Standing Next To You-Chapter 205: Him and Her didn’t match

That night, Bei Sangyun placed the container on her bedside table. She gazed at the brownies, noticing that only two pieces had been eaten, and smiled. She couldn’t bring herself to devour them all at once.

She dialed Grandma Bei’s number and recounted her day, proudly boasting about the brownies baked by Fei Chuan.

"That boy gave them to you?"

"Yes. He baked them for me," Bei Sangyun replied with a grin. "He doesn’t usually do favors for others, but he baked these for me. Aren’t I amazing?"

"That’s my girl. When a man bakes for you out of the blue, it means you’re close to winning his heart. Go on, my granddaughter, seal the deal while it’s still hot!"

In the past, Bei Sangyun might have agreed hastily. However, after Fei Chuan had once opened up to her and discussed matters of the heart, her perspective shifted considerably.

She calmed herself and shook her head. "I can’t rush things, Grandma. He’s intelligent, but he can be slow in matters like this. I believe he prefers a slow but steady approach. Besides, I’m enjoying our progress."

Grandma Bei was taken aback. The granddaughter she knew was typically impulsive and fervent. Yet now, Bei Sangyun exhibited a patience that she hadn’t seen from her before.

Grandma Bei suddenly grew curious. Who was this boy her granddaughter had taken a liking to?

Bei Sangyun hadn’t mentioned the boy’s name, and Grandma Bei also did not ask. She only enjoyed listening and advising her granddaughter.

If she were present, Grandma Bei would be eager to meet this boy and ascertain for herself the kind of person who had influenced and changed her granddaughter so profoundly.

But Grandma Bei trusted Bei Sangyun’s judgment and always wanted to support her. Regardless of who it was, as long as the person exhibited good conduct and wasn’t a criminal, Grandma Bei would give them her blessings.

The two conversed until the night grew late. Observing her granddaughter becoming sleepy, Grandma Bei finally bid her goodbye.

As Bei Sangyun drifted into peaceful slumber, she found herself immersed in a dream.

It was a recollection from the forgotten past—her graduation day.

Standing on the stage adorned with medals and honors, she delivered the meticulously prepared speech. Envy and admiration gleamed in the eyes of her peers, while the teachers surrounding her showered her with praise.

This was the moment Bei Sangyun had eagerly anticipated. She had dedicated three years of hard work to stand proudly on that stage, proving to the Lin family and herself that despite hailing from the countryside and starting late, she possessed the same capabilities as the other heirs.

Yet, why did her heart feel so hollow?

With a shallow smile, Bei Sangyun acknowledged the teachers’ commendations. She surveyed the crowd once more, finally understanding the source of her emptiness.

On the day of graduation, the other students received warm congratulations from their families, whether they had earned honors or not. Their happy smiles and joyful laughter illuminated the surroundings, creating a heartfelt scene.

Meanwhile, she stood alone, without anyone dear to her offering a warm welcome.

Her father was absent, called away on a sudden business trip. She had strived tirelessly for Lin Ginxian to witness this milestone, but he didn’t hesitate to prioritize the business trip over her graduation.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Lin Sunji, surrounded by her family—both parents present.

The gloom in Bei Sangyun’s heart deepened.

Feeling out of place amidst the festivities, she slipped away from the teachers’ well-wishes and sought solace in a secluded spot.

Away from the warmth and familial love that filled the air, Bei Sangyun found respite from the suffocating loneliness.

She crouched down, wrapping her arms around herself. Despite her hard work, there was no one to share in her joy. In that moment, she felt utterly alone.

Her thoughts turned to her grandmother. How she longed for her presence.

If her grandmother was here, she would surely say how proud she was of her and so on.

Lost in her own solitude, Bei Sangyun was startled by a voice behind her.

"You graduated at the top of the entire batch, so why aren’t you happy?"

Instantly, Bei Sangyun straightened up and whirled around to face the speaker.

Fei Chuan stood against the wall, his graduation toga and his certificate was casually held by him. Though his gaze appeared nonchalant, Bei Sangyun could sense the contempt emanating from it.

For a brief moment, Bei Sangyun was stunned. In their two years as classmates, this was the first time they had spoken face-to-face, alone.

Fei Chuan received no response to his mocking laughter. With a smirk, he adjusted his posture and began to walk away.

As she watched him depart, Bei Sangyun snapped out of her daze and impulsively reached out, grabbing his arm.

Fei Chuan halted, turning to face her.

Realizing her boldness, Bei Sangyun quickly released her grip, unable to meet his gaze. "...It’s nothing," she muttered.

She couldn’t quite understand why she had stopped him. It was a fleeting impulse. After all, they weren’t close, and they rarely exchanged words despite being classmates.

Fei Chuan stared at her for a few moments before finally continuing on his way.

Once again, Bei Sangyun found herself alone.

The darkness in her heart deepened, spreading even more quickly than before.

****

Bei Sangyun was staring blankly at the teacher at the front of the room, lost in thought. She had believed her last encounter with Fei Chuan was during the homecoming, only to realize they had a brief interaction on graduation day.

It had been so fleeting that she had completely forgotten about it.

Bei Sangyun glanced at her hand. The hand that grabbed Fei Chuan’s arm.

At the time, she hadn’t understood why she acted on impulse, but now she did.

She had been overwhelmed by loneliness, and Fei Chuan’s presence had stirred memories of her childhood in the village, of her grandmother.

In that moment, only Fei Chuan seemed to truly understand her. Desperate for companionship, she had summoned the courage to reach out to him.

Yet, as quickly as she had acted, she had also recoiled upon meeting Fei Chuan’s gaze.

Bei Sangyun glanced at Fei Chuan. She observed his handsome profile as he focused on his laptop.

She recalled the question he had asked her that day.

Bei Sangyun tapped on his desk to grab his attention.

Fei Chuan paused and glanced back at her.

Bei Sangyun tore a piece of paper from Fei Chuan’s notebook and snatched the pen on his desk, swiftly scribbling a message:

[Did you really give up on studying?]

Fei Chuan blinked, his gaze lingering on Bei Sangyun for a moment before he reached for the pen in her hand and wrote back:

[I should be asking you the same. Did you really give up on studying?]

In response, Bei Sangyun wrote:

[I did. But I’ve had a change of heart. I want to start studying again, but this time, I want to enjoy it.]

Fei Chuan furrowed his brow in confusion, not clearly understanding the meaning behind her words.

Bei Sangyun turned the paper around and added:

[Will you help me?]