Chapter 64: The Masseuse Assassin, as Casual as Grocery Shopping

Xu Ling did indeed have a mild case of frozen shoulder. Years of studying, reading, and working at the computer had naturally led to such an ailment. Song Kai pressed hard on the Jianzheng acupoint with two fingers, then moved his hands down toward Xu Ling's armpit.

Any lower and he would have reached the roundness beneath. Especially since Xu Ling was rather well-endowed.

On the massage bed next to them, Ai Hao could no longer stand it. He pointed at Song Kai, exclaiming, “You… you, stop right there!”

Song Kai simply sat directly on Xu Ling’s hips. Then his fingers pressed under her armpit, pushing into the muscles of her shoulder.

At first, Xu Ling felt embarrassed and didn’t like being massaged by a man. But after a few moments, she lay there and completely surrendered to that bittersweet pain. Truly professional—Song Kai’s technique was far superior to any masseuse she’d ever met at a parlor.

Ai Hao was appalled. Damn it, he nearly touched her chest! And now he was sitting on the goddess’s hips, did he even realize?

Just as Ai Hao was about to intervene, the shop door opened and two tall women walked in.

“President Ai, we’re the therapists for today,” one of the women said to Ai Hao.

He pointed to the side.

One of the masseuses walked over to Xu Ling.

Xu Ling spoke up, “You can leave for now. Song Kai is actually very skilled. Let him work on my shoulder first.”

“Alright,” the therapist replied, turning and leaving.

Only one female therapist remained in the room. She walked to the door and locked the VIP suite from the inside.

“You idiot! Why are you locking the door? Can’t you see it’s hot in here?” Ai Hao grumbled from his bed.

The tall masseuse walked over, climbed onto the bed, and pressed her palm down hard on Ai Hao’s back.

Ai Hao jerked his leg and kicked her.

“How many times do I have to tell you? Before you start the massage, you must always greet the client and ask about their condition. How did you learn your trade? My friends are here today, and you’re just making me lose face,” Ai Hao complained in frustration.

The therapists in his shop were supposed to be highly professional. He had wanted to show off, but this woman blatantly broke the rules the moment she entered.

The woman, unfazed by Ai Hao’s kick, simply stomped her foot and strode over to him.

“What are you doing? I told you to start by bowing—” But before Ai Hao could finish, a sharp slap landed squarely across his face.

He was stunned. He hadn’t expected a therapist to dare strike him.

“You… you don’t want this job, do you?” Ai Hao shouted in anger. But before he could finish, the woman slapped him again, even harder and faster.

The blow sent his head crashing down onto the bed.

“You…” Ai Hao tried to shout in rage.

Just then, with a thud, the woman chopped the first lumbar vertebra on his back.

Ai Hao screamed like a slaughtered pig.

Xu Ling stared, dumbfounded.

Song Kai was not surprised; in fact, he was tense. This woman had combat training!

But his backpack was by the door—the dagger and steel rod were inside! It wouldn’t be wise to rush over now.

Ai Hao curled up on the floor like a shrimp, whimpering in pain.

“Stop screaming!” the woman snapped.

Suddenly, she ripped off the outer towel, revealing a tight black leather outfit underneath. She reached to her thigh and drew a handgun.

Ai Hao froze, terror in his eyes. “Don’t… don’t kill me. I… I won’t hit you again. If you don’t want to bow, don’t bow. Please don’t kill me.”

“Shut up!”

She kicked Ai Hao off the massage bed and pointed the gun at Song Kai and Xu Ling.

Xu Ling remained prone, unmoving. Her heart was racing, but with Song Kai sitting on her, she didn’t feel quite so afraid.

Song Kai immediately cried out, “Oh my god, don’t scare me, ma’am. I’m scared. I want to go back to the countryside.”

With that, he slumped over Xu Ling, pretending to cower.

“Shut your mouth!” the woman barked.

She ignored Song Kai and aimed her gun at Xu Ling. “President Xu, hand it over. I don’t want to hurt you. Such a beautiful woman—how could I bear to?”

“What do you want?” Xu Ling asked.

The therapist smirked, eyes narrowing, and without further words, prepared to shoot.

Song Kai was shocked. This woman was a real killer, not one to waste time on speeches like in the movies.

He blurted out, “Sis, just give her that external drive.”

“Oh?” The assassin looked at Song Kai. “You know what it is?”

“Of course I do. I’m my sister’s most trusted person!” Song Kai replied quickly. “Isn’t it a program, stored on a USB drive? I know, I think it’s in my jacket pocket.”

“Song Kai!” Xu Ling exclaimed.

