Standing Next To You-Chapter 525: The stolen fate

Bei Sangyun now sat across from Bei Xingyun, meeting her gaze.

In this moment, she didn’t feel an ounce of blame or anger toward the woman in front of her. Seeing her now made Bei Sangyun realize just how much she had changed.

With a small nod, she said, "You have my word. I won’t bring harm to your family."

Bei Xingyun froze, startled by the unexpected response. She had braced herself for rejection, for having to beg and plead further. "...You mean it?" she asked hesitantly, as if afraid to believe it. Then, realizing how foolish she might sound, she quickly rephrased, "I mean, I would understand if you blame me—"

Bei Sangyun cut her off, finishing the last sip of her coffee before setting the cup down. "Yeah," she said simply. Her tone was calm, almost indifferent, as though the decision had cost her nothing.

"But there’s a question I’d like to ask." She leaned back slightly, her gaze steady. "I wouldn’t have known you existed if you hadn’t come here. Even if you saw me on the news, you could’ve just pretended you didn’t. Then I wouldn’t have had a reason to take revenge on you or harm your family in any way."

If Bei Xingyun hadn’t come to her in the past, then her husband’s company wouldn’t have suffered. They wouldn’t have had to sell their business and live the rest of their lives in simplicity. None of it would happen if she remained silent.

Bei Xingyun was taken aback by the question. She lowered her gaze, hesitating. Bei Sangyun’s calm demeanor gave her the courage to be honest.

She finally answered, her voice soft, "Because sooner or later, my husband might have found out about my past. When I saw you on the news, I knew it wouldn’t be the last time. A part of me was terrified that you’d suddenly appear at my doorstep and ruin everything. I thought... before you decided to make me pay, I should come and ask for forgiveness. Even if the chance was slim, I hoped you’d understand."

Her voice cracked as she covered her face. "But you’re so understanding. I’m so sorry for ever thinking that way."

Bei Sangyun fell into deep thought. So that was the reason. In the end, she had indeed appeared and ruined their lives. But that wasn’t going to happen this time.

"Just be honest," Bei Sangyun said suddenly.

Bei Xingyun looked up, surprised.

"Just tell your husband about your past. I’m sure he’ll accept you," Bei Sangyun continued. Rising to her feet, she added, "If there’s nothing else, I’d like to leave."

"Wait," Bei Xingyun stopped her. "There’s one more reason I asked to meet you."

Bei Sangyun paused, waiting.

"Uhm... about you and Fei Chuan... are you two just friends?"

A flicker of emotion broke through Bei Sangyun’s otherwise expressionless face. "Why are you asking?"

Bei Xingyun bit her lip, hesitating. "I wanted to know. I don’t know if your grandmother ever told you this, but Fei Chuan’s mother and I used to be friends. It was his mother who brought me to the Capital."

Bei Sangyun blinked in surprise. This was new information to her. She had only ever heard from Grandma Bei that Bei Xingyun had been recruited by the Chuan family and then brought to the Capital. Later, she had left the Chuan family to work under the Lin family.

This was the first time she was hearing that Bei Xingyun and Fei Chuan’s mother had close relationship.

"...I don’t think it’s any of your business whether Fei Chuan and I are just friends or not," she answered coldly. Bei Sangyun had decided not to pursue revenge against Bei Xingyun for abandoning her as a child, but that didn’t mean she was ready to be friendly toward her.

Bei Xingyun’s expression grew concerned.

"I know I don’t have a say in it," she admitted. "And there’s nothing wrong if the two of you are friends. Actually, my husband knows a lot of people in the business world. There are many bachelors—"

Bei Sangyun raised her hand to stop her, her tone sharp. "What are you implying?"

Bei Xingyun hesitated before continuing, "...You’re at the age to date and marry. I could introduce you to someone. It’s something a mother should do. I know I’ve been absent from your life all these years, and I can’t acknowledge you as my daughter at this moment, but I want to help in any way I can."

"No need," Bei Sangyun rejected her offer immediately. Her voice was firm. "I’ve already set my eyes on someone."

