Standing Next To You-Chapter 519: Untamed Alphas

A/n: This Chapter is now edited. Thank you for waiting.

......

The first step is always the hardest. But once you take that first step, the others easily follow through.

This was how Bei Sangyun felt. Once she overcame that wall and fully accepted the present life and the changes it brought, she felt like a newborn baby—eager for tomorrow to come, ready to face each moment with happiness.

Since deciding to tell Fei Chuan the truth and pursue him again—this time with complete sincerity—Bei Sangyun began reconnecting with him through the cherished memories they had shared in the past.

She brought Fei Chuan to the places they had once visited together: Tian Sheng High, the food stalls they had eaten at, and the sidewalks they used to walk.

Bei Sangyun wore a simple lavender dress, while Fei Chuan was dressed in a blue long-sleeve shirt and white slacks. With their striking appearances, anyone who saw them walking down the sidewalk might have thought they were filming a scene for a drama. Fortunately, the once-crowded area was now empty, thanks to the newly built commercial district nearby.

"The booth here is gone. I heard the lady who owned it got lucky and opened her own shop in the commercial building," Bei Sangyun remarked. The sidewalk, once bustling with booths and vendors, now looked desolate and quiet.

Yet, seeing the familiar scenery, Bei Sangyun found the silence peaceful and calming—especially with Fei Chuan beside her.

Fei Chuan reminisced alongside her. "Yeah. There used to be a fish cake stall here." He glanced at the empty spot where they had once bought fish cakes and shared them from the same stick.

That memory felt like it belonged to a lifetime ago.

"Look, isn’t this the spot where I waited for you?" Bei Sangyun said with a happy smile, her eyes bright with nostalgia. She ran to the spot and leaned against the post, crossing her arms to mimic the exact pose she had struck while waiting for Fei Chuan to pass by.

"You always used this sidewalk, so I made sure to come early and wait for you here."

Fei Chuan watched her, and for a moment, it was as if the scene from four years ago overlapped with the present. He could see the younger Bei Sangyun standing there with a bored expression that lit up the instant she saw him.

"...Yeah, I remember," he muttered. Back then, he had thought those moments would last forever. But his younger self had been too naive—too easily deceived.

Fei Chuan turned to Bei Sangyun. "Is this the only place you wanted us to visit?"

"No," she replied softly, her eyes smiling. "There’s one more."

...

The two arrived at Central Flower Park.

Fei Chuan stared at the entrance, momentarily speechless. He hadn’t expected her to bring him here—to the place that had been their most romantic sanctuary, the site of promises they had once made.

His hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening.

The places they visited were full of memories of them. What was she trying to pull?

When they reached the man-made waterfall near the lake, Fei Chuan struggled to suppress the emotions threatening to break through.

"...Why did you bring me here?" he asked, his voice quieter than before.

Bei Sangyun suddenly pulled a basket from behind the bushes. Inside was a blanket and a selection of snacks.

"A picnic. It’s been four... no, five years since I last had one," she replied as she spread the blanket over the grass.

Fei Chuan watched her silently. The afternoon sun fell on her head, making her appear as though she were glowing. Her black hair cascaded naturally over her fair shoulders, swaying lightly in the breeze. Her already radiant skin seemed even fairer against her lavender dress. Surrounded by the greenery and vibrant flowers, she looked like a fairy brought to life.

This side of her was so different from the Bei Sangyun he had seen at the banquet—a side he hadn’t encountered before.

His heart raced. But his expression grew grimmer. He hated how he always fell under her spell.

Fei Chuan sat down on the blanket, determined to see what game she was playing this time.

"Right. It’s been four years and eight months since the last time we came here," he said, breaking the silence.

Bei Sangyun glanced at him, her eyes holding a hint of something unspoken. "I visited this place three months ago."

Fei Chuan paused for a second.

Bei Sangyun turned her gaze to the lake, trying to hide her embarrassment. "I came here and... coincidentally, you were here too. You were standing by the tree. When you were about to turn around, I ran away."

Fei Chuan lowered his gaze. Of course, he knew.

Bei Sangyun turned back to him. "Can I ask why you came here that time?"

Fei Chuan’s heart skipped a beat. Why was she asking this?

What should he say? That he came here because... because...

Fei Chuan curled his fists. "...Just reminiscing."

Bei Sangyun smiled softly. That answer was good enough for her. "...I came here because I missed you."

Fei Chuan froze. He turned to her, his eyes locking onto hers as if trying to read every inch of her expression.

Bei Sangyun met his gaze. "To be honest, I haven’t moved on. All this time, I’ve been thinking about you. I looked for you, and when I found you, I went to the places you visited—just to catch a glimpse of you. All this time... I’ve been missing you."

A gentle wind blew, caressing her hair.

She tucked her hair behind her ears, her voice steady yet vulnerable. "I know you wanted to stay friends. I respect that. I do. And I want to start as friends too. But I need to be clear about my intentions."

