Standing Next To You-Chapter 439: Why not show yourself?

"Fei Chuan, wait!"

In the empty parking lot, Lin Sanju’s loud call stopped the two men just as they were about to get into the car.

Fei Chuan paused mid-step, turned around, and waited for Lin Sanju to catch up.

"...D-did you...huff...come here...huff...because of my invitation?" Lin Sanju asked, panting between breaths.

The man beside Fei Chuan stepped forward and responded, "You were the one who invited us, weren’t you? What kind of question is that?"

Lin Sanju quickly realized how foolish his question sounded. He had meant to ask something else, but hesitated, fearing he might offend them.

"I... I was just surprised that you both came. I’m truly glad you took the time to attend. I’m very grateful," Lin Sanju said, bowing deeply to show his appreciation.

Fei Chuan gave a small nod. "It was on the way."

Lin Sanju was flattered. Although he had missed the chance to befriend his idol back in high school, he hoped this time he could forge a friendship.

Lin Sanju straightened up, pulled a small card from his suit pocket, and handed it to Fei Chuan. He looked at him with anticipation. "You’ve done me a great favor. I’ll be in your debt. If there’s anything you need or want, you can reach me at this number. It’s my personal line. I don’t know how long you’ll be staying in Country C, but while you’re here, I’m more than willing to assist you."

The man beside Fei Chuan frowned. "We won’t need—"

"Sure." Fei Chuan smiled and accepted the card. "I’ll be calling you a lot, then."

The man’s jaw dropped, stunned by Fei Chuan’s response.

"Is there anything else?" Fei Chuan asked.

Lin Sanju was overwhelmed that Fei Chuan had accepted his card. He had prepared himself for rejection, knowing that his idol was now globally famous and part of the highest social circles. But it was a good thing he took the chance!

"T-thank you! I’ll be waiting for your call!" Lin Sanju exclaimed, bowing excitedly.

Fei Chuan nodded before getting into the car. The man with him shot a sharp glance at Lin Sanju before sliding into the driver’s seat.

Lin Sanju waved enthusiastically, like a fanboy reluctantly seeing off his idol.

The car drove away, leaving the silent parking lot behind.

Lin Sanju sighed, his flustered expression gradually returning to its usual calm. He shook his head in embarrassment. "It’s been years, but I’m still in awe of him."

It was truly a pity that before he had the chance to befriend Fei Chuan, the latter had left the country. If things had been different, if he had stayed and merged into their circle, he and Fei Chuan might have been as close as brothers by now.

Click.

Clack.

Click.

Clack.

The sharp sound of heels echoed through the empty parking lot.

Instinctively, Lin Sanju turned toward the sound and froze at the sight of the newcomer. Standing a few meters away from him was ’her’.

That person stopped, arms crossed, her lips painted in red curving into a smile—half teasing, half mocking. Yet there was an undeniable charm to it, enough to make anyone’s heart skip a beat.

"You’re still the same," she said with a playful glint in her eyes. "Fanboying whenever you see him. Has Lin Sunji ever seen this side of you?"

Lin Sanju snapped out of his daze and smiled helplessly. "I had a feeling you’d be here when I saw him. But I didn’t see you inside. Have you been in the parking lot this whole time?"

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Just arrived."

Lin Sanju stared at her, not believing her words. He and the Lin family had been sending her invitations for years. Her father and that old man had been pestering her to come—short of begging her outright. But she hadn’t set foot in the Lin estate since she left four years ago.

So why come today, after all this time? There was no doubt that she came for him.

But no one knew Fei Chuan would attend today. Even Lin Sanju wasn’t expecting them to come. However, Bei Sangyun came. Which meant she had been keeping an eye on his movements.

Were these two truly over each other?

Lin Sanju doubted it. If they were really over, why did Fei Chuan show up at the Lin family’s banquet, and why did Bei Sangyun arrive the moment he appeared?

"I can hear your gears turning." Bei Sangyun’s voice cut through his thoughts. "So, how does he look?"

Lin Sanju snapped back to reality at her question. He stared at her. "Why didn’t you come earlier and see for yourself?"

Bei Sangyun raised an eyebrow. She said nothing, but the way her brow arched and her eyes fixed on him made him stand up straighter. In the four years since she left, Bei Sangyun had grown more intimidating, more formidable.

The words "beautiful" and "charming" barely captured what she had become. Only a man seeking torture would dare describe her that way now.

Lin Sanju gave up on prying further and sighed. "He looks like he’s doing well. Taller than me now, probably by an inch."

Bei Sangyun’s stern expression broke into a smile, softening her features. "What else?"

’What else?’

Lin Sanju hesitated, unsure how to respond. Was she really expecting him to just describe Fei Chuan like this?

He and Bei Sangyun had just met again after years, and instead of catching up, she was asking him these odd questions.

"Uh... his skin looks good—not too pale, unlike before. He’s well-built, probably hits the gym regularly. Uhm..." Lin Sanju began to sweat. What else could he say?

’She should have asked a woman instead of me.’ Lin Sanju grumbled inside.

"Uhm... he captivated all the ladies in the room. I bet they’d have a lot more to say about him than I do." It felt strange describing another man’s qualities like this.

Bei Sangyun sighed, looking almost helpless. "So, he’s gotten more handsome, right? I knew it. He already looked good in the media photos, but I bet he’s a hundred times better in person."

Lin Sanju: ?

If she wanted to see him so badly, why not just show herself? Why keep hiding?

"By the way, what did you give him? What did you two talk about?"

Lin Sanju was stunned. He stared at Bei Sangyun suspiciously. "...Have you been watching us?"

It looked like she had been watching them from the beginning.

Was she seriously stalking them?