“I don’t want to look for her.” William Thompson shook his head lightly. “You know my relationship with her is really bad.”

“No matter how bad it is, you’re still siblings. If you just lower yourself a bit, bow your head, you’ll get way more opportunities than others. What’s the big deal?” Edward Brooks was unconcerned.

“We’ll talk about it later. I think I can manage on my own.” William Thompson smiled. “I’m not an ambitious person, as you know. I don’t seek wealth or glory, just a simple life is enough for me.”

“Naive.” Edward Brooks snorted. “I think your sister’s been oppressing you so much you’ve gone dumb. These days, there are still people who don’t want to climb up? If word got out about what you just said, people would die laughing.”

“I’m not a competitive person. Maybe it’s just my personality.” As William Thompson spoke, memories in his mind gradually merged with those of his former self.

The emotions, feelings, and values from two lifetimes, with that one sentence, began to subtly blend together.

“What about Samuel Clark? Didn’t you always have a bit of a thing for her?” Edward Brooks lowered his voice again.

“Did I? I was just joking before.” William Thompson shook his head. The one who was interested was his former self, not him.

The three of them had been together for at least ten years.

Samuel Clark wasn’t exactly pretty, but she was energetic and youthful, and most importantly, she had a great figure.

Back when they were younger, both William Thompson and Edward Brooks had some adolescent crushes, but as they grew older, their focus shifted more to graduation and finding jobs.

Their feelings for Samuel Clark gradually faded as well.

“If it really doesn’t work out, you might as well come help me. My family’s gym still needs a front desk.” Edward Brooks joked with a grin.

“Alright, you said it yourself, remember to save me a spot.” William Thompson replied with a smile, playing along.

Among the three, his former self had always had a good temper—gentle, never competitive, and always avoided conflicts or arguments.

So with jokes like this, Edward Brooks knew William Thompson wouldn’t get upset.

“Hey, Little William, give me a hand.” At that moment, Samuel Clark waved at the two of them from a distance.

Samuel Clark had quite distinctive features: sharp eyebrows, big eyes, a high nose, and a small mouth. Each feature was fine on its own, but together they gave her a rather stiff look—even when she smiled, she seemed cold.

If it weren’t for her outstanding figure, that face might have suited a man better.

“What’s up?” Edward Brooks led William Thompson over.

“Help me move these drinks to the car.” Samuel Clark pointed at two boxes of dark-colored drinks on the ground.

Standing slightly behind her were a few guys and girls she’d been chatting with earlier.

It was obvious from their clothes and accessories that these people were well-dressed—the materials, details, and finishing touches were all refined, clearly not cheap.

“Whose drinks are these?” Edward Brooks asked.

“Why do you care? Just move them if I ask.” Samuel Clark replied, annoyed.

Whenever the three of them were together, the other two guys would always help and look out for her. This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.

“Isn’t this a bit much? After all, it’s our own stuff.” One of the group, a guy in a baseball cap, hesitated.

“What’s the big deal? It’s just a small favor.” Samuel Clark replied with a smile. “They come here to work out every day anyway. Moving a box of drinks is nothing—just think of it as helping them exercise.”

“Well then, thanks to Samuel Clark and you two brothers.” The guy in the cap said warmly.

William Thompson hadn’t moved yet, but Edward Brooks was the first to start carrying the boxes.

Seeing him hesitate, Edward Brooks quietly patted his arm.

Was he just used to being pua’d?

William Thompson was speechless inside. He glanced at Samuel Clark, who was chatting with the others, and could clearly see the hint of eagerness and desire to fit in on her face.

He didn’t say anything. Though he frowned inwardly, he still didn’t want to act against his former self’s habits.

He exhaled, then joined Edward Brooks in carrying a box of drinks—fifty bottles in total—to a black SUV parked not far away.

The car was parked at the entrance to the park.

Samuel Clark didn’t come back to work out with them, but got in the car with the others. Before leaving, she waved at him and Edward Brooks as a farewell.

The guy in the cap also waved at them in a leader-like manner, warm and polite.

“Thanks, let’s work out together sometime if there’s a chance.”

The rest of the group hadn’t even looked at them from start to finish.

The guy in the cap was clearly the nicest of the bunch.

The car drove off, kicking up a trail of fine dust.

Edward Brooks stood at the park entrance and let out a long sigh.

“Looks like Miss Clark has found herself a new target,” he muttered.

“What about you?” William Thompson asked.

“Me... I’ll just follow in my father’s footsteps.” Edward Brooks said. “These days, the job market is so bad out there, what else can I do? But you, you’d better just swallow your pride and go to your sister.”

“You don’t understand.” William Thompson shook his head.

“Don’t understand my ass. The way things are now, bowing your head to family is still better than bowing to outsiders.” Edward Brooks cursed.

William Thompson didn’t say anything more, just fell silent.

After their run.

In half an hour, he and Edward Brooks talked about a lot.

He also gained a deeper, more nuanced understanding of many details from his former self’s memories.

When he got home, his parents and sister weren’t there.

William Thompson remembered that yesterday his sister Henry Thompson had said she’d be bringing an important guest home.