She held his gaze, her eyes unwavering. "The reason I asked you out today and took you to those places is because I never forgot about you. Those memories are precious to me. In the four years we’ve been apart, there hasn’t been a single day when I didn’t think of you."

Her words transported Fei Chuan back in time, to the same place four years ago. It was as though he was reliving that moment, caught in a whirlpool of emotions and memories.

He swallowed hard, his thoughts a chaotic storm. In the end, he could only ask, "...Are you saying you... you like me?"

Bei Sangyun smiled, her eyes curving into crescents. "Yes. I have always liked you. And I always will."

It was a confession—heartfelt and sincere. Yet, instead of joy, Fei Chuan was consumed by a storm of emotions—confusion, and a deep, unshakable darkness that seemed to anchor itself in his heart.

He forced a smile. "...I see."

"You don’t have to say anything now," Bei Sangyun hurriedly added, her tone almost pleading. She feared her confession might burden him. "I know it doesn’t make sense to you, especially after what I did. But I hope you’ll listen to me and give me some time to explain everything. In four days, I’ll tell you everything."

Fei Chuan stared at her, his mind and heart lost in turmoil. He glanced down at his clenched fist and took a deep breath.

"It’s fine," he said, managing another smile, though his heart felt hollow. "I like you too. How about we take a step forward? Not as friends... but as a man and woman."

Bei Sangyun froze, stunned by his words. Then her eyes lit up, but she held back her excitement. "But... I haven’t explained everything to you yet."

"Four days. It’s only four days. I can wait," Fei Chuan said firmly. Then, his voice softened. "But right now—"

He reached for her hand, the hand he hadn’t held in more than four years. It felt so soft, so warm, it made his throat tighten. He pulled her closer.

"I can’t wait for you to be mine," he murmured, his voice trembling slightly.

And then, without hesitation, he leaned down to kiss her.

But Bei Sangyun suddenly pressed her free hand between their lips, stopping him.

"You can’t." Her voice was soft but firm. She gently pulled her arm away from his grasp, her movements deliberate, almost tender. "We can’t... not yet." She didn’t meet his gaze.

Fei Chuan’s eyes darkened, his expression shifting.

Ha. He almost fell for it—for her act.

Fortunately, his wits hadn’t abandoned him. He let that moment slip, using it to shatter whatever illusion she was trying to weave.

He smiled, but it was a cold, shadowed smile. "I understand."

Bei Sangyun abruptly stood up and walked a few steps away. Spotting a fallen branch nearby, she picked it up. She held one end and extended the other toward him.

"Here," Her tone light yet oddly serious. "We can hold hands like this. After four days, we won’t need this branch anymore."

Fei Chuan stared at her in silence, his expression unreadable.

"..."

He didn’t understand. Not in the slightest. Why was she doing this? Making silly excuses? It was all the same. A game to her. She had always played games like this.

Fei Chuan reached out and grasped the other end of the branch. His grip was firm, though his gaze remained guarded.

"Alright," he said flatly. If it was a game, he could also play along- and he would come out as a winner this time.

....

Additional Scene:

It was a peaceful day.

The Principal of Tian Shen High strolled around the school grounds with a light heart and an upbeat stride. Ever since that tyrant had graduated four years ago, the weight that had been pressing on his chest seemed to have vanished. At last, he was the undisputed king of his domain. No more intimidating little tyrant giving orders or dictating what should and shouldn’t be done.

The students who passed him greeted him with polite bows, their voices laced with respect. The Principal’s mood brightened further. These students were courteous and obedient—exactly how students should be. Thankfully, after that tyrant graduated, no one had risen to take her place. For that, he was eternally grateful.

On his way back to his office, the Principal paused in front of the Achievements Board. This bulletin board was a shrine of sorts, showcasing the accomplishments of past students—those rare, once-in-a-lifetime moments etched into the school’s history.

His gaze landed on a photo of a pair of stunningly beautiful students—a young man and woman crowned as King and Queen of the Night at the graduation ball.

The young girl’s image, despite being frozen in time, carried the same stoic, commanding presence that had always unnerved him. Even in the photograph, her eyes seemed to pierce through him, intimidating and unrelenting.

The Principal shivered and looked away. Thankfully, that girl would never return to Tian Shen High.

"Mr. Principal, it’s been a long time."

The familiar voice sent chills down his spine. He froze, his heart skipping a beat, before slowly turning toward the source.

There she was—Bei Sangyun, standing beside none other than Fei Chuan.

How eerie, he thought, to recall someone only for them to appear before you moments later.

The Principal listened in disbelief as the reason for their visit was explained. Bei Sangyun, now a patron of the school, and Fei Chuan, who had brought honor to Tian Shen High five years ago, had requested permission to roam the campus freely. How could he refuse? With gritted teeth and a forced smile, he granted them access.

As they walked away, the Principal couldn’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia. It was surreal to see the two of them together after all these years.

Still, he couldn’t help but wonder. A tyrant and a black horse.

Both of them were predators in their own right—dominant, untamed alphas. How, he mused, could such a pair coexist? Who among them would ever submit?