Standing Next To You-Chapter 440: Reminiscing

Bei Sangyun shot him a warning glance that immediately silenced him.

Lin Sanju wiped his brow, nervously correcting himself, "I mean... if you’re stalking him, that’s entirely your business. Anyway, I just gave him my card with my number and told him to reach out to me anytime."

"Why would he call you?"

"I heard they’re staying in the country for a few more days. I was hoping we could catch up and, you know... become friends." Lin Sanju felt embarrassed at the last two words, but he meant it. He wasn’t about to let another chance to befriend his idol slip by.

"...Friends, huh?" Bei Sangyun fell into deep thought. Suddenly, her eyes lit up. "That’s right. Befriend him." She stepped forward, placing her hands firmly on his shoulders. Her sparkling gaze locked onto him. "I really hope you can get close to him. No, make sure you get close to him."

Lin Sanju was momentarily taken aback by her excessive enthusiasm. He took a step back, muttering, "I’m telling you this now—I don’t spy on my friends."

"Who said anything about spying? I’m genuinely rooting for you."

Lin Sanju: "....." He doubted it. He could already picture Bei Sangyun calling him for the hundredth time, asking about Fei Chuan.

"If you miss him so much, why don’t you just get back with him?" he muttered.

Bei Sangyun heard him and slowly lowered her arms. Her eyes softened with melancholy. "....You wouldn’t understand. No one can."

Lin Sanju: ?

Bei Sangyun quickly regained her usual calm demeanor and flashed him a lazy smile. "Anyway, when you have good news, call me. Bye." She turned to leave.

"Wait! Aren’t you going in? Everyone wants to see you."

Bei Sangyun paused, laughing ironically, as if she had heard something absurd. "Everyone wants to see me? They only want me back because their pride got bruised."

"...It might be that way. But despite their many flaws, they’re still family." During the four years Bei Sangyun had been gone, Lin Sanju witnessed the changes within the Lin family.

Her father, his uncle Lin Ginxian, had changed a lot. He became quiet and more withdrawn from the family. Whenever Lin Sanju saw him, it felt like he was surrounded by a quiet, gloomy atmosphere, as if he were a lone man drifting in a small boat across a vast ocean, lost with no direction to sail to.

His grandfather, Head Master Lin, despite constantly badmouthing Bei Sangyun, clearly wanted to see her again and bring her back. Not out of wounded pride, but because she was someone he truly cared for.

And his cousin, Lin Fei...

Lin Sanju sighed. "...You don’t have to meet their expectations. Just be yourself. But let them see you, at least once. It would make them really happy."

Bei Sangyun turned around and looked him directly in the eyes. "...It’s quite funny to hear you talk about ’family’. You changed a lot."

Lin Sanju frowned, not fully understanding what she meant.

"It’s better if I stay away—for their sake. I’ve already been merciful enough by not getting involved. This is me being considerate." With that, Bei Sangyun walked away.

This time, Lin Sanju didn’t stop her.

He just watched her as she disappeared into the dark.

Lin Sanju sighed.

Bei Sangyun always spoke so mysteriously that he felt as though she were immersed in a world beyond his understanding.

’It’s quite funny to hear you talk about ’family’...’ Her ironic words echoed in his mind.

"Why did she say that?" Lin Sanju wondered aloud. He questioned whether he had done something, like leaving or abandoning the family, to make her speak that way.

...

Bei Sangyun gazed silently out of the car’s window. The traffic light turned red, and her eyes settled on the supermarket across the road.

It had been a long time since she returned to Country C, and so much had changed. Like the supermarket over there—four years ago, that area was filled with various food stalls, bustling with people and always crowded. Now, a large supermarket had taken its place.

A wave of melancholy swept over Bei Sangyun. She had been avoiding returning to country C, knowing it would only deepen the yearning that had never left her.

Yet, no matter where she was—whether here or on the other side of the world—the ache remained the same. The longing had become a constant companion, always with her, no matter the distance.

"Driver Chen, take a left at the intersection. I want to stop somewhere else."

Driver Chen, who hadn’t changed much over the past four years aside from a few white hairs at his temples, complied. He turned the steering wheel to the left.

...

The Central Flower Park was still thriving, even after all these years. It was past eight in the evening, and the large crowd of visitors was beginning to thin out.

Bei Sangyun approached the ticket booth and paid for entry. The staff reminded her that the park would be closing in less than an hour, but she still bought the ticket and entered.

Compared to four years ago, the Central Flower Park had added more attractions that tourists and visitors adored. Flower sculptures, which hadn’t existed back then, now lined the walkways.

The entire park was lit up with vibrant lights, giving it a fantastical appearance at night.

Bei Sangyun walked deeper into the vast garden, heading in the opposite direction as visitors left one by one.

She had only been here once, but the memory of ’that’ place was etched so clearly in her mind that it felt as though she had visited just yesterday.

Back then, the man-made waterfalls weren’t even open to the public. Now, after four years, could it have become the park’s most famous attraction?

Bei Sangyun found the bench where she and Fei Chuan had once sat. She sat down, her gaze falling on the small empty space beside her. She could still vividly recall how his ears turned red when their elbows touched. With him so close, she could smell the fabric softener on his clothes, the fragrance of his shampoo, and the warmth of his presence.

Her fingers grazed the empty space as she reminisced. The breeze tousled her hair, carrying the familiar scent of flowers and grass, just like it had all those years ago.

Bei Sangyun closed her eyes and took a deep breath. As she savored the memory, she faintly heard the sound of running water amidst the breeze. Opening her eyes, she stood and continued walking.

There were more warm lights in this part of the park, illuminating her path. The waterfall attraction must have become popular, as this area seemed more meticulously designed and well-maintained.

No other visitors were around; most must have been heading toward the exit as the park was about to close.

The sound of running water grew louder, and Bei Sangyun smiled.

Back then, she had been blindfolded when she first heard the sound of the waterfall up close. But now, walking with her eyes open, the experience was just as enchanting. With the beautiful lights surrounding her and the fields of flowers swaying in the breeze, the entire place felt magical.

Bei Sangyun saw the waterfall ahead and felt a pull toward the tree closest to it, where they had once shared a picnic. She stepped forward, but suddenly froze.

A figure appeared beneath the tree.