Cyberpunk: Legends of Life

Chapter 172
V sat on the edge of the bed, tearing off the last bandage on his shoulder, and found that the previous trauma had disappeared, leaving only a thin seam.

She estimated that it won't be long before the remaining scars will heal.

V is full of praise for Lao Wei's medical skills.

After this period of time, she has fully adapted to the prosthetic arm, and she can control the weight freely, which is as convenient as the original arm.

V moved his shoulders around a few times vigorously, and felt that there was no serious problem. He hadn't exercised in the past few days, and his whole body was full of energy.

After recovering her body, she decided to go to Lizzie's Bar, and find a way to live in Gloria.

She changed her clothes in the room, still in the avant-garde fashion.

But going to Gloria this time is a little different from the past. She specially prepared a box of stupid monkeys.

She messed up her job of stealing data last time, and after receiving treatment at the Old Vivian Prosthetic Clinic, she went to Lizzie's Bar to ask Gloria to explain what happened.

But as soon as she arrived at Lizi's Bar, before entering the small square, she was startled.

She hid far away, and saw Gloria walking out of the bar door with a smile on her face, which seemed a little intimate.

And the person who was greeted so warmly by Gloria turned out to be wearing a suit.

V was not sure about the scene at the moment, and couldn't figure out how Tang Yu was also at Lizi's Bar.

One is his own middleman, the other is his own debtor, and when they get together, it is like a bolt from the blue to V.

As the saying goes, if the wallet is hard, the waist is hard.

If she successfully completed the commission now and made a lot of money, even if Tang Yu stood in front of her, she would dare to throw money in his face.

But the reality is that she has no money and no money to pay off her debts, and she messed up the commission assigned by Gloria.

V was naturally guilty and decisive, and ran away on the spot, planning to prepare some gifts next time before going to Gloria to explain the situation.

Carrying the weight of this box of stupid monkeys is quite heavy, after all, for this box of stupid monkeys, half of the thickness of all the banknotes in her pocket was cut off.

V believes that the sales of the stupid monkeys in Lizi's Bar must be very good, so it is appropriate to give a box of stupid monkeys. If Gloria doesn't drink, she can also sell them on the counter.

Carrying a box of stupid monkeys, she went out and left the apartment.

Walking on the street, V looked at the familiar street scene, and there were quite a few people in the crowd dressed in avant-garde fashion like her.

She has always felt that this city is really suitable for her, everyone can have a unique aesthetic power, no matter how novel your dress is, no one will find it awkward.

In this city, all kinds of things happen every day, and all kinds of new and interesting things emerge in endlessly.

Walking on the street, V enjoys this feeling very much, as if every day when he wakes up, there will be different stories waiting for him.

It could be a hangover, it could be a fight, it could be a romantic encounter.

of course.

The young and energetic V never believed in love, after all, no man dared to pursue her since she was a child.

Those little boys on the street just saw her, it was like seeing the King of Hades, and they wished to hide away.

V is quite happy on his own, he went to Atlanta the year before last to settle some old matters, and this time he returned to Night City to prepare for a good fight.

But after thinking about it, she felt uncomfortable again.

She had just returned to Night City, she was already poor and white, and now she has a creditor.

I don't know when and when she will be able to redeem her free body, but just paying off a Rayfield car loan is enough to give her a headache.

Every time she thinks of this, she always thinks of Lizi's wife, who is always well paid every time she entrusts her with a commission.

Without the generosity of Gloria, she can't imagine how many years she would have spent in vain.

In order to get the job from Gloria in the first place, she has already rejected several orders from other middlemen.

For example, go to the scavenger site to catch people, or run special cargo transportation and so on.

For these small orders, it is naturally difficult for V to look at her again, especially after the transformation of her arm prosthesis, her strength is much stronger than before.

She's now counting on a big deal or two, a few big bucks, a payoff, and a reputation in the mercenary business at the same time.

After walking for a few blocks, V walked to the small square of Lizi Bar, turned a corner and arrived at the main entrance of Lizi Bar.

Mox's younger sister, Rita Wheeler, was guarding the door with her two sisters, when she saw V, an old acquaintance.

V used to come to Lizzie's Bar often to find Gloria to take commissions, and generally didn't spend much at the bar.

