"What's wrong?"
Surtr walked over, her tone devoid of any emotion.
Surtr had been living at Jessica's place these past few days and had gotten used to it. Although she still often wore a cold expression, through long-term contact with others, she had gradually begun to integrate into the environment, unlike before when she would just meet people with a cold face and say nothing.
Or just tilt her head up and huff arrogantly.
"I think I have amnesia," Lucas Reeve said.
"??"
Surtr paused, her expression a little strange.
After all, Lucas Reeve had just been comforting her about not being able to remember her own past. She didn't expect that so soon, he would get amnesia himself....
Ah, this...
Surtr was somewhat at a loss for words.
What was there to say?
She fell into deep thought. It seemed Surtr had never actively comforted anyone in her life, and she was now seriously short on words.
After thinking for a few seconds, Surtr recalled her own brief memories, patted Lucas Reeve on the shoulder, and using all the knowledge she had ever learned, repeated the exact words Lucas Reeve had once used to comfort her.
"Look forward, and grasp your crotch."
Lucas Reeve: "???"
Somehow, that sounded familiar.
"Um... are you trying to say, seize the moment?"
Surtr froze for a second, a question mark appearing above her head. "Probably," she said uncertainly.
Lucas Reeve's amnesia was completely different from Surtr's. Surtr had too many memories, making it impossible to know which one was truly hers. Lucas Reeve, on the other hand, had no idea he had amnesia. If he hadn't discovered it through surrounding events, he would never have known he might have lost his memories.
Originally.
According to Lucas Reeve's original plan.
Once he had condensed his own physical body and escaped the prison of the divine statue, he could slack off as much as he wanted, then find someone he liked and get married.
However.
It seemed he was still far from being able to slack off. If he was truly missing some important memories, then searching for them would be necessary.
Nian walked over and said, "Amnesia? What's the big deal?"
"Instead of thinking about that, you should be thinking about what to say at the film festival awards ceremony in a little while."
"Look, look."
Nian happily handed her draft to Lucas Reeve.
"I've already written a lot of drafts, you know! I watched a lot of award-winning videos online. Some of those people like to thank this person and that person when they win, but I thought about it, and it seems I don't have anyone to thank except for Jessica and you. Besides, all that thank-you stuff, crying your eyes out while holding a trophy, is so cliché. The audience must be getting tired of it."
"So, we have to do something new, something bold! My speech is going to be amazing, guaranteed to make everyone's eyes light up. And I've even picked out my walk for when I go on stage! As for clothes, I need to borrow a qipao from my sister Dusk... No... I should just go buy one. If I ask Dusk, she probably won't lend it to me."
"Oh, right, there's also the red carpet part. Tsk tsk tsk... I'll need to know how to pose."
"The whole film festival process is pretty complicated, but I like it."
Nian chattered endlessly in Lucas Reeve's ear.
She hadn't done anything else these past few days, basically just working on her film festival speech and writing the script for the sequel. As for forging... no way, absolutely not. Forging is nowhere near as fun as making movies.
Nian's attitude was as if she was 100% certain she would win an award.
Lucas Reeve was genuinely worried that if Nian, after preparing her speech for so long, didn't win an award, she might get angry enough to tear down the festival's main stage.
*No... I need to have a word with Jessica when I have a moment. Whatever it takes, we need to give Nian some random award to cheer her on. Even a Golden Broom Award would do. As long as it's an award. Anyway, Raythean Industries is one of the major shareholders of the Columbia Film Festival, so adding a worthless award would be a piece of cake. Just to make Nian happy.*
"Rosmontis~"
Lucas Reeve stood up and walked over to Rosmontis. She was obediently sitting on the living room carpet, reading a book. In stark contrast, Ifrit was running wild by herself, Ceobe was foraging for food, and Shamare was lying next to Rosmontis, reading along with her. As for Little Moti...
He was being swung around in Ifrit's hand.
"Help!! Help!!"
Little Moti yelled nonstop, but no one paid him any mind.
"Hm?"
"Big Brother Lucas~"
Rosmontis looked up. Her eyelashes were also pure white. Her fair, jade-like face was smooth and round, and her skin, like solidified cream, looked incredibly delicate. Rosmontis would definitely grow up to be a great beauty. Oh, wait... all these kids would probably grow up to be great beauties.
