Cyberpunk: 2075.

Chapter 804, Section 14: Next Time
“Mr. Carl, I’m so glad you’re alright.”

Hearing the NCPD officer's voice, Carl nodded slightly, not paying attention to the NCPD officer's behavior of unconsciously starting to call him by his real name instead of his title. Instead, after taking a quick look at the young woman in front of him, he recognized her.

Carl smiled and said, "I remember you're Emily, it's been a long time. How's your grandfather's business these days? I've been thinking of going to eat there sometime."

In front of Carl was a young woman named Emily, a new recruit who had joined the NCPD a year ago. She and Carl had some connection; the KK team often ate at Old William's hot dog stand when they were out eating, and the owner, Old William, was the grandfather of this young NCPD officer.

Carl remembered that the young woman was also close friends with Mr. Johnson's niece, and the slogans on Old William's hot dog stand were spray-painted by the two of them.

Emily's breath hitched slightly when she noticed the way Carl looked directly at her when he asked about her grandfather.

She met his handsome, sharply defined face, her cheeks flushing uncontrollably, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the ends of her hair, her voice brimming with barely concealed joy:
“Grandpa has been in good health lately. He even mentioned Mr. Carl a few days ago.” She paused, her eyelashes fluttering slightly, “He said he’s got some new flavored pastries and is waiting for you to have some time to try them.”

Upon hearing about food, Carl's eyes sparkled like melting amber: "New pastry crusts!" He drawled, as if he could already smell the aroma from his memory. "I've always trusted old William's cooking. Tell him I'll definitely be there to support him this weekend."

Among the dazzling array of food in Night City, Carl always had a fondness for the simple, unpretentious pure wheat products.

The flavors of the food made from wheat, which is high in sugar and can be used as fuel, are captivating on his tongue, and he has never grown tired of them since he first arrived in the city.

After hearing Karl's words...

“I will definitely tell Grandpa!” Emily’s voice was light and cheerful, like a leaping musical note. She unconsciously twisted the hem of her uniform. “That… Mr. Carl usually…” Her voice trailed off, and a faint blush rose on her cheeks.

"Karl! Did you ask Andy if he's free?"

Just as Emily was about to say something to bolster her courage, a lively voice suddenly broke in. Emily's best friend, Lillian, darted out from behind the police car like a gust of wind and patted Carl's arm with practiced ease.

"About Andy," Carl hesitated, looking at Lillian, his gaze shifting to the woman before him.

As Mr. Johnson's niece, she was both an old acquaintance and the person who had specifically asked him to inquire about Andy's free time today. At this moment, Carl felt a bitter taste on his tongue—this task had been accepted rather hastily.

“He’s been…” Carl unconsciously touched the back of his neck, feeling a little embarrassed and troubled for his friend. “The situation isn’t looking too good. Although the Terrorist Mobile Unit has resumed operations, Andy, as the captain and current head of the Special Operations Team, is already busy enough just integrating the working systems of the two teams, so…”

Karl swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He was seriously considering how to tell Lillian about Andy.

As mutual friends, nothing could be more awkward, even for Carl.

He would rather fight the terrorist squad again than face this kind of thing.

How was he supposed to explain to Lillian that Andy couldn't even find time to see her childhood sweetheart? It would sound like he was making excuses for his friend to skip a date.

Fortunately, Carl didn't have to feel awkward all by himself.

Just as Carl was struggling with his decision, Oliver, oblivious to the situation, walked over and immediately spotted the familiar woman.

"Hey, Lillian, hello there."

As the son of the Sixth Street gang leader, Oliver gradually became acquainted with the NCPD after they established a cooperative relationship. Not to mention, Oliver already had a good relationship with Johnson, and with their previous interactions, he and Lillian were also friends.

When Oliver came over, he noticed Emily, but before he could greet her, he noticed Carl standing there awkwardly.

Not right.

Karl's behavior was off. Based on my understanding of Karl, he was in an awkward situation.

Something's wrong. Something's not right.

Oliver didn't know what was going on, but his instincts told him something was wrong. Just as he was about to pretend he hadn't said hello and turn to leave, Lillian noticed him because of that greeting.

Oliver.

Lillian temporarily shifted her gaze from Carl to Oliver, who was now trapped: "Did you ask Andy about the matter I asked you to do today?"

It turns out she asked more than just me for help.

In Karl's mind, he noticed that Oliver was also standing in the same spot, and his expression and appearance were very similar to his own a moment ago.

"that"

Oliver tried to sound casual and shrugged. "Andy said the Terrorist Mobile Unit just restarted, and as the special operations team leader and temporary head, he's already struggling just to integrate that bunch of mad dogs into the system, so he's very busy. In other words..."

"No time?"

That's about it, but if you invite him personally, he might...

"Workaholic! Big blockhead!"

Lillian stomped her foot on the ground: "I'm going to find him myself! I've invited him so many times and he's always busy. I wanted to ask you guys to ask him this time, but he's still busy!"

"."

Seeing Lillian's expression, Oliver broke out in a cold sweat.

'Don't blame me, Andy, I tried my best to help.'

As someone with a lot of, well, not really that much, dating experience, Oliver is actually quite sympathetic to Andy.

After all, the other party was indeed very busy, but to say that they couldn't even spare time for a meal would be an excuse, but Andy didn't think that much about it.

If Lillian approaches him, the likely outcome is that Lillian will help him finish his work first, and after he finishes it ahead of schedule, when Andy wants to work overtime, she will forcibly drag him to dinner.

It must have been Lillian who forced him.
"Well then, Emily, I'm going to Andy's place now. I've finished most of things here, so I'll have to trouble you to clean up the mess. Once I catch that idiot, I'll definitely repay you handsomely."

Emily, interrupted from what she was about to say by Lillian's sudden intrusion and who had suddenly started watching the drama unfold, looked at her best friend Lillian's sincere request, glanced at Carl, and nodded to her.

"Just leave it to me."

As she said this, she felt a little less nervous.

'next time.'

She thought so.

Let's invite Mr. Carl again next time. No, Carl, please.

(End of this chapter)