Standing Next To You-Chapter 528: The stolen fate IV

Because news of their wedding was all over the media, Bei Xingyun was able to find Chuan Yinji immediately.

Chuan Yinji hugged her.

"It’s been a year since we last saw each other. How have you been?" she asked, smiling warmly.

Bei Xingyun hugged her back, then glanced at Chuan Yinji’s slightly bulging stomach. "You’re pregnant?" she asked in surprise.

Chuan Yinji gently placed a hand on her belly. "Yes, I am. Four months along."

Bei Xingyun finally understood. No wonder they got married as soon as they arrived in Country C.

Chuan Yinji had so much to share—how she met Fei Jian, how they fell in love, and how they were now expecting a child. Her story was like a fairy tale, full of romance and happiness.

Bei Xingyun listened, but deep down, she couldn’t bring herself to feel truly happy for her friend.

"I’m so glad we got to meet again. I hope you can visit me often. My husband doesn’t want me traveling until I give birth. He wants me to have a smooth pregnancy," Chuan Yinji said, affection shining in her eyes.

Bei Xingyun lowered her gaze. Throughout the conversation, she hadn’t been able to tell Chuan Yinji that she, too, had been pregnant and had a child. But her story was nothing like a fairy tale. Her pregnancy had been anything but smooth.

Finally, she took a deep breath and got to the real reason for her visit. "I have something to ask you," she said hesitantly. "...Something happened, and I need a new identity."

Chuan Yinji’s expression froze. "What’s going on?"

Bei Xingyun hesitated before altering the truth. "The Lin family is looking for me. I... I got involved with the third son. But I’m just a maid. You know how things work in the Capital."

Chuan Yinji nodded knowingly. "Are you planning to leave the country?"

"...I want to," Bei Xingyun admitted. "I want a fresh start. Here in the Capital, people will always see me as just a lowly maid. No matter what I do, I’ll never be given real opportunities because of their prejudices. I just... I want to be free. I want to be happy."

Chuan Yinji felt sad for her friend. Without asking any further questions, she went back to her bedroom and returned with a card and some documents.

"My English name is Emily. I have a villa in Country Z, on the other side of the world. To foreigners, we look the same—only a few people can tell us apart," Chuan Yinji said as she handed Bei Xingyun the documents and the card. "I won’t be going back there. I’ll probably stay here in Country C to be a wife and a mother. You can live as Emily for me."

Bei Xingyun’s hands trembled as she accepted the documents. There, printed in bold letters, was the new name she would be known as from that moment on—Emily Brackett.

Following Chuan Yinji’s instructions, she traveled to Country Z. With her fair skin, a few adjustments to her makeup, and a refined bearing, she successfully adopted Chuan Yinji’s appearance and demeanor.

They had the same build and height, both possessing striking beauty. Only those who spent significant time with them would be able to tell the difference.

And so, Bei Xingyun began her new life as Emily Brackett—a young woman from a prestigious family in Country C, a budding artist who had moved abroad to live independently.

Without the burden of her poor background, she quickly integrated into Country Z’s high society. There, she met her current husband, Kurt Smith. Their whirlwind romance led to marriage, and she became the esteemed Madame of the Smith family.

Since then, her life had been smooth, comfortable, and happy. Like how she wished for.

.....

Bei Xingyun thought she could live happily like this, leaving behind her past and origins. But then, she suddenly heard the news—Chuan Yinji and Fei Jian had separated.

Their wedding had been the grandest in Country C, still remembered as the most extravagant marriage the nation had ever seen. So when they divorced, it became the center of everyone’s attention.

It seemed like the first stroke of misfortune for Chuan Yinji. Not long after, Bei Xingyun learned that Fei Jian had fathered a child with another woman—and he had married her. It was like a slap in the face for Chuan Yinji.

With her love life becoming the talk of high society, Chuan Yinji’s reputation began to decline. Regardless of whether she was the victim or not, the public’s perception of her took a heavy toll. Her exhibitions failed one after another, and she slowly faded from the elite social scene.

And worst of all, Chuan Yinji started to fall ill.

Bei Xingyun couldn’t suppress her growing unease. She wasn’t just worried for her friend—she was also afraid for the life she had built as ’Emily.’

What if Chuan Yinji wanted to escape and reclaim her identity?

What would happen to the life Bei Xingyun had been living as Emily?

Unable to ignore her concerns, she flew to Country C to visit Chuan Yinji.

.....

