Chapter 121: Whose Stockings, Whose Legs

In the morning, Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing were having breakfast in the room at the Victoria Hotel. Due to the Peninsula Hotel's rules on limited stay in luxury sea view rooms, Zhou Ming only stayed there for one day before moving to this hotel to stay with Lin Muqing. Of course, when it was said they were staying together, it just meant they were in adjacent rooms. Usually, Lin Muqing got up earlier than Zhou Ming, so she would order breakfast for him and bring it over.

As Zhou Ming drank his soy milk, Lin Muqing peeled a tea egg for him. Seeing the tea egg in her hands, Zhou Ming suddenly remembered a show from later years in Taiwan where they joked about how people in mainland China were so poor that they couldn't afford tea eggs, which led to a collective mockery that tea eggs were a luxury symbol. He couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What are you laughing at?" Lin Muqing asked curiously.

Zhou Ming shook his head, "Nothing, I just thought you looked beautiful peeling that tea egg, Sister Muqing."

"You're so annoying!" Lin Muqing rolled her eyes at him. Despite Lin Muqing being quite forward in hugging Zhou Ming at Hong Kong University and not wanting to let go, that was under the influence of her emotions. Once that enthusiasm faded, she reverted to her usual elegant and aloof demeanor.

Of course, that day wasn't without gains. At least compared to the past, Zhou Ming could clearly feel that Lin Muqing's heart was closer to his.

Lin Muqing handed the peeled tea egg to Zhou Ming. He picked it up and asked her seriously, "Sister Muqing, do you think this little tea egg might become a nationwide hit in the future, even becoming a symbol of wealth and status?"

The question made Lin Muqing laugh, "A tea egg only costs one yuan; how could it be a symbol of wealth and status?"

However, Lin Muqing seemed to think of something and asked, "Did you come up with a good idea?"

"No, it's just that the tea egg is so ordinary and not complex to make. How could there be a good idea? I just thought that even though the tea egg is inherently simple, something might happen in the future that could make people jokingly refer to it as something for the wealthy." Zhou Ming replied.

Lin Muqing was a bit puzzled and didn't quite understand what Zhou Ming was talking about. Zhou Ming didn't explain further and simply ate the tea egg.

"Mr. Zhou."

Suddenly, a familiar voice came from outside the door. Lin Muqing immediately stood up to open it, pulling in a woman with a ponytail and business attire, looking very professional and cheerful. She was Shen Xin, the chief reporter for Hong Kong Financial News.

"Xin Xin, you're here. Do you have any good news?" Lin Muqing said excitedly as she pulled Shen Xin over to sit down.

Shen Xin nodded, "Sister Muqing, I brought you the latest issue of the Financial Weekly and other financial newspapers. There's also the report I wrote about Mr. Zhou. Mr. Zhou, take a look."

As she spoke, Shen Xin took out newspapers and magazines from her bag and handed them to Zhou Ming and Lin Muqing.

Seeing the pile of materials, Zhou Ming was a bit surprised, "Really, so many?"

"Of course, Mr. Zhou, your speech yesterday was brilliant! All the media had to report on it. If any didn't, it means there's something wrong with their information!" Shen Xin said.

That was true. Zhou Ming also recalled the scene when he left the lecture hall at Hong Kong University yesterday. Even though he tried to avoid the media by leaving through a side door, he still encountered a bunch of reporters. They kept asking various questions, including about his relationship with Lin Muqing.

If it had been his first time facing such reporters, Zhou Ming might have been a bit excited and flustered, but now he didn't care much. After all, he'd already been in newspapers and magazines, so it wasn't as novel.

However, just because Zhou Ming didn't feel the novelty didn't mean others didn't. For most people, appearing in newspapers or even on TV was still something to be proud of. Therefore, the other members of the Nanjing delegation, under Luo Han's organization, took on the responsibility of protecting Zhou Ming as he left. If it weren't for their help, Zhou Ming would have had a hard time getting away from those reporters.

