Chapter 104: Heart Belongs to Someone
The interview concluded with everyone, including Teng Hao, moved to tears.
Though no one present truly understood the details of the accident from years ago, Teng Yi's few words about their brotherly bond were enough to touch everyone deeply.
The director and producers stepped forward once more to shake Teng Yi's hand in gratitude.
"Thank you for your time, Mr. Teng."
"You're welcome."
Teng Yi shook hands with each of them. Finally, he naturally walked up to Ruan Yu and extended his hand toward her.
Ruan Yu looked at him but didn’t move.
Unfazed, he kept his hand outstretched and said, "Today, I’ll leave Teng Hao in your care."
So that was what this was about.
"Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him."
Like everyone else, Ruan Yu calmly shook his hand. His fingers had warmed up again, and she felt slightly reassured.
After Teng Yi left, the crew tidied up the set and began filming Teng Hao’s segment.
The shoot followed Teng Hao starting with his morning workout.
When the staff offered to help him change, Teng Hao declined.
"I can do it myself. Just give me five minutes," he said, wheeling himself into his room.
As the door closed, a few of the younger female crew members sighed in disappointment.
"Missed the perfect chance to peek at his assets ," one whispered.
"Wow, that’s what you were thinking? You’re so dirty."
"Like you weren’t? You’re not dirty?"
"Fine, fine, I’m even worse. I don’t just want a peek—I want to pounce."
"..."
Listening to their banter, Ruan Yu couldn’t help but smile slightly.
True to his word, Teng Hao changed in under five minutes. The white workout clothes gave him a youthful aura, as if he had returned to his prime—every blink radiating the best of his youth.
"Do you still exercise every day?" Ruan Yu asked.
"Yeah."
Teng Hao led Ruan Yu to the gym on the first floor.
The gym was impressively spacious, almost as large as the living room, and equipped just as well as a professional fitness center.
"I usually have a personal trainer. On days they don’t come, I just do simple workouts alone." Teng Hao bent down to pick up a dumbbell, effortlessly lifting it a few times. Suddenly, he waved at Ruan Yu. "Host Ruan, want to feel my muscles?"
Ruan Yu glanced at the camera and feigned shyness. "Do I get to enjoy this privilege?"
The crew stifled their laughter.
Naturally, no one answered.
"Then I’ll take the liberty of feeling them on behalf of our audience," Ruan Yu answered her own question, reaching out to press against Teng Hao’s arm.
Even through the fabric of his workout clothes, the well-defined contours of his muscles were unmistakable.
"How is it?" Teng Hao asked.
His slightly smug expression was just like when he had once asked her in the practice room, "Isn’t your man cool?"
"Cool," Ruan Yu replied.
And he truly was—forging such a physique with his body as it was now.
No one could truly understand what lay behind that smile, or what he had sacrificed to get here.Teng Hao also guided Ruan Yu through a few fitness moves. The two chatted and played around in the gym, staying true to the script while making it more lively than planned. The director and producers were very pleased with the natural dynamic between Ruan Yu and Teng Hao—neither distant nor stiff, nor restrained. Everyone agreed this was the most effortless and smooth recording session so far.
--?--
After the filming at the Teng residence concluded, Teng Hao changed into a suit and prepared to head to the company. The entire crew followed by car, while Ruan Yu and the cameraman rode with Teng Hao, chatting all the way to the office.
The company, named DT Ventures, was a large investment firm specializing in venture capital and equity investments, among other things. Over the past two years, DT Ventures had grown explosively, transforming from an obscure startup into a globally competitive venture capital group. The company had specialized investment teams and, beyond its core business, had made notable strides in IT, biopharmaceuticals, new materials, and new energy.
DT employees had been informed in advance about the crew’s visit that day. Eager to catch a glimpse of their boss on TV, every staff member cooperated enthusiastically with the filming requests. During the interview segment, many even took the opportunity to express heartfelt admiration for Teng Hao.
"You seem very popular at the company," Ruan Yu remarked.
"Not bad," Teng Hao replied with a smile. "At work, I usually play the good cop while my brother plays the bad cop. So, I get along better with the employees—they’re all a bit more afraid of him."
"Is your brother also in charge of the company?"
Teng Hao nodded.
"Actually, my brother was the original founder of DT Ventures. But he’s low-key and dislikes dealing with the media or giving interviews. Later, when two of my projects took off and I started appearing in public more often, people just assumed I was the one in charge."
"Does he still handle company business now?"
"Occasionally. After I took over, he stepped back completely, shifting from being the leader to becoming the company’s backbone and support."
"Smart of him to leave all the hard work to you," Ruan Yu teased.
"I guess his heart isn’t in it."
With that understated remark, Teng Hao closed the topic.
But Ruan Yu’s mind surged with waves of realization.
She knew exactly where Teng Yi’s heart lay—his heart and soul belonged to street dance. No matter how great his professional achievements, they could never compare to the exhilaration and freedom of dancing on stage, pouring his sweat and passion into every move.
He should dance. He should keep dancing.
After the program wrapped, Teng Hao reserved an entire restaurant in the mall across the street to treat the crew to dinner. A full day of filming had already bridged the gap between him and the team, and everyone had grown fond of this elegant, gentle, and witty man.
During the meal, a few young newcomers mustered the courage to ask about Teng Hao’s relationship status.
"Mr. Niel, do you have a girlfriend?" one of them ventured.
Teng Hao smiled as he cut into his steak, glancing at the girl who had asked. "Is this another question for the show?"
"No, no! This is purely my own curiosity," she admitted.
"Sorry, but I can’t satisfy your curiosity."
The table erupted in laughter.
Undeterred, the girl pressed on, "If Mr. Niel is dodging the question, he must either have a girlfriend or someone special in mind."Teng Hao smiled without a word, and his silence only made the young girl more certain.
Everyone was speculating about what kind of girl could be weighing on Teng Hao's mind.
Ruan Yu was curious too, but she felt too embarrassed to pry.
By the time the gathering ended, it was already very late.
The staff dispersed to go home, and Ruan Yu decided to see Teng Hao back. Although he had a driver, she still wanted to make sure he got home safely.
After all, she had promised Teng Yi she would take good care of Teng Hao today.
"Ms. Top Scorer, do you see me as a child?" Once the camera was off, his address for her switched back from the polite "Host Ruan" to the affectionate "Ms. Top Scorer."
"In my eyes, you've always been a little brat."
"Tch." He was clearly displeased.
The two headed toward the mall exit together. Ruan Yu initially wanted to push his wheelchair for him, but Teng Hao declined.
"I'm used to it. No need to help," he said.
Ruan Yu didn’t insist.
The city square was bustling with people. Ruan Yu walked slowly beside Teng Hao.
Suddenly, Teng Hao’s wheelchair came to a stop.
"What’s wrong?" Ruan Yu halted as well.
Teng Hao didn’t answer, his gaze fixed on the giant promotional poster ahead, lost in thought.
Ruan Yu followed his line of sight and froze too.
Yun Shen.
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