Standing Next To You-Chapter 464: Alone in the room

"Are you okay?" Lin Sanju asked anxiously, his eyes scanning her for any signs of harm.

"I’m fine." Bei Sangyun nodded, glancing at the two guards holding Richard. "You didn’t alert anyone else besides them, right?"

"Yes, I kept it discreet, like you asked." When Lin Sanju received her message earlier, he’d sprung into action immediately. Fortunately, no one was speaking with him at the time, so he’d been able to check and respond without delay.

He was aware of the tension between the Simons and Bei Sangyun, and he knew just how dangerous Richard could be to her. So he was really taken aback that Bei Sangyun chose to be alone in the room with the man who had malicious intentions toward her.

He looked over at Richard, who was struggling against the guards’ hold.

"Let go of me! She knows me! We were just talking!"

"I’m sorry, sir, but even as a guest, we must detain you for a while. Please wait for our host’s instructions," one of the guards replied calmly.

Richard thrashed and cursed, turning his glare toward Bei Sangyun. "I know this was a setup. But don’t think you can keep playing me. I meant every word I said earlier, Bei Sangyun."

Lin Sanju stepped forward, shielding Bei Sangyun until Richard was taken out of sight. Once he was gone, he turned back to her.

"What did he mean by that?"

"It’s nothing. He’s just lost his mind." Bei Sangyun shrugged, taking a tissue to wipe the spot where Richard had touched her. She really disliked being touched by anyone she hadn’t approved of.

Lin Sanju watched her with concern. "I know you had your reasons for bringing him here, but don’t do this again. What if I hadn’t seen your message? Things could have gone much further."

"I had Plans B and C. But you arrived quickly, so it’s fine." Bei Sangyun dismissed the incident with ease. In her previous life, she’d dealt with countless schemes from the Lin family. Even after becoming head of the family, the dangers surrounding her had only grown stronger.

Incidents like these were child’s play to her. She’d even once been successfully drugged and woken up in a stranger’s bed--though the man who was in action with her did not make any appearance after that.

She’d prepared for the inevitable backlash—a scandalous video, perhaps, or other damning evidence. But, oddly, the other party never released anything. Even when she went after the perpetrator, he denied ever succeeding in drugging her.

It remained an unsolved mystery, one she took with her even to her grave.

"Still, you’re a young woman. Don’t gamble with your safety like this," Lin Sanju said, trying to instill some common sense. "What happened earlier was dangerous."

"What was dangerous?" A familiar voice cut into their conversation.

Bei Sangyun froze at the sound.

While Lin Sanju turned and greeted the newcomer cheerfully.

"Fei Chuan! Good to see you again."

"Likewise," Fei Chuan replied.

Bei Sangyun slowly turned around and found herself meeting his gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, thumping faster with each passing second.

They were so close again, and in that fleeting moment, she noticed the change. His coat was off, the top two buttons of his shirt undone, and his hair was slightly tousled, giving him a disheveled, almost vulnerable look.

He seemed a bit intoxicated...

The intensity that had filled his eyes earlier was gone, replaced by something quieter, something harder to read.

Fei Chuan smiled at Bei Sangyun, who was closely staring at him. "How are you, Ms. Bei?"

Bei Sangyun clenched her hands, trying to appear composed and casual. She swallowed nervously, feeling the weight of his gaze. "I’m... doing fine. And you?"

She wondered anxiously if he’d seen Richard on his way here. And asked—why was he here in the first place?

"Me?" Fei Chuan paused, running a hand over his head, his messy bangs shadowing his eyebrows. "I had quite a bit to drink earlier. I came here to rest."

"Oh." Bei Sangyun replied, relaxing slightly. So he came here to rest. Fortunately, there was no woman lingering behind him.

Wait.

Bei Sangyun paused.

Had he seen the message she’d sent him?

Bei Sangyun wanted to ask but hesitated.

An awkward silence settled over them again, each waiting for the other to speak.

Lin Sanju glanced between them. "Um, I’ll head back now. See you later," he said, quickly excusing himself.

The room fell silent again.

Bei Sangyun stood there, panicking inwardly as she tried to think of something to say. She wanted to apologize for earlier—and perhaps talk with him a little. Had he read the notes? What did he think?

"...You..."

"...I..."

They both spoke at the same time, and Bei Sangyun glanced at him, surprised.

Fei Chuan met her gaze. "You go first."

Bei Sangyun bit her lip, trying to summon her courage. She hadn’t felt this anxious when Richard had cornered her, yet now her heart was racing.

"Uh... if you’re tired, you can rest in this room." In the end, she couldn’t ask.

Fei Chuan nodded and took a seat on the nearest couch, unbuttoning the third button of his shirt as though he were warm. "Thank you," he murmured.

Another silence settled over the room as Bei Sangyun stood by the door, while Fei Chuan sat on the couch. Finally, she bit her lip and asked, "Weren’t you going to continue what you were saying earlier?"

Fei Chuan looked at her, as if searching for the right words. "...I was just going to ask if you’re tired from dancing with William. If you are, you’re welcome to rest here with me."

Bei Sangyun was taken aback. She hadn’t expected that. Was he... concerned about her?

A small spark of hope lit within her. She chose the couch farthest from him and sat down slowly. "...Thank you."

Another silence fell between them, thickening the air with tension.

Fei Chuan glanced at the space between them, resting his jaw on his hand, his gaze darkening.