Standing Next To You-Chapter 564: From afar

As the car carrying the three of them left the Phoenix Holding building, another vehicle parked in the farthest corner of the lot lit up and followed shortly after.

Inside the car, Assistant Cheng glanced at Fei Chuan through the rearview mirror.

He couldn’t help but speak up. "Why don’t you approach her this time?"

Assistant Cheng was truly frustrated on behalf of his boss.

After the visit to the mountain, his boss had begun to act strangely, doing things Assistant Cheng never expected. It was as if Fei Chuan had turned over a new leaf. He made a huge donation to the temple, contacted Head Master Fei, and suddenly declared that he owed them a favor—a favor the Fei family could use at any time.

Assistant Cheng could imagine the expression on Head Master Fei’s face during that brief call. The old man must have been shocked to be contacted twice in a single day and suddenly be owned a favor from the grandson who hated his family and him.

And now this...

His boss had started stalking Bei Sangyun again. As if he had completely forgotten all his resentment and heartbreak because of her.

But he only watched her from afar. Seeing her leave the villa, head to the company, go to a restaurant, and leave work—those were brief moments, but he never missed a single one. He always arrived on time, just for a glimpse of her.

Even now, they were following her car again, just to watch Bei Sangyun step out and enter the restaurant. Then his boss would go in, choose a table far enough away, and silently watch her eat. This had become his boss’ hobbies these past few days.

But in all that time, he had never once approached her.

Fei Chuan, who had been staring out the window, finally turned to him. "Just drive."

Assistant Cheng: "..."

How was he supposed to help if he didn’t even know the reason behind this behavior?

Assistant Cheng sighed. "You clearly still have feelings for her. That’s why you’re doing this, right? You’re not stalking her to do something bad, are you?"

"Do I look like I’d do something bad?" Fei Chuan asked with a frown.

"Well, you just hated her a few days ago."

Fei Chuan looked away again. He seemed struck by Assistant Cheng’s words. His jaw tightened. "...That was when I had no idea what was really going on. I’ve been such a fool," he muttered.

Assistant Cheng carefully followed the car, then decided it was time to reveal the secret he and the young butler had been keeping."...Ms. Bei was the one who sent your favorite dishes when you locked yourself in your room. Remember how the food suddenly changed to all your favorites, even when you refused to eat? That was her doing."

Fei Chuan stiffened.

Assistant Cheng glanced at him through the mirror. "I don’t know if you’ve realized it or not, but from the way she acts, it seems like Ms. Bei still has feelings for you."

Fei Chuan ruffled his hair in frustration, seemingly wanting to beat himself up. "...So it all came from her. No wonder she came that day... bringing all that food," he muttered to himself.

He leaned back in the car seat, looking completely lost. "...How could I approach her after hurting her so badly? I have no face to show her."

Assistant Cheng raised an eyebrow, a bit taken aback. So his boss know what it meant to lose face?

"With that face? Even as a man, I can vouch that any woman’s heart would soften just seeing you."

Fei Chuan shook his head. "Bei Sangyun isn’t like that. She’s..." He paused, a smile slowly forming on his lips as a memory surfaced.

"She’s always been feisty. In that life... and in this one."

Assistant Cheng: "..?"

Soon, their car stopped near a certain restaurant. Fei Chuan’s vehicle parked at a distance—just enough to see the people getting out of the other car.

He sat there in silence, feeling a familiar melancholy settle over him.

Ever since realizing Bei Sangyun’s words weren’t lies, the heavy, dark curtain that had shrouded his world had lifted.

All the hatred and resentment he’d carried for years seemed laughable compared to the pain she had endured. His suffering was nothing in the face of her sacrifices.

Now, everything inside him had turned into guilt, grief, and regret. If only he had remembered... or believed her back then, that day would never have happened. They might have continued to rebuild—starting as reunited friends and becoming lovers again.

But he had ruined it all. He had hurt her too deeply.

Ater learning the truth, Fei Chuan had wanted to run to her—to hold her and tell her he finally understood, that he believed her now.

