Standing Next To You-Chapter 513: Fei Chuan- the past four years

One night, while Cheng Li was about to go to bed, he received an unexpected call.

It was from airport security.

Without hesitation, Cheng Li changed out of his pajamas and ran to the airport, where Fei Chuan was currently detained.

There, Cheng Li found Fei Chuan dead drunk, clutching the railings and mumbling incoherently.

One of the airport staff approached him and explained, "We called you since you’re the only number on his call log. He was trying to get a flight to Country C. We couldn’t sell him a ticket because he’s drunk, and we couldn’t get through to him either."

Cheng Li apologized profusely to the security and staff before approaching Fei Chuan.

Fei Chuan had always been a silent drunk. He would usually pass out when his body couldn’t handle the alcohol anymore. But this time was different. Somehow, he’d made his way to the airport, determined to buy a ticket.

"Fei Chuan, let’s go," Cheng Li said gently, trying to pull him away.

"...No," Fei Chuan muttered, still gripping the railings as if his life depended on it. His voice was broken, fragile. "...Please don’t go... Bei Sangyun..."

Cheng Li froze in place. The name was one he could never forget. He thought he must have misheard, so he leaned closer, listening carefully.

Fei Chuan’s grip on the railing tightened. His voice was hoarse, stripped of its usual coldness, leaving only raw vulnerability. "...Don’t leave me... Stay... Please, stay, Bei Sangyun..."

Cheng Li’s eyes widened in shock.

Bei Sangyun.

He glanced at Fei Chuan, who was too intoxicated to tell the difference between reality and his dreams. His eyes were red, filled with pain and desperation.

"...You promised... you’d stay..." Fei Chuan’s voice cracked as he pleaded.

Cheng Li lowered his head, stunned. Was it the same Bei Sangyun who had left the River Village all those years ago, after the rumors he and his childhood friend had spread?

He couldn’t help but wonder if Fei Chuan was still haunted by what had happened back then—or if it was something new entirely.

Perhaps it was this curiosity—or the guilt from his own past—that drove Cheng Li to stay. From that moment, he became more devoted to his role as Fei Chuan’s assistant, determined to uncover the truth.

And as time passed, he began to piece it together.

After Fei Chuan graduated, he finally found Bei Sangyun’s location.

For two long years, he had searched for her. And for two long years, he drowned his sorrows in tobacco and alcohol, unable to let go of the pain.

But the moment he found her, it was as if a light had pierced through his gloom.

Fei Chuan, who had always been cold and reserved, began to change. He became more social, started interacting with people, and attended parties he once avoided. His social circle expanded, and the expressionless man everyone knew slowly learned different expressions- such as smiling.

Little by little, Fei Chuan’s intimidating and aloof image began to shift. Especially after William came into the picture, Fei Chuan became more flamboyant. He traveled to different places, visited various countries, took on diverse projects, and worked in multiple industries.

He lived a busy and seemingly carefree life.

But only Cheng Li knew the real reason behind this sudden transformation.

Cheng Li’s gaze landed on Fei Chuan, who stood on the stage delivering a speech. The crowd—composed mostly of young adults—listened intently, their eyes filled with admiration as he shared his motivational journey.

The Fei Chuan of two years ago would never have done this. But now, it was happening right before Cheng Li’s eyes.

Standing in the back of the room, Cheng Li glanced discreetly at the woman sitting in the furthest row.

It was all because of her.

Bei Sangyun.

When Fei Chuan found her, it seemed she also found him.

Fei Chuan made his presence known in every possible way. And each time, she came to watch him—from afar.

Not just once, but every time.

Whether it was a seminar, a party, a gathering, or a business visit—wherever Fei Chuan went, Bei Sangyun was always there.

The seminar ended, and a flurry of young adults and older admirers gathered around Fei Chuan, eager to take photos with him. As the crowd buzzed with excitement, Bei Sangyun quietly stood up and left without a word.

Cheng Li watched her go, then shifted his attention back to Fei Chuan, who was smiling as he posed for photos. But, as expected, Fei Chuan’s gaze eventually drifted to where she had been sitting.

The smile on his face faded almost instantly. He politely excused himself from the crowd and walked away from the stage.

Cheng Li approached him casually. "Leaving already?"

"Yeah," Fei Chuan replied, his tone indifferent. As they passed by the furthest row, Fei Chuan’s eyes lingered on the now-empty seat where she had been.

Cheng Li couldn’t hold back a comment.

"She came to watch you again."

Fei Chuan tore his gaze away. "All she does is look."

Just like you.

The thought echoed instantly in his mind.

Cheng Li didn’t know the full story of what had happened between them. But one thing was clear: everything Fei Chuan was doing was for one reason.

For one person.

One day, Fei Chuan abruptly packed his essential belongings and booked a flight to Country C.

"It’s time to return," he said.

Cheng Li froze, blinking in disbelief. "...What?" freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

He studied Fei Chuan’s face intently. Though his expression remained unreadable as always, there was an unmistakable undertone of anticipation.

For years, Cheng Li had been suggesting to Fei Chuan to return to Country C. His fame was growing globally, and stepping foot back home would cement his legacy. People would undoubtedly clamor for his attention, vying for his connections. The rewards of such a move would be immense.

Cheng Li also remembered the night at the airport—the night Fei Chuan, drunk and desperate, had tried to book a flight to Country C.

But every time Cheng Li raised the idea over the years, Fei Chuan’s response was the same: "No. It’s not the time yet."

Cheng Li never understood what was the basis for "not the time yet".

Not wanting to get his hopes up, Cheng Li asked cautiously, "...You are talking about Country C, right?"

Fei Chuan fixed his tie and answered, "Yes. It’s been four years. Four years." He emphasized the words as though they held a weight that only he could feel.

Cheng Li’s confusion deepened. Four years?

When they returned to Country C, everything began to fall into place.

Cheng Li finally understood why Fei Chuan had chosen this moment to return.

For the past few years, Fei Chuan had been making loud moves—expanding his reach, building his name, and drawing attention. It wasn’t random. It was all to make her come out of hiding.

This time, however, Fei Chuan wasn’t just making noise. He was making bold moves to chase her. Actively.

And he succeeded.

He baited her, hooked her, and reeled her in.

But what Fei Chuan didn’t realize was that in catching her, he had, in a way, also trapped himself.

To hold onto her, he would have to dive deep—so deep that there would be no way of coming back up.