Standing Next To You

The visit to River Village had been short, yet deeply impactful for Bei Sangyun. She hadn't expected that returning to this place—after so many years—would bring her a sense of closure.

People who had never apologized to her in her previous life came forward this time. They faced their shame, exposed the guilt they had buried for years, and offered the words she had once longed to hear.

Perhaps Fatty Yang, Teacher Tang, and the villagers had always wanted to ask for her forgiveness. But because she never returned after Grandma Bei's death, they had never been given the chance.

And so, she never heard those apologies—until the end of her life.

Bei Sangyun watched the scenery pass by outside the car window, her reflection faintly mirrored in the glass.

She was glad she had come back. Glad she had given that lonely little girl inside her the chance to finally hear those apologies—and to forgive.

Now, River Village—her grandmother's hometown, the place she once associated with heartache—no longer felt cold, bitter, or lonely.

It had become a place she could call hometown.

A place she would look forward to returning to.

The scenery outside the window blurred past in streaks of green and gold.

Fei Chuan was driving. Bei Sangyun sat beside him, quietly lost in her thoughts, her gaze still fixed on the window.

"They'll be fine," Fei Chuan said suddenly.

His words gently pulled her from her daze. She blinked, then turned to him.

"I know they'll be fine. It's just…" She hesitated. "I've been thinking—doesn't Grandma seem a bit strange lately?"

She had expected they would all leave the River village together, but Grandma Bei insisted on staying behind.

Bei Sangyun said she would stay as well to accompany her, but Grandma Bei wouldn't hear of it. She said there was no need for company—this was her village, after all—and that Bei Sangyun needed to return to work.

"She was the one who kept insisting we travel together, even extended the trip twice. So why is she suddenly concerned about my job?"

Fei Chuan pressed his lips together, silent for a moment.

He glanced at her. Seeing the confusion still lingering in her eyes, he gently offered his reassurance.

"Maybe she just wanted to reminisce. She's spent most of her life in that village—it's natural to feel homesick. The Bang family is trustworthy. Sister Ye Zhai is with her, and I've also arranged for people to keep an eye on things. You don't have to worry too much."

Bei Sangyun let out a sigh, comforted by his words."You're right. Maybe she's just tired of staying in the city. I should consider buying land near River Village. What if we built a house there—and a small farm? Grandma Bei loves farming. And I think the village needs a hospital too... There are so many elderly people…"

She continued, her voice picking up with every idea, one thought tumbling into the next.

Fei Chuan listened with a gentle smile, responding to each of her suggestions with quiet support.

As they neared the capital, Fei Chuan suddenly spoke again.

"Now that I'm back," he said, casting a glance her way, "can you spend a day or two with me?"

.....

"I'm really sorry. As soon as the trip ends, I'll come to you and give you a long week of vacation," Bei Sangyun promised Butler Xin over the phone.

"Young Miss, how many times do I have to tell you? I'm doing just fine here. I have enough people, and my workload has actually lightened up."

"Lightened up?" Bei Sangyun was stunned.

Butler Xin was all alone in a foreign country, managing the rapidly growing company by himself. Knowing how meticulous—and distrusting—he was, she had expected him to be handling everything personally, down to the smallest detail. She had expected to hear his complaints and frantic pleas for her to come back.

"Uhm… I'll tell you the rest once you get here. Anyway, enjoy your vacation."

With that, Butler Xin ended the call.

Bei Sangyun stared at her phone, momentarily speechless. He hung up on me? First?

"Our flight is ready. Done with your call?" Fei Chuan asked as he approached, carrying their luggage.

"Yeah. Let's go." Bei Sangyun tucked away her confusion and walked alongside him.

…

When Fei Chuan said he'd "borrow" her for a day or two, Bei Sangyun thought they'd just stay in C Country—maybe eat at a nice restaurant or stroll through a park. She certainly didn't expect him to show up with VIP flight tickets in hand.

