Brief Encounter In Shinjuku

Leung Foon, Q Tai-long and Pierre bring their wives and female companions on a sea voyage. They set off for a break from work and daily life, enjoying leisure on the open water. The trip introduces the personal undercurrents that will later surface as the story unfolds.

Midway through the voyage, Ann encounters her ex-boyfriend Alan, a MSF doctor stationed in Africa. Alan offers to take her to Africa, but she rejects the invitation. She also rejects her superior KK Yeung's offer to immigrate and decides to reconcile with Foon.

Back on land, Foon and Q Tai-long transfer to a new company. They meet a new secretary, Wendy Wan, who will become central to the next phase of their work. Their professional path briefly shifts as they start a new assignment.

Their boss Mr. Tsang assigns Foon and Wendy to a business trip in Shinjuku, Japan. They prepare for a demanding client engagement and travel to Tokyo. The trip marks the beginning of work-focused stress that fuels romance.

In Shinjuku, they realize they forgot to bring their proposal and are forced to work through the night in their hotel. Wendy grows exhausted and falls asleep, while Foon keeps pushing to salvage the presentation. The sleepless night sets the stage for a deepening connection.

The next day they meet the client and Foon delivers an outstanding performance. Wendy notices his competence and begins to develop feelings for him. The professional success acts as a catalyst for their growing attraction.

After the meeting they go shopping together. Wendy gets on the wrong tram, and Foon rushes to rescue her. They nearly deplete cash on taxi rides, finally using a credit card for the last ride back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, Foon and Wendy become intimate and spend the night together. The relationship shifts from professional to personal as boundaries blur. Their secret begins to weigh on both of them.

The next day, they call Hong Kong to tell their boss they haven't completed the assignment and must stay one more day. The deception underscores the risk they are taking with their career and relationships. The extra day deepens their bond.

After returning to Hong Kong, their intimate relationship gradually becomes exposed to colleagues and friends. The affair begins to affect reputations and personal dynamics within their circle. The fallout starts to ripple through their lives.

On Wendy's wedding day to John Li, Foon arrives late and trips at the door, leaving his fingerprints on Wendy and John's marriage certificate. The incident exposes the affair and triggers a cascade of emotional and social consequences. Foon's credibility and relationships suffer anew.

Foon confesses what happened to Ann, revealing the affair. Ann rejects him and ejects him from her life, marking a clear personal break. The reconciliation he seeks with Ann seems increasingly unlikely.

Wendy calls Foon to meet outside the Legislative Council building. She explains that she told John about the affair and that John cannot accept it. She also reveals she will keep the marriage certificate because it bears Foon's fingerprints.

Meanwhile, Q Tai-long's involvement with Pierre's girlfriend Fanny strains his own marriage. Fung, his wife, leaves him and their son, creating further family turmoil. The split deepens the sense that relationships are at breaking points.

During a gathering at Pierre's home, Foon, Pierre, and Q Ta-long share instant noodles. Fung unexpectedly returns, cooking dinner for them and explaining her decision to support her son. This moment rekindles Foon's resolve to reconcile with Ann.