Chapter 254: We Are Impulsive Youth

"Consultant Zhou, are you really going to do this?" Cao Jianning asked Zhou Ming at the entrance of the Nanjiang nightclub, still feeling uneasy.

Zhou Ming didn't answer directly but instead smiled and asked in return, "Mr. Cao, are you planning to give up now?"

"Of course not," Cao Jianning replied. "It's just that this plan of yours is quite risky. If by any chance you miscalculate or if something goes wrong, the result could be entirely different."

"Mr. Cao, your concern is valid. However, aside from this method, I can't think of any other way to resolve this immediately. We can only choose to wait. Perhaps we can lay low for a year or two, and once the central government starts taking action, we might have hope," Zhou Ming said. "I don't know what you think, but Du Peng and I can't accept it. For young people like us, we don't like holding grudges. We usually take action immediately if we're wronged. We prefer to act swiftly and decisively. Being timid and submissive isn't our style."

Zhou Ming then looked directly at Cao Jianning and asked, "Mr. Cao, what do you think?"

Faced with Zhou Ming's intense gaze, Cao Jianning felt like he was being cornered. He could only reply, "I'm certainly not a coward. Even if I'm the eldest brother in the family, I need to fight for my dignity!"

"That's the spirit!" Zhou Ming said with a smile. "Mr. Cao, we're all in our twenties or thirties, the prime of our lives. We don't need to concern ourselves with moderation or temporary peace. We should be like mountain-cutting warriors, smashing through obstacles and confronting our enemies head-on. That's what victory feels like!"

Despite Zhou Ming's efforts to control his emotions, his words still stirred Cao Jianning's passion. He clenched his fists and said, "Consultant Zhou, you're right. We're young and in our prime. We didn't dare do many things when we were in our twenties, but now we've reached this point. We need to go all out!"

"Exactly," Zhou Ming said. "Remember how Marshal Cao was so dominant on the battlefield, despising all reactionaries? No schemes could escape him. Mr. Cao, you're his son, and you should inherit his spirit!"

"Of course!"

After saying this, Cao Jianning turned and left. As he got into his car, he reflected on Zhou Ming's words. Each phrase was still so fiery.

He shook his head in resignation and muttered, "No wonder he could persuade so many investors on the brink of collapse during the stock market crash. His words are indeed very stirring."

Cao Jianning had once thought he was very good at controlling his emotions, but Zhou Ming's words had rekindled his youthful passion.

What impressed Cao Jianning even more was that even though Zhou Ming had seen through his little schemes and understood the current situation in the Cao family, he still dared to help him and risk things Cao Jianning himself wouldn't dare.

Reflecting on how Zhou Ming had initially seemed crazy, but then his analysis seemed accurate, Cao Jianning realized he had agreed to his plan. Zhou Ming's passionate speech at the door had made him decide without hesitation, even though it felt like he had been dragged into battle by Zhou Ming.

But… who doesn't want to act impulsively and follow someone like Zhou Ming?

Cao Jianning silently gave Zhou Ming the evaluation that he was indeed a person with the aura of a king.

…

Meanwhile, at the nightclub entrance, Zhou Ming and Du Peng watched as Cao Jianning's luxury car drove away. Du Peng asked Zhou Ming, "Do you think Cao Jianning really dares to do this? He seems like a bit of a coward to me."

"Don't worry, he's got no way out," Zhou Ming replied. "Of course, he could choose to back down. But if he does, once we take action, he'll only look even more cowardly and will end up with nothing. So, he might as well gamble with us and strive for a brilliant future."

"Indeed. If we fail, no one will help him. If we succeed, he'll miss out on the resources of the Cao family due to his cowardice. Either way, he's at a loss," Du Peng laughed. "Zhou Ming, it seems like you've really taken him hostage!"

"If we've taken him hostage, so be it," Zhou Ming said with a shrug. "There's no other way. He started scheming against us first, trying to drag us down. If he had just spoken directly, it would have been different. But instead, he schemed, and now his men came to our nightclub and caused trouble, acting so arrogantly. If I don't repay him in kind, that would be truly unfair."

