Chapter 394: He is a Legend

The 21st is the second day after the Lantern Festival. According to traditional customs, the Lunar New Year is only considered to have officially ended after the Lantern Festival, so this day is also the first day after the Spring Festival.

The train station in Linyang was crowded with people inside and out. As a train pulled into the platform, several young people dressed in heavy coats disembarked. A young girl was the first to step off the train. Seeing the sign with "Linyang Station" in big letters, she let out a sigh of relief. "Finally arrived in Linyang."

Beside her stood a slightly older woman who echoed her sentiments.

Behind them were male colleagues carrying luggage. One of them approached the two women and said, "Pang Jie, Tao Tao Jie, we should find a place to stay first. With so much stuff, it's going to be difficult to start working otherwise!"

The speaker, who appeared to be in his early twenties, had a CCTV press card in his chest pocket, indicating his identity.

The two women he was referring to were CCTV hosts Fang Ping and Zhou Tao. Thanks to Zhou Ming's recommendation in Yanjing and their own efforts, they had become highly reputed potential stars at the station. They were even considered for hosting the Spring Festival Gala. With these two future stars of CCTV here, it was clear they were on an important assignment in Linyang.

Zhou Tao turned back and glared at the young man. "Are you leading the team or are Ping Jie and I? Can't we do interviews at the station? Can't we interview these travelers? The changes in Linyang aren't just about interviewing specific people. As CCTV reporters, we should uncover some subtle details and expand on them."

"And," Zhou Tao continued, "what's wrong with the luggage? Are you saying you can't handle this little hardship? If that's the case, you might as well return to Yanjing."

Faced with Zhou Tao's reprimand, the young intern instinctively shrank back, hurriedly apologizing, "Sorry, Tao Tao Jie. I misspoke. I'll follow your and Ping Jie's arrangements."

Hearing this, Zhou Tao lifted her chin in a haughty manner, causing Fang Ping beside her to shake her head inwardly. Though the intern referred to Zhou Tao as "Tao Tao Jie," she was actually the youngest among all the participants. However, due to her early internship at CCTV and current prominence, other interns had no choice but to address her this way.

Yet, Fang Ping understood Zhou Tao's excitement. The reason for Zhou Tao's presence in Linyang was undoubtedly because of the man she admired.

As they exited the station and stood at the exit, they were stunned by the sight of the dense crowd outside.

"This is Linyang? I remember coming here for a task last year. There weren't this many people then. How come there are so many now? It's almost as crowded as Nanjiang and the capital."

The young intern muttered, to which Zhou Tao replied, "Shouldn't this be expected? The rural industrial park here is unique nationwide. Recently, Old Yang stayed here and gave a very instructive speech. If it wasn't developing, it would be strange not to have so many talents here."

"Yeah! I don't know why Old Yang has such a special affection for Linyang, staying a night in that rural industrial park. That treatment is truly excellent."

The intern pouted, unaware that his comment ignited Zhou Tao's anger.

Zhou Tao scolded him directly, "As a reporter, you should be objective. What's with your baseless speculations? Are you trying to subvert something intentionally? Or are you preparing to write a special piece on Old Yang's southern tour?"

The intern jumped up in panic, quickly shaking his head, "Tao Tao Jie, I didn't think that at all. I definitely didn't!"

Zhou Tao responded, "Whether you did or not, only you know. I wouldn't know."

The intern had no choice but to seek help from Fang Ping, hoping she would intervene. However, Fang Ping also told him, "As a CCTV reporter, your remarks are indeed inappropriate."

The intern was stunned, and Fang Ping smiled as she explained, "We are not just ordinary reporters. We are CCTV reporters. What we say reflects our organization, not just ourselves. Therefore, we must not make arbitrary comments about anyone. If you want to understand Zhou Ming, as Tao Tao said, you should interview the people around him. That's how you'll learn."

With Fang Ping's support, Zhou Tao immediately directed the intern, "Go over there and interview that worker."

Reluctantly, the intern followed the directive and approached a worker, "Hello, I'm a CCTV reporter doing an interview. May I ask if you're from Linyang? Why are you carrying such a heavy load? Where are you heading?"

"I'm not from Linyang. I'm from Chuxi. I was working in Nanjiang before the New Year," the worker replied.

"Oh? Are you changing trains in Linyang and heading to Nanjiang?" the intern asked.

"I'm not going to Nanjiang," the worker said. When asked why, he replied, "Of course, Linyang is better! I've heard about it. They've set up a huge industrial park here, attracting many big enterprises from Nanjiang to invest and build factories. The wages and future development prospects here are much better, plus it's closer to home, which is reassuring."

The intern pondered and asked, "Do you trust the development here because of Old Yang's inspection?"

"Of course. How could a place praised by national leaders be bad?" the worker said. "But that's not the only reason. My brother works in the industrial park, and he invited me to come last year. I didn't believe him at first, but now I regret not coming sooner."

"Why do you think so?" the intern asked.

"Look at how many people there are. If they're all coming to work in the industrial park, what about the rest?" the worker replied.

The intern was a bit surprised, but not convinced. He then interviewed another person with similar questions and got a direct answer.

"I'm from Linyang. When you mention the Nanhui Rural Industrial Park and Zhou Ming, they're our pride! We should all give a thumbs up! Linyang was just an ordinary city. Although we were established early, we were still quite poor. People had to go out to work, and many women had to marry outside. But since Zhou Ming came and developed the industrial park and highways, our development has improved so much. Just look at all these people coming here!"

After interviewing several people, all gave high praise for Zhou Ming and the rural industrial park.

Finally, he returned to Zhou Tao, dejected. Zhou Tao did not scold him this time but said, "Zhou Ming is such a charismatic person who creates miracles."

The intern looked up at Zhou Tao, ready to ask something, when they heard a commotion from the station's entrance. They instinctively looked over and soon realized the noise had turned into enthusiastic cheers.

As the cheering waves hit their faces, they clearly heard the cheers: "Zhou Ming!"

Everyone was stunned. No one expected that the person they were talking about would actually arrive, and it was even more surprising to see the overwhelming cheers reserved for a national leader. To think that a businessman like Zhou Ming could receive such treatment was unbelievable!

Compared to Fang Ping and the intern, Zhou Tao was exceptionally excited. She clenched her small fists and stood on tiptoe, trying hard to see, her eyes filled with surprise and excitement.

The intern, wanting to ask what was going on, saw Zhou Tao's starry-eyed expression and was left in shock.

He had known Zhou Tao for a while. Although she was young, she was well-regarded in handling affairs and had caught the attention of CCTV leaders. Many newcomers at CCTV looked up to her.

Yet, seeing such a poised future star now displaying such a girlish admiration for Zhou Ming was astonishing.

Did Tao Tao also idolize Zhou Ming like everyone else?

The intern's confusion was soon resolved as the cheering grew louder and the crowd parted, revealing a young man escorted by several police officers walking toward the station.

Oh my god! Is that Zhou Ming? How can he be so young? He looks like he's not even twenty-five. How did he manage to create a rural industrial park, fund highways, and earn the recognition of the highest national leaders, even getting to stay here during the southern tour?

And despite being surrounded by so many people, he showed no sign of arrogance. He maintained a calm demeanor with a faint smile, exuding an incredible charm!

With such thoughts, he joined the crowd in shouting, "Zhou Ming!"

In that moment, he had only one thought left in his mind: This Zhou Ming is definitely a legend!

Zhou Ming, unaware of the impact of his appearance, had just made a former favorite CCTV host's depression dissipate.