"Weâre walking there instead of taking a taxi?" Jane Sampson turned her head to look at James Black when they got to the doorway and didnât see any indication that he intended to hail a cab. "Itâs nearly ten kilometers from the hotel, you know."
Was he taking her out for a walk just like one would with a pet? By the time they finished walking those ten kilometers, it would be dark, and then he could lead her back to their hotel room, right?
Jane Sampson thought that James Blackâs idea was really super great.
"We need to buy some stuff first." James Black didnât know what Jane Sampson was thinking at the moment, but he could tell from the little expression she made when she wrinkled her nose that she was definitely cursing him in her mind.
She probably thought he was scamming her?
After walking for approximately five minutes, Jane Sampson was led by James Black into a storefront near the hotel that she hadnât even had the time to see clearly what they sold.
After entering, she looked around and realized that the shop really had all sorts of items for sale.
"Two masks, one scarf, one sun protection suit, a..." James Black paused, glanced at Janeâs backpack, and asked, "Did you bring sunglasses?"
"I did." Jane Sampson reached into her backpack, took out the sunglasses, waved them at James Black, then bared her small white teeth and asked, "Are the scarf and sun protection suit for me?"
"What color do you want for the scarf?" James Blackâs question was as good as a confirmation.
"Red! I want red! Red goes best with the desert!" Jane Sampson jumped with excitement, "A white sun protection suit."
"And for the masks, I want the one with rabbit Kris! Itâs just like the expression of the rabbit at my house, so cute!"
"Sunscreen? I have my own sunscreen!"
At that moment, Jane Sampsonâs voice filled the shop, and anyone familiar with her could feel her great mood from every word she spoke.
Right after James Black paid, Jane Sampsonâs hand slapped onto the back of his, and then her soft, warm palm gently rubbed on his arm. "Let me apply some for you, youâre already quite dark, we canât have you getting any darker, if you get darker, once the lights are off, itâll be like youâre not even there."
The boss next to them couldnât help but laugh, "Your wife is really funny."
James Black, who was being criticized for being so dark, didnât seem to be angered at all. He didnât move or shake off her hand, just stood there watching Jane Sampson carefully apply sunscreen on the skin that was exposed outside his clothes, and then he responded to the boss, "Mhm, sheâs my wife, weâve been married for several years."
The boss was taken aback at first, then chuckled, "The affection between you two is enviable."
After the compliment, the boss went off to greet other customers, and James Black saw Jane Sampson look up at him. He turned his face away awkwardly.
"There," Jane thought, with James Black looking as if he was showing off, the boss might be doubting the fact that theyâd been married for several years.
As soon as they left the shop, James Black hailed a taxi at the street corner, and even after getting into the car, he didnât let go of Jane Sampsonâs small hand; the grip wasnât strong, but he didnât allow her to pull away either.
Once Jane got in the car, she wanted to play with her mobile phone, but one hand was held tightly by James Black.
"Weâre in the car now, I wonât get lost," Jane poked James Blackâs arm with her other hand.
James Black turned his head to glance at the hand Jane was using to poke his arm, his gaze shifted slightly, and then looked away, before saying a single word.
"Oh."
Oh?
Oh?!
What âohâ?
Donât just âohâ and do nothing!
Chief Black, would you please let go of this babyâs delicate little hand? My little hand is saying it wants to play with my phone and doesnât want to be held by you, Chief Black!