Standing Next To You-Chapter 69: A graveyeard

The crescent moon hung in the dark sky, casting a faint glow over the silent hospital. Inside, Grandma Bei had already drifted into slumber.

Bei Sangyun quietly exited her grandmother’s room to meet with Butler Xin, who had delivered some files to her.

Butler Xin handed the file over to Bei Sangyun, "The most recent intel is on the last page. I’ve also provided you with the contact information for our spy. Likewise, I’ve shared your contact details with them so they can update you in real-time."

"Which number did you give to him?"

"Your original phone," Butler Xin replied.

"Don’t use that number. Use the recent one you gave me. Also, contact me on that number from now on."

This change in contact information left Butler Xin puzzled. Did Bei Sangyun lose her phone? He was aware of the critical contacts stored on it.

"Do you want me to contact the mobile company-"

"No need," Bei Sangyun interrupted him. "I didn’t lose it. Anyway, I’ll be staying the night here."

Such an arrangement wasn’t unusual, as Bei Sangyun had been spending her nights at the hospital since reuniting with her grandmother.

Butler Xin refrained from probing for more details, knowing that Bei Sangyun was unlikely to provide a straightforward response. He did not waste any more time and left the hospital.

Alone in the VIP room, Bei Sangyun began reading the file under the dim light of a lamp. The contents of the file hadn’t changed much; Lin Sunji remained as relentless as ever. As she reached the last page, something caught her attention.

The final page displayed an image of a man with a crew cut entering the Lin mansion. He was being led by Lin Sunji’s head butler. The man appeared physically fit and capable, exuding the air of a professional in handling dirty work.

According to the provided intel, he had spent an hour inside Lin Sunji’s wing before departing in the same manner he arrived.

The spy had been unable to tail the man beyond the Lin mansion, due to his restricted position within the mansion’s premises. Additionally, an external spy couldn’t locate the man, as he had seemingly vanished upon entering another city. It was clear that Lin Sunji’s people had taken extensive measures to keep his whereabouts hidden.

Bei Sangyun tapped her fingers on the file, deep in thought. It was evident that Lin Sunji was plotting something, and it likely concerned her. She wondered what schemes Lin Sunji had in mind.

She attempted to recall her high school days and tried to piece together any relevant memories. However, the passage of time had blurred many details, and these weren’t fond memories to begin with; they were mostly buried in her subconscious. Occasionally, fragments of those memories resurfaced, but they needed a trigger.

Furthermore, Lin Sunji hadn’t posed a significant threat to her during high school. While she occasionally schemed against Bei Sangyun, none of it had left a lasting impression.

Bei Sangyun had purposefully stowed away memories of the Lin family members after exacting her revenge, as there was no point in dwelling on the past she did not want to recall.

Bei Sangyun wasn’t able to recall much of her highschool years and decided to rely on her network of spies to gather information.

If any significant developments occurred, they would surely keep her updated. She contacted them to continue the search for the mysterious man and closely monitor Lin Sunji’s activities. There might be clues hidden in her actions.

After securing the files in a hidden compartment, Bei Sangyun went to check on her grandmother.

Grandma Bei was sleeping soundly, her peaceful rest a welcome sight. Bei Sangyun gently tucked her in and held her weathered, yet still strong and warm hand.

No matter how much time had passed, this hand was a constant in her life. The memory of her grandma holding her hand and guiding her through their village, across rivers, and over mountain fields remained etched in her mind. Despite the lifetime that passed, she still felt like a little girl being led by her beloved grandma.

Unlike her uneventful high school days, her childhood was filled with cherished memories of her grandmother. Those memories held immense significance for Bei Sangyun.

As she sat there, Bei Sangyun was reminded of her grandmother’s words from earlier.

"My dear Sangyun, I am so proud of the strong young woman you’ve become. I used to tell you to hold your head high, never let anyone trample over you, and to learn to stand on your own without relying on anyone. At the time, my only wish was for my granddaughter to be able to protect herself in this harsh world once I’m gone. But..."

Grandma Bei squeezed her hand gently, her expression filled with self-blame. "...I didn’t realize it would be such a lonely path. Not being able to trust those around you, relying solely on yourself—it might help you survive, but it won’t make you happy. I don’t want you to end up like me. I don’t want you to be alone."

