Standing Next To You
Chapter 599: Return to River Village II

Chapter 599: Return to River Village II

"Yuner, do you want to visit River Village?" Grandma Bei asked after a long pause.

Bei Sangyun opened her eyes. "If you want to go, Grandma, then we’ll go."

Grandma Bei smiled. "Let’s visit the town."

Bei Sangyun had no objections. After a good night’s sleep at a hotel, she booked a flight to City Y, where River Village was located.

It was early morning when they set off. City Y was far from the capital, filled with winding mountain roads, vast stretches of greenery, and clear rivers.

River Village lay in the far south, nestled between two mountains and bordered by a long, flowing river. The air was crisp and fresh.

It had been a long time since she last came here, and yet, not much had changed—the town and its scenery remained familiar and untouched.

If anything had changed, it was her.

Bei Sangyun remembered how, during her teenage years living with the Lin family, she would come here to hide and run away. This place—the same one that had once rejected her so mercilessly—was the only place she could still return to. And whenever she did, it was always with desperation, anxiety, or sorrow.

But now, she had returned calmer than ever. Her mind was at peace, her heart full, and for once, she felt content.

Their arrival in River Village quickly drew the attention of the townspeople.

After all, this small, busy, yet uneventful village rarely received visitors.

Since their car couldn’t make it up the narrow road to Grandma Bei’s old hut, they parked at the village chief’s house.

As they walked down the familiar streets, a few villagers peeked out from their homes, eyes filled with curiosity.

With just a few glances, they immediately recognized Grandma Bei. And soon, they recognized Bei Sangyun as well.

They whispered, murmured, and gossiped among themselves—but no one stepped forward to speak.

Maid Ye Zhai wasn’t used to being scrutinized. Her usually stoic face showed a flicker of discomfort.

"Don’t mind them. They’re just entertaining themselves," Grandma Bei said. "These people are bored—but they’re not bad."

Bei Sangyun looked at her in amusement. "I never thought you’d defend them, Grandma."

"Although I don’t like this town or its people, I don’t hate them," Grandma Bei replied. She met the townspeople’s gazes—not with her usual glare, but with a calm, steady look. She even smiled at a few of them. "Besides, I’m not lying. Not all of them are gossips. There are sincere folks here too."

Bei Sangyun recalled the Bang couple and felt a desire to visit them.

As they passed the largest house in the village, Bei Sangyun slowed her steps.

It was the Chuan residence.

Surprisingly, the usually locked gate was open, and for the first time in years, there was a car parked in the empty garage.

Bei Sangyun grew curious. Had someone from the Chuan family overtook this villa?

She peeked inside as they walked by, but didn’t see anyone.

They continued on past a few more houses until they arrived at the Bang couple’s home.

Both she and Grandma Bei stopped at the gate.

Grandma Bei turned to Maid Ye Zhai. "These are the people I was talking about."

Maid Ye Zhai looked at the modest home with curiosity.

Grandma Bei and Bei Sangyun stepped forward and called out. Moments later, Mrs. Bang came running outside.

When she saw them, her face lit up with pleasant surprise. "I knew it was you! I recognized your voice, Mrs. Bei!" Then she paused, her eyes widening as she saw Bei Sangyun. "Oh my, Sangyun—you’ve grown so beautiful! Husband! Sangyun and Mrs. Bei are here!"

Mr. Bang came out running at her call, his face lighting up as he saw them. He welcomed them warmly.

The four of them shared a joyous reunion. The Bang couple praised Bei Sangyun several times, their happiness shining through as if they were welcoming their own daughter home.

Grandma Bei had brought souvenirs, and Mrs. Bang was so delighted with the gifts that she immediately began displaying everything.

"How are you, Uncle?" Bei Sangyun asked once they had all calmed down.

"I’m doing much better now," Mr. Bang replied gratefully. "Thanks to the treatment and medication you arranged, my knee doesn’t hurt anymore."

When Bei Sangyun returned to River Village to bring Grandma Bei home the last time, she had remembered the Bang couple—how they had helped her since she was young and supported her grandmother while she was away. So, she asked Butler Xin to look into the Bang couple and offer them assistance if they ever ran into trouble.

Four years ago, when Mr. Bang was hospitalized, Bei Sangyun ensured he received the best treatment and personally covered all hospital and medication expenses.

The Bang couple had been deeply grateful for her help.

This was the first time Grandma Bei heard about it, and she felt proud of what Bei Sangyun had done.

"I’ll introduce Ye Zhai to them. Why don’t you head home first? We’ll follow shortly," Grandma Bei suddenly suggested.

Bei Sangyun was about to say they should go together, but Grandma Bei insisted.

She figured maybe her grandmother had something private to talk about with the Bang couple—something she didn’t need to hear. Without overthinking it, she followed her grandmother’s suggestion and made her way home.

The Bei house was a simple hut with a spacious yard, just a short walk from the Bang couple’s home. In barely two minutes, Bei Sangyun arrived.

Though the house had been unoccupied for a while, the yard was well-maintained, and the home didn’t look neglected. The Bang couple must have been tidying it up from time to time.

She opened the wooden gate—but then noticed something unusual.

The yard was too clean. Even if the Bang couple had done their best, it wouldn’t be this perfectly maintained.

As she walked further in, she saw the front door of the hut was open, and outside were a pair of men’s shoes.

Bei Sangyun’s heart skipped a beat. They were just shoes—but a strange feeling surged inside her. An instinct. A bold guess.

It was unlikely... and yet, with him, nothing was ever truly impossible.

She broke into a run, heart pounding with excitement. She threw the door open wide—

And there he was.

Fei Chuan sat on the floor by the Kang table. At the sound of her arrival, he looked up and smiled warmly.

"Welcome home, Bei Sangyun."