Standing Next To You-Chapter 524: The Difference in the Past and Acceptance

Bei Xingyun began explaining the reason she had left. As Grandma Bei had told her, Bei Xingyun had worked under the Lin family, got involved with Lin Ginxian, and eventually became pregnant with Bei Sangyun.

However, when she discovered that Lin Ginxian had no intention of having children, Bei Xingyun left the Lin mansion.

"I thought he would force me to abort you. So I left and returned to my hometown. But being a single mother is hard. Without any support from your father, I had to raise you all alone. I worked different jobs in the Capital... and eventually met someone."

She looked at Bei Sangyun apologetically, hoping for understanding. "That man... he is perfect. He’s the love of my life. He’s willing to marry me—but only me. I know this is hard for you to understand, but I see the life I’ve always wanted. This is my only chance to grab it. If I let it slip, I’ll lose it forever and won’t ever have another opportunity."

Bei Xingyun appeared devastated as she recalled the past. "It was a hard decision."

Bei Sangyun remained silent as she listened. It wasn’t the first time she had heard this. In her previous lifetime, Bei Xingyun had said these exact words to her. Back then, she had been so angry when she first heard this—especially the next words that were about to come.

Bei Xingyun looked at her pleadingly. "I wasn’t born into a good life. I had to work hard for everything, just to have less than the bare minimum that normal children would have. And when I had you, things became even more complicated and difficult. When I left you with Grandma, things finally started to get better."

"You might think I’m just making excuses, and I wouldn’t blame you for hating me for my selfish decisions. I know it’s too late, but I want to apologize for all the pain I caused you. This might not be enough, but I hope it can give you some closure about me."

Bei Sangyun’s face remained expressionless. She was still waiting for the real reason why Bei Xingyun had come looking for her after so many years.

Bei Xingyun wiped the unshed tears from her eyes. "You must be wondering why I suddenly showed up, explaining things you might not even care about anymore. But to be honest, I’ve never forgotten about you. Not a single day has passed without me thinking about you."

She smiled at Bei Sangyun, her eyes red. "I couldn’t help it anymore when I saw your photos in the news. I knew I had to come here and meet you. And look at you—you’re even more beautiful than in the photos. You’ve grown into such a wonderful person, even without me."

Bei Sangyun nodded. "Those photos really didn’t do me justice."

Bei Xingyun’s face lit up at the response, and she became more enthusiastic. "Right! Those people online don’t even know what they’re talking about."

Bei Sangyun didn’t comment further and simply nodded.

The conversation trailed off, and the awkwardness returned. Bei Xingyun laughed softly, trying to dispel the tension.

"...I’m just glad to see you’re doing well," Bei Xingyun said, nervously playing with her nails. After a brief pause, she continued, "Actually, I have a favor to ask of you."

Bei Sangyun glanced at her, meeting her gaze.

Bei Xingyun suddenly became anxious and hurriedly added, "I know it’s too much to ask, but I... I hope you’ll understand. My husband doesn’t know about my past. We have so much resemblance, and people might start to get curious about certain things in your family. As a married woman, I’m begging you not to say anything that could harm my family. Please." Her voice trembled as she looked at Bei Sangyun pleadingly.

Bei Sangyun listened to her words. They were exactly the same as what Bei Xingyun had said in her previous life. How had she responded back then?

At that time, she had solidified her position as Head Master and ruthlessly crushed her enemies. Those who dared to fight her had been stripped from the family registry, lost their wealth, and were cast into the slums to struggle for survival.

Like a victor declaring her triumph to the world, she had changed the once-renowned Lin family’s name to Bei. Many protested, but none dared to challenge Bei Sangyun—the terrifying tyrant—on their own. Those who had faced her and failed suffered fates worse than death.

Her audacious move to rename the family cemented her notorious reputation, spreading even to foreign countries. News of her deeds must have reached Bei Xingyun’s ears.

Bei Xingyun came to her then, asking to meet her. At that time, Bei Sangyun’s world had already descended into darkness, with nothing left to hold onto. Bei Xingyun’s sudden appearance stirred a whirlwind of emotions—anger and a flicker of hope.

She was furious at being abandoned, at Bei Xingyun’s audacity to show up after so many years. But beneath the anger, there was a fragile hope: hope that she finally had a family, someone to rely on, someone who might be her solace in a desolate world.

So, she allowed the meeting. However, whatever hope she had was completely crushed the moment she heard Bei Xingyun’s words.

Rage consumed her entirely. Not only did she reject Bei Xingyun’s pleas, but the very next day, she put pressure on Bei Xingyun’s husband’s company, ensuring they felt the full force of her wrath.

