Standing Next To You-Chapter 569: The Right Time

Hotel Sun.

It was the most well-known five-star hotel in Country C. The company that owned it was a leading figure in the hotel industry. Today marked its 35th anniversary.

A grand banquet was held, and all patriots—both big and small names in Country C—were invited.

However, guests were separated by floors according to their status.

The big shots were placed on the highest floor, while the less influential ones were hosted two floors below.

Naturally, the future head of the Lin family, who appeared to have ties with the right-hand man of the James family, was invited to the top floor—with a plus one.

Bei Sangyun walked side by side with Lin Sanju as they followed a staff member guiding them to their table.

Hotel Sun spared no expense for this event. Everything was extravagant, from the decorations down to the tiniest details.

She recognized several familiar faces—some she had met at high-end banquets before, others were clients of Phoenix Holdings. Those who recognized her approached their table and offered greetings. Bei Sangyun and Lin Sanju returned the gestures politely.

However, compared to her, Lin Sanju had far more acquaintances. A long line of people came to greet him and engaged conversations with him.

Bei Sangyun noticed that he seemed eager to mingle. After all, ever since becoming the heir, he had been actively expanding his influence. Still, he didn’t leave the table.

It must be because of her.

"You should go and talk to others. I’ll be fine here," Bei Sangyun encouraged him.

"It’s alright. I just need to greet them briefly."

"Those people seemed genuinely interested in talking to you. It’s a good opportunity to get into their circles," she said, gently persuading him.

At first, Lin Sanju insisted on staying, but Bei Sangyun was just as stubborn.

"I also have something to do. You can’t just sit here with me all night."

Lin Sanju looked around for a moment, as if searching for something, then sighed in defeat.

"Alright," he said with a helpless smile. "If you’re done, come find me—or call. I’ll come right back. I don’t really need to socialize that much anyway."

Bei Sangyun shooed him away playfully, and Lin Sanju quickly slipped into a nearby group, the circle of guests growing larger around him.

Bei Sangyun smiled and shook her head. Her once-introverted cousin had truly spread his wings. Looking at him, made her proud of him and for what he had become.

She took a sip of her wine. It was time for her to start gathering information as well.

Luckily, she didn’t need to stand and approach anyone. There were plenty of people eager to make connections with her. This time, Bei Sangyun didn’t brush them off like she usually did. Instead, she returned their interest with polite smiles and engaged in light conversation. Then, she would subtly segue into showing them a photo on her phone, casually asking if they’d seen the item or knew anyone who owned it.

She asked several people who came to her table, but none recognized it or knew its whereabouts. freewebnøvel.coɱ

"You must really like that necklace if you’re looking this hard for it."

"Yes. I already have the earrings. I want the necklace to complete the set."

"That’s lovely. I know some collectors who are into things like that. They’d probably know more than I do." One Madame offered her a list of collectors’ contacts, and Bei Sangyun thanked her sincerely.

Soon, another person approached her table.

"Ms. Bei, isn’t it? I saw you at the banquet last month, but I didn’t get the chance to speak with you. I’m glad I have the opportunity now." A young man with a charming smile greeted her.

Bei Sangyun returned his smile with a polite one and engaged in small talk—all for the sake of showing him the photo.

Then, instinctively, she glanced to her right, sensing someone’s gaze from that direction.

"Did you come with Mr. Lin?"

She looked over and saw a group of people chatting and mingling. She turned her attention back to the man in front of her. "Yes, I did."

From afar, Fei Chuan stood in a corner, hidden just outside Bei Sangyun’s line of sight. His heart was pounding, and his mind had gone blank.

"Sir, is something the matter? Do you need help?" A staff member carrying a tray of wine glasses noticed him and asked with concern.

Fei Chuan snapped out of his thoughts. He grabbed a glass from the tray and forced a smile. "I’m good. Thank you."

He downed the drink in one go and stepped out from the corner, his gaze falling back on Bei Sangyun.

