Standing Next To You
Chapter 597: The Heart Will Remember

Chapter 597: The Heart Will Remember

Bei Sangyun was speechless.

See the rest of the world?

Looking into Grandma Bei’s shining eyes, she couldn’t bring herself to say no. However, she also couldn’t say yes immediately. After all, work was waiting for her.

"...Of course. We should..." she began, intending to suggest taking the trip next month—when Grandma Bei suddenly jumped with excitement.

"Really? I already made a list! Look, we can visit them one by one!" Grandma Bei handed her a piece of paper.

Bei Sangyun looked down and saw a long list.

She was stunned."When... did you make this?"

"Last night," Grandma Bei said proudly. "I wasn’t sure about the names of the countries, so I asked Ye Zhai to help me."

Bei Sangyun glanced at Maid Ye Zhai, who offered an apologetic smile.

"She wanted to keep it a secret. You know how stubborn she can be. I had no choice," Maid Ye Zhai explained.

Bei Sangyun could only smile, but deep down, she was torn.

She really needed to return to work. Phoenix Holdings was doing well thanks to Zhong Cheng and Xu Tian’s efforts, but the company Butler Xin was managing still required a lot of her guidance.

She glanced at Grandma Bei and met her expectant eyes. Her heart wavered.

Maid Ye Zhai walked to her side and gave her a soft smile. "Don’t think too much. Just do what your heart wants to do."

Bei Sangyun chuckled. "Alright. I’ve been working hard to give you all a good life anyway. What’s the point of building a company and making money if it takes away our time together? Alright—let’s travel the world!"

Grandma Bei hugged her tightly. "Thank you. I know it’s a lot to ask, but I just want to spend more time with my precious granddaughter."

Bei Sangyun’s heart softened. She hugged her back. "We’ll have all the time in the world, Grandma. You are my priority—not work, okay?"

With the sudden change in plans, Bei Sangyun spent the night giving instructions to Zhong Cheng and Butler Xin.

When she called Butler Xin, she expected him to complain. She braced herself for an earful—but to her surprise, he agreed without much resistance.

"Just take this as a long break. You’ve been working hard since you were nineteen."

Bei Sangyun blinked. "...You’re... agreeing?"

"Did you expect me to disagree?"

"Well... if you’re mad, I’ll understand. If you need more help, I can send Xu Tian—"

"Young Miss, I’ll contact you if I need help. Everything is going smoothly. For now, enjoy yourself and stop thinking about work, alright? Go have fun."With that, Butler Xin ended the call.

Bei Sangyun stared at her phone skeptically. Was that really Butler Xin?

Though confused, she was relieved. There were no problems abroad, and it seemed Butler Xin was fully focused and capable of managing things himself.

With that peace of mind, she called Fei Chuan to tell him about the extended trip.

.....

It was snowing, and the land was blanketed in white.

Bei Sangyun, Maid Ye Zhai, and Grandma Bei played like children in the snow. But they didn’t stay outside for long, they were mindful of Grandma Bei’s health.

Grandma Bei’s cheeks were red from the cold, but her eyes sparkled brightly. She sat on the stairs, catching her breath, while their footprints decorated the yard.

Suddenly, she laughed joyfully. "Playing like this reminds me of my childhood. My siblings and I used to spend snowy days just like this."

Bei Sangyun sat beside her. It was the first time she had ever heard Grandma Bei talk about her past. Her curiosity was piqued.

"You had siblings, Grandma?"

"I did. I had an older sister and a younger brother," Grandma Bei said, her eyes growing wistful. "But both died early during the pandemic. I was lucky to survive. But being the only one left... life has been hard ever since."

Bei Sangyun leaned her head on Grandma Bei’s shoulder, offering silent comfort and warmth. She had always sensed that Grandma Bei’s life had been difficult—especially from the way she used to give her tough, pragmatic advice when she was young—but hearing the story firsthand was heartbreaking.

"But you managed to survive," Bei Sangyun said softly. "You’re so strong, Grandma. I must have inherited that from you."

Grandma Bei chuckled. "Yes, my dear. And I’m proud of you for staying strong."

Bei Sangyun smiled. Together, they gazed at the gently falling snow. Then she asked quietly,"The good memories of the past, and the painful ones you’ve lived through... if one day you can’t remember them anymore, would it all become meaningless?"

"I wouldn’t say meaningless," Grandma Bei replied thoughtfully. "It’s a fact that I once lived happily—and a fact that I once suffered. Just because you forget doesn’t mean those things never happened. They’re still real."

She turned to look at Bei Sangyun.

"One day, I’ll forget most things as I grow older. And like everyone else, I’ll pass away. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t exist. The fact that we once lived, the fact that those moments once happened—they’re real. And even if your mind forgets, your heart will remember."

Something shifted in Bei Sangyun’s chest. She felt as if a window had opened, and suddenly, she understood something she hadn’t before.

The life she had once lived... the life she was forgetting little by little... one day, she might forget it all. But that didn’t mean it hadn’t happened. It didn’t mean it wasn’t real.

Even if her memories faded completely, her heart would remember.

Just like Grandma Bei—whose siblings had once been real, once a part of her world, and now left behind in the past. Grandma Bei went on with life, and when days like this came, she would feel a sense of déjà vu. Not quite remembering, but not fully forgetting either.

The hand that had been clinging tightly to the scattered sands of memory slowly relaxed—letting the grains slip through her fingers and be carried away by the wind.

Bei Sangyun chuckled softly.

"You’re right, Grandma. Even if I forget everything one day... my heart, my soul will remember."