If he were undercover in the Military Statistics Bureau, his identity might not be able to remain secret forever.

After work, Andrew Carter changed out of his police uniform before heading to Kangbo South Road, Ren'an Lane.

He hadn't even entered the Guangfa Hotel when David Bolton suddenly came out from inside, beaming with a smile.

Andrew Carter coming to the Guangfa Hotel naturally made David Bolton very happy. He had timed it just right, and Andrew Carter should be arriving soon.

Standing behind the glass door, waiting on tiptoe, as soon as he saw Andrew Carter, it was as if he saw a fish biting the hook—he was especially delighted.

“Buddy Carter, your presence brings honor to my humble establishment.” David Bolton clasped his hands in greeting toward Andrew Carter, his face full of smiles.

“Boss Bolton, please don’t say that. It’s my honor to be invited to dinner by you.” Andrew Carter returned the gesture.

Chapter 9: Clarity

Although he now knew David Bolton's true identity, Andrew Carter did his best to forget it.

At the same time, he also forced himself to banish from memory the fact that he was a Communist Party member.

Only by doing so could he face David Bolton with composure and act naturally in front of him.

Andrew Carter had never received formal undercover training; he could only rely on the experience passed down from William Thompson, along with his own observations, to adapt and deal with David Bolton as situations arose.

When Andrew Carter stopped thinking about David Bolton's Military Statistics Bureau identity, and kept reminding himself that he was just an ordinary patrolman,

his conversations with David Bolton became much more natural.

After some polite exchanges, the topic naturally turned to money.

Andrew Carter was truly “grateful” for this—this was heartfelt. No matter what David Bolton's intentions were, the money he lent him back then had indeed solved a major problem.

Three hundred yuan was more than a year’s salary for him. Without David Bolton, he really wouldn’t have known where to borrow the money.

Perhaps, in the end, he would have had to sell the house in the security bureau.

Although his mother ultimately could not be saved, at least Andrew Carter had no regrets.

“Boss Bolton, thank you for your silent support.” Andrew Carter raised his wine glass with both hands, expressing his gratitude.

“Talking like that makes us seem like strangers—you’ll have to drink as a penalty.” David Bolton feigned annoyance.

“All right, I misspoke. Let’s say I’m apologizing to Boss Bolton.” Andrew Carter tilted his head back and finished his drink.

Andrew Carter wasn’t a heavy drinker, but in front of David Bolton, he couldn’t refuse.

Moreover, he had to keep himself sober enough.

David Bolton was quite satisfied with Andrew Carter's performance.

Seeing that Andrew Carter had drunk quite a bit, he tentatively asked how he had discovered his identity.

“Dave Bolton, that day I quietly followed you, just thinking I’d repay your kindness someday. I didn’t expect you really did good deeds without leaving your name.” Andrew Carter said with deep emotion.

“I didn’t even notice at the time.” David Bolton replied with an embarrassed smile.

He thought to himself, Andrew Carter really does have the makings of a special agent.

He himself had been in the intelligence business for several years, yet hadn’t noticed being tailed.

Of course, part of it was David Bolton's own carelessness.

But it was undeniable that Andrew Carter did have some talent.

“Lately I’ve had a toothache and heatiness, you should eat more.” David Bolton barely touched his chopsticks, always urging Andrew Carter to eat more.

You can tell a person’s character from the way they eat.

Of course, most importantly, David Bolton wanted to convey a message to Andrew Carter—that his visit to the Wang Clinic was indeed for medical reasons.

The next day and the day after, Andrew Carter went to the Guangfa Hotel after work.

Their relationship quickly warmed.

There was David Bolton's intention to win over Andrew Carter, and also Andrew Carter's willingness to go along.

In just two days, Andrew Carter went from being reserved at first to acting naturally later on. Unconsciously, he had already grown accustomed to interacting with David Bolton.

David Bolton “learned” that Andrew Carter was also worried about the country’s future, and harbored a deep, heartfelt hatred for the Japanese.

“Andrew, do you know about the Communist Party?” David Bolton suddenly asked mysteriously.

“You mean the Commie bandits?” Andrew Carter replied in surprise, looking at David Bolton with a wary expression, as if afraid he might be a Communist.

“The Communist Party is still resisting the Japanese and cares about the working people. How can you call them bandits?” David Bolton feigned dissatisfaction, but in his heart, he was very pleased with the term Andrew Carter had used.

Andrew Carter spoke “without thinking,” but David Bolton “took it to heart.”

This unintentional remark from Andrew Carter let David Bolton know that Andrew Carter had no political beliefs.

At the very least, he had no fondness for the Communist Party, and that was enough.

“Boss Bolton, you’re not a Communist, are you?” Andrew Carter suddenly stood up, staring intently at David Bolton.

“How could I be a Communist?” David Bolton felt a bit flustered under Andrew Carter's gaze and hurried to explain.

“As long as you’re not a Communist.” Andrew Carter “breathed a sigh of relief” and slowly sat back down.

“Andrew, what do you think the future of China will be?” David Bolton felt reassured, and after Andrew Carter sat down, casually asked.

“How could a matter of national importance be something a commoner like me can discuss?” Andrew Carter shook his head and said self-mockingly.

“We’re just chatting in private, it’s no big deal.” David Bolton smiled.