Chapter 109: Best-Laid Plans
In the end, Ruan Yu couldn’t withstand Wang Jing’s persistent pleading and agreed to help him.
The two arranged to visit Teng Yi again on Friday evening.
When Friday night arrived, Ruan Yu arrived at Nameless Bar on time, but Wang Jing called her, saying he had been held back by the station director for tea and asked her to go in first.
Ruan Yu was exasperated. Faced with such a situation, she truly had a god-like opponent and a pig-like teammate.
Left with no choice, she steeled herself and entered the bar alone.
The bar was livelier than the last time she had visited. The main hall was nearly packed to capacity, and the crowd was almost entirely women.
Ruan Yu glanced toward the bar but didn’t see Teng Yi. She found an inconspicuous empty seat and ordered herself a cocktail.
When the waiter brought her drink, Ruan Yu asked, “Where’s your boss?”
“Our boss?” The young man gave her a wary once-over. “He hasn’t been here for a few days.”
“Why?”
“Because too many women come looking for him. Just look around this place— Hey, wait. You look familiar. Are you… that host, Ruan Yu?”
Ruan Yu quickly raised a finger to her lips in a “shh” gesture. The waiter immediately nodded and mirrored her action.
“Sis Ruan, I never thought I’d see you here. My girlfriend adores you. Could you give me an autograph?” The waiter lowered his voice. “In exchange, I can secretly tell you our boss’s whereabouts.”
It was an excellent deal.
Ruan Yu swiftly signed her name.
The waiter clutched the autograph, overjoyed.
“When will your boss come?” Ruan Yu seized the opportunity to ask.
“After nine. By then, most of the infatuated women in here will have left. That’s when he shows up.”
Ruan Yu waited silently until nine. Sure enough, during that time, waves of women gradually dispersed from the hall. No one truly had the patience to wait long for someone who might not even come—but she did. Six mist-shrouded years had already passed, so what were a few certain hours?
At 9:15, Teng Yi appeared in the bar.
Dressed in a long black coat, he blended into the dim lighting and went straight upstairs. About three minutes later, he returned without the coat and headed to the liquor cabinet as usual to select a drink.
“Look, Teng Yi!” A group of college-aged girls at the next table whispered excitedly. “Heaven rewards the diligent—he’s here!”
Ruan Yu watched Teng Yi quietly as the girls at the neighboring table egged each other on but didn’t dare approach him. Amid their debate over “you go” or “I go,” Ruan Yu picked up her bag and decisively walked toward Teng Yi.
As she approached him, the song playing in the hall changed—it was a Beyond track.
Teng Yi, facing the liquor cabinet, sensed the click of high heels approaching from behind. Without turning, he spoke coldly.
“No autographs, no photos, no show appearances.”
Ruan Yu: “…”
Clearly, after the show’s popularity, people seeking autographs, photos, or interviews had already worn him out. That’s why his rejection lines came so effortlessly.
“What about reminiscing?” Ruan Yu asked.
Hearing her voice, Teng Yi whipped his head around.
“You?”
“What? Disappointed it’s not some fangirl asking for an autograph or photo?”He silently put the bottle of alcohol back and closed the liquor cabinet.
“Something up?”
“Yes. Can we talk somewhere quiet?”
He thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Follow me.”
--?--
Teng Yi led Ruan Yu upstairs.
The second floor was enormous, but entirely the boss’s private space. At a glance, a long hallway stretched straight ahead, its layout strikingly similar to the second floor of the old West Tour building. Except here, apart from the reception room, all the doors were tightly shut. Ruan Yu had no idea what lay behind them.
She followed Teng Yi into the reception room.
On the coffee table, an ashtray sat next to a few potted plants, filled to the brim with cigarette butts.
Noticing Ruan Yu’s gaze lingering on them, Teng Yi reached over and tossed the entire ashtray into the trash bin.
“Sit,” he said.
Ruan Yu settled onto the sofa.
“Want something to drink?”
Teng Yi walked over and opened the fridge. Inside, there was nothing but beer. He stood there for a long moment, unmoving.
“No need,” Ruan Yu quickly offered him an out.
He didn’t bother with formalities, closing the fridge without taking anything out.
After sitting in silence for a while, Ruan Yu finally brought up her reason for coming. But Teng Yi remained unyielding, flatly refusing.
“I’ve already told Wang Jing—I won’t appear on any shows.”
“Why? First Central TV is a legitimate station, and the program Wang Jing wants you on isn’t some shady production. Didn’t you always want to promote street dance culture? A show like this would only help spread it further.”
“You said it yourself—that was before.”
“What’s different now? Have you stopped dancing?” Her voice rose with sudden agitation.
Teng Yi looked at her calmly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly, but he said nothing.
Silence seeped into the air, turning everything around them lifeless.
“Teng Yi, just think about it, okay? I know what’s holding you back, but you can’t live in the past forever. This is a great opportunity—”
“No need to think about it. You should go.” He cut her off, effectively dismissing her.
