Standing Next To You-Chapter 504: Can no longer stop it

This was the third time the two had dinner together. Unlike the first and second dinners, which were filled with pauses and moments of awkwardness, the third went noticeably smoother and felt more harmonious.

Fei Chuan’s humorous jokes and lighthearted comments earned Bei Sangyun’s laughter. Sometimes, the jokes weren’t even funny, but Bei Sangyun chuckled at nearly everything he said, which, in turn, made Fei Chuan laugh as well.

The entire dining table was filled with their smiles and soft laughter.

"I really enjoyed the dinner. Thank you for having me." Fei Chuan stood at the doorway and thanked Bei Sangyun and Grandma Bei.

"You’re welcome to come again next time," Grandma Bei said excitedly, extending another invitation.

"He’s a busy man, Grandma." Bei Sangyun turned to Fei Chuan and added, "Thank you for coming. I’m glad the food suited your taste."

"Don’t turn down Grandma Bei’s invitation on my behalf," Fei Chuan replied with a playful smile. He glanced at Grandma Bei and added, "Next time I come, please join us, Grandma."

"Of course, I will." Grandma Bei beamed, clearly overjoyed. She gently pushed Bei Sangyun toward Fei Chuan and said, "You should walk our guest out."

Bei Sangyun: "...."

Her grandma really enjoyed playing cupid.

Now left alone at the door, Bei Sangyun suddenly felt embarrassed. Was it too obvious that Grandma Bei was trying to set her up with him? What if it made Fei Chuan uncomfortable?

"Uhm... should I walk you to the gate?" Bei Sangyun asked awkwardly.

"Actually..." Fei Chuan hesitated before suggesting, "I was wondering if we could take a walk first. You know, to help digest all the food we ate." He looked at her with a hopeful expression.

Bei Sangyun would instantly do anything for him at this point. Without hesitation, she nodded.

It’s just a walk. It won’t take long, and they’ll keep a respectable distance between them.

Or so she thought.

But... wasn’t he standing a bit too close?

The two strolled around the neighborhood. The area was serene, as most of the villa owners were wealthy but low-key individuals. The quiet atmosphere only heightened Bei Sangyun’s awareness of his presence beside her.

Under the street lamps, Bei Sangyun and Fei Chuan walked side by side, their arms almost touching.

Bei Sangyun hesitated to move away, afraid that Fei Chuan might misunderstand her actions. Yet, she also worried that standing too close to her might drain his energy.

Her concerns for Fei Chuan’s well-being won out. She stepped sideways, creating a small gap between them—about half an arm’s length.

Fei Chuan noticed her subtle avoidance. The vibrant light in his eyes from moments ago dimmed.

"...Uhm, last time, after we stayed at the Lin mansion, did you... get sick afterward?" Bei Sangyun broke the silence, her worry evident in her gaze.

Fei Chuan, whose thoughts had just plunged into a dark place, sprang up with a spark of life. "Why would you think I got sick?"

"Well... you slept on the small sofa, and you didn’t even have a blanket," she replied, though there was another worry she didn’t voice. After all, Fei Chuan hadn’t believed her when she told him that the last time.

Fei Chuan chuckled. "You’re worried I’d get sick from that? I’m not fragile."

Bei Sangyun blinked but didn’t respond.

Fei Chuan’s laughter halted. Oh, right. Four years ago, he had been a fragile boy, falling sick for days and even vomiting blood.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "I’m much healthier now compared to back then. I don’t get sick so easily anymore." Though he’d been unwell recently, he wasn’t lying. Over the past four years, he’d stopped vomiting blood and rarely fell ill.

Well, except since his recent arrival in the country—he’d been feeling dizzy more often. But that was minor compared to his previous condition.

Bei Sangyun inwardly sighed in relief. Perhaps she hadn’t drained too much of his energy when they spent that night together. Or maybe, just maybe, their fates were changing.

Whatever the reason, it was good news.

The two continued walking around the quiet neighborhood for another twenty minutes. When Fei Chuan finally got into his car, Bei Sangyun waved him off, watching as his vehicle disappeared into the distance.

Unbeknownst to her, someone sat hidden in a tinted parked car, snapping photos of them together.

.....

The next morning, Bei Sangyun was woken up by the sound of her ringtone. Being a light sleeper, the moment her phone buzzed, her sleep was already disturbed.

She lazily reached for her phone, eyes still closed. "What?" she mumbled groggily.

"Have you checked the news?" Butler Xin’s urgent voice came through the other line. "If you haven’t, I’m telling you now—brace yourself. This isn’t something that can be easily erased this time."

Bei Sangyun’s eyes snapped open. A jolt of unease coursed through her as she hurriedly opened her social media while staying on the call. Notifications began flooding in, her phone vibrating relentlessly. She swiped them aside, not bothering to read a single one.

Then, a trending article popped up on her screen, and her movements froze.

The title was bold and striking:

[Fei Chuan, the James family’s right-hand man, spotted with a woman! Rumor confirmed true!]

Below the headline was a photo of them exiting her house. Although the gate number and her face were blurred, and the article didn’t specify an address, Bei Sangyun felt her heart drop.

No... not again!

She had been so careful this time. How did these people know her address and even get in?

Panic rising, she quickly checked other platforms.

[The most trending man, no longer single!]

[William James’s best friend, Fei Chuan, has a secret partner.]

[Fei Chuan’s bachelor days are over—a lot of women will cry!]

Every platform was flooded with similar headlines.

Fei Chuan was globally renowned, thanks to his ties with the James family. His fame had only grown further due to his striking looks and captivating appeal. The magazines that once crowned him as "the most handsome man" were now buzzing with speculation about the end of his bachelor life.

Who wouldn’t be curious about this?

Bei Sangyun’s hands trembled as she scrolled through the endless posts. She had managed to prevent rumors like this from spreading in the past, but this time... this time, she knew she wouldn’t be able to stop it.