Standing Next To You-Chapter 466: Could not make her stay

Fei Chuan leaned back, eyes closing as he waited, the sound of running water filling the silence.

Ten minutes passed. He took another glance at the door—Bei Sangyun still hadn’t returned.

"Bei Sangyun?" he called, his tone low and uncertain.

Silence.

A frown crossed his face as he stood up. The vulnerable, fragile demeanor melted away, revealing his usual composed self. His steps were light, a stark contrast to the earlier scene where he had seemed unable to move or walk.

He stepped out of the bathroom, scanning the room.

But it was empty.

Fei Chuan’s gaze landed on a small box of medicine resting on the desk. A note was attached, written in neat handwriting.

[Drink this when you can move. It will flush the drug out of your system. If you need help, there is a server outside waiting for you. He’ll protect you for the meantime. Take care.]

Fei Chuan’s expression hardened as he crumpled the note in his fist, the paper crunching under his grip. His eyes darkened with a mixture of anger and confusion.

But after a while, he unfolded the note and smoothed it out, his fingers tracing over the creases.

He stood there for a long time, lost in thought while staring at the piece of paper.

After a while, he reached for his coat, pulled out his wallet, and slipped the note inside, placing it alongside the other one.

*****

Earlier....

"This is all just a misunderstanding. There’s no need to report me to your host," Richard tried to reason with the security as they escorted him to another room.

"I’m sorry, sir. We’ve received a complaint. Since it’s two guests against you, we have to detain you for a short time. This is only a temporary measure until we seek approval from the host."

Richard cursed inwardly. Earlier, he’d threatened Bei Sangyun, recklessly claiming he didn’t care about his reputation or the consequences. But that had been his anger speaking.

Now that he’d calmed down, he understood the gravity of the situation. Being labeled a troublemaker at the Royal Banquet would spell disaster for his family’s standing. It wouldn’t just end his career prospects; it could jeopardize his sister’s marriage. No one would associate with the family of the man who disrupted such a prestigious event.

That was why he’d followed Bei Sangyun when she suggested they leave the hall earlier. He had suspected it might be a trap, but he could deny everything to the host and plead innocence.

After all, there was no evidence that he had harassed Bei Sangyun. And she wouldn’t dare accuse him of harassment outright; such an allegation would escalate beyond a minor complaint and turn into a scandal that would ruin them both.

And Bei Sangyun certainly wouldn’t want to ruin herself.

Richard finally stopped struggling, lost in thought, when a tall man blocked their path. He looked up and recognized the face immediately.

Unlike Sophia, who hadn’t recognized Fei Chuan, Richard knew him at once. This was a name—and a face—he’d never forget, not after exchanging blows with him in the past.

"Fei Chuan."

Fei Chuan glanced at the security guards. "Ban this man from the premises and add his name to the guest blacklist tonight. Make it clear to everyone what kind of dangerous man he is—and note that he has a sister."

"You! You don’t have proof!" Richard struggled against the guards.

"My word is proof enough."

"Damn you, Fei Chuan! Is this because of Bei Sangyun? Why defend a woman who left you to cling to the James family?"

Fei Chuan’s gaze darkened. "Keep that mouth shut, unless you’d like to lose your tongue."

The weight of Fei Chuan’s words struck Richard; he could tell Fei Chuan wasn’t bluffing.

"...It’s all a misunderstanding," Richard pleaded. "Please, let me go. This will ruin my family—my sister’s engagement will be destroyed because of me. I’ve let them down before..."

"You should have thought about that before harassing someone. I don’t give second chances."

"Fei Chuan... please..."

Fei Chuan signaled the security guard to drag him out.

The security guards, well aware of Fei Chuan’s close connection with the host—the James family—dragged Richard away.

Fei Chuan glanced toward the door, just ten steps away.

He unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt and ran a hand through his hair, tousling it. Time to get into action.

But even with this strategy, it still wasn’t enough to make that person stay.

...

Fei Chuan stepped out of the room, already dressed with the new clothes provided by his assistant. His assistant, Cheng Li, was waiting for him in the hallway.

"When did she leave?"

Cheng Li knew exactly whom he was referring to. "Ten minutes ago. I believe she contacted a server. That server kept passing by the room. Should I send them away?"

"No need." Fei Chuan handed him the medicine bottle. "Next time, think of a better way to make her stay. This didn’t work at all."

Cheng Li nodded. "Understood. By the way, William is asking for you. He said that if you are done with your business, he wants you to entertain the guests alongside him. He’s in another private room with them."

Fei Chuan was in no mood to put on the facade of a smiling gentleman. "Tell him I’ll pass."

Cheng Li hesitated for a moment before speaking. "But... this could be a good opportunity for you—"

A cold glance from Fei Chuan silenced him mid-sentence. Cheng Li quickly corrected himself, bowing slightly. "I understand."

As Cheng Li turned to leave and notify William, Fei Chuan’s voice stopped him. "Wait. Did she see you?"

Cheng Li paused, then replied carefully, "Yes. She made sure I arrived before she left."

Fei Chuan was silent for a moment. His hand brushed against the pocket of his coat, where his wallet rested. "...Did she recognize you?"

"I don’t think so," Cheng Li replied.

"I see." Fei Chuan nodded, dismissing him with a gesture.

He glanced around but didn’t spot the server again. With measured steps, he made his way to the parking lot alone.

While waiting in the car for Cheng Li, Fei Chuan pulled out his wallet and unfolded the note tucked inside.

He read it again and again, the words etched into his mind, until Cheng Li returned and took his seat in the car.

Without a word, the vehicle pulled away from the hotel, leaving the faint echoes of the encounter behind.