Chapter 120: The Loser

As soon as Zhou Ming finished speaking, a tidal wave of applause erupted from the audience. Every student at the University of Hong Kong instinctively stood up, clapping fervently for Zhou Ming. They didn't care if their hands turned red from the force—they simply couldn't express the excitement in their hearts any other way.

Zhou Ming's final outcry seemed to pierce directly into their souls. At that moment, they trembled with excitement, feeling as if their blood was boiling in response to Zhou Ming's words.

"Long live Zhou Ming!"

Someone in the crowd shouted, and like a spark igniting a fire in oil, the chant quickly spread like wildfire. From a few people… to dozens… to a hundred… soon, every student in the auditorium was raising their arms and shouting, "Long live Zhou Ming!"

Even Zhou Ming himself hadn't expected this. Standing on the podium, he could feel the students' overwhelming enthusiasm. It was so intense that it seemed as if it could blow the roof off the auditorium.

Through this fervor, Zhou Ming could see the passion on every student's face. In that instant, rationality, knowledge, and culture all seemed meaningless to them. They had transformed into the most fervent believers in the world, with only Zhou Ming's faith remaining in their hearts.

Backstage, Luo Han and his companions could only stare dumbfounded at the scene before them, as if they had been immobilized by Sun Wukong's magic. They were too shocked to move.

The word "miraculous" was the only one that came to their minds.

If they hadn't seen it with their own eyes, they never would have believed what was happening. To them, Zhou Ming seemed like a deity who could manipulate human hearts. With just a speech, he had turned students who previously wanted to tear them apart into ones who shouted "Long live Zhou Ming!" This was beyond what any human could achieve.

In front of them, Lin Muqing stood at the edge of the stage, her heart entirely captivated by Zhou Ming. She was so moved that tears streamed down her face, and she couldn't stop sobbing.

"Zhou Ming, this is what a real man is!" she thought.

Zhou Ming had been concerned about them even after being expelled from the delegation. When they called for his help, he put aside past grievances and came to their aid—this was magnanimity. When he saw hundreds of angry University of Hong Kong students about to confront them, and when everyone else had given up hope, he stepped forward—this was courage and responsibility. And standing on the podium, facing hundreds of angry students, he gave a passionate speech that changed their minds—this was capability and charisma.

This man was destined to become a soaring dragon in the sky!

Lin Muqing clenched her fist over her heart, convinced of her thoughts.

Down in the audience, a clicking sound was heard. Zhou Ming looked over and saw a few people entering from the door, cameras in hand, taking photos of him. They seemed to be reporters.

Instinctively, Zhou Ming turned his head, and Lin Muqing nodded at him. Zhou Ming realized that Lin Muqing had invited them earlier.

Standing on the podium and being worshipped by the students felt great, but staying there too long would make him look foolish, and Zhou Ming was no fool. So he finally said, "Today, let's make a promise together. From now on, let's all work hard for our dreams. Goodbye."

With that, Zhou Ming stepped down from the podium, and the students rushed to the stage, waving their arms and shouting hoarsely at their idol.

Backstage, Lin Muqing could no longer contain her excitement. She took two steps forward and embraced Zhou Ming.

A few days ago, everyone would have thought that Zhou Ming was incredibly lucky to earn Lin Muqing's favor. But now, Lin Muqing felt that holding and kissing this man was her greatest fortune.

Zhou Ming hugged Lin Muqing's slender waist and whispered in her ear, "Muqing, there are so many people watching!"

Normally, Lin Muqing would shyly let go, but this time, she didn't want to. It felt as if her man would be taken away by another woman if she let go.

After holding each other for a while, Lin Muqing reluctantly released Zhou Ming. Zhou Ming then took her hand and walked over to Luo Han, who was watching in admiration. "Everything's settled; let's go," Zhou Ming said.

Hearing Zhou Ming's casual words, Luo Han's respect for him grew even deeper. Luo Han respectfully replied, "Advisor Zhou, we can leave, but what about Mayor Qiao?"

"Mayor Qiao?" Zhou Ming followed Luo Han's gaze and saw Qiao Weijiang sitting on the ground, looking utterly despondent.

Zhou Ming had expected Qiao Weijiang to leave, but he hadn't anticipated seeing him in such a miserable state. Curious, Zhou Ming asked, "What's wrong with him?"