He didn’t know why he hid when she suddenly looked in his direction. After all, he had been trying to approach her since they arrived.

But he hadn’t found the right moment. All he could do was watch from a distance as yet another person took the seat across from her.

This was the fifth person. The fifth one to come talk to Bei Sangyun. And not one of them had been dismissed, unlike before.

Fei Chuan took another sip of wine, only to find his glass empty. The staff noticed and offered the tray again. He picked up a fresh glass and continued watching her from afar.

He had been trying to approach her ever since Lin Sanju left. But every time he gathered the courage, someone else showed up at her table and started talking to her. He thought they’d be quick—after all, Bei Sangyun was usually the type to greet politely and then end the conversation.

But each time, the chat lasted at least two minutes. All he could do was wait.

Fei Chuan watched as Bei Sangyun smiled politely, then pulled out her phone again.

He frowned.

She had been actively networking, even sharing her contact information with each person she spoke to. Something felt off.

When the fifth person finally left, Fei Chuan straightened his posture. He took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest, and started walking toward her table.

But just then, Bei Sangyun suddenly stood up, making him instinctively freeze in place. She might have noticed his gaze again and would look his way. If she did... he wouldn’t hide this time. He planted his feet firmly on the ground, determined not to run or avoid her.

However, Bei Sangyun didn’t even glance in his direction. She walked over to a nearby group and began mingling.

Fei Chuan was lost again.

"Mr. Fei, it’s an honor to have you here."

Fei Chuan was about to dismiss the approaching person, just as he had done earlier with the others who came to talk to him. His gaze was still on Bei Sangyun.

"I’m busy right no—" He stopped mid-sentence when he realized who it was. His head turned and saw a smiling old man in front of him.

The person speaking to him was none other than the old man—the owner of Hotel Sun and the one who had personally invited him tonight.

"Oh, I apologize. I didn’t mean to..." He quickly held back his words and adjusted his tone.

"Hahaha, it’s quite alright, Mr. Fei. I imagine many people are eager to speak with you tonight. It must be hard to keep turning them away, no?"

Fei Chuan offered a polite smile. "Some can be a bit bothersome, but not you, Mr. Sun. I wouldn’t dream of turning away a man of your stature."

Mr. Sun chuckled. "You don’t need to flatter me. If anything, I should be the one trying to win your favor, Mr. Fei."

"You flatter me instead. I’m still green compared to someone as experienced as you, Mr. Sun."

They exchanged light-hearted conversation, but throughout, Fei Chuan’s gaze occasionally drifted toward Bei Sangyun.

Then, as he glanced in her direction again while still speaking with Mr. Sun—he froze.

Their eyes met.

He didn’t know when it happened, but Bei Sangyun was looking at him too.

Everything around him faded—the chatter, the music, even Mr. Sun’s voice. The world blurred at the edges, and the only clear thing was her, and the gaze that struck directly into his heart.

She was looking at him. She noticed him.

His heartbeat surged, loud in his ears and thundering in his chest.

Bei Sangyun. I’m here. I see you now. I understand everything.

He wanted to tell her. To reach out. To hold her and make things right.

Then the person next to Bei Sangyun nudged her, breaking the moment. She looked away.

"...Isn’t that right, Mr. Fei? Mr. Fei?"

The noise around him came rushing back. The blurred shapes of the room returned to form.

Fei Chuan snapped out of his daze. Though he hadn’t heard the question, he nodded anyway.

"Yes."

"Hahaha, I am very glad. Then we’ll see you later, Mr. Fei. Enjoy the party."

Fei Chuan finally tore his gaze away from her and bowed politely to the old man.

He immediately turned back to look at Bei Sangyun—only to find her gone.

His heart skipped a beat. He scanned the room and spotted her back as she walked away.

Without hesitation, he followed.

This time, he was going to talk to her. Even if someone else was speaking to her, he would interrupt. He wasn’t going to wait any longer.