Chapter 99: Parting (End of Volume One)
Upon hearing the news, Teng Yi and the others rushed to the hospital.
Lin Shan couldn’t bear to face his teammates. He sat on the hospital bed with his head bowed, like a sinner. At this moment, the pain of his fractured bone paled in comparison to the guilt in his heart.
“I’m sorry… I’ve held everyone back.” Lin Shan, who rarely showed his emotions, had reddened eyes. His voice choked up. “What do we do now? What about the competition? I… I’m really sorry…”
Xiao Qing, Cai Hong, and the others were both disappointed and heartbroken. Words of blame were stuck in their throats, but none could be spoken.
How could they blame Lin Shan? Getting injured wasn’t his intention. Right now, he was the one suffering the most.
Teng Yi reached out and ruffled the back of Lin Shan’s head.
“Forget it. As long as you’re okay, that’s what matters. Don’t overthink it—just focus on recovering. I’ll figure something out for the competition.”
Everyone turned to look at Teng Yi.
He exhaled deeply and walked out of the ward.
One by one, Cai Hong and the others patted Lin Shan’s head before chasing after Teng Yi.
“Boss, what do we do now? The competition’s tomorrow!” Cai Hong blurted out in frustration, swearing under his breath.
Xiao Qing and Han Zuo remained silent, hoping Teng Yi truly had a solution.
But he didn’t.
His mind was blank. He couldn’t think of anything. The words he had spoken in the ward were just to comfort Lin Shan.
“What do we do? Damn it, what do we do?!” Cai Hong clutched his head, on the verge of tears.
The chance to compete in the finals had been earned through Teng Yi’s relentless efforts. They had prepared for so long, rehearsing day and night. Now, to watch all their hard work go to waste at the last moment—who could accept that?
“Let me think,” Teng Yi said.
Cai Hong wanted to say more, but Xiao Qing and Han Zuo grabbed him by the arms and quickly pulled him aside.
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 Xihe had suddenly left Xi You. Back then, at least they still had time. But now, there was no time left.
The finals were tomorrow.
Finding someone to replace Lin Shan overnight—someone who was familiar with their choreography and could quickly integrate into the team—was simply impossible.
Just as Teng Yi was at his wit’s end, his phone rang.
The caller was Teng Hao.
Teng Yi stared at the name flashing on his screen, and suddenly, the tangled knot in his mind unraveled.
Yes—Teng Hao.
The kid came to watch their rehearsals every night. Sometimes, when they were adjusting the rhythm, he even gave suggestions. Teng Hao knew the competition’s choreography as well as the Xi You members did. And his current dance skills were more than enough to replace Lin Shan.
Teng Yi answered the call.
“Bro, I heard Brother Lin Shan got injured—”
“Where are you right now?” Teng Yi cut him off bluntly.
“At home.”
“Go to Xi You. Now.”
“…”
Teng Yi pressed the phone to his ear and sprinted toward the garden exit, where Xiao Qing and the others were waiting. When they saw him running out, they craned their necks expectantly.
“Found him!” Teng Yi excitedly showed them the name on his phone screen. “We’ve found someone to replace Lin Shan—Teng Hao!”
The group froze for a few seconds before breaking into relieved smiles."Holy shit, how could we forget about our little brother Teng Hao!"
"Yeah, and that kid!"
The four of them high-fived each other, feeling like they'd just pulled off a miraculous comeback.
This was seriously too thrilling!
Teng Yi and the others hurried back to West Street.
Teng Hao had already been waiting obediently at West Street, where Ruan Yu was checking his homework. When they returned, both of them stood up.
"Bro! You're back!"
"How's Lin Shan?" Ruan Yu asked.
"His hand is fractured," Teng Yi replied.
"Fractured? Then how can he dance? Can he still compete in tomorrow's finals?" Teng Hao was just as concerned about the finals as everyone else.
"Lin Shan definitely won’t be able to perform tomorrow. In this situation, there’s only one solution." Teng Yi placed a hand on his brother’s shoulder. "Teng Hao, you’ll step in tomorrow. Can you do it?"
Teng Hao was stunned.
"Can I really?"
Teng Yi nodded. On their way back, he had already contacted the organizers. Their stance was that, in principle, substitutions weren’t allowed. However, since there was no explicit rule against it, they would permit a replacement to ensure the integrity of the finals. The organizers would refine the rules afterward.
"Really? I can?" Teng Hao’s expression suddenly turned serious.
The finals of the Street Dance World Cup national qualifiers—for a rookie like Teng Hao, who wasn’t even a sprout in the street dance scene yet, this was a dream stage. He had never imagined he’d get to step onto such a platform so soon. Originally, this was something he had planned for at least three to five years down the line.
"So? It’s up to you."
