"Don't worry,"
James, relying on his system's ability to detect affection levels, wasn't the least bit concerned about being manipulated by women.
"Your brother here is quite smart."
"Usually, it's only fools who keep telling themselves they're smart."
Amanda gently covered her mouth, her fox-like eyes curving into a smile filled with amusement.
"So, since you're so smart, big sis, do you know what I'm thinking about right now?" James teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
"I don't want to knoâ"
Before Amanda could finish, James pried her hand away from her mouth and kissed her, pulling her waist gently but firmly into his embrace, savoring a taste of her sweetness.
As he slowly released her, he dropped a bold line:
"Tonight, I'll show you how a fool gets things done."
A faint blush rose to Amanda's cheeks as she gave James a soft but reproachful glance, saying nothing.
From the look on her face, it seemed like she wasn't denying that there might be something happening later that night.
James was thrilled!
After lingering for a little longer, they returned to check on Timmy.
Timmy, having dug around for ages, had actually managed to find a few treasures: a moon shell, a starfish, four or five tiny crabs the size of fingernails, and a few small, unidentified sea snails.
James was amazed and showered her with compliments about how clever and amazing she was.
Encouraged, the little girl dug with even more enthusiasm.
Since they were already at the beach, it seemed only fitting to head out to sea for some fun.
With his wallet comfortably full, James spotted some high-speed yachts for rent by the shore and suggested:
"Sis, there are yachts over there. How about we rent one and take a spin out on the water?"
"No way, Timmy's too little to go on a yacht."
"Then the two of us can go, and let Bro Jay watch over Timmy?"
Amanda hesitated, clearly reluctant. She really didn't want to go on the yacht, mainly because she didn't want Timmy out of her sight, especially during outings like this.
It wasn't that she didn't trust Jay Johnson, but to Amanda, Timmy was more important than her own life. If something were to happen, she wouldn't be able to take it.
Seeing her apprehension, James wisely dropped the subject and instead looked longingly at the young people riding yachts and surfing the waves.
"I'm sorry, brother," Amanda said apologetically. "Next time, let's bring Tailsa along. You two can go surfing, and Timmy and I will wait on the beach."
James laughed it off, offering a few words of comfort.
Bringing kids along really did make things inconvenient; they couldn't even consider anything remotely risky.
Earlier, on their way over, they'd passed by the docks where some fishing boats were moored. A sign on one of them offered a private boat rental for 1,000 yuan, which included a chance to cast nets and keep all the seafood caught.
James had been tempted to ask Amanda if she wanted to go, but one look at Timmy in his arms made him immediately drop the idea.
If something went wrong, who would he save firstâAmanda or Timmy?
That kind of choice would be impossible for anyone to make.
More importantly, James himself didn't even know how to swim. He'd be the one needing rescue.
This thought spurred him to seriously consider learning how to swim when they got back.
After playing with Timmy for a while in the sand, digging a few holes but finding nothing, Timmy managed to catch yet another tiny crab.
Frustrated, James put down the shovel and took Amanda to the nearby Sunshine Beach area, where he rented a shaded cabana for 100 yuan.
The cabana came with two lounge chairs and a small round table.
Jay Johnson brought over chilled drinks from the bag and set them on the table before quietly returning to watch over Timmy.
Amanda, now wearing the sunglasses she'd brought from the car, lay back on one of the lounge chairs, her hands resting lightly on her stomach as she closed her eyes to relax.
The sun was warm, the breeze gentle.
The wind played with the hem of her dress, occasionally revealing glimpses of her alluring legs. Her delicate features, now partially hidden behind her sunglasses, carried a cool and elegant air.
Yet the white dress she wore added a touch of fresh sweetness to her overall appearance.
James recalled the first time he met Amanda. Back then, she'd coldly ordered someone to strip another person, her demeanor reminiscent of a gang leader.
Now, she lay quietly by his side, occasionally glancing at Timmy, looking every bit the picture of a gentle wife and loving mother.
The contrast between the two sides of her fascinated James to no end.
"Sis, how about I buy you a villa with a swimming pool? That way, you can sunbathe like this every day without worrying about Timmy running around."
