Upon hearing the news, Teng Yi and the others quickly rushed to the hospital. Lin Shan couldn’t face his brothers, hanging his head as he sat on the hospital bed like a condemned man. At this moment, the pain of his fractured bone couldn’t compare to the guilt in his heart.
“I’m sorry, I’ve let everyone down.” Lin Shan, who rarely showed emotion, had reddened eyes as he choked out, “What do we do? What about the competition? I… I’m sorry…”
Xiao Qing, Caihong, and the others felt both disappointed and heartbroken. Words of reproach were stuck in their throats, but they couldn’t say anything. How could they blame Lin Shan? Getting injured wasn’t his intention, and he was the one suffering the most pain and distress right now.
Teng Yi reached out and stroked the back of Lin Shan’s head.
“It’s alright, the main thing is you’re okay. Don’t worry too much, focus on recovery. I’ll figure something out about the competition.”
Everyone looked at Teng Yi.
Teng Yi took a deep breath and walked out of the hospital room. Caihong and the others each patted Lin Shan’s head before running after Teng Yi.
“Boss, what do we do now? The competition is tomorrow!” Caihong anxiously burst out.
Xiao Qing and Han Zuo remained silent, just hoping Teng Yi had a solution.
But Teng Yi didn’t. His mind was completely blank, unable to think of anything. What he’d said in the hospital room was just to comfort Lin Shan.
“What do we do? What the fuck do we do?” Caihong held his head in his hands, nearly crying.
The chance at the finals was something Teng Yi had fought so desperately for, and they had prepared for so long, practicing day and night. Now, watching all their efforts dissolve at the final moment – who could accept that?
“Let me think quietly,” Teng Yi said.
Caihong wanted to say more but was pulled aside by Xiao Qing and Han Zuo.
Teng Yi went alone to the hospital garden, pacing back and forth along the cobblestone path, sighing. The current situation was even more troublesome than when Zhou Xi suddenly quit Xi You. At least then they had time, but now, they didn’t even have that.
Tomorrow was the finals. Finding someone to replace Lin Shan overnight, someone who would need to know their prepared music and choreography and quickly integrate into their team – it seemed impossible.
Just as Teng Yi was at his wit’s end, his phone rang. The caller was Teng Hao.
Looking at Teng Hao’s name flashing on the screen, the tight knot in his mind suddenly loosened.
Yes, Teng Hao. That kid came to watch their rehearsals every night, sometimes even offering feedback when they were coordinating rhythms. Teng Hao was as familiar with the finals’ music and choreography as Xi You’s team members and his current dance skills could substitute for Lin Shan.
Teng Yi answered the phone.
“Brother, I heard Lin Shan got injured…”
“Where are you now?” Teng Yi cut off Teng Hao’s words, asking directly.
“I’m at home.”
“Come to Xi You immediately.”
“…”
Teng Yi pressed his phone and ran quickly towards the garden exit, where Xiao Qing and the others were waiting. Seeing Teng Yi running out, they all craned their necks.
“Found it!” Teng Yi excitedly showed his teammates the name on his phone screen, “Found someone who can replace Lin Shan! Teng Hao!”
Everyone was stunned for a few seconds before breaking into relieved smiles.
“Damn, how could we forget about our little brother Teng Hao!”
“Right, we still have that kid!”
The four high-fived each other, feeling once again reborn from a desperate situation.
This was truly exciting!
Teng Yi and the group hurried back to Xi You. Teng Hao was already obediently waiting there, with Ruan Yu checking his homework. Seeing them return, both stood up.
“Brother! You’re back!”
“How’s Lin Shan?” Ruan Yu asked.
“Hand fracture,” Teng Yi answered.
“Hand fracture? How can he dance? Can he still participate in tomorrow’s finals?” Teng Hao was as concerned about tomorrow’s finals as everyone else.
“Lin Shan definitely can’t perform tomorrow. In this situation, there’s only one solution.” Teng Yi put his hand on his brother’s shoulder, “Teng Hao, can you perform tomorrow?”
Teng Hao looked dumbfounded.
“Can I?”
Teng Yi nodded. On the way here, he had already contacted the organizers. They said that in principle, substitutions weren’t allowed, but since there were no explicit rules against it, and to maintain the integrity of the finals, they would allow a substitute member to perform. Afterward, they would improve the competition rules.
“Really?” Teng Hao’s expression suddenly turned serious.
The finals of the Street Dance World Cup national qualifiers – for Teng Hao, who was just starting out and barely a seedling in the street dance circle, this was a dream stage. He had never imagined he could reach such a level so quickly; this was supposed to be at least three to five years away from his plans.
“Yes or no? Just one word.”
