Chapter 91: Against the Current
Teng Yi stood in the courtyard, clad in a black down jacket, leaning on his suitcase as he glanced around uncertainly, as if unsure whether this was the place he was looking for.
Ruan Yu stared at him, frozen in place. Beyond the surprise of his sudden appearance, what shocked her even more was Teng Yi’s hair.
His signature dreadlocks were gone. In their place was a buzz cut—short and rugged, making him look even more spirited.
Indeed, a buzz cut was the ultimate test of a man’s good looks.
While Ruan Yu was still dazed, Teng Yi spotted her and flashed her a grin.
Under the sunlight, this handsome young man felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
“What are you doing here?” Ruan Yu ran out of the house.
Logically, he should have been abroad by now.
“Didn’t you say your grandfather wanted to meet me?”
Teng Yi had received Ruan Yu’s message at the airport while preparing to check in his luggage. For some reason, the moment he read it, an impulse surged within him—he wanted to appear before her immediately.
He knew this was the perfect opportunity to meet her family. If he missed this chance, there might not be another.
Without hesitation, he canceled his current ticket and booked the earliest flight to Sanmenxia. His impulsive move earned him a scolding from Teng Hao, who called him crazy.
After a grueling overnight journey, he finally stood before her just before dawn. Though he was exhausted to the point of nausea, seeing the delight on her face made it all worth it.
“What about your mom…?”
“I called her. She knows.”
“She knows? About us?”
Teng Yi nodded.
Shen Bing had actually known for a while. As someone who had been through it herself and as Teng Yi’s mother, she understood him well. Though he was generally kind, he would never look at an unrelated girl with such tender, doting eyes.
Curious, she had asked around, and Teng Hao—never one to keep secrets—spilled everything.
“And your mom…?”
“She likes you.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Ruan Yu let out a relieved sigh.
Teng Yi spread his arms. “Now, can I get a proper welcome?”
Ruan Yu laughed and threw herself into his embrace, her arms slipping beneath his down jacket to brush against the sweater underneath.
He was so warm.
The time they had spent apart wasn’t particularly long, but she had missed him terribly. No amount of chatting or video calls could ease that longing. A cold screen was just that—cold. Only the warmth of an embrace could make it feel real.
“What happened to your hair? Why did you cut it?” Ruan Yu reached up to touch his buzz cut.
The short strands prickled against her palm, sending a tingling sensation through her entire body.
Teng Yi smiled without answering, instead asking, “Does it suit me?”
“It looks good.”
“Then that’s all that matters.”
Teng Yi had gotten his hair cut at a roadside stall outside the airport. There hadn’t been much internal debate—he simply felt that showing up to meet her family with dreadlocks might not leave the best impression, especially since older generations rarely approved of that style.
He didn’t want his first meeting with Ruan Yu’s grandfather to leave him branded as some “punk” or “delinquent.”
“Wasn’t it hard to let go?”
“Not at all.”Teng Yi initially kept his dreadlocks on a whim. Many people saw them as a symbol of his street dancing, but in truth, street dancers don’t need symbols. Oversized clothes, gold or silver chains, tattoos, dreadlocks—these are just styles, not frameworks, and they don’t define anything. Just as they can dance in white shirts, they can also dance in traditional Tang suits.
The soul of street dance is free and unrestrained. The only limitations come from people’s perceptions.
"How did you know where I live?"
"You told me."
"Even if I mentioned Sanmenxia, how did you pinpoint the exact house?"
"How many top scholars could there be in Sanmenxia?"
Teng Yi had casually asked the taxi driver, who immediately brought him to Ruan Yu’s doorstep.
The top scholar lady was quite the celebrity in Sanmenxia.
Ruan Yu suddenly understood.
"Surprised?" Teng Yi asked.
"Surprised."
"Happy?"
"Happy."
"Good girl."
He leaned down to kiss her cheek. Just as they were locked in an embrace, footsteps sounded outside.
Ruan Yu quickly pushed Teng Yi away.
The two stood a few steps apart, frozen in place like children lining up in kindergarten.
The person who entered was none other than her grandfather, Ruan Heping.
At the sight of Teng Yi, Ruan Heping instinctively narrowed his eyes, then scrutinized him from head to toe.
The young man was handsome and well-put-together—nothing to fault.