Lin Muqing took the magazine with Shen Xin's report and was surprised when she saw it, "Xin Xin, you actually wrote out Zhou Ming's entire speech?"

"Of course! I listened to the recording at home over ten times!" Shen Xin said proudly but then looked a bit disappointed, "But it's a pity that I wasn't there in person to see Mr. Zhou conquer hundreds of students at Hong Kong University. It's such a shame!"

Lin Muqing affectionately put her arm around Shen Xin's shoulders, "It's okay! How about I have this guy give you the speech again face-to-face? But first, you'll need to give him some time to memorize it."

"Memorize?" Shen Xin looked surprised, but Lin Muqing's words weren't entirely a joke. Zhou Ming's speech yesterday was indeed excellent, but it was entirely improvised with no preparation. Even Zhou Ming himself couldn't remember exactly what he had said, let alone repeat it word for word. If he had to recite it again, he would indeed need to memorize it first.

"The Dream Speech at Hong Kong University, the cry of a pioneer in Mainland China's economic revolution? You Hong Kong media are really giving me too much credit," Zhou Ming said, feeling a bit embarrassed. After all, at the time, he wasn't thinking about any of that; he was just trying to figure out how to convince those angry students. But he never expected the media to turn it into a "Dream Speech" linked to economic revolution, which was quite amusing.

While Zhou Ming felt bewildered, Shen Xin found it completely justified, "Mr. Zhou, don't underestimate yourself. Your speech was absolutely epoch-making, moving and profound, deserving to be called the cry for breaking the ice in Mainland China's economy!"

"Alright, anyway, you are the media experts, and I'm just a bumpkin from the Mainland. You can say whatever you like," Zhou Ming said nonchalantly. Then, he stretched lazily and unconsciously lifted his leg, but as soon as he did, it hit a high-heeled shoe.

Since Zhou Ming was in his own room, he was dressed casually in shorts and slippers. When he lifted his leg, somehow, his foot ended up inside that high-heeled shoe.

Zhou Ming froze for a moment. He thought it was just an accident, so he gently put his leg down and placed the high-heeled shoe on the floor. But to his surprise, as soon as he did, a small foot in stockings gently brushed against his. The soft, smooth sensation of the stockings, combined with the tender flesh underneath, sent a shiver through Zhou Ming's entire body like an electric current.

Zhou Ming's whole body stiffened, and his mind went blank: What was going on?

Although Zhou Ming was confused, the small foot in stockings didn't stop. It first caressed his foot lightly with the sole, then curled its toes and playfully tapped on his foot, full of teasing intent.

Zhou Ming gulped hard and glanced at Lin Muqing beside him, because he knew very well that she was wearing a skirt, stockings, and high heels today. She also liked to dress like this and often crossed her legs when sitting, with her toes playing with her shoes. Since she was sitting next to him, it was easy for his leg to accidentally touch her crossed foot.

The most important thing was that Lin Muqing was the only one with whom Zhou Ming had such an ambiguous relationship. Who else could it be?

It seemed that Sister Muqing had strong feelings for him! Even though she pretended to be reserved after getting up today, she was now completely exposed. All he did was accidentally touch her leg, and she started teasing him with her foot.

Since she wanted to play this game, as a man, Zhou Ming couldn't back down at this moment. He decided to go along with it!

With this decision in mind, Zhou Ming's foot moved in response. He curled his toes and lightly scratched the sole of that small foot. Apparently, she hadn't expected him to do that, or perhaps that area was sensitive. She immediately flinched, but only for a moment before placing her foot back on his.

This time, Zhou Ming wasn't going to let this enticing little foot slip away so easily. He gently moved his foot, exploring the sole of her foot, enjoying the smoothness of the stockings and the softness of the skin underneath. The other foot, not to be outdone, continued to touch his foot, and even started sliding up his calf and thigh.