"Have you been settling in okay these past few days?"
Jessica was a CEO now and was getting busier and busier. She was no longer as idle as before, leaving early and coming home late almost every day. Lucas Reeve, meanwhile, was often moving back and forth between places. Nian... had no idea how to take care of children. The girls from Penguin Logistics had gone back to Lungmen early on; they probably had things to do and couldn't stay for too long.
So Rosmontis was basically being raised free-range, with no one having the time to look after her. Fortunately, Rosmontis was obedient and was even teaching herself elementary school subjects.
"Very okay!"
Rosmontis nodded happily.
"That's good. From now on, this is your home. If you need anything, you must tell Sister Jessica or me, okay?"
"Mhm!"
Lucas Reeve ruffled Rosmontis's hair a few times and chatted about a few other things.
Rosmontis's situation was not ideal.
After a joint diagnosis by Silence, Shining, and others, the Infected Organ implanted at the back of her head by the Loken Water Tank had completely integrated with her brain, becoming an indispensable part of her body. Forcibly removing it would have unimaginable consequences. While it wouldn't be fatal, losing her cerebellum would mean Rosmontis would be completely unable to stand, and there was even a severe risk of paralysis. Therefore, after the diagnosis, Silence's recommendation was not to remove it.
For now, the infected cerebellum organ wasn't causing any obvious side effects for Rosmontis, so the suggestion was to observe her for the time being.
As for the other children from the Loken Water Tank, those with families were immediately taken home by them. Of those without families, some were adopted by loving, childless couples, while others were sent by Raythean Industries to the best orphanages in Columbia. Raythean Industries even promised to cover all tuition and living expenses for these children until they graduated from university, as long as they wanted to study.
Naturally, Raythean Industries, in collaboration with the media, heavily reported on this move. After all, an individual can do a good deed without seeking recognition, but a corporation cannot.
And with the media's extensive publicity, this news garnered a great deal of praise and acclaim from the public. Even Raythean Industries' civilian products, outside of their military ones, were being snapped up by ordinary people. With this move, Raythean Industries had once again made a killing.
They were just too good at making money.
In contrast.
Rhine Lab had been having a tough time these days.
Their stock had plummeted, and the military, which had previously backed Rhine Lab, was no longer providing funding. Even many of their original investors had stopped funding and started investing in other biotech companies. And with Columbia being a country that encourages entrepreneurship and innovation, many new biotech companies naturally stepped forward, hoping to gain the favor of capital magnates.
Not only that.
Rhine Hospital, the largest under Rhine Lab and also the largest in Columbia, faced boycotts from many people. There were even many troublemaking citizens who filed lawsuits against Rhine Hospital, suspecting them of conducting human experiments in their vicinity.
Many small and medium-sized companies thought Rhine Lab was about to go under.
However.
Only Silence knew that this level of trouble would not affect Rhine Lab in the slightest. Rhine Lab was simply too massive. Once the storm passed, it would be as if nothing had happened. Moreover, if it hadn't been Raythean Industries fanning the flames from behind the scenes, any other company would have had such news suppressed by Rhine Lab long ago.
Nighttime.
Possessing his own physical body for the first time, Lucas Reeve ate dinner like a normal person and then went up to the villa's rooftop to enjoy the breeze. It was almost April now, and the night wind was slightly cool, feeling very comfortable on the skin. This season was the most comfortable time of the year.
Jessica came up to the rooftop from behind. She was wearing a pink nightgown, having just showered. Her short hair was tied up, with some water still dripping from it. In the gentle breeze, she exuded a youthful and vibrant beauty.
For some reason.
Lucas Reeve suspected there was something wrong with his eyes.
Had Jessica developed a bit? She somehow felt... fuller than when he had first met her. In the past, Jessica was as thin and small as a little bean sprout, and the only word that could describe her was "cute."
But after a year, Jessica seemed to be developing in Franka's direction.
Seeing the way Lucas Reeve was looking at her.
Jessica felt a little shy, her cheeks turning red, but also a little proud. She deliberately straightened her back. At least her efforts these past few days hadn't been in vain. Mr. Reeve had finally noticed the change in her!
"Mr. Reeve, I heard from Miss Surtr that you seem to have amnesia?"
Jessica walked to Lucas Reeve's side, clasping her hands in front of her.
