Chapter 131: Hey, Bro
Upon learning that Teng Yi had agreed to participate, Wang Jing excitedly invited Ruan Yu out for drinks again. Unable to refuse, Ruan Yu thought, Why not? At least it would contribute to Teng Yi’s bar revenue—a win-win.
That night, after a few drinks, Wang Jing was already drunk.
Clutching Teng Yi, he became weepy and sentimental in an almost comical way.
“Teng Yi, you know what? Back in the day, I was so envious of your looks. If I’d been born as handsome as you, I’d be an even bigger host than Ruan Yu by now… But alas, the heavens didn’t grant me that path… Not that it matters. When one door closes, another opens. Look at me—I’m doing just fine now… Don’t worry, you won’t regret joining our show. We’re legit. Our motto is: No gimmicks, ever! ”
Wang Jing eventually passed out at the bar. It took Ruan Yu and Teng Yi considerable effort to haul him upstairs. The moment his head hit the pillow in the lounge, thunderous snores erupted.
Watching Wang Jing smack his lips and scratch his leg in his sleep, Teng Yi couldn’t help but doubt, “Is this guy really reliable?”
“Don’t worry. He might seem unreliable, but he gets things done,” Ruan Yu reassured him.
Teng Yi smiled, then quietly led Ruan Yu out of the lounge by the hand.
The two headed to the adjacent practice room. Lately, Teng Yi had been practicing his dance moves there. Han Zuo sometimes joined him—he particularly loved the bar’s practice room, claiming it offered both a fresh environment and the convenience of drinks on demand.
Once inside, Teng Yi turned on the music and began his routine warm-up.
Ruan Yu sat on the floor, watching him attentively. Occasionally, she’d get inspired and mimic a move or two, but her lack of fundamentals made even the most dazzling steps look awkward in her execution.
Oh well, she thought. I’ll just stick to that one dance for life.
After finishing his practice, Teng Yi wiped his sweat with a towel and sat down beside Ruan Yu.
“Did you really not dance at all in those six years?” Ruan Yu asked, still curious.
“What do you think?” Teng Yi countered.
Ruan Yu shook her head.
She truly couldn’t guess.
“If you really hadn’t danced for six years and still managed to hold your own against Han Zuo in a battle right off the bat, then you’d be a true street dance prodigy.”
Teng Yi ruffled her hair. “There’s no such thing as prodigies.”
Every ounce of brilliance seen by others was paid for with unseen suffering.
“So… you did practice?”
“I did.”
“But Rui Shu said you had a psychological block—that you couldn’t dance. How did you practice?”
Teng Yi reached out and flicked the wall switch. With a click , the lights in the practice room went out, plunging them into darkness.
“Like this.”
For six years, whenever the urge to dance struck him, he’d retreat into the dark like this—steeped in guilt, dancing alone and in secret.
He couldn’t bear to see his reflection in the mirror, feeling as though he was stealing something. Teng Hao can’t even walk anymore. How dare I dance?
Yet, not dancing was unbearable too.
“I’m glad you never gave up. Otherwise, even if an opportunity came your way now, you wouldn’t have the skills to seize it,” Ruan Yu said.
Teng Yi fell silent, his expression revealing something more.
“What’s wrong? Are you facing some difficulty?”
“Westside Crew is short on members right now.”This was a showdown between crews, and Luo Sheng's "L" had overwhelming support. However, Westside currently had no one besides Han Zuo and Yan Xuyang who could hold their own in such a major event.
"What should we do then?"
"Han Zuo and I have discussed it. We want to bring back the old crew members from back in the day."
Ruan Yu pondered for a few seconds. "Even if you can get them all back, can you guarantee they’ve kept up with street dance like you have these past six years?"
After all, six years was no six days!
"I believe none of them have given up on street dance," Teng Yi said with an inexplicable certainty.
The first person Teng Yi sought out was Xiao Qing.
Xiao Qing had been the eldest brother in Westside back then, treating all the younger members like his own siblings. Teng Yi had always liked consulting him whenever he had issues. If he could bring Xiao Qing back first, it would give him some peace of mind.
Teng Yi had someone look into it and found out that Xiao Qing was now working as a white-collar employee at a company downtown. A few years ago, Xiao Qing had gotten married and started a family—they lived in Orange Garden.
On the weekend, Teng Yi and Han Zuo went to the address they had, but Xiao Qing wasn’t home. His wife answered the door and told them he had taken their child to the small park to play.
"Living the good life, huh," Han Zuo murmured lightly.
"Jealous?"
"Jealous or not, a nine-to-five routine raising kids—that kind of life is way too dull for me. Not my thing."
Teng Yi chuckled.
The two headed toward the small park.
"You think Xiao Qing really quit dancing?" Han Zuo couldn’t help worrying.
After all, a mundane life was the easiest way to wear down a person’s drive and dreams.
"We’ll know when we see him," Teng Yi said.
No sooner had he spoken than they heard the booming beat of music coming from the park—not the usual Phoenix Legend fare, but a hype English track.
"Old folks these days are so fashionable? Even their square dance music is hip-hop now?" Han Zuo laughed.
"That depends on who picked the song."
"What do you mean?"
Teng Yi tilted his chin up.
Han Zuo followed his gaze and saw Xiao Qing standing at the front of a group of elderly people, dancing to the music. His moves were pure popping—rapid hand twists and locks that dazzled the eyes. Behind him, the old folks were doing their best to mimic him, jerking their necks and swinging their arms as if electrocuted, looking utterly ridiculous.
Among them was a toddler, barely two or three years old, also trying to dance along.
The child was still unsteady on their feet, wobbling and tumbling with every move, prompting everyone to rush over and help them up… Bursts of laughter erupted from the crowd now and then, making the scene heartwarming and touching.
"See? He never gave up," Teng Yi said with a smile.
Han Zuo nodded, visibly moved.
"Let’s go." Teng Yi shot Han Zuo a look.
Han Zuo understood.
The two quietly slipped to the back of the group and started dancing along.
Xiao Qing’s skills were just as sharp as they had been years ago.
One song ended, and another began.
These old folks had way more stamina than expected.
Teng Yi and Han Zuo were sweating buckets from dancing seriously, while the elderly were still going strong, looking completely at ease.Xiao Qing didn't know Han Zuo and Teng Yi were behind him. When his son threw a little tantrum, he turned around and saw the two of them, freezing on the spot.
"Hey, bro!" Teng Yi smiled at Xiao Qing.
One smile, one "bro"—six years apart.
OpenNovel