Chapter 165 - A Mirage

While Shi Ai used the washroom,Si Ming sipped his tea and began a conversation with Director Shi. In a rather greasy voice,he continued,"Director Shi, while my assistant is in the washroom why don't we begin your interview. That way we can be closer to our goal."

Shi Qinglan stared at the man before him with a smirk as he leaned back in his chair. "Of course ,Mr. Si. Let is her down to business."

Opening his file, Si Ming clicked his pen but before he could ask anything a cold voice sounded,"How much?"

Stopping mid way,Si Ming gave a small smile before slowly looking up from the blank paper. Silkily he asked,"Director Shi, what is this about? Do you think my services are for sale?"

"Aren't they?"

This time Si Ming laughed loudly as he said,"Director Shi is a funny man. But these matters must be discussed carefully since even walls have ears you see. But first just to satisfy my curiosity,"What have you got to hide that you would need to use money?"

As if unable to contain his curiosity,Si Ming leaned forward towards the man to share his secret. After an enigmatic silence,Shi Qinglan shaked his head in amus.e.m.e.nt claiming,"Mr Si,you think too much. I just feel it is a hassle for you and myself. We are both busy so why waste our time with all this when we can benefit mutually."

"You are right about that Ditector Shi. Mutual benefit is required for harmony. Why don't we discuss this in length? You see my assistant is new and a little idealistic so we will have to at least make a show of all the procedures. You understand right? My predecessor was not very careful and look how it landed him in a hot soup. I dare not take such a risk. But I love capitalist businessmen so I will definitely get in touch." Just then the two girls entered and Shi Ai asked,"Umm,get in touch regarding what?"  Shi AI had just sat down next to Si Ming as she directed her question at Shi Qinglan.  But it was Si Ming who answered. Placing a hand on her t.h.i.g.h,he turned to her and said,"Nothing Xaio,I mean Miss Ai. Just the interview in the future. Director Shi has been telling me that Little Shan Shan is not well so we must reschedule. So we will get in touch regarding that."

Though Si Ming spoke casually and his expression was simple,his hand placed on Shi Ai's t.h.i.g.h bordered into s.e.x.u.a.l harassment. Shi Ai's discomfort over Si Ming's actions was also apparent for anyone to see thus it did not go unnoticed by the two other men in the room. Shi Qinglan made a note to inquire if there were any harassment cases against this man. Si Ming looked like a jolly fellow but it was clear that man was very sharp and possessed a glib tongue but such people could be dangerous as well. It was better to silence him with money and hold something to blackmail him in the future,should a need arise.

In a little confused voice,Shi Ai said,"Yes Shan Shan. If you are not feeling well we must schedule a meeting for a later date.So I guess we must take a leave now.." Shi Ai tried to subtly extract her leg from Si Ming's grip who then gave it a light c.a.r.e.s.s before taking his hand back and getting up to take their leave.

Following behind him Shi Ai kept her head down,not glancing at the silent presence of her biological father. But seeing her lagging behind,Qin Yung pressed his visiting card into her hand as he murmured,"Miss Shi. You possess a close resemblance to my beloved late wife and daughter. Would you mind joining me for a meal?"

Looking down,Shi Ai gripped the card in her hand tightly,"I will try to make time. Thank you."

The car had driven a safe distance when Shi Ai who had kept her silence,directed a harsh glare at Knox. Clenching her teeth,she asked,"What was that about?"

Throwing a smile her way,Knox casually shrugged his shoulders saying,"What was what about?This?"

With that,Knox once again groped her t.h.i.g.h. Looking down at the offending hand on her body,Shi Ai caught the man's wrist and pinched it tightly,causing the man to snatch his wrist back,"Hey are you trying to cut off my blood supply?"

Parking the car on the side,Knox rubbed the reddened area even as he glared at Shi Ai who stared at him without remorse.

Unlocking his seat belt,he tried the intimidating technique and went forward making her lean back into her seat to mention distance,"Miss Shi,are you scared now after pinching me for no reason?"

Shi Ai who had never even been intimidated by the grim reaper,simply narrowed her eyes as she questioned,"Knox,would you like a broken nose or broken teeth. I am unable to decide either way but of you keep this up,I can help you with both."

Deflating like a balloon, Knox moved back and explained,"A little bribery is not enough. Shi Qinglan will need more than that to trust me and get a hold on me. So naturally like meets like. We know that he likes to harass women and kids so naturally he will want me to handle his case so that he can keep a virtual knife at my neck if I refuse to cooperate or try to back stab him. So what better than harassing my new assistant? By now,Shi Qinglan will already have sent someone to see if there are any such complaints regarding me and he will find them deeply buried in the files. I did not tell you this because I needed your genuine reaction of discomfort. From what I have observed,you possess excellent acting skills but still this was imperative. Thankfully you kept your urge to punch me then and there in check."

Shi AI smiled at that,"You noticed that?"

"Of course I did. And please do not tattle to your husband about this because he will surely not control his urge and I will then definitely loose a few teeth and have a crooked nose."

Meanwhile,Shan Shan walked back to her room slowly with her head down. Before she could close the door a hand stopped it's movement before pushing it backwards causing Shan Shan to loose her balance and fall on the bed behind.

Shi Qinglan entered the room and slowly closed the door as Shan Shan shivered all over. "Little Shan Shan has become a good girl? Presenting herself to her master as soon as he enters."

Leaning over the young and trembling girl,"Shi Qinglan said, "Tell me,what did Shi Xaio Ai have to talk to you about in private?"

Shaking her head at a fast speed,Shan Shan,stuttered,"She just wanted Shan shan to hold her expensive scarf. She did not ask anything. She only kept talking about her life and other ordinary things. Shan Shan was a good girl master. I did nothing wrong. I did not try to ask for help or even told her anything."

Shi Qinglan stared intently at the girl in front of hin who was still so scared of him and felt extremely satisfied. He knew she was telling the truth but it was always better to confirm. Pleased with her he decided to let her be for now. Anyways she was going to leave soon so he would have a long orgy before she went. Let her rest until then. Placing a hand on her head,he patted it before saying,"Yes,Shan shan did well. I am pleased.  Rest well Shan Shan. Uncle will come to you when he needs you."

Breathing in a ragged sigh,Shan Shan almost collapsed when the door closed behind that monster. She had indeed not lied to that man. She had neither asked for help or said anything. But she knew in her heart that she had gone against him and so she had been so frightened when he had stared at her that she had almost blurted out the truth. Thankfully he had believed her before she could loose her self control. Sliding onto the ground,Shan Shan brought her knees to her c.h.e.s.t and crossing her arms,laid her head on them,pinching her wrists slowly to reassure herself that today was not a dream. A mirage that would disappear when she opened her eyes.