Westbrook, Cherry Blossom Street.

In front of the small square of TURGO, several hot food stalls are lit up, and the orange and yellow warm light curtain isolates the surrounding desertion, making it a lively place.

Many cyberpunks who wander the streets have finished their day's work and drive here to take a break.

Accompanied by energetic music, people held up their wine bottles and pushed their glasses to change glasses, laughing and laughing, which was more lively than usual.

"Yo, Pila, I haven't seen you in a few days, you have a different prosthetic arm?"

"yes, what's going on, the longer it gets, the longer you go, are you a long-arm tech bomb maniac?"

"Well, don't say it, your hands are longer and more flexible, aren't they, haha."

The crowd gathered around Pila and watched him perform various difficult acrobatics, teasing from time to time.

The bearded Pyra seemed to enjoy the sceitful gaze of the crowd, and her performance became more and more energetic, and the trays and bottles kept flying in the palm of his golden prosthetic hand, and said triumphantly.

"Hehe, you guys have a good eye, I just got it from an old friend, but it cost me a lot of money, so I served him all day!"

Someone immediately took over the conversation and said, "Haha, what's the service, let's talk about it in detail." ”

Pyrrha shook her tongue so fast that she turned into a phantom, and smiled indistinctly, "That's it, be fast!" ”

"Hahaha!"

Everyone chatted and laughed again.

Shout!

A glass wine bottle smashed into the distance.

Rebecca looked like she hated iron but not steel, looked at Pila's funny appearance, felt ashamed for him, and roared angrily: "Brother! How many convergence points! ”

In the face of the sudden smashing of the bottle, Pyra reacted quite quickly, barely caught the bottle, staggered and continued to play, looking very funny.

"Thank you for the bottle sent by my sister!"

Even Mann and Dolio, who were on the side, couldn't help but laugh and became even happier.

Mann was also a little more relaxed today, and after getting Gloria's commission, everyone made a lot of money.

One hundred thousand euros is not a small amount, enough for the expenses of the few of them for a while.

To his surprise, Gloria promised to compensate Falco Pickup for the loss.

Mann rested his right hand on Dolio's shoulder, leaning back on the bench, and couldn't help but meditate, comparing Faraday to Gloria.

Faraday has always been his old customer, and although he has also taken jobs from other intermediaries, the vast majority of commissioning fees are not as good as Faraday's.

Faraday is backed by military technology, and his skills are naturally not small, but the tasks are also not simple, and most of them are related to the company.

Faraday, as an intermediary, has a vicious personality, puts profit first in everything, and never cares about anything other than commissioning.

But Gloria doesn't seem to be the same, even though she's the middleman for Arasaka's new support, but her style of doing things is very different.

Whether it is the honorarium or the trust, it is far more than Faraday, at least Gloria is more or less emotional.

There are pros and cons to this kind of thing.

In Mann's opinion, the only person Night City can trust is himself.

The reason is clear, but he can't do it.

Mann looks around, his lover Dorio, the living treasure Pila, the firepower of Rebecca, the ruthless hacker Qiwei, and Lucy, who is always at a distance from others.

They have all joined Team Mann and are an integral part of the team.

As the big brother of the team, Mann naturally has the obligation and responsibility to take care of them.

So in the end, Mann can't escape the word 'love' after all.

Whether it is love or friendship, it makes him feel that he is living in a lonely and cold night city, and he has a temperature again.

Perhaps he was such a person who would refuse Faraday's call, choose to trust Gloria, and complete the commission.

In short, the result is not bad, but everyone is working together quite smoothly.

But Mann knows that the person standing behind Gloria is the one who decides everything.

Without him, many things would have been rewritten, and it is still unknown whether it will get to this point.

Mann took a hard sip of his beer, trying to forget about it, and then threw the bottle at Pyra and laughed.

With a cigarette under her mask, Qi Wei walked to the hot food stall and sat down next to Lucy, who was sitting alone, fiddling with a can of green drink at her fingertips, stupid monkey.

Qi Wei looked up at the eaves under the tent, the projection was playing the program screen, and the content was tonight's "Business You and I Talk".

"Mattlio, I didn't expect it to be in the news so soon, Arasaka is quite fast, I don't want to save face for military technology and NCPD."

Lucy hadn't looked up at the TV, but she had been listening to the show's host and knew what Qi Wei was referring to.

