56 Marlon

Tokyo.

This was Ma Long’s third time participating in the Olympic Games, but what made this time different was that Duan Nanzhou accompanied him in her capacity as his wife.

Due to various reasons, aside from the participating athletes, the Chinese national table tennis team could only bring a limited number of other staff members, all of whom were finalized through numerous discussion meetings.

Therefore, Duan Nanzhou chose not to squeeze into the already scarce quota of the table tennis team, but instead chose to shoulder the responsibility of leading the team of sports journalists heading to Tokyo.

Although Duan Nanzhou had transitioned to a behind-the-scenes role for quite a long time, her past glorious achievements and exceptional interviewing skills were still legendary. Her application to accompany the press corps to Tokyo for interviews even earned her some playful teasing from her former professor.

In Lao Jiang’s words, he truly never expected that Duan Nanzhou, who once seemed entirely focused on her own path, would one day step back from behind the scenes to the front lines again for the sake of her other half. Even if it was just for this once, it was unimaginable.

After the banter came serious work arrangements. Knowing Duan Nanzhou’s professional competence, Lao Jiang effortlessly assigned her various interviews not limited solely to table tennis, and also tasked her with leading the press corps in an administrative capacity.

Duan Nanzhou, having all her duties arranged for her: Suddenly, I don't really want to go anymore...

Meanwhile, when Ma Long learned that his beloved wife would finally be able to travel with him to Tokyo this time, his eyes curved into smiles. If he had one regret, it was that Duan Nanzhou had never fully accompanied him through an entire Olympic cycle to witness him win the gold medal. He believed that this time, that wish would surely come true!

However, the hope of departing together was shattered the very next moment.

Because Duan Nanzhou had to leave for Tokyo in advance, Ma Long pouted upon hearing the news, looking extremely aggrieved.

Since Duan Nanzhou was responsible for interviews covering more than just table tennis, she had to lead the main contingent to Tokyo ahead of time to adapt and adjust before the overall events began.

Ma Long’s table tennis matches, on the other hand, were scheduled a few days after the opening of the Olympics, so the national team generally chose to set off for the venue a day or two before the competition started. Consequently, the young couple was "forced to separate."

Upon arriving in Tokyo, Duan Nanzhou had no time to rest at all and began spinning like a top.

Because she was in charge of numerous interviews, whenever she wasn't conducting them, Duan Nanzhou was reviewing background materials or watching matches to gain a deeper understanding of her interviewees—a testament to a sports journalist's professional dedication.

The result of this professionalism was that Duan Nanzhou’s interview segments were brilliant. She asked professional, sports-related questions while occasionally tossing in entertaining ones to satisfy the audience's curiosity. Most importantly, the entire process was free of awkwardness, and the athletes had plenty to say, leaving everyone quite satisfied.

A minor trending topic that emerged was that because Duan Nanzhou’s voice possessed a clear and cool tone, it naturally conjured up the mental image of a detached and aloof beauty.

In several interview videos, athletes who had just finished their matches were sitting around dazed while waiting for the interview, only to hear Duan Nanzhou start asking questions. They would instantly look over in surprise toward her direction and couldn't help but smile.

The comment sections beneath the videos were lively:

[This reporter lady has such a wonderful voice!]
[Lol, the athletes were still spacing out, but the moment they heard her voice, they perked up instantly!]
[Judging by their expressions, the reporter lady must be a stunning beauty!]
[Give me three minutes to dig up all the information on this reporter lady, I command you!]
[The reporter lady's professional standards are also so high! All the questions she asks are extremely professional!]
[An insider quietly leaking this: she’s actually the team leader of this Tokyo press corps, hehe. She’s super outstanding!]
[Oh my god, she sounds so young, yet she’s already a team leader! That is incredible!]
...

When Ma Long saw the video of his wife forwarded by a friend, along with the internet users once again trying to covet his wife, he was utterly speechless. This time, the netizens didn't even know Duan Nanzhou's true identity, yet they were already harboring thoughts about her again.

Regarding this, Ma Long felt that his persistence in not frequently showing affection online was the right choice; otherwise, who knew how many "love rivals" he would have brought upon himself!

However,

"Wife, will you be interviewing us this time?"

"That... depends. My other interview assignments are too heavy, but I'll try my best." Duan Nanzhou didn't dare to make any promises. Although her original goal was to come for Ma Long, reality seemed to have deviated slightly; now she was so swamped with work that she could barely spare attention for the table tennis side of things.

"Wife!" Ma Long’s aggrieved voice came through the phone. He hadn't expected that not only did he fail to travel to Tokyo with Duan Nanzhou, but now, to make matters worse, he wouldn't even get an interview! The last time she interviewed him was n years ago!

