Chapter 130: Is It Uncomfortable to Lick?

Feeling the almost worshipful gaze from Kong Xiaolin, Zhou Ming felt a bit embarrassed.

Zhou Ming understood why Kong Xiaolin was reacting this way. It was simply because the advanced concepts he had just mentioned were something she had never heard of before. They gave her a refreshing new perspective. Her insight was quite good, and she could naturally see the importance of these concepts in management. Therefore, she was even more shocked by them, much like when she first heard Zhou Ming speak to the bank presidents in Nanjiang.

It's no wonder Kong Xiaolin felt this way. After all, whether it was the brainwashing techniques of multi-level marketing or using the herd mentality to enhance employee collective awareness, these were things that management elites in the future had researched and summarized over many years. Bringing them up suddenly would naturally give people an epiphany.

Of course, these concepts in the future have more appealing names, such as success and motivational studies. But regardless of the name, these theories are ultimately guiding tools that use people's desire for success to first paint a picture of success for them, then through encouragement and guidance, ignite their confidence, making them work hard towards the goals you have set for them.

Given that this set of concepts was so highly praised in the future, it must be very useful. So, when Zhou Ming presented these ideas to Kong Xiaolin before they had even been summarized, even before concepts like multi-level marketing and herd mentality had been introduced domestically, Kong Xiaolin, who was also a highly ambitious woman, naturally revered him.

However, Zhou Ming couldn't explain to her that these concepts would become very ordinary in more than twenty years and that he was merely borrowing ideas summarized by future management masters. After all, the concept of reincarnation is impossible to explain, and no one would believe it even if he told them. Thus, Zhou Ming could only awkwardly acknowledge Kong Xiaolin's admiration.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ming smiled at Kong Xiaolin and said, "Don't make me sound too divine. Essentially, I'm just a capitalist exploiting you. These ideas I've shared are just to better accomplish these tasks."

Kong Xiaolin shook her head firmly, "That's not the case. I don't know how other bosses are, but Boss Zhou, you are definitely a businessman with noble beliefs! Your ideas not only enhance the efficiency of company employees but also purify their souls!"

Zhou Ming was somewhat at a loss. How did he suddenly become a soul engineer? However, Kong Xiaolin's next statement surprised him even more.

Kong Xiaolin said, "If Boss Zhou were really exploiting us, we would still be willing to be exploited by you!"

Well, women are truly steadfast in their admiration.

Zhou Ming had no choice but to lower his head, intending to pick up his teacup to drink, only to find that his cup was empty.

Seeing this, Kong Xiaolin immediately came over and said, "Boss Zhou, let me refill your water."

Zhou Ming didn't want to trouble her, but Kong Xiaolin firmly took the teacup from his hand. Seeing Kong Xiaolin's back as she turned to refill the cup, Zhou Ming could only shrug helplessly.

In fact, having Kong Xiaolin admire him so much has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that she will be unconditionally loyal to him, which is great if she were just an ordinary employee. But the key point is that she is the general manager of the nightclub, who needs to have independent capabilities. This excessive admiration might hinder her ability to perform her role effectively.

Zhou Ming knew Kong Xiaolin was an excellent management talent, but he feared that his strong influence on her might hinder her initiative. After all, he needed a general manager, not a compliant secretary.

With these thoughts, Zhou Ming sighed inwardly, cursing himself for being greedy. He already had such a good general manager, and she was so devoted and loyal to him. How could he still ask for more?

"Boss Zhou, here's your water. Be careful, it's hot."

At this moment, Kong Xiaolin brought over the teacup. Zhou Ming was still lost in thought and didn't hear Kong Xiaolin's reminder. He reached out to take the cup, accidentally touching the hot teacup, which caused him to instinctively jerk his hand away, knocking the cup over and breaking it on the floor.

"Sorry, Boss Zhou. I didn't do well. Did I burn you?" Kong Xiaolin asked anxiously.

"It's okay. It's my fault. I was a bit distracted," Zhou Ming said, glancing at the broken pieces on the floor.

Kong Xiaolin immediately said, "Sorry, Boss Zhou. I'll clean it up."

She squatted down to pick up the broken pieces.

"Forget it. Let the hotel staff handle it," Zhou Ming said, also squatting down to help Kong Xiaolin up. However, as Zhou Ming squatted down, Kong Xiaolin happened to stand up, and when Zhou Ming reached out to pull her hand, he inadvertently cut himself on a shard, causing it to bleed.

