James finally understood why rich people were usually so calm and collected, always smiling.
It was because when there was such a disparity in power, the other person's provocations and challenges seemed childish and comical.
In fact, he even found them kind of endearingly silly.
He turned his head, looked at the guy sideways, and on a whim, asked,
"Hey, buddy, what kind of car do you drive?"
"An Audi A6."
The guy wasn't intimidated at all.
A car worth over $40,000 was enough to scare off a bunch of broke losers.
He felt he was more qualified to be the cute girl's boyfriend.
"Audi A6?" James looked him up and down, smiling. "Wanna race?"
Shirley Taylor was worried that James might be angry. She quickly tugged at his hand and softly tried to calm him down,
"Brother, don't be impulsive."
"I'm not being impulsive. I'm just joking with him. Even if I didn't have a driver's license, he wouldn't dare to race me," James said confidently.
The guy was taken aback, realizing that things weren't as simple as he thought.
He had initially assumed that James was just a broke loser, but it turned out that he was also a car owner.
And judging by his arrogant attitude, could he be a professional racer with exceptional driving skills?
His car was an Audi A6, not an AE86.
The guy started to feel nervous.
"Sorry, I don't race."
"See?" James smiled at Shirley Taylor, looking pleased with himself.
He didn't bother talking to the guy anymore. He raised his index and middle fingers and crooked them at Jay Johnson, who was standing not far away.
A moment later, an imposing Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of them.
"It's too far to walk across the street to the school. Let's take the car."
James said with a smile, then very gentlemanly opened the door for Shirley Taylor and helped her into the car.
He closed the door, leaving the shocked guy standing there, amidst the envious gazes of the surrounding college students.
The guy watched the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem pass by in front of his eyes, his mouth agape.
He never imagined that when the guy talked about racing, he was talking about this kind of car.
How much money must someone have to be able to afford this kind of car?
The thought that he had been showing off in front of such a wealthy person, even asking his girlfriend out to dinner,
made the guy break out in a cold sweat, his eyelids trembling.
It would be all too easy for someone like that to make his life miserable.
He now desperately wanted to chase after the guy, bow his head, apologize, and beg for forgiveness...
James didn't give the little episode a second thought.
As Shirley Taylor's outfits became more and more attractive, she would inevitably attract more and more suitors.
James decided he needed to show up regularly in his Rolls-Royce to scare people off, letting everyone know that this girl's boyfriend was loaded.
The two of them arrived at the malatang restaurant, chose their ingredients, and sat down to wait for their food.
They chatted about everyday things.
Mostly, James talked, and Shirley Taylor listened quietly, occasionally looking up with her big, watery eyes to steal glances at James's expression.
It was now dinner time,
and the restaurant was filled with college students.
Shirley Taylor's beauty was quite striking when she looked up, and her stylish outfit was irresistible.
Guys would subtly glance at her as they turned their heads.
A busty, petite girl was truly a rare gem.
Everyone's eyes were filled with admiration.
"Look behind you, a total babe."
"Holy crap, she's gorgeous. Who could resist that?"
"The guy across from her can. Damn, all the good cabbages are being eaten by pigs."
"So cute, so busty, so obedient. If a girl like that were my girlfriend, I'd break my ribs to make her soup."
The guys were buzzing, calling their friends over to check out the 100-point beauty.
Most of the guys were well-behaved, only stealing glances at the taken beauty.
But there was a guy at the table next to James who kept staring at Shirley Taylor.
It was very impolite.
James noticed his gaze and frowned slightly.
Anyone would be annoyed if someone was staring directly at their girlfriend.
But since the guy kept looking without saying anything or provoking him, there was nothing James could do.
After thinking for a moment,
James instructed Jay Johnson to sit across from the guy and stare back at him.
Jay Johnson nodded and silently sat down in front of the guy, staring at him with wide, unblinking eyes.
What's it like to be stared at by a six-foot-three giant?