Song Kai said hurriedly, “Don’t hurt my sister. I’ll take you to get it.”

“Good kid.” The assassin nodded. “Let’s go.”

Song Kai nodded, leading the woman out. “The changing room is over there.”

“I know!” she replied, suspecting nothing.

Song Kai walked out of the massage room, the killer following. At that moment, Song Kai struck. With a swift joint lock, he snatched the gun from her hand and, spinning, delivered a straight kick that sent her flying over ten meters away.

“Damn!” The assassin was trained as well. Though not as skilled in hand-to-hand combat, she remained calm. Realizing she’d underestimated Song Kai, she rolled and pulled another pistol from her boot.

Song Kai swore under his breath. He aimed the gun he’d seized at her and pulled the trigger—nothing happened.

The assassin sneered. “Idiot doesn’t even know how to use a gun.” She was about to shoot when, in a flash, Song Kai hurled the handgun at her like a throwing weapon.

With a crack, her wrist was struck.

Both guns clattered to the floor.

Song Kai charged at her.

The assassin realized her chance was gone, and that Song Kai was unexpectedly skilled. She leapt up, darted into the bathroom, and with a crash of shattering glass, escaped through the window.

Song Kai didn’t give chase. He picked up the guns and tossed them into his backpack.

Back in the VIP suite, Ai Hao lay on the floor, still trembling.

Xu Ling sat upright, staring at Song Kai.

Song Kai shrugged. “She got away. It’s fine. Let’s continue the massage—we’re only halfway through. You need to get that shoulder treated soon.”

Xu Ling shot him a look. “Stop it. Let’s hurry back. I was right—they really do know the USB is with me. Most likely, word leaked from Penguin Group.”

Even now, Xu Ling was analyzing the situation seriously.

Song Kai nodded. “Alright, let’s head out front—there are more people there. I’ll go with you to change.”

“Mm.”

Xu Ling and Song Kai went to the women’s changing room. Xu Ling had her massage robe halfway off when she turned to him, frowning helplessly. “Why aren’t you turning around?”

“Huh? Oh, um, Sis, your skin is so fair, really.” Song Kai replied. “But your bra is too tight. Next time, pick a looser one.”

“Shut up.” Xu Ling had no mood for his jokes. She turned her back and quickly changed into her skirt.

Once she was dressed, Song Kai slipped the steel rod into his sleeve and nudged Ai Hao with his foot.

Ai Hao got up, still frightened. “Where’s that woman? Where is that damned woman?”

“She’s gone,” Song Kai replied. “Looks like the security guards scared her off—she ran out through the bathroom.”

“What? Didn’t catch her? Those useless guards. I paid a fortune for them… Never mind. Lingling, are you alright? What was she after, that USB?”

Xu Ling replied, “Just a small program. It’s the business deal I was negotiating with Penguin Group today. I have no idea how they found out.”

Ai Hao said at once, “Come with me to the front. My villa has over a hundred security guards—all highly trained.”

He changed clothes and led Song Kai and Xu Ling forward. The front courtyard was bustling; no one seemed aware an assassin had just been there.

Ai Hao immediately found the chief of security, berated him harshly, and instructed him to assign thirty men to protect Xu Ling, and of course, himself.

This time, Xu Ling did not dare be careless. She sat beside Song Kai, deep in thought.

There were plenty of people around.

Song Kai scanned the area from time to time, but there was no further danger.

About two hours later, the person in charge from Penguin Group finally finished dealing with everything.

Xu Ling’s phone rang.

“President Xu, sorry to keep you waiting. We’re available now. Could you come over?” came the voice of Zhang Hongjun on the other end.

“Alright.” Xu Ling hung up, breathed a sigh of relief, and turned to Song Kai. “Let’s go.”

“What? Xu Ling, you’re taking that country bumpkin relative to negotiate the contract?” Ai Hao hurried to Xu Ling's side. “Don’t take him—it’ll lower your standing. The people from Penguin Group already look down on small private firms like ours. If you bring him along, there’ll be no deal.”

“It’s fine,” Xu Ling replied.

Ai Hao sighed, smoothing his hair. “I’ll go with you, then.”

“Thank you.”

Of course, Xu Ling did not refuse.

The three of them entered the conference room at the front.

The room reeked of smoke.

On one side of the round table sat five people. The man in the center wore glasses and looked to be just under fifty, shrewd and sharp, with a faint smile that seemed neither friendly nor unfriendly. It was the kind of smile one wore in a market, bargaining over vegetables, not negotiating business contracts.

“President Xu, isn’t it? Have a seat,” Zhang Hongjun said, tilting his neck, not bothering to stand.