Little sister Rita Wheeler was carrying a baseball bat and asked jokingly, "Why haven't I seen you in a while, have you spent all the money you earned?"

V said bluntly: "The premise is that I have money to spend. I owe a whole lot of debt, and I haven't paid it off yet. Don't mention it. It's all bad things."

"By the way, is your lady boss here?"

The little sister Rita Wheeler pointed her thumbs up and said coolly: "In the bar, I will tell her that you are coming, but you can't bring in drinks and the like, and neither can stupid monkeys. .”

She poked the box of stupid monkeys with a baseball bat. This is the rule of Lizi's bar, and drinks can only be ordered at the bar.

Drinks service is an important source of profit for Lizi, so it is naturally impossible to let customers bring their own drinks.

And there are already stupid monkeys selling in the bar, and the sales are not so good.

V picked up the stupid monkey in his hand. The big green monkey head on the box shell was staring at the little girl with round eyes.

She explained with some embarrassment: "This box of stupid monkeys does not bring their own drinks, it is a little thought I prepared. Last time I messed up the commission, I apologize to the proprietress."

The little girl understood, and she couldn't help laughing: "You have intentions, after all, no one can guarantee a 100% success of the commission, go in, good luck next time."

She gave up the position at the door of the bar.

V carried the stupid monkey into the bar, came to Lizi's inner hall, looked around, and saw Gloria standing in front of the bar, explaining something to the bartender Matteo.

After Gloria finished speaking, she folded her red hair behind her ears, and suddenly turned her head to look at V standing at the door, and waved to her with a smile, signaling her to come to the bar.

Seeing the mature and generous Gloria, V once again sighed that she was still elegant, mature and beautiful. She wore an elegant dark red dress that wrapped her whole body, showing a proud gully. A silk belt hung between her waist bones, forming a curvy curve. .

I don't know if it's because of the lighting effect or proper maintenance, but she keenly noticed that Gloria's complexion is more rosy and lustrous than before, and her beautiful face is full of collagen.

V started to walk to the bar, and greeted Gloria first.

Gloria snapped her fingers and asked the bartender Matteo to serve two glasses of cocktails and place them on the table.

She pushed one of the cups in front of V, and said with a smile, "I treat you."

V felt quite embarrassed, and every time he came here, he prostituted Lizi for free. Although she didn't like drinking very much, her kindness and kindness made her feel good.

V picked up the cocktail glass in his left hand and clinked glasses with Gloria.

Ding!
Gloria took a sip of her drink, and unexpectedly discovered that V's left hand was replaced by an implant arm.

She guessed it was caused by stealing the Poseidon data of the voodoo gang subnet last time, so she asked with concern, "Are you still used to the prosthetic arm?"

V smiled, but seemed free and easy, raised his arm to hold the cocktail glass steadily, and said bluntly: "Well, it's quite suitable. With this guy, it's more secure to work."

She didn't want to talk too much about the arm, so she put the box of stupid monkeys on the bar table, and said with some embarrassment: "I brought you a box of stupid monkeys. I messed up the last entrustment."

V knows that giving away a box of stupid monkeys is a bit overwhelming, but she is really in financial distress, and if there is a better choice, she will not choose stupid monkeys.

V showed a bit of embarrassment, and wanted to put the stupid monkey away quickly and put it under the bar.

"If you don't like it, you can put it on the counter and sell it. The shelf life of the stupid monkey is quite long."

To V's surprise, Gloria was somewhat pleasantly surprised to see this box of stupid monkeys.

Gloria asked with a little surprise in her tone: "Do you also like to drink stupid monkeys?"

This time it's V's turn to be stunned. Is there really someone like her who likes to drink sweet and cloying monkeys?
seriously.

She drank stupid monkeys back then mainly because of her life, and she usually didn't pay for them, she would prostitute for free from cabinets or treasure chests.

Because the shelf life is too long, some stupid monkeys will be discarded by the stall after being placed in the stall for a long time, and replaced with a new batch of stupid monkeys.

However, there are not many opportunities to go whoring for free. In the past two years, after leaving Night City, I have drank less.

V quickly reacted, and immediately said: "Well, this sweet corn taste has a different flavor, and I drink less in recent years."

