Shirley Taylor was invited into the Rolls-Royce by James, and once inside, she silently stared at her knees.
Her thoughts lingered on James' earlier words when he refused the other girl:
"Sorry, 'master' is just a joke between my girlfriend and me; it's not what you're thinking."
He had said it with such sincerity and calmness, it didn't sound like a lie.
So "master" was just a term of endearment between couples?
But when did she agree to be his girlfriend?
And what did "not what you're thinking" mean?
Inside Shirley Taylor's small head swirled big questions.
"Shirley, what do you plan to treat me to?" James asked, sitting beside her.
"Weren't you wanting hot pot?" Shirley Taylor came back to reality with a blank stare.
"I came all this way, and you're treating me to hot pot?" James said, eyes wide.
"Then... what would you like to eat?" Shirley Taylor shrank back, clutching her backpack tightly.
"I want spicy rabbit head," James teased, grinning.
Shirley Taylor looked troubled at the mention of rabbit head.
She didn't like eating rabbit, let alone rabbit head.
Too afraid to protest, she just sat silently.
Seeing her downcast expression, James guessed she was hesitant about the rabbit head and chuckled, asking, "Don't you want to eat it?"
"Mm-hmm," Shirley Taylor nodded repeatedly.
"But what if I really want to eat it?" James teased her with a mischievous smile.
"..."
Shirley Taylor was silent again.
The more James observed her distressed look, the more he thought she was easy to tease.
"We don't have to eat rabbit head, but you have to agree to one small request."
"Hmm?"
"Wear a JK uniform for me tonight."
James licked his lips, a big smile spreading across his face.
"What's a JK?" Shirley Taylor asked naively.
"Sailor suit, mini skirt, white stockings..."
Each item James mentioned made Shirley Taylor's face redder, looking succulent and enticing.
James imagined his little bunny in those flashy clothes, hopping around in the room, calling him "master"...
No, he thought, he'll need some health supplements after today.
Shirley Taylor was blushing so hard, she was nearly steaming.
Finally, she raised her head, looking at James with pleading eyes,
"I...I can't wear that."
"What do you mean you can't wear it? I can help you if you can't do it yourself."
James rubbed his hands eagerly, drooling like a big bad wolf.
Shirley Taylor was edgy under his intense gaze, clutching her backpack tightly.
Her eyes darted to the car door handle.
With the car still parked, she could still escape back to school.
But ultimately... she stayed seated, thinking the so-called "rival's brother" didn't seem like a bad person.
Though he seemed mischievous on the outside, she sensed a very gentle soul beneath.
If she firmly refused, he probably wouldn't force her, would he?
With this innocent fantasy, the little bunny rode to downtown with him.
They found a luxurious tea restaurant in Miami for a casual meal.
Since Shirley Taylor was hosting, James let her order.
Unexpectedly, she ordered all vegetarian dishes.
Things like balsamic eggplant, refreshing celery, snow tofu in soup, and sour-spicy crab roe noodle stew.
James couldn't stand it and added plum-stir fried ribs to the order.
Five dishes cost $900, and Shirley Taylor was reluctant to part with it.
Nine hundred was two months of living expenses for her.
Noticing her frugal demeanor, James remarked, "Shirley, I've given you over three million in tips, and you can't even treat me to a $900 meal?"
Shirley Taylor mumbled, "I...I didn't mean to."
"Yes, you did, I'm familiar with that expression," James said seriously.
"..."
Shirley Taylor didn't respond, sipping spoonfuls of the tofu soup until it was gone.
James was speechlessâwhy was she still so thrifty after receiving money?
Three days had passed, and she hadn't even bought new clothes.
Looking as shabby as a country girl, James felt somewhat embarrassed walking beside her.
This reminded him of the awkwardness Tailsa must have felt when they first met.
Despite his poor appearance, she was willing to hold him, which was brave and daring of her.
Still, James didn't mind about Shirley Taylor's simplicity; he reached out, offering his hand:
"Hold on."
Shirley Taylor was momentarily stunned, faced with an internal struggle.
Finally, she hesitantly extended her hands to clasp his wrist.
Taking two steps, James stopped grimly,
because Shirley Taylor, rather than wrapping his arm around as couples do, kept her distance, holding his hand like a guide leading the blind.
Especially with her head down, she really looked the part.
"That's not how you do it," James complained.
Shirley Taylor released his hand, looking slightly embarrassed.
Her reluctance made James rethink how couples walked together.
He slowly reached out, moving to wrap an arm around her waist...
Only for Shirley Taylor to nimbly dodge two meters away, eyes wide and filled with panic.
Sigh.
James sighed inwardly.
Schoolgirls just don't get it.
After giving her a $300 million gift, she wouldn't even hold hands.
Scared stiff if he tried to hug her waist; would she flinch at bedtime?
James shook his head, worried she might regret everything later and cause a scene.
Compared to this apprehensive girl, Tailsa's passionate warmth was vivid and savory.
James suddenly missed Tailsa,
her joyous laughter, playful antics, and her pouting when angry.
Being with her was always delightful,
unlike this timid village girl who was more rabbit than girl.
"Shirley, could you not be so afraid? I won't eat you,"
James gently reassured, reaching out to hold her small hand softly.
"If you're uncomfortable with that, can we at least hold hands?"
Besides her father, Shirley had never held a boy's hand before.
Now, wrapped within his warm grasp, she was stunned in place, forgetting to pull away.
Seeing no protests, James relaxed slightly, smiled, and led her toward the mall.
"Come on, let's go buy you some new clothes."
Encouraged, Shirley finally mustered the courage to speak:
"Can I...not wear those clothes?"
James immediately frowned sternly:
"No."
"..."
Shirley fell silent again, staring at the ground with apparent reluctance.
Those clothesâso mortifying, she couldn't bear to wear them.
But James paid no mind to her wishes and insisted on taking her to the mall.