Chapter 153 - Elder Shi's Regrets

At the KSS headquarters, the receptionist called, Ah Hai's office,"Miss Yang,Elder Shi is here for his meeting with CEO Knight." Thanking the receptionist,Yang Mei called Ah Hai ans informing of the same,took the elevator downwards to escort the man upstairs. Elder Shi had only just emtered the reception when he saw Yang Mei exit from the elevators. His mouth twitched wanting to greet her but her face was as cold and expressionless as ever. Though he was an old man,he was healthy and walked with the help of only a walking stick.

Once Elder Shi was escorted into the office,Ah Hai ordered Yang Mei to not disturn them. Welcoming the man with a customary nod,Ah Hai waited for Elder Shi to open the conversation,which he did. Elder Shi,leaned back in his chair even as one of his forearms rested on his walking stick. "Mr Long Ah Hai. You are the only Long brother I had yet to meet. And I must say,each of exceed in arrogance that the other. The least you can do is offer a drink. I am your gra..I mean your senior in business."

Elder Shi had been about to say grandfather in law but stopped himself at the last moment. He had been too excited and was about to make a mistake. The official purpose for his visit here was to talk business but that could have been handled by any executive. There had been no need for himself to come. He actually wanted to discuss Shi Xaio Ai with the man. He had seen for himself how protective Ah Hai was of the girl on the night of the auction. Ah Hai gave no reply but getting up from his chair,he went to a small table in the corner and poured a cup of tea.Placing the cup in front of Elder Shi respectfully, "I can only offer you tea since I don't drink or serve alcohol...grandfather in law."

A big smile spread across Elder Shi's face as he received Ah Hai's acknowledgement."So you do know. I wondered if you knew.Good good. Then I would like to meet my grand daughter.."

As Ah Hai sat across the older man,henshook his head,denying him."I am sorry but Shi Ai is not yet ready to meet you or accept you. Seeing her at this time will only lead to more hurt."

It was like the light had disappeared from Elder Shi. His eyes closed for a moment as he murmured,"I failed to cherish my daughter. This is the punishment I get.  Both my grand daughters hate me."

In an emotional state,Elder Shi had slipped up and failed to notice his mistake but Ah Hai caught on and his eyes narrowed. He had his doubts on the night of the auction when Elder Shi had not reacted to Xiao Ai much bit now it was confirmed. Shi Qinglan had believed the younger Shi daughter to be dead and so he had been shocked but Elder Shi did not have much of a reaction. He had known that Xaio Ai was alive. And there was only one person who knew this truth and that was the older Shi daughter. This single comment was enough to show Ah Hai that his hunch was right and Xaio Ai's elder sister was under this man's protection. Soon he would reach Shi Ai also but for now..

"Elder Shi, Xaio Ai does not hate you but she has only discovered that she has biological family here in Country A and that of the two living people in the family,one is a man who is responsible for the devastation of her family and the other who could have prevented it if only he could be bothered. So it would be better to give her some time to forgive you."

The elder agreed hisbhead and having taken the time to compose himself,he asked,"So you also know about Shi Qinglan. I am glad. I was a fool to have believed in him. When he told me to break off all ties with Shi Qing to teach her a lesson,I listened to him. He said he kept an eye on her and that she was well and I believed him. I was angry at my daughter. First for marrying someone unworthy of her and then later I was ashamed to apologize to her. I consoled myself that at least she was happy. I wish I had only checked for my self instead of trusting that snake. I would have handed him everything on a silver platter if only he had spared my child. And like a fool I kept on believing in Shi Qinglan even when he told me that my daughter's family had perished in that accidental fire.It was only later.." Elder Shi seemed to realize that he had almost said too much and shaking his head,decided to question Ah Hai,"But how do you know about Shi Qinglan? Xaio Ai would have been too small to even remember him and what he had done."

Ah Hai had no intention of telling the old man too much and simply said,"I have my ways. So tell me Elder Shi,why have you not yet handled the snake yet?"

Elder Shi's hands clenched on his stick as he said,"It is my fault. Losing my Shi Qing,first to her marriage and then death,I had been living in a haze for many years and during this time,Shi Winglan had used insidious ways to snatch power. Those who were with me for gains shifter their loyalties and those who would have stayed by me were blackmailed or threatened to turn over to the other side. By the time I realized Shi Qinglan's truth,I was a only a head in name. It has taken me so many years to gain back and win over the internal struggle. You or rather your company is my last step in over turning Shi Qinglan's power. Since you have found about Qinglan then you must know that he is using the hospitals for many unlawful purposes. If you are to train the security there and take over this aspect then there is naturally going to be a decrease in the number of frauds and illegal activities he can do. Once the source of his money is curtailed, I can try to suppress him. Tell me,will you agree?"

Ah Hai,once again chose to remain silent. Finally after a while he looked at the old man and said,"Of course I will agree. But I think Elder Shi, you should,for now,back out from this struggle. Shi Qinglan's fall is very near and it will be brought about by your grand daughter. Maybe then she will find it in her heart to forgive you.

Elder Shi thought to himself,"Both my grand daughters are stubborn and strong. Just like their mother and grandmother.  He had waited all his life to hear Shi Ai to call him grandfather so he could wait some more. He only hoped he survived until that day. And there was no way he was backing out of this fight but he decided he would let the girls get their revenge first and intervene, should they need help. There was no need for his precious girls to dirty their hands.

Sipping his tea, Elder Shi wondered if he should bring up the other matter that he was worried about. But he asked anyway,not for him self bit to pacify Yang Mei. "Mr Long.. how old are you?"

Ah Hai was amused at the question,he knew where this conversation was going but answered anyway,"I am 32 years."

"And Xaio Ai is 23 years.Mr Long, don't you think the age difference between the two of you is too much? I mean,I know that you married her to save her since you believed that she was an orphan but now you know that she has family so you do not need to feel burdened."

This statement caused the atmosphere to drop to sub zero temperatures and a smile so cold graced Ah Hai's face that Elder Shi almost forgot to breathe. He had never met such a formidable man in his life."Elder Shi. I am the only family Shi Ai has or needs. And remember this your investigators have only found what I allowed them to find. Xaio has belonged to me for more than a decade. Anyone who tries to take her away from me will find themselves at hell's door."

Elder Shi nodded mutely but inside he was worried beyond sickness. Yang Mei was bent on 'protecting' her sister from this man but if she succeeded then no one would be able to protect her. He needed to convince Yang Mei to discard her plans and show her true self.