Chapter 330: Heroine Kong Xiaolin

"Mr. Kong, you should drive yourself back. You really shouldn't come with us. We guarantee that all the female colleagues will be safely sent home!" 

At the entrance of Nanjing Nightclub, all the nightclub employees formed a circle, with Kong Xiaolin, the nightclub's general manager, in the center. This situation arose because Kong Xiaolin wanted to accompany them to ensure their safety on the way home.

Facing the anxious gaze of her employees, Kong Xiaolin smiled and asked, "Should I drive myself while letting my employees return home under the threat of thugs? Maybe we'll even have to fight those criminals along the way. Do you think I, Kong Xiaolin, am that kind of person?"

"Ms. Kong, you are definitely not that kind of person," said Long Manager of the security department. "We all respect you, but precisely because of this, we can't let you take risks with us! Those people are unreasonable, and they might be targeting you specifically. If something happens to you, we would feel guilty."

"Manager Long is right. Ms. Kong, you should go back in your car. It's safer that way," Wei Manager added. "Besides, we have already called the police. As long as Director Zhao captures those bad guys, we will be safe. Nothing will happen."

The two managers' words were unanimously supported by the other employees. "Yes, Ms. Kong, just drive back. We can take care of ourselves."

Kong Xiaolin raised her hand to quiet everyone and said, "I remember this morning's meeting when everyone said that Nanjing Nightclub is like a big family. I am the head of this family, and you are all my family members. Now that my family is being threatened, how can I, as the head of the family, hide away and leave my family to face the danger alone? What right do I have to be this head of the family?"

"Indeed, we have reported the situation to the police, and I believe the officers will handle it. But today, you are all still in danger. Even though I am just a woman, I am your leader. Whether as a family head or a leader, I have the obligation and responsibility to ensure your safe return home!" Kong Xiaolin said.

Her words left everyone silent, their eyes filled with admiration.

"Manager Long."

Kong Xiaolin called out, and Long Manager, who had regained his military demeanor, straightened up and responded. Kong Xiaolin smiled and said, "Manager Long, just focus on organizing the security team. I will take care of myself."

"Understood. I will ensure your safety, Ms. Kong. As long as I can stand, I won't let anyone touch you!" Long Manager vowed.

Kong Xiaolin opened her mouth to say it wasn't necessary but seeing Long Manager's determined gaze, she refrained and simply said, "Let's go," leading the team to depart.

The employees of Nanjing Nightclub had their meals and accommodation provided, so while they said they were going home, they were actually heading to their dormitories.

In this era, Nanjing was not the economic giant of the future, and prices and real estate were not as outrageous as later. Nonetheless, no business would provide secure accommodations in the city center, and Nanjing Nightclub was no exception. The employees' dorms were located in a few apartment blocks on the outskirts of the commercial area.

The group passed through two streets without encountering any problems. Just as they thought they would get through the night without issues, they came across a group of people blocking their path on a secluded road. Those who had fought the night before immediately recognized them: "That's them!"

Kong Xiaolin acknowledged with a nod and stepped out of the group, shouting towards the group, "Who are you? Why are you threatening our Nanjing Nightclub employees? Who instructed you to do this? And why are you blocking our way tonight?"

Kong Xiaolin's question was intended to seize the initiative, but she received an unexpected answer.

As her words fell, a person emerged from the group, making everything clear at once. It was none other than Tao Guoling.

"Unrelenting," Kong Xiaolin sneered, "Tao Guoling, you actually resort to such despicable methods."

"Ms. Kong, you're exaggerating. I just wanted to have a chat about life's ideals with your employees," he replied with a hint of mockery. "But I see that the nightclub's little rascals have all banded together. It seems Ms. Kong is leading them. So, after being beaten yesterday, are you trying to get revenge today? Are you all out of your minds to listen to this harlot's nonsense?"

"Talking nonsense is your role, you dog scum!" Long Manager cursed.

"Is someone speaking up? Did that harlot have you under her control? Don't be so protective of her; she's just a whore who can be used by anyone. Don't take her too seriously," Tao Guoling said.

