Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 120 Mother's Pride

Lin Yue frowned slightly as he looked at the text message David had sent.

This kid, for some reason, invited me to dinner at a skyscraper in Santo Domingo. Just as I was about to politely decline, he noticed David typing and added another sentence:
My mom can cook Chinese food.

This... seems like it could work?

It seems reasonable to sponsor someone for a meal.

Although Lin Yue felt he wasn't picky about food, he couldn't resist the cravings groggily stirred up by Gloria, and almost without thinking, he replied:
Okay, please thank your mother for me. Let's do it tonight; I've been quite busy lately.

David: I'll go! Of course, I'll tell Mom you're coming right away! :)

Lin Yue closed his email and tapped the desktop with his finger.

V called—

"How was it? It must have felt great to receive a thank you in person from the student you were sponsoring... I don't know what you saw in that kid, but I heard he's a good student. You have good taste."

V's expression is relaxed, it seems like his work is going quite smoothly lately.

Lin Yue shrugged. "Not only that, her mom also made a dessert. You really should try it. It's made with real milk and butter, and the flour is excellent too."

V's expression turned somewhat displeased upon hearing this:
Ah...someone seems to be enjoying their meal!

"The food in Jakarta is terrible. I thought the food in Night City was good enough—oh well, at least this gift today is pretty good... Remember to go back and check on the cat more often, don't always stay in Arasaka Tower."

?

Lin Yue was a little confused. "Who... Jenkins said that?"

V shook his head. "The counterintelligence department has a whole set of attendance records. Guess who they gave the personnel information to? To be honest, they can see every single day you skip work. Don't take me for a fool. If you don't take good care of that cat, I'll twist your head off."

"..."

Lin Yue pursed his lips and remained silent. Seeing his expression, V's feigned composure crumbled, and he laughed, "Look at you! Like someone owes you money."

"Of course, since you seem to be in a good mood today, there's one more thing you need to help me with."

Lin Yue felt his floating heart settle down a little.

"He who takes a man's money is bound to him; he who eats a man's food is bound to him." Night City had influenced him for so long, and some things were ingrained in his bones that he couldn't shake off even if he wanted to.

Lin Yue readily agreed, "Sure, you've been so good to me lately, if I don't have some work to do... I'm afraid the counterintelligence department will send someone to drag me out of the Ara-saka Tower the next day—"

V: "Idiot!"

The woman rolled her eyes dramatically. “One of my informants… uh, no, let’s call him a buddy, is in Heywood… By the way, do you know this place? It’s on the beach near Watson, that whole area is called Heywood, it’s Valentino’s base, so you’ll have to take off your Arasaka clothes when you go there.”

Lin Yue could roughly guess who he was going to meet, but he still patiently waited for V to speak.

V introduced him as "Jack Wells, the most daring guy in Valentino – a star of the gunfight and horseback riding show."

"Recently, the counterintelligence department discovered that there was something wrong with a merger and acquisition deal. The guy's name is Joey Levani... Jenkins said that idiot colluded with the CEO of that logistics company to embezzle Arasaka's assets."

Lin Yue: "Hmm, so I just dragged people out of the Arasaka Tower. Is that all I did?"

V shook his head. "No, it's more complicated than that. People who do bad things in Arasaka basically never admit to it—"

"Go find Jack and ask him to help deal with the company's top management. Take a two-pronged approach. As for the people... Jenkins will take care of dragging them out. It's very simple."

"I'll pay for it, just say you're my...reliable and loyal partner."

Lin Yue nodded.

I have no choice but to help V, both morally and logically.

"I'm going to a family dinner tonight, for the students I sponsor... After dinner, I'll go to Watson's place."

For some reason, Lin Yue honestly reported his itinerary to V.

Actually, it seems like it's okay not to say it...

V was taken aback, then said with a mocking expression:
"Hmm, so you're having dinner with that red-haired woman? It's fine, Jack will be waiting for you at Haywood tonight. Go to the Wolf Bar... but it's best to keep it low-key, Mrs. Wells doesn't like Jack doing these things."

"Also, after dinner, meet up with Jack, then go home and sleep, OK?"

"I'm your mother, I have to take care of you and put in a lot of effort every day—"

The phone call was abruptly disconnected.

Uh.

Lin Yue was completely bewildered; he didn't understand:

First, how does V even know what Gloria's hair color is? Second, why does she seem to have suddenly changed her expression?

He thought that if he accepted David's invitation, V would at least give him some praise.

Of course, this security supervisor was unaware that he had inadvertently praised a woman's cooking skills. Perhaps someone like Mr. Lin, who understands this, would know why he suffered an "unjust disaster."

Lin Yue thought to himself:

Hmm, women are probably even more fickle than roving AI, right?

Lin Yue stood up. The door to Sasha's hacking room opened, and she first peeked out, then pointed to the coffee machine, opened her mouth, and asked softly, "Is everyone gone?"

A kitten stealing a glance? ...

Today, I strangely accepted invitations from others, which is one thing, but why are all the other people acting so strangely?

Lin Yue sighed and said helplessly, "Be more generous, so that people outside don't misunderstand that you're stealing information from my office—just make sure Suzuki doesn't get the coffee beans. I have to go out for a bit, so today... we won't be doing any network security."

Sasha nodded, then deliberately sighed. He had tried slamming his fist on the table to threaten her, but the woman from the company who accompanied him to the afterlife was more effective.

Sasha certainly knew that V wasn't Lin Yue's superior, so it was hard to say