Standing Next To You

Bei Sangyun saw the big gates were slightly opened. She took a peek inside and saw the old lady whom the village chief was talking to before. The old lady seemed to have just woken up.

The old lady heard something and turned around.

"Young Master, why are you up so early?"

Bei Sangyun wanted to peek closely and see what this young master looked like. She saw a small figure being blocked by the old lady.

His voice was weak so Bei Sangyun did not hear what he said.

But that was enough to know that the people in this house were already awake. She quickly went back to the couple to tell them what she had seen.

The Bang couple then told their neighbors that the gates were opened.

Several men and women volunteered to help arrange the tables in the Chuans. Bei Sangyun also raised her little arm and said she wanted to help as well.

She was the only child who was present here. They knew Bei Sangyun was an obedient and sensible child, unlike other children. So they allowed her to help.

The villagers brought their tables and chairs to the Chuans while Bei Sangyun carried a very small chair.

The tables were arranged in the big yard of the Chuans.

Bei Sangyun looked around. The yard was bigger than she had thought.

"Bei Sangyun, do you want to come with me? I am going inside the villa." Mrs. Bang kindly offered to Bei Sangyun.

Bei Sangyun agreed readily. She was happy to help.

Mrs. Bang brought Bei Sangyun inside.

What Bei Sangyun thought was inside the house was only a terrace. They stepped into the marble stairs before stopping in front of a huge door.

These doors had engraved drawings and a golden knob. The door was slightly ajar.

Bei Sangyun had never seen a door so huge and beautiful. She knew the color of gold from kindergarten. They were the most precious metals that carried the value of the wealth of a country.

She asked with wide eyes at Mrs. Bang as she pointed towards the doorknob, "Is that gold?"

Mrs. Bang pushed the door open and smiled, "It's the color of gold. But it's not genuine gold. Precious gold is usually kept in a precious box. It could not be found anywhere."

Bei Sangyun blinked. She seemed to understand but also not understand at the same time.

Mrs. Bang peeked inside and called out softly, "Lady Pei?"

She called out several times before the old lady that Bei Sangyun saw earlier appeared.

"Come in. I am baking so let's talk in the kitchen."

Mrs. Bang nodded and brought Bei Sangyun with her inside.

Bei Sangyun obediently followed them while her wide eyes looked around everywhere.

She had left her slippers on the door as Mrs. Bang advised so she was able to feel clearly the smooth and cold marble floor. The floor was shiny and smooth. She could even see the reflection of herself.

But what was more incredible was the size of the house.

Bei Sangyun looked up and wondered how high the ceiling was. There were furnishings she had never seen before. They looked strange and expensive. No one in the village had a house or things like this.

She wanted to look at them closely but since the two ladies in front were hurrying towards the kitchen, her little steps could not keep up. So she ran after them.

When they arrived at the kitchen, Bei Sangyun was met by a wonderful aroma.

The old lady wore her gloves again and opened the oven.

While Mrs. Bang took the plates and utensils from the drawers. Bei Sangyun looked around. She felt she was in a different world.

Everything here was strange and looked neat. Even the kitchen was thrice bigger than their courtyard.

They did not use firewood here but a little fire that came out of nowhere. The pots were not all black but silver.

Mrs. Bang passed the spoons and forks to Bei Sangyun.

The old lady had put another tray of cookies inside the oven. When she turned around, she saw a little girl eyeing the freshly baked cookies on the countertop.

The old lady smiled. She took a small plate and put three cookies on it. "It is still hot so let's cool it down a bit, okay? When you come back here later, I'll give it to you."

Bei Sangyun's eyes lit up. She smelled those biscuits and wondered how they taste.

She forgot about her grandma's strict teaching and nodded to indicate that she accept the cookies. The aroma from it was just too tempting.

She left with Mrs. Bang happily.

A while later after the two left the kitchen, a boy came in. He was wearing long sleeves and thick pajamas. His skin was fair and white. He looked adorable but he was a bit sickly.

He asked in a hoarse voice, "Are the cookies baked already, Grandma?"

Grandma Pei took another small plate and put three cookies on it. "This is for the young master. But this is still hot so let's wait for a bit, okay? I'll make your drink first. Do you want milk or hot choco?"

The boy stared at the cookies. His favorite food was Grandma Pei's cookies. "I'll wait then. I want hot choco."

"Alright. The kitchen is messy so I'll bring this to your room. Later, everyone in the village will come here to welcome you. We will have to greet them."

"I don't want to greet them."

Grandma Pei put down the small plate on the countertop just beside Bei Sangyun's.

"Young Master, these people are kind and live simply. I wish their simple happiness can affect you too. You will like them once you get to know them."

Grandma Pei understood the situation of the young master more clearly than anyone. She knew that because of the young master's weak body, both families did not put any hope in him.

The two families have given up and sent him to this small village to live the rest of his short life here peacefully.

After learning that he might not live past twenty, both families had already considered him dead.