"Of course I can!" Teng Hao excitedly threw a few punching and sprinting gestures in place. "Ah! I’m gonna compete in the Street Dance World Cup! I’m gonna compete in the Street Dance World Cup!"
Seeing Teng Hao so exhilarated, everyone else laughed too.
"You lucky brat, getting handed an opportunity like this," Xiao Qing teased.
"Xiao Qing, that’s not fair to say. If I didn’t take this chance, what would you guys do? In all of Liaocheng, who knows your music and choreography better than me? If you think about it, I’m practically your savior, right?"
"Alright, alright, you’re the savior now. Whatever you say."
"Then, Xiao Qing, can you give me a super cool solo move later?"
"..."
"Enough chatter!" Teng Yi smacked Teng Hao on the back. "Let’s get inside and rehearse!"
Although Teng Hao was familiar with the music and choreography, he wasn’t Lin Shan. Their dance styles and habits were different, so some details needed to be adjusted.
"Got it."
The guys all headed toward the practice room.
Only Ruan Yu and Teng Yi remained in the hallway.
Teng Yi pulled Ruan Yu close and kissed her forehead. "Go home by yourself later. Be careful on the way, and text me when you get there."
"Okay."
"Then I’ll go train now."
"Mm." She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his forehead in return. "Do your best. I’ll be there to watch your competition tomorrow."
He smiled and nodded.
"See you tomorrow."
"See you tomorrow."
Teng Yi turned and caught up with Xiao Qing and the others. After a few steps, he glanced back and waved at Ruan Yu.
"Teng Yi!" Ruan Yu couldn’t help but call out to him.
"Yeah?"
"No matter what the result is tomorrow, you’ll always be the best in my heart."Teng Yi stopped in his tracks, his dark, gleaming eyes fixed intently on her. Suddenly, he licked his lips and stepped forward again, wrapping an arm around Ruan Yu’s waist and pulling her into his embrace before kissing her deeply.
“Ooooh…”
Xiao Qing and the others peeked out from behind the door, teasing them.
Blushing, Ruan Yu nuzzled against Teng Yi before pushing him away.
“Go on, get back to practice.”
“Mm.”
--?--
The boys rehearsed in the practice room late into the night, only catching a short nap in the early hours of the morning. After daybreak, they each returned to their places to shower and change into their custom team uniforms before gathering at the school gate to head to the venue together.
Despite pulling an all-nighter with almost no sleep, the boys were in high spirits—especially Teng Hao, who was practically buzzing with excitement.
The moment Ruan Yu saw Teng Yi, she noticed the shoes on his feet.
Today, he was wearing the pair she had given him for Valentine’s Day.
The black shoes matched perfectly with the black team uniforms, yet they carried a unique aura—one that belonged solely to Teng Yi.
Hidden within that aura was his love for the person who had given him the shoes, making even the footwear itself seem especially cherished.
The group arrived at the competition venue by bus.
Lin Shan was there too, his right arm in a cast, accompanied by Chen Manbai. They had arrived early and were already waiting at the entrance. Spotting his teammates stepping off the bus, Lin Shan hurried over to greet them.
“Lin Shan, weren’t you supposed to rest at the hospital?” Teng Yi glanced at the thick cast on Lin Shan’s arm, his concern evident.
“How could he stay put? He was worried sick all night, didn’t sleep a wink. I told him—his body’s in the hospital bed, but his heart’s in the practice room. Sure enough, as soon as dawn broke, he insisted on coming. The nurses wouldn’t allow it, but he wouldn’t listen. He dragged me along to sneak out, didn’t even finish his IV—just didn’t want to miss the competition,” Chen Manbai grumbled from the side.
Lin Shan stayed silent, his gaze fixed on Teng Hao.
Teng Hao grinned and stepped forward. “Lin Shan-ge, look—your uniform fits me just right. Don’t worry, I’ll give it my all today. I won’t let you or the others down.”
Lin Shan nodded. He moved closer, wrapping an arm around Teng Hao’s shoulders, and murmured a quiet “thank you” and “good luck” into his ear.
The four of them—Teng Yi and the others—stepped forward, encircling Lin Shan and Teng Hao in a reassuring group hug.
The moment was unexpectedly touching.
“Come on, let’s cheer together,” Teng Yi said, extending his hand first.
One by one, the members of Xi You placed their hands over Teng Yi’s. Ruan Yu and Chen Manbai joined in as well.
United, their voices rang out loud and clear.
“Xi You, go for it!”
The venue was packed with eager spectators, all wondering which team would take home the championship tonight—who would represent China on the World Cup stage.
The finals began swiftly.
The first team to take the stage was “L,” led by Luo Sheng. Having breezed through the competition so far with an unstoppable momentum, they were the favorites to win. Luo Sheng himself was as popular as a celebrity—the moment he appeared, the stands erupted with screams from female fans.
