Fooling Huayu for Thirty Years

Chapter 284 'Qingtao' - Eating, Drinking, and Having Fun

"Hey! I'm not some big boss. Sister Zou, don't listen to Miss Dong's nonsense. I just run a small business."

In fact, Ma Xun first saw Dong Qing and Zou Tao.

He felt something was off.

Because the two of them often appeared together in later Spring Festival Galas.

The Qingtao duo is truly a classic.

In terms of their relationship, they should be both rivals and friends, and as time goes by, they are more like comrades-in-arms.

Ma Xun really didn't expect that the two of them would already have a good relationship in 2001.

However, this meeting was clearly special.

So, Ma Xun first made a modest statement.

Unexpectedly, his humility backfired, leaving both female hosts unconvinced.

"Who's talking nonsense?" Dong Qing frowned.

Zou Tao immediately added, "Mr. Ma, I've heard of you before. You're not running a small business."

Wow, that was brilliant teamwork!

Ma Xun was slightly embarrassed, but it was nothing serious. Besides, he actually saw a hint of a smile in Dong Qing's eyes.

Sure enough, something must have happened.

"Okay, okay, I admit it. My business is quite large. Is that alright now?"

Ma Xun looked defeated, but of course he was just acting.

However, this gave Zou Tao and Dong Qing a slight victory, and the two hosts smiled happily.

"Then all the expenses for today are your responsibility."

"Oh dear, my sister, this isn't right."

"Sister Zou, what's wrong with it? This little bit of money is nothing to him."

“It’s not about the money.”

"That's what he just did."

"That was not what I meant."

Dong Qing and Zou Tao then had a minor tug-of-war.

Ma Xun interjected with a smile, "Of course it was my invitation. It's my honor that the two beautiful hosts could grace us with their presence."

Inviting someone to dinner was nothing, and Dong Qing definitely had some other plans, so Ma Xun naturally cooperated.

Zou Tao said a few more words, but he was still persuaded by Dong Qing.

And so, the three of them began their journey of eating, drinking, and having fun in the capital.

If you're looking for a restaurant, how about Fengzeyuan?

Instead of going to places you've already been to, go to places with unique characteristics.

Now, Guijie Street mainly sells spicy crayfish. I think Brother Nan has a shop there.

Go and try it.

After that, they strolled around, but since he was a celebrity, thankfully Ma Xun was prepared.

He was wearing sunglasses, like a bodyguard.

He claimed to be a bodyguard, which made the two hosts burst into laughter.

But just wandering around like this won't do, so let's find a place to sing karaoke.

Actually, from the 90s to the first decade of the 21st century.

Karaoke is incredibly popular.

Even if you're just opening a small restaurant, it's best to have some equipment.

Eat, drink, and sing to liven things up.

Let's find the most upscale place in Beijing and have some fun.

But when we arrived at the destination...

"This, this has been a real expense for Mr. Ma, it's really..."

"Oh dear, why are you worried about this?"

"That's right, the two hosts showed off their singing talents, and I felt good about spending my money."

Zou Tao wanted to run away at the last minute, but Dong Qing pulled him into the private room.

Ma Xun had indeed been accompanying her the whole time, but what he said made no mistake.

A nationally renowned host singing in front of me? Is spending a little money even a big deal?

However, although Zou Tao didn't leave and continued playing, he said he was going to the restroom.

Maybe it's just for touching up makeup or something.

Only Ma Xun and Dong Qing remained in the private room.

"What exactly happened?" Ma Xun had been holding this question in for a long time.

Dong Qing understood, and immediately smiled and said, "Wouldn't you like to get to know a beautiful host like Sister Zou?"

Ma Xun laughed too, "Let's get serious."

Oh, so what Dong Qing just said was inappropriate? What exactly was inappropriate about it?
Dong Qing didn't dwell on this, and still smiled and said, "She's been preoccupied lately."

"Oh." Ma Xun understood immediately.

It's probably a problem in Zou Tao's relationship with her husband.

It seems to have been in the last two years... Ma Xun doesn't remember very clearly, after all, this isn't exactly a big scandal.

Dong Qing then continued in a low voice, "I guess their marriage has broken down. Anyway, there have been rumors about it before, so I'm asking you for help."

"I'll help?" Ma Xun laughed at his own words.

Zou Tao is getting a divorce, what help can I, Ma Xun, offer?

Wait a minute, how can you marry Qiuya like this? You're jumping around like that... It seems like an antonym!

Dong Qing, of course, had no idea what Ma Xun was thinking, but seeing him smile, she immediately went on to say, "Sister Zou is prettier than me, right? And she's more famous than me, right? She's having relationship problems now, and you, such a successful businessman, should show some concern, right?"

