Chapter 196: Idol Zhou Ming (Part 4)

After the previous debate and the enthusiastic support from the students of Yan University, Zhou Ming was not surprised by whatever the white girl was going to say next. However, when she suddenly asked the question, it left Zhou Ming somewhat puzzled.

"Are you Zhou Ming?"

Why would the name Zhou Ming be well-known? In this era, information wasn't as widespread as in the future. Even in South Jiang where the stock market was developing, few people knew him. Otherwise, Zhang Li and Li Hu at the Yanqing Hotel wouldn't have acted the way they did.

So how did this white girl know about him? Had his reputation really crossed the ocean to Germany?

The girl noticed Zhou Ming's confusion and explained, "I have indeed heard of your name. The name Nordmann should be familiar to you, right?"

Zhou Ming then understood, "So you're also a student of Nordmann?"

The girl thought for a moment before answering, "Mr. Nordmann did teach me, but technically I wouldn't consider myself his student. However, I did meet him in New York, and he praised the development of China, especially mentioning the capital market in South Jiang. He specifically mentioned your name."

As expected.

Zhou Ming had guessed this when she mentioned Nordmann. Her revealing the truth confirmed his suspicion.

"I'm rather flattered," Zhou Ming said.

"No, on the contrary, I think you should be proud. From what you've said, your views seem different from others. They often have some exaggeration and extremism, but you appear more rational and seem to understand the essence of things," the girl said.

Zhou Ming shook his head, "You might have misunderstood me. I just think that Chinese people are very modest and cautious, much like you Germans."

The girl quickly shook her head, "No, no, no, Mr. Zhou Ming, you've misunderstood. Although my native language is German, I'm not German. I was born in Vienna."

"The world's music capital, indeed a wonderful place. It seems to produce distinguished and beautiful ladies like yourself," Zhou Ming said.

The girl laughed lightly, "Thank you. In this closed-off country, you're one of the few who can open their eyes to see and understand the world. I'm glad to meet you here."

She extended her hand to Zhou Ming, "Please remember my name. I'm Caitlin Theresia Caitlin."

Caitlin's hand was covered with a lace glove, which surprised Zhou Ming. Before he could speak, a middle-aged woman beside Caitlin explained, "My lady's status is special. She cannot shake hands with men of lower status."

Zhou Ming frowned, feeling a bit irritated. It wasn't just the explanation, but also the condescending tone of the middle-aged woman, as if Caitlin's glove handshake was a great honor that Zhou Ming should be grateful for.

If the young students below had been in his place, they probably wouldn't have tolerated it. But Zhou Ming remembered the embassy car Caitlin was sitting in, the strong black female bodyguard beside her, and the middle-aged woman calling her "miss," so he realized she must have some status abroad. He wasn't a noble himself and didn't understand some things, so he endured and shook hands with Caitlin.

As Zhou Ming shook hands with Caitlin, the students of Yan University erupted into enthusiastic applause, as if they had just achieved a decisive victory in a friendly international discussion. Some even shouted, "A perfect match of golden boy and jade girl," which made Zhou Ming feel a bit helpless.

However, the sensation of shaking hands with Caitlin was quite pleasant, even though it was through a lace glove. Zhou Ming could still feel the softness of Caitlin's skin, which was quite endearing.

Caitlin suddenly smiled mischievously and said, "If you don't let go soon, your female companion might get angry."

Zhou Ming instinctively turned to see Su Han hurrying down the stairs. Feeling guilty, Zhou Ming quickly released his hand. When he turned back, he saw Caitlin's sly smile, realizing she had said it on purpose. But why? He had only just shaken hands with her, and it wasn't as if he was clinging to her hand.

Soon, Zhou Ming understood. Perhaps this proud Austrian girl was dissatisfied with losing the debate and was intentionally playing a prank to amuse herself.

Zhou Ming shrugged helplessly. After all, he couldn't really argue with this doll-like girl.

"Well, I'm leaving. Meeting you here today is my greatest fortune," Caitlin said earnestly. "But I believe that with your talent and vision, Mr. Zhou Ming, you shouldn't be confined to this closed-off country. The real tycoons are not bound by nationality. The whole world is their stage, and you are no exception."

