Standing Next To You
Chapter 605: To Forgive

Chapter 605: To Forgive

Fatty Yang’s office was small, filled with children’s drawings pinned to the walls. Though a bit cramped, the space felt lively and warm.

He handed mugs to Bei Sangyun and Fei Chuan. "This is the only drink I have besides water. I banned coffee in my office," he said with a cheeky grin.

Bei Sangyun looked down at the small, colorful mug—it was clearly meant for children. "...It’s fine," she said. Then she asked him curiously. "What do you teach?"

"I teach art! I’m also the school’s guidance counselor." Fatty Yang beamed as he spoke, clearly proud of his work.

Fortunately, he knew when to stop talking about himself. Soon, he steered the conversation toward childhood memories and the people they used to know.

"Remember the guys I used to hang out with? They left town for college, studied in different cities. But after graduation, most of them came back. Some work nearby now. When they’re in town, they always ask if there’s any news about you two."

He leaned back, sighing a little. "After everything happened back then, we tried to apologize. We went to your house, Bei Sangyun, but you were already gone. No one could find you. We also couldn’t contact Fei Chuan. With no way to reach you, we could only carry the guilt and move on. But we never forgot. Sometimes when we got together, we’d talk about the past and wonder what happened to you both."

Fatty Yang and his friends had no idea that the people they had been waiting for had become powerful figures in high society. The town was so far from the capital, after all. And even though Fei Chuan’s face was often in the news, the townspeople wouldn’t have recognized him—they weren’t interested in the lives of the wealthy or in glossy magazines anyway.

Just then, the people Fatty Yang had been talking about arrived.

They looked like they’d come in a hurry. The moment their eyes landed on Bei Sangyun and Fei Chuan, they choked up. But unlike Fatty Yang, who was a smooth talker, these two were awkward. After the initial burst of emotion, they couldn’t even meet Bei Sangyun’s eyes.

Ashamed of themselves and intimidated by Fei Chuan, they stood quietly—lost and embarrassed.

Thankfully, Fatty Yang broke the tension. He gave them a gentle push from behind, nudging them in front of the couple. With his help, the two young men bowed deeply—first to Bei Sangyun, then to Fei Chuan.

Their voices stuttered, but Bei Sangyun could feel the remorse in every word.

Bei Sangyun was momentarily at a loss. She hadn’t expected this—more people from her past, all coming to apologize. The incident they referred to was something she no longer thought about. Her expression turned a bit awkward as she accepted their apologies.

All she could do was nod quietly.

Fei Chuan held her hand. He leaned in and whispered, "You can show some temper too, you know. Before I left the town, I let my anger out on them. You didn’t get a chance to do that back then. You can now."

Bei Sangyun chuckled at his suggestion. "I’m no longer that child. Besides, I almost forgot about it if Fatty Yang hadn’t brought it up." She looked at the three who were chatting a short distance away. Her heart was at peace. "I think I’m all healed now. Looking at them and thinking about that past—it’s no longer bitter. Just a distant, melancholic memory."

The two men couldn’t stay long. They were on a short break from work. Before leaving, they bowed deeply to Bei Sangyun once more.

Just when Bei Sangyun thought it was over and she and Fei Chuan were about to leave, another person walked in.

It was a woman in her mid-forties, with a gentle face.

When she saw Bei Sangyun, she froze. She stood by the door, her eyes glistening with tears and emotions.

"...You’ve grown up so beautifully, Bei Sangyun."

Bei Sangyun was taken aback. Who was this woman?

The woman didn’t approach any closer and kept a respectful distance. She looked awkward, her smile tinged with sadness. She greeted Fei Chuan too, her tone warm and proud of them both.

Then, turning her gaze back to Bei Sangyun, her eyes brimmed with guilt and shame."Many years have passed—you’ve probably forgotten about me. But I never forgot the two of you. You were both exceptional students. When Teacher Yang told me you were here, I came immediately."

She gave them an apologetic smile. "This is long overdue, but I’ve always dreamed of saying this." She bowed deeply to Bei Sangyun. "I wronged you. I failed you as your teacher. I betrayed your trust and cornered you when you needed support. I’m deeply sorry, Bei Sangyun."

Bei Sangyun’s eyes widened as recognition finally dawned."...Teacher?"

The woman wiped her tears and gave a sorrowful smile. "You still call me that? I don’t deserve that title anymore."

Bei Sangyun fell silent. Of all the people who came to apologize, this person left her the most at a loss.

It was a distant memory—yet now it returned, sharp and vivid.

Teacher Tang.

She had been Bei Sangyun’s teacher in elementary school—the one she adored the most.

When her classmates belittled her, Teacher Tang praised her. During parent meetings, Teacher Tang would act as her guardian. When she didn’t have school supplies, Teacher Tang quietly gave her pencils and notebooks.

She had been her favorite teacher. Her confidante. Her friend.

So when she chose not to believe her... when she sided with the rumors... the betrayal cut the deepest.

Among all the wounds from her childhood, this one had stayed buried the longest.

Bei Sangyun stood there, lost in the flood of memory.

Teacher Tang hesitated to approach her. She could only smile sadly. "I know it’s too much for you to suddenly see me and hear this after all these years. But I... I just want you to know that I was very regretful and remorseful about that incident. I’ve wished so many times that I could go back and choose to believe you in that moment."

A tear fell from her eye, which she quickly wiped away.

"You don’t have to forgive me. You’ve always been strong and bright—even as a child. I’m sure you’ve already moved on. Still... I owe you an apology." Teacher Tang bowed again, deeply. "Please forgive me—for selfishly unloading all of this on you."

A long silence followed. Fei Chuan and Fatty Yang remained quiet. Bei Sangyun didn’t speak either, taking it all in.

Teacher Tang stood by the door for a long time. When she didn’t hear a response, she bowed again, this time in farewell.

But just as she turned around, Bei Sangyun finally spoke.

"...I... I’ve always been grateful to you." _{fre ewe bnove l.com}

Teacher Tang paused mid-step.

Bei Sangyun continued, a little awkwardly. "Before that incident, you always protected me and cared for me. And I never forgot that. You being here... it must mean the incident hurt you too. Otherwise, you wouldn’t come to apologize after all these years. It’s not selfish."

She took a deep breath. "I... I forgive you. So... I hope you’ll forgive yourself, too."