Standing Next To You-Chapter 465: In the Tub

"You..." Fei Chuan finally broke the silence.

"You wrote that you didn’t mean to reject me. What did you mean by that?"

Bei Sangyun straightened in her seat, her heart pounding. So, he did read it!

"I... I was rude earlier when I declined your invitation to dance. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to dance with you. I had my reasons, so..."

Her voice softened. "...so I hope you didn’t misunderstand."

Fei Chuan remained silent, his expression unreadable. Bei Sangyun swallowed, feeling the weight of the tension between them.

"...How have you been?" she asked, attempting to ease the atmosphere.

"You don’t know?" Fei Chuan looked at her with a glint in his eyes, hinting at something.

Bei Sangyun glanced away. "...No."

"Well, I’ve been fine. The last time we spoke, you told me to stay healthy and live happily. So, here I am—happy." He looked at her steadily. "And you? What brought you back after hiding for four years?"

"...I was waiting for something," she murmured, meeting his gaze once more. "Hoping it’s not too late." She paused, her voice softening. "And... I couldn’t just sit around anymore."

Fei Chuan’s eyes locked onto hers, intense and unreadable, carrying emotions he hadn’t voiced.

He gestured toward the distance between them. "Why are you sitting so far away?"

Bei Sangyun clenched her fists, her breath catching. "...I feel comfortable here."

Fei Chuan said nothing, his gaze unwavering. The weight of it pressed on her, making it hard to hold his stare. She looked away, feeling both guilty and unsettled.

But beyond that, her heart couldn’t handle it. Fei Chuan looked so handsome—his tousled hair and open collar left her breathless. It was impossible to meet his eyes without her heart racing.

"Ugh."

Fei Chuan’s pained groan broke the silence. Bei Sangyun’s head snapped back to him, her eyes widening as she saw him clutching his head, a strained expression crossing his face.

She sprang to her feet, anxiety flooding her voice. "Are you all right?"

Fei Chuan grimaced. "I feel... strange."

Bei Sangyun froze, panic creeping in. Was it because she’d been around him too much lately? Had she triggered something?

"I... I’ll call for a medic," she stammered, turning to leave, but Fei Chuan’s voice stopped her, sharp and pleading.

"Don’t leave!"

His voice echoed in the room, and she turned back, startled.

He extended a hand toward her. "It’s... different. I think I was drugged."

"Drugged?" she echoed in disbelief.

"My drink must have been spiked. I felt hot earlier, and now I feel weak all over. I know this sensation—if the people targeting me find me here alone while you’re gone, I’m done for." His eyes were desperate, filled with vulnerability. "And you know we can’t call a medic or draw attention."

Bei Sangyun hesitated, realizing the gravity of the situation. She’d been targeted similarly in the past and knew where this could lead.

If someone found Fei Chuan here in a compromised state, rumors would spread like wildfire. His reputation, carefully built with his strong ties to the James family, could be destroyed in a moment. Whoever had set him up tonight must despise him intensely.

Bei Sangyun nodded with determination. "I’ll start the shower. You should cool off for a bit."

Fei Chuan looked at her, gratitude flickering in his eyes before a hint of embarrassment appeared. "...I can’t move much on my own right now."

"All right. Hold on."

She moved swiftly to the bathroom, relieved to find everything they needed in the private suite. She turned on the cold water, filling the tub. Once satisfied, she hurried back to his side.

"Come on, let’s get you to the bath. A soak should help, and I’ll ask someone discreetly to bring some calming medicine for you."

But as she approached, she stopped a meter away, hesitating. Was it really okay to come this close to him?

Fei Chuan looked at her with a pleading vulnerability. "...Sangyun."

Her heart skipped a beat. The way he said her name pulled her back to high school, to the warmth and simplicity of those days. Seeing him now, fragile and in need, erased her reservations. Just once, she thought, she would help him feel comfortable, then she’d go.

"I’m putting your arm around my shoulder," she murmured, stepping forward and helping him stand.

The warmth radiating from him was unmistakable.

When his arm rested around her shoulder, her heart pounded, his closeness overwhelming her senses. She could smell the faint spice of his cologne, feel his heavy breaths against her. The soft groan he made as he tried to move sent an unexpected thrill through her, leaving her tingling.

"I must be heavy," he whispered in a low voice near her ear, the words igniting a swirl of emotions and memories.

Shaken, Bei Sangyun struggled to dismiss any wondering thoughts, but her cheeks flamed, betraying her.

"The bathroom’s just there. I’ll support you," she managed, voice steady, guiding him forward despite the chaos of her own heartbeat.

Contrary to Fei Chuan’s claim of being heavy, Bei Sangyun barely felt his weight.

But she doesn’t have any mind to pay particular attention to his weight. Her mind was too occupied with his arm draped over her shoulder, the warmth radiating from him, and his labored breathing.

Every small movement heightened her awareness, leaving her flustered and jittery.

As they neared the tub, Fei Chuan’s weight finally bore down on her. He slumped heavily against her, his forehead brushing her neck. "...I don’t have any strength left," he murmured, his voice low and slightly breathless.

"Just hold on." Bei Sangyun wrapped her arms around his waist and half-dragged him forward.

What should have been a mere ten steps stretched into an exhausting ten minutes as she guided him slowly to the tub.

When she finally settled him into the cool water, a sigh of relief escaped her. But her breath caught again as she noticed his shirt, now clinging to his skin from the dampness.

The translucent fabric outlined every toned contour of his chest, while the open buttons revealed his collarbone, gleaming subtly in the dim light. Fei Chuan, vulnerable yet captivating, resembled a siren tempting anyone who might dare to gaze at him.

Bei Sangyun froze. If anyone came in and saw him, they would immediately pounce on him—whether man or woman.

His appearance was dangerous. No wonder he didn’t want anyone to see him like this. No one could see him like this.

She quickly glanced him over, from top to bottom, etching the scene into her mind before turning her back. "...I’ll wait for you outside. I’m going to call someone for some medicine."

"You’re not going to leave, are you?"

Bei Sangyun paused.

"...I’ll see you later."

With that, she left the bathroom.