They landed in F Country.

Fei Chuan was clearly more familiar with the place than she was. After all, this was where he had spent the last four years of his life.

"When we parted five years ago, I came here. There's something I'm good at… and this country gave me the space to develop that skill." He pointed toward a distant condominium building. "That's where I lived for two years—before I moved into James' castle."

Fei Chuan began recounting what his life had been like over the past few years. He spoke calmly and briefly, but Bei Sangyun knew those passing words concealed hardship. If Cheng Li hadn't told her the truth, she never would've guessed how much pain and struggle lay behind those simple stories.

Every place they visited came with a story. The restaurant he loved. The bench he often sat on. The companies he worked with, negotiated with, sometimes fought with. The stories didn't stop, and Bei Sangyun didn't want them to.

She enjoyed listening to him. After all, it was rare for Fei Chuan to talk this much. Simply hearing his gentle, soothing voice while holding his warm hand was both comforting and quietly entertaining.

Eventually, they arrived at a familiar building. Tall, elegant, imposing. Bei Sangyun recognized it immediately.

"The headquarters," Fei Chuan said simply.

The towering, majestic building in the heart of the capital belonged to none other than Fei Chuan himself. Yet he didn't boast. He merely turned to her and said, with quiet confidence:

"I'll show you around."

As they entered the building, several employees in suits were waiting for them. They lined up on either side of the lobby. They were the executives and department heads of the company, varying in age but uniform in expression—respectful and slightly awed.

In unison, they greeted,"Welcome to the company, Ms. Bei!"

Cheng Li stepped forward, holding a bouquet of fresh flowers."Everyone pitched in for this."

Bei Sangyun stared, stunned. She accepted the large bouquet in a daze, glancing up at Fei Chuan in confusion.

Was this his idea? After all, she was just a visitor—there was no need for such a grand welcome.

As if sensing her thoughts, Fei Chuan met her gaze and smiled."This is their goodwill."

She turned back to the employees, then at Cheng Li's usual poker face. Did he tell them their boss's girlfriend was coming? That must be it.

A blush rose to her cheeks. If I'd known, I would've worn something better...Still, she smiled at everyone."Thank you for the warm welcome."

Fei Chuan began showing her around the building. Cheng Li stayed behind to give them time alone. They stopped by the employee lounge, where she was greeted warmly again by staff enjoying their break.

When Fei Chuan started leading her toward the employee offices, Bei Sangyun gently stopped him."I'll just be disturbing their work. Let's go to your office instead."

Soon, the elevator arrived at the top floor. This level was exclusively for Fei Chuan and a small office for Cheng Li, his assistant and secretary.

One entire wall was made of glass, offering a panoramic view of the skyline. Outside, the sun was beginning to set behind a row of skyscrapers.

"Oh... You have a beautiful view here," she said, stepping closer to the window.

"I specifically chose this place because of it," Fei Chuan replied. "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is," Bei Sangyun murmured, her eyes fixed on the orange horizon, her face softly lit by the golden light.

Without a sound, a pair of arms wrapped gently around her waist from behind. She was suddenly enveloped by his familiar scent, his firm chest pressing against her back.

"I missed you," Fei Chuan whispered. "Every day I stood here, watching the sun set, I imagined watching it with you… holding you like this."

Bei Sangyun leaned into him, her body relaxing in his embrace."I've been waiting for this moment, too. I missed you, Fei Chuan."

He pulled her closer, his arms tightening slightly.

The sun bathed them in warm orange light, and slowly, as the sky dimmed, the city below began to glow—lights flickering on one by one, like stars mirroring their quiet reunion.

As they held each other, Bei Sangyun thought it might be the perfect moment to give him the gift she had been carrying with her since the trip.

But nestled in his arms, so at ease and comforted by his warmth, she ended up falling asleep.

By the time she woke, the sky was already dark—and dinner had been prepared for them.

....