"Maybe, but the company's business is not clear."

Qi Wei glanced at Lucy out of the corner of her eye, and found that her expression was still cold and bleak, as if she was preoccupied.

"After this news is broadcast, I don't know how many chain reactions it will cause."

"Military technology, NCPD, Night City executives, etc., I'm afraid they will all be involved, and it will be difficult to end up at that time."

"You know, a lot of things aren't on the table because the major companies follow the tacit understanding they should have, and Arasaka isn't necessarily cleaner than them."

"His move is actually a risky move, and if you don't play well, you will burn yourself."

Ding bell.

The stupid monkey on Lucy's fingertips suddenly let go of his hand and slid down the tabletop and fell to the ground.

On the green shell, the funny big monkey head is facing up, as if staring at something.

Her fingertips froze in the air, and she said after a moment of silence.

"It's always been like that, and Arasaka is no exception."

Qi Wei nodded, stared at the content of the show and said: "No wonder so many people want to rob Mattellio today, and suddenly feel quite black humor, for a person who is on the verge of death, and so many people have taken in, I'm afraid that the Dead Man's Lotto will celebrate the jackpot again." ”

Lucy also thought of the great scuffle that took place today, as hundreds of people died tragically on the abandoned viaduct.

She was pulled into the car by Tang Yu at that time, and was chased by the animal gang all the way in the car, and her life was hanging by a thread and the car was almost destroyed.

It was Tang Yu who took action to solve the drone swarm and the off-road vehicle of the Animal Gang, and escaped with the whole car.

To be honest, she knew that there would be no problem, after all, Tang Yu had some kind of mysterious ability, and it was completely enough to turn on this ability to solve trouble.

But this is his deepest hidden hole card, if he chooses to expose it at this time, all the people present at the time will see it, there are too many factors that cannot be controlled, not to mention an uncontrollable intelligent AI.

Even if Tang Yu wanted to hide again, he would leave clues and become a major hidden danger.

But what Lucy didn't expect was that Tang Yu's solution to the trouble did not rely on that mysterious ability, but on accurate marksmanship, which resulted in all threats in every shot.

For some reason, she suddenly recalled the rescue that night, and used the shopping cart to carry Tang Yu on the ramp, and it was interesting to see him with a confused look.

Now that I think about it, maybe I really thought about it too much, and I really regarded Tang Yu as an ordinary person.

What was robbed by the scavengers, and where could those street scum hurt him in the slightest?

Not to mention, Tang Yu is running faster and faster, and his marksmanship and mysterious abilities alone are enough to protect himself.

An ordinary person can climb to the top of the Arasaka company, whether it is background or ability, it is indispensable.

Maybe what Qi Wei said is right, but Tang Yu is definitely not so easy to grasp.

Lucy laughed self-deprecatingly.

Qi Wei glanced at Lucy a little strangely, not knowing what was going on in her head, and asked, "What's wrong?" ”

Lucy didn't care about Qi Wei's opinion, and replied indifferently: "Well, I just thought of something interesting." ”

She stood up and left her seat, leaned over to pick up the can of stupid monkey on the ground, glanced at the big-headed monkey's face, and then said goodbye to Qi Wei: "You guys play, go first." ”

With that, Lucy turned to leave, still holding the bottle of Stupid Monkey in her hand.

Qi Wei looked at her departing back, her eyes slightly condensed, as if she was thinking about the smile just now.

Instead of returning to the nearby apartment, Lucy strolled to the seawall, away from the hustle and bustle, and the surroundings were instantly cleared up with only the sea breeze.

She familiarly lit a cigarette, then leaned against the railing, tilting her head slightly, staring at the night view overseas.

Spray waves, cruise ships, open seas, and rocket launch platforms on the sea in the distance, the scenery at night does not change much.

She exhaled a puff of white smoke and looked down to notice the stupid monkey she had just brought, standing quietly on the railing, the big-headed monkey staring straight at her.

After hesitating for a moment, Lucy held the cigarette between her fingers, gently picked up the stupid monkey and opened the cap, and a smell of smoked sweet corn wafted out, mixed with smoke, which made her frown slightly.

Does this thing taste good?

Lucy stared at the stupid monkey, and finally chose to try it.

"Ahem."

The short hair of neon powder is messy and beating, and the smell is really a little choking.

After Lucy calmed down her cough, she felt the strong corn flavor linger for a long time, and it was so sweet that it was greasy.