"Grandpa, this is my boyfriend, Teng Yi," Ruan Yu said, tugging at Teng Yi’s sleeve. "This is my grandfather."
"Grandpa," Teng Yi greeted obediently.
Ruan Heping nodded. "Just arrived?"
"Yes."
"Come inside."
With that, Ruan Heping walked in expressionlessly.
Afraid her grandfather’s sternness might intimidate Teng Yi, Ruan Yu quickly leaned in and whispered, "Grandpa’s just like this—it’s not about you."
"I know."
"You know?"
"You’re like your grandpa."
"Why do you say that?"
"When I first met you, you were the same way."
"How?"
Teng Yi shrugged without answering and followed Ruan Heping inside, leaving Ruan Yu to reflect.
What had she been like back then?
Hmm… probably cold and unapproachable.
Yes, she had always been that way—until Teng Yi changed her, warming her heart and bringing out her cheerfulness.
Though Ruan Heping didn’t show much enthusiasm about Teng Yi’s arrival, he was pleased. Just a casual mention yesterday, and the young man had rushed over overnight. That alone proved his sincerity toward Ruan Yu.
At noon, Ruan Heping prepared a table full of delicious dishes.
With Teng Yi at the table, the atmosphere was completely different. Highly intelligent and emotionally perceptive, Teng Yi knew exactly how to steer conversations and charm elders. Even someone as reserved as Ruan Heping couldn’t resist his tactics, laughing every few minutes.
Ruan Yu was stunned—when had she ever seen her grandfather this happy?
After the meal, Ruan Yu tidied up a room for Teng Yi to rest. Exhausted from the journey, he fell asleep almost as soon as his head touched the pillow.
Hearing his soft snores, she quietly left the room.
Ruan Heping was waiting for her outside.
The grandfather and granddaughter exchanged a glance before Ruan Heping headed toward the courtyard. Ruan Yu hurried after him.The courtyard was bathed in abundant sunlight. After the brief excitement caused by Teng Yi's arrival, the house returned to its usual quiet.
Ruan Heping brought a small stool for Ruan Yu and motioned for her to sit. Ruan Yu knew he was going to ask about Teng Yi, and sure enough, as soon as he spoke, every word revolved around him.
Ruan Yu answered truthfully, sharing everything about Teng Yi’s family background and how their relationship had developed.
This was, in her memory, the deepest conversation she had ever had with her grandfather. He rarely spoke so much, and though Ruan Yu initially felt a little awkward and even shy, she loved this feeling—the warmth of caring and being cared for.
In the end, her grandfather, Ruan Heping, finally voiced his opinion about Teng Yi. Even if he hadn’t said it, Ruan Yu could tell he liked Teng Yi very much.
"Teng Yi is a good young man. Though I’ve only just met him and don’t know him well yet, from your description and his demeanor, I can sense his good upbringing and manners. A polite person can’t be all that bad. I’m at ease knowing you’re with him."
Ruan Yu smiled.
"But you’re both still young, and life has only just begun. No one can predict what will happen in the future. I hope that no matter what hardships you face, you won’t easily give up on each other. Remember the determination you had when you first fell in love."
"I will, Grandpa."
--?--
Teng Yi’s arrival had breathed new life into the otherwise dull New Year for the grandfather and granddaughter.
On the morning of the second day, Ruan Yu was awakened by music coming from the courtyard before she even opened her eyes. When she got up and looked, she saw Teng Yi dancing in the yard.
Of course, that wasn’t the surprising part. What was surprising was that her grandfather, Ruan Heping, wearing his reading glasses, was watching with an appreciative expression.
Teng Yi clearly regarded Ruan Heping as an important audience, incorporating many high-skill moves into his dance—his intent to "show off" and "seek praise" was unmistakable.
Ruan Yu sat on the doorstep, brushing her teeth, and joined the audience.
The song was in English, which Ruan Heping obviously didn’t understand, but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm in the slightest. He watched with rapt attention. Ruan Yu glanced at her grandfather from time to time and suddenly thought how adorably silly he looked when he wasn’t being stern.
Finally, Teng Yi ended his performance with a backflip.
Ruan Heping couldn’t help but clap enthusiastically.
"Not bad, not bad! I feel like some of those moves blend well with Chinese martial arts."
Teng Yi froze for a moment.