“Luo Sheng! Luo Sheng! Luo Sheng!”On stage, Luo Sheng's expression was icy, his metallic team uniform making him look like an emotionless robot. The song he and his teammates were about to perform was one with an exceptionally distinct rhythm—a bold choice most teams wouldn’t dare attempt unless they had both the skill and seamless teamwork to pull it off.
Team "L's" selection fully showcased their confidence and their ambition to set themselves apart from other teams from the very start.
And indeed, they had the talent to back it up.
From the opening, the entire team centered around Luo Sheng, all five boys displaying incredible body control. Their synchronized hand movements, dazzling locking poses, and seamless transitions between fast and slow motions were like magic, dazzling the audience.
This visual experience couldn’t be described with simple words like "shocking" or "stunning."
To the audience, these weren’t just dancers performing robotic moves—they were actual robots.
Applause surged like a tide, unending.
Cheers rose higher and higher.
With Team "L" setting such a high bar, the pressure on the next three teams was immense, especially for Journey to the West, who performed immediately after.
Fortunately, Journey to the West had already left a deep impression on the audience in previous matches, particularly with Teng Yi’s pentakill.
When they took the stage, the crowd was just as enthusiastic.
Applause and cheers blended seamlessly, the atmosphere growing even more electric.
This time, Journey to the West brought a group dance piece titled Pompeii .
The five boys stood solemnly in black, their outfits bathed in the chaotic stage lights, evoking the ruins of Pompeii bursting with new hope.
Led by Teng Yi, the boys moved with flawless synergy, their transitions between dance styles smooth and natural. Even Teng Hao, the temporary substitute, integrated perfectly.
Compared to Team "L's" cold song choice and mechanical choreography, Journey to the West’s performance felt warmer, more heartfelt. Technically, they were on par, and emotionally, they held their own. If they nailed the ending, they might just surpass Team "L."
As Pompeii reached its climax, so did Journey to the West’s performance.
The breathtaking double windmills executed in perfect sync by Teng Yi and Teng Hao left the audience in awe.
At that moment, the tide of the competition seemed to turn—Journey to the West was on the verge of defeating Team "L."
But then, disaster struck.
After completing a rapid support and spin, Teng Hao made a critical mistake during the head freeze. The back of his head hit the ground, and his body, propelled by momentum, spun out of control like a runaway top before crashing heavily off the stage.
Ruan Yu would never forget that moment.
Teng Yi’s panicked expression and helpless gaze became the bleakest scene of her twenty-some years of life.
Everything that followed was chaos.
Gasps, screams, and cries became the only narration for this tragedy.
The fall of Pompeii became the fall of Teng Yi and Journey to the West…
Much later, Ruan Yu only saw Teng Yi once more—in a hospital hallway. The boy who had always been as warm as spring sunlight now felt icy cold. He clung to her, leaning against her, crying as if his heart were being torn apart.
He said, "I’m sorry, Ruan Yu. Let’s break up."
Those were the last words he ever left her.
At the end of the road, he let her go.
In the future, he would no longer walk beside her—nor would he let her walk beside him.The moment Ruan Yu heard the words "break up," beyond the heart-wrenching pain, what she felt most was understanding. She fought back her tears, unwilling to let him see her vulnerability and heartbreak, unwilling to become the final straw that crushed him. She knew that the man before her, though his body still stood tall as a mountain, his spirit had long been teetering on the edge.
He was holding back too—just barely holding on.
As the eldest brother who had played a fatherly role all these years, Teng Yi had doted on his younger brother so much. Now that such an accident had happened right before his eyes, how consumed must he be by guilt, self-blame, and regret? From this moment on, Teng Yi's life would forever bear the weight of a heavy cross, and a soul shackled by such burdens could never again embrace love—or her—with an open heart.
As for Ruan Yu, she no longer expected his love or protection. All she wished was for him to be well—to be forgiven and to forgive himself, to be redeemed and to redeem himself.
That was all she hoped for. That would be enough.
The national qualifiers came to a thrilling conclusion, with Team "L" ultimately taking the championship. Luo Sheng would now lead his teammates to compete in the World Cup.
No one was happy about winning, nor was anyone disheartened by losing.
All the players and spectators were preoccupied with thoughts of that dazzling young man who had fallen so tragically on stage—worried for him, sighing for him.
Teng Hao never woke up. Shen Bing, for her son's sake, set aside her business and sought medical help everywhere.
Three months later, the Teng family moved abroad.
By the time Ruan Yu heard the news, Teng Yi's plane had already landed in Los Angeles.
Fairytales can end abruptly on the page, but real life marches relentlessly on.
She knew that "I love you" could never truly be the conclusion of any love story. The pain of separation in life and the bitterness of parting in death—those were the real endings.
A moment of realization, a night of aging.
From then on, between her and her tender young man lay only heart-piercing memories, reversed time zones, and endless years. Reunion—now a distant impossibility.
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