"That's true. But this matter is too big and complicated. It's only reasonable for him to be cautious," Du Peng said.

"Only you, Du Shao, unconditionally trust me. Thanks," Zhou Ming said.

Du Peng exaggeratedly shivered and said, "Zhou Ming, don't be so cheesy. I'm a man too! Besides, can I admit that I actually want to see you fail once?"

Zhou Ming laughed and replied, "Of course you can," and then he and Du Peng walked back into the nightclub. They saw Kong Xiaolin and Gu Ping waiting in the lobby. Zhou Ming had forgotten about Gu Ping amidst the chaos with the Cao family.

Zhou Ming walked over and, before Gu Ping could speak, said, "It's nothing. Just some troublemakers. Don't worry about it. Our investment in the rural industrial park is confirmed and won't be affected. You should take these bosses back to Lingyang and finalize things. I have some personal matters to handle here."

"Understood, Boss Zhou," Gu Ping nodded. He no longer carried himself with the airs of a county secretary and seemed more like Zhou Ming's subordinate.

Since Gu Ping was like this, Zhou Ming accepted it with ease and said, "Alright, Secretary Gu, you can go back now. I might have some more things to handle."

Gu Ping nodded repeatedly and then left the nightclub with his secretary.

After seeing Gu Ping off, Zhou Ming took Kong Xiaolin aside and said, "Manager Kong, to be honest, today's matter is quite tricky and may involve some big powers."

Kong Xiaolin looked at Zhou Ming in surprise. Zhou Ming continued, "There will be issues, but we won't have any problems. However, you should be extra cautious at the nightclub these days. Try not to cause any trouble. If you encounter something you can't handle, you can close the nightclub. Remember, protecting yourself is the most important because you are my most important general manager!"

Zhou Ming's words made Kong Xiaolin's eyes well up with tears. Although the sentiment was brief, it deeply moved her, making her heart melt. At that moment, Kong Xiaolin felt she could see Zhou Ming's true heart, that he truly regarded her as someone very close.

Feeling this way, Kong Xiaolin nodded heavily and said, "Alright, Boss Zhou. I understand. I'll be extra careful these days."

Zhou Ming nodded, hugged Kong Xiaolin, and then said, "But Xiaolin, only you should know about this. Don't tell anyone else. Just manage the nightclub as usual and keep a good balance."

"Boss Zhou, don't worry. I know how to handle it," Kong Xiaolin assured.

Just as Zhou Ming was about to say something more, Du Peng came over with his pager.

"It's a message from Tao Guoling. He already knows about our meeting with Cao Jianning," Du Peng said.

Zhou Ming took the pager, glanced at it, and saw the message: "Du Shao, Consultant Zhou, don't think of playing any tricks. If you don't listen to your elders, you might get spanked!"

Reading the message, Zhou Ming laughed out loud, "Looks like our Tao Ge really sees himself as an elder teaching us a lesson."

Du Peng spat and said, "What's he even worth? His father is just a military district chief. My grandfather is the head of state! If it comes down to a confrontation, who's afraid of whom? What's he even acting tough for?"

Zhou Ming patted Du Peng on the shoulder and said, "Alright, don't be so hot-headed. Even though we were so passionate in front of Cao Jianning, don't actually act like a fool. We're not really the kind of impulsive youth who act recklessly."

Du Peng scratched his head awkwardly. Before meeting Cao Jianning, Zhou Ming had instructed him to appear as a passionate youth if asked about the reason. Despite this, Du Peng found himself nearly caught up in the excitement.

Zhou Ming's actions, although appearing impulsive, were actually well-considered decisions, just like the real estate investments and the stock market. No matter how absurd it seemed, Zhou Ming's decisions were always calculated.

"What should we do about Tao Guoling's message?" Du Peng asked, pointing at the pager.

"That fool won't be around much longer. Just ignore him," Zhou Ming said.