Standing Next To You-Chapter 583: Heartfelt confessions

The car parked beneath the high-rise building. The door opened, and Fei Chuan stepped out. He quickly walked around to the passenger side and opened the door.

Bei Sangyun chuckled at the sight. As she stepped out, she commented, "You really don’t need to open the door for me."

"But I want to," Fei Chuan replied, taking her purse and the bouquet from her arms. "I’ve always wanted to do things like this for you. Now I finally have a reason."

Bei Sangyun shook her head helplessly. Though she insisted he didn’t need to, her heart was warmed by his actions and sweet words. Cooking for her early in the morning, showing up at her door with flowers, and driving her to work—everything he did was so sweet. He made her feel special.

"Are you going to put these on your desk?" he asked.

"Yes. I want to see them while I work."

Fei Chuan walked her from the entrance to the VIP elevator. The employees who recognized Bei Sangyun greeted her politely, smiling. When they noticed Fei Chuan walking half a step behind her, holding her purse and flowers, their eyes lit up.

They exchanged looks, gossip clearly buzzing in their minds.

Soon, a rumor spread through the building: the boss had arrived with a handsome man carrying her purse and flowers. Someone even snapped a photo of their backs and sent it to the company group chat.

Zhong Cheng, who was secretly in every department group chat under a fake account, received the notification. He had a habit of monitoring gossip across departments—after all, most complaints surfaced in group messages.

But when he saw the photo and recognized the two figures, his eyes widened. He rushed out of his office to confirm it with his own eyes.

As soon as he stepped out, he spotted them. Bei Sangyun was smiling, clearly in high spirits, and Fei Chuan trailed just behind her, holding her purse and bouquet—just like in the photo. Even with the purple purse and red roses in hand, he looked perfectly at ease. Happy, even. Not at all like someone who’d been forced into it.

Zhong Cheng had assumed, based on the last few weeks, that the two had broken up again—and this time, things had looked serious.

But from the looks of it now, everything had been resolved.

"You two... are you... dating again?" Zhong Cheng asked, teary-eyed. He was half overjoyed for them—and half devastated that his boss would no longer buried herself in work anymore. It seemed his work load would increase starting today.

Bei Sangyun and Fei Chuan both paused at the question. Bei Sangyun blinked. Right. They hadn’t actually talked about that—are they... dating?

In her mind, they were more than friends, almost like lovers. But she wasn’t sure how Fei Chuan saw it. They had forgiven each other and even confessed. But they hadn’t said the magic words—the "I love you" part.

She turned to look at Fei Chuan, eyes full of curiosity. We’re lovers... right?

Fei Chuan caught her gaze, smiled reassuringly, and answered for both of them."I’m courting her right now."

Both Bei Sangyun and Zhong Cheng froze in surprise.

Then Zhong Cheng clapped excitedly. "You have my full approval, boss!" He leaned in toward Fei Chuan and whispered, "If you ever need a wingman, just reach out to me." He winked.

Fei Chuan nodded seriously, already considering the offer.

Bei Sangyun was still processing. Courting? So... they weren’t officially a couple yet?

Fei Chuan looked around and pointed to her desk. "This is yours, right? I’ll help you with the flowers."

Together, they placed the bouquet in a vase and arranged it on her desk.

Once everything was done, Fei Chuan turned to her. "I’ll see you at lunch."

"Alright," Bei Sangyun replied, still slightly dazed.

Fei Chuan stared deeply at her. He hesitated, then leaned in and kissed her cheek. "I love you." His voice was deep and hoarse, with a slight tremble.

Bei Sangyun’s eyes widened in shock.

Zhong Cheng covered his mouth, his eyes sparkling. He nearly squealed.

Fei Chuan noticed her stunned expression. The nervousness in his eyes diminished. He chuckled and softly kissed the corner of her eye. "Take care, okay? Especially when I’m not around."

Then he turned to Zhong Cheng. "Don’t pile too much work on her."

"She’s the boss," Zhong Cheng grumbled. "The work comes from her, not me."

Fei Chuan gave him a look. "Still. Let me know if anything comes up." He turned to Bei Sangyun one more time, lingering for a moment, then reluctantly left the office.

Bei Sangyun was still staring in the direction where Fei Chuan had left. Her spirit, which had flown out of her body, hadn’t quite returned yet.

Her mouth was slightly open, her eyes dazed.

Her ears... they weren’t deceiving her, right?

I love you...

I love... you...

I... love you...

She placed a hand over her chest. Her heart was beating wildly—so loud, it nearly drowned out every other sound.

Fei Chuan had said it.

He said I love you!

Bei Sangyun snapped back to herself. Without a second thought, she turned and bolted toward the elevator. Seeing that it was already descending to the ground floor, she rushed to the second elevator and slammed the button, praying she could still catch up to him.