“Yes! Of course yes!” Teng Hao excitedly made several fist-pumping gestures on the spot. “Ah! Your boy is going to participate in the Street Dance World Cup! Your boy is going to participate in the Street Dance World Cup!”
Everyone smiled seeing Teng Hao so excited.
“You lucky kid, getting a ready-made opportunity,” Xiao Qing teased.
“Brother Xiao Qing, you can’t say it like that. If I didn’t take this opportunity, what would you do? In all of Liao City, who knows your music and choreography better than me? Thinking about it this way, I’m practically your savior, right?”
“Alright, alright, you’re the savior now, whatever you say.”
“Then Brother Xiao Qing, can you arrange an especially cool solo move for me later?”
“…”
“Enough talk!” Teng Yi slapped Teng Hao’s back. “Let’s go practice first!”
Although Teng Hao was familiar with the music and choreography, he wasn’t Lin Shan after all. Their dance styles and habits were different, and some details needed to be readjusted.
“Okay.” The boys all walked toward the practice room.
Only Ruan Yu and Teng Yi remained in the corridor.
Teng Yi pulled Ruan Yu in front of him and kissed her forehead: “Go home by yourself later, be careful on the way, and text me when you get there.”
“Okay.”
“I’m going in to train now.”
“Mm.” She also stood on tiptoe and kissed Teng Yi’s forehead, “Good luck, I’ll come watch your competition tomorrow.”
He nodded with a smile.
“See you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Teng Yi turned to follow Xiao Qing and the others walking ahead, took a few steps, and then turned back to wave at Ruan Yu.
“Teng Yi!” Ruan Yu couldn’t help but call out to him.
“Mm?”
“No matter what the result is tomorrow, you’ll always be the best in my heart.”
Teng Yi stopped in his tracks, his dark bright eyes fixed on her. Suddenly, he moistened his lips, walked back to Ruan Yu, wrapped his arm around her waist, pulled her close, and kissed her deeply.
“Ooh ooh ooh…” Xiao Qing and the others peeked out from behind the door, teasing them.
Ruan Yu, blushing, nuzzled against Teng Yi before pushing him away.
“Go practice now.”
“Mm.”
The boys practiced in the studio for most of the night, only catching a brief rest at dawn. After daybreak, everyone returned to their places to shower, changed into their custom team uniforms, and then gathered at the school entrance to head to the venue together.
Although they’d pulled an all-nighter with barely any sleep, the boys were all in high spirits, especially Teng Hao, who was completely excited.
As soon as Ruan Yu saw Teng Yi, she noticed his shoes. Today, he was wearing the pair she’d given him on Valentine’s Day. The black shoes matched perfectly with the black team uniform, yet carried a unique presence – one that belonged exclusively to Teng Yi. Within that presence lay his love for the person who gave him the shoes, making them appear especially cherished.
They arrived at the competition venue together. Lin Shan had also come, his right hand in a cast, accompanied by Chen Manbai. They’d been waiting early at the venue entrance and hurried over when they saw their teammates getting out of the car.
“Lin Shan, weren’t you supposed to rest well in the hospital?” Teng Yi looked worriedly at the thick cast on Lin Shan’s hand.
“He couldn’t stay put,” Chen Manbai complained irritably. “Worried all night, couldn’t sleep a wink. His body was in the hospital bed but his heart was in the practice room. At dawn today he insisted on coming here. The nurse wouldn’t let him, but he wouldn’t listen, sneaked out with me, didn’t even finish his IV, afraid he’d miss the competition.”
Lin Shan remained silent, just looking at Teng Hao.
Teng Hao stepped forward with a grin: “Brother Lin Shan, look, your clothes fit me perfectly. Don’t worry, I’ll perform well today, won’t let you and the brothers down.”
Lin Shan nodded, stepped forward, put his arm around Teng Hao’s shoulder, and whispered a thank you and “good luck” in his ear.
Teng Yi and the other three stepped forward, surrounding Lin Shan and Teng Hao in the middle, comforting each other with embraces.
The scene was inexplicably touching.
“Come, let’s cheer together,” Teng Yi extended his hand first.
Xi You’s team members one by one placed their hands over Teng Yi’s, and Ruan Yu and Chen Manbai added theirs too.
United in spirit, their voices rang out loud.
“Xi You, fighting!”
The venue was packed with spectators, everyone eagerly anticipating which team would win tonight’s championship and represent China on the World Cup stage.
The finals began quickly.
The first group to perform was the “L” team led by Luo Sheng. Having breezed through previous rounds with their unstoppable momentum, the “L” team had become the highest-rated team to win the entire competition. Team captain Luo Sheng’s popularity rivaled that of trending celebrities – when he appeared, the audience erupted in female screams.
