Brian Carter hadn’t attended a meeting in a long time. When he was three, his father carried him into the conference hall of the Qianye Guild; he sat for hours without crying or fussing. After learning to read, he studied shorthand and was responsible for recording meeting minutes for his father.

Twisting his pen, Brian Carter savored the feeling of this moment.

Today’s communication aimed to solve problems. As soon as the technical lead finished the first part of the PPT, they immediately moved to Q&A to avoid missing anything.

The client’s questions mainly revolved around business requirements. Brian Carter could understand the financial aspects; lately, he had not only been learning but also reviewing things he’d previously mastered. Comparing old and new, the fundamentals remained unchanged.

Next, the Japanese representative began to ask questions, using very polite language. Brian Carter found it wordy and leaned over to Samuel Bennett, translating it concisely for easier consideration.

After listening, Samuel Bennett raised his hand to press the remote, and the projection screen returned to a set of path demonstration diagrams. He smiled gentlemanly and began to address the other party’s concerns.

Brian Carter couldn’t help but glance sideways. In private, Samuel Bennett was adept at socializing; in the company, he was strict and serious. Now, in work mode, all his qualities converged into professionalism.

After answering, Samuel Bennett offered a new idea about “user experience,” which pleasantly surprised the client’s decision-making team.

The presentations and Q&A proceeded in an orderly fashion, and the meeting ended smoothly.

It was getting late. The client company invited everyone to dinner at the hotel restaurant to celebrate the project moving to the next stage.

Brian Carter followed along step by step. Upon arriving at the restaurant, he found the decor was Japanese-style, and they would be having Japanese cuisine.

The private room was covered in tatami mats. Everyone entered one after another. Brian Carter stood dazed at the doorway, uncontrollably slipping into some memories.

Samuel Bennett was about to sit down, but turned to see Brian Carter hadn’t come in yet and called out, “Secretary Carter?”

Brian Carter responded hesitantly, pulled back to reality. He took off his leather shoes and went in, sitting down beside Samuel Bennett.

Fresh sashimi, vibrant and tempting, was lavishly spread across the table, but Brian Carter had no appetite at all. The server poured him a cup of sake, which he quietly pushed aside.

The vice president of the financial company was in high spirits and invited everyone to raise a glass together. Brian Carter had no choice but to lift his glass for show, only wetting his lips.

Samuel Bennett noticed but didn’t mind; after all, if he got drunk and delayed business, it was better not to drink.

The atmosphere at the table was cheerful. Both sides chatted relaxedly and became more engaged. Gradually, the topic drifted from business. The Japanese representative praised the city’s vibrant spring and asked if there were any recommended places to visit.

The room was a bit warm. Samuel Bennett took off his suit jacket, and his elbow accidentally bumped Brian Carter. He instinctively turned to apologize, only to see Brian Carter suddenly look over, his eyes seemingly full of... wariness?

Others were clinking glasses, picking up food, and sipping soup, while Brian Carter’s hands pressed tightly on his thighs, so hard that the pale backs of his hands showed blue veins.

Samuel Bennett realized Brian Carter was in an abnormal state of tension, like a startled cat.

Was his body not fully recovered?

Was he exhausted from overwork?

Across the long table, the vice president of the financial company, not getting a response, said, “Mr. Bennett, don’t just sit there spacing out.”

Samuel Bennett stopped looking at Brian Carter and directed his “Sorry about that” to the other side. Smiling as he chatted with the others, he reached back and pressed Brian Carter’s back—not too hard, not too soft.

He didn’t stroke or move his hand; his well-defined palm simply rested on Brian Carter’s spine, as if offering support.

Brian Carter’s rigid body gradually relaxed.

It was enough that just one person noticed this loss of composure. Afraid of being overheard, he leaned in close to Samuel Bennett’s ear and whispered, “Thank you, I’m fine now.”

It was a quick, brief sentence, the words dissipating before the breath could linger.

Samuel Bennett withdrew his hand from Brian Carter’s back, picked up a cup of sake with fingers still warm from the contact, and drank it down.

The dinner ended, long past office hours. The other two colleagues took a cab home.

The driver waited by the car door. Samuel Bennett got in and waved. The driver bent down to listen, then turned and asked, “Mr. Carter, do you need a ride?”

Brian Carter felt a tightness in his chest and said, “No, I’d like to walk a bit and get some air.”

The car drove off with Samuel Bennett, leaving Brian Carter to stroll alone along the street. The cool spring night breeze was just right to clear his foggy mind.

This area was quite bustling, with many people out shopping even at night. As Brian Carter walked, he passed a high-end department store, its massive LED screen on the exterior playing the latest commercial.

He stopped to watch, once again amazed.

A young man, dressed head to toe in designer brands, walked out the main entrance of the mall. As he descended the steps, he suddenly stopped, pulled down his sunglasses to make sure he wasn’t mistaken, and shouted, “Brian Carter!”

Brian Carter looked over at the sound.

The young man quickly ran up to him and grabbed his shoulder. “Damn, it really is you! I thought you’d disappeared from the face of the earth!”

Brian Carter was on guard. “Sir, may I ask who you are?”

“I’m William Clark, you know, the William Clark who’s always spending money!”

Brian Carter naturally didn’t recognize him and said, “I’ve lost my memory, sorry.”