Without waiting for her consent, James opened WhatsApp right in front of her.
She didn't have many contacts, maybe a dozen or so.
Sorted by recent conversations,
the first one was himself.
The second was a girl named Li Jie.
Every few days, Shirley Taylor would message her:
"Want me to bring you lunch?"
"Okay."
"Bring food?"
"Okay."
"Food?"
"Okay."
"?"
"No, eating out today."
Interspersed were some trivial daily life matters.
The last message was from earlier that day, a voice message from Li Jie.
James tapped to convert it to text.
"When is that guy who tipped you coming tomorrow? Have you set a time?"
Shirley Taylor replied, "He didn't say."
Li Jie: "Alright, I'll be free all day tomorrow to keep you company so you don't get snatched away."
Seeing this, James glanced at the blushing Shirley Taylor, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.
The third contact seemed to be another dorm mate, discussing things like helping her with notes and lessons.
It suggested that the girl might not be great at her studies.
The fourth contact called her "cousin," and they chatted about family matters.
James only glanced at it, not daring to delve deeper.
Shirley Taylor was visibly uncomfortable, reaching for her phone.
Being watched while reading messages felt as exposed as standing naked outside for all to see.
James subtly blocked her with his arm, quickly exiting the chat and tapping on the remaining contacts.
The rest of the conversations were from a month or two ago, mostly inconsequential, with many left unanswered by Shirley Taylor.
Some didn't even have chat logs, just added as friends.
Her chat history was cleaner than James's face.
A 20-year-old girl, pure and untouched, and stunningly beautiful.
Who could resist that?
James's affection for her skyrocketed.
He returned both phones to her, acting as if nothing had happened.
"Do they like cosmetics or bags? I can get some for you to bring back."
Shirley Taylor took her phone back, not seeming angry, and softly answered:
"Asa likes cosmetics. Li Jie doesn't need anything."
"If she doesn't need anything, don't get her anything. I'll invite her to dinner tomorrow to thank her for looking after you."
James, acting as if he was already part of the family, spoke as if he was looking out for her.
"Oh," Shirley nodded.
Her compliant nature was endearing.
James reached out to pinch her cheek, then continued the shopping spree.
Accessories, cosmetics, bags, notebooks, daily necessities...
Regardless of her consent, James bought everything he had lacked in his college days.
Spending money was truly enjoyable; everywhere, smiling faces greeted him.
Everyone was all smiles and extra attentive, like he was some kind of god.
The shopping trip cost nearly 200,000 dollars.
There were so many items that Jay Johnson couldn't carry them all in one go, having to take a trip back to the car to unload and then return for more.
However, Shirley didn't seem as happy as one might expect. Instead, as time passed, she grew more anxious.
Initially, she'd respond with a word or two, but later she stopped speaking altogether, her voice even trembling.
James figured it was just fear of the unknown and that she'd be fine after tonight.
At 9:30 PM,
Shirley Taylor, looking uneasy, tugged at James's sleeve and mustered the courage to say:
"Brother, our school gate closes at 10:30..."
"Yes, and?" James asked with a grin.
"Can... can I go back first?" Shirley Taylor looked up at him with pleading eyes.
"What do you think?" James responded with a teasing "hiehiehie" sound.
Shirley stared at him for a while.
Amid his laughter, she slowly lowered her head,
tears welled up in her eyes, forming a glistening, transparent film.
"Didn't I tell you not to lower your head...?"
James reached to lift her chin, but just before he could,
a teardrop fell onto the back of his hand.
He froze, gently lifting her chin.
Her face was a picture of distress,
her dark eyes brimming with tears, like dewy grapes, reflecting a look of sheer panic.
The corners of her mouth were turned down in a heartbreaking pout.
James was completely out of his depth.
The tears of such an innocent beauty were especially lethal, inducing a deep sense of guilt,
as if he had committed some grave sin.
James was at a loss, unsure of what to do.
Nearby, Lulia Smith noticed and quickly pulled out a tissue from her bag, handing it to James.
As James wiped her tears, he consoled her:
"Don't cry, don't cry. I was just joking to lighten the mood."
Shirley Taylor believed him, and her tears subsided a bit.
She asked, hiccuping:
"Then, can I go back?"
James sighed.
If he insisted on keeping her, he'd probably lose some of the affection he had gained.
But he couldn't bear to let the bunny escape.
After a moment's thought, he ruffled Shirley Taylor's hair and gently reassured her:
"Of course, you can. Stop crying. We'll grab some late-night snacks, and then I'll take you back."
"Really?" Shirley Taylor was overjoyed, her glistening eyes shining brightly at James.
"Yes," James affirmed with a smile.
"Thank you, brother."
Shirley's tears turned to smiles, the night's tension lifting. She felt James was an incredibly good man.
[System prompt: Shirley Taylor's favorability +10]
Seeing the system prompt, James remembered that her affection points seemed to only come in double digits.
Always +10, +10âso pure and adorable.
A whole night of shopping hadn't earned him a single point.
But agreeing to let her go back had instantly given him 10.
James sighed helplessly and said:
"I'm starving. Let's go to the snack street across from the mall and grab some barbecue skewers or stinky tofu."
Then, passing by Jay Johnson, he whispered:
"Get me some effervescent tablets when you go out later."
Jay Johnson nodded silently.
He didn't know what the boss was planning, but he liked clear, direct tasks.
The group arrived at the snack street.
It was more regulated than the ones in New York, without food carts or street stalls.
The signs were all uniform, lacking any unique flair.
Unlike New York, where neon signs would practically hang from the middle of the road, right above people's heads.
James bought some grilled oysters, fried noodles, and other snacks. They sat down to eat slowly, deliberately dragging it out for half an hour.
Only when he noticed Shirley Taylor constantly checking her phone did he leisurely get up, ready to take her back.
Jay Johnson drove up.
Lulia Smith's eyes turned into hearts when she saw the Rolls-Royce.
At this moment, if James just crooked a finger at her, she'd willingly wear a collar.
Unfortunately, James had no intention of inviting her into the car.
He simply transferred 20,000 dollars to her and said he'd call her tomorrow if needed for more shopping.
Lulia Smith desperately wanted to ride in the Rolls-Royce.
Remembering how Shirley Taylor's tears had softened James earlier, she tried to squeeze out a few tears herself.
But all she got was a face full of Rolls-Royce exhaust.
She stomped her foot in frustration.
James was taking Shirley Taylor back to school.
In the car, the two sat together in the back again.
Emboldened by the 70 points of affection, James casually took Shirley Taylor's hand, playing with it.
"Did you have fun today?"
"Yes."
"Can you give me a bit more of a reaction? I came all this way to see you."
"Thank you, brother."
"Is 'thank you' all I get? Shouldn't you show some appreciation?"
James looked at her with a playful smile, anticipating her response.