“I’m willing to do anything for you, but I don’t want you to keep getting hurt.” Her hand lifted Teng Yi’s shirt hem, examining the bruises on his back. “Look at you, recently practicing…”
Ruan Yu’s voice trailed off.
Wait, had he just proposed to her?
She looked up at him and saw his face full of tender smiles. Her face instantly turned crimson.
Teng Yi stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her waist, and pulled her close.
“Little Fish, will you marry me?” He gazed at her with deep affection and seriousness.
“Mr. Teng.” Ruan Yu poked the patch on his arm. “Are you planning to propose with a medicinal patch?”
Teng Yi realized his oversight. He knew a proposal shouldn’t be so casual, and in fact, he had already prepared a ring and imagined thousands of ways to propose. But at that moment, caught up in the atmosphere, he couldn’t contain the flutter in his heart and just spoke.
“Sorry, I…”
Ruan Yu quickly pecked his lips.
“I will,” she said.
Teng Yi smiled: “Great Host Ruan, just how much do you love me?”
“Let me count,” Ruan Yu made a counting gesture, then looked into his eyes and told him, “I love you probably much more than you can imagine.”
Teng Yi held the back of her head and kissed her lips firmly, then thinking it wasn’t enough, planted more kisses on her forehead, cheeks, and neck.
It tickled.
Ruan Yu nestled in his arms, burying her face against his chest.
“Little Fish, why do you love me so much?”
“Because you’re good to me. In this world, besides Dad and Grandfather, you’re the person who’s been best to me.”
From the first bowl of instant noodles he made her, to every subsequent moment of gentleness and deep affection, she remembered it all. He showed her that she deserved to be loved and that even the most barren life could have a chance to bloom, as long as one met the right person.
“Ruan Yu, I’ll be even better to you for the rest of our lives.”
After proposing, Teng Yi began planning the wedding. Since Teng Hao and Yun Shen were also preparing to marry, the four discussed it and decided to hold their weddings together.
None of them were showy people, and they didn’t want their private affairs to occupy too much public attention, so they all hoped to keep the wedding elegant but low-key.
Ren Tianhai initially disagreed, insisting on a grand ceremony, but gradually understood the children’s wishes after Yun Shen’s persuasion.
When young, people always want to announce their love to the world, as if gathering more blessings would bring more happiness. But in truth, happiness is just an inner feeling – at most, it’s a matter between two people. Those who are truly happy don’t care about external things or put on air.
Before the wedding, Teng Yi and Teng Hao moved houses. To look after each other, the brothers bought adjacent villas in the same community. After marriage, Teng Yi continued dancing, Ruan Yu continued hosting, Yun Shen continued playing piano, and Teng Hao continued managing the company…
The fairy tale ending seemed ordinary, yet it was an enviable ordinariness because they had both their loved ones and beloved pursuits by their side.
The following spring, “L” and “Xiyou” officially merged to become “Dance Home.”
“Dance Home” became the premier street dance group in Liao City and even China.
That same year, the “Dance Home” quartet of Teng Yi, Luo Sheng, Han Zuo, and Xiao Qing won the domestic qualifying championship for the Street Dance World Cup and headed to Korea to compete.
Ruan Yu was on vacation at the time, so she went with them.
Among the four, only Luo Sheng had competition experience, though unfortunately, his team had performed inconsistently then, not even making the top five. It remained his biggest regret.
For Teng Yi, Xiao Qing, and Han Zuo, this was their first Street Dance World Cup. When they received their team uniforms and saw the national flag on the chest and “China” on the back, they were instantly filled with passion and excitement.
Fighting for one’s country was such a proud thing.
The World Cup lasted a week. Teng Yi and his team competed against foreign dancers, advancing through victories, dominating the stage, and showcasing Chinese dancers’ extraordinary skills and style on the international stage.
In the final group dance competition, they won the world championship with “Swimming Fish,” a piece incorporating elements of Chinese martial arts and Tai Chi.
Years of dedication couldn’t cool their passion; countless trials couldn’t destroy their dreams.
Finally, he did it – they all did it.
The four men held each other tightly on stage, crying and laughing. When brothers back home heard the news, they celebrated together in their group chat.
When interviewed, Teng Yi spoke at length with tears in his eyes, thanking street dance for giving him a dream to chase and his brothers for accompanying him on the journey.
Finally, Teng Yi showed his wedding ring to the camera, his gaze cutting through the crowd to land firmly on Ruan Yu.
He said: “For it, my original heart remains unchanged. For you, my devotion remains eternal.”
Ruan Yu wept endlessly below the stage.
In this short life, to love someone and chase a dream – that is to live without regret, to not waste one’s youth.
May everyone have something they love passionately, and pursue with all their might, riding their dreams, regardless of direction.