Standing Next To You

The yard in Chuan's villa was filled with children's laughter.

A group of boys was running around the yard while playing with water guns.

"Young Master, this is fun! You should join us!" A chubby eleven-year-old kid yelled out loud towards the small boy who was seating on the terrace.

The boy just raised his hand dismissively as he continued to silently read his book. He seemed unbothered by the loud noise.

Grandma Pei, who put his favorite cookies on the table could not help but urge him, "Young Master, why don't you join them? It is a fun game and running around is good for the body."

The young master turned to the next page as he answered in an adult-like manner, "I don't like playing with water guns, Grandma. I prefer reading."

Grandma Pei: "..."

She wanted to complain. Why did he agree to play outside then?

Because the young master always stayed indoors, his playmates often suggested playing outdoor games in the yard. However, the young master always rejected it. So his playmates had no choice but to play board games with him in the playroom.

But this time was an exception. When one of the boys suggested to play outside, the young master suddenly agreed.

Grandma Pei was so happy. It was really hard to persuade the young master to take a step outside of his room.

She thought that the young master finally had the desire to play outside and bask under the sun like the lively children in the village. The young master would finally have a normal happy childhood.

However, contrary to his expectation, the young master did not join the game and instead brought his book and stayed under this roof while reading.

Grandma Pei was speechless. What was the difference between this and staying indoors?

However, she did not voice out her thoughts. It was already good enough that the young master agreed to stay outdoors. At least, he would breathe more fresh air and get more sunlight.

As Grandma Pei fell into her own thoughts, she did not notice the young master peeking towards the gates secretly from time to time.

When the group of boys went to play for another round, the young master closed his book. He took a cookie from the plate and casually asked Grandma Pei.

"Grandma Pei, why isn't she coming?"

Grandma Pei did not quite get his question. She thought she was referring to the wife of the head village who often helped her do the housework. "Mrs. Yang is busy with her own household. But she will come by later. Why? Do you like her cooking last time?"

Mrs. Yang and her daughters often visit the Chuan villa to help her do the housework. The men in the village chief's family also visited the villa every weekend to help with more difficult labor. But among them, it was Mrs. Yang who visited them every single day without a miss.

The young master pursed his lips, "....I'm not talking about her."

"Are you referring to Xiao'er or Yan'er?"

"....No." The young master hesitated for a bit. He glanced at the gate before speaking in a small voice. "...Bei Sangyun."

Despite his small voice, Grandma Pei still heard him. She was slightly stunned.

The young master was actually looking for Bei Sangyun?

A surge of happiness and gratification burst in Grandma Pei's heart.

Grandma Pei knew very well what it meant for the young master to look for someone.

The little young master never called out the names of his playmates. After observing for weeks, Grandma Pei noticed that the young master never asked them for their names. Nor he took the initiative to introduce himself.

The young master was aloof and would only talk if he was asked or if it was necessary. Although those children had become his playmates for two months now, he was not really close to them. He had this huge wall around him. He did not allow anyone to come in and he never stepped out of his boundaries.

Grandma Pei even believed that the young master was not interested in knowing his playmates' names and was just forced to play with them because of her urging.

However, hearing Bei Sangyun's name in the young master's mouth, Grandma Pei felt hope.

Perhaps, the young master did not completely give up on his social life. He was still young. As long as he realized that the world was not bad as he thinks, he might want to live a relaxed life.

"Bei Sangyun cannot come right now. Her school just started. But the next weekend, when she doesn't have class, I'll invite her again."

Hearing Grandma Pei's answer, the confusion and doubt in the young master's heart were solved.

Ah. So that's why she had not been coming to his house for two weeks now. Because she was busy in her school.

Suddenly, the young master thought of schooling. He had never attended school before. Because he was weak since young and his mother was strict, he was homeschooled and was taught by his private tutors.

However, after being sent here, the busy schedule he had before disappeared. All he did now was read and play.

The young master suddenly had a thought.

Now that he was in the countryside with no one arranging or controlling his studies, could he attend school now?

How does it feel to attend school?

The young master began to be curious about school.

"Grandma Pei, can I attend school?"

Grandma Pei was once again stunned. She asked in shock, "Do you want to attend school, young master?"

"....I have never been to school. Since I am going to die early, it's not bad to experience it."

"Young Master, don't say such things. You will live long and healthy." Grandma Pei corrected his thinking again. She crouched down and become determined, "If young master wants to attend school, then I will arrange it for you."

Grandma Pei was happy with the young master's decision. Attending school would solve many problems. The young master would have to go out every day, gain new friends, and create happy childhood memories.