Standing Next To You-Chapter 526: The stolen fate II

"Wow, you are so pretty! I didn’t know there was such a beautiful person in this village." The young woman’s eyes sparkled as she looked at Bei Xingyun. "I think we’re around the same age. I’m Chuan Yinji. I hope we can be friends."

Chuan Yinji offered her hand to Bei Xingyun with a sweet smile.

Bei Xingyun was startled. She hadn’t expected such a beautiful woman to compliment her looks.

"...Thank you. You’re pretty too," Bei Xingyun replied, embarrassed. But her negative feelings toward this person lessened significantly.

That day, Bei Xingyun took Chuan Yinji to the most beautiful places near River Village. They visited the riverside, climbed to the top of the mountain, explored the forest, and admired the waterfalls.

In the following days, Bei Xingyun became Chuan Yinji’s guide. During their time together, she realized that Chuan Yinji was not only beautiful on the outside but also had a kind and gentle personality. She was humble and warmhearted.

Chuan Yinji treated her like a sister. Despite her own insecurities and jealousy, Bei Xingyun couldn’t help but grow attached to her.

Chuan Yinji spent most of her time in River Village with Bei Xingyun, and the two became close friends.

However, their time together was soon coming to an end.

Chuan Yinji was a free spirit—no place could hold her down, not even the Capital. She traveled across the country, sightseeing and gathering inspiration for her art. She had originally planned to stay for only three days, but after befriending Bei Xingyun, her visit extended to a week.

Although their time together was short, the friendship they formed was precious. Despite their differences, Chuan Yinji felt as if she had found a sister in Bei Xingyun.

Before she left, Chuan Yinji asked Bei Xingyun if she wanted to come with her.

"River Village is beautiful. However, the world is vast, and there are so many breathtaking places still waiting to be discovered. This place... it will only hold you back. I know you have a wild spirit within you. Do you want to come with me and explore? I’ll take you to the Capital."

Bei Xingyun had never been to the Capital. She had only heard stories from Chuan Yinji. She was curious, and a part of her agreed—if she stayed in River Village, she would remain trapped there forever.

She wanted to see the world. She wanted to be like Chuan Yinji—beautiful, refined, and gentle.

So she agreed. Even against Grandma Bei’s disapproval, she left River Village with Chuan Yinji.

For months, they traveled together—visiting places, meeting different kinds of people, and experiencing new cultures.

But above all, the most remarkable experience was the life in the Capital—the life of the elites.

Chandeliers, expensive dresses, beautiful people, lavish feasts, and sparkling jewels.

Bei Xingyun felt like she had been reborn. She saw things she had never seen before. Her worldview expanded, and she began to understand the nuances of status, something she had once perceived in simple black and white. She slowly learned—both the good and the bad.

However, even though the Capital was the most exciting and remarkable place she had ever been, it did not welcome her.

To everyone else, she was merely "Chuan Yinji’s maid"—uncultured and unrefined.

The beautiful people she longed to befriend looked at her with scorn and disdain. She overheard their whispers:

"Why does Chuan Yinji treat this lowly maid as her friend? She must be out of her mind."

The insecurities she had tried to suppress were suddenly dragged to the surface, laid bare for all to see.

She couldn’t help but look down on her own origins.

So she changed, trying to fit on the standards of the Capital. She began to reform her appearance to her personality.

She used countless whitening products on her skin, let down her hair, and curled the ends. She applied a simple blush and moved as softly and gracefully as possible.

She began to imitate the Madames and young ladies she observed—their manners, their poise, their refined demeanor. But the one she admired most, the one she sought to emulate above all, was Chuan Yinji’s gentle and elegant presence.

Maybe this way, people would see her differently.

One day, after spending enough time indulging in the Capital’s luxuries, Chuan Yinji decided to visit a mountain filled with monks and temples.

When she saw Bei Xingyun dressed in a flowing white gown, her makeup subtle and refined, she was taken aback.

"We’re going to the mountains. Are you really going to wear that?" she asked in surprise. She, on the other hand, was dressed in proper hiking gear.

"It’s fine. I used to walk two mountains every day just to get to town. This is nothing."

They arrived at the top of the mountain, where rows of temples stood in solemn tranquility. In each temple, monks sat in deep meditation.

Bei Xingyun fanned her face, worried that her makeup would melt under the heat. She glanced at Chuan Yinji, who had already run excitedly toward the first temple she saw.

She really couldn’t understand why Chuan Yinji liked places like this—boring, exhausting, and devoid of luxury. The Capital, with all its marvels and comforts, was far more appealing.

If it were me, I would have stayed in the Capital—networking, building connections, and securing my place in high society. Not wasting time playing around like this.

The two visited each temple, offering prayers, lighting incense, and meeting monks. Some performed divinations for them, reading their fates and blessing them with good health and fortune. Every monk they met spoke of Chuan Yinji’s bright destiny, saying she was meant for greatness and would live a long and prosperous life.

Bei Xingyun couldn’t help but compare them to the old man in town who sat at his booth, taking money in exchange for vague fortunes. He repeated the same things to every customer, telling them what they wanted to hear.

But everything changed when they reached the innermost temple.