Gloria directly opened the package of Clumsy Monkey, took out two cans from inside, handed a bottle to V, and said with a smile: "It seems that we have a lot in common."

V took the green can and couldn't help laughing: "I didn't think of that either."

The two pulled off the pull ring of the stupid monkey, touched each other with green cans, took a sip, and smiled sweetly.

Gloria felt the sweet and smoky smell of corn, and thought of the scene when Tang Yu took her to drink the stupid monkey for the first time.

If it weren't for Tang Yu, she wouldn't have tasted this taste, wouldn't be in the position she is today, and wouldn't meet V who also likes to drink stupid monkey.

She looked at V in front of her and sighed in her heart. This girl is indeed too good-looking. If she looks good, she will definitely be fascinating.

Think about this.

She couldn't help remembering that Tang Yu had specifically told her to take care of the trendy girl in front of her.

So what is the relationship between V and Tang Yu?

Gloria is still not sure about Tang Yu's thoughts. Take Sasha beside him as an example. Judging from all signs, Tang Yu has never had that kind of thought. Sasha is as simple as a blank sheet of paper.

She suddenly felt lucky. From now on, she knew Tang Yu better than anyone else, at least on a physical level.

V suddenly noticed that Gloria had been staring at her, and the meaningful gaze made her feel a little strange. After taking a sip of the stupid monkey, she put it down and explained with a guilty conscience.

"The last time the voodoo gang commissioned, there was some accident in the middle, and the data couldn't be copied back. I'm really sorry. It's my fault."

Gloria interrupted V, and said in relief: "No, you are not to blame for this matter, I have already understood the cause and effect, and you have also completed the task. Although the data has not been obtained, it has played its due role. "

V didn't understand why, and this time he came here to explain the reason and apologize, but also wanted to know the cause and effect, so he said in surprise: "Be sure to tell me the whole story, it's very important to me."

Gloria remembered what Tang Yu told her afterwards in the exclusive box that day, and there was no need to hide this matter from V.

In fact, she doesn't have a comprehensive understanding of this matter. Basically, Tang Yu arranges her to do what she does.

then.

She patiently explained the ins and outs of the whole incident, told V everything she knew, and concealed the part about her relationship with Tang Yu.

Roughly speaking, Internet monitoring and animal gangs have joined forces to clean up Taiping Prefecture.

In order to successfully complete the goal, Arasaka Company was also invited to join, and the reward was subnet Poseidon's backup data.

While V was in a coma, the network monitors had already copied the data from her mind and handed it to Adam Hammer, which was equivalent to Arasaka getting what she wanted.

And it was Tang Yu, a senior executive of the Arasaka company, who rescued V to the Laowei prosthetic body clinic.

After listening to the explanation, V seemed to understand but half understood. She didn't understand the activities between gangs in the company.

But there are two important things in my mind. It was Arasaka Company Adam Hammer who trampled on her, and it was Arasaka Company Tang Yu who rescued her. Both of them are high-level executives of Arasaka Company.

This made V inexplicably feel that life is impermanent, why did he unknowingly get into a fight with Arasaka.

She has always been revengeful, and Adam didn't even apologize after trampling on her with a heavy hammer, and she must find him to settle the score in the future.

same.

She also has to repay her kindness, and now she can only work hard to earn money to pay off her debts. Those company executives don't care about her favors, and nothing is worth it.

Her number one enemy and number one creditor are both from Arasaka, which is unbelievable.

After Gloria finished explaining, the aperture of the prosthetic eye turned and transferred [-] euros to V as a reward.

V was very surprised after receiving the transfer. In fact, she completed the commission in a serious way, and felt ashamed for taking the [-] reward.

"This"

Gloria smiled and explained: "Don't refuse, the situation at that time, if you didn't take the initiative to copy the data, if the server was damaged, it would be even more difficult to copy it again, no matter what, you would do it With the entrustment, this remuneration should not be small."

V said with a helpless smile, "Thanks, there will be absolutely nothing wrong with the next entrustment."

"Speaking of entrustment, I happen to have a way to survive here. I wonder if you are interested?"

"No problem, it just happened to be free recently, and I plan to exercise my muscles and bones after recovering from the injury."