"Boss Zhou, I'm sorry. I'm so clumsy," Kong Xiaolin said, hurriedly discarding the shards and taking Zhou Ming's hand, looking regretful. Zhou Ming intended to reassure her, but Kong Xiaolin's next action left him speechless.

Kong Xiaolin hurriedly took Zhou Ming's injured finger into her mouth.

Zhou Ming knew she was trying to help stop the bleeding, but he had never experienced such treatment before, either in this life or his past life. He felt the softness of Kong Xiaolin's lips, and more importantly, her soft little tongue was licking his fingertip. The slick sensation felt like an electric current running through his nerves to his brain, leading him to imagine what it would be like if she were not licking his finger, but another part of his body.

This extremely erotic thought made Zhou Ming swallow unconsciously. Realizing the arousal he was experiencing, Zhou Ming quickly pulled his hand out of Kong Xiaolin's mouth and said, "Xiaolin, you don't need to do this. The bleeding will stop on its own."

Kong Xiaolin saw Zhou Ming suddenly pulling his hand away and asked, "Boss Zhou, is it uncomfortable for you when I lick it?"

Uncomfortable to lick?

Zhou Ming knew Kong Xiaolin wasn't asking deliberately; after all, internet culture was not as prevalent in this era, and her question was just a straightforward one. But to Zhou Ming, who had reincarnated, it had an inappropriate connotation.

Moreover, Zhou Ming also thought Kong Xiaolin didn't know his previous thoughts. If she knew that he had imagined her concern for him as something improper, she might even want to bite his finger off.

"Not at all, Xiaolin, you licked very well. Your tongue is quite dexterous. I'm just not used to this."

Zhou Ming replied, though he found it difficult to face his own words. What was he even saying?

Fortunately, Kong Xiaolin didn't think too much about it. She continued to show concern and said, "Boss Zhou, you're bleeding again. Let me help you hold it for a while longer."

As she spoke, Kong Xiaolin stepped forward and reached out to grab Zhou Ming's hand. Zhou Ming, while saying it was unnecessary, reflexively put his finger back into his own mouth. But unexpectedly, Kong Xiaolin firmly pulled on his hand, causing Zhou Ming to pull her towards him, and Kong Xiaolin's lips accidentally touched Zhou Ming's.

The moment their lips met, both Zhou Ming and Kong Xiaolin froze, looking at each other as if time had stopped, until there was a knock on the meeting room door.

The light knock sounded like thunder to Zhou Ming and Kong Xiaolin, startling them into quickly separating.

"Consultant Zhou, Manager Kong, are you done with the meeting room? May we come in?" the hotel staff asked from outside.

Only then did Zhou Ming remember that due to Kong Xiaolin's concern about the training methods being leaked, they had requested the hotel staff not to enter without permission. Although this request was unusual, the hotel complied because of Zhou Ming's status.

Fortunately, Kong Xiaolin had made these arrangements beforehand. Otherwise, if the staff had walked in and seen the scene, it would have been quite problematic.

Zhou Ming composed himself, and after seeing that Kong Xiaolin had also calmed down, he let the hotel staff in.

Zhou Ming informed the hotel about the broken teacup and asked them to clean up. He also offered to compensate, but the hotel manager waived the compensation, saying a cup was no big deal.

Zhou Ming had no interest in chatting with the hotel manager and took Kong Xiaolin out of the hotel.

Once in the car, Zhou Ming apologetically said to Kong Xiaolin, "Xiaolin, about what happened just now…"

Before he could finish, Kong Xiaolin said, "It was my fault earlier. I was too clumsy and didn't do anything right. I'm sorry."

This surprised Zhou Ming. He didn't expect Kong Xiaolin to apologize. After all, he was the one who took advantage of her. He should have been the one apologizing, not her.

Zhou Ming quickly shook his head and said, "No, Xiaolin, you did nothing wrong. You're very smart. It was my fault. I didn't consider things thoroughly, and you ended up suffering."

Kong Xiaolin shook her head, saying it wasn't the case. It was unclear whether she meant she wasn't at fault or if she still felt she should apologize.

In the end, Kong Xiaolin didn't say more. Instead, she asked with concern, "How is your hand? Is it feeling better?"

Zhou Ming showed her his finger and said, "Look, it's stopped bleeding. I told you I'm fine!"

Kong Xiaolin nodded without saying anything more. Zhou Ming, not knowing what else to say, started the car and took Kong Xiaolin home.