Standing Next To You-Chapter 491: Start Anew

Lin Sunji returned shortly with her own people. They carefully pulled Lin Sanju, who had been squeezed under the bed, out into the open.

Bei Sangyun weakly muttered Lin Sunji’s name, her voice barely audible, hoping the brother and sister would take her instead of Fei Chuan. However, Lin Sunji pretended not to hear her.

Fei Chuan’s piercing gaze bore into Lin Sunji like a hawk. She didn’t dare make a move. The man had made it clear earlier—Bei Sangyun was staying with him.

"...Sorry," Lin Sunji whispered under her breath as she left the room.

Bei Sangyun stared at the door in disbelief, abandoned with Fei Chuan. Yet, she didn’t give up. Struggling to form words, she muttered, "...P-phone... c-call..."

Fei Chuan approached the bed and sat down beside her, his presence suffocatingly close. Bei Sangyun instinctively leaned against the bed frame to create some distance.

Fei Chuan didn’t stay seated long. Instead, he pulled out his phone. "Who do you want to call?"

"Z-Zhong... C-Cheng..."

Bei Sangyun wanted Zhong Cheng to pick her up. She couldn’t stay here any longer in her current state. Though she trusted Driver Chen, she needed someone who could represent her properly at this moment.

Fei Chuan’s hand hovered over the phone, his eyes flickering with an unreadable emotion. After a brief pause, he scrolled through his contacts and called Zhong Cheng.

Elsewhere, Zhong Cheng had just stepped out of his car when his phone vibrated. Seeing Fei Chuan’s name on the screen, his eyes lit up with excitement. He quickly stepped aside and answered the call.

"Brother-in-law! You called?"

"Hi, Bei Sangyun wants you to come here and pick her up," Fei Chuan stated bluntly.

Zhong Cheng was taken aback. Didn’t his boss already have a driver with her? Nevertheless, he returned to his car. "Alright, I’m on my way."

Just as he started the engine, Fei Chuan’s voice interrupted.

"What? An accident? Why aren’t you being more careful?"

Zhong Cheng froze, confused. Was Fei Chuan talking to him? He listened closely.

"How’s your hand? Can’t you drive?" Fei Chuan asked, his tone suddenly laced with concern.

"Uh... Are you talking to me?" Zhong Cheng replied, bewildered.

"If you can’t, don’t push yourself. Go to the hospital. I’ll take care of her," Fei Chuan said matter-of-factly.

Zhong Cheng blinked in confusion. "...I’m okay though—"

Toot. Toot. Toot. The call abruptly ended.

Zhong Cheng stared at his phone in disbelief. What just happened?

Was he still supposed to pick up his boss or not?

He glanced at the steering wheel and then at his hand. Fei Chuan’s words replayed in his mind, and realization suddenly dawned on him.

"Oh." He nodded slowly. "I get it now."

He stepped out of the car, climbing the staircase, but stopped mid-step, his expression turning grim.

He had just remembered something important. freewebnσvel.cѳm

’Accident. Can’t drive.’

Zhong Cheng stared at the staircase with a pained look in his eyes and cursed under his breath.

"Damn."

...

Fei Chuan ended the call and turned to Bei Sangyun with an apologetic expression.

"Zhong Cheng was in an accident. He can’t drive at the moment. How about you stay here for now? You’ll be safer with me. I’ll make sure no one comes near you or hurts you while with me."

Bei Sangyun looked up into his eyes and saw the sincerity and concern reflected there. Her heart was moved.

Fei Chuan had saved both her and Lin Sanju. Even though he had been implicated in the process, he still offered to protect her. Despite everything—despite her leaving him and rejecting him time and time again—he stayed. He continued to help her unconditionally.

He was so sweet and kind.

Bei Sangyun closed her eyes, conflicted. Was it really okay to accept his kindness? Even if it meant she might hurt him again in the process?

"Bei Sangyun."

Her eyes opened as she felt the warmth of his touch.

Fei Chuan had taken her hand into his, holding it gently, cautiously, as if she were a fragile piece of glass that could shatter at any moment. She could feel his nervousness through the way he handled her, so careful and tender.

"...I know you’re uncomfortable with me," he began, his voice soft but steady. "I truly want to be someone you can rely on and trust. We may have a history, but I’m willing to leave it behind and start over with you... as friends."

His gaze locked onto hers, unwavering and earnest.

"Of course, I won’t force you," he continued. "But over these past weeks, after you helped me, I’ve realized something. There are very few people in this world I can truly trust, and you’re one of them. You may not trust me now, and that’s okay. But I hope you’ll let me help you—at least for today."

Bei Sangyun felt the warmth of his words and his touch. She didn’t want to keep rejecting him, not when he had shown so much patience and understanding. She also wanted to start anew, to bridge the gap between them, and to be someone he could trust. If only she wasn’t waiting for the ’right time’.

Her gaze dropped to their hands.

On this aspect, Fei Chuan was braver than her. He was willing to take the risk of trusting her again, even after all that had happened. Meanwhile, she was still chained to the memories of her past life, the fear of the fate that loomed over them, and the guilt of her actions when she had played the role of a villain.

Bei Sangyun raised her eyes to meet his once more. Could she really start over? Could she leave the dark memories behind and face life anew, as someone capable of hope and joy despite the fear of what’s to come?

"...I... I’ll s-stay," she whispered.

For now, there wasn’t much she could do, given her condition. But perhaps, just for a few hours, she could allow herself this moment. A moment to be with Fei Chuan despite of her fear towards their doomed fate.

Fei Chuan’s eyes lit up, and a genuine smile spread across his lips.

"Are you hungry?" he asked warmly. "What would you like to eat?"