"Alright, if you don't want to wear the JK uniform, just pick some regular clothes. But you definitely have to get rid of what you're wearing now,"
James tugged at her collar, expressing his disdain:
"This one's so faded from washing. I used to dress better than you."
Shirley Taylor was at a loss and lowered her head again, being led compliantly into the boutique.
The shop assistant smiled warmly as they entered.
"Welcome! Please feel free to browse. Let me know if you find something you like, and I'll get the right size for you."
"Pick out two outfits suitable for school, and two more for going out,"
James instructed the sales assistant, gesturing towards Shirley Taylor.
The assistant noticed the logo on James's clothing, realizing he was a wealthy customer, and quickly began enthusiastically showing Shirley Taylor different styles.
"Miss, how about this blue dress? It's our fall collection, perfect for your style..."
"Don't like it? Maybe this maroon jacket with a white tank underneathâstill suitable for a student..."
"I see you have a great figure; these fitted denim shorts would accentuate it beautifully. Pair it with any polo shirt, and it'll look great..."
The sales assistant picked out five or six stylish outfits, trying them briefly on Shirley Taylor,
but seeing her reluctance to try them on, she felt a bit challenged.
James, watching with impatience, said:
"Don't ask for her opinion, just lead her to the fitting room and help her change."
Internally sighing, the assistant thought, rich people are tough to please.
She took a white, sleeveless dress, cautiously addressing the dazed Shirley Taylor:
"Miss, please follow me to the fitting room."
Shirley Taylor glanced at the dress's lengthâjust above the knee, not too short.
With James motioning with his chin for her to go change,
she bit her lip and, not wanting to embarrass him further, resolutely followed the assistant to the fitting room.
"Wow, Miss, your figure is amazing, so... shapely."
"What skincare do you use? Your skin is so fair, like milk."
"Your hair is so smooth; it's enviable. Let me tie it up; hanging over your face doesn't look good."
Muffled exclamations could be heard from the fitting room.
James felt restless, aching to peek inside.
After a few minutes,
Shirley Taylor shyly stepped out.
James was frozen, stunned.
The girl before him was breathtaking; a simple change of clothes and she was transformed.
Her skin, snowy and smooth, was even paler than the white dress. The off-shoulder design exposed tender, captivating shoulders.
Her dark, lush hair was tied back, long bangs naturally parted to reveal a delicately rosy face.
Without the baggy t-shirt, her figure could no longer be concealed. The dress was snug over her full bust, and her slender waist formed an hourglass shape.
Her legs, as pure as jade, peeked out from beneath the skirt, mesmerizingly beautiful.
Especially in the white dress, her pure allure shone completely through.
At first glance, she looked like a goddess of a first love.
James snapped out of her enchanting beauty, noting why the system rated her at 95.
Such a stunning beauty deserved a hundred.
James felt a pang of attraction towards Shirley Taylor.
Women may consider many factors when they like a man.
Men usually need only one: Is she beautiful?
Initially seeing her as a naive streamer, James had been slightly impatient.
But with her new attire,
he immediately softened and stepped forward with compliments:
"Sweetheart, you're stunning, like a fairy. If we lived in ancient times, the renowned beauties would be nothing compared to you."
Already shy, Shirley Taylor felt even more flustered at James' praise.
She lowered her head, eyes flickering, clearly unused to being complimented.
James was tempted to continue, his compliments growing bolder.
"Now I understand what 'breathtaking beauty' means. Truly, you're like an angel from my dreams."
His syrupy tone made other female customers gag.
A lady turned, glaring at James disdainfully,
noting his flashy dress and player-like appearance.
Having seen it all before, she was sure he'd told many women similar lines, likely over ten times.
She scorned such smooth-talking players, wrinkling her nose in disgust.
As for Shirley Taylor, hearing such words for the first time, she was at a loss, her face burning with embarrassment.
Her small hands clutched together in front, not daring to glance James's way.
James gently unclasped her hands, closely inspecting her outfit before quipping with a smile:
"Lift your head so I can see you."
But Shirley Taylor shook her head lightly.
Knowing her passive behavior, James lifted her chin to reveal her face.
Bright eyes, white teeth, lips like scarlet petalsâa rare beauty of innocence and allure.
James felt a flutter as he met her elusive gaze, softly assuring her,
"Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, you don't need to lower your head anymore."
Shirley Taylor's eyelashes quivered, meeting his intense gaze unwillingly.
She didn't know what lay there, but instinctively felt continuing was dangerous.
In the mall's opulent lighting, they stood close.
The man tilted the woman's chin; her light breath warmed his hand.
For a moment, neither spoke, lost in an ambiguous atmosphere.
Drawing on past public kissing experience with Amanda, James leaned closer to Shirley Taylor.
Watching James approach, Shirley Taylor's pupils widened in shock, catatonic.
As he neared her, she couldn't process it, her mind explosively blanking.
Her eyes lost focus as her brain entered a protective mode, rendering her dazed.
Unwilling to play witness, the store assistant quietly stepped aside, uninterested in interrupting.
In modern society, couples kissing was commonplace; she saw no issue.
However, the other female customer had enough.
Seeing James so brazenly harass a girl publicly, she jumped in, shouting:
"Hey! Don't you have any shame as a man? Did that girl agree to let you just move in like that?"
James halted, seeing his little rabbit regain awareness, quickly stepped aside.
He was furious, tempted to strike someone.
He was so closeâa second more and her first kiss might have been his.
His chance slipping away, James whirled angrily at the woman, barking:
"Kissing my girlfriendâwhat's it to you?"
The woman, with a tomboyish style and quite pretty herself, was 25, named April, a system score of 78, with two past relationships.
She seemed decent enough, so why did she cruelly interrupt his romance?
"Your girlfriend? Ha!"
April sneered: "You're clearly meeting for the first time. Do you think I can't tell?"