After Valentine’s Day, Teng Yi became increasingly attentive to Ruan Yu, and their relationship grew more intimate after breaking through their final barriers. However, intimacy didn’t mean indulgence. Ruan Yu was a person who knew her boundaries, and so did Teng Yi. He had excellent self-control, and he devoted most of his energy to street dancing. The biennial Street Dance World Cup was about to begin.
The Street Dance World Cup was an internationally renowned street dance competition held every two years. The organizers had established seven competition zones in Korea, Japan, the United States, Singapore, France, Germany, and China. Before the World Cup finals, qualifying rounds were held in each country’s division.
The qualifying champions would become their national representatives and travel to the host country to compete in the World Cup finals against other national teams for the world championship. From the national qualifiers to the seven-nation showdown at the World Cup finals, the entire competition lasted two months, with Germany as this year’s host country.
The World Cup was every street dancer’s ultimate dream because, on this stage, competitors represented not only themselves but also their country. Winning would bring supreme honor.
Two years ago, when the Xiyou Street Dance Club had just been established, Teng Yi had agreed with his teammates that if things went well, they would try to qualify for the World Cup this year. Now, they were finally taking this step. To attract talent, the registration requirements for the domestic World Cup qualifiers weren’t particularly stringent.
Any Chinese citizen aged 12 and above (participants under 18 required parental accompaniment) with valid legal citizenship could participate. Participants had to form five-person teams, and the more diverse the dance styles within the team, the more advantageous it would be for the competition.
The preliminary selection used a score elimination system. Among all participating teams nationwide, the top ten scoring teams would advance to the top ten. The selection from ten to four used a solo system, where each team would send three members to showcase their talents. The talent content could be any style from Hip-hop, Popping, Locking, or Breaking, scored by professional judges. The three scores would be combined, and the four teams with the highest total scores would advance to the semifinals. In case of a tie, team captains would compete in an overtime battle, using a challenge system with freely chosen dance styles. The team whose captain won would advance.
The semifinals adopted a themed group dance format. Each team would choreograph their themed performance lasting three to five minutes, with scoring based on creativity and technique. Of course, the dance style had to be within street dance categories; otherwise, judges had the right to disqualify participants.
The preliminary selection was set for early March. Although there was still half a month to go, the boys from Xiyou were already eager to begin. They named their team the “Xiyou Squad” and excitedly counted down the days until the competition started. As team captain, Teng Yi not only had to familiarize himself with the rules and develop strategies but also supervised his teammates’ training. After all, this wasn’t just any small competition – this qualifier would gather China’s top street dancers, and if they weren’t careful, they might not even make it past the preliminary round.
Compared to Teng Yi’s caution, Xiao Qing appeared much more confident. “Relax, Captain! As long as we five are united, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. This time, we’ll dance on the international stage!”
Five Hearts United. Easier said than done. Because among them, someone had already secretly developed different intentions. That person was Zhou Xihe.
–_–
The first person to notice something was wrong with Zhou Xihe was Jian Xiangxiang.
“He’s ignoring my messages again! Zhou Xihe, you jerk!” Jian Xiangxiang wailed in the dormitory, clutching her phone. Chen Manbai and Xia Qiaofeng both turned to look at her. Ruan Yu, who had been listening to English broadcasts with her earphones in, was also disturbed by Jian Xiangxiang’s volume and couldn’t help but remove her earphones.
“Did you two fight?” Xia Qiaofeng asked.
“A fight would be better, at least then I’d know why. But now he’s just suddenly ignoring me for no reason! Don’t you think this jerk must have someone else?”
“How would we know? Haven’t you noticed anything yourself?” Chen Manbai asked while painting her toenails.
“I haven’t seen him in ages! How could I notice? Through telepathy?”
“Didn’t you spend Valentine’s Day together?”
“No.”
“Tsk tsk, what kind of couple are you then?” Chen Manbai pointed at Ruan Yu. “Look at Ruan Ruan – red roses, concert, staying out all night… By the way, Ruan Ruan, honestly, that night, did you and Teng Yi…”
“Stop.” Ruan Yu quickly made a “stop” gesture. “Manman, can you not change the subject? We’re talking about Xiangxiang’s situation here.”
“I’m just curious if you and Teng Yi have made any substantial progress.”
“Well, have you and Lin Shan made any substantial progress?” Xia Qiaofeng teased from the side.
“Hmph, what can you expect from that blockhead? Any substantial progress between us depends entirely on me.”
Ruan Yu and Xia Qiaofeng exchanged glances and said in unison: “Oh my, us two!”
Chen Manbai raised her eyebrows, smiling proudly.
