Standing Next To You-Chapter 530: What he truly feels

"...I know this sounds crazy. But there’s nothing wrong with believing in the monk’s words, right?" Bei Xingyun did not fully disclose everything to Bei Sangyun, leaving out the part where she had stolen Chuan Yinji’s life as Emily.

"Two dragons cannot live under the same sky..." Bei Sangyun muttered. That was what the monk had told her as well. She glanced at Bei Xingyun. "Did that monk tell you anything else?"

"Uhm..." Bei Xingyun avoided her gaze. "...Aside from those cryptic words, he was just adamant that you two must never meet."

"This monk... which temple is he at? I want to meet him."

"....He died. Ten years ago."

Bei Sangyun was stunned.

Bei Xingyun suddenly remembered something. "Ah, right. He mentioned a myth—the cry of a mermaid." She still recalled it because, after that conversation, she had tried to research the myth.

However, her resources were limited, and she only found a few stories about mermaids. And she doesn’t think any of those stories were true. Those fantasy tales didn’t seem relevant to her situation at all. She never understood why the monk had brought it up.

Bei Xingyun paused. The cry of a mermaid...

Why did it sound so familiar?

"Did he mention anything else?"

"...That’s all. I believe he had his reasons for saying it." Bei Xingyun looked at her. "He told me you would understand if I told you. Although I don’t understand what he meant by that."

Bei Sangyun’s hands curled into fists. That old monk and the other monk had said the same thing. Both of them had warned against her and Fei Chuan meeting.

"...Still, give me the address. I want to visit that temple."

Bei Xingyun gave her the temple’s address. As Bei Sangyun stood up, Bei Xingyun quickly followed.

"I... I am truly sorry I couldn’t be there for you," Bei Xingyun said hurriedly, biting her lip. "I’m grateful you agreed to meet me today."

"Your story... there’s a lot you haven’t told me, right? I won’t ask for the full truth. But I’d appreciate it if you didn’t hold back any information about me and Fei Chuan. It might be of great help."

Bei Xingyun shut her mouth. She lowered her head, maintaining her silence.

Bei Sangyun smirked. "In the end, you’re still the same." Selfish and greedy.

But... would it be so wrong to be greedy for a comfortable, happy life?

Bei Sangyun left the coffee shop. She couldn’t blame her at all. After all, she, too, was being selfish and greedy.

She also longed for a happy and comfortable life with Fei Chuan, even if the heavens seemed to be against it.

.....

That night, heavy rain poured down. Flashes of lightning illuminated the stormy sky.

Bei Sangyun held a glass of wine as she gazed out at the darkened world. Bei Xingyun’s story had not helped at all. If anything, it only made her heart feel heavier. Once again, people kept telling her they couldn’t be together.

Was it really too much to ask—to simply be with him? To live happily, in good health, for the rest of her life by his side?

Bei Sangyun suddenly missed Fei Chuan.

She picked up her phone and dialed his number. It rang twice before he answered.

"Hello?"

Hearing his deep voice, the storm inside her heart quieted. Bei Sangyun leaned against the pillar, watching the rain pour down in heavy sheets.

The desolate night suddenly felt serene, simply because she was talking to him.

"Hey. Did I disturb you?"

"No, you didn’t. I was actually waiting for your call."

Bei Sangyun smiled. "You were?"

"You always call around this time. So I was just lying in bed after taking a shower."

"I see. All freshened up. I wish I could see you." She teased.

The other end of the line went silent. Bei Sangyun chuckled. She could almost picture Fei Chuan’s speechless expression.

"Did you visit the Chuan family today?"

"....Yes."

"It must have been hard. I wish I could have gone with you."

"It’s alright. It was something I needed to resolve on my own."

"That’s something I truly admire about you, Fei Chuan. You’re brave. Much more courageous than I am. And kind..."

Fei Chuan was silent.

A flash of lightning streaked across the sky.

"...You think too highly of me, Bei Sangyun. I’m just a normal man."

Bei Sangyun looked up at the dark horizon. "To me, you are like a beacon of light that appeared in the darkness. I hope your light never fades."

There was a brief silence on the other end.

On the other side, Fei Chuan stepped onto his balcony. He remembered Bei Sangyun once saying that she liked staying outside at night. From the phone, he could hear the rumbling thunder in the distance. She was probably standing on her balcony, facing the cold wind.

"...Did something happen today?" Fei Chuan’s gentle voice came through the phone.

Bei Sangyun closed her eyes, as if trying to draw warmth and courage from him. "...I just miss you."

