The Supreme Soldier in the City
Chapter 236 - 238: Does Loving Someone Need a Reason?

Chapter 236: Chapter 238: Does Loving Someone Need a Reason?

Sarah’s small patch of exposed skin got James quite stirred up, but he immediately pulled himself together and carefully examined the entanglement of hair and zipper.

Perhaps Sarah had already tried to free it herself for a while, because now the hair and zipper were very tightly wound. James had to gently tease out Sarah’s hair bit by bit, but the last part couldn’t be done that way.

With his left hand, James grasped Sarah’s hair—along with some fabric—and with his right, he took hold of the zipper pull. He tugged it up twice, then down once, and Sarah’s hair was finally completely released.

However, such a yank brought the zipper down to Sarah’s waist in a flash, and the dress fell open, revealing most of Sarah’s back, along with the straps of her transparent bra clear in view.

James instantly felt his face heating up. It was as if he had deliberately pulled open Sarah’s dress, while Sarah herself let out a startled cry, quickly turning to face James, covering her chest with both hands in a woman’s instinctive defensive posture.

With an awkward smile, James said, "Sarah, I’m really sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose."

Sarah’s face turned crimson, and she couldn’t bring herself to look at James. Although she was fond of James, the incident had happened so abruptly she was totally unprepared and said in a shy, soft voice, "Big Brother Brown, I know, I asked you to come in and help me."

"Well, I should go out then," James felt that staying in such a confined space with Sarah was too intimate, so it was best to leave quickly.

Just as James was about to push aside the curtain to leave, Sarah suddenly mustered up the courage and said, "Wait, Big Brother Brown."

"Oh, is there something else?" James stopped in his tracks, turning to look at Sarah.

With her head down, Sarah said quietly, "Big Brother Brown... I’m afraid I... might get my hair caught again, could you... help me pull up... the zipper?"

Sarah’s bashful request was simply too alluring, and James, feeling his heart stir again, couldn’t bring himself to refuse. He flashed a radiant smile and said, "No problem, turn around."

Sarah slowly turned, presenting her back to James again. This time, James was exceptionally calm, pulling up the zipper while laughing, "Sarah, your skin is really quite fair, just like your name."

"Really?" Sarah hadn’t expected James to make such a comment at that moment, but there wasn’t a hint of creepiness in his tone, so she didn’t feel too embarrassed and subconsciously responded.

"Of course, it’s true. I bet if you went to the public baths, lots of women would be jealous of you."

"You’re actually right," Sarah chuckled lightly.

But after this exchange, they both fell silent abruptly. Talking about what happens in women’s baths seemed too suggestive between a man and a woman.

"Done," James, realizing this, quickly finished pulling up the zipper for Sarah and hurried out.

Not long after, Sarah also came out, wearing the light yellow dress that still looked so lovely. To alleviate the previous awkwardness, James naturally complimented Sarah again, and she quickly regained her composure.

After trying on the dress, Sarah was ready to leave, but James immediately said, "You look so good in that dress, why not buy it?"

Sarah’s face reddened, and she whispered to James, "Big Brother Brown, I don’t really have that much money. This dress costs over a thousand dollars, I can’t bring myself to do it."

James laughed and said, "I don’t have a lot of money either, but I have a suggestion. I’ll pay for half, you pay for half, and we’ll buy it together. How about it?"

"Together? But you can’t wear it, can you?" Sarah looked at James with a teasing smile, already picturing James in the dress, which she found quite funny.

"You little rascal, what are you thinking? I meant I’ll gift you half, you pay the other half. Is that clear now?"

"Oh, is that so? Then wouldn’t I be accepting a gift from you?"

James laughed, "But you also paid for half, doesn’t that mean you bought it yourself?"

Sarah pursed her lips with a smile,"Alright then, you tell me which dress I should buy."

"I think this light green one suits you best, the dress is like lotus leaves, and you are the lotus flower."

Delighted, Sarah’s eyes shone, "Okay, then let’s buy this green one."

Indeed, each chipping in half, they purchased the green dress, leaving the sales associate somewhat perplexed. In all the time spent selling clothes here, it was usual for men to buy for women, or for women to purchase for themselves, yet it was the first time witnessing a man and woman together, with the cost split evenly between them.

Sarah immediately donned the green dress, then happily linked arms with James Brown and said, "Thanks, Big Brother Brown."