The guy felt like he was sitting on pins and needles, with a prickly sensation on his back.
Under Jay Johnson's intense gaze, he couldn't even eat the malatang that had been served and quickly left.
In fact, the guy was Shirley Taylor's classmate.
He was just trying to confirm whether Shirley Taylor was the same girl from his class who always kept her head downâthe short, plain-looking girl from the countryside.
He finally confirmed that it was indeed Shirley Taylor because her inherent air of "poverty" couldn't be concealed even by the fancy clothes.
He was shocked to realize that she was so beautiful and had such a great figure.
He regretted not noticing her sooner, and now someone else had gotten to her first.
He walked home in tears, heartbroken.
"Shirley, you're so beautiful that people are skipping their meals just to stare at you," James teased.
"Oh? Then should I let my hair down to cover my face?"
Worried that James might be jealous, Shirley Taylor was about to undo her bun.
"Why would you cover up something so beautiful? What I meant was that you're so beautiful you could be a meal yourself. Don't overthink it," James quickly stopped her.
"Oh!"
Shirley Taylor hesitated, then stopped and, after observing James's expression, quietly put her hands down.
"Be more confident. Now that you have me, you can do whatever you want, just like that wild girl in your dorm."
"Okay."
Shirley Taylor nodded sweetly.
Hearing him say that she could rely on him now gave her a thrill.
But she wouldn't dare to be as bold as Kennedy Bella.
"It's normal that you're not used to it yet. You'll get used to it in time."
"I understand."
James felt that she was attracting too much attention, which wasn't necessarily a good thing. He wouldn't always be around, and there would always be flies trying to bother her.
After thinking for a moment, he said,
"Let's call your personal shopper. I want to buy you a little gift."
Shirley Taylor looked a bit uncomfortable. She felt bad about constantly receiving gifts and gently shook her head,
"There's no need, brother. You've already given me so much."
"You're not allowed to refuse your master's gifts," James said, pretending to be serious.
"Oh."
Under James's "authority," Shirley Taylor obediently messaged Lulia Smith.
James realized that Shirley Taylor was the type of person who could be easily molded. As long as he acted a bit dominant, she would back down.
This kind of "pushover" personality would definitely be fun to tease after they got married.
After finishing their meal, they took the car to the Grand Gateway 66 mall.
After meeting up with Lulia Smith, James picked out a watch at a Cartier boutique and put it on Shirley Taylor's wrist.
It was a ladies' watch from the Pasha de Cartier collection.
It had a rose gold case set with 48 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 1.15 carats,
a fluted crown cap, and a crown set with a sapphire.
The silvered flinqué dial was set with 12 brilliant-cut diamonds.
The rose gold dial on Shirley Taylor's fair, snow-white wrist radiated a dazzling, noble glow under the bright lights of the display case.
Listening to the saleswoman and Lulia Smith's praises,
Shirley Taylor's eyes gradually became dazed.
This incredibly expensive watch was simply too dazzling.
What woman wouldn't want something that sparkled and shone?
She was just a girl from the mountains and had never imagined that her hand would ever wear a diamond-studded luxury watch.
"Brother, it's too expensive. Let's pick a cheaper one," Shirley Taylor said, looking at the $22,000 price tag. She shook her head repeatedly and carefully took off the watch, wanting to return it.
"Actually, I have a selfish motive for gifting you this watch," James explained with a smile.
"When you wear this watch, those guys who have designs on you will feel inferior and won't dare to pursue you anymore."
"But it's really too expensive. What if it gets stolen?" The practical Shirley Taylor was worried.
Like all girls who hadn't seen much money, she was deeply concerned that her precious possession would be coveted by others.
"Wouldn't it be great if it got stolen? Then you could have a new watch."
James's tone was full of indulgence, making Shirley Taylor feel dizzy with happiness.
"But..."
"No buts. Listen to your master."
While James was coaxing her, the sales associate had already swiftly processed the payment.