“Hey hey hey!” Jian Xiangxiang shouted in dissatisfaction. “Don’t you have any sympathy? I’m dying from worry here, and you’re all just joking around!”
“Xiangxiang, don’t overthink it. They have a competition coming up, maybe he’s just busy training,” Ruan Yu quickly consoled her.
“Hmph! He’s never that hardworking!” Jian Xiangxiang threw her phone on her bed, her expression a mix of disappointment and resentment. “No, I’m going to find him tomorrow! Whether it’s life or death or breaking up, we need to get things clear!”
The next day, Jian Xiangxiang did skip class to find Zhou Xihe. Just as she arrived at the boys’ dormitory building, she saw Zhou Xihe running out from the entrance. He didn’t notice her as he answered a phone call while hurrying to hail a taxi at the back gate, seemingly in a rush to go somewhere. Curiosity got the better of Jian Xiangxiang, and she couldn’t help but hail a taxi to follow him.
This pursuit led to quite a discovery. Zhou Xihe went to a high-end hotel called “International Trade.” The hotel was magnificent and not an ordinary star-rated establishment. Jian Xiangxiang watched as Zhou Xihe walked into the hotel with familiar ease. She wanted to follow him in but felt that such a place wasn’t somewhere a regular college student should venture carelessly. After hesitating, she didn’t dare to enter.
“Help! Help!”
“I’m at the International Trade Hotel on Hanbo Road, shaking with fear. Can someone come to keep me company?”
Jian Xiangxiang sent two messages to the dormitory group chat.
“What are you doing there?” Chen Manbai asked.
“Catching a cheater.”
“Catching a cheater in broad daylight?”
“Don’t ask, just come if you’re my friend. I’m really scared.”
–_–
Twenty minutes later, a taxi arrived at the International Trade Hotel entrance carrying the other three dormitory mates. Jian Xiangxiang was crouching behind a flower bed, looking both sneaky and disheveled. When she saw her dormitory sisters, it was as if she’d found long-lost relatives – she rushed over and hugged all three at once.
“Thank you! I didn’t expect you’d all come!” She was almost moved to tears.
“Aren’t you here to catch a cheater? The more people, the more intimidating it is,” Chen Manbai said. “What’s the situation now?”
“I saw Zhou Xihe go in.”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Then what cheating are you catching? Him with Miss Palm?”
Chen Manbai’s joke went too far, leaving Ruan Yu and Xia Qiaofeng unable to keep up.
“I suspect Zhou Xihe is being kept by a rich older woman,” Jian Xiangxiang said.
“A rich older woman?” They all looked at each other in surprise.
“How else could he afford such a high-end hotel?”
Zhou Xihe came from an ordinary family background, but he cared about his image and always wanted the best in food, clothing, and lifestyle, never willing to fall behind others. This made his life very difficult, and sometimes he had to secretly work part-time jobs to maintain his living expenses. Jian Xiangxiang hadn’t known this before; only after they started dating did she discover how “poor” Zhou Xihe was.
It wasn’t poverty of wealth, but poverty of spirit. But what could she do? He was her first love. She simply liked him – first attracted by his appearance, then grew to love even his stubborn dignity and insecurity.
“What should we do now?” Xia Qiaofeng asked.
“Wait.”
Yes, besides waiting, there was no other option. They couldn’t just storm into the hotel because of their numbers. No one knew which room Zhou Xihe was in, who he was with, or what he was doing. Forcing their way in would only lead to trouble, possibly even legal consequences.
The four moved from behind the flower bed to a bench near the garbage bins, taking turns watching in pairs. International Trade Hotel was one of Liao City’s finest establishments, frequented by well-dressed wealthy people. Such a place felt worlds away from ordinary university students. Why had Zhou Xihe come here?
The answer became clear an hour later.
Zhou Xihe walked out of the hotel with a woman. She was tall and slender, her coat flowing with her movements, exuding a powerful presence.
“Why does that woman look so familiar?” Jian Xiangxiang rubbed her eyes, feeling she’d seen this woman somewhere before.
“Wang Yuling,” Ruan Yu recognized her immediately.
“Wang Yuling? Why does that name sound so familiar…” Jian Xiangxiang thought for a few seconds. “That woman who gave Teng Yi her business card? Duo Guo’s agent?”
Ruan Yu nodded.
“Why is she with Zhou Xihe?” Jian Xiangxiang exclaimed.
Ruan Yu wondered the same thing. Just a few days ago at Hou Ming’s concert, Wang Yuling had shown such interest in Teng Yi. Had she already changed her target?
“Hey, hey, hey! They’re linking arms!” Chen Manbai suddenly pushed Jian Xiangxiang.