"What’s there to thank? If I had enough money, I would have bought it for you outright."

In recent times, James Brown had indeed spent a considerable amount of money because of Emma Campbell and Sarah Grandy. Although his salary had increased a bit, it was sufficient for supporting himself, yet maintaining three people was quite the challenge.

Moreover, James Brown didn’t spend with any particular strategy in mind. Money was never an issue for him – it merely wasn’t necessary to access a certain sum unless absolutely compelled.

At that moment, Sarah was all smiles. James Brown splitting the cost of the dress with her brought her even more joy than if he had bought it entirely himself. For one thing, the dress felt like a joint possession, and wearing it made her feel as if they were already a couple.

After wandering the mall for a while longer, Sarah was trying on clothes in another shop, while James Brown sat on a couch, resting. Just then, a woman walked in, surprised to see him, and after looking around, approached him.

"Hey, young man, are you out shopping with your girlfriend?" It was Helen Wilson who had approached James Brown with a vigilant look around.

"No, I’m here with a colleague from work, oh, you know her – it’s Sarah."

Helen Wilson’s eyes widened as she looked on disapprovingly, "You’re shopping with Sarah?"

James Brown said with a hint of amusement, "We’re close friends. She wanted to go shopping, and I’m keeping her company. What’s wrong with that?"

Helen Wilson sat down next to James Brown with a fierce look and warned, "I’m warning you, don’t get any funny ideas about Sarah."

"Listen, sis, we’re absolutely just friends. Can you please not speak to me with that tone?"

Despite her doubts, Helen Wilson pressed, "Really? I can see that Sarah is quite fond of you. Don’t be the guy who wants what’s in the pot while eating what’s in your bowl. I can’t control when you hurt others, but if you dare to mistreat Sarah, I won’t let you off easily."

"Ah, you really are a cop, always viewing others as guilty before finding evidence. I can’t be bothered with you. Sarah’s coming out, why don’t you ask her yourself?"

Sarah, brimming with excitement to show James how the clothes looked, noticed Helen Wilson with James Brown, which made her suddenly feel guilty. The last time she and Helen Wilson saw James Brown with Grace Lopez together, Helen realized Sarah’s interest in James. Now seeing her shopping with James, she was bound to overthink it.

"Sarah, you look gorgeous." Helen Wilson greeted Sarah, then stood up and grabbed her, sizing her up.

As Helen was scrutinizing her this way, Sarah felt even more uneasy, her cheeks flushing as she replied, "Helen, what a coincidence to see you here at the mall too?"

With proper police training and a good grasp of psychology, Helen could instantly sense something off from Sarah’s shy demeanor.

"This outfit suits you very well." Helen pulled Sarah to a dressing mirror, further away from James Brown, then spoke in a low voice with furrowed brows, "Sarah, do you realize James Brown has a girlfriend?"

Sarah was taken aback by Helen’s direct question and stumbled with her words, "I... I know that."

Helen narrowed her eyes and said, "You know and still you’re with him? Are you out of your mind? Even if you’re going to be the other woman, at least go for someone rich, not someone like him."

"Helen... what are you talking about... other woman..." Sarah responded with a flushed face, embarrassed by Helen’s accusation; she’d never considered being the other woman. If she wanted to, she’d have had plenty of suitors back in college.

"I’m sorry, I spoke harshly in the heat of the moment. But James Brown really has a girlfriend, and they’re even living together."

"I... I’m aware," Sarah hurriedly said. "I was just bored today, so I asked Big Brother Brown to join me for some shopping. It’s not like that between us..."

"It isn’t?" Helen raised an eyebrow, then with a wry smile, said, "Look at your expression, then look in the mirror at how you glance at James Brown; it’s clear that you like him."

Sarah bit her lip and said, "Helen, I truly appreciate your concern, but I know what I am doing. I like Big Brother Brown, and if he likes me too, I’ll be with him. If he loves his girlfriend, then I will bless their relationship."

Helen was taken aback, "Are you out of your mind? With your qualifications, there’s no one you couldn’t find; why entangle yourself with James Brown? He’s neither wealthy nor powerful, and if he was handsome it could make sense, but he’s just average. What exactly do you see in him?"

Sarah turned to look at James Brown then, with a soft smile to Helen, said, "Do you need a reason to love someone?"