Ruan Heping caught his reaction. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Teng Yi quickly waved his hands. "No, Grandpa. It’s just that what you said sparked a lot of inspiration in me. I think I can use it in my next choreography."
"Really? That’s wonderful!"
After the performance, Ruan Heping, thoroughly satisfied, headed into the kitchen.
Once Ruan Yu had washed her face, she sat down beside Teng Yi.
"Why the sudden dance performance here?" she asked.
"You didn’t figure it out?"
"What?"
"I wanted to earn some extra goodwill from my future grandfather-in-law."
"Pfft."
Teng Yi laughed.
The truth was, earlier that morning, while chatting with Ruan Heping, the old man had asked him about his hobbies. Teng Yi mentioned he loved street dance.
Ruan Heping didn’t know what street dance was, so Teng Yi volunteered to give him a live demonstration… and that was how Ruan Yu ended up witnessing the scene."Take me out for a stroll today?" Teng Yi suggested.
"Sure, what would you like to see? Local customs? Historical landmarks? Or natural scenery?"
"Anything is fine. Here, I’ll follow your lead." It was Teng Yi’s first time in Sanmenxia, and he wasn’t familiar with the area.
"Alright, let me think about it."
Ruan Yu spent about half an hour planning their route before heading out with Teng Yi.
The weather was exceptionally clear today—blue skies and white clouds complementing each other beautifully—though the temperature was a bit low.
The moment they stepped outside, the cold stung their ears painfully.
"Let’s go buy some hats!" Ruan Yu pulled Teng Yi into a small shop selling winter accessories as they passed by.
Inside, the store had everything—scarves, hats, gloves—you name it.
Ruan Yu spotted a pair of black couple’s hats and was about to ask Teng Yi to try one on when he suddenly picked up a red knitted cap and plopped it onto her head.
The brim of the knitted cap was embroidered with the word "ok" in black yarn. At first glance, it looked a little tacky, but surprisingly, it suited her well.
The vibrant red made Ruan Yu’s complexion appear especially fair.
"Ok, let’s go with this," Teng Yi decided.
"Not going to try the black one?" Ruan Yu asked.
"Nope."
"Why do you like red?"
"Shouldn’t a red carp wear red?"
Ruan Yu was reminded of the tongue twister she had recited when they first met.
"Then are you a green carp?" she teased.
"You dare ask me to try that color?" His gaze sharpened instantly.
"No, no, I wouldn’t dare. Not now, not ever."
"That’s more like it."
Teng Yi also put on the same red hat. His freshly buzzed crew cut clashed with the knitted cap, creating a wild, untamed spark.
Something utterly ordinary, once touched by his aura, suddenly gained a high-end quality.
Ruan Yu took Teng Yi to watch a shadow puppet show, taste Lingbao dates, explore the Xipo ruins, and visit the wetland park to see the swans. Like any ordinary couple, they held hands, took photos, and even stole kisses while walking… This completely relaxed state made both of them feel at ease.
Their day was packed, and by the end of it, Ruan Yu—their part-time tour guide—was exhausted and ready to collapse.
On the bus, she slumped into her seat and rested her head on Teng Yi’s shoulder.
"Tired?"
"A little."
"Want me to massage your legs?"
As he spoke, his hand reached over and settled on her thigh.
Ruan Yu, being ticklish, immediately squirmed away.
"Why are you dodging? It’s not like I’m harassing you."
"I’m ticklish."
"If you’re this sensitive now, what are you going to do later?"
"What do you mean, later?"
Teng Yi didn’t answer, just smirked at her knowingly.
Ruan Yu suddenly realized what indecent scenario he was imagining.
"Hey…" She sat up straight and glared at him.
"Shh." Teng Yi gently guided her head back onto his shoulder. "Get some rest. I’ll wake you when we arrive."
Ruan Yu obediently stayed still, though she didn’t close her eyes. She simply leaned against him, her gaze unfocused.
The bus moved steadily forward. There weren’t many passengers, and aside from the occasional stop announcements, the ride was quiet.
Teng Yi sat silently, feeling drowsy himself.
Suddenly, Ruan Yu tugged at his sleeve.
"Teng Yi, look—that’s the Yellow River." She pressed her finger against the window, pointing at a distant spot. "The Sanmenxia Dam is over there. I’ll take you there tomorrow."
"You’ve already planned tomorrow’s itinerary?""Mm. Since we're in Sanmenxia, I have to show you the Sanmenxia Dam."