Gloria handed V a mission chip, and explained: "Sandra Dorset, an employee of Ye's Company, a rich girl, a platinum member of the trauma team, was secretly kidnapped not long ago, and the cable reported that she was cleared. Dove is on it, the address is in the chip, all we need to do is rescue the target person.”

After V took the chip, he quickly browsed through the contents.

Going to the scavenger site to save people, she remembered that there seemed to be a few commissions recently, but Gloria must have paid more here.

She readily agreed.

The two briefly exchanged some commission details, and V left Li Zi and set off according to the task address.

Arasaka Tower.

Counterintelligence.

In the minister's office, two company executives in suits were sitting in the reception area, each holding a glass of whiskey, talking and laughing happily.

Arthur Jenkins sat in the minister's office after a long absence, and returned to a familiar place, which made him feel a lot more relaxed from fatigue, and the chatterbox has been opened up in the past few months.

"Tang, I've worked hard for you during this time. I've heard about everything in the ministry. I have to say that your potential is beyond everyone's imagination."

Sitting opposite, Tang Yu looked at the proud old boss Arthur Jenkins, and said calmly.

"It's nothing. The two of us are not walking back to normal. You are my deputy. I don't know what I have been busy with in the past six months."

Seeing his old boss return safely, Tang Yu felt very relieved, finally able to relax and rest for a while.

Arthur Jenkins should be promoted when he returns from his duty, but he hasn't heard any news yet, so the promotion may still be pending.

Jenkins didn't take the initiative to say, and Tang Yu wouldn't ask.

Jenkins disagreed with Tang Yu's statement that he was standing still, and waved his hands again and again.

"You can't say that."

"Although you and I are still the same, the gold content is no longer the same as before."

"Especially you, now in the entire night city of Arasaka Tower, no one can overwhelm your limelight, and it will be a matter of time before you go up a few steps."

"At the beginning, I felt that it was not safe enough to be able to connect with Director Michiko, but now it seems that many things can't be confined to the corner of the eye, and we have to look at it from a longer perspective."

Arthur Jenkins became interested, and the first thing he did when he returned to Arasaka Tower was to hold Tang Yu behind closed doors for a detailed discussion. Not only did he want to show his respect and recognition for Tang Yu, but he also wanted to win over him as soon as possible.

He knew that in the near future, Tang Yu would rise rapidly, sit on the same level as him and even surpass him to become his superior.

After all, Tang Yu was the only one who climbed the Arasaka Saburo-sama in the entire Night City Arasaka Tower.

Tang Yu kept silent about this, and let his old boss Arthur Jenkins play. He couldn't speak lightly about the internal affairs of the Arasaka family.

If Jenkins knew the truth, he might hide far away in the next second.

Jenkins took a sip of whiskey and sighed: "It's a good thing you're in the counterintelligence department, otherwise it would really be a big mess."

"Previously withstood the pressure of Susan Abernathy's stinky cousin, but now after she resumes her job, she doesn't even dare to fart."

"I met her in the elevator when I came back just now. Guess what, she even took the initiative to say hello to me."

"The stinky bastard knows what is important and what is important, and guessed that the counterintelligence department is about to gain momentum, so he even adjusted his attitude."

"Oh, she really thought someone would take her tricks."

After Susan Abernathy was reinstated, she was indeed a lot more honest, and the friction between the Special Operations Department and the Counterintelligence Department was significantly less.

So much so that Tang Yu didn't put his mind on it, but it doesn't mean that Tang Yu forgot what kind of poisonous snake Susan Abernathy is.

The more honest she behaved, the more bad things she might be holding back behind her back.

The more Jenkins talked, the more energetic he seemed to feel that bringing out talents like Tang Yu was something he should be proud of.

Tang Yu's achievements are part of him no matter what.

"Now that the heresy of the counterintelligence department has been cleared, the upper-level meeting will really have nothing to say."

"These days in the Ministry, you can also have a good rest."

"But having said that, these days you are doing business for Lord Saburo, so feel free to mention anything you need. If the resources in the Ministry are not enough, I still have some face for my old face."

Tang Yu said thanks.

The old boss is indeed not bragging. He has worked in Arasaka Company for many years, and he has also served as the head of the counterintelligence department for some years. In addition, he is also a diamond bachelor. He has a very wide network of contacts in Night City, and he can be seen in almost many high-end high-end places. his figure.

