Standing Next To You-Chapter 505: She looks like you

Even Butler Xin understood that the situation had spiraled out of control. Not even money could suppress this any longer.

"Master, you can’t stop this. Why not... just let it be?"

Bei Sangyun didn’t respond, her grip tightening on her phone.

A notification popped up, drawing her attention. It was a new article.

The bold title instantly caught viewers’ eyes:

[Who is Fei Chuan’s Woman?]

Bei Sangyun clicked on the link and was met with a photo of herself, taken at the Lin family’s banquet. Beneath the photo was a brief description of her background.

The article sent the already blazing rumors into overdrive. Some sharp-eyed netizens spotted the dark purple purse she had carried at the banquet and connected it to Fei Chuan’s brooch, noting their strikingly similar color tones.

Speculations of a couple’s match filled the comment sections, and the majority quickly jumped to conclusions—they were certain Bei Sangyun and Fei Chuan were dating.

Bei Sangyun facepalmed.

The longer this went on, the worse it would be for Fei Chuan. With how quickly the news was spreading, it was only a matter of time before people uncovered their history: how they had dated in high school, grown up in the same village, and even been classmates in kindergarten.

No matter how vehemently she and Fei Chuan denied the rumors, no one would believe them.

Bei Sangyun didn’t care if the rumors were solely about her. But Fei Chuan? He would be greatly affected.

Her gaze suddenly sharpened with determination.

"Butler Xin, is the list ready? Let’s pick one and put an end to this," she said resolutely.

On the other line, Butler Xin hesitated. "Are you sure? This isn’t a good method."

"It’s not good, but it’s the best way to stop everything," Bei Sangyun replied firmly.

"...But what about you?" Butler Xin asked, his tone laced with worry.

"Don’t worry about me. I’ve played the tyrant before. I don’t mind playing the villain again," Bei Sangyun said confidently, her voice unwavering.

.....

In a distant place far from Country C, a graceful and gentle-looking middle-aged woman was preparing dinner. She carefully placed utensils on the table as the news channel played in the background.

["Breaking news: Fei Chuan, known as William James’ right-hand man and ranked number one on the list of ’Most Desired Men to Marry,’ has been spotted with a woman in Country C. This photo is currently trending and dominating hot searches across all media platforms. Not long ago, rumors surfaced about him dating the woman in the photo--"]

The middle-aged woman pause at the mention of "Country C." She turned her head sharply toward the television, her gaze falling on the handsome man in the blurred photo beside an unidentified woman.

She shook her head with a faint smile. The man was indeed strikingly handsome, even in a candid shot. No wonder the news about him dating someone had gone viral.

She returned to her task, placing plates on the table. The maids trailing behind her mirrored her actions, carefully setting down the cutlery.

"Madame, aren’t you from that country?" a young maid asked curiously. Over the years, the Madame’s kindness and warmth had allowed the maids to grow close to her. "Are there other men in your country as handsome as Mr. Fei?"

The middle-aged woman chuckled at the question. "There are many handsome men in my country. But Mr. Fei has truly striking looks. Even I was dazed when I first saw him in a magazine. But don’t tell this to my husband," she added playfully.

The maids giggled and exchanged lighthearted jokes.

"Is your country also full of beautiful women? I saw the woman Mr. Fei is rumored to be dating, and she’s stunning. She looks a lot like you, Madame," another maid commented.

"Sometimes people think we all look the same because we share the same nationality," the middle-aged woman replied lightly, not taking the remark to heart.

"Maybe, but she really looks like you. Especially in your wedding photo," the maid said, pointing at a large framed photo in the living room.

The middle-aged woman followed the gesture, her gaze landing on the photo. She was several years younger in it, smiling radiantly in her wedding gown.

"Oh, she must be quite pretty then," she joked, her tone lighthearted.

The news continued in the background.

["....The woman photographed with Mr. Fei is identified as Bei Sangyun--"]

The middle-aged woman, who had been smiling moments ago, suddenly froze.

["--the owner of Phoenix Holdings and the creator of the rising brand FourMoon, which has been gaining significant attention lately."]

Bei Sangyun’s photo from the Lin banquet appeared on the screen.

The maids gasped in unison, pointing at the TV.

"Look, Madame! That’s her! Doesn’t she look so much like you?"

The middle-aged woman’s face turned pale, her eyes widening in shock. The plate she had been holding slipped from her hands, shattering against the floor.

.....

That same day, at the Lin mansion, Old Master Lin sat in his study, glaring at the tablet in his hands. International news platforms were ablaze with the names and photos of Bei Sangyun and Fei Chuan. Their images seemed to dominate every headline.

"Tsk. She just does whatever she wants! Does she even plan to marry this boy? I thought they had broken up. Did they get back together?" he muttered sourly, directing his words at Lin Ginxian, who sat across the room.

Lin Ginxian, however, seemed unbothered. He held his own tablet, scrolling through it with an air of calm detachment.

"Did you summon me this early in the morning just for this?" Lin Ginxian asked, his tone clipped.

Old Master Lin’s irritation flared at his son’s indifference. "This is your daughter! Aren’t you worried that she’s out there doing whatever she pleases, making her private affairs the talk of the entire world?!"

Lin Ginxian lowered his gaze, his calm exterior faltering slightly as a shadow of melancholy crossed his features. "Father, let me remind you—she is no longer a Lin. We have no right to dictate her life now. We lost that privilege a long time ago." His voice turned lower as he continued, "Look at her—she’s thriving. She’s accomplished so much without us. What is there for me to worry about?"

"Tsk! If you’d been a proper father, you wouldn’t have lost her in the first place," Old Master Lin snapped, his words sharp.

Lin Ginxian’s eyes lingered on the photo of Bei Sangyun displayed on the screen. At the Lin banquet, he hadn’t dared to look at her for long, afraid his gaze might betray the guilt and regret he carried. But now, staring at her image, he couldn’t help but notice how much she had grown.

All on her own, she had transformed into someone extraordinary—confident, radiant, and accomplished.

"...You’re right," Lin Ginxian said, a bitter chuckle escaping his lips. "I wasn’t a good father. And I don’t deserve to be one."

Old Master Lin paused mid-rant, his eyes glancing at his son.

"I never wanted to be one in the first place," Lin Ginxian admitted quietly, his voice tinged with self-loathing.

The room fell silent for a moment, heavy with unspoken truths. Then Lin Ginxian stood, turning toward his father.

"I don’t understand how someone like her could’ve come from me—or from this family," he said, his tone cold yet tinged with an ache that couldn’t be ignored.

Without waiting for a response, Lin Ginxian walked toward the door. He paused momentarily before adding, "Don’t summon me again for something like this. I can’t help you. If you miss her, go to her and apologize. Of course, I can’t guarantee she’ll forgive you. But stop using excuses to mask your jealousy of the fourth branch."

"I’m not jealous of the fourth branch! I don’t care if they’ve built strong ties with her. I’m only saying that as her father—"

Bam!

The door slammed shut, cutting off Old Master Lin’s words.

The old man sat there, stunned by his son’s audacity. "That rude brat! Why do none of my sons have any respect for me?!"

His angry words echoed through the room, but the fire in his tone quickly dimmed. Lin Ginxian’s parting words echoed in his mind.

"I don’t understand how someone like her could’ve come from me—or from this family."

Old Master Lin frowned, gripping his cane tightly. What did Lin Ginxian mean by that? Of course, such an exceptional person could only come from their family!

Harrumphing to himself, Old Master Lin tried to dismiss the thought. But no matter how hard he tried, his heart ached with realizations he couldn’t suppress.