Standing Next To You
Chapter 75: Towel and PE Shirt

Chapter 75: Towel and PE Shirt

In her past life, it had been a requirement for everyone to attend the homecoming dance with a partner.

The PE instructor’s words triggered a flood of memories regarding that event.

Bei Sangyun actively participated and even became the Night Queen, with her partner, whom she couldn’t recall, being crowned the King of the Night.

However, amid those memories, another recollection resurfaced—the image of Fei Chuan sitting silently in a corner and leaving the event early.

That night gave a strong impression to Bei Sangyun.

He was about to head home when she met him on the way.

At that time, she was always surrounded by groups of students. As they encounter Fei Chuan, they mock him as the only person without a partner for the homecoming dance.

The student the PE teacher had brought in from another class to be Fei Chuan’s partner had found a partner from the juniors, leaving Fei Chuan alone without one.

Fei Chuan wasn’t aware that he did not have a partner anymore because he was not attending the practice.

Fei Chuan’s absence from the practice sessions had been due to his injury, which had seemed quite severe back then.

These fragmented pieces of memories were now coming together in Bei Sangyun’s mind.

Years later, when Fei Chuan challenged her to dance, she mocked him about not having a partner in the homecoming dance. He then mentioned something about his legs, but she hadn’t paid it much attention at the time.

Had she not recalled the adult Fei Chuan provoking her to dance, she might never have connected the dots.

Thinking back, she realized that Fei Chuan had been absent from school for a long time. The next time she saw him was at the homecoming dance.

Now, as the puzzle pieces fell into place, Bei Sangyun had a growing suspicion. It was a thought that made her blood boil.

Thankfully, things were different now, and she had the chance to prevent that past humiliation from happening again.

Perhaps she could start by not being the cause of Fei Chuan’s embarrassment at this year’s homecoming dance.

****

The PE class had finally ended, and Fei Chuan wasted no time leaving the gymnasium.

He limped his way to the restrooms, all the while overhearing some students behind him mocking him.

"Look at the target, limping like a loser. Doesn’t he feel embarrassed?"

"Hey, have you seen the latest post on the forum? The tyrant chose the target as her partner for the homecoming dance!"

"Is the tyrant planning to torture him by ’accidentally’ stomping on his feet?"

"It’s a pretty clever way to torment someone. The tyrant is truly something."

Fei Chuan: "....."

He glanced at his foot. Was she really going to stomp on his feet mercilessly at the dance?

There was that possibility.

Fei Chuan thought of countermeasures. Should he start looking for shoes with thick leather?

Fei Chuan was in deep thought as he washed his hands.

Suddenly, a group of students wearing face masks burst into the restroom, grabbing a bucket of water and throwing it at him without any warning.

Splash!

It was so abrupt that Fei Chuan didn’t have time to react.

His entire body was drenched with cold water, including his underwear. Laughter erupted from the students, and they quickly fled the scene.

Chasing after them and seeking revenge was futile since Fei Chuan couldn’t run in his current state.

He looked at himself, soaked and miserable, casting a pitiful figure. His long hair clung to his face, accentuating his gloomy appearance. The uniform clung to his slender frame, making his long limbs seem even thinner.

Fei Chuan sneezed, and the reflection in the mirror of this pathetic, shivering figure seemed to mock him. He felt beyond pitiful, like the loser they had accused him of being.

In a sudden surge of emotion, Fei Chuan burst into laughter as he wiped his face. His laughter sounded desolate and filled with anger.

...

Fei Chuan stood before his locker, the sharp scent of vinegar assaulting his senses.

Those bastards planned it well. They letting him choose to either stay soaked or wearing clothes reeking of vinegar.

With a deadpan expression, Fei Chuan closed his locker.

How long did he have to endure this? When would this end? How long would he have to live pathetically? Forever? Until his death?

Why did he have to endure this torment?

If only he could fight back, he would toss their clothes into a blazing fire and then plunge them into a frigid pool of iced water, leaving them soaked for an entire day.

As he stood there lost in his thoughts, Bei Sangyun suddenly appeared in the hallway and found the drenched Fei Chuan.

"What happened to you?" she inquired.

"Can’t you guess? Your fanatics have a nasty hobby." He snapped at her.

Bei Sangyun frowned, "Do you know who they are?"

"What’s the point of knowing who are they? Everyone is the same."

Bei Sangyun did not respond to that and followed after him.

"Why don’t you change first?"

Fei Chuan paused in his steps, "Do you think I did not think of that?" He glared at her and limped away. It was obvious he did not want to be around to the cause of all this.

Bei Sangyun stared at his back for a moment then walked towards her own locker.

A while later, Bei Sangyun caught up with Fei Chuan.

She tiptoed and draped a towel over his head, "At least dry yourself with this. Change your shirt, too. The school is almost over so hang in there. I’ll send a driver for you to get you to the hotel."

She then threw her spare PE shirt, slightly larger than her size, to Fei Chuan’s arms before darting away. She still had to find those bullies who had ignored her warning.

Fei Chuan opened the shirt she had given him. It carried the scent of Bei Sangyun’s lavender detergent. Though it was a bit smaller than his usual PE shirt, it still fit him well due to his slender frame.

With the towel draped over his head and the shirt in his arms, his anger slowly began to subside.

However, despite this rare display of concern from Bei Sangyun, Fei Chuan couldn’t entirely rule out the possibility that she had orchestrated the whole incident.

Nevertheless, at least for the moment, he felt a bit better.