Chapter 5: The First Glimpse of a Business Mind

The next morning, Ashley was awakened by the chirping of birds. Through the window, she saw Lucas already tidying up some clutter in the backyard, moving with smooth, organized motions. Although he claimed to have lost his memory, every action he took exuded a natural efficiency.

"Good morning, Lucas." Ashley walked over to greet him in the backyard.

Lucas looked up with a faint smile on his face. "Good morning, Miss Ashley. I wanted to do something to repay you for your kindness."

"Just call me Ashley," she said, noticing the yard was already neatly organized. "You've done a great job."

"Thank you," Lucas responded, his voice still cool and composed. "Is there anything else you'd like me to do?"

"Today, we're going into town for some research. Would you like to join me?"

Lucas nodded. "Of course."

After breakfast, Ashley and Lucas drove into town. As they drove, Ashley began explaining her plan to him.

"I want to understand the real needs of local consumers," she said. "Especially female consumers. Although Walmart offers cheap prices, they miss a lot of details."

"Like what?" Lucas asked, his eyes focused as if trying to catch something.

"Like personalized services, the emotional value of products, and a sense of community," Ashley continued as she drove. "Large chain stores focus only on efficiency and cost, but consumers want more than just cheap goods."

Lucas pondered for a moment. "You're right. Consumers don't just buy products; they buy experiences and emotional connections."

Ashley was surprised by his response. For someone who claimed to have amnesia, his understanding of business was clearly beyond ordinary.

"Do you remember anything else?" Ashley asked tentatively.

Lucas shook his head. "Not much. But when you mentioned these things, they felt so familiar to me, like... like I've done something similar before."

Upon arriving in town, Ashley first took Lucas to Walmart. She wanted to observe this competitor's business model for herself.

Walking into Walmart, Ashley noticed that while there were many customers, most of them were rushing through their shopping, rarely pausing to browse. The shelves were neatly stocked but lacked personality.

"What do you see?" Ashley asked Lucas.

Lucas observed the store carefully. "The efficiency is high, but it lacks warmth. Customers come here to complete a shopping task, not to enjoy the shopping experience."

"Go on."

"And," Lucas pointed toward the cosmetics section, "look at those women. They're hesitating when choosing products, often picking something up and putting it back. What does that tell you?"

Ashley's eyes lit up. "It means they need more information and advice."

"Exactly." Lucas's eyes sharpened. "Large chain stores can't provide personalized consultation services. This is our opportunity."

They visited a few other small shops in town, and Ashley was increasingly impressed by Lucas's observational skills. He could quickly identify each store's strengths and weaknesses and offer specific suggestions for improvement.

"This hardware store has a great location, but the product display is chaotic," Lucas analyzed. "If they redesigned the layout, sales would increase by at least 20%."

"How do you know that?" Ashley asked.

Lucas paused for a moment. "I... I don't know. These numbers just appeared in my mind."

At noon, they had lunch at a small restaurant in town. Ashley took the opportunity to observe the surrounding customers while discussing her business plan with Lucas.

"I want to start with women's products," she said. "Especially sanitary products and skincare. The market is competitive, but there's a lack of brands that truly understand women's needs."

Lucas nodded. "Good choice. Female consumers are more demanding when it comes to quality and experience, and they're willing to pay for high-quality products."

"But the problem is," Ashley frowned, "we have limited start-up funds. How can we stand out in such a fierce competition?"

Lucas thought for a moment before saying, "Differentiation and targeted marketing. We don't need to compete with the big brands in every area; we just need to be the best in a specific niche."

"How exactly?"

"For example," Lucas's eyes became more focused, "we could specialize in natural, organic women's care products, targeting health- and eco-conscious consumers. This group might be small, but they have strong purchasing power and high loyalty."

Ashley's eyes brightened. "That's a great idea. But how can we earn their trust?"

"Through education and community building," Lucas answered without hesitation. "We're not just selling products; we're spreading a health-conscious philosophy. We could hold regular health talks, invite experts to share knowledge, and build a community of consumers."

His words completely stunned Ashley. These strategies were not only brilliant but also highly actionable. How could a man with amnesia possess such deep business insight?

"Lucas," she looked him in the eyes, "do you really not remember anything?"

