Chapter 134: Dance Masters
The recording was completed at the end of July, and the show officially aired in early November.
The program centered around competitions between four major domestic street dance crews. Amid the intense competitive atmosphere, it also incorporated a rigorous and comprehensive knowledge chain about street dance, allowing viewers to not only be entertained but also learn about the distinctions and characteristics of various dance styles.
With meticulous set designs and thoughtful post-production, the show boasted the presence of Asian Dance King Luo Han as its anchor, while the dazzling skills of high-profile dancers captivated audiences. Upon its release, it instantly topped the trending charts, and the once-niche term "street dance" stormed into the public consciousness at lightning speed.
People suddenly realized that "dance masters" were just like "martial arts masters"—not only did they possess jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring skills, but they also embodied the chivalrous camaraderie of mutual respect and admiration. No matter how fierce the battles on stage were, the dancers remained brothers offstage, their bond of mutual understanding and appreciation deeply moving.
As more and more people tuned in, praise poured in from all sides.
The show was hailed as a "three-no program": no deliberate antics, no forced performances, and no artificial sentimentality. Defying conventional tropes, it unexpectedly shone brilliantly.
After the show aired, a street dance craze swept across the nation, turning it into a cultural phenomenon.
Just as Han Zuo had predicted, when a culture flourishes, its practitioners are the first to benefit.
Following the show's success, the dancers from Xi You saw their fanbases skyrocket, opening up broader opportunities for growth. Xi You also welcomed an influx of new students.
Everything was moving in an increasingly positive direction.
Teng Yi, however, remained unchanged. Aside from the occasional meeting at DT, he spent most of his time in the practice room.
To him, no matter how many endorsement offers came his way, no matter how many female fans clamored to marry him, no matter how much money or profit he earned, he would always be a dancer at heart. For a dancer, the root of everything is dance.
Ruan Yu also saw a surge in popularity after the show's success. This was her first program since leaving TG, and it had drawn attention from the very beginning. Initially, fans couldn’t understand why she would take on such a role as a supporting figure in this show. Later, rumors surfaced that Teng Yi, the founder of Xi You, was Ruan Yu’s boyfriend, and everything suddenly made sense—she had done it for love.
Though she joined the show for love, Ruan Yu clearly put in tremendous effort to host it well. In several episodes, she effortlessly spouted street dance terminology, and during interactions with contestants, she even danced along to the music. Though a supporting figure, she shone just as brightly.
More importantly, like all the dancers, she cared deeply about street dance and took it upon herself to promote its culture.
Loving someone means embracing what they love—how romantic is that?
With the show’s success, Ruan Yu naturally regained her fame, but the cost of this resurgence was an overwhelming workload that drastically cut into her time with Teng Yi.
After a busy week, Ruan Yu finally found a moment of free time. The moment she got off work, she headed straight to Xi You to see Teng Yi.
When she arrived, she saw Teng Yi taking off his jacket, about to apply a medicated patch to his elbow. But due to the awkward angle, he struggled to position it correctly.
"Let me help you!"
Ruan Yu dropped her bag and rushed over, taking the patch from Teng Yi’s hands.
"You’re off work so early today?" Teng Yi asked.
"Is it so bad to finish early to spend time with you?"He smiled, "Of course, that's fine."
"Don't move, or it might get crooked," Ruan Yu leaned closer to his elbow. "Is this the right spot?"
Teng Yi nodded.
The practice room was quiet, the mirrors on all sides reflecting her careful yet concerned expression. His heart instantly melted into a puddle.
"Little Fish."
"Hmm?"
"Would you be willing to apply these patches for me for the rest of my life?"
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