But he hesitated.

Could an apology and a few promises ever be enough to make up for all the pain he had caused her?

Bei Sangyun had suffered so much because of him. For years... she had carried it all alone, playing the role of the villain. She made him hate her, choosing to give him resentment rather than false hope—rather than let him yearn for something he could never have.

For years... she had been so lonely, so silently in pain. All because of him.

And still, as if that weren’t enough, he had broken her completely. He had looked her in the eye, refused to believe her, and carved out her heart with the words he said.

He was too ashamed of himself. And deep down... he felt he didn’t deserve her.

That’s why he stayed back—watching her from a distance. Guilt and remorse held him back like chains wrapped around his soul.

Fei Chuan gripped the necklace in his pocket.

But he wouldn’t let those chains bind him any longer.

He had to face her—if not today, then tomorrow.

If not tomorrow, then the day after.

He had to ask for her forgiveness. Even if she struck him, even if she sought revenge—he would accept it all, gladly. He was willing to suffer a lifetime if that’s what it took to make up for what he had done.

As long as... she didn’t tell him to leave her alone.

The car door opened.

Fei Chuan straightened in his seat, eyes sharp with anticipation. His fingers tightened around the necklace.

Zhong Cheng stepped out, as expected. Fei Chuan’s attention then shifted to the second person, hoping—no, expecting—it to be her. But his eager expression froze as an unfamiliar yet strangely familiar man got out.

That man stepped aside and extended a hand toward the car, the way a gentleman escorts a lady.

Then Bei Sangyun’s hand reached out, accepting the offered hand. She stepped out, holding the man’s hand briefly for support. She said something with a light smirk on her lips—a look Fei Chuan knew all too well. He had seen it many times. It was the expression she wore when teasing him, when she was enjoying herself.

Then the three of them walked away together.

It was just a moment, but for Fei Chuan, the world stood still.

Who was that man? Why was she smirking like that?

What had she said? What was the joke?

"Shouldn’t we follow them? Or should we wait a bit more?" Assistant Cheng’s voice snapped him back to reality.

Fei Chuan swallowed hard, a lump forming in his throat.

"Book a table. I’ll follow shortly."

Assistant Cheng nodded, understanding exactly what to do, and left.

Inside the car, Fei Chuan clutched the necklace tighter, his heart pounding with panic and anxiety. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

....

Classical music drifted through the restaurant, blending with the soft clinking of utensils and light chatter. The atmosphere was relaxed and warm, like a gentle hum in the background.

At the dining table, Bei Sangyun glanced at Xu Tian, who sat across from her.

He seemed to be struggling with the cutlery. Though his face remained expressionless, she could tell—he had been staring at the utensils for far too long.

She couldn’t help but smile.

"It’s been a while since I visited a Western restaurant. I’ve forgotten which utensils to use," she said casually. "Zhong Cheng, you trained abroad—you should know which is which."

Zhong Cheng gave her a strange look. They had just eaten at a Western restaurant last week... and the week before that. But then he understood. He glanced discreetly at Xu Tian, who still hadn’t touched his food, and decided to play along.

"You always forget, Boss. Try to remember this time," he said patiently. "This one’s for the appetizer, this is for the main course, this is for meat, and this one’s for bread..."

Xu Tian listened attentively. When Zhong Cheng finished, Xu Tian glanced at Bei Sangyun and gave her a small, respectful bow. He wasn’t a fool—he could tell they were playing along just to help him, and he appreciated it.

Bei Sangyun smiled and continued eating.

Xu Tian.

He was exactly the same as she remembered him from the previous life.

Taciturn. Polite. Straightforward. Like a tall, unmovable mountain—solid and dependable, someone who gave a sense of safety just by being there.

In her past life, Bei Sangyun had pursued him persistently after discovering him. She admired his dedication, his talent, and his skills.

In her eyes, no one was more perfect to work alongside than Xu Tian. She had ambitious plans for the business world, and to achieve them, she needed a reliable right hand. Xu Tian had been the only candidate she had in mind.