The atmosphere in the practice room suddenly became strange. Ruan Yu felt her heart racing at Teng Yi’s smile – how had it suddenly turned into a comparison?

“Has she seen you dance?” Teng Hao asked Teng Yi.

Teng Yi nodded.

“When?”

“School anniversary,” he half-answered, half-confirmed with her. “You went later?”

Ruan Yu recalled their first meeting on the rooftop that day.

“Yes.” Although she hadn’t gone immediately after his reminder, she hadn’t missed their opening performance.

“Well then?” Teng Yi made a “please” gesture. Though he had presented her with a difficult question, it seemed like an elegant invitation.

Ruan Yu took a deep breath.

Both brothers were watching her – one effortlessly deflecting, the other’s eyes full of competitive spirit.

She hesitated, afraid to answer hastily.

Ruan Yu remembered before the college entrance exam, her homeroom teacher repeatedly reminded them: before answering, always try to understand the examiner’s intention.

Now, she was trying to understand Teng Yi’s intention. She knew Teng Yi wouldn’t care about who was better – after all, the answer was obvious. He probably just wanted to use her words to temper Teng Hao’s overconfidence.

“Don’t be afraid of my brother, and don’t worry about his face. Just tell the truth about who’s better,” Teng Hao said with mysterious confidence.

“Of course it’s…” Ruan Yu pointed toward Teng Yi, “your brother.”

“Eh? Didn’t you just praise me? Why suddenly switch sides?” Teng Hao was displeased.

“Without comparison, there’s no harm.”

Teng Hao: “…”

Teng Yi looked at the fair finger pointing at him, its nail trimmed neatly into a round shape, flesh-pink in color, making his heart itch.

He couldn’t help but tease her more.

“How much better?”

“Well…” she paused, “let’s make a comparison – in a class of forty-one people, you’d be first, and he’d be third from last. That kind of difference.”

Teng Hao: “…”

Teng Yi held back his laughter, finding her adorable. Her way of speaking was so systematic, using no vulgar words or malice, yet could make someone die of frustration.

“Don’t mention that dark history! I’m in the top twenty now, okay!” Teng Hao exclaimed excitedly.

“Haven’t you wondered why you could get into the top twenty?” Teng Yi asked.

Teng Hao couldn’t answer for a moment.

Teng Yi looked at Ruan Yu, gesturing for her to answer.

“Because the treatment matched the illness – strengthening the foundations.”

“Did you hear that?” Teng Yi raised his hand and rubbed Teng Hao’s head, his tone suddenly serious. “Dancing is the same. If you want to improve, you must first master the basics. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Don’t always think about showing off – showing off requires having skills to show first. Otherwise, you can only fool amateurs, being an ‘impressive’ third from last.”

It was rare for him to say so much at once, and these words cut straight to the heart, leaving no room for argument.

Teng Hao fell silent, then after a while, nodded glumly.

Watching Teng Hao being thoroughly dealt with, Ruan Yu suddenly realized Teng Yi’s true intention in asking the question. He wasn’t trying to dampen Teng Hao’s spirit or discourage him – he wanted Teng Hao to understand the gap between him and professionals, and the consequences of having high ambitions but low skills.

And she had become both his spear and shield – he had used her both to attack and defend.

Truly impressive.