"No need. Timmy likes running around outside."
"Then I'll buy you a car. What brand do you like? Porsche? Benz?"
"What's wrong? Do you think the car I drive now is embarrassing?"
"Not at all. I just want to give you a better quality of life."
Amanda pushed her sunglasses up into her hair and turned to look at James, smiling.
"Silly brother, if I cared about quality of life, there have been plenty of wealthy men willing to take care of me over the years."
With a warm smile, she added, "A car and a house are enough. I'm not the kind of woman who chases luxury. My biggest wish right now is simply this: for Timmy to grow up happy and for you to live a long and safe life."
Her tone was gentle yet firm, her laughter tinged with hope.
It sounded like such a simple wish.
But it was this very simplicity that touched James deeply.
He had to admitâthis woman had completely won him over.
Since graduating high school, no one had ever cared about his personal life, much less wished him a safe and healthy existence.
Everyone else only cared about how high he could climb, how far he could go, and how much money he had.
Amanda's attitudeâthat as long as nothing bad happened, she could accept everything elseâmade him feel an unexpected warmth, like she was genuine family.
Moved, James said, "But I want to give you a better life. I want to buy you a nice house, a nice car, and hire maids and housekeepers so you can live more comfortably."
Amanda smiled gently.
"Silly boy, did you forget that you still have 22 million yuan with me? If I see something I like and think is worth it, I'll buy it myself. Don't worry, I won't save your money for you."
James knew he couldn't rush things, so he stopped trying to push his gifts on her.
Wooing someone was an art.
For women like Amanda, who already had enough money and didn't care for more, he had no idea how to make her fall 100% in love with him.
As James lay back in the lounge chair, lost in thought, Amanda's voice interrupted him:
"Come over and give your big sis a massage."
He immediately jumped up.
Grinning, he ran over to Amanda, mimicking the massage techniques he'd learned from Perla. He gently scratched from her chin to just below her ears.
Amanda closed her eyes, tolerating the strange sensation of comfort.
James's hands moved from her neck to her shoulders and then began to drift downward.
When she smacked his hand away, he shifted to massaging her legs instead.
Her pale, soft legs shifted slightly to dodge his mischievous touch...
By the time they returned to Amanda's house from the beach, it was past five in the evening.
All three of them were a little dirty from the seawater.
Amanda took Timmy to the bathroom first for a bath, while James, bored, sat on the sofa, texting and consoling Tailsa, who had just been scolded.
Tailsa sent him a tearful voice message:
"I just said, 'My man bought this for me, so it's none of your business,' and my dad hit me! 555~"
"Then my mom came home and didn't help me at all. She even said my car is ugly and not as good as a BYD."
"I can't stay in this house for another day. Brother, take me away and elope with me!"
James guessed she'd probably been beaten for asking for the household registration book.
Thinking about it from her dad's perspective:
Your daughter doesn't come home all night, then shows up the next day in a luxury car, asking for the family's household registration book while saying, "My man is rich, so it's none of your business."
Umm...
Hard to blame the dad.
There are many ways to get into trouble, and Tailsa had chosen the most direct one.
James just hoped her dad wouldn't have a heart attack from the stress.
After a few comforting words to her, James couldn't help but sigh at how difficult raising a daughter seemed to be. You had to treat her like a princess when she was young, only to worry about her being taken advantage of when she grew up.
But raising sons didn't seem much easierâboys caused trouble, got into fights, and could create massive problems that kept you up at night.
James sighed again. Thinking about the struggles of parenting made him question whether he ever wanted kids at all.
Just then, Amanda walked out of the bathroom, freshly showered, with Timmy still inside.
She was now dressed in a blue silk camisole nightgown.
The silky fabric clung smoothly to her body, its cool tones highlighting her flawless, porcelain skin.
Lace detailing around the neckline added a touch of sensual elegance, while the flowing hem swayed gently like ripples on water.
Her entire being radiated a captivating, feminine allure.
James was excited all over again!
If that little third wheel wasn't around, he would've thrown himself at her without a second thought.