Chapter 189: Chairman Du

"Zhou Ming, are you interested in that girl named Tao Tao? I saw you staring at her just now. Do you want me to find out more about her?" As soon as they left Studio One, Du Peng pulled Zhou Ming aside and asked. "I noticed she seems quite interested in you too; her eyes were sparkling when she looked at you. To be honest, she is quite charming."

Seeing Du Peng's lascivious expression, Zhou Ming felt a bit dismayed. Although he did indeed stare at Tao Tao for quite a while when he first saw her, it wasn't entirely his fault. After all, she was his favorite female host from his previous life, and seeing her in person at CCTV was quite overwhelming.

Zhou Ming didn't know how to explain this to Du Peng, so he responded blandly, "Stop thinking everyone is as vulgar as you. I just saw that she has a certain aura about her and a lot of potential to become a leading figure at CCTV. And she looks so young, probably still in school and just interning here. You, as a privileged red third generation, should stop causing trouble for others."

Du Peng shrugged and said, "Alright, Zhou Ming, you're the gentleman, and I'm just a scoundrel."

"What are you two chatting about?" 

Su Han's voice suddenly came from behind. Zhou Ming and Du Peng stopped discussing Tao Tao. Zhou Ming replied, "Nothing much, just asking this guy about the upcoming arrangements."

While Zhou Ming felt slightly guilty for lying, he had no choice but to avoid telling Su Han that they were discussing Tao Tao. Du Peng would need to help with some arrangements, after all. It's not called honesty; it's just being impractical!

Du Peng kept quiet, and so did Zhou Ming. Du Peng only said, "There's no special arrangement for now. My grandfather wants to meet Zhou Ming."

"Grandfather wants to see me? Why?" Zhou Ming asked in surprise. Given that Du Peng's grandfather, Du Zhongyuan, was the Vice President of the country, and if history remained unchanged, he would soon be the President. Even though Zhou Ming was quite wealthy now, he still had to look up to such a significant figure.

"I'm not entirely sure, but it likely relates to the stock market in Nanjiang and the exclusive sponsorship of CCTV's Spring Festival Gala that you're providing," Du Peng speculated.

Du Peng's guess was neither entirely right nor wrong, but it was the best assumption they could make for now.

While they were discussing this, CCTV's Deputy Director Liang Gang approached and asked, "What are you two chatting about? You look so happy. Are you satisfied with the first rehearsal of the Spring Festival Gala?"

Zhou Ming turned to Liang Gang and said, "Don't worry, Deputy Director Liang. As long as there are no major changes to the gala's programs, I will go ahead with the exclusive sponsorship."

"Thank you so much, Zhou Ming," Liang Gang said. "I personally trust you very much. However, you saw the situation with our gala team. Our funding is extremely tight. We couldn't even manage a full dress rehearsal; the actors are still in their usual rehearsal clothes. I apologize for any inconvenience."

Zhou Ming understood that Liang Gang was intentionally downplaying the situation, but it was true that the Spring Festival Gala preparations were quite basic compared to the future grandiose events. He replied, "I understand your difficulties, Deputy Director Liang. How about we finalize the contract tomorrow or the day after and get the funds to you?"

"Thank you very much for your support of CCTV's Spring Festival Gala!" Liang Gang said. "Please don't mind the current conditions; it's just that our gala situation is a bit rough."

Zhou Ming nodded, "I can see the challenges the gala team is facing, and I understand your position as Deputy Director."

Liang Gang then asked, "Well, do you and Du Peng have any plans? If not, I'd like to invite you both to dinner. I know a nearby restaurant with excellent food."

"Maybe next time, Deputy Director Liang. We need to head to my grandfather's place now," Du Peng said.

Liang Gang immediately responded, "Oh, if Chairman Du is inviting you, I wouldn't want to delay. It must be important. You two go ahead with your matters."

After bidding farewell to Liang Gang, Zhou Ming and the others got back into their car. Du Peng drove east, heading towards Chang'an Street, then turned onto a small road beside Zhongnanhai. They entered through a gate without any signboards. Despite the lack of signage, the heavily guarded entrance and strict security checks made it clear that this was the side entrance to Zhongnanhai.

Driving through the side gate, Du Peng parked the car in front of a quaint, traditional office building.

