Deceiving Chinese Entertainment Industry for Thirty Years 41

Chapter 41: The Last One-Night Stand of 1996

January 21, 2025

Chapter 41: The Last One-Night…Stand of 1996

“The excellent young director, Chen Hong, has a new project, *The Song Dynasty*, in which she will play a major role.”

“After successfully transitioning to a director with the film *Heard*, Chen Hong is once again changing her identity!”

“Chen Hong: This time, acting feels completely different…”

1996 was almost over.

More good news came Ma Xun’s way.

Hong Jie called to report her harvest from Hong Kong.

*The Song Dynasty* secured!

*Thirteen Lang of the South China Sea* secured!

She truly was ambitious, trying both.

Moreover, she would be starring in *The Song Dynasty*.

“Guess who I’m playing?”

Hong Jie was quite playful these days.

Who she’d play…probably the one who married a bald man. That seemed most likely.

But Ma Xun, that rascal, gave a funny answer.

“I can’t guess.”

This answer made Hong Jie laugh seductively.

Sometimes, that’s the thing – “I can’t guess” is the best answer.

And Hong Jie didn’t reveal the role.

She clearly wanted to keep it secret, to surprise Ma Xun.

Then, Hong Jie mentioned something even more interesting.

“I know what that little vixen, Xu Qing, is up to.” (Xu Qing is called a “little vixen” – 小骚货 – a playful, slightly derogatory term implying flirtatiousness)

“Oh, you saw?”

“Of course! It’s that disciple of the national studies master…”

Wow! Hong Jie really got the scoop.

Ma Xun was also a little surprised.

However, Hong Jie didn’t know many details, only that she saw them shopping together in Hong Kong.

Ma Xun naturally cautioned her to keep this gossip to themselves. Don’t spread it around.

Hong Jie replied, “Of course, I understand.”

Their conversation ended there.

Hong Jie still had many things to do in Hong Kong.

In the end, she wished Ma Xun a happy new year in advance.

So 1996 was almost over.

Ma Xun couldn’t help but reflect on his year…

Damn, it was awesome!

But despite being awesome, he was still spending New Year’s Eve alone.

…

Below, cars and horses flowed endlessly. (车水马龙 – idiom describing a bustling scene)

Above, crowds thronged. (人潮熙攘 – idiom describing a crowded scene)

Ma Xun stood on a pedestrian overpass, looking at it all through the lens of his Nikon F3.

He planned to record the last moments of 1996.

This was his first year after time-traveling.

Worth commemorating.

The sound of the shutter clicking.

Although they hadn’t been developed yet, the 90s vibe was strong enough.

Suddenly, Ma Xun stopped.

Through the lens, he saw a couple.

Xu Qing and a man.

Okay, it was probably Liu Bo.

Back from Hong Kong?

They were in a high-end Western restaurant, and not long after…

The two seemed to be arguing.

Long-distance gossip?

Zoom!

Xu Qing and Liu Bo’s faces grew larger and larger.

Although Ma Xun hadn’t fully mastered lip-reading, he had been involved in making *Heard*.

He could guess what they were saying.

…

“You must know a lot of leaders in the cultural circles, just help me out.”

“Help? Can this kind of thing be solved by just asking for help? They fabricated things, what can I do?”

“But aren’t many historical films adapted?”

“Adaptation isn’t fabrication. Who knows what’s wrong with that Lu Wei, actually doing this.” (芦苇 – Lu Wei, a famous screenwriter)

“Don’t talk about Teacher Lu like that.”

“You’re defending him?”

“But we also asked some teachers, and in terms of historical adaptation, it’s not that serious.”

“Then ask them for help…I have something to do, I’m leaving.”

Xu Qing didn’t expect Liu Bo to refuse her.

And he just left like that.

How did everything change?

What about the sweet words before?

Looking at Liu Bo’s departing back, Xu Qing was about to cry.

But she held back.

Even if she didn’t cry, tears welled up in her eyes.

At that moment, a man sat opposite her.

He offered her a tissue.

“You…”

“No need to hold it in, cry it out, or it’ll be bad for your health.”

Ma Xun’s sudden appearance startled Xu Qing.

But she still accepted the tissue.

Wiping away her tears.

Of course, Xu Qing wasn’t stupid; she knew what to say.

“Can you keep it a secret?”

Liu Bo was a married man, a formal disciple of a national studies master. Xu Qing was a famous actress and a legitimate “red third generation” (red denoting communist party lineage).

Ma Xun didn’t promise but said something strange.

“Your current situation is very dangerous.”

???

Xu Qing was confused.

What was that about?

But then…

“I bet, in about ten minutes, he’ll call you.”

???

Xu Qing was even more confused, “You, what do you mean?”