"Fuck your father! I'm going to kill you!" Long Manager shouted as he moved to charge, but Kong Xiaolin grabbed him. "Don't act impulsively. Protect the female colleagues and get them home safely."

"But Ms. Kong, that Tao Guoling is insulting you…" Long Manager began to protest but was cut short when he saw Kong Xiaolin's resolute eyes. He realized that acting impulsively would only be an insult to her.

"I understand, Ms. Kong. I will make this scum pay for his actions!" Long Manager said.

Tao Guoling, unaware of what was happening, saw the group that had stopped now starting to advance towards him. Scared, he took a step back but quickly thought it was too embarrassing to be frightened. He turned to his thugs and said, "Attack! Beat them up, and I'll give each of you a hundred bucks!"

At Tao Guoling's command, his thugs became excited. Money was a powerful motivator, and they charged at Kong Xiaolin and the others with fierce yells.

"Ms. Kong, move to the middle of the group," Long Manager urged.

This time, Kong Xiaolin didn't stubbornly stay at the front. She moved to the middle of the group, knowing that despite her determination, she was still a woman. Standing at the front would only make Long Manager and his security team distracted and less effective. It was better for her to be where she should be.

Seeing Kong Xiaolin's decision, Long Manager was relieved. He turned to his security team and said, "Brothers, we're all veterans. Even though we've taken off our uniforms, our mission to protect our home hasn't changed. Our home is behind us, and the scum in front want to harm it. Shouldn't we fight them to the end?"

"Yes!" the security team shouted in unison.

"Good, let's show these worthless scum what we're capable of and avenge last night's events!" Long Manager roared, charging forward and landing a punch on one of the attackers, knocking him to the ground. As Long Manager took the lead, the other security personnel also joined the fight, using their hands and feet to counter the incoming thugs.

The difference between the retired soldiers and the street thugs became evident. The thugs, wild and uncoordinated, flailed their arms and attacked randomly. In contrast, the veterans formed teams, advancing and retreating in an orderly fashion, targeting vital areas.

Despite Tao Guoling organizing dozens of thugs with money, they were like waves crashing against rocks. They were quickly scattered. The attackers either fell to the ground, moaning, or fled in fear. Seeing their companions being beaten, the remaining thugs were too scared to advance.

Long Manager, sharp-eyed, spotted Tao Guoling among the attackers, who now looked stunned and lost his previous arrogance.

Clearly, Tao Guoling was all talk. Long Manager looked back at Kong Xiaolin, who remained steadfast, her expression and posture unchanged. In that moment, Long Manager felt Kong Xiaolin resembled a heroine from ancient times, equal to any man.

However, Long Manager quickly refocused, knowing the fight was still ongoing. He moved quickly, grabbing Tao Guoling and dragging him to Kong Xiaolin. The thugs watched in stunned silence.

"What are you staring at? If you don't want to get beaten, get lost now!" Long Manager roared at the thugs, who finally snapped out of their daze and fled in fear.

Ignoring the fleeing thugs, Long Manager dragged Tao Guoling, like a chicken, to Kong Xiaolin. "Ms. Kong, this is the troublemaker. What should we do?"

Before Kong Xiaolin could respond, Tao Guoling spoke, "Kong Xiaolin, you whore—"

As soon as Tao Guoling uttered these words, Long Manager slapped him hard. "Keep your mouth clean! Kneel and apologize to Ms. Kong!"

Long Manager then kicked Tao Guoling behind the knees, forcing him to kneel in front of Kong Xiaolin. Instead of apologizing, Tao Guoling glared at Kong Xiaolin with hatred and said, "I accept my defeat today, but you whore better watch out. One day, I'll make you kneel before me and sing the national anthem!"

"Don't you ever learn, huh?" Long Manager raised his hand to hit Tao Guoling again, but Kong Xiaolin waved him off. "Let him go. We are civilized people. We can't really beat him to death or severely injure him. I believe after today, these thugs won't trouble us again."

Long Manager nodded and let Tao Guoling go. However, Kong Xiaolin couldn't have anticipated that, after tonight, Tao Guoling would resort to even more malicious tactics.