Fei Chuan, who had been in the middle of opening his balcony door, froze in place.

Bei Sangyun opened her eyes. "Are you free tomorrow? There’s something I have to tell you." She hesitated, then bit her lip. "...I want to see you."

Fei Chuan’s jaw tightened. He pushed the balcony door open. At that moment, another flash of lightning lit up the night, followed by a deafening clap of thunder.

The sound echoed through both of their phones.

"...Sure. I also have something to tell you." Fei Chuan’s voice was steady, but his expression remained hidden in the darkness after the lightning faded.

.....

The rain continued to fall the next day. On the TV, the newscaster reported an impending turbulent storm approaching Country C.

Grandma Bei, having recovered, was eating breakfast while watching the news. When she saw Bei Sangyun preparing to leave, she hurriedly asked, "Where are you going?"

"Fei Chuan and I agreed to meet."

Grandma Bei glanced at the rain, which showed no signs of stopping. "Why don’t you two stay at the villa instead? The news says the storm is about to hit, and the rain will get even heavier." fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com

Bei Sangyun also looked at the sky outside. She had planned to take Fei Chuan to the mountain by helicopter, but with this weather, that would be impossible.

She checked her watch. There was still plenty of time. According to the forecast, there would be a brief sunny period after the rain before it returned in full force tonight.

She decided to wait.

Sitting down, she ate breakfast with Grandma Bei. She noticed her grandmother sneaking glances at her, clearly wanting to say something. Bei Sangyun smiled at her almost childlike behavior.

"We talked for a long time," she said, setting down her chopsticks. "She explained everything—why she left me." Bei Sangyun met Grandma Bei’s gaze with a calm smile. "I no longer blame her or hold any hatred in my heart. For me, the mother who raised me is you."

Grandma Bei held her hand, her grip warm and trembling. "I’m sorry... my dear..."

"There’s nothing to be sorry for, Grandma." Bei Sangyun squeezed her hand gently. "It’s enough that she chose to give birth to me instead of getting rid of me. For that, I can forgive her."

Grandma Bei pulled her into an embrace. "What did I do to deserve a granddaughter like you? Bei Xingyun is truly missing out on a treasure! She is no longer my daughter. My only daughter and granddaughter is you!"

Bei Sangyun chuckled at her words. She knew Grandma Bei was trying to comfort her. But there was no need. She was content. She had her grandmother, Maid Ye Zhai, the fourth branch, and Fei Chuan by her side. This time, she wasn’t alone.

Little by little, she was finding the courage to move forward, to let go of the past, and to face her present life with hope and love.

Today, she planned to tell Fei Chuan the truth—her reasons, her feelings, and her rebirth.

.....

As she waited for the appointed time, Head Butler Cai from the Chuan family arrived to see her. Her visit was unexpected, but Bei Sangyun welcomed her.

"The Chuan family wishes to express their gratitude for giving us the opportunity to speak with the Young Master," he said, his tone respectful. "We asked something significant of you, and it may have put you in a difficult position. For that, I sincerely apologize."

"If it’s to help Fei Chuan, I will do it," Bei Sangyun replied without hesitation. She thought things had gone well. "I hope you will keep your end of the promise."

Head Butler Cai smiled bitterly. "Even if I wanted to, the Chuan family will never have the chance to prove themselves."

Bei Sangyun froze. "What do you mean? Didn’t Fei Chuan reunite with the Chuan family?"

"The Young Master did visit the family," Head Butler Cai admitted. "But it turns out... that was his last visit. The conversation with the Head Master did not go well. He came not to reconcile, but to completely extinguish the last remnants of hope my master had for repairing their relationship."

A heavy sigh escaped from the butler’s lips. "It’s tragic. But I cannot blame the Young Master. The wounds he carries must be too deep, too unhealed, for him to forgive."

Bei Sangyun barely heard the rest of her words. She stood frozen, her mind blank, her heart trembling.

Fei Chuan had told her last night that he had ’fixed’ his relationship with the Chuan family.

So this... was what he meant?

For a long moment, she remained silent, her heart twisting painfully for him.

She had thought he would give the Chuan family a chance, just as he had given her one.

But in the end, his wounds ran too deep. He had gone back only to sever ties completely, to erase them from his life.

How much pain had he endured to be this ruthless to his own family?

A wave of sorrow crashed over her. She had been so foolish—so blind—not to see the truth of what Fei Chuan really felt.

Her heart ached for him, heavy with grief.