Chapter 118: What a Miracle

*Slap!*

A crisp sound echoed backstage.

The slap not only stunned Joe Wei Jiang but also left everyone else present in disbelief. They stared, unable to believe what had just happened. How could Zhou Ming dare to slap Joe, the Vice Mayor of Nanjiang? Didn't he realize that Joe was a powerful official? Didn't he know the consequences of hitting such a person?

Zhou Ming, however, didn't care about what others might think. He pointed at Joe Wei Jiang and said, "I've put up with you for too long. Don't you ever look at yourself and think about what you really are? Don't you get tired of acting so high and mighty? Just because you keep reminding everyone you're a leader doesn't mean they'll respect you. Haven't you learned this simple truth after all these years?"

Joe Wei Jiang, covering his face, stared blankly at Zhou Ming, struggling to process what had just happened. "You… you dare to hit me? Do you know who I am? How dare you hit me?"

Zhou Ming sighed internally. It seemed that Joe Wei Jiang hadn't grasped any of his points.

"What are you? What gives you the right to hit me?" Joe Wei Jiang shouted, trying to retaliate. However, being just a middle-aged bureaucrat, he was no match for Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming shoved him aside, and if Joe Wei Jiang's secretary, Xiao Zhang, hadn't intervened, Zhou Ming might have slapped him again.

"Secretary Zhang, keep an eye on this lunatic," Zhou Ming told Joe Wei Jiang's secretary, then turned to Luo Han and said, "There's nothing more for us to do here. Let's leave."

Luo Han said, "But the lecture and the promotion of our Nanjiang securities market…"

Zhou Ming explained with growing impatience, "Luo Vice President, results are achieved through actions, not words. Our securities market's quality can't be covered up by a lecture. If our market turns into a tool for a few people to profit, then no matter how good our speech was today, it means nothing. Look at those angry students down there—what more can we say?"

Luo Han and others had no retort. They sighed in resignation, acknowledging the truth in Zhou Ming's words. As Zhou Ming was about to leave with Luo Han and the others, a new commotion erupted among the students.

"Fellow students, that foolish and selfish bureaucrat has left, but he left his filthy ideas here. He has fooled everyone, tainted our sacred lecture hall. Can we let him off? Should we let him pay for his vile actions? They're just outside. Should we go and surround them?"

A student's shout was met with a chorus of agreement from others: "Don't let them off! Beat that dirty, despicable bureaucrat! And his accomplices too! We can't let them escape!"

Seeing the shift in mood, Luo Han and his group turned pale with fear. "What if these students come after us and start a riot? There are hundreds of them—if they start attacking us, we won't stand a chance! How did we end up in this situation?"

Compared to Luo Han and others, Zhou Ming understood the students' mindset. As someone who had been young and passionate, he knew how easily idealistic students could be riled up, especially against a bureaucrat like Joe Wei Jiang. 

"Zhou Consultant, what should we do now?" Luo Han asked anxiously.

At this point, everyone looked to Zhou Ming, hoping he would have a solution. They believed that since Zhou Ming had previously worked in Port City and Lin Muxing was the boss of a local company, they would be better equipped to handle the situation with the students.

Zhou Ming sighed, "I guess I'll have to try and talk to them. Maybe I can persuade them to calm down."

The relief in Luo Han's group was palpable; Zhou Ming's suggestion was like a beacon of hope. They eagerly urged him, "Zhou Consultant, you can do it; we're counting on you. Your speech will definitely persuade these students!"

Lin Muxing, moved by the atmosphere, anxiously grabbed Zhou Ming's hand. Zhou Ming smiled reassuringly and patted her hand before heading up to the stage.

When Zhou Ming took the stage, the students were already organizing to go outside and surround Joe Wei Jiang. Zhou Ming quickly walked up to the podium and spoke into the microphone, "Fellow students!"

The sound of Zhou Ming's voice instantly drew the students' attention back to the stage. Zhou Ming continued, "Port City's students, hello. I am Zhou Ming from the Nanjiang inspection team."

The students immediately responded with hostility: "Another bureaucrat! Let's go beat him up first!"

As the students surged towards the podium, Zhou Ming quickly said, "Students, I'm not a bureaucrat. I'm just an ordinary person. If I were really one of them, I would have run away and hidden, like those corrupt officials. Instead, I'm standing here. Please, think clearly!"

Hearing Zhou Ming's words, the students started to hesitate. Zhou Ming continued, "I understand your anger, as I too am frustrated by that official's behavior. In fact, I am even more enraged than you, but resorting to violence won't solve anything. Port City has laws, and if you act out violently, you will be breaking the law."

"Perhaps you think that breaking the law is worth it if it means taking down bureaucrats, but that's a huge mistake," Zhou Ming said. "Think about your parents. They sent you here to study, hoping you would use your education to change the world and improve your lives. How disappointed and worried would they be if they found out you were in jail because of a reckless act?"

Listening to Zhou Ming, the students gradually lowered their heads, feeling ashamed of their earlier actions. Some even began to cry, realizing the impact of their potential actions on their parents.

This scene stunned Luo Han and the others backstage. They had not expected that Zhou Ming's few words would transform the anger of hundreds of students into remorse.

What kind of magic did Zhou Ming perform?

Meanwhile, Lin Muxing's emotions were stirred deeply. She was moved by Zhou Ming's bravery and eloquence. Seeing the students calm down, she quickly contacted Shen Xin and urged her to get media coverage of the event.

After finishing, Lin Muxing returned to the side of the stage, clasping her hands and watching Zhou Ming with admiration and excitement. She knew that his next speech would be astonishing to the world.