He planted a kiss on her forehead. "Such a dedicated tour guide."
The next day, the two set off early again, taking a tourist shuttle from the town to the Sanmenxia Dam scenic area.
Known as the first dam on the Yellow River, the Sanmenxia Dam is a national water conservancy scenic spot. Compared to the Swan Lake Wetland Park, it’s relatively less popular, so there were fewer tourists.
Ruan Yu led Teng Yi from the upstream to the downstream, each section offering different perspectives and scenery. Upstream, they admired the distant mountains; downstream, the close-up waters. Upstream showcased serene beauty, while downstream displayed the dam’s grandeur.
When they reached the boundary stone marking "one step across two provinces," Teng Yi paused.
"Tour guide, care to explain?" He pointed at the stone.
"The Sanmenxia Dam connects Henan and Shanxi provinces, with the two provinces divided by the central axis of the Yellow River’s main channel." Ruan Yu stepped onto the concrete footprints in front of the closure stone. "Stepping from here to here means crossing from Henan to Shanxi."
Teng Yi nodded.
Just then, some tourists came by to take photos, so Ruan Yu asked him, "Do you want a picture too?"
"Sure."
Teng Yi walked up to the central axis, thought for a moment, and suddenly struck Michael Jackson’s iconic moonwalk pose.
This guy—wherever he went, he couldn’t leave street dance behind.
"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"It means taking street dance from one province to another," he declared loudly, his voice echoing through the gorge.
Ruan Yu laughed and gave him a thumbs-up.
After walking for a while, they stopped to rest.
Teng Yi raised his camera and secretly snapped a photo of Ruan Yu when she wasn’t looking.
"What are you doing?" She suddenly noticed and covered her face. "Don’t take pictures."
Most girls dislike being photographed without warning, and Ruan Yu was no exception. She wasn’t confident enough to believe her face looked flawless from every angle, but in reality, the Ruan Yu captured in Teng Yi’s lens was fresh and lovely—exceptionally photogenic.
"Not bad. Take a look." Teng Yi handed her the camera, flipping to the photos he’d taken.
Ruan Yu glanced at them and had to admit they were decent—at least not as unflattering as she’d imagined.
After photographing her, Teng Yi turned to the scenery.
"I’ve heard that when the dam releases water in July, the sight is spectacular?" he asked while framing a shot.
"Mm. But I’ve seen something even more impressive than the dam’s water release. Well, maybe not ‘impressive’—more like…" She paused, searching for the right word. "Awe-inspiring."
"What was it?"
"‘Flowing fish.’"
Teng Yi shook his head.
He’d never heard the term "flowing fish" before.
"Every June and July, the Yellow River enters its flood season. When the Sanmenxia Reservoir opens its gates, the rushing water stirs up silt, and the fish, deprived of oxygen, float to the surface. That creates the phenomenon of ‘flowing fish.’"
Ruan Yu first witnessed the "flowing fish" phenomenon during her senior year of high school. At the time, with the college entrance exams looming, her grades were fluctuating, and the pressure had nearly crushed her. For someone from a humble background like her, the exams were the most tangible chance to change her destiny. Fear of missing that opportunity left her walking on eggshells, as if every day were the end of the world.
One day on her way home from school, she saw crowds of fishermen lining the Yellow River’s banks. Curiosity made her stop and look closer—and then she saw it: a vast, breathtaking "flowing fish" spectacle.She could never forget the scene she witnessed back then—the Yellow River, its waters murky like mud, teeming with fish leaping and flashing through the waves. Big and small, they all thrashed about in the turbid water, facing only two possible fates: suffocating in the muddy current or being scooped up by fishermen to be eaten. Yet despite this, they still struggled desperately for survival, searching for that faintest sliver of hope.
As Ruan Yu watched, she was suddenly deeply moved. She felt that these fish were just like her—plunged into an abyss, unable to see any hope. If they were still fighting to rise, then so should she.
The dark clouds that had loomed over her for days dissipated just like that. Her heart cleared, and sunlight filled her once more.
"At that moment, I understood a truth: No matter who you are, even if fate has cornered you, even if life has you by the throat—as long as you still have the strength to struggle, don’t give up."
Don’t drift downstream. Don’t go with the flow.
Be a fish swimming against the current—fighting until the very end.
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