Grandma Bei’s eyes were full of guilt. "This stubborn old woman has made mistakes."

Bei Sangyun couldn’t comprehend her grandmother’s sudden change in demeanor but didn’t want to see her upset. "Grandma..."

"My granddaughter, I have another request," Grandma Bei implored, looking deeply into Bei Sangyun’s eyes. "I want you to live life to the fullest. Don’t hold back because of me. Don’t just survive; live. Live happily, laugh with your friends, and spend time with others. So that when I’m gone, you won’t be alone."

Bei Sangyun grew increasingly concerned, fearing that something might be wrong with her grandmother’s condition. She hurriedly sought out the doctor to check Grandma Bei’s current condition despite the latter saying she was okay.

Thankfully, Grandma Bei was still receiving treatment and progressing well. Only then could Bei Sangyun breathe a sigh of relief.

Gently placing Grandma Bei’s warm hand against her own cheek, Bei Sangyun whispered to her slumbering grandmother, "Don’t worry, Grandma. I won’t live the way I did in the past. This time, I will find happiness."

She was determined to make sure she and her grandmother lived in content, fulfilling lives together. That was her new goal.

****

In a discreet yet high-quality hotel, Fei Chuan took a refreshing bath and exchanged his clothes for comfortable pajamas. The items that Grandma Pei had sent for Bei Sangyun were already present in the room.

Although that tyrant seemed unreliable and suspicious, she did keep her word.

Fei Chuan, limping slightly from his injuries, dried his hair with a towel as he took stock of his belongings. He anticipated staying in this place for at least two days, allowing the bruises on his face to heal.

After arranging his possessions, he carefully applied ointment to his battered face and various bruised areas. He also meticulously re-bandaged his swollen ankle, following the doctor’s instructions for pain management.

Fei Chuan’s actions were practiced and efficient. Over the past two years, he had acquired the knowledge and skills to provide self-care, a necessity he learned to master due to the relentless bullying he endured. He became adept at concealing his injuries from Grandma Pei.

However, this time, the extent of his injuries was severe, and merely covering them with a long coat wouldn’t suffice.

As he focused on tending to his ankle, his mind drifted back to the events of the day.

He had been brutally beaten, nearly having his leg broken, when Bei Sangyun suddenly appeared.

Fei Chuan’s hands paused in their work as he contemplated Bei Sangyun’s actions.

He recalled her awkward apology.

Could she have been genuine in that moment?

Fei Chuan shook his head abruptly.

No, it couldn’t be. Her ridiculous assertion that she played the role of a bystander to prevent him from becoming number one was too far-fetched to be believed.

He couldn’t bring himself to trust her.

After finishing the bandaging, Fei Chuan was preparing to sleep when his gaze landed on the snacks neatly arranged on the table. They were the snacks that Grandma Bei had prepared for both of them. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

The image of Bei Sangyun biting into one of his cookies, her soft, warm lips lingering on the tip of his finger, replayed in his mind.

Fei Chuan furrowed his brow in annoyance and climbed into bed. It took him some time to finally drift off to sleep, his thoughts still unsettled.....

.....

It was a quiet graveyard, shrouded in an eerie silence. The dark clouds looming overhead only added to the somber atmosphere.

Before him stood a tombstone that was noticeably more well-kept than the others. A beautiful bouquet of flowers adorned the grave, contrasting sharply with the surrounding desolation.

Though there was a name on the tombstone, it appeared blurred and indistinct. Yet, whenever he gazed upon it, his heart would constrict, as if a vice grip held it in a merciless embrace. The pain was suffocating, and unbearable.

This place invoked a profound sense of sadness, regret, and anger within him.

It was unfair....so terribly unfair.

He was able to endure it all so why couldn’t she?

What about his quest for revenge? What about his anger? Who could he blame now that the person he sought vengeance against was gone?

Curses escaped his lips, echoing in the desolate silence of the graveyard. He cursed for a long time like he did countless times.

After venting his anger at the person buried in this grave, the anger in his heart lessened a bit. But there was still that hole in his heart, an unfillable void.

Still, he vowed never to return to this place again. This would be his final visit.