She looked at the stupid monkey in her hand again and smiled helplessly.

At this time.

Tang Yu was sitting on the sofa and suddenly sneezed.

The weather seemed to be getting a little cold, so he quickly wrapped up his pajamas, picked up the hot tea on the table and took two sips.

"Heh, there are a lot of people who are thinking about me tonight."

Tang Yu teased alone.

The show had just ended, and he was guessing who would call first, and he deliberately picked up the glasses on the table, wiped the lenses, and waited for news.

The 10-second count is just over, and a call is displayed requesting access.

Michiko Komi?

The Lord of these things has come.

Tang Yu also guessed that there was a high probability that it would be Michiko Komi, after all, except for her, no one would care more about this matter than himself.

In recent days, I haven't been angry with Michiko, I feel that she doesn't seem to care much, but I didn't expect it to be done, and I called immediately, indicating that she was still worried about it.

Tang Yu waited for a few seconds, and then connected the phone.

"Don, the board of directors will be held tomorrow, and you will participate remotely online." Michiko's tone was flat, and she couldn't hear joy or anger.

Komichiko didn't express any opinion about what had just happened, only mentioning that he should be asked to participate in the board of directors remotely online.

Tang Yu replied calmly: "Okay, Director Michiko." ”

Michiko didn't say anything else and hung up decisively.

Tang Yu looked at the length of the call record just now, less than ten seconds before and after, adding up to a total of two sentences.

This surprised him a little.

Does Michiko believe in herself so much?

Don't you need to ask about the specific details of such a big thing?

Tang Yu also knew that there were pros and cons to exposing this matter, although he helped Xiaomei Zhizi get the handle of military technology.

But this kind of dirty work in private, all major companies are doing it, and it is ugly on the table, and it is really a thief shouting to catch a thief.

But Tang Yu didn't bother to care about this, anyway, he was doing things for Xiaomei Chiko, and the sky fell and Arasaka was on top.

In fact, Tang Yu envisioned two outcomes.

One is that Michiko appreciates the success of this matter, which not only does not have a head-on conflict with military technology, but also indirectly weakens their influence in Night City and blocks the transaction with the NCPD.

The other is that Michiko Komi thinks that things are too out of bounds, and exposing the prosthetic experiment on the table will offend the taboos of major companies and will inevitably cause dissatisfaction among other companies.

This makes it difficult for Michiko Ko to do, after all, there is not only a struggle between the major companies, but also a business cooperation and a common interest foundation.

Komichiko's intention to hold a board meeting tomorrow is clearly the result of careful consideration.

This made Tang Yu a little uncertain.

Komi Tomoko will definitely use this incident to make a fuss, to prove to the board members that she is not blindly compromising with military technology, and to prove to the family that she is not a capitulation faction, but a curve to save Arasaka.

As for causing disgust from major companies, Michiko Komi will either push Tang Yu out of the bag, or continue to reuse it to win over the faction.

These two situations are not too bad results for Tang Yu.

In the final analysis, it's just that the major companies can't get over face, and there is no public hot conflict between the companies, so that they seriously threaten each other.

It really didn't work, he dismissed a deputy minister, and he could be regarded as receiving a punishment and showing it to major companies.

But Tang Yu prefers to believe in the latter and be further reused, because he knows that he still has full utilization value, and Xiaomei Zhizi will not be willing to abandon his son so early.

Just as Tang Yu was thinking about it, he prompted a new communication request.

Aunt May?

Tang Yu estimated that Aunt Mei was a little angry, although the main department in charge of the military science and technology transaction was not the Special Operations Department, but it involved some tasks of Aunt Mei.

The phone is connected.

Meredith Stott asked directly: "The news just now, it's your handwriting, right?" ”

Tang Yu seemed to be quite calm when he heard her tone, not like he was here to ask.

However, she is a senior executive of a military technology company, and she is not qualified to question a senior executive of a Arasaka company.

So, he replied indifferently: "Your intelligence is indeed well-informed. ”

Meredith chuckled on the other end of the line.

"From the moment you showed up at Mowell's house, I realized that something was wrong, but I didn't expect to be a step slower for you."

"How about it, can I tell me how Arasaka treats you?"

Tang Yu thought to himself, Aunt Mei, you don't want to think about it, in fact, victory is only one step away.

