NOVEL NEXT Chapter 259: Rather pretty 259
As the two got back into the car and rushed to the mountaintop inn that Ma Qingqing had reserved, Liu Zhizhong was somewhat depressed.
Liu Zhizhong even put on a stern face and said to Ma Qingqing, "Hey, my Little Sister Qingqing, why is it like this?"
Ma Qingqing spread her hands, a sly smile flickering at the corner of her mouth, yet she put on an innocent face like a harmless creature, "Brother Zhizhong, I am out of options too! Look… this mountaintop inn is one of the top options on Taohua Island. Since it's the weekend, the prices are very, very high, yet it's still a scarce commodity. Raising prices at such times is just like the stock market…"
Her explanation seemed seamless, alas…
The room Ma Qingqing booked was unexpectedly a luxurious single room with a king-sized bed, that cost 1200 yuan.
These days, the economy of many industries was dismal, the competition was quite fierce. The only sector showing signs of life was tourism and entertainment, especially tourism, as those in the know understood.
Ticket prices were expensive, consumption in tourist areas was costly, and even the return flights were super expensive!
When the consumption of major commodities came to an end, how else to generate tax revenue without increasing everyday expenses?
When the common people have money but don't buy houses or cars, won't they feel suffocated and go out to relax? Good, go relax, you're still the source of revenue!
The killer was, the room that Ma Qingqing reserved was the last available room in this super inn.
As for the other inns, either the standards were too low, not matching Ma Qingqing's consumption philosophy, or the standards were fine but they were fully booked.
Liu Zhizhong shook his head helplessly, "So it seems that tonight we'll have to sleep in the same room and in the same bed? How can that be acceptable?"
Ma Qingqing looped her arm through his, tilting her pretty face upward, "Why wouldn't it be acceptable? The prison guards all know that you are a man of honor…"
"But…" Liu Zhizhong unconsciously became serious, "Qingqing, that's a misunderstanding! You're still in school, and I already have a family, and my wife is pretty decent…"
"Alright already, don't be so scared... Brother Zhizhong, you are my brother, I am your sister, what's wrong with sleeping together? I'm so hungry, shall we eat first?"
Saying this, she dragged Liu Zhizhong off to a country-style restaurant near the inn.
The restaurant had its own charm, serving local dishes, truly local, the uncontaminated kind. Aside from being expensive, there was really nothing else to complain about.
Liu Zhizhong didn't have a choice; he himself was hungry and so he just had to follow Ma Qingqing to have dinner first.
Liu Zhizhong had no idea that while he was accompanying Ma Qingqing, enjoying the charming night view of the Peach Blossom Forest, and savoring the delicious food in front of them, in the Provincial City, Luo Tianlin and Zhang Tianbao were once again having dinner together.
Zhang Tianbao was about to take a local appointment and naturally wanted to express his gratitude for Minister Luo's mentorship. Therefore, they arranged a meal at one of the Province City's top private restaurants, very private, just the two of them.
This was sort of a master-apprentice relationship. The disciple was about to graduate!
While eating and chatting, looking forward to the future, Zhang Tianbao also received a phone call.
After the call ended, Zhang Tianbao smiled meaningfully and said, "Minister Luo, Liu Zhizhong is really interesting."
"Oh?" Luo Tianlin took a sip from his glass, then accepted the cigarette that Zhang Tianbao offered, "What's so interesting about him?"
"Do you remember the Prison Director from Hedong Prison?" Zhang Tianbao said as he lit his master's cigarette.
"Oh…" Luo Tianlin frowned slightly, and then he remembered, "Hmm, I remember, your female classmate, right? What about you two now…"
He trailed off, his eyes gleaming with a hint of deeper meaning, a teasing smile, just enough to make the point.
Zhang Tianbao was a bit embarrassed on the spot, forced to smile awkwardly and nod, "Minister Luo, haha… well, she and I don't interact much, just occasionally at gatherings!"
"You're about to move to the countryside, aren't you supposed to gather?"
"Heh…" Zhang Tianbao smiled sheepishly again, definitely hit the nail on the head, but he quickly became serious and said, "However, she just called to mention Liu Zhizhong."
"She? Liu Zhizhong? What about him?"
"Yes. She said Liu Zhizhong accompanied Ma Xudong's daughter, Ma Qingqing, to visit Hedong Prison this afternoon."
"Yo-ho~~~~~" Hearing this, Luo Tianlin was surprised, raising his eyebrows, then laughed, shaking his head wistfully and nodding.
Luo Tianlin drew on his cigarette deeply and said, "Ma Xudong indeed had it rough, after his downfall, no one wanted to deal with him anymore. This Liu Zhizhong, utterly unconcerned with maintaining appearances, even went so far as to visit his former leader in prison. You could say he's truly loyal and a young man full of human warmth."
"Minister Luo, are you praising him, or…?"
"Nonsense! Of course I'm praising him! But then, who knows if Liu Zhizhong has any designs on Ma Qingqing? After all, we've all seen Ma Xudong's only daughter. The girl is quite pretty! Hehe~~~~~"
"Uh… haha~~~~" Zhang Tianbao was stunned, laughed, then nodded in understanding.
After so many years with Luo Tianlin, didn't he know his master's temperament?
When Master says a woman is pretty, it means he's interested!
Under such circumstances, wouldn't Zhang Tianbao consider how to get Ma Qingqing into his master's bed?