Standing Next To You-Chapter 479: Lin Dayun

Li Mei, Lin Ruo and Lin Sunji all looked at Lin Dayun in surprise. They did not expect that Lin Dayun would talk for their behalf.

Lin Sanju looked at Lin Dayun observing her silently. The latter offered him a reassuring smile.

"Besides," she continued, "today is supposed to be a happy day. Forgiving others shows a big heart, doesn’t it?"

Old Master Lin sighed heavily, slowly coming to his senses.

"You’re right. I’m becoming petty in my old age. But still, she’s the one in the wrong. If she wants forgiveness, she’ll have to ask for it." He turned to Lin Dayun and softened. "Look at you, acting so childishly just to defend your cousin. If she were even half as good as you..."

Lin Dayun smiled shyly. "Grandpa, please don’t compare us. I believe my elder sister is impressive in her own way."

Old Master Lin chuckled, his mood improving. "You really are like your mother. It’s good to have you both back."

With that, the fourth branch excused themselves, but Lin Dayun’s gaze lingered on them. Her eyes followed their steps as they returned to Bei Sangyun’s table.

She studied the woman she had only met once before.

In the past, she and her mother would return to Country C every year to visit the main mansion and reunite with the family. During those visits, Lin Dayun had always been the favorite. Since she already had the attention of everyone, she never felt the need to compete with her cousins—though many of them strongly competed with her.

But then, one day, a child appeared.

From what she remembered, Bei Sangyun had been a skinny, nervous girl with an aggressive edge to her eyes.

That child had caused her mother to fall out with Uncle Ginxian, forcing them to leave. Though her mother had subtly hinted to Grandfather that they wouldn’t return if that ’bastard child’ remained in the main mansion, both Grandfather and Uncle Ginxian still chose to keep the girl.

Lin Dayun didn’t have much of an impression of that cousin—she had only met her once and had never returned to the country since.

She had assumed that child would grow up to be unimpressive, someone who could never outshine her in any way.

But the woman before her now was completely different from what she had imagined—calm, confident, and possessing a poise that seemed deeply ingrained. She exuded a natural charm that Lin Dayun had only ever seen in truly successful women.

Bei Sangyun seemed to sense someone’s gaze. She looked up, and her eyes met Lin Dayun’s.

Bei Sangyun didn’t flinch or avoid the stare. Instead, she looked at Lin Dayun as if she were no more than a wallflower—a mere obstacle in her line of sight.

Lin Dayun’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of something sharp passing through them.

So this was Bei Sangyun, huh?

But before Lin Dayun could dwell further, her attention shifted. From behind the crowd, a man appeared, cutting through the throng with effortless grace.

The crowd behind him followed eagerly, and those in front of him parted instinctively, greeting him with smiles and snippets of conversation.

The man, however, only offered a polite smile in return, never slowing his stride.

He carried an aura so magnetic that people—both near and far—turned their heads to gawk at him. And Lin Dayun was no exception.

As he approached closer, her breath caught.

Her eyes widened.

Isn’t that... Fei Chuan?

....

Across the room, Bei Sangyun raised an eyebrow. The person who had so boldly locked gazes with her moments ago had broken the stare, her attention completely captivated by something behind her.

Murmurs rose from the crowd around her. Then, she heard a familiar voice behind her—Lin Sanju, brimming with excitement.

"Fei Chuan, you’ve come."

Bei Sangyun’s heart skipped a beat. She turned, her gaze locking with his.

Fei Chuan responded to Lin Sanju, but his eyes were directed at Bei Sangyun.

"Yeah. I’ve come. Because I wanted to see you."

Her heart began to race. The world around her seemed to blur as her eyes were drawn to the glimmer of light emanating from his chest.

There, pinned to his breast pocket, was the brooch she had so carefully selected. Its elegant gems shimmered under the light, radiant and unmistakable.

Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

He wore it...

Fei Chuan and Lin Sanju approached their table. Fei Chuan’s gaze landed on Bei Sangyun, and he offered a warm smile.

"It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Bei," he said.

Bei Sangyun swallowed, forcing herself to return the smile. "Yeah, it’s nice to see you too."

Fei Chuan’s eyes flickered to the purse in her hands. "It seems it really found its rightful owner."

Bei Sangyun instinctively touched the purse, her fingers brushing over the smooth surface. A small smile graced her lips. "Yes, it did." Her eyes trailed to the brooch pinned on his chest. "It looks good on you."

Fei Chuan followed her gaze, glancing down at the brooch. "Yes, it does. Everyone I’ve met tonight complimented it—and my taste. I owe that to you."

The dark purple gem of the brooch gleamed under the lights, matching the shade of her purse. Standing face to face, their coordinated colors and the intensity of their gazes gave rise to a subtle but undeniable tension.

The people near them, including Lin Sanju and his parents, exchanged curious glances as they watched the two interact.

The atmosphere between Fei Chuan and Bei Sangyun seemed to form a bubble that no one dared to interrupt.

Bei Sangyun felt her cheeks heat under Fei Chuan’s unwavering gaze. She quickly looked away, coughing lightly in embarrassment.

"Uhm, there seem to be many people waiting to talk to you. I’ll... see you later," she said, her voice faltering slightly.

Fei Chuan smiled, his expression as calm as ever. "Yes. I’ll see you later."

He turned and walked away with Lin Sanju, heading toward the front to greet Old Master Lin.

Bei Sangyun’s eyes lingered on his retreating figure, her longing slipping through despite herself.

Li Mei, who had been silently observing, leaned closer and murmured, "...That man is handsome, talented, and reliable. You’ve got good taste, Sangyun."

Bei Sangyun froze, stunned by Li Mei’s comment. When she finally processed what was said, her ears turned crimson.

"...Yeah. He is," she admitted softly, her voice barely audible.

And she badly wanted this amazing man back.