Zhou Ming took a deep breath. He wasn't particularly obsessed with legs or had any unusual desires, but having a woman's foot in stockings caressing his leg like this was indeed pleasurable. Especially with someone else present, engaging in such a flirtatious act under the table added a thrilling psychological stimulation.

Unfortunately, he couldn't reach down and grab that mischievous little foot to play with it properly.

Zhou Ming had once carefully admired Lin Muqing's legs in stockings when she was drunk. They were absolutely perfect—long, slender, yet still full, making them irresistibly attractive.

So, Zhou Ming continued to flirt with the little foot under the table while chatting casually with Shen Xin above. 

So, Zhou Ming continued to flirt with the little foot under the table while chatting casually with Shen Xin above. He couldn't help but be intrigued by the teasing touches, which created a complex mix of pleasure and distraction. As the conversation flowed between Zhou Ming and Shen Xin, Zhou Ming maintained a calm and composed exterior while his attention was divided between Shen Xin's updates and the playful sensations under the table.

The soft, delicate touches of the foot continued, occasionally brushing against his skin and sending tingles through his body. Zhou Ming was keenly aware of the contrast between Shen Xin's professional demeanor and the intimate interaction happening just out of sight.

Shen Xin, oblivious to what was happening under the table, talked animatedly about the latest business trends and financial news, occasionally referencing her article and asking for Zhou Ming's feedback. Zhou Ming responded with enthusiastic nods and comments, all the while trying to suppress the reactions brought on by the unexpected foot play.

Eventually, Shen Xin glanced at her watch and said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Zhou, Ms. Lin, but I have a meeting to attend at the office. I'll have to take my leave now."

"Alright, thank you for coming," Zhou Ming said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Shen Xin stood up, and as she prepared to leave, she gave Zhou Ming a reassuring smile. "Keep up the good work, Mr. Zhou. I'm always here to support you!"

As Shen Xin exited the room, Zhou Ming turned his attention back to Lin Muqing, who had been watching the interaction with mild curiosity. He looked at her and said, "I didn't expect Shen Xin to be so supportive. It's quite reassuring."

Lin Muqing, who had been absorbed in reading the article, looked up and asked, "What do you mean?"

At this realization, Zhou Ming was completely stunned, his mind in chaos. He glanced at the door where Shen Xin had just left and suddenly remembered the words she had said before leaving: "Mr. Zhou, keep up the good work. I will always support you!"

Wait a minute, that's impossible, right? 

Zhou Ming was shaken. Could it be that Shen Xin was the one who had just flirted with him under the table?

But Zhou Ming immediately dismissed this idea. Shen Xin was a very professional woman, known for her strong and independent personality. It was hard to imagine her engaging in such a playful act, especially considering her serious demeanor during the conversation just now. 

However, if it wasn't Shen Xin, then who else could it be? After all, Lin Muqing's legs were clearly out of the equation. So, was it possible that Shen Xin had used her foot to tease him, while acting completely normal on the surface?

As Zhou Ming was pondering this, Lin Muqing suddenly asked, "What are you thinking about?"

Zhou Ming snapped back to reality and quickly replied, "Nothing, just thinking about the article that Shen Xin wrote."

"Oh, that article," Lin Muqing said, not suspecting anything. She looked at the magazine with Shen Xin's article and commented, "She really captured your speech well, didn't she?"

Zhou Ming nodded absentmindedly, still trying to process what had just happened under the table. His mind was racing with possibilities, but no matter how much he thought about it, he couldn't come to a conclusion. 

In the end, Zhou Ming decided to let it go, thinking that perhaps it was just a playful moment that didn't need overthinking. He laughed it off internally, considering it one of those strange yet amusing incidents that life occasionally throws at you.

With that, Zhou Ming pushed the thoughts aside and continued to enjoy the breakfast with Lin Muqing, their conversation drifting to lighter topics as the morning went on.