It was less than ten minutes, and by the time he came out of the restroom, the bed was empty. James Black went around the room, couldnāt find anyone, so he went to the living room.
"What are you doing sprawled out here?"
In the end, James Black found the missing Jane Sampson in the living room, sitting on a dining chair, hands on the tabletop, head resting in her palms. Just by this posture, James Black doubted the credibility of Jane saying she was a good student.
Hearing James Blackās voice, Jane slowly raised her head, looking pitifully at him with a hint of sleepy coyness in her voice, "Iām so sleepy, why did you get up so early?"
There seemed to be a little grievance and a bit of complaint in her words.
James Black thought she was complaining that he had disturbed her sleep and thus said, "You can continue to sleep."
Jane blinked, glanced longingly in the direction of the bedroom, and then shook her head. "I feel like just for the help youāre giving me this time, I canāt let you go back to the team on an empty stomach."
She yawned lazily, "I feel like I should get up and make breakfast for you, but Iām really very sleepy. Could you go back to the team two hours later so I can sleep for two more hours?"
While speaking, Jane held up two fingers toward James Black, curling them like rabbit ears, her black pupils watery as she looked at him.
Seeing Janeās negotiating expression, James Black couldnāt help but feel slightly amused.
"Is this your way of saying thanks?" he leaned over, getting closer to Jane.
"If you insist on framing gratitude as repayment, then thatās fine too," Jane nodded her head.
"If youāre sleepy, then go back to sleep." James Black picked up the person from the chair and headed to the bedroom. He was holding a grown-up in his arms, just like carrying a piece of paper, his steps solid and steady.
Once they were in the bedroom, James Black placed her back on the bed, then he bent over too, "You can save the repayment for when I come back next week."
Jane thought about it and felt that wasnāt a bad idea.
She nodded and hummed her approval, "Letās settle on that, then. Next time you come back, Iāll make you an extra breakfast as thanks!"
James Black didnāt respond well, nor did he respond poorly, just looking at Jane, lifting his eyebrows, the corners of his lips curling into a smile that wasnāt quite a smile.
A few seconds later, he said, "Call me if you need anything. Iām returning to the team."
No matter when, the phrase "Iām going back to the team" was like the music of the heavens in Janeās life, the most moving words in the world.
James Black picked up the mobile phone from the bedhead cabinet and slid it into his pocket, his gaze sweeping over the person on the bed, and he scoffed, "Tone down your expression. As a future actor, you should also learn the art of effectively managing every expression of yours. Donāt always seem so happy when Iām going back to the team."
Jane grabbed the quilt and covered her face with it, what could she do, she was desperate because she was truly so happy, too happy to disguise it!
She was really very happy James Black was returning to the team!
Her little arm, sticking out from under the quilt, waved at the person standing beside the bed, and a goodbye floated out from under the covers, the tail end of her voice tinged with laughter.
Jamesās hand rubbed Janeās head through the quilt, then lightly tapped her forehead, "Such a mess." After the light rebuke, he looked at his watch, stood by the bed for about ten more seconds, then left the bedroom.