Standing Next To You-Chapter 497: I’ll date other people

The plane landed in Country C.

Perhaps it was the flight, or the continuous events and business meetings Fei Chuan had attended over the past few days, but his head was starting to spin.

He took his medicine and leaned back against the car seat.

Assistant Cheng, who had been attentive to him, couldn’t help but comment. "Sir, you’ve been going in and out of the country nonstop. Why not take a few days off? You’re looking pale again."

Fei Chuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, opened them abruptly. "Do I?"

"Yes. You look even paler than before."

Fei Chuan frowned slightly. When he arrived at the hotel, he checked himself in the mirror. He’d started feeling unwell after the Lin family’s banquet, but it was mostly just occasional dizziness. Now, he did look paler compared to when he first arrived in the country.

Was it because of the constant flights and endless banquets?

Fei Chuan made a mental note to rest for the day. He had to look his best tonight.

After taking a shower, he headed to bed, but he couldn’t resist browsing social media. He checked for any lingering news about him and Bei Sangyun which was his hobby lately. He wanted to see it before she managed to erase it completely. Unfortunately, Bei Sangyun had been quick. It was all gone now.

But then, another article caught his attention.

He immediately called Assistant Cheng.

"Have you looked into Lin Fei’s drug scandal? Investigate it and get me all the details."

This could be an interesting topic to bring up with her later.

.....

The location for the dinner Bei Sangyun had chosen was a traditional Japanese restaurant, well-known among high-class society.

Initially, she had wanted a classic dinner with wine. But after reflecting on the close proximity they had shared last week during the banquet, she decided on a setting that offered a bit more physical distance while still maintaining a sense of intimacy. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Beyond the partition, musicians played a traditional Japanese melody with flute and zither. Inside the room, a large square table separated Bei Sangyun and Fei Chuan.

"You reserved the largest room and even hired musicians for us. I did say I have expensive taste, and you really took note of it," Fei Chuan commented, removing his coat.

He was surprised by Bei Sangyun’s choice of venue. He liked it. It offered them privacy, which he appreciated.

"I thought we should try something different this time. I’m glad you like it," Bei Sangyun replied warmly.

She was relieved and happy that she had made the right choice.

The two began with small talk, asking about each other’s day. The light conversation eased the atmosphere, and compared to their first dinner, the two seemed much more in sync and closer this time.

They spoke like old friends catching up, sharing things they hadn’t had the chance to mention in their morning or evening text messages. They commented on the food and casually exchanged thoughts, creating a relaxed and easy atmosphere.

By the time the meal was finished, the sake was brought to the table. Fei Chuan poured Bei Sangyun a drink first, then she poured one for him.

After her first sip, Bei Sangyun gained the courage to bring up the topic weighing on her mind. "About the rumors—I apologize again. I had the articles erased as soon as they were published and silenced those responsible. But for some reason, they keep popping up at different times and places. I’m truly sorry."

"As I told you, there’s nothing to apologize for. I helped you, so of course, I was prepared to take the blame."

"Still, you’ve had a difficult time because of it."

"I haven’t, though," Fei Chuan replied lightheartedly, pouring her another drink.

Bei Sangyun accepted the drink and drank it before pouring one for him in return. "You’re only saying that because you don’t want to burden me. But this will stop soon. I’ve come up with a way to deal with it."

Fei Chuan brought the cup to his lips, hiding a faint smile. "Oh? Stop?"

That would be difficult. As long as he didn’t want it to stop, it wouldn’t stop.

Bei Sangyun set down her cup and looked him directly in the eye. "I thought that if one of us started dating for real and got involved in another scandal, this would all be forgotten."

Fei Chuan froze mid-drink. Slowly, he placed his cup back on the table and met her gaze. "And so?"

"I’ll date someone," Bei Sangyun said resolutely.

Fei Chuan’s grip on the cup tightened, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "Oh? Who do you have in mind then?"

"I’ll have to date someone high-profile, someone who can take the spotlight off you. I already have a list in mind. I’m confident I can strike a deal with one of them—someone who knows how to play the game."

Fei Chuan forced a smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. "You really don’t need to do that. I told you, I’m willing to take the blame. After all, we’re friends."

"That’s exactly why I need to solve this quickly. I don’t want to be a burden to my friends. You’ve already helped me so much. Lin Sanju and I are both very grateful, and we don’t want you to face any more trouble because of us."

