Standing Next To You-Chapter 527: The stolen fate III

The monk asked for a donation ten times higher than the others, yet what he said was neither flattering nor even remotely similar to the previous predictions.

"You will give birth to a son with the fate of a dragon," the old monk said, his eyes closed. He picked up a smooth, flat stone from the table, running his fingers over its surface. "But your fate will be stolen."

Chuan Yinji froze. This was the first time a monk had said something different. Intrigued, she humored him. "Are you saying my son will steal what should be mine?"

"...Destined for greatness... for unconditional love... death... a bound soul... and rebirth," the monk muttered, his words fragmented and cryptic. Then, suddenly, his eyes snapped open. "I am not sure if it is a gift or a curse."

Chuan Yinji and Bei Xingyun stared at him, bewildered.

They had no idea what he meant.

"Can you elaborate? Are you saying that I’m destined for greatness? That I will find unconditional love... like even death won’t separate us? Something like that?" Chuan Yinji asked.

The old monk looked straight at her. "All I see in you is a fading star. A stolen life. As you fade away—" His gaze then shifted to Bei Xingyun. "Someone else’s star will shine. This will be your karma. And your children will inherit it."

Your children?

Bei Xingyun caught his words. Was he talking about them?

Chuan Yinji was intrigued, but when she pressed for more details, the old monk simply shook his head. "I do not know more than that," he said. "The choice is yours. You can give birth to the one destined with the dragon’s fate, or you can let the other dragon take that fate instead."

His vague answer only left them more confused. Yet, he refused to elaborate further.

However, just before they left, the monk turned to Bei Xingyun. "We will meet again. That, I can say for certain. Remember, two dragons cannot co-exist under the same sky."

His words were cryptic, his predictions scattered and difficult to understand.

"That monk is certainly eccentric. No wonder his temple is so modest compared to the others. His clients must never return after hearing his readings," Chuan Yinji sighed, dismissing it all as nothing more than an unusual experience.

Bei Xingyun also didn’t believe the monk’s words. To her, all of them were frauds.

However, she never expected that she would return to this place—just as the old monk had foretold.

.....

A month later, Chuan Yinji went abroad for her art exhibition. This time, she did not bring Bei Xingyun with her, as the latter had chosen to stay in the Capital.

She hugged Bei Xingyun. "Are you sure you don’t want to come with me?"

"Yes. I’ll be waiting for you here," Bei Xingyun replied. She loved spending time with Chuan Yinji, but what she didn’t like was the way people looked at her when they were together—especially those who knew Chuan Yinji.

She constantly overheard people talking about her, and she had no desire to experience that abroad as well.

"Alright. Have fun here in the Capital."

Chuan Yinji had noticed Bei Xingyun’s recent changes. She assumed her friend simply found the Capital exciting and was experimenting with new things—dressing differently and trying to blend in with the people in the Capital, much like how she had adapted to different places while traveling and copying the locals. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

Though saddened, she left Bei Xingyun in the care of the Chuan family.

However, while the two were apart, many things changed for both of them.

Bei Xingyun suddenly left the Chuan family. She had seen much of the Capital and had carefully devised a plan to rid herself of her ’maid’ status. Determined, she left the Chuan family and entered another powerful household- the Lin family.

But finding a suitable match was difficult. Most men her age were either married or already engaged, leaving her options limited.

In the end, she set her sights on Lin Ginxian, the third son of the Lin family. He was known for his ambition and indifference toward women. Since he had yet to choose a wife, she decided to be the one.

With her refined beauty and the gentle demeanor she had meticulously cultivated which set her apart from the other maids- she successfully seduced Lin Ginxian. However, after becoming pregnant, she discovered a devastating truth—Lin Ginxian had no intention of having children or filling the role of a husband.

Fearful that he might get rid of their child- her key to becoming Madame Lin, she fled back to River Village, gave birth in secret, and later returned to the Capital.

On the other hand, Chuan Yinji fell in love abroad. It was a whirlwind romance—intense, passionate, and all-consuming. Swept up in the moment, she and the man married immediately, without informing anyone.

When she returned, she was already holding a man’s arm, beaming as she announced to everyone that they would have an official wedding in Country C.

Despite her family’s opposition to the sudden marriage, Chuan Yinji went through with it. Her wedding to Fei Jian was grand and extravagant, making headlines across the country.

Meanwhile, Bei Xingyun was struggling. She was desperately searching for a job that could bring her back to the lavish life of the Capital when she saw the news of Chuan Yinji’s wedding.

On the screen, Chuan Yinji walked down the aisle, radiant and breathtaking, her smile filled with pure happiness. She was living the life that everyone envied.

Watching her marry so blissfully, Bei Xingyun couldn’t help but wonder—

Why are some people born so lucky? They do nothing, yet they have everything. Beauty, wealth, status, a powerful family, and now, a rich and devoted husband.

The darkness lurking at Bei Xingyun’s feet threatened to pull her into a bottomless pit. A fire of injustice and desire burned in her chest.

She wanted it.

She wanted everything Chuan Yinji had.

If only she had been born into a wealthy family, raised with refinement and culture, she too could have found a wealthy, devoted husband without needing to scheme so deeply.

She wouldn’t have had to struggle.

She wouldn’t have had to work so hard, give birth in secret, and face everything alone.