©NovelBuddy
Standing Next To You-Chapter 252: Nothing Important
Chapter 252: Nothing Important
A/n: This Chapter has been fixed and edited. Thank you for waiting.
*****
Jang Shin led Bei Sangyun inside the glass house, a meticulously maintained garden that remained off-limits to most students.
While ordinary students could explore the garden outside, within the glass house, only visitors, teachers, faculties, and privileged students could gain access.
Both Bei Sangyun and Jang Shin belonged to the privileged student group, making it an ideal setting for their private discussions.
They strolled along a path adorned with primroses, camellias, and orchids. However, Bei Sangyun did not have the heart to appreciate flowers. Fei Chuan was still waiting for her. If she was gone for a long time, he might get worried.
She inquired directly, "So what do you want to talk about that you bring me out here?"
Jang Shin knew Bei Sangyun wasn’t the type to waste time. So he gained the courage to ask straightforwardly,
"...I want to ask, are you dating Fei Chuan?"
At the mention of Fei Chuan’s name, Bei Sangyun’s demeanor softened slightly.
She lightly smiled, "...Not yet."
Jang Shin immediately noticed the shift in Bei Sangyun’s disposition. Earlier, she had been guarded and somewhat aloof, but now, she appeared more relaxed.
Jang Shin’s fists clenched. He knew the question might seem futile, but he couldn’t concede defeat without a fight.
"...Is he pursuing you?"
"No. I am the one pursuing him," Bei Sangyun replied honestly, her tone imbued with pride and confidence.
Jang Shin: "...."
Jang Shin fell silent, processing this unexpected revelation.
So it was Lin Sangyun who was pursuing Fei Chuan, not the other way around?
The things he was about to say got stuck in his throat.
"...Do you like him?"
"I am pursuing him; of course, I like him," Bei Sangyun responded candidly, opting not to keep her feelings a secret.
If Jang Shin decided to spread this rumor afterward, so be it.
It did not matter if the whole world knew that she liked Fei Chuan. In fact, it might even be beneficial for her.
With everyone aware that Fei Chuan was exclusively hers, there would be no misunderstandings.
After all, Fei Chuan said that her feelings and her bold affection did not burden him.
However, the individual before her struggled to process the news.
Jang Shin remained silent.
He hadn’t anticipated this turn of events. He had believed he still had a chance. But even so...
"...Why him? Fei Chuan doesn’t hold a favorable position in the Fei family. He is worse than a bastard son. As a Lin, you’re contending for the heir position. You need someone who can elevate your status and connections. Someone like Fei Chuan... he won’t be of any assistance to you."
Bei Sangyun glanced at him, the happiness fading from her eyes, replaced by coldness.
"How do you know? You’re only seeing superficial things. Tell me, before my real background was exposed, did anyone think I came from a rural village and wasn’t born in the Lin mansion?"
Jang Shin paused, unable to provide an answer.
Bei Sangyun’s influence over the school, coupled with her demeanor, led everyone to believe she played a significant role in the Lin heir battle. Thus, when the truth came out, it was met with shock and disbelief.
"You didn’t anticipate it either, did you?" Bei Sangyun observed his reaction, sensing that Jang Shin harbored similar assumptions to the other students at that time. "I don’t have to tell you this, but for the sake of our past, I’ll be kind enough to say it once. Don’t underestimate me or Fei Chuan. Or attempt to compete with either of us. You’ll only end up hurting yourself."
Bei Sangyun held a favorable impression of Jang Shin in her memory. He had once helped her in the past. Although she did not need that help, it was a kind gesture she did not mind repaying.
If it wasn’t for that, she wouldn’t have come with him at all.
Conversing with him in this garden stirred up memories for her.
Under the moonlight... the man in the white suit... the garden...
Bei Sangyun sighed. "And don’t like me. I will only like Fei Chuan in this life. You don’t stand a chance at all."
The conversation from that night flooded back to her. And now, she remembered how Jang Shin confessed to her.
For Jang Shin, it felt as though a mountain had crumbled, with massive rocks tumbling toward him. He hadn’t yet confessed, yet he was rejected... and quite brutally.
His heart weighed heavy, anchoring his feet to the ground.
"...If you don’t have anything to say, I’ll leave first." Bei Sangyun wasn’t adept at offering comfort, especially to a man she had just turned down.
Jang Shin had to come to terms with it and find a way to move forward.
No reply came from Jang Shin. Bei Sangyun turned to leave, but just as she did, Jang Shin spoke in a hoarse voice.
"...Do I really not stand a chance at all?"
Without hesitation, Bei Sangyun answered. "Yes."
Her response unleashed a tempest within Jang Shin’s heart.
"I’ll pretend this conversation never happened. You should too." This was the only thing Bei Sangyun could offer.
No one would know what transpired in this place, no one would know that Jang Shin had been rejected before even confessing.
Jang Shin understood this reality. If no one knew what transpired here, his pride and reputation would be protected.
It was only after a long while, after Bei Sangyun had left, that Jang Shin managed to stir from his place. He covered his face and forced a bitter smile.
.....
Bei Sangyun returned to the classroom, where the lively discussions suddenly dwindled into silence. It was a familiar occurrence whenever she entered, but she paid it no mind.
Taking her seat, she stole a glance at Fei Chuan, who seemed engrossed with his laptop.
She had been gone for quite some time, and she imagined Fei Chuan might have wondered if she had been locked inside the restroom.
However, seeing him peacefully working on his own, she dismissed the thought as mere overthinking. freёweɓnovel.com
Rather than disturbing him, Bei Sangyun took out her phone and began typing notes.