Fei Chuan gazed at her intently, his expression unreadable.

He knew that determined look in her eyes. Once Bei Sangyun made up her mind, there was no stopping her—just like when she left him back then.

Fei Chuan picked up the sake bottle and poured himself another cup, downing it in one swift motion. When he placed the empty cup on the table, he smiled faintly, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. "I see. If you’ve already made up your mind, then so be it. But I’ll say it again—you don’t have to do this."

Bei Sangyun reached for the sake and poured herself a drink. "I know. But this is the least I can do."

The once-friendly atmosphere between them shifted, falling into silence. Bei Sangyun stole a glance at Fei Chuan, her thoughts clouded with doubt.

Was her proposal a bad idea? Fei Chuan’s silence felt heavy, unusual. Did she say something wrong?

She had thought of this plan long ago but hadn’t been able to execute it. Deep down, she wanted Fei Chuan to know about it first. If the news broke that she was dating someone and Fei Chuan read about it in the articles one day, she didn’t want him to misunderstand.

After all, it wasn’t going to be a real relationship. It was just a pretense—a calculated arrangement. She and the person she chose would end the "relationship" once the rumors about her and Fei Chuan died down.

As Bei Sangyun struggled to think of a way to steer the conversation back to its earlier friendliness, her phone vibrated.

It was Butler Xin’s message.

[I have made contact with the investigation team. They agreed to let us in, but under surveillance. I bought us five minutes.]

Bei Sangyun started typing a quick response: [Okay.]

But then she hesitated. She deleted it and, after a moment of thought, wrote something else:

[If you’re drinking with someone and mention going out with other people as a pretense to cover up a recent scandal involving him, and he agrees but suddenly goes quiet, what does that mean?]

On the other end of the phone, Butler Xin—who had been waiting for further instructions regarding Lin Fei’s case—blinked at the unexpected question.

This was so random.

Butler Xin: "....."

He sighed, instantly understanding what this was about. He had long since resigned himself to the fact that his Young Miss couldn’t let go of that man.

[Butler Xin: He’s jealous.]

[Bei Sangyun: It doesn’t seem so. Maybe he’s tired. He looked a bit pale.]

Bei Sangyun glanced at Fei Chuan, who sat across from her, silent and seemingly lost in his thoughts. She noticed again how pale he looked.

[Bei Sangyun: Maybe he’s sick. I should let him go.]

Butler Xin almost replied, "Yes, go ahead," but then paused. He thought back to the past four years—how his Young Miss would sneak into places just to catch a glimpse of Fei Chuan from afar.

With a long sigh, he messaged her:

[Butler Xin: Just ask him what’s wrong. If he says he’s tired, finish the dinner and let him rest.]

Upset?

Was Fei Chuan upset?

Bei Sangyun glanced up at Fei Chuan again. He looked distant, as if something weighed on his mind.

Did I upset him?

She set her phone down, drank her sake in one swift motion, and broke the silence.

"Fei Chuan."

Fei Chuan’s hand, mid-reach for the sake bottle, paused. Her voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He noticed her empty cup and misunderstood her intent.

He chuckled softly. "Oh, I forgot to pour you a refill."

He leaned forward and filled her cup. When the first bottle of sake was empty, he called out to the server to bring another.

Bei Sangyun took the freshly poured drink and emptied it without hesitation. Then, before Fei Chuan could retreat into his thoughts again, she asked in one breath,

"Did I say something wrong?"

The server and Fei Chuan both looked at her.

Bei Sangyun bit her lips, "My intention when I suggest that is to help you. I didn’t want you to misunderstand that’s why I asked you. It’s a fake relationship. We won’t do anything aside from letting other people saw us having a meal together, spreading rumors, that’s all."

Fei Chuan was still stunned. He didn’t expected Bei Sangyun to say that. He snapped out of his thoughts, chuckling softly.

"Did I worry you again? Sorry. There’s nothing wrong with what you said. In the first place, I am just a friend helping you out. If you date or not for real, it doesn’t matter. I have no right to stop you."

Bei Sangyun sighed in relief at his answer, but for some reason, there was a feeling she couldn’t explain, like a fish bone stuck on her throat.

"I see. That’s good. I just want to be clear about that."

"Sure." Fei Chuan replied, smiling platonically.

The server, who hadn’t had the chance to excuse himself discreetly glanced at the two.

He thought these two were going out, but it seemed unlikely now.