That last sentence is just amazing!

Ma Xun's expression turned serious. "What kind of person do you take me for?"

The tone implied: I, Ma Xun, am a respectable person!

Dong Qing chuckled again and continued in a low voice, "Okay, you're a decent person, and I'm the one who's not. In that case, why don't you get to know him? Can't we just be friends?"

Hey, no wonder you're a famous host, your verbal skills are really impressive.

Ma Xun had to admit defeat, "I didn't say you were indecent."

These words made Dong Qing feel comfortable, and at that moment she revealed her true thoughts.

"The thing you told me before was no small matter, but given my current situation, there's very little I can do to help you. I'm just a small-time anchor on Channel 2, but she's different. She's much more capable than me. Not only is she famous throughout the country, but... Anyway, even as a friend, I should be able to help you."

Hearing this, Ma Xun was touched. He took Dong Qing's hand and gently rubbed it. "I will never forget your kindness. Actually, you can help me too. That matter will take at least a few years to resolve. I believe that in a few years, you will definitely be no less capable than Sister Zou."

Dong Qing felt a warmth in her heart from the sensation in her hand, probably because she liked what Ma Xun said.

This is no less impressive than Sister Zou's; she genuinely likes it.

"You……"

Just as I was about to say something more, Zou Tao came out from over there.

Have you chosen your songs?

These words made Ma Xun and Dong Qing quickly separate their hands, and it was unclear whether Zou Tao had seen it or not.

"We've ordered. Come on, Sister Zou, let's sing together."

Where is Mr. Ma?

Ma Xun added, "That's enough for me to appreciate it."

His antics made the two beautiful female hosts giggle.

But since things have come to this, let's just sing.

In fact, Zou Tao has been feeling very depressed lately.

The conflict between her and her husband had reached an irreconcilable point.

But she is also a well-known host, and she must appear elegant enough in front of the camera.

In other words, you have to hold your anger in.

Her emotions were almost overflowing, and now, with this song...

You know what, it really feels much better.

Ma Xun didn't really take what he said seriously. As Dong Qing suggested, he just wanted to make friends.

But then Zou Tao and Dong Qing started singing.

Hey, I really got my money's worth!
Listening to two famous and beautiful female hosts sing live, so close and in such a private setting.

This is such a luxurious experience.

But even though Ma Xun was enjoying himself and Qing Tao and the other person were singing, they would eventually get tired and thirsty.

Do you need some water?
The water in karaoke bars is not cheap, especially the bottled water, which costs more than the drinks and alcohol.

Of course, Ma Xun didn't care, so he ordered some mineral water and food.

But Zou Tao interrupted him directly. "I want to drink."

Her decision was truly unexpected.

We didn't drink alcohol during the meal.

After all, this was Ma Xun's first meeting with Dong Qing. Even if he and Dong Qing were very familiar with each other, he also needed to protect his voice.

So, does that mean we're ready?
Have you let go of the inhibitions?
Dong Qing gave Ma Xun a hard time.

"Okay! Whatever you'd like to drink, please."

According to Ma Xun, they could order anything, like Remy Martin.

But Zou Tao only ordered some beer.

No problem, let's drink!

With some alcohol, the atmosphere is even better when we start singing!
Next, Zou Tao became even more uninhibited.

Dong Qing stayed with him as usual.

Ma Xun continued to enjoy the show.

But, after all, you can't keep singing all the time.

"Mr. Ma, why don't you sing a song too?"

Zou Tao is finally going to have to hand over the microphone.

Dong Qing covered her mouth and laughed.

How good is Ma Xun's singing?
"I'm just average..." Let me be modest first.

"You can definitely sing!" Zou Tao was not convinced.

Come on.

What songs can I choose?
Looking at Qingtao before him, Ma Xun suddenly realized something.

Holding a microphone and facing the monitor, he said, "I actually write some songs in my spare time. It might not be good to say this out loud, but sometimes you might have heard them."

That's right, he did 'write' it.

Qingtao and the other man became even more curious.

"You didn't write all those songs for movies and TV shows, did you?" Dong Qing asked first.

Ma Xun laughed and said, "I didn't write them all, but I did write them."

Zou Tao immediately said, "Okay! I'll sing your original song!"

Ma Xun said, "I just got a new song. There's definitely no accompaniment in this system, so I'll just sing it a cappella. Luckily, this song is pretty good even when sung a cappella."

Hey, he's serious!

Qingtao and his companion became even more curious.

"Sing, sing!" Dong Qing urged, her face flushed, clearly indicating she had drunk quite a bit.