Lucas's expression grew a little complex. "I remember some fragments, but they're blurry. It's like... like looking at distant mountains through a layer of mist."

"What kind of fragments?"

"Skyscrapers, conference rooms, people in suits having intense discussions." Lucas's voice grew distant. "There are also some numbers, charts, business reports... but I don't know if these are real memories or just dreams."

Ashley's heart skipped a beat. She was increasingly certain that this man was no ordinary person. His business acumen and professional knowledge clearly came from years of practical experience.

In the afternoon, they visited Mr. Chen, a Chinese businessman mentioned earlier. Mr. Chen's factory was located outside town—a small garment processing plant.

"Hello, Mr. Chen," Ashley extended her hand. "I'm Ashley Taylor, and this is Lucas."

Mr. Chen, a lean and energetic man in his fifties, smiled warmly. "Miss Taylor, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've heard of you. I understand you're considering doing business in town?"

"Yes, I'm exploring the possibilities," Ashley said. "I'd like to learn about the local manufacturing industry."

Mr. Chen showed them around the factory, explaining as they walked. "We mainly do contract work for mid-range brands, but recently, orders have been declining, and the competition is getting fiercer."

Lucas was paying close attention, suddenly asking, "Who are your main clients?"

"Mainly some East Coast clothing brands," Mr. Chen replied. "But they're very price-sensitive, and the profit margins are shrinking."

"Why not consider shifting to the high-end market?" Lucas asked.

Mr. Chen smiled wryly. "The high-end market isn't easy to enter. It requires branding, channels, and a huge investment."

"Not necessarily," Lucas shook his head. "The key is to find the right entry point. For example, customized services, small-batch production, and quickly responding to customer needs."

Mr. Chen looked at him in surprise. "You know about this?"

Lucas paused, "I... I don't know why I know these things."

Ashley watched this conversation unfold, her doubts growing deeper. Lucas not only had a profound understanding of business strategy but also seemed familiar with the operations of the manufacturing industry. This was definitely not something a man with amnesia should know.

"Mr. Chen," Ashley said, "if there's a chance for us to cooperate, would you be willing to consider it?"

"What kind of cooperation?"

"Custom women's clothing," Ashley explained. "We provide the design and branding, and you handle production."

Mr. Chen thought for a moment. "It's a good idea, but it needs careful planning."

"We can start on a small scale," Lucas suggested. "Test the market response, and then gradually expand."

On their way back from the factory, Ashley couldn't help but ask, "Lucas, who exactly are you?"

Lucas remained silent for a long time before answering, "I really don't know. But I have a feeling that we might have met before."

"Met?" Ashley was surprised. "Where?"

"I'm not sure," Lucas's expression was complex. "But when I saw you, there was a feeling of familiarity that I can't explain."

Ashley's heart skipped again. She felt the same way, but logic told her it was probably just a coincidence.

After returning to the farm, Ashley shared everything she had seen and heard with her family. Jack, after hearing the details, was even more convinced that Lucas was no ordinary person.

"His business mind is too sharp," Jack said. "And the way he observes problems is very much like some officers I've met before."

"Officers?" Catherine asked.

"Yes, those with higher education and rich practical experience," Jack analyzed. "His thinking is very systematic, and his decisions are very decisive."

Ben nodded. "I also think he's extraordinary. The business strategies he proposed today are very professional."

"Regardless of who he is," Ashley said, "he's our friend now, and we should help him."

That night, as Ashley lay in bed, she reflected on the day's events. Lucas's presence had opened up new possibilities for her business plan. But at the same time, she also felt an unspoken sense of danger.

A mysterious man with amnesia, appearing when she needed help most—was this really just a coincidence?

Moreover, his inexplicable aura and deep business insights hinted at a past that was anything but ordinary.

In the next room, Lucas sat by the bed, looking out at the night. The day's events had made his memories even more confusing. Some blurry images kept flashing by: luxurious offices, serious meetings, and a woman's figure...

But he couldn't see her face clearly.

The only thing he was sure of was that Ashley was special. Her wisdom, her courage, and the strength she exuded made him feel both familiar and foreign.

Maybe, by following her, he could find the answers he was searching for.

Outside the window, the night breeze gently blew, carrying the scent of the fields. Tomorrow would be a new day, a new challenge.