Chapter 121: The Journey Still Continues
Zhou Xihe handed the script to Ruan Yu, who carefully examined the order hotline printed on it. She realized the number was incorrect from the start.
If she had simply misread the number, it would have been an ordinary live broadcast mishap. But if the script had been tampered with, then this was deliberate sabotage.
The truth sent chills down her spine.
Ruan Yu never expected Shan Anxin to despise her to such an extent—daring to jeopardize such a major event.
"Zhou Xihe, thank you for keeping this evidence for me." Setting aside past grievances, Ruan Yu was deeply grateful for Zhou Xihe's timely assistance this time.
"No problem, it was just a small effort. After years in the entertainment industry, I’ve seen enough scheming to know when to be cautious. I’m glad I could help."
"What are you planning to do now?" Teng Yi asked.
Ruan Yu shook her head.
She hadn’t decided yet. Shan Anxin was related to the deputy station director. She couldn’t recklessly take the evidence to complain—that would only alert the enemy. But now that she had witnesses and proof, there was hope.
The room fell silent.
Zhou Xihe took a sip of coffee and looked up at Teng Yi.
"Yi, how long have you been back?"
"A while now."
"Do you… still dance with the crew?" Zhou Xihe’s fingers fidgeted nervously around his coffee cup as he broached the subject. "I really want… to come back. To dance with you all again."
Teng Yi stared ahead, silent.
Zhou Xihe continued, "Back then, I was blinded and made that choice, abandoning the crew. But if I hadn’t, I would’ve never realized how pure the street dance community truly is. After all these ups and downs, I finally understand—I’m only suited to be a dancer. Dancing is the simplest, the freest."
"The Journey is long gone. I don’t dance anymore."
With that, Teng Yi abruptly stood up, the screech of his chair startling Zhou Xihe.
Zhou Xihe sat frozen, watching as Teng Yi strode out of the private room.
Ruan Yu knew that The Journey and dancing were wounds in Teng Yi’s heart. Even after all these years, they had never fully healed. Now that they’d been touched again, the pain must be unbearable.
She bid Zhou Xihe farewell and hurried after Teng Yi.
He stood in the hallway, fishing for his cigarette pack. When he saw her, his hand stilled.
"Go ahead," Ruan Yu said. "I’m not so unreasonable as to forbid you from smoking altogether."
"Forget it."
"Scared of me, huh?" She smirked.
Teng Yi didn’t answer, as if admitting it silently.
Ruan Yu’s pride swelled—until he raised a finger and pointed at the wall.
Following his gesture, she saw the glaring sign: No Smoking.
Ruan Yu: "…"
Teng Yi paid the bill, and the two stepped out of the café.
The sun shone brightly over Haicheng, the breeze carrying the scent of spring.
Not far away, a group of hip-hop-clad teenagers had formed a circle, dancing to the music.
Teng Yi’s gaze lingered on them, his steps unconsciously slowing.
The past had faded like the wind, but memories remained—cruel yet precious all the same.
Ruan Yu quietly took his hand.
"Teng Yi, you know what? The Journey still exists."
—?—
At her words, Teng Yi whipped his head around to look at her.
Yes. The Journey still existed.After the accident involving Teng Hao that year, it altered the fates of many. Xiao Qing blamed himself for the choreography, believing he shouldn’t have assigned such difficult moves to Teng Hao, ruining the young man’s life. Overwhelmed by guilt, he left Xi You. Lin Shan was equally devastated, convinced that his own injury had led Teng Hao to substitute for him, resulting in the tragedy. Unable to face staying, he departed as well. As for Cai Hong, who had always regarded Teng Yi as his leader and his sun, Xi You held no meaning for him without Teng Yi. After Teng Yi went abroad, he too chose to leave.
Everyone scattered—except Han Zuo.
Alone, he shouldered Xi You, just as he had once single-handedly carried the street dance club at Hongshang University—solitary yet resolute.
Teng Yi’s eyes reddened noticeably, but he quickly reined in his emotions.
"Let’s not dwell on that now. What’s important is your situation."
Ruan Yu glanced at her watch.
Deputy Director Huang Ge and Shan Anxin were scheduled to return to Liaocheng by plane this morning and should have already landed. Originally, Ruan Yu was supposed to stay a few more days to host the closing ceremony, but the slip-up incident led Jiayue to request a replacement, disrupting all her subsequent plans.
"I need to go back to Liaocheng," Ruan Yu said apologetically.
"Then let’s go back."
"But you—"
He had traveled all this way, barely off the plane, and now had to turn back—it was too much.
"I came here to bring you home."
When Teng Yi saw the news about Ruan Yu’s mishap in Liaocheng, he worried she wouldn’t be able to handle being alone in a strange place. He hastily booked a ticket, packed nothing, and rushed straight to Haicheng. No matter what mistake she had made or how many people mocked or scorned her, he wanted to take her home. As long as she was home, with him by her side, no storm outside could shake her peace.
Hearing this, Ruan Yu smiled contentedly.
"Teng Yi, kiss me. I still feel like I’m dreaming—I can’t believe you’re really back with me." Her voice cracked, her tear-filled eyes sparkling with laughter, so beautiful it made Teng Yi’s heart ache.
"Anchor Ruan, we’re in public. Have you really given up on dignity?"
"I already said I don’t care. If someone snaps a photo, I’ll just announce our relationship—tell the world you’re my boyfriend." Just like back then, when he held roses and declared to the entire school that she was his girlfriend.
"Little Fish is getting bolder."
"Yes, Little Fish is only afraid of cats—nothing else." She looped her arm through his, gazing up at him with bright eyes. "With you protecting me, even cats can’t come within three feet. So now, I’m not even scared of them."
Teng Yi leaned down and pecked her lips.
"Happy now?" After all her sweet talk, this was clearly what she wanted.
"No, it still doesn’t feel real."
Amused and exasperated, Teng Yi kissed her again.
Ruan Yu shook her head. "Still not enough."
"Six years apart, and you’ve completely changed," Teng Yi remarked.
"You do remember we haven’t seen each other in six years!" Ruan Yu brought up old grievances. "That day in your family’s garden, you acted so casual, like we’d never been apart. Do you know how much that hurt me?"
The mention reignited her frustration. One moment she was asking for kisses, the next she couldn’t resist pinching him.Teng Yi didn't make a sound even when she pinched him. Instead, he boldly pulled her into his embrace, kissing her even more deeply and passionately.
"Ruan Yu, I'm not pretending nothing happened. In my heart, you've never left."
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