Standing Next To You

Grandma Bei wiped away her tears, then released her hold on Bei Sangyun, gently cleaning her granddaughter's face while managing to force a smile.

"I am just happy to see you eat your fill," she said.

Bei Sangyun's tears had already subsided, but she clung to her grandma's shirt tightly, her eyes filled with suspicion. "You cried because of that?"

Grandma Bei nodded.

A loud cough sounded from behind them.

Grandma Bei stood up, her soft expression vanishing as she reverted to her stubborn and unapproachable demeanor.

"Is this Bei Sangyun? Bei Ning's daughter?" a deep voice came from behind.

Bei Sangyun turned to gaze at the tall, handsome man who had appeared. He was dressed in an evidently expensive black suit and leather shoes. At first glance, she could tell that he was wealthy and not from their town.

After all, most locals here had accents and their skin wasn't as fair as his.

"....This is my granddaughter. Have you prepared everything I told you?"

The tall man gave a deep look at Bei Sangyun. His eyes were shining with a mysterious glint. He let out a business smile, "Yes. As per your request, Bei Sangyun will receive the finest education and resources. As the newest member of the Lin family, she'll be granted the same privileges as the other heir candidates. It's a fair competition, and you needn't worry about her well-being."

Bei Sangyun clung tightly to her grandmother's hand.

What they were talking about? She would be given the best education? Candidate heirs? Lin family?

The barrage of unfamiliar information overwhelmed her.

Grandma Bei squeezed her hand reassuringly and cast a glance at her granddaughter, who appeared bewildered by the entire situation.

"That's not what I asked for," Grandma Bei stated firmly.

"I'll ensure her safety. I've been assigned as her mentor, and I won't allow any harm to befall her. Please rest assured. I give you my word that I'll look after her."

With a smile, the man turned to Bei Sangyun and introduced himself, "Young Miss, I am your personal butler, Mr. Xin. I'll be responsible for your care from this point onward."

Mr. Xin's smile concealed his inner desperation. He had been pestering Grandma Bei for three years since establishing contact with her. After finally locating the illegitimate daughter, the third young miss of the Lin family, he promptly extended an offer, believing money would settle everything.

However, Grandma Bei remained resolute and unyielding. Despite the hardships they endured, she refused to hand over Bei Sangyun to them.

It was only a stroke of luck that the young master from the Fei family was also staying here. Thanks to the special condition of the young master, the man's stubborn persistence finally bore fruit.

Mr. Xin felt he was a genius by using the young master's condition and reputation to force Bei Sangyun to leave the countryside.

He knew that although the old woman was strict and had a bad reputation in the village, she was most concerned for Bei Sangyun. Grandma Bei thought highly of Bei Sangyun.

But the incident ruined Bei Sangyun's prospective future. The villagers did not see Bei Sangyun in good light anymore and the school won't tolerate Bei Sangyun. This was the power that the Chuan family holds in this town.

Grandma Bei knew that Bei Sangyun would live like her if the latter continued staying in the village. Bei Sangyun would be avoided and misunderstood.

Having no choice, Grandma Bei would have to agree with him.

And as Mr. Xin expected, when he came to approach Grandma Bei again this time, Grandma Bei agreed after bargaining him with conditions.

Fortunately, his strategy worked. And it was all thanks to the appearance of that young master.

Thinking of the abandoned child from the Fei family, the man could not help but wonder how amazing fate was. Two people with the bloodline of legendary families were staying in such a small unknown town far away from the Capital.

It was said that dragons and tigers were territorial. In such a small territory, these two who were born from dragons and tigers would immediately clash until only one remained.

And in this silent clash, the child from the Fei family would remain here while his young miss would go to the Capital and lived the life he carved for her.

The man had been silently watching Bei Sangyun for three years and he knew that his young miss was not inferior to that Fei child. She was only losing because she did not have the resources like the Fei child had.

But once they arrived in the Lin family, the young miss would be taught and her superior intelligence and talent would appear. As the one who mention a capable heir candidate, Mr. Xin's future would change as well.

Thinking of the future he had planned, Mr. Xin was thrilled. If he could only kidnap Bei Sangyun and leave for the capital, he would have done so.

Bei Sangyun felt uncomfortable under the strange gaze of this Mr. Xin. His gaze was too strong as if she was merchandise he wanted so badly. She clutched the hem of Grandma Bei's shirt, "Grandma, are you selling me?"

Her teary eyes and the fear in her gaze tugged at Grandma Bei's heartstrings. She gently clasped Bei Sangyun's small fist within her own weathered hand.

"I am not selling you. Mr. Xin has been sent by your father. Remember how you've wished to meet him? Going with him will give you that chance, perhaps even a reunion with your mother."

Bei Sangyun felt a mixture of surprise and hope well up within her. Her father and mother—could it truly be? Would she finally have the opportunity to meet them?

She stood in a moment's hesitation. Like any child, she had yearned for the warmth of her parents' love, for their tender care.

She longed to hold them close, to embrace them, and to speak those cherished words: "Mom" and "Dad."

If only she could have her parents by her side, the label of "orphan" would lose its hold over her. With them, she would no longer face the cruel remarks, and they would proudly accompany her to school whenever the principal inquired about her parents.

Hand in hand with her parents—this was the image that filled her heart.

But....

"What about you grandma? Will you come with us? Let's meet Mom and Dad."