Standing Next To You-Chapter 500: First Branch’s Ending

It did not take long for Chuan Xingyu to crack. When she heard that her punishment would be lessened if she cooperated and provided evidence, she immediately switched sides.

She knew Lin Zhe was already a sinking ship. The only reason she had accepted the additional task was because he had tripled the money, and she thought she wouldn’t be caught. If anyone ever discovered that she was the one who drugged Lin Fei and Lin Sanju, she would already be out of the country, living under a new identity.

Moreover, there was someone Chuan Xingyu feared far more than Lin Zhe’s wrath—someone whose mere presence left no room for hesitation. That fear solidified her decision to confess.

She glanced at the man standing in the corner of the room, behind the interrogator.

Fei Chuan was leaning against the wall, listening to her testimony and confessions.

When the interrogator finished documenting her statement, he stood up and respectfully greeted Fei Chuan. "I’ll be standing outside, sir. Please take your time."

Fei Chuan nodded.

The door closed, leaving Fei Chuan and Chuan Xingyu alone.

Chuan Xingyu noticed the red light on the security cameras had turned off. She swallowed hard.

Although she didn’t know Fei Chuan personally, she could sense the dangerous aura he emanated. He was far more intimidating and ruthless than Lin Zhe. No—Lin Zhe couldn’t even compare to one-tenth of him.

Fei Chuan didn’t sit in the chair but instead perched on the edge of the table. Reaching into his left pocket, he pulled out a cigar. He lit it, and the earthy aroma, with faint notes of whiskey, filled the room. Smoke curled into the air, making Chuan Xingyu even more tense.

She was more nervous now than she had been during the interrogation earlier.

"So... How long have you been working with Lin Zhe?" His deep voice broke the silence.

"F-four years..." Chuan Xingyu stammered.

"And what did you tell Lin Fei about me?"

Chuan Xingyu was taken aback. This question didn’t follow the first one at all. But she still answered, "...Your situation in the Fei and Chuan families back then."

"You were with Lin Fei most of the time. What did he tell Bei Sangyun about me?"

Chuan Xingyu: ??

She couldn’t understand how this was related to the matter. She had thought Fei Chuan would focus on Lin Zhe or perhaps something to do with the Chuan family.

"...I’m not sure. But I remember he was against you before because he thought you wouldn’t be of help to Bei Sangyun in the heir fight."

For the first time, an expression appeared on Fei Chuan’s face. "Oh? What did she say?"

"Uh... I don’t remember. But the two of them fought over it." Chuan Xingyu recalled this vividly because Lin Fei had once invited her to his hotel to drink and vent his frustrations about the matter. But then again, how was this even relevant?

Fei Chuan exhaled a plume of smoke, his expression hidden beneath the haze.

"I see." He stood up, preparing to leave.

Chuan Xingyu was stunned. That’s it?

"You... You’re not going to ask about the Chuan family? Even if I’m a bastard child, I’m still of use to them. I can spy for you." Chuan Xingyu clung to the hope that Fei Chuan might make her an ally and pull her out of this predicament.

Fei Chuan turned slightly, his cold gaze cutting through the smoke like a blade.

"You don’t have to. The Chuan family is like the Fei family to me—both don’t exist."

He continued toward the door, his eyes darkening. He hated the fact that these two family names were still tied to his own name.

But Chuan Xingyu was desperate. "Wait! Don’t leave me! Help me, please!"

The door closed, leaving her alone in the room.

Chuan Xingyu cursed loudly. She glanced at her cuffed hand and thought of the Chuan family. Should she ask them for help?

She gritted her teeth. She didn’t want to rely on the Chuan family, but she had no choice.

.....

With Chuan Xingyu’s confession and the evidence she provided, Lin Zhe was arrested. novelbuddy.cσ๓

When they found him, he was at the shore, attempting to flee the country. He denied all accusations, blaming everything on Chuan Xingyu and claiming he was being framed.

However, a few days later, several recordings and documents they thought had been deleted were presented in court. With such solid evidence in hand, Lin Zhe was convicted of multiple crimes and sentenced to twenty years in prison.

News quickly spread that Lin Zhe was behind Lin Fei’s drug addiction. People were appalled by how cruel he had been, even drugging his own cousin and dragging the Lin family’s name into disgrace.

Inside the Lin mansion, Old Master Lin, who had grown visibly thinner from stress in recent days, leaned weakly in his chair. His cold gaze fell upon the first branch of the family.

"I can’t believe I’ve housed a vulgar snake for so many years. How did you even raise such a son?"

Lin Baozhi and his wife, Ye Qiao, did not dare to lift their heads. The other members of the Lin family stared at them with blame and condemnation in their eyes.

Old Master Lin gritted his teeth. "I should have thrown him in prison when it was first discovered that he schemed against Lin Sanju. I can’t believe that vile person nearly became the elder of this family! But what I cannot forgive the most is the disgrace he has brought upon our family name. Lin Zhe has tarnished not only my hard work but that of all the previous heads of this family—just for his greed and ambition!"

He pointed an angry finger at Lin Baozhi. "From now on, you two are no longer welcome in this family. I have no eldest son. I will ensure that you get nothing!"

"Father!" Lin Baozhi dropped to his knees, and Ye Qiao followed, tears streaming down her face. "We didn’t know Lin Zhe drugged Lin Fei or that he intended to involve the entire family. If we had known, we would have stopped him! Please, Father, believe me! How could I ever participate in destroying our own family?"

"It doesn’t matter whether you participated or not. You failed as a father. You should have disciplined and taught him better—taught him never to resort to such vile methods!"

"Then we’ll leave the capital! But please, let us take the money we’ve worked hard for over the years..." Lin Baozhi pleaded.

All the hidden money they had saved had been taken by Lin Zhe to fund his new business. When Lin Zhe was arrested, those hidden accounts and properties, which had been registered under other people’s names, were magically uncovered by the police.

Everything was confiscated. The assets had been obtained illegally, so Lin Baozhi and Ye Qiao had no choice but to watch, heartbroken, as their wealth was taken away.

Now, if Old Master Lin refused to let them leave with anything, they would have nothing. How could they survive?

Lin Baozhi cried and begged, but Old Master Lin was truly enraged this time. He instructed the security guards to drag Lin Baozhi and his wife out of the Lin mansion with nothing but the clothes on their backs.