Seeing her clear-eyed state, Ma Xun thought to himself: Such an easily fooled woman, I can’t let Liu Bo have her!

“Miss Xu Qing, we only met for the first time in Guangzhou, right?”

“Yes.” Xu Qing nodded.

“I consider myself acquainted with you, right?”

“Yes.”

“And just now, I generally understood your conversation, I’m sorry.”

“This…what are you trying to say?” Xu Qing was curious and confused.

Ma Xun knew he was getting close, so he said, “You were planning to ask that gentleman for help, right? About unblocking the film *Qin Song*?”

Xu Qing was startled, but Ma Xun had already mentioned it before, so she could only nod.

Then, Ma Xun said simply:

“About ten minutes later, that gentleman will call you, he will probably say:

I’m sorry, I was too harsh before. But this matter is really difficult to handle, I also have my difficulties.

But when I left you… I found my heart extremely empty.

Even for a few minutes, I couldn’t bear not having you by my side.

I’m calling you now to tell you.

I can’t live without you.

Therefore, no matter how difficult this matter is, I will help you!”

This…

Xu Qing was dumbfounded!

About ten minutes later…

“Qing’er, I’m sorry, I was too harsh before. But I also have my difficulties, what you asked for is too difficult.

And after I left you, I found that I couldn’t live without you…”

After answering the call, Xu Qing heard these words.

Almost exactly what Ma Xun had said!

Then she couldn’t stand it anymore and hung up.

Tears welled up again.

The phone rang again, so she turned it off.

“Why is this happening? I mean, couldn’t he just agree?”

Actually, Ma Xun didn’t hear the content of the call, but seeing Xu Qing’s state…

He knew Liu Bo would say that!

Only a con artist understands another con artist best!

But honestly, Ma Xun wouldn’t stoop to using Liu Bo’s methods.

This is called emotional manipulation!

Ma Xun never deceived anyone emotionally.

Well, this guy doesn’t talk about feelings; he goes straight for the body.

For a guy like Liu Bo, there’s only one word:

Disgusting!

Xu Qing had also realized this; she cried miserably.

Ma Xun didn’t rush to speak, waiting for her to cry for a while.

“Why ten minutes?”

“If you wait too long, there will be a real rift between you.”

Xu Qing was silent.

Ma Xun spoke again, “Still don’t understand? You made a request, and he helped you, that means it’s very simple, you’ll probably forget about it after a while.

But like this, first reject, then help.

Torture you a bit, then give you a sweet treat, and you’ll be devoted to him.”

Xu Qing immediately understood everything.

It was all planned!

It was all fake!

But…

Seeing that this foolish woman was still somewhat conflicted…

Ma Xun bluntly stated, “He’s a married man, why did he approach you? Isn’t it because of your background? Do you really think he loves you? Do you really think he’ll divorce and marry you? Heh…are you prettier than Brigitte Lin?” (王祖贤 – Wang Zuxian, replaced with Brigitte Lin as per context and more familiar to Western readers)

This last sentence was devastating!

Not long ago, Hong Kong media reported…

Brigitte Lin and Lin Jian Yue had completely separated.

Lin Jian Yue wouldn’t divorce.

Brigitte Lin had also completely seen through the guy’s true colors.

Xu Qing understood Ma Xun’s meaning.

Even Brigitte Lin, so beautiful and famous, ended up like that.

What about her?

And then…

“Actually, I helped Brigitte Lin with that matter, too.”

Ma Xun said it, feeling quite proud.

But Xu Qing rolled her eyes at him, “Liar!”

See, telling the truth, this woman doesn’t believe it.

Serves her right for being fooled!

But Ma Xun was in a good mood today, let’s consider it a good deed.

“If you don’t believe it, then fine, I’m leaving.”

He was about to leave, but Xu Qing stopped him.

“Do you know a good place to drink?”

This…it seemed like a pretty good idea to spend the last night of 1996 drinking with Xu Qing, a plump and lovely beauty.

So Ma Xun took Xu Qing to Sanlitun.

This place was truly a mix of everything; the bars here were chaotic and cheap.

Xu Qing adapted very quickly.

As soon as she entered the bar, she started moving wildly to the music.

Ma Xun could only accompany her, constantly offering beer.

Later on, he even started pouring beer on himself.

This was destined to be a crazy night.

Until…

“I’m tired, I want to sleep.”

“What? You want to sleep with me?”

The loud music made it hard for them to hear each other clearly.

“I just want to sleep!”

“Sleep backwards with me?” (a suggestive implication)

Whoa!

She played hard.

…

January 1st, 1997.

Ma Xun woke up with a splitting headache.

His room was in utter disarray.

He couldn’t help but look towards the windowsill, she seemed to be lying there.

Grabbing her waist…

Hard, thrust…

Thank you for your support! Thank you, thank you!

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(End of Chapter)

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