"Mayor Qiao just called back to Nanjing. It seems that he's been removed from his position as executive vice mayor and will face further disciplinary action when he returns," Luo Han explained.

Hearing this, Zhou Ming immediately understood. After Zhou Ming had slapped him, Qiao Weijiang had likely felt indignant and contacted the University of Hong Kong to make a call back to Nanjing. He probably intended to do something to Zhou Ming, only to learn that he had been suspended and would face further punishment. For an official who valued his position more than anything, this news explained his current state.

Zhou Ming glanced at Lin Muqing, who was holding his arm. He hadn't expected Lin Muqing to act so swiftly; it had only been a few days, and news had already reached Nanjing.

Shaking his head, Zhou Ming said to Luo Han, "Leave someone here to take care of him. We'll go first."

Luo Han nodded in agreement. Zhou Ming clearly had no interest in comforting Qiao Weijiang. Although Zhou Ming didn't want to deal with him, that didn't mean Qiao Weijiang would let him go.

Just as Zhou Ming was about to leave, Qiao Weijiang suddenly jumped up as if resurrected and rushed over to Zhou Ming. Stammering, he asked, "Advisor Zhou, did you… did you have something to do with this? It must be you!"

Seeing Qiao Weijiang in this state, Zhou Ming patted him on the shoulder and said, "Mayor Qiao, calm down."

"Calm down? How can I calm down in this situation?" Qiao Weijiang angrily pushed Zhou Ming's hand away. "I've lost my position! This is your doing, isn't it?"

"Mayor Qiao, what do you want me to say?" Zhou Ming replied. "I didn't do anything. Your situation is because the Peninsula Hotel reported your actions to the authorities. Someone at the central or provincial level decided you were a disgrace to the image of party officials and suspended you."

At this point, nothing Zhou Ming said would get through to Qiao Weijiang, who continued to plead with Zhou Ming. "Advisor Zhou, I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. I didn't realize your power. I shouldn't have treated you that way. Please don't hold a grudge. Please, I beg you."

"Why can't you be reasoned with?" Zhou Ming said. "Fine, think whatever you want. I'm leaving."

Zhou Ming was about to walk around Qiao Weijiang, but he blocked Zhou Ming's way again.

"Advisor Zhou, you really won't let this go, will you? You act so righteous on stage, but down here, you're just a petty man who bears grudges. I only said a few words about you, and you want to destroy me completely. Do you have to be so ruthless? Are you going to have me arrested when I return to Nanjing?"

Before, Zhou Ming might have considered sparing his dignity, but now that Qiao Weijiang had thrown his pride away, Zhou Ming had no reason to hold back.

"What the hell are you shouting about?" Zhou Ming roared at Qiao Weijiang. "I didn't do anything to you, but so what if I did? Do you think you're the one who's been wronged?"

"You call me a petty man? What about you? If you still have a brain, use it! Think about it: from Nanjing to Hong Kong, did I ever provoke you? But what did you do? You've been making me a target all along, pulling rank on me every chance you got. What's wrong with you?"

Pausing, Zhou Ming continued, "You think I haven't noticed or minded until now? But what did you do later? You deliberately spilled tea on me at the Peninsula Hotel, broke their things, and stirred up the students here. And now you blame others for it? Do you really think you're the one who's been wronged? If you feel wronged, what about those of us who had to take the blame for you?"

"You think you're wronged now because you're a loser, a complete and utter failure!" Zhou Ming said. "Before you start calling me petty, ask yourself this: if we switched places today and I lost, how would you treat me? Would you feel sorry for me?"

Qiao Weijiang hung his head, unable to answer. Zhou Ming was right—if Zhou Ming had failed today, Qiao Weijiang would have treated him far worse, without a hint of sympathy, and would have laughed and trampled on him.

"I'm sorry, Advisor Zhou. I was wrong. I truly know I was wrong. I don't feel wronged anymore. I just beg you to spare me. I'll repay you someday," Qiao Weijiang said, choking up.

Zhou Ming shook

 his head in resignation. "It seems my words were wasted on you. Fine, think whatever you want. I'm leaving."

With that, Zhou Ming pushed Qiao Weijiang aside, took Lin Muqing's hand, and walked out through the side door of the auditorium, ignoring the desperate man behind him.