The past three years after giving birth had not been kind to Chuan Yinji. She had grown thin, her once fair skin had taken on a sickly yellowish hue, and the gentle, elegant aura she once carried had turned desolate.

Bei Xingyun was shocked when she saw her. The beautiful woman she remembered had faded away, like a wilting flower—forgotten and dying.

At first, Chuan Yinji was happy to learn that Bei Xingyun had come to visit her. But when she saw the current Bei Xingyun—more beautiful and youthful than ever—her smile froze.

Especially as Bei Xingyun stepped closer. Their complexions were worlds apart. Bei Xingyun was like a bright, blooming flower, full of vitality, while Chuan Yinji appeared withered and lifeless.

The concern in Bei Xingyun’s eyes was evident. "I heard the news. How sick are you?"

Chuan Yinji forced a smile. "I’m fine. The doctors said I just need plenty of rest. How’s life in Country Z?"

The two had lost contact ever since Bei Xingyun left for Country Z, so they caught up on everything. This time, it was Bei Xingyun who had stories to tell—how she met her husband, how their relationship deepened, the romantic proposal, their marriage, and even how her hobby of making dresses had turned into a thriving business.

As Bei Xingyun spoke, her eyes sparkled with delight, her happiness unmistakable.

Chuan Yinji tried to keep smiling, but as the conversation went on, she couldn’t hold it anymore.

She realized how pitiful her life had become.

The man she once believed would love her forever had betrayed her, fathering a child with another woman and then marrying her. Her reputation had crumbled, she had lost her motivation and free spirit—she could no longer paint.

And her son... the child she had once hoped would be a beacon of light in her life... was nothing like a normal child.

Expressionless, detached—like a programmed robot.

He was too smart for his own good. His piercing eyes sometimes sent a chill down Chuan Yinji’s spine.

Chuan Yinji suddenly broke down.

"...I’m probably cursed... How did my life turn out this way? I thought I would be happily married, living freely..."

Her sudden breakdown stunned Bei Xingyun. She hurriedly reached out, trying to comfort her friend. "This might just be a slump. You can overcome this."

"Overcome?" Chuan Yinji stopped crying, her red, swollen eyes filled with frustration and injustice. "Look at me. Do I look like the same person I was? I’ve lost it all—my youth, my beauty, my talent... everything. I loved the wrong person, and now I’ve ended up like this!"

Then, she suddenly froze. A crazed look flickered in her eyes.

"You know... there’s this thought that comes to my mind every now and then." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Maybe... the monk was right."

Bei Xingyun’s heart clenched. A chill ran down her spine.

"My life... is being stolen..." Chuan Yinji murmured.

Bei Xingyun felt like her soul had nearly left her body.

"By my son!"

A deafening silence filled the air.

Bei Xingyun’s heart, which had momentarily stopped, suddenly began to race. For a split second, she thought Chuan Yinji wanted to reclaim ’Emily.’ Then, realization struck her.

Why was she thinking that way?

Chuan Yinji didn’t notice Bei Xingyun’s reaction. She was crying hysterically.

"I’ve thought about it over and over. This bad luck... It all started after I gave birth. Ever since that strange child was born, my health began to decline. My relationship with my husband fell apart. My career, once smooth sailing, started crumbling. I gradually lost my beauty... and my husband.

"The monk was right... My beautiful life has been stolen by him!"

She turned to Bei Xingyun, her eyes filled with a crazed desperation.

"Maybe that’s why the monk told me to think it over. He didn’t want me to give birth—because my life would be ruined!"

Bei Xingyun remained silent. She didn’t know what to say.

When she first heard Chuan Yinji speak about her fate being stolen, the first thought that came to her mind wasn’t the child.

It was herself.

Maybe... it wasn’t the boy who had stolen Chuan Yinji’s fate.

Maybe it was her.

After all, ever since she became Emily, her life had been smooth, blessed, and full of good fortune. It was as if she had become Chuan Yinji—adopting not just her name, but her appearance, demeanor, personality... and fate.

Their conversation didn’t last long—Chuan Yinji grew hysterical, breaking down completely. It was only then that Bei Xingyun truly understood. Chuan Yinji wasn’t just sick in body—her mind and heart were broken as well. freewёbnoνel.com

Yet, her words lingered.

"My life was stolen."

That thought refused to leave Bei Xingyun’s mind.

She didn’t know what compelled her, as if an unseen force—an invisible pair of hands—was guiding her.

Before she knew it, she was climbing that mountain again.

She had to find that monk.