Everyone looked in the direction Chen Manbai was staring, seeing Wang Yuling intimately linking arms with Zhou Xihe. She leaned close to his ear, whispering something unknown, and Zhou Xihe nodded obediently.
“Disgusting! That old woman is disgusting! Zhou Xihe is disgusting too!” Jian Xiangxiang’s eyes reddened, her voice breaking into sobs.
“Xiangxiang…”
Before her roommates could analyze the situation, Jian Xiangxiang, fueled by anger, rushed out.
“Xiangxiang!”
–_–
Jian Xiangxiang suddenly appeared in front of Wang Yuling and Zhou Xihe.
Seeing the situation turning bad, Ruan Yu and the others quickly ran after her, afraid she might do something rash.
Zhou Xihe was startled when he saw the red-eyed Jian Xiangxiang and the group rushing out behind her.
Wang Yuling was quite shrewd – the moment she saw Jian Xiangxiang, she understood the situation. Yet she remained calm, releasing Zhou Xihe’s arm and crossing her arms with a faint smile.
“Xiangxiang, why are you here?” Zhou Xihe asked.
“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Jian Xiangxiang turned her gaze to Wang Yuling beside Zhou Xihe. “What were you doing in the hotel with this woman? What were you doing in a hotel in broad daylight!”
“What nonsense are you talking about!” Zhou Xihe looked anxiously at Wang Yuling. “Sister Ling, I’m so sorry. She’s just like this – speaks without thinking. Please don’t take it to heart.”
“Girlfriend?” Wang Yuling sized up Jian Xiangxiang.
Zhou Xihe fell silent.
“Yes, girlfriend!” Jian Xiangxiang raised her voice. “I am his girlfriend!”
Wang Yuling raised an eyebrow, placing her hand on Zhou Xihe’s shoulder.
“I understand young people playing around with romance. But you need to mind your boundaries. Don’t let current indulgences become future scandals.”
These words sounded familiar.
Ruan Yu remembered – Wang Yuling had said the first half to Teng Yi too.
Back then, Teng Yi had taken her hand and walked away.
But now, Zhou Xihe’s reaction was completely different from Teng Yi’s.
“I understand, Sister Ling.” Zhou Xihe nodded obediently.
Wang Yuling patted Zhou Xihe’s shoulder and walked away, satisfied.
Jian Xiangxiang trembled with anger.
“Zhou Xihe, don’t you owe me an explanation?”
Zhou Xihe impatiently glanced at Jian Xiangxiang and the other three standing there.
“Come with me.”
He strode toward the hotel plaza.
Jian Xiangxiang looked at her roommates, then followed him with tearful eyes.
Chen Manbai, unhappy with Zhou Xihe’s attitude and worried about Jian Xiangxiang being bullied, wanted to go too, but Ruan Yu and Xia Qiaofeng held her back.
“Let them resolve it themselves,” Ruan Yu said.
Chen Manbai struggled briefly before nodding.
Love is like a game of chess – once on the battlefield, it becomes a matter between two people. Whether they fight with weapons or make peace by laying them down, outsiders shouldn’t interfere too much.
Zhou Xihe walked to the center of the empty plaza before finally stopping. Jian Xiangxiang couldn’t avoid him in time and bumped into his shoulder. Her already aching nose instantly hurt more.
She felt wronged, but Zhou Xihe seemed even more aggrieved.
“Jian Xiangxiang, what are you doing? What do you mean by bringing so many people here to ambush me? Have you no shame? Even if you don’t care about face, I do!”
“You care about face while going to hotels with an older woman?”
“Nonsense!” Zhou Xihe was thoroughly annoyed. “What’s going on in your head? Can’t you grow up a bit? Can you stop being so vulgar?”
“Fine, then tell me, what were you doing with her at the hotel?”
“I’m tired of explaining to you.”
“What’s with your attitude? Do you want to break up?”
“Fine, let’s break up!” Zhou Xihe was decisive as if this thought had been brewing for a long time, just waiting for this moment to be spoken.
Jian Xiangxiang’s tears fell uncontrollably.
From the beginning of their relationship, friends had been skeptical. Some said Zhou Xihe was frivolous, his eyes wandering to every flower, completely unreliable. Others said when a girl chases a boy, the beginning depends on the girl, but the end depends on the boy – if the boy has no conscience, it won’t end well… Jian Xiangxiang had never taken these words to heart, believing that if she tried hard enough to love, she would surely be rewarded.
Now she realized she was wrong, terribly wrong.
“Zhou Xihe, did you ever like me at all?”
“What good is liking someone? Should we graduate and starve together?”
“Then what can that woman give you?”
“She can give me my dream of becoming a star!”