She hadn’t replied. She didn’t get to say it back.

His words had completely shaken her. They pierced straight into her heart and made her soul tremble. She was too stunned to respond, caught up in the beauty of hearing the words she had longed to hear.

When the elevator finally hit the ground floor, she darted out.

She spotted Fei Chuan walking down the hallway. People turned to look at him, recognizing him from the photo already circulating in the group chat.

Bei Sangyun ran.

But Fei Chuan’s steps were long, and he was nearly at the exit.

"Fei Chuan!" she shouted. Her voice echoed across the lobby. Everyone in the vicinity paused and turned to look. But she did not care.

Fei Chuan froze. He knew that voice instantly. He turned around in surprise.

Bei Sangyun, panting from the run, walked quickly toward him. As she reached him, she slowed to a stop and looked into his eyes.

"I..."Her chest rose and fell rapidly—not just from exertion, but from the whirlwind of emotions crashing in her.

She was nervous. Excited. Overwhelmed. And most of all... ready.

Ready to finally say the words she had kept buried in her heart for five long years. Words that had quietly taken root during the days they spent growing up together. Words she hadn’t fully understood—while watching him grow old beside the silence of her grave.

"I love you too... I’ve always loved you. Four years ago... and even more now."

She said every word sincerely—from the bottom of her heart, from the depths of her soul.

Her raw emotion shone in her trembling voice, in the gaze she fixed on him, and in her breathless declaration.

Fei Chuan stared at her.

For a moment, he couldn’t speak. His heart was swelling with a wave of overwhelming emotions—happiness, gratitude, peace, devotion. A deep, unshakable longing to protect and cherish the woman standing in front of him.

His most precious person. His everything.

A heartfelt smile spread across Fei Chuan’s lips. His eyes misted over as he replied softly,"...And I loved you in the past... and even more so now."

The other version of him—in that other life—would have traded every lifetime just to have this moment.

Bei Sangyun’s smile bloomed with pure joy. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. They stood there, gazing at each other, smiling—hearts full, souls from the past, the present, and even beyond finally at peace, finally at rest.

...

Additional Story:

It was 2 a.m. when the alarm clock on the bedside table rang. An arm reached out from the bed and turned it off.

Fei Chuan was already awake. He went straight to the kitchen and began preparing ingredients. Over the past few days, he had been learning how to cook—and just yesterday, he had learned how to make xiaolongbao.

He wanted to try making it again today, this time completely on his own.

5 a.m.

The meat filling, the dough, the rich broth—they were all ready, and he had begun wrapping them together. A few failed attempts sat beside him, but he continued working diligently. At this time, the young butler had also woken up and started his morning routine.

When he saw the kitchen lights on and the mess inside, he was stunned. But even more surprising was the person behind the counter.

Noticing the wrappers and meat fillings, he quickly guessed: xiaolongbao. A dish both delicate and time-consuming to make. Still, the aroma was promising, and from the look of it, Fei Chuan had done quite well.

"Do you want some help, Master?" the young butler asked, rolling up his sleeves, ready to assist.

"I’ll need your help cleaning the kitchen later," Fei Chuan said. "And also delivering this."

The young butler stepped back respectfully. It seemed the boss wanted to do everything himself today.

By 6:30 a.m., the xiaolongbao was finally done—perfectly steamed, tender, and placed in a beautiful container, still piping hot.

"Send this to the Bei Villa," Fei Chuan instructed. "Don’t tell her I made it. I want to hear her honest reaction."

He had poured all his effort into making it, and while it tasted good to him, he wasn’t sure if it would match her taste.

The young butler nodded. Just as he was about to leave, Fei Chuan added,"Oh—and tell her to eat well."

With a soft smile, the young butler replied, "Leave it to me," and headed out with the warm meal in hand.

Fei Chuan looked back at the mess in the kitchen, then at the pile of failed xiaolongbao. He really hoped Bei Sangyun would like it—after all, this was one of her favorite dishes.

He headed upstairs, thinking about which of her other favorites he should try making next.

After finishing his bath and getting dressed, he drove to the flower shop and picked out a beautiful bouquet. Then, he returned to Bei Sangyun’s villa.

Standing at her doorstep, Fei Chuan took a deep breath.

Nervousness, excitement, anticipation, and yearning all swirled in his heart.

He wanted to see her—to gaze into her hypnotic eyes, witness her smile, breathe in her fragrance, and be enveloped by her presence. He longed for her.

He rang the doorbell, and soon, Bei Sangyun opened the door.

The gemstones on her earrings and necklace sparkled, adding an ethereal glow to her presence. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw him. Her smile widened. Her expression softened.

Fei Chuan fell even more deeply in love.

In his eyes, Bei Sangyun was glowing—radiant, and breathtakingly beautiful.