Bei Xingyun’s eyes widened in surprise. "You have?" She stared at Bei Sangyun, waiting for her to elaborate. But as she observed the younger woman’s steady gaze, realization suddenly struck her. Bei Xingyun’s eyes grew even wider. "...Is it Fei Chuan?"

Bei Sangyun didn’t confirm or deny it. "As I said, it’s none of your business."

Panic flashed across Bei Xingyun’s face as she suddenly grabbed Bei Sangyun’s arm. Her voice trembled. "You can’t. Not him."

Bei Sangyun’s expression darkened, and she immediately shook off Bei Xingyun’s hold. Her tone grew icy. "You said yourself you don’t have a say in my life. Whether I choose him or not doesn’t concern you."

Of all things, she hadn’t expected Bei Xingyun’s first response after hearing that she likes Fei Chuan would be so adamantly against it.

She hated these words: Can’t, Not him.

"No. Please, listen to me," Bei Xingyun pleaded desperately, her voice growing louder. "You and Fei Chuan aren’t possible. One of you... either one of you will die!"

Her sudden outburst drew the attention of nearby patrons in the coffee shop. Curious glances turned toward them, but Bei Sangyun hardly noticed.

Bei Sangyun paused, her gaze sharpening. If anyone else had heard Bei Xingyun’s words, they might have thought she was crazy.

However, Bei Sangyun had encountered far too many strange things in her life to dismiss them so easily. Her curiosity was piqued.

She slowly sat back down in her seat. "Why are you saying this?"

Bei Xingyun hesitated, then sat down as well, looking visibly troubled. "...You might not believe me. And this is difficult to explain..."

"Try me." Bei Sangyun insisted.

Bei Xingyun met her unwavering gaze. Seeing that she was ready to listen that she herself find to believe, her courage grew more. Perhaps, she might be able to let out the secret she could only keep to herself. "Have you heard of stolen fate?"

A flicker of confusion passed over Bei Sangyun’s face.

Bei Xingyun nodded, as if expecting her disbelief. "You probably haven’t heard of it, but such things exist. At first, I didn’t believe in it either. But when things click into places, you’ll have no choice but to believe it."

Bei Sangyun knew exactly how that it feels. "What exactly is it, and why are you saying Fei Chuan and I are impossible?"

Bei Xingyun clenched her fists tightly, her expression torn. She seemed to be battling with herself, deliberating whether to continue.

Finally, she closed her eyes, and a painful expression flashed across her face. "...I believe I stole my friend’s fate."

....

Bei Xingyun’s life had always been difficult. Her father had passed away, leaving her with a mother who possessed a difficult personality, which only made their lives harder. Her mother, unable to socialize and rarely seen smiling, was viewed unfavorably by the villagers. After all, she had neither a husband nor a son, which made her an object of gossip and disdain.

Growing up, Bei Xingyun faced countless hardships.

Fortunately, she had been blessed with good looks. Her youthful, pretty face earned her the title of the village flower, and the young men in the area often tried to court her. They showered her with gifts, helped with her chores, and treated her with kindness.

At one point, she even planned to marry the son of the village chief, who was among her suitors. She saw marriage as her only way to escape her difficult life and secure a better future.

But that title of "village flower" was taken from her the moment a young, breathtakingly beautiful woman arrived in the village.

The newcomer was like a fairy descending to earth, with her fair skin, delicate features, silky black hair, and a flowing dress that seemed to dance in the wind.

Every man in the village fell for her at first sight. However, knowing she was beyond their reach, they didn’t dare approach her. Even the women couldn’t help but admire her beauty and elegance.

As for Bei Xingyun, she was consumed by a deep sense of jealousy. She couldn’t stop comparing herself to the mysterious young woman. Her tan skin seemed dull next to the stranger’s porcelain complexion, her rough, calloused hands a far cry from the woman’s delicate ones. Her dry, brittle hair was nothing like the other’s shiny, flowing black locks.

What stung most of all was the woman’s gentle, refined demeanor, which set her apart from any woman in the village. freeweɓnovel.cѳm

Then, one day, the beautiful stranger requested an escort to show her around the village and specifically demanded a female companion. By coincidence—or perhaps fate—Bei Xingyun was the only one who could meet the young lady’s standards.