I was born and listened to my neighbor's older sister talk about her family of origin.

Jiang Ye, accompanied by Xu Zhiyu who resembled a little follower, turned several corners and arrived at the arcade on the street.

In those days, arcades were everywhere on the streets.

It's filled with all sorts of old-fashioned games.

For example, King of Fighters, Street Fighter, dance machines, fruit machines, etc.

In front of each machine, several young men or energetic lads stood or sat, constantly outputting data; the sounds of joysticks sliding and buttons clicking filled the air.

Jiang Ye didn't take Xu Zhiyu to play those random games.

Under the somewhat surprised gaze of the staff, he took out ten yuan to exchange for ten coins and led her to a double dance machine.

He said to Xu Zhiyu.

"Let's play this."

Xu Zhiyu glanced to the side and saw two energetic young women with dyed yellow hair passionately releasing their sweat on identical dance machines.

Even when their feet weren't in sync with the rhythm on the screen, they still danced with great enthusiasm.

"What is this?"

Apart from the dances her mother showed her, Xu Zhiyu had never known that there was such a crackling dance in the world.

"This is a dance machine."

Jiang Ye stepped onto the dance machine platform, inserted two game coins, and skillfully slid the joystick as the music started.

"Look at the arrows on our feet, and the musical arrows that will appear later. As long as we step on the right squares and score points, we win."

Xu Zhiyu quickly understood.

She lifted her foot and stood next to Jiang Ye.

Jiang Ye: "What song do you want to choose?"

Xu Zhiyu glanced at the dance machine next to her, her eyes reflecting the slightly distorted dance moves of the two people on it, and she pursed her lips slightly.

A hint of resistance unconsciously flashed across his eyes.

"Anything is fine."

Jiang Ye noticed this scene, but didn't say anything. He simply chose the song "36 Love Strategies".

As the fast-paced music started, the two stood on opposite sides of the dance machine.

Who said pretty girls don't have brains?

"All she knows is how to love beauty and giggle like an idiot."

"...."

Jiang Ye's physical coordination wasn't actually very good, and he wasn't really trying to keep up with the beat. He was just moving around casually while secretly observing Xu Zhiyu.

Xu Zhiyu takes everything very seriously whenever she's with him.

So this time, even though I felt some resistance, my eyes were still serious.

Try your best to keep every step in the right rhythm.

"The Thirty-Six Strategies of Love are like a game."

At first, Xu Zhiyu's steps were a little messy, but she quickly adapted, and her arms and legs moved with the rhythm, her movements smooth, fluid and powerful, like a natural dancer.

As time went on, the song progressed into its second half, and the surrounding noise subsided without anyone noticing.

When the music finally ended, Xu Zhiyu stopped, panting heavily, with a fine sheen of sweat on her forehead, but her eyes held an excitement she couldn't quite detect.

"Clap clap clap clap..."

A round of applause erupted from all around.

Xu Zhiyu was startled and turned around to find that she was surrounded by a group of strangely dressed older brothers and sisters. Even the two sisters who had been on the dance machine next to her had come over.

"Little sister, you're amazing! My goodness, you hit every beat perfectly. I've practiced for so long and I'm still not as good as you."

"I, Lone Shadow Cold Young Master, admire you!"

"Wow, even a five-year-old scored higher than me! I can't live like this anymore..."

Xu Zhiyu's face turned red, and she was completely at a loss in the face of this situation, so she simply grabbed Jiang Ye and turned to run away.

Jiang Ye grinned and let her pull him along.

Reaching the street corner, Xu Zhiyu stopped, panting.

Jiang Ye grinned and said, "What are you doing? You seem to really enjoy playing. Why don't you continue? We still have some game tokens."

Xu Zhiyu covered her cheeks, shook her head repeatedly, and swung her ponytail back and forth.

"No, I don't want to play anymore."

That's what she said, but the joy in her eyes didn't diminish much.

Jiang Ye didn't force her to go back.

"Let's buy some more snacks and head back. What would you like to eat?"

Xu Zhiyu finally recovered.

"I want to eat... ice cream. My mom won't let me eat ice cream because she says it will make me fat."

"Why are you so fat at such a young age? Come on, let's finish eating before we go back."

Xu Zhiyu nodded: "Mhm."

……

After spending all the thirty yuan in his hand, Jiang Ye quietly took Xu Zhiyu home. The two parted ways in the hallway, and Xu Zhiyu was reluctant to leave.

Jiang Ye told her, "I'm going to kindergarten tomorrow, so I won't be able to play with you during the day anymore, only on weekends."

Xu Zhiyu's happy smile instantly vanished.

"So, does that mean I can only see you twice a week?"

"yes."

Jiang Ye sighed and shook his head.

Xu Zhiyu lowered her head, seemingly lost in thought, her lips pursed, making her look like she was about to cry.

"but."

Jiang Ye changed the subject.

Xu Zhiyu looked up with red eyes and heard Jiang Ye say, "If you come to kindergarten too, then we can go to and from school together."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhiyu's eyes lit up for a moment, then dimmed again.

"You know, my mom won't let me go to kindergarten..."

Jiang Ye grasped Xu Zhiyu's hand, his expression serious and earnest.

"Little Fish, don't be so obedient."

Xu Zhiyu stared at him blankly.

"Sometimes, you might get unexpected results just by sincerely expressing what you want."

Even if the process is extremely difficult.

Xu Zhiyu nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Jiang Ye raised his hand and touched her hair.

"Goodbye then, Little Fish."

Xu Zhiyu watched Jiang Ye enter the opposite door and then closed the security door.

He then turned and went into his own home.

But as soon as she opened the door, Xu Zhiyu shuddered.

Cheng Jinglan was standing in front of her, looking down at her with a complex light in her eyes.

Upon seeing Xu Zhiyu's face, which had been smiling, turn pale, Cheng Jinglan snorted coldly and turned away.

"Come in."

Xu Zhiyu walked in, clutching the hem of her clothes.

Cheng Jinglan sat on the sofa, holding a ruler in her hand, looking at Xu Zhiyu.

She didn't ask anything, but simply said in a cold, deep voice, "Did you practice well today?"

Xu Zhiyu pursed her lips and nodded.

"Jump for me."

Xu Zhiyu paused for a moment, then stretched her body and began to dance.

Her small body is very flexible, her movements are graceful yet powerful, and her jumps are smooth and beautiful.

Even without music, the eerie silence around her did not diminish her allure.

If Xu Zhiyu were dressed in a gorgeous dance costume at this moment, the living room could be transformed into a dazzling stage.

Cheng Jinglan watched quietly.

Xu Zhiyu is very talented, even more talented than she was back then.

If she continues to practice like this, she may even be able to stand on a higher stage in the future.

Then she could marry a better man and not end up in this situation.

Her daughter is her hope and her future.

Cheng Jinglan would never let her rot in this wretched place.

After the dance ended, Xu Zhiyu stood quietly in place, waiting for Cheng Jinglan's criticism and judgment.

But Cheng Jinglan didn't mention dancing; instead, she asked her, "How long have you been hanging out with that kid next door?"

Xu Zhiyu's body trembled slightly.

"without……"

Cheng Jinglan frowned.

"Xu Zhiyu, when did you learn to lie?! Tell me the truth!!"

Xu Zhiyu bit her lower lip tightly, refusing to speak.

Cheng Jinglan revealed her anger.

"Fine! Xu Zhiyu! How old are you to dare argue with your mother for someone else?! Who has fed you and clothed you all these years?!"

"I'm out there working myself to the bone to support the family, and you, instead of staying home quietly reading and practicing dance, you're out hanging out with hooligans!"