"This is an office location of the Central Office outside the Zhongnanhai walls. My grandfather should be here now," Du Peng said as he turned off the car and led Zhou Ming and Su Han into the building.

Zhou Ming, who had walked with Su Han through Chang'an Street before, knew Zhongnanhai had a high wall. They hadn't seen that wall on the way in, but the strict security made it clear this was an outer office location, likely for private meetings with prominent figures.

As Zhou Ming followed Du Peng into the building and through another security check, they were eventually led to a reception room. After a while, a secretary from the Central Office came to invite them to another room.

Du Peng's grandfather, Du Zhongyuan, was the Vice President and a significant leader. The number of people he met with was limited, so Zhou Ming asked Su Han to stay in the reception room while he and Du Peng followed the secretary to another office.

The office was quite ordinary. When Zhou Ming entered, he saw an elderly man with white hair sitting and drinking tea. This man was Du Zhongyuan, the future nominal leader of the country. Zhou Ming recognized him immediately from photos in his previous life.

Although Zhou Ming had never met a national leader before, such a simple reception was understandable given that Du Zhongyuan was meeting someone who was also his grandson.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng approached. Du Peng greeted, "Hello, Grandpa," and Zhou Ming said, "Hello, Chairman Du."

Du Zhongyuan smiled and nodded, motioning for Du Peng to sit beside him. He then looked Zhou Ming up and down and said, "So, you are Zhou Ming? Truly a young hero."

"In front of Chairman Du, I can't claim to be a hero. Revolutionary pioneers like you are the true heroes of our country!" Zhou Ming said.

Du Zhongyuan waved his hand, "Don't be too modest. Although this is our first meeting, I've heard a lot about you over the past six months. Comrades Yun Fei and Peng Peng have told me much about you. Your achievements are beyond what ordinary people can accomplish. Please, sit down. Don't be too formal. Today, we're just having a casual chat, so don't be too nervous."

Zhou Ming sat down. Even though Du Zhongyuan had said to relax, Zhou Ming remained tense, only half sitting, waiting for Du Zhongyuan to start the conversation.

Du Zhongyuan didn't comment on Zhou Ming's nervousness. Instead, he said, "I'm sure you guessed what we would talk about today. But before that, I want to thank you for helping Peng Peng. I heard that when he was doing business in Nanjiang, if it weren't for your reminder and assistance, he would have been deceived and embarrassed."

"Chairman Du, you're too kind. I only helped out because I saw injustice and had some money on hand. I couldn't stand to see Peng Peng being tricked in the business world," Zhou Ming replied.

"And after you learned Peng Peng is my grandson, what did you think?" Du Zhongyuan asked.

Zhou Ming was taken aback. This question seemed casual but was actually difficult to answer. It was clear that Zhou Ming's connections to the Du family influenced their relationship, but he could acknowledge this without appearing insincere. However, if he didn't address it directly, it would seem hypocritical. Du Zhongyuan was no fool; he would likely understand this.

After a moment's thought, Zhou Ming said, "Chairman Du, before answering your question, may I ask you one first?"

Du Zhongyuan nodded, and Zhou Ming asked, "Do you think Peng Peng is smart?"

"Of course. I'm not just praising my own grandson; Peng Peng really has some intelligence," Du Zhongyuan replied.

"Then, it's the same for me. I don't mind if you think I'm boasting, but I also believe I have some intelligence," Zhou Ming said.

Before Zhou Ming could finish, Du Zhongyuan interrupted, "That's not boasting; you're just being modest. To acquire the first piece of land in the country, resolve the land speculation craze, and revive the stock market—these are feats that only very smart individuals can achieve."

Zhou Ming scratched his head and said, "Well, that does suggest I have potential. So, in that sense, our meeting should be considered a strong alliance."

"'Strong alliance,' indeed. You really know how to talk."

Du Zhongyuan laughed heartily. His previous question was meant to test Zhou Ming's adaptability and thoughts, and Zhou Ming didn't disappoint him.

Even though Zhou Ming's answer might seem a bit off-topic, he didn't lie about not knowing Du Peng's identity but chose a way to respond that acknowledged his awareness of Du Peng's background while still emphasizing the mutual benefits of their association.

To Du Zhongyuan, Zhou Ming's response was impressive.