"Hmm? I guess so. I don't actually know myself."
Lucas Reeve shook his head.
"For example, this body. The people from Rhodes Island call me 'Doctor', and they seem to be very, very familiar with this body, but I have no memory of it at all. If that Miss Amiya hadn't been so certain, I wouldn't even believe this body is my own..."
Jessica stood on her tiptoes and with some difficulty, patted Lucas Reeve's head.
"Hm?"
Lucas Reeve: "?"
"When I was unhappy before, Mr. Reeve would pat my head like this too."
Jessica's face turned a little red as she spoke nervously.
"Mr. Reeve."
"Yes."
"If the people from Rhodes Island want you to go back with them, why don't you go back for a visit? Since your past self lived with them for so long, there must be many traces of your life there. Maybe, by coming into contact with enough of those traces, you might be able to slowly recall your past memories?"
Lucas Reeve suddenly chuckled.
"Are you willing to let me go to Rhodes Island?"
This rare piece of playful banter from Lucas Reeve made Jessica's face flush red again, as if she had reverted to the easily blushing Jessica from a year ago.
"Of course I'm not!!"
Jessica cutely puffed out her cheeks.
"But... but... Mr. Reeve has his own things to do and his own things to find. You can't stay with me forever! Besides, the necklace is still on my neck. Whenever I miss you, I can call you at any time."
"Uh... alright then."
"Of course, that's assuming the people from Rhodes Island invite me. If they don't, then forget it. I don't really care about those memories. Even if I've really lost them, it doesn't bother me much. Just like what I told Surtr, living in the present is enough. The me right now is the real me."
"Hmph, hmph!"
Jessica took the initiative to loop her arm through Lucas Reeve's, enjoying the moon with him. However, this moment didn't last more than a few minutes before noisy sounds came from behind them.
Everyone else living in the villa had come up to enjoy the moon.
"Yoho~ What are you two up to?"
Nian opened the fan in her hand, covering her face with it.
"I'm considering adding some romantic action scenes to the sequel. How about..."
Lucas Reeve: "Get lost!"
——————
The people from Rhodes Island stayed in Columbia for three days.
Those three days were mostly spent discussing the detailed specifics of future cooperation and finalizing the relevant contracts.
However.
The matter of the Doctor's stay became a huge problem.
Amiya definitely wanted the Doctor to return to Rhodes Island with them. They hadn't seen each other for over a year, and even though the Doctor had amnesia, for Amiya, as long as the Doctor was still the Doctor she adored, that was enough.
ACE also agreed to let the Doctor go back.
As for Warfarin, she was raising both her hands and feet in approval. She was just too thirsty for the Doctor's blood!!
But Kal'tsit showed not a shred of interest. Just seeing the Doctor's face filled her with a physiological revulsion.
However, despite her disapproval.
After a round of soft persuasion from Amiya, Kal'tsit had no choice but to throw out a "do whatever you want" and ignore the matter. But then, a new problem arose.
Would Raythean Medica let him go?
The Doctor now had no memories of his past and was currently Miss Jessica's secretary. Furthermore, his relationship with Miss Jessica seemed to be quite intimate, which made Amiya green with envy.
Still, she had to ask to find out.
After the last day of cooperation discussions was over.
Amiya mustered her courage.
"Miss Jessica, please wait a moment!"
Jessica smiled slightly. "Is there anything else, Miss Amiya?"
"Um... the Doctor was a very close partner of ours, and he's a very, very important person to me. If it's possible, I'd really like for the Doctor... to return to Rhodes Island with us."
Amiya herself found it hard to believe, as if she were in Jessica's shoes, she would never agree.
So, as she asked the question, she didn't hold out much hope.
And when she mentioned "closest partner."
Kal'tsit, who was nearby, couldn't help but click her tongue, seemingly with some disdain or reluctance to acknowledge it.
Jessica's expression remained neutral. She turned her head to glance at Lucas Reeve beside her.
Under Amiya's nervous gaze, she replied.
"Sure."
Hearing Jessica's reply, Amiya felt a little dejected, as if she had already expected it. She said with regret, "Thank you, Miss Jessica. I know you'd be reluctant to part with the Doctor. If it were me, I'd definitely..."
"Hmm??"
Amiya suddenly froze.
She agreed?
She just agreed like that?