Entertainment: 1990

Chapter 113 Never happen again
Tianjin Railway Station.

After parking the car outside, Zhang Yan first put on his sunglasses and hat, then took out a sign he had made in advance from the trunk before entering the waiting hall.

Since appearing on the program "Economic Half Hour" a while ago, his face has been remembered by many people, and he can be recognized by people from time to time when he walks on the street.

Fortunately, these kinds of programs have a relatively short lifespan, unlike hit TV dramas which are repeatedly broadcast within two or three years, leaving a very deep impression on viewers.

It's estimated that in a year or two, the number of people who 'know' him will drop rapidly.

…………

On the train.

Zhou Tao's feelings were extremely complicated.

For ten months, from the end of last year until now, Zhang Yan has kept his promise and has not contacted her again.

Even after she made a phone call and agreed to remain friends, Zhang Yan still didn't interfere with her life.

This initially moved Zhou Tao deeply, making him feel that Zhang Yan had taken his instructions to heart.

But as time went on, Zhou Tao couldn't help but start to wonder if Zhang Yan was only refusing to contact him because of his instructions, or if he simply didn't care about him at all, or if he had already forgotten about him.
This feeling became especially strong after meeting Chen Hong recently.

After all, Zhou Tao wasn't as self-centered as Jiang Shan. After witnessing Chen Hong's beauty, his suspicions began to grow uncontrollably.

This suspicion was like snake venom, first making one feel a sour numbness in the heart, then a series of throbbing pains, gradually turning into Zhou Tao's obsession, or even resentment.

Just then, Zhang Yan suddenly asked Zhang Fang to act as an intermediary and extended an invitation to her to audition for the host position of the latest variety show on Tianjin TV.

He still cares about me, he just doesn't want to ruin my life!

All the previous doubts instantly turned into shame and surprise.

With this in mind, Zhou Tao specifically contacted Zhang Yan in advance, saying that he was not very familiar with Tianjin and hoped that he could pick him up at the station.

But when we finally got to the platform...

Zhou Tao began to hesitate and feel anxious again. After all, he was already a married man, how could he...

Just thank me in person, and don't make any unnecessary trouble!

Zhou Tao silently reminded himself, then picked up his change of clothes from head to toe and walked into the waiting hall.

With just one glance, she saw the bus stop sign in Zhang Yanju's hand, and the strange 'Zhou...' on it—just one word and one symbol, and it made her feel as if she had returned to that winter night.

Tears streamed down Zhou Tao's face without him noticing, blurring his vision and shattering the psychological defenses he had just built.

So she walked straight toward Zhang Yan as if no one else was there, using the last bit of reason to resist the urge to throw herself into his arms.

Zhang Yan seemed to understand her fragile emotions, so he didn't say a word, just smiled, put away the sign, and led her out of the waiting hall.

Once they got into the Xiali, the two of them turned to look at each other simultaneously.

Zhou Tao instinctively closed his eyes, but Zhang Yan remained motionless.

Although he is a womanizer, the other party is now a married woman, and the situation is different from before. If something happens...

However, just as he hesitated, Zhou Tao, unable to contain himself, took the initiative and pounced on him to kiss him—the small car had its advantages, at least there was no barrier between the driver and passenger seats.

The lips parted for a long time.

Zhou Tao pursed his slightly swollen lips before finally uttering his first words since they met, with a hint of resentment: "You've become so skilled now."

That bittersweet feeling seemed to surge back into her heart at that moment.

Zhang Yan didn't respond to that question, but instead asked, "The interview is at 3:30. Should we eat first and then go straight to the TV station, or should I show you around Tianjin first?"

Zhou Tao pursed his lips and lowered his head, saying, "I'm already married."

uh~
Then why were you so proactive just now?
Zhang Yan inwardly scoffed, but then said seriously, "Then let's go straight to the TV..."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Tao interrupted, "This is a one-time exception, okay?"

As she spoke, it was as if a huge burden had been lifted from her shoulders, and she raised her head, her starry eyes sparkling.