If Mann had repented at that time and chose to agree to Faraday's commission, Mattleo would naturally fall into the hands of military technology, and there would be no today's scene.

Tang Yu saw that Meredith was quite relaxed, and he didn't seem to care about the success or failure of the mission, so he asked rhetorically and joked.

"You ask this, do you want to recruit me to military technology?"

Meredith heard his teasing, but said solemnly, "You make a price." ”

Tang Yu: "."

Meredith emphasized again: "What I said just now, I am not joking, I know your situation in Arasaka, a lone wolf, where to work is not to sell your life, why hang on a tree, do you say yes, Don?" ”

Aunt Mei is serious in and out of her words, I am afraid that she really wants to dig people.

Tang Yu didn't expect that in the middle of the night, she dared to call the hostile elements of Arasaka to openly poach people, and it was the company's top executives who were dug up.

But he is also an old fritter in the workplace, so naturally he will not easily fold the foundation, so he smiled: "I'm afraid that your company can't afford this price." ”

Meredith also smiled and said bluntly: "Isn't it just the deputy minister of the two departments, say a thousand things and ten thousand, or deputy, you are willing to come to military science and technology, and my position will be reserved for you, it depends on whether you want it or not." ”

Tang Yu: "."

Three times and four times to emphasize digging people, Meredith's price is indeed atmospheric.

What's more, Tang Yu knows that if nothing else, she will be promoted to director next year, and the position of director of military science and technology special operations will naturally be vacant.

"You said it, I'm just a lone wolf, I don't have a big appetite, I just eat in Arasaka, so I'll save this invitation first."

Meredith is fishing, Tang Yu is also fishing, and no one can make a decision until the last moment.

But Tang Yu definitely won't think about any military technology now, the world is as black as a crow, and there are more important things lurking in Arasaka, not just for the company's high-level positions.

Meredith saw that he couldn't convince Tang Yu, so he didn't mention the matter anymore, but changed the conversation and took the initiative to say.

"Actually, your idea is good, I personally approve of it, and I want to use the exposure of experimental prosthetics to sabotage the cooperation between military technology and NCPD."

"But that's not really the core of the problem, and our deal with NCPD will indeed be stopped, but there's more than that."

"The reason why I made this call, in addition to testing your attitude, also wanted to remind you of one thing, some things that should not be on the table, should always be covered with a cloth, dare to be the first to lift the cloth, but be mentally prepared."

Aunt Mei said that Tang Yu agreed with it 100%, but this cloth can't be lifted, if military science and technology also want to make some black material in Arasaka, he doesn't mind handing over some dry goods.

"Well, I'm also waiting for the outcome of the board tomorrow, and if it doesn't go well, I don't mind talking about it again."

Meredith replied, "Everything is negotiable. ”

After speaking.

Communication is lost.

Tang Yu sat on the sofa and fell into deep thought, this time he worked for Michiko, and the ugly cloth had just been lifted.

The darkness and squalor of Night City are like icebergs that lie beneath the surface of the sea.

In order to pierce this iceberg, someone must dive to the bottom of the sea and strike hard, so that the iceberg completely disintegrates and surfaces, and is exposed to the sun to melt.

Obviously, the current Tang Yu can't do it at all, and no one can do it.

He just wanted to do his best to keep his boat safe and carry as many people as possible to avoid the iceberg, lest it be wrecked and sunk to the bottom of the sea.

After talking, Tang Yu received a lot of messages, basically all of whom were from the company.

Tang Yu directly threw them into the trash one by one, except to inquire about intelligence news, there would be no second possibility.

Thinking about it, Tang Yu wanted to go out for a night run to relax again, hesitated for a moment, and sent a message to Lucy.

Tang Yu: "Night run? ”

Lucy: "Seawall. ”

Instant noodles: "The big guy of 'Weixia Pot' has rewarded the seventh alliance!! Johnny!!! Do you see it!!! ”

Johnny: "For the sake of the leader of the 'Weixia Pot' Alliance, maybe I should ask Ultra to use a soul killer on you, upload you to cyberspace, and turn you into a ruthless codeword AI day and night." ”

Otte Cunningham: "A great being that can contain all things."

——————

Thanks to the leader of the 'Weixia Pot' Alliance, the small theater presents it.

I can't break the change for personal reasons.,Strive to make up for it on the weekend.,In addition, there's a change tonight.,I'll try to make a big chapter!

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(End of chapter)