Chapter 125: Spring Night
Shan Anxin could tell Ruan Yu was mocking her. Just as she was about to lash out, Ruan Yu brushed past her and walked straight toward Teng Yi.
Teng Yi had also just extricated himself from the crowd and was heading her way.
“What brings you here?”
“Visiting the set.”
Ruan Yu glanced at the fully packed trunk. “Why so much stuff? People who know would think you’re here to visit, but those who don’t might assume you’re here for disaster relief.”
“It is disaster relief.”
“Hmm?”
He pressed a hand to his chest. “The longing here has already become a flood.”
Ruan Yu’s face flushed.
Even though the cheesy pickup line was corny, why did it sound so heart-fluttering coming from him?
“Mr. Teng is truly thoughtful,” the director chimed in as he approached. “We rushed into the mountains too quickly and didn’t expect there to be so many mosquitoes. We weren’t prepared at all.”
“It’s Ruan Yu who’s thoughtful. She couldn’t bear to see everyone suffering from mosquito bites at night, so she specifically asked me to bring these. I’m just the delivery guy.” Teng Yi smiled at Ruan Yu as he spoke.
“Host Ruan has always been considerate.”
“Yes, yes! Host Ruan is the kindest and most good-tempered celebrity we’ve ever worked with.”
Ruan Yu was almost embarrassed by the praise. She glanced at Teng Yi, who simply smiled without a word, looking every bit the modest hero who “retires after a deed, leaving no name behind.” She knew he had done all this because of what she’d inadvertently said the night before—he was helping her ease her guilt toward her colleagues.
In truth, the truly considerate one was him.
Teng Yi’s arrival lightened the previously gloomy atmosphere of the production team. Even the usually arrogant and difficult-to-please Shan Anxin became more restrained with a handsome man around.
The final episode wrapped up smoothly.
That evening, Teng Yi treated everyone to dinner in Ruan Yu’s name. It was meant to be a farewell meal, something Ruan Yu had already considered, so when Teng Yi suggested it, she went along and let him take charge.
Everyone was in high spirits—except Shan Anxin, who excused herself, claiming she wasn’t feeling well. Her absence suited everyone just fine.
Teng Yi had reserved a restaurant near the guesthouse where the team was staying. Rumor had it that this was the best farmhouse eatery in the area, not only serving fresh, organic ingredients but also employing a star-rated chef. According to the guesthouse owner, many tourists traveled great distances not for the scenic mountains and rivers but for the chef’s culinary skills.
But when the group arrived, they couldn’t help but think the owner had exaggerated.
The restaurant was empty except for a few servers—not a single other customer in sight.
“Given the rumors, I expected it to be packed. Who knew it’d be so quiet?” the director remarked with a laugh.
“It’s not quiet—that gentleman booked the entire place,” the front desk girl said, beaming as she pointed at Teng Yi.
The group immediately expressed their gratitude for Mr. Teng’s generosity.
Teng Yi shook his head with a smile and gestured for everyone to take their seats.
He hadn’t originally planned to book the whole restaurant, but the owner mentioned there were no private rooms. Considering the large crew, sitting scattered would ruin the farewell atmosphere. Besides, if colleagues wanted to share sentimental words with Ruan Yu, a noisy environment wouldn’t do. So he decided to reserve the entire place.
Soon, everyone was seated around the tables, filling the entire dining hall with their group.
Thanks to the advance preparations, the dishes arrived quickly. In no time, the tables were overflowing with food, piled high with no room to spare.
Once again, the team marveled at Mr. Teng’s lavish hospitality."It's the least I can do, just to thank everyone for taking care of Ruan Yu all these years."
"Not at all, it's usually Sister Ruan who takes care of us," said one of the younger staff members.
"Right, we learn so much from Sister Ruan."
Ruan Yu quickly waved her hands. "Don’t praise me too much—I don’t handle compliments well. It’ll go straight to my head."
"We’re just telling the truth, no exaggeration. Take me, for example—when I first joined the station, I talked way too much and annoyed everyone. It was Sister Ruan who told me, 'A person spends a year learning to speak, but a lifetime learning when to shut up.' Even though she’s not much older than us, she’s got such wisdom. Oh, and she even taught us how to dance!"
Ruan Yu choked on her water.
Why bring that up all of a sudden?
Seems like neither "speaking" nor "shutting up" had been mastered yet.
"Speaking of dancing..." The director patted Teng Yi’s shoulder. "Mr. Teng, have you ever seen Xiao Ruan dance? I was absolutely stunned back then. This usually quiet and gentle girl—when she dances hip-hop, she’s something else! What’s that trendy phrase you kids use nowadays…?"
"Sweet yet fierce."
"Total badass!"
Others chimed in.
Teng Yi glanced at Ruan Yu and feigned ignorance. "She can dance?"
Ruan Yu shot him a sidelong look. This guy really knew how to play dumb—as if he didn’t know whether she could dance or not! He was the one who taught her!
Assuming Teng Yi genuinely didn’t know, the director nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! Last year at our station’s annual party, Xiao Ruan led a group of newcomers and danced so well they even won a prize and some bonus money. Since you haven’t seen it, Mr. Teng, why not have Xiao Ruan give us a little performance now?"
Teng Yi smiled but said nothing.
"No way, we’re in a restaurant—how embarrassing," Ruan Yu tried to refuse.
