"Who is this person, being so concerned about you? His tender approach is pretty intense!" Jane Sampson hummed, "Could it be your first love?"
"Jane Sampson, who do you think my first love was? You should know," James Black countered with a question of his own.
"Who?" Jane Sampson snorted, "How would I have any idea who your first love is?"
"Itâs you," James Black replied affirmatively to Jane Sampson. "The first woman I fell for was you. You must know that. So stop speaking in that frustrating and sarcastic tone, and talk to me properly."
He managed to lecture her with a dead serious expression and yet convey sweet words with absolute solemnity.
Jane Sampson didnât know whether to laugh or be irritated.
"I will find out who this person is, and once I do, Iâll tell you." He paused and then added more forcefully, "And donât you dare get angry. Itâs impossible for me to have any relation with other women. Having just you is enough."
Dealing with a Jane Sampson whose skin was so tough she worried him sick every day, let alone another one, was more than James Black could tolerate. James Black didnât have the patience, not even for half another one.
Of course, James Black thought to himself, if it were another Jane Sampson or his daughter, that would still fall within his threshold of tolerance.
"Mmm..." Jane Sampsonâs eyes crinkled with mirth, who said James Black couldnât speak words of affection? That had sounded quite smooth, hadnât it?
It made her heart bloom with joy, putting her in a cheerful mood.
"I heard from Coco Edwards that your throat has been uncomfortable these days. Get to bed early, donât stay up playing games, drink more hot boiled water, stay away from cold drinks, and definitely no oily food," James Black had been worrying about Jane Sampsonâs throat since Coco Edwards mentioned it was uncomfortable.
Jane Sampsonâs constitution meant a sore throat could easily turn into a cold, and if a cold lingered a few days without improving, she was prone to fever.
If she got a fever and struggled for even a couple more days, sheâd quickly lose several pounds.
"Yeah, I know. I wouldnât joke about my health like that at a time like this." Jane Sampson nodded. She was aware of these concerns, so without James Black nearby, she hadnât insisted on dragging Coco Edwards out for cold drinks.
Of course, with James Blackâs warnings to Coco Edwards, itâs doubtful she could have convinced Coco in the first place.
In the end, she would likely have ended up watching Coco eat.
Which would probably feel even more torturous than not eating at all.
Their conversation continued until Coco Edwards came back upstairs with their takeawayâseafood porridge, which was light yet had meat.
Upon opening the takeaway packaging, Coco Edwards started complaining to Jane Sampson that the boss was stingy. For a price that wasnât cheap, heâd been reluctant to include much seafood.
Jane Sampson took her chopsticks and joined in the laughter, her meal not yet tasted, when her mobile phone rang again.
Seeing the caller was Mother Sampton, Jane Sampson sighed softly and answered the call.
"Jane, are you busy now? I heard youâre filming at the film and TV town recently, isnât it exhausting?" Mother Sampton, hiding in the room, quickly began to talk as soon as she saw Jane answer the phone. She expressed her concern for Jane and then couldnât help herself, saying, "If you find it hard, just stop acting. James Black can support you entirely."
"Mom, if you have something to say, just say it." These days, Jane Sampson could no longer find the calm and gentle way to chat and talk she had with Mother Sampton in the past.
She knew that a call from Mother Sampton was never about a simple check-up on whether her work was too hard.