The phrase "this will not happen again" clearly does not refer to wandering around.

Faced with those eyes, what could Zhang Yan say? He could only accompany her and promise not to do it again. At noon in the rented room, Zhang Yan perfectly recreated that winter night. When he whispered "Zhou... Zhou..." in Zhou Tao's ear, a part was cut off.

The battle was so intense that it even continued into the afternoon interviews.

After Zhou Tao took the stage.

Ma Yuan praised Zhang Yan's good taste more than once, saying that the girl was elegant and dignified, and her voice had a gentle and subtle quality.

However, Zhou Tao's performance this time was indeed outstanding, even exceeding Zhang Yan's expectations.

The younger hosts on Tianjin TV lack her poised and dignified stage presence, while the older ones lack her fresh and fashionable image.

Even the department leaders who initially opposed hiring an external host changed their minds after seeing Zhou Tao's performance.

Yan Xiaoming even privately remarked that this girl has a high chance of appearing on CCTV's Spring Festival Gala in the future.

This statement also led Zhang Yan to temporarily change his strategy.

Originally, he wanted Zhou Tao to be transferred directly to Tianjin TV Station, but since Zhou Tao performed so well, there was room for negotiation.

So, under the pretext that Zhou Tao had just gotten married and found it difficult to accept living apart from his wife, the transfer to Tianjin TV Station was changed to a temporary secondment.

Once Zhou Tao becomes famous for hosting programs, he can try to transfer to CCTV. If that doesn't work, then it's not too late to transfer to Tianjin TV.

This kind of temporary secondment was quite common at the time, especially in arts and cultural institutions, where many people were temporarily seconded or affiliated with these organizations.

Given Zhou Tao's outstanding performance, and with Zhang Yan's influence, Ma Yuan ultimately decided to finalize this temporary collaboration.

7:30 p.m.

Zhang Yan escorted Zhou Tao to the train station without uttering a single word of apology, perfectly adhering to the promise of "this will not happen again."

After parking the car near the train station, Zhou Tao didn't seem to be in a hurry at all. He unbuckled his seatbelt and started reminiscing with Zhang Yan about the past.

Then, as they chatted, they naturally kissed...

Before we knew it, it was past eight o'clock.

When the two went to buy tickets, there was only one train left at 11:15.

Zhou Tao then called her husband to ask if he could pick her up from the station late at night.

"Of course, I can pick you up from the station."

Yao Ke said on the phone, "But isn't it unsafe to take a bus so late? Why don't you find a hotel nearby to stay for the night and come back tomorrow morning?"

This answer seemed to have been exactly what Zhou Tao had expected.

So that night, the two of them did it again in the rented room, 'this is the last time'.

By the next morning
Zhou Tao said, "He doesn't go home for lunch."

As a result, the train ticket was rescheduled for the afternoon.

After repeatedly emphasizing that this was the last time, Zhang Yan finally saw Zhou Tao off around 3 p.m.

Just before boarding the train, the two shared a passionate kiss.

After watching Zhou Tao board the train, Zhang Yan's 'lovestruck' gaze immediately fell.

The first time was a rekindling of old dreams, the second time was a burst of passion, but by the third time he was a little apprehensive.

It's definitely not because we don't have enough kidneys!
Zhang Yan felt that Zhou Tao's emotions were a bit out of control. One thing after another, it was beyond just being addicted to; he was completely obsessed and couldn't extricate himself.

If something goes wrong and the secret is exposed...

This married woman is not as easy to deal with as Jiang Shan. If things get out of hand, even if Chen Hong is tolerant, I'm afraid I'll still be in deep trouble.

It seems this really shouldn't happen again.

I should try to minimize contact with Zhou Tao in the future. An occasional contact is fine, but one after another, who can handle it... uh, it's too easy for something to go wrong.

—As Mr. Zhang walked out of the train station, supporting his back, he made a calm and rational decision.

(End of this chapter)