Li Mei turned to Bei Sangyun, "I did not threaten him. Do you think Father would allow me to do that? Your grandfather explicitly stated that we should not use any underhanded tricks to compete with one another, and I fully support that."
"Bullshit. Even if you don’t tell me, I’ll find out what happened and make sure to inform the old man."
Li Mei just offered a small smile. "You’re welcome to do so. However, I can’t disclose the details of my agreement with that boy. To be honest, I was quite surprised myself. I didn’t know he was from the Fei family. I must admit, you have a better eye for people than my daughter."
Lin Sunji pouted, still had not moved on from the surprising news. She was similarly taken aback when her mother informed her that the timid, frail-looking Fei Chuan was actually from the renowned Fei family. Fortunately, according to her mother, Fei Chuan was an unfavored young master, so there was no issue there.
Bei Sangyun narrowed her eyes, "So you’ve visited his family, huh?"
Li Mei raised her eyebrows in surprise. She had only revealed a small part of the story, but this girl had already pieced it together. She didn’t say anything more and smiled, "You can ask your classmate if you’re so eager to know."
Li Mei then looked at Bei Sangyun with a touch of pity, "It would be wonderful if our branches had a good relationship. How great it would be if we were on good terms. It’s unfortunate that you have a father who’s been using you and your mother..." She shook her head with pity and gazed gently at Bei Sangyun. "If you ever need a motherly figure, I’m always here. Just reach out if you want advice."
Bei Sangyun squinted her eyes, and some unpleasant memories were stirred by Li Mei’s words. These familiar words had been said to her before by the very same person.
But unlike the past, when she got angry and lost her temper, such provocations no longer had an effect on her.
Well, she had already confronted the harsh realities. She was no longer a child desperate for her father’s approval, only to be used until she reached her limit and turned crazy. Nor was she seeking a mother who had no genuine concern for her and would rather have her child gone than disrupt her current happy life.
Bei Sangyun suppressed the memories triggered by Li Mei’s provocations. She smiled coldly, "I see. Then I will certainly seek you out in the future. I hope you’ll be prepared when that time comes."
****
The school bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Bei Sangyun glanced at the empty seat beside her. She had returned to her usual seat in the last row and had intended to sit beside Fei Chuan. She wanted to ask him about what had happened with Li Mei.
However, Fei Chuan was absent from school today.
During the break, she tried to call him on the phone she had left with him, but it was turned off.
This made Bei Sangyun anxious. So she asked Butler Xin to investigate the recent events involving the Fei family.
The Fei family was a prominent and influential family, much like the Lin family. However, in terms of history and foundation, the Fei family was considered even more superior than the Lin family. If not for the recent fortunes of the current head of the Lin family, they would not have risen to prominence over the past thirty years.
Gaining inside information about the Fei family was still challenging, even with Butler Xin’s capabilities and the Lin family’s influence. Therefore, it took Butler Xin two days to gather information.
On the way to school the next day, Butler Xin reported what his sources had discovered.
"The seventh young master of the Fei family has had the least presence within the family in recent years. His status is akin to being abandoned. He likely relies on the Fei family’s wealth and may end up as a third-rate young master. There is nothing particularly special about him, except that he showed great promise as a child and his late mother was from the Chuan family. However, the Chuan family did not favor this kid.
"But a day ago, Li Mei visited their branch. Our sources couldn’t ascertain her purpose, but after Li Mei left, the Fourth Madame of the Fei family went to see him. Subsequently, he was grounded."
"...Grounded? For how long?"
"Our sources couldn’t provide more details."
Bei Sangyun fell into deep thought.
The Fei family.
She had only started paying attention to this family when Fei Chuan had already ascended to the position of family head. The Fei family’s history was remarkably similar to the Lin family’s.
All members of both families had been expelled and met grim fates once they had rise to their respective position.
By the time she and Fei Chuan had come into conflict, he had already re-established new Fei and Chuan families.
She heard bits and pieces of Fei Chuan’s past in the Fei family whenever the man visited her grave. Based on his stories, it seemed he held the Fourth Madame and his father in the lowest regard.
What could have possibly occurred that led to Fei Chuan being grounded?
Did similar events take place in the past?
Bei Sangyun tried to recall, but she hadn’t paid too much attention to what was happening with Fei Chuan back then. Other than his absence from school for a month, the embarrassment at the homecoming dance, and a few other events, nothing particularly stood out.
Bei Sangyun sighed. Should she visit the Fei family to see how he was doing?
"...Master, is the seventh young master the friend for whom you helped book a hotel back then?"
Butler Xin’s question caught her attention.
"Yes, that’s him."
"So, he’s from the Fei family. Do you have any plans for him? Although he’s unfavored now, he could be a valuable asset in the future. If you bring him to your side and support him, he might have a chance to contend for the Fei family’s inheritance. Plus, he’s a Chuan by blood. Despite his current status, he still carries their bloodline."
"I don’t intend to use him like that."
"Ah? Then why are you interested in him?"
Bei Sangyun glanced out the window. "...It’s something more personal."
Butler Xin: "...?"
Bei Sangyun looked solemn, quite unlike her usual self, which puzzled Butler Xin. The girl who remained unfazed even in front of Old Master Lin now seemed worried.
Butler Xin suddenly had an epiphany.
Could it be... puppy love?