Standing Next To You
Chapter 120: ’Our’ Dance

Chapter 120: ’Our’ Dance

The entire class erupted into applause and cheers, even more enthusiastically than they had for Jang Shin and Lin Sunji’s dance earlier.

Jang Shin was stunned. He had been lost in the moment during their dance, feeling as if he were floating on clouds. He believed that he and Bei Sangyun complemented each other perfectly, as every step and rhythm had fallen into place seamlessly.

"Lin Sangyun," he didn’t release her hand, looking deeply into her eyes, "our dance complements each other perfectly. How about we become partners?"

Bei Sangyun withdrew her hand from his grip. "I already have a partner."

Once again, she turned him down.

Jang Shin sighed in regret, wondering what was so special about Fei Chuan that Bei Sangyun insisted on him as her partner. Were the rumors really true?

Jang Shin glanced over at Fei Chuan, silently questioning Bei Sangyun’s taste in partners.

The PE instructor clapped his hands and offered some final pointers to the class.

Bei Sangyun returned to Fei Chuan’s side. "So, how was it?" she inquired.

Fei Chuan was frowning, somewhat annoyed. "You two were ugly to look at."

Bei Sangyun: "..."

"Your rhythm is off. He danced too fast and you try to match his steps. Which made it seem like you are two in competition or something. I couldn’t even bear to watch."

Bei Sangyun suddenly laughed. She looked at Fei Chuan’s frowning face with amusement in her eyes. "I can’t believe you said the same thing." She shook her head with a smile, "Everyone is complimenting us. What a big liar."

"I am not lying. I’ll show how it’s done."

"Alright. Show me, then," Bei Sangyun provocatively responded.

The PE instructor had already begun dismissing the class.

Fei Chuan sighed with fake pity. "Too bad. PE just ended. How about we practice after school? Let’s work on it."

Fei Chuan would never admit that Jang Shin was a better dancer. He had been slightly off earlier because of a certain someone, but once he got used to being close to her, he believed he could pull it off.

Bei Sangyun was taken aback.

Fei Chuan wanted to meet up after school?

She felt a little elated that he wanted to spend time with her outside of school. Although he was doing it because Jang Shin’s dance had provoked him, Bei Sangyun still saw it as a success. Fei Chuan appeared to be more open to her presence, even taking the initiative. It made her happy.

However...

Bei Sangyun sighed with regret.

"I’m afraid it won’t be possible later," she explained.

She had to look after those Simon bastards. Those two were making her miss this opportunity. She cursed at them inwardly.

Fei Chuan paused, realizing he had asked impulsively and hadn’t expected an immediate rejection. He lowered his head to hide his disappointment.

Of course, she wouldn’t agree, you dummy, he thought. What did you expect? That she would agree without hesitation? Fei Chuan berated himself for his lack of foresight.

Bei Sangyun’s words earlier had clearly clouded his judgment. It made him momentarily think he was special. When actually, he wasn’t.

"Right, forget what I said—"

"I’m not free after school because I have something going on at home," Bei Sangyun interrupted, "and I’m not sure if I’ll be free this weekend. But I’ll make sure to meet you after sunset this Sunday. How’s that?"

She awkwardly kicked the ground, feeling a bit embarrassed. It almost felt like she was asking for a date.

"Actually, let’s meet at 6 PM this weekend. You can’t say no," she demanded, and then she ran off before Fei Chuan could respond.

Fei Chuan stood there in the gym, puzzled by what had just transpired. What was that all about?

Did Bei Sangyun just ask him out?

He looked in the direction where Bei Sangyun had disappeared.

So, they were going to see each other this weekend?

Although it was for school practice, the fact that they were meeting outside the school premises meant something different. This meeting would be different from the time they saw each other at the hotel, because this time, there was obviously a huge change in their relationship.

And for what kind of change it was, Fei Chuan wasn’t sure how to define it.

Fei Chuan blinked. He lowered his head to hide the smile that was tugging at the corner of his lips.

...

When Bei Sangyun emerged from the changing room, her lackey was waiting for her, holding a package in his hand.

"Boss, the second bo—I mean Fei Chuan dropped by and gave me this. He said to hand this to you."

Bei Sangyun was stunned and eagerly opened the paper bag. Inside, she found a bandaid and some ointment.

She looked at her feet. A smile slowly formed in her eyes.

So he was feeling guilty, huh? He must have been thinking about it the whole time.

Without wasting a moment, she went to a nearby bench to apply the bandaid and ointment on her toes. After all, she couldn’t just disregard Fei Chuan’s first gift.

The lackey stare at Bei Sangyun with a conflicted gaze.

Look at that smile, look at this sweet exchange...the rumor was slowly becoming true.

****

Additional Scene: The Dance (2)

Under the exuberance of magnificent chandeliers, deafening applause and praises surrounded the couple at the center.

The music had stopped, but Fei Chuan did not let go of his hold on Bei Sangyun.

"I must say your dance did not disappoint me," the man’s husky voice tickled Bei Sangyun’s ears.

She gazed back at him and smiled provocatively, "I can say the same to you."

Fei Chuan stared deeply at Bei Sangyun. His pair of beautiful eyes were so intense that Bei Sangyun felt awkward for a moment. As she was about to say to let her go, the man spoke.

"So who is better, me or Jang Shin?" Fei Chuan asked as his hold around her waist tightened.

Bei Sangyun paused. Jang Shin?

Why did that name ring a bell?

"Who is Jang Shin?"

Fei Chuan paused, then his pretty eyes curved into a smile. He looked genuinely happy.

"No one. Just a pebble on the road."

Bei Sangyun:?

Another song played, and other couples started to get into the center. Fei Chuan finally let her go. However, he leaned in close to Bei Sangyun’s ear and whispered.

"You should not let others dance with you. After dancing with me, the others will just look ugly."

Bei Sangyun scoffed. He was just possessive even when it came to his rival. "Then what would I say to those who come to ask me to dance?"

"Just tell them your partner doesn’t want you to dance with others. They can’t beat our dance anyway."

Fei Chuan gave a provocative smile and left.

Perhaps Fei Chuan’s statement remained in her mind because when other men approached Bei Sangyun for a dance, she outrightly rejected them. She didn’t have any interest in dancing with others anyway.

The newcomer who braved the dangers by asking Bei Sangyun for a dance felt aggrieved.

"...Why can’t you dance with me?"

Bei Sangyun drank her wine and spun it casually, "Because my partner says so."