inside. How did Jang Shin know? She and Fei Chuan had just started being a couple yesterday.

Bei Sangyun took a gulp of her drink to hide her panic.

She then faced Jang Shin with a poker face, "I don’t know why you assumed that. Fei Chuan and I are not...not in a relationship. Anyway, it will be impossible to get those brownie points from me. But if you are talking about being my subordinate, I might consider taking you in."

At that moment, the door of the coffee shop opened. Jang Shin looked up and happened to meet Fei Chuan’s surprised eyes, only to see them darken.

Jang Shin glanced at Bei Sangyun, who was oblivious to Fei Chuan’s arrival.

An opportunity.

Jang Shin’s eyes gleamed. "You’ll take me in? Then I must keep working harder. Since you two aren’t a couple, I will take it as I still stand a chance."

Jang Shin took out a business card from his coat pocket. "I just made this yesterday. My number is here. You can message me or call me if you need me." He leaned closer to Bei Sangyun. "It will be better if we keep each other updated about what we talked about."

Bei Sangyun was about to pick up the card when a hand snatched it before her.

Fei Chuan ripped the card. "She won’t be needing this."

Bei Sangyun was stunned. Her poker face suddenly lit up. "The meeting is over?"

Fei Chuan glanced at her. Seeing her smiling face, he felt annoyed in his heart. Was she also smiling like this towards this guy?

"Just finished. Why is this guy here?"

"Oh. He came to me to tell--"

"I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell him about it, Sangyun," Jang Shin interrupted Bei Sangyun. "After all, it might be a sensitive topic for him."

Bei Sangyun: "..." Did he just cut her off?

Bei Sangyun disliked Jang Shin interrupting her. However, he has a point.

This was a family matter for Fei Chuan. These were the things that he was keeping to himself. Although Bei Sangyun would like to help and handle this matter for him, Fei Chuan might not like it.

So Bei Sangyun did not continue her words.

Fei Chuan’s face darkened even more.

’Sangyun?’

He glanced at the two back and forth.

It was obvious these two were keeping a secret from him.

And it was... utterly disturbing him.

Bei Sangyun tugged at his sleeve, "It’s nothing important. I am also done with what I am doing. Let’s leave."

Fei Chuan took a deep breath and tried to erase his petty thoughts.

So what if they are keeping a secret? It mustn’t be like what he thought. He could not misunderstand this and act petty like those adults who made mistakes after mistakes.

Fei Chuan gave a final glare at Jang Shin and took Bei Sangyun’s hand to leave with her.

Bei Sangyun was startled and looked at their clasped hands.

But at this moment, Jang Shin spoke.

"For someone who isn’t in a relationship, you hold her hand too casually."

Fei Chuan paused in his steps. He turned around while still holding Bei Sangyun’s hand, "Who said we aren’t in a relationship?" He raised their clasped hands, "You should get your eyes checked. You can’t even see something obvious."

Bei Sangyun: !

"And don’t call other people’s girlfriends’ names intimately. If you don’t want to be mistaken for hitting on my girlfriend," Fei Chuan added coldly.

.....

Fei Chuan was still holding Bei Sangyun’s hands. They were now several blocks away from the coffee shop, but Fei Chuan hadn’t stopped walking.

Bei Sangyun glanced at his back. Fei Chuan seemed really angry.

But why? Was it because of Jang Shin?

And...

Bei Sangyun gazed at their clasped hands. Why did he reveal their relationship earlier? Didn’t he want it to keep it a secret?

"He might talk," Bei Sangyun broke the silence between them.

Fei Chuan finally stopped in his tracks. He turned around to face her.

"Can I know what you two are talking about?" Fei Chuan asked.

Bei Sangyun paused. Fei Chuan was asking nicely, although the look on his face said he wouldn’t be taking no for an answer.

She scratched her head, "Uhm....I am not sure if you’re going to like it." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓

Fei Chuan’s heart skipped a beat. His petty thoughts arise again.

’Are they really...?’

Just thinking about it, his chest began to feel heavy.

"Please don’t get angry," Bei Sangyun added.

Fei Chuan’s eyes widened, "It’s only day 2 and yet you-" -already having an affair!

"It’s about your cousin, Fei Min."

The two spoke at the same time.

Bei Sangyun blinked. "Day 2 of what...?" Then her eyes widened in realization. "Y-you can’t be thinking that I am--"

"Fei Min?" Fei Chuan was equally startled. How did Fei Min get involved in the conversation?

Bei Sangyun grabbed Fei Chuan’s collar, "Did you just think I am cheating on you?!"

Fei Chuan avoided her gaze and pretended to count the trees on the roadside.