Zhou Ming nodded and thanked her, "Thank you. One day, I will step outside the country, but not now."

"Really? Then I'll be looking forward to seeing your news. But I warn you not to let me surpass you. I have a substantial fortune too!" Caitlin said with a parting remark before bidding farewell and leaving with the middle-aged woman and the black female bodyguard.

After Caitlin left, Su Han came down the stairs to Zhou Ming's side and asked, "Zhou Ming, how are you? What did she say to you?"

Zhou Ming shook his head, "Nothing much. She just issued another challenge."

Zhou Ming said this seriously. While others might take Caitlin's parting words as a joke, Zhou Ming saw a hint of determination in her sapphire-like eyes. He wasn't sure why she was so determined. Was it because she was unwilling to accept defeat in the debate? Or was it her pride that wouldn't allow her to make a joke?

But no matter what, this challenge had to be accepted. Zhou Ming, as a reborn person, didn't want to lose to a foreign girl.

When Zhou Ming came back to his senses, he found that the podium was now surrounded by Yan University students, all excitedly looking at him. They were waving their arms and cheering for him as if he had just saved the world.

"You were amazing! You made that foreign girl flee! You're my idol!"

"Exactly! That foreign girl thought she was invincible just because she won a few rounds. Now she's been persuaded. We need to educate her. Our Yan University is not a place where just anyone can come and act superior!"

"Which department are you from? Your speech just now was brilliant and stirring. It made me want to clap for you!"

The enthusiasm of these Yan University students was overwhelming. Their collective voices made Zhou Ming's head spin. He had no choice but to say, "Everyone, calm down. Who I am doesn't matter. Winning against the foreign girl doesn't matter either. What's important is ourselves. Our enemy is always ourselves. As long as we keep working hard and improving ourselves, one day we will stand at the pinnacle of the world!"

Zhou Ming's words stirred everyone's emotions again. They all raised their arms and shouted, "Yes!"

Taking advantage of this moment, Zhou Ming quickly said, "You all keep working hard. I have something else to attend to," and then he grabbed Su Han's hand and left the podium classroom. However, the already fervent Yan University students clearly weren't going to let him go easily. As Zhou Ming tried to leave, they chased after him as if they were abandoned children.

As if things weren't already chaotic enough, as Zhou Ming ran out of the podium classroom, a group of Yan University female students appeared outside. They shouted, "It's him! He hasn't finished his story about Weiming Lake. We can't let him leave!"

Before Zhou Ming could react, voices from behind shouted, "Yes, don't let him go! His eloquence and knowledge are impressive. If he joins the debate club, he could lead it to international glory!"

The shouts from both sides left Zhou Ming bewildered. Were students really this fanatical?

At this moment, Zhou Ming really wanted to shout at them: "Don't be like this. I'm not a celebrity. You shouldn't worship me like this. Even if you do, it won't give you eternal life!"

But in the end, Zhou Ming didn't shout it out. After all, these were his fans, even if they had just become fans. As their idol, it wouldn't be right to hurt their feelings.

So, to keep everyone happy, Zhou Ming decided to endure.

Thinking this, Zhou Ming took Su Han's hand and ran away, with the Yan University fans chasing after him.

Little did they know, this scene was being watched by two pairs of eyes.

Inside the embassy car, the middle-aged woman said, "Your Highness, the young people in this country seem very passionate. Just a debate has made them so fervent about Zhou Ming."

Caitlin sat quietly, her blue eyes watching Zhou Ming's retreating figure until it disappeared from view. She then said, "What young people or nation isn't passionate? I am too. Zhou Ming is indeed charming, and his eloquence and knowledge are impeccable. If I were them, I think I would also be fascinated by him."

"But you're not, Your Highness," the middle-aged woman reminded her with some displeasure.

"I'm certainly not. You don't need to remind me. Just do your job and don't overstep," Caitlin said coldly, then leaned back in her seat and ordered the black female driver, "Drive."

The black female driver expertly started the car and left the Yan University campus.