Standing Next To You-Chapter 57: Alongside

As the mother and daughter finished their conversation, Lin Sanju suddenly stood up and headed for the door without glancing at them.

Li Mei noticed his movement and asked, "Where are you going, Sanju?"

Lin Sanju didn’t answer and left the room.

Li Mei frowned and remarked, "What’s wrong with your brother? Why has he been getting grumpier these days?"

"I don’t know," Lin Sunji shrugged. She didn’t pay much attention to her twin, who was addicted to his games. She even somewhat despised him for not being a talented brother and not helping with anything.

But in a way, it was advantageous. They were both heirs and should be in competition. Lin Sunji had more potential between the two of them, so she received most of their parents’ support.

"Did something happen at school?" Li Mei asked in concern.

"How would I know? We’re not classmates, and we barely talk. Don’t worry about him, Mom."

"But this won’t do. He also needs to study French. According to the information we have, Father’s friend will be bringing his grandchildren. They are at your age. It would be great if both of you could become hosts and get closer to them."

Lin Sunji rolled her eyes, "Then try to convince him. But all he knows how to do is play games."

With a pout, Lin Sunji left. She was going to her first cousin, Lin Zhe, her true brother. Only with someone like her cousin would Lin Sunji feel a sense of family.

Li Mei sighed and decided to follow Lin Sanju. Her son was more concerning than her daughter because she couldn’t fathom what was on his mind.

However, as expected, the conversation between mother and son did not go well.

*****

"Just park here. I’ll walk from here," Bei Sangyun said to the driver.

A long line of cars stretched out in front of the school gate. Most students were chauffeured by their drivers directly to their respective school buildings, and Bei Sangyun had done the same in the past.

"Are you sure you’ll be fine, young miss?" The driver asked with concern.

None of the Lin family members opted to be dropped off at the school gate and walk alongside the regular students. Well-off students with high status were always escorted by their family drivers and butlers. It was a show of their power to the other students.

"It’s alright. I’m feeling a bit sleepy, so I thought a walk before attending a boring class might help wake me up."

Bei Sangyun stepped out of the car, yawning as she did. This young body was still growing and needed plenty of sleep. However, she hadn’t had much time for rest since leaving the hospital at dawn. Perhaps she could catch up on her sleep at school.

But before that, she wanted to enjoy some fresh air.

She gazed at the trees lining the sidewalk and sought refuge in their shade. The wind played through her hair, carrying a slightly chilly breeze and the refreshing scent of grass and morning sun.

Closing her eyes, Bei Sangyun felt her tired body briefly rejuvenate.

The reason she had chosen to walk from this point was that, every time she had ridden in a car in the past, she had imagined strolling along this pathway. However, due to her status, she couldn’t step out and walk alongside the other students. She could only watch with envy.

There were plenty of times that Bei Sangyun missed her childhood days when she would walk miles just to attend school. She would play with the other children in the village without thinking of the future. It was a very simple and carefree life.

Bei Sangyun reached out to catch some falling leaves.

While this place didn’t hold any fond memories, the scenery and ambiance were undeniably beautiful.

In the past, she had been too focused on her one and only goal and was overwhelmed with pressure. She did not have time or thoughts to enjoy moments like this.

Bei Sangyun smelled the leaves and found it refreshing.

She allowed herself a small smile as she continued walking, savoring the fresh air and beautiful scenery.

As Bei Sangyun made her way, many people immediately recognized her.

They moved aside, casting glances at her back and murmuring among themselves.

Bei Sangyun had grown accustomed to this kind of attention. In a good mood today, she chose to ignore their remarks and continued on her way.

"Hey, isn’t that the school tyrant?"

"Yes, that’s her. I’ve seen her in most of those videos on the school forum, bullying someone. It’s the first time I’ve actually seen her. She’s surprisingly pretty."

"She’s from the Lin family, right? Everyone in the Lin family has good genes. Our grade’s school flower, Lin Xiaoni, is also from the Lin family."

"Wait, Lin Xiaoni and the school tyrant are related?" One student, unaware of this information, asked in shock.

Their conversation was too loud, and Bei Sangyun, passing by them, couldn’t help but overhear. She glanced at them, and the group of students fell silent.