Ruan Yu felt as if she’d been struck over the head. A dull ringing filled her ears, and in the sudden quiet, disappointment engulfed her completely.
“Then say it. Say you’ve stopped dancing. Say it to my face, and I’ll leave.” Her fingers clenched around the strap of her bag, her gaze unwavering.
“……”
“You can’t say it. You just can’t!”
“I don’t dance anymore.” Teng Yi lowered his head. As he spoke, his lips twisted into a smirk—as if mocking her, or perhaps himself.
All emotion was buried in that faint curve.
Ruan Yu was instantly drained.
She had bet he wouldn’t say it—couldn’t say it, wouldn’t bring himself to.
But he had. And it had been easier, more decisive, than she’d ever imagined.
Ruan Yu grabbed her bag and left.
As she descended the stairs, her phone rang.
It was Wang Jing.
She declined the call—because she saw that Wang Jing had arrived at some point and was now seated in the lobby.
“Wang Jing!” She strode toward him.
“Hey! Ruan Ruan! How’d it go?” Wang Jing hastily stood up and pulled out the chair opposite for her. “Did you talk? Did he agree?”
Ruan Yu shook her head."Huh? What do you mean? Teng Yi won’t even give you face? How can he be so heartless? Come, come, sit down first. Let’s talk."
"Sit down? He’s already kicked us out. Why should we shamelessly stay here? Let’s go!"
"Wait!" Wang Jing quickly grabbed Ruan Yu. "I just ordered a lot of drinks!"
"You ordered drinks?"
Wang Jing nodded sheepishly.
He had originally thought that with Ruan Yu stepping in, success was guaranteed. So, he’d ordered all the best drinks in the bar, planning to celebrate and get closer to Teng Yi, making future collaborations smoother.
Who knew his perfect plan had backfired.
--?--
The waiter brought the drinks, filling the entire table.
"Whatever, the drinks can’t be returned anyway. We can’t lose both the battle and the troops—sit down and drink!" Wang Jing pushed Ruan Yu into a chair.
After sitting, Ruan Yu glared resentfully toward the second floor, only to see Teng Yi coming down the stairs, his gaze fixed on her.
What are you looking at?
She was a paying customer now—she’d spent money on these drinks. Just try kicking her out again!
Teng Yi naturally wouldn’t. He averted his eyes, acting as if she didn’t exist, and walked straight behind the bar.
Seeing this, Wang Jing clicked his tongue.
"Damn, how did Teng Yi turn into this? I remember he used to be such a warm guy, smiling at everyone like a little sun. Six years really changed him! Did he take some heartlessness pill or what?"
Ruan Yu didn’t want to listen to Wang Jing’s rambling. She poured herself a drink and downed it in one go.
Maybe because her mood was so low, she got drunk faster than usual. While Wang Jing was still lively, she was already bleary-eyed and unsteady.
"Ruan Ruan, are you okay?" Wang Jing started to worry.
"I’m fine."
"Your eyes are red."
"No, they’re not."
"Don’t deny it. Are you really upset?"
"......"
"Ruan Ruan, I’m sorry. This was all my stupid idea. I’ll never ask you to come see him again. He can do whatever he wants—don’t be sad. You’re amazing, with suitors lined up around the block. Why cling to him? Honestly, that Luo—"
"Stop it, enough nonsense!" Ruan Yu gripped the table and stood up. "Keep drinking. I’m going to the restroom."
"I’ll go with you."
"Get lost, dream on!"
Ruan Yu swayed as she turned, her clothes catching on a bottle. It fell to the ground with a sharp crash.
At the bar, Teng Yi finally looked up at the sound.
She ignored everything—the fallen bottle, his gaze—just steadying herself against the wall as she staggered toward the restroom.
Her stomach churned. She thought she’d throw up, but nothing came out.
After washing her face, Ruan Yu stepped out of the restroom to find Teng Yi leaning against the hallway wall, arms crossed, waiting for her.
The black collar of his shirt accentuated the sharp, cold lines of his jaw.
"What are you staring at?" she snapped.
"Is this how public figures behave these days? No regard for their image?"
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"Drunk like this—aren’t you afraid of getting photographed?"
"None of your business!" Ruan Yu stumbled toward him, forcing him back into the corner. "Why should you care? What right do you have? What right?!"
Teng Yi pressed his lips together, a rare flicker of anger in his icy eyes.Just as he was about to lose his temper, Ruan Yu in front of him suddenly staggered, like grass flattened by a gale, tilting heavily to one side.
Teng Yi quickly reached out to steady her.
She took the opportunity to pummel his chest with her fists, blow after blow.
"How could you stop dancing? How could you say you won't dance anymore..." Her accusations gradually turned into sobs, striking Teng Yi's heart harder than her fists. "Teng Yi... you can stop loving me! But you can't give up on street dance! You can't!"
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