Had she… almost cried just now? Ashley’s smile widened as if trying to erase the moment. She nodded firmly. “Really, I’m not lying.” Arthur turned to look at her properly—and was instantly mesmerized. The sun was shining brightly today, but her smile was even brighter. Standing under the sunlight, she tilted her head slightly, her cheeks glowing with a soft rosy hue. Her big, expressive eyes curved into crescent moons, sparkling with joy. Her long lashes cast delicate shadows on her face, fluttering with every blink. Her soft pink lips curled into a radiant grin, revealing two tiny, sharp canine teeth—giving her an irresistibly adorable charm. Her smooth, fair skin gleamed under the sunlight, looking soft enough to touch. Arthur, completely entranced, unknowingly muttered, “So beautiful…” Ashley’s face turned scarlet in an instant. She playfully punched Arthur’s chest, pretending to be annoyed. “What are you saying?” Her small fist landed on Arthur’s firm chest with no force at all, like a light tickle. But somehow, that gentle touch sent ripples through his heart. He had always known Ashley for her fiery, no-nonsense attitude, but now… she looked so shy, so delicate, like a girl experiencing her first flutter of emotion. Ashley, unable to handle the heat in his gaze, quickly changed the subject. “Arthur, what are you doing here?” “What?” Arthur blinked, still dazed from her smile, completely missing what she had said. She looked even cuter when she blushed. Ashley’s cheeks were still flushed, and her voice unconsciously softened. She repeated herself, “I said, why are you here?” “Oh… I, uh…” Arthur took a moment to shift gears back to reality. He quickly replied, “I was planning to buy some clothes.” “Clothes?” Ashley glanced at his school uniform and immediately understood. “I know a good place nearby. I’ll take you there.” “Sounds good.” Arthur agreed easily.Spending time with Ashley? No complaints here. Besides, he wasn’t familiar with the shopping areas, so having Ashley guide him would save a lot of time. Ashley grinned mischievously. “You saved me, so I should buy you some clothes as a thank-you.” Arthur chuckled. “I’m a grown man—I can’t let a girl pay for me. Besides, didn’t you save me last time too?” Ashley pouted slightly, about to argue, but Arthur cut her off. “Alright, let’s go.” Ashley clamped her mouth shut, sighing in defeat. She knew Arthur wasn’t treated well in the Gray family. He had to earn his own spending money since he was a child. She had seen the video from Zac’s birthday party. She had watched it many times. She just wanted to buy him some nice clothes, even if it was a small gesture. Fine. She would just let him pick what he liked first—then secretly pay for it later. The shopping district wasn’t far. As they walked along the road, chatting casually, they looked just like a young couple taking a leisurely stroll. When they reached the city center, Ashley was surprised. She had never been one to make many friends. Partly because of her temper, partly because she rarely found people she could truly connect with. But with Arthur, it was effortless. They never ran out of things to talk about. Even after walking all this way, she found herself wanting the conversation to continue. Ashley shook her head to snap herself out of it. “Come on, the store is right ahead.” Arthur looked up at the sign—one of the most well-known clothing stores in South City. He had heard of it before. The Gray family often shopped here. The quality was top-notch, and the store carried a variety of styles. Most of South City’s elite came here for their wardrobe. Without hesitation, Arthur stepped inside.Now that he had money, there was no need to shortchange himself. He wanted to live comfortably, and he saw no reason not to. This store didn’t just sell men’s clothing—it had an extensive women’s section as well. Ashley had helped him out more than once. Buying her a few outfits in return would be a nice gesture. Ashley, clearly familiar with the store, led the way to the men’s section and started browsing through the racks. Before long, she had already selected two outfits and was holding them up against Arthur, standing on her tiptoes to measure them against his frame. Ashley was a full head shorter than him. From Arthur’s angle, she looked like an adorable little munchkin, fully focused on her task. Just then, a sales associate approached them with a warm smile. “Miss Gibson, your boyfriend has such a great physique—tall, well-proportioned. He’s a natural clothes model.”