Bei Sangyun noticed their uniforms. They were wearing light blue blazers, the junior’s uniform. It made sense that they knew more about Lin Xiaoni than her.

Tian Shen High School was so large that juniors and seniors rarely crossed paths since their buildings and facilities were located far from each other. They only really encountered each other at the entrance and the large school field. Each grade had its own cafeterias, clinics, dormitories, and other facilities.

Many juniors hadn’t seen Bei Sangyun in person, but her notorious reputation had reached their ears.

She noticed the fear in the juniors’ eyes and averted her gaze.

She wasn’t going to harm them, and she didn’t look particularly menacing. She was even smiling a bit.

Why were these juniors, who had never met her, so afraid of her? Was her reputation truly that intimidating?

Regardless, it didn’t concern her.

Bei Sangyun shrugged and continued on her way.

The juniors sighed in relief as she moved further away. "She’s really intimidating..."

"No doubt, she’s the school tyrant for sure. How can our beautiful and kind Lin Xiaoni be in the same family as her? Won’t that tarnish Lin Xiaoni’s reputation?"

"Excuse me." A hoarse voice came from behind them, startling the juniors and interrupting their discussion.

They instinctively scattered, allowing the male student to pass through.

One of the students blinked and recovered from shock. "The road is so wide; why is he passing through us?"

"He might be seeking attention," another student replied. He glanced at the student who passed them by. The student wore a dark blue blazer.

"He’s a senior. But wait, he looks familiar. Where have I seen him before?"

"Long hair covering his face, a gloomy appearance, tall and thin... Ah!" The student finally recognized him.

"He’s the bullied student from the video! The tyrant’s target!"

"Oh, right! That’s him!"

"But hey, he’s just walking behind the school tyrant. Isn’t he afraid?"

"Who knows? Maybe he’s trying to stay out of her sight and hiding behind her back. I heard he’s very timid and weak."

The conversation of the juniors faded into the background as Fei Chuan continued to walk behind Bei Sangyun.

Fei Chuan’s gaze remained fixed on the back of the person in front of him.

While many students chose to give way or pause their steps and wait for Bei Sangyun to pass by, Fei Chuan didn’t feel the need to do so. He wasn’t afraid of someone like her.

However...

He was a bit puzzled.

Why had she exited her car?

Fei Chuan didn’t follow the usual practice of well-off students; he preferred not to waste time in traffic and opted to be dropped off at the school gate.

Just after he got out of the car, he noticed the car ahead also opening its passenger door. Lo and behold, it was Bei Sangyun.

Fei Chuan found the coincidence remarkable and even suspected that Bei Sangyun might have seen him getting out of the car, prompting her to exit as well. He thought she might torment him early in the morning.

Contrary to his expectations, though, Bei Sangyun didn’t turn around. She kept moving forward, appreciating the surroundings without once looking back, as if she didn’t know he was behind her.

Fei Chuan maintained his pace, following her without explicitly trying to keep up with her or check if she was aware of his presence.

When Bei Sangyun suddenly stopped, Fei Chuan unconsciously paused as well. He watched as she picked up something from the ground and then continued walking.

Fei Chuan resumed his steps but soon realized he had involuntarily slowed down.

Why had he paused? He wasn’t following her, okay?

When Bei Sangyun paused again and caught something from the air, Fei Chuan took a deep breath and quickened his pace. He wasn’t afraid of her, and he could certainly pass her by and leave her behind.

There were two meters between them.

One meter...

One and a half...

Finally, he passed her by.

As Fei Chuan walked past Bei Sangyun, the morning breeze ruffled both of their hair.

Her long hair grazed past Fei Chuan’s shoulders, and he caught the pleasant scent of lavender and a woody fragrance. It caused him to unconsciously turn his head toward her.

Simultaneously, Bei Sangyun sensed a presence on her left. No one dared to walk past her or beside her, so this was an unusual occurrence.

Who dared to be so brave to walk passed the tyrant?

She looked up and locked eyes with Fei Chuan.

The breeze lifted Fei Chuan’s long hair, revealing his beautiful eyes.