She did not reveal that she and Bei Xingyun were related, but she was determined to crush the comfortable life Bei Xingyun had chosen over her. She wanted Bei Xingyun to experience the hardship she had endured and see whether the husband she was so in love with would stand by her in times of need.

Back then, Bei Sangyun’s power had grown so immense that most businessmen in Country C feared her. Within a few months, she successfully pressured Bei Xingyun’s husband’s company. Their stocks plummeted bit by bit, their business partners abandoned them one by one, and the once-thriving company was systematically dismantled under her control.

In the end, Bei Xingyun’s husband came to meet her. When he first saw her, he was stunned by her resemblance with his wife. But as a seasoned businessman, he quickly masked his surprise and asked her directly, "Why are you targeting my company? We’ve never even crossed paths."

Bei Sangyun smiled darkly at him. "Why don’t you ask your wife?"

From those words, Bei Xingyun’s husband pieced everything together.

However, to her surprise, the husband did not leave Bei Xingyun. Instead, he sold his company to someone Bei Sangyun despised and moved with his family to a peaceful village to live a simpler life.

Bei Sangyun couldn’t understand his decision. The questions plagued her: Aren’t you angry? You were deceived by someone you loved for so many years. Why didn’t you leave her?

Curiosity eventually got the better of her, and one day, she went to see them.

When she arrived, she found Bei Xingyun and her husband on a small farm, tilling the soil with smiles on their faces. Their teenage children were happily tending to the farm animals, laughing and chatting as they worked.

They looked like a simple, happy family—the kind of family Bei Sangyun had longed for her entire life.

The couple saw her, but instead of responding with angry remarks for how she had upended their lives, they thanked her instead.

"I’ve known for a long time that my wife was hiding something from me," Bei Xingyun’s husband said calmly. "But I kept waiting, hoping she’d eventually tell me. In the end, she couldn’t, and I had to find out the hard way." He smiled gently at Bei Sangyun. "As for why I didn’t hate her or leave her... You’ll understand when you’ve loved someone as deeply as I do. They are my family now, and I’m willing to accept their flaws as long as they’re willing to change."

Bei Xingyun approached her once more, this time with genuine sincerity. Her voice trembled with remorse as she apologized, the weight of her regret evident in every word.

Their response shook Bei Sangyun to her core. She couldn’t understand it.

How could anyone love so unconditionally?

For a fleeting moment, Bei Sangyun hesitated. She could feel the sincerity in their words, see the genuine happiness in their eyes. Yet, the darkness that had taken root in her heart refused to fade.

Why? Why does the person who abandoned me get to have a happy life?

The bitterness gnawed at her, refusing to release its grip.

She couldn’t accept it. She wouldn’t let them live in peace.

Determined, she resolved to put pressure on them once again. She convinced herself that she hadn’t pushed them hard enough, that she needed to strip away their façade of happiness and reveal their true colors to each other.

But just as she prepared to act, Fei Chuan interfered.

"Stop it, Bei Sangyun," Fei Chuan said firmly, stepping into her path. "Will you go so far as to burn their land to ashes? You’ve already gotten your revenge."

Bei Sangyun wasn’t surprised that Fei Chuan had figured out her intentions. This man was always on her trails. She smirked, her tone laced with sarcasm. "You seem to love interfering in my affairs lately, Mr. Fei."

It was Fei Chuan, after all, who had ensured that Bei Xingyun and her husband could still rebuild their lives. He had quietly purchased their failing company when no one else dared to—especially after the ruthless tyrant Bei Sangyun had targeted it. Without him, they wouldn’t have been able to buy land to farm or even the modest villa they now called home.

Bei Sangyun had wanted to make them hopeless, to strip away the comfortable life they had chosen over her. But Fei Chuan had stepped in, giving them a way out by buying the failing company.

Once again, he stood in her way.

"You’re being too much," Fei Chuan said firmly, his voice calm but laced with disapproval. "Isn’t it enough that you’ve already gotten your revenge?"

Bei Sangyun scoffed, her tone sharp. "Just because you’ve been digging into my affairs doesn’t mean you get to have a say. And besides, aren’t you even more ruthless than I am?"

Fei Chuan’s expression didn’t falter. "I am ruthless with my enemies," he replied. "But Mr. Kurt is not your enemy. Nor are his children."

Her eyes narrowed. "But he married the woman who abandoned me."

Fei Chuan took a step closer, his imposing height casting a shadow over her. "I know exactly how it feels to be abandoned," he said, his tone softening just slightly. "But there comes a time when we need to know where to stop, Bei Sangyun."

She met his gaze head-on, unflinching and unyielding.

Yet, somehow, his words must have struck a chord. Because after that day, she never pursued the matter with Bei Xingyun or her family again.