A renewal contract and a marriage offer

Back in the dining room, Shen could feel the air getting stuffier. The old master's intentions were clear. His constant promoting of Lila was making Shen very uncomfortable. 

There were only so many polite responses he had in his artillery. His words were becoming insincere and mundane. 

"I'm back!" it was Loren Lim's playful, low voice. 

He had left the dining room to bring a file from his study. 

He reentered, waving it in his hand. 

"Ah, I see you've been introduced to my sister, Shen" 

"Yes, I have been, thanks to old master Lim" Shen responded, as the first course of the meal was placed before them. 

The entrée was a beautiful ceramic bowl with a fragrant and beautifully prepared quail dish. 

"Have you read the renewal contract I sent you, then?" Loren asked, a small smile playing on his lips as he swallowed a piece of the quail.