In the business of intelligence, connections are the key factor.

Compared with his old boss Jenkins, Tang Yu is much weaker in this regard.

Not only did he not have any contact with the senior management of Arasaka Company, he was also not familiar with most of the senior management of other companies.

It may be that he adheres to the principle that strength is king, and has never cared much about the so-called connections.

What's more, when he was down and down, he didn't see any high-level friends who helped him. Instead, the poor girl V took him to sleep on the street at night.

Playing in that kind of circle is all about profit, and there will never be any friendship.

Tang Yu didn't say much, he didn't want to spoil his old boss's enthusiasm, and after a while, he was going to get off work and go back to the apartment.

With the old boss in charge of the counterintelligence department, Tang Yu can let go and do what he wants to do.

Jenkins chatted more and more enthusiastically, as if he suddenly thought of something important, he said with a straight face.

"Speaking of which, I remembered."

"In two days' time it will be Ye's Company's annual charity meeting. They have sent out an invitation letter and specifically asked me to bring you to the meeting."

Tang Yu thought for a while, it seemed that he had received the invitation letter, but he deleted it without taking it seriously. It turned out to be a charity annual meeting.

Probably a group of rich and powerful upper-class people gathered together to eat, drink and chat, and then each contributed some money to sponsor a public welfare project in a decent way, or establish a charitable relief fund or the like.

Arthur Jenkins continued to emphasize: "Take this opportunity to get to know those famous people in Night City. The Ye's Company attaches great importance to this charity annual meeting. In addition to the appearance of the chief CEO of the Ye's Company, Miriam Knight will also Attended in person, and also invited Night City Mayor Lucius Lane"

"The scene was quite grand, and indeed they were all celebrities." Tang Yu remembered that the Rayfield supercar was given to him by Jenkins from the CEO of Ye's Company.

Miriam Knight is the wife of Richard Knight, the founder of Night City. After her husband Richard passed away, she established the Knight Foundation, which is the predecessor of Night's Corporation today.

Miriam Knight has long retired behind the scenes of the company's management, and has hardly ever appeared in public. However, under her control, Ye's Company has been developing well.

Tang Yu also knows a lot about the details of night market companies. When he was a top hacker, he had some dealings with them.

He has been deeply involved in the prophet Gary and the brainwashing incident of the Perales couple.

Ye's company has a lot to do with the AI ​​with self-awareness, but due to many reasons, Tang Yu has always pointed the finger at Arasaka, and has never delved into their shady activities.

Now Tang Yu has freed up his hands. Since Saburo Arasaka is so interested in cyberspace and the running of AI, he doesn't mind singing more lively tricks.

Tang Yu agreed and expressed his willingness to attend Ye's Company Charity Annual Meeting.

Jenkins smiled more comfortably, and pointed out again: "The format of this annual meeting is a ball, don't forget to bring a female companion."

"You know, this kind of occasion is often a duel field for men. A good dance partner will make you the brightest focus of the audience and gain more social resources."

prom?

It was difficult for him to bring a female companion to the annual meeting.

There are quite a few outstanding female companions in his circle of friends, but it seems that there are not many who can bring them to Ye's company annual meeting.

As the proprietress of Lizzie's bar, Gloria's status is too conspicuous and inappropriate.

Sasha is fine as a company assistant, but it is inevitable that he will get a bad reputation. In this kind of occasion, he will basically invite a female partner with a more intimate relationship, rather than a professional relationship.

As for the other few, it is even more difficult to consider, it is difficult to stay in this circle.

Think about it.

It seems that only V son is the most suitable.

As soon as Tang Yu thought of Mrs. V, he received a message reminder.

【The object of your attention is in a dangerous coma】

　Johnny: "Look at what the instant noodle guy wrote, how do you feel?"

　　V: "For a wooden head like me, at least I can understand it, but I'm a little dissatisfied that the instant noodles made me work illegally in his small theater for many days!"

　　Instant Noodles: "The 'GREENzgsh' funder gave a tip, I treat you to dinner!"

　　V: "Yo, yo, yo, thanks to the big boss of the funder, respect for making a fortune, respect for getting rich overnight!"

　　Thanks to the sponsor of 'GREENzgsh' for the reward!
　　PS: None tonight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)