"Yes, yes, hurry up." Zou Tao's face was also very red.

Ma Xun smiled, and then it began.

But this song is like this:

Miss Dong, I've never forgotten your smile.
Even if you, like me, long for aging...
Miss Dong, you look beautiful when the corners of your mouth turn down.
Just like the clear water under Anhe Bridge.
Miss Dong~ I'm a complex creature too~
He just mentioned it briefly.
But the same thought kept repeating in my mind~
Miss Dong~ Nights at Gulou pass by so quickly~
Stranger, please give me a Lanzhou cigarette.
So those things might not be true.
Miss Dong, you're not just some girl without a story!
I fell in love with a wild horse, but I don't have a grassland at home.
When Ma Xun sang the song, Dong Qing was completely stunned from the very first line.

Then she covered her mouth.

Miss Dong, is this song for me?
But then I thought, could it be anyone else?

However, these lyrics seem to relate to me... no, no, this is describing the past of the capital.

Nighttime at Gulou.

As Dong Qing listened, she was deeply moved!
Zou Tao, however, was completely stunned.

This song is quite impressive, first of all, for its storytelling, its imagery, and its rhythm.

Zou Tao had certainly heard of Ma Xun; in Beijing's social circles, who didn't know him?

Moreover, he has a good relationship with CCTV and knows quite a few people.

However, Zou Tao and Ma Xun had never met.

That makes sense, since they weren't really connected to each other to begin with. CCTV is a big deal, so it's perfectly normal for them to miss each other.

The earliest I heard about Mr. Ma was from Mr. Zhu.

That time we flew across the Yellow River.

Zhu Jun also had great respect for Ma Xun.

They kept saying that Ma Xun was very young, but extremely capable and very rich.

This song... he's not just rich, he's talented!

Zou Tao was completely captivated by Ma Xun's singing, but this attraction... shouldn't be like this, she was a married woman.

So she didn't look at him, but when she turned her head, she saw that Dong Qing was about to cry.

Is...is this kind of relationship between them?

Was it hidden that well?

Wait a minute, so wasn't I just a super bright light bulb before?
Good heavens, Zou Tao has misunderstood.

But her misunderstanding is not without merit.

After all, that's roughly how it seems at the moment.

Dong Qing and Ma Xun are boyfriend and girlfriend. If it weren't for Zou Tao, the two of them would have come out to get together today and have some fun.

Now, because of Zou Tao's presence, the two of them have been taking him along when they're eating, drinking, and having fun.

The reason she brought him along was because Dong Qing had learned that her marriage was breaking down...

The more Zou Tao thought about it, the more he felt like he wasn't human!

Sister Dong Qing is such a kind person.

Then I thought of my husband...

drink wine!

ha~
Wine only deepens sorrow.

While Ma Xun was singing, Zou Tao got himself drunk.

The song ended...

"Sister Zou? Sister Zou?"

"She is..."

"He drank too much."

"Then what do we do?"

"What else can we do? Of course, we send her back."

"Go back to her place? Is this a good idea?"

Ma Xun's question is correct; after all, the dignified and intellectual female host was actually drunk.

They took the person back, so what will Zou Tao's husband think of them?

You two got my wife drunk?
"Let's find a hotel first, and go back when she sobers up."

Dong Qing's suggestion is good.

Ma Xun had no choice but to copy it.

Fortunately, this karaoke bar is located inside the hotel.

Actually, the building that used to be called "Heaven on Earth" belonged to a well-known hotel.

They simply booked a room, and then Ma Xun and Dong Qing carried the person upstairs.

Once they got to the room, they put the person on the bed.

Ma Xun felt he should leave, so he said, "I'll leave the rest to you."

Unexpectedly, Dong Qing grabbed Ma Xun's hand.

“What’s wrong with you…” Ma Xun was puzzled.

Dong Qing, however, said with a seductive look in her eyes, "Why are you leaving?"

"Isn't this inconvenient?" She pointed to Zou Tao on the bed.

Dong Qing simply kissed him, and only after they separated did she say, "Right here, isn't that good?"

Are you so bold?

Ma Xun laughed, "Aren't you afraid she'll suddenly wake up?"

"Are you scared?" Dong Qing's eyes were full of unspoken emotions.

What else could Ma Xun say? He simply shut Dong Qing's mouth.

Perhaps Dong Qing had too much to drink, which is why he was so bold.

Perhaps she was always this bold.

But now... as Ma Xun kissed Dong Qing, he couldn't help but glance at Zou Tao.

Then, he pushed Dong Qing down onto the bed...

(End of this chapter)