Afterwards, Duan Nanzhou resorted to various endearing terms like "Hubby," "Baby," "Longlong," and promises of "kisses and hugs" to coax him for a long time, repeatedly guaranteeing that she would do her utmost to interview their team, before finally calming the petty man down.

After hanging up the phone, Duan Nanzhou let out a long sigh. She was exhausted—so very exhausted.

...

At the venue of the men's singles table tennis finals, while the intense match was underway, Duan Nanzhou finally "sneaked" in from the side and found a seat in the stands.

After exchanging greetings with the coaches and her friends from the national table tennis team nearby, Duan Nanzhou sat quietly in her seat, watching Ma Long's match.

Earlier today, when Ma Long learned that Duan Nanzhou might not make it back in time to watch his match, he had fallen silent for a long time before simply saying, "Focus on your work first," and then prepared for the match with a somewhat gloomy mood.

Duan Nanzhou certainly didn't want to miss Ma Long's crucial moment, so she finally rushed to the venue shortly after the match began to witness this momentous occasion.

During the intermission, as Ma Long casually glanced toward the stands, he spotted his dear wife making a finger-heart gesture for him. His previously solemn face instantly broke into a wide smile, and he awkwardly attempted to mimic the finger-heart gesture back to her with his hands.

The broadcast director didn't miss this crucial moment and immediately switched to a close-up shot of Ma Long. Viewers watching the live stream gasped in astonishment, never expecting to witness this side of Captain Long.

The next second, the director skillfully panned the camera toward the stands. Unfortunately, by then Duan Nanzhou had already put her hands down and was quietly watching the match, and the camera couldn't linger on that section because the game was about to resume. Consequently, they couldn't figure out who Ma Long had just been gesturing to.

Furthermore, Duan Nanzhou's appearance today was a bit different from usual; she had a bun hairstyle and was wearing the Olympic team uniform, allowing her to blend seamlessly into the crowd in the stands.

"Wow!!!"

Thundering applause erupted, and the live-stream audience couldn't help but feel thrilled. Ma Long had done it; he had won the Olympic men's singles gold medal once again. Truly, he deserved his reputation as the hexagonal warrior!

Having experienced so many matches and trials over the years, Ma Long was actually quite calm at the moment—after all, it wasn't his first time—but happiness and joy were still unavoidable.

Yet, this moment felt somewhat different. Ma Long quickly bypassed the staff members who wanted to offer him congratulations and blessings, and trotted briskly toward the front of the stands.

The broadcast director and the audience were somewhat puzzled, the camera following this hexagonal warrior closely to see what he intended to do.

They watched as Ma Long looked up and smiled at a young woman standing at the very front of the stands just past her seat. The two of them embraced each other across the barrier separating the arena.

The next second, Ma Long cupped the young woman's face and kissed her through their face masks. Afterward, the two of them exchanged a smiling glance; the woman gently stroked Ma Long's hair, and Ma Long broke into an even brighter, happier smile.

At that moment, not only were his teammates from the national team, the coaching staff, and the venue personnel dumbfounded, but the live-stream audience and the director were also completely stunned, and the live stream's comment section was instantly overwhelmed.

The broadcast director couldn't help letting out a gasp of surprise, but quickly maintained professional composure to bless the young couple and playfully tease their deep affection.

Both Ma Long and Duan Nanzhou were overjoyed at the scene. It could be considered a public display of affection, though they were still unaware that the internet had already completely erupted into a frenzy.

While the online discussions continued and the live broadcast of the venue persisted, viewers soon watched as Ma Long proceeded to an interview immediately after the award ceremony.

This time, Ma Long was different from usual. He appeared exceptionally enthusiastic, breaking the national table tennis team's tradition of reluctance toward interviews as he looked warm and cheerful.

The next second, the netizens understood why. That familiar, cool-toned voice rang out, and Ma Long’s mouth split open in a wide grin, his gaze locking directly and intently onto the reporter lady that the internet had been dying to identify.

Just as the netizens were pondering what felt a bit amiss, the interview rushed toward a rapid and efficient conclusion. As Duan Nanzhou delivered her final line:

"Ma Long, congratulations on winning the Olympic gold medal once again!"

The next second, Ma Long stepped forward and placed the gold medal around Duan Nanzhou's neck, saying,

"Thank you, it belongs to you too!"

Amidst a soft chuckle, the interview concluded, but it finally let the netizens know that the reporter lady was none other than Duan Nanzhou—the Duan Nanzhou deeply beloved by Ma Long.