"It’s fine, there’s no one else here," the director insisted.
"But there’s no music!"
"Sister Ruan, we’ve got our phones! We can play whatever song you want."
"..." They were really backing her into a corner!
"Sister Ruan, dance for us one more time. Who knows if we’ll ever get to see it again?"
The mood suddenly turned bittersweet.
Ruan Yu stole another glance at Teng Yi.
He was silently watching her, not saying a word.
Fine! She thought. Might as well go all out! So what if she was showing off her meager skills in front of the master? He was the one who taught her—if she embarrassed herself, he was just as responsible!
"Alright!"
"Woohoo! Everyone, clap, clap!"
The room erupted in enthusiastic applause.
Ruan Yu stood up and took off her jacket.
"Sister Ruan? What music do you want? The same one from the annual party?"
She nodded.
Back then, Teng Yi had only taught her that one song. Even now, it was still the only one she knew.
A few young guys from the crew quickly rearranged the tables and chairs in the dining area, clearing a makeshift "stage" for her.
Teng Yi remained seated, watching as she stepped into the center of the crowd. She pulled the hair tie from her wrist and swiftly gathered her loose hair into a high ponytail.
The soft lighting in the room made her white T-shirt and delicate features glow warmly. Even the way she glanced at him held a hint of shyness. But the moment the music started, her previously reserved aura burst wide open.
Like a little fish swimming along, only to suddenly leap out of the ocean as a mighty whale.
It wasn’t just "stunning" or "cool" that could describe it.Everyone knew she shone brightly as a host, but who could have imagined her dancing would reveal another kind of radiance?
Teng Yi took a sip of tea, yet the pounding in his chest only grew faster.
The slides, jumps, spins, waist twists, chest pops, hip thrusts—every move she executed with effortless grace and unrestrained flair. There was a hint of his old style in her movements, yet blended seamlessly with her own unique touch. Clearly, she had spent years refining her craft.
The student had surpassed the master.
As Ruan Yu finished her dance, the room erupted in applause.
Amid the cheers, she playfully tugged at the hem of her T-shirt and struck an exaggerated curtsy, drawing another round of laughter.
"Xiao Ruan, even watching it again, it’s still breathtaking. Amazing!"
"Ruan-jie, you killed it!"
The praise poured in endlessly.
Ruan Yu returned to Teng Yi’s side, slipping on her jacket with a smile.
"All thanks to my teacher’s excellent guidance."
Dinner ended quickly. Though filled with laughter and banter, a tinge of melancholy lingered by the end. But no feast lasts forever—people come and go, gatherings and partings are simply the way of life.
Back at their lodgings, Ruan Yu accompanied Teng Yi to fetch his suitcase from the car before they headed inside together.
Having already spent a night there, the room was now filled with her belongings, the air thick with the scent of her cosmetics. To Teng Yi, it felt less like a rented space and more like stepping into her private boudoir.
They took turns showering.
After his shower, Teng Yi retrieved an anti-itch ointment from his suitcase and motioned for Ruan Yu.
"Come here."
"What for?"
"You were complaining about itching yesterday, and I saw you scratching earlier. Let me apply this for you."
Obediently, Ruan Yu sat beside him and lifted the hem of her nightdress halfway.
Her calves bore several large mosquito bites from the day before. Though the swelling had subsided, the spots remained red and itchy.
Teng Yi squeezed a dollop of ointment onto the irritated skin, massaging it in with care.
A cooling sensation spread over Ruan Yu’s legs as she watched his gentle expression, her lips curling into a smile.
"Did I dance well tonight?" she ventured.
"Mhm." He kept his eyes on the ointment, the response seeming almost absentminded.
"Just 'mhm'? I thought I did better than at the company gala."
Teng Yi stayed silent.
Ruan Yu pursed her lips and tentatively nudged his arm.
"Teng Yi… do you not like it when I dance?"
His hands stilled.
A flicker of guilt pricked at her. Truthfully, she could have refused when the crowd egged her on earlier—but she hadn’t. She’d danced on purpose, hoping to rekindle his memories of their dance-filled past, to remind him of the joy it once brought him. Maybe, just maybe, it might even inspire him to pick up street dancing again.
In hindsight, she’d been too impatient.
"I—"
Before she could finish, Teng Yi gripped her calf and pulled her squarely onto his lap.
The sudden movement hiked her nightdress even higher, her slender legs nearly wrapping around his waist.
Blushing, Ruan Yu reached to adjust the fabric, but Teng Yi caught her hand.
Leaning in, he brushed a kiss against her flushed lips.
"Little Fish, I love everything you do."
The words could have been an answer—or they could have meant nothing at all.Ruan Yu wanted to ask further, but he leaned in and pushed her onto the bed, kissing her deeply and fervently. His kisses left her breathless and mind blank, gradually making her forget her original intention as she lost herself in their shared passion.
It was their first time after being apart. Perhaps because too much time and too many expectations had stood between them, they were as shy and clumsy as on their first night together. In their tussle, Teng Yi’s hand got caught in her nightgown, forcing them to pause—one above the other—gazing into each other’s eyes before suddenly bursting into laughter in unison.
Laughter soon gave way to urgent, tender embraces and lingering, fervent kisses.
When they finally melted into each other and reached their peak, both were moved and grateful—at least their bodies still remembered one another.
Outside the window, the mountains stood silent.
Inside, passion raged on.
Another night passed.
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