“Luo Sheng! Luo Sheng! Luo Sheng!”
On stage, Luo Sheng maintained a cold expression, his metallic team uniform making him look like an emotionless robot, and appropriately, the piece he and his teammates would perform today was “Robot.”
“Robot” was a song with particularly distinct rhythms – only teams with exceptional skill and coordination would dare to choose such a piece.
L team’s choice fully demonstrated their team confidence and ambition to set themselves apart from other teams from the start.
Indeed, they had the capital to make such a choice.
Opening with Luo Sheng at the center, all five men demonstrated powerful body control. Their synchronized hand movements, magnificent locked positions, and the gradual transitions between fast and slow movements were like magic, dazzling to watch.
Such a visual experience couldn’t be described by simple words like “shocking” or “amazing.”
For the audience, those approaching the stage weren’t dancers performing robot moves – they were truly robots.
The applause was thunderous and continuous.
Cheers rose in waves, each higher than the last.
With the L team setting such a high bar, the pressure on the following three teams was immense, especially for Xi You who followed immediately after.
Fortunately, Xi You had also left deep impressions on the audience in previous rounds, particularly Teng Yi’s five consecutive wins.
When Xi You took the stage, the audience responded enthusiastically.
The applause and cheers continued seamlessly, the atmosphere growing even more intense.
This time, Xi You’s group performance was “Pompeii.”
The five young men stood solemnly together, their black clothes catching the stage’s shifting lights, like the ruined ancient city of Pompeii bursting with new hope.
Led by Teng Yi, the young men showed perfect coordination, transitioning smoothly between dance styles, with even the last-minute substitute Teng Hao blending in perfectly.
Compared to the L team’s cold song choice and choreography, Xi You’s performance showed more warmth and heart. Not falling behind in technique, not losing in emotion – if they handled the ending well, Xi You might not be inferior to the L team.
As “Pompeii” reached its climax, Xi You’s performance also entered its peak.
The perfectly coordinated double windmills by brothers Teng Yi and Teng Hao left the audience in awe.
At that moment, Xi You had nearly reversed the situation in the battle, they were almost about to surpass the L team, but unfortunately, disaster struck immediately after.
After completing rapid support and spin, Teng Hao made a mistake at the moment of head positioning. The young man landed on the back of his head, and due to momentum, his body, like an out-of-control top, fell heavily off the stage.
Ruan Yu would never forget that day, that moment.
Teng Yi’s panicked expression and helpless eyes became the darkest scene in her twenty-some years of life.
Everything afterward was chaos.
Gasps, screams, and cries became the only narration for this tragic story.
The last day of Pompeii became the last day for Teng Yi and Xi You…
Later, much later, Ruan Yu only saw Teng Yi once, in the hospital corridor. This young man who had always been warm like the spring sun was completely cold. He held her, leaning against her, crying heart-rendingly.
He said: “I’m sorry, Ruan Yu, let’s break up.”
Those were the last words the young man left her.
At his lowest point, he let her go.
In the future, he would no longer accompany her, nor let her accompany him.
When Ruan Yu heard the word breakup, besides the heart-wrenching pain, she felt more understanding. She held back her tears, not wanting him to see her vulnerability and heartbreak, not wanting to become the last straw that would break him. She knew that the person before her, though still physically tall as a mountain, had a spirit on the verge of collapse.
He was also holding back, just holding back.
An elder brother was like a father, and all these years, Teng Yi had loved his brother so dearly. Now that his brother had such an accident before him, how guilty, how responsible, how regretful must he feel? Teng Yi’s life would forever carry this heavy cross, and a soul in shackles could never again freely embrace love and her.
And Ruan Yu no longer expected to receive his love and protection. She only hoped he could be well, be forgiven and forgive himself, be redeemed and redeem himself.
She only hoped for this much, and this was enough.
The domestic qualifiers came to a dramatic close. In the end, the L team won the championship, and Luo Sheng led his teammates to compete in the World Cup.
No one was happy about winning, or disappointed about losing.
All competitors and spectators were concerned about the young man who had fallen so dramatically on stage, worried and sighing for him.
Teng Hao remained unconscious. Shen Bing, for his son’s sake, put aside his business to seek medical treatment everywhere.
Three months later, the Teng family moved abroad.
When Ruan Yu learned the news, Teng Yi’s plane had already landed in Los Angeles.
Fairy tales might end abruptly on paper, but real life continues relentlessly. She knew that “I love you” could never be the ending of a love story – the pain of separation and the bitterness of parting was.
One moment of realization, one evening of aging.
She and her gentle youth were now separated by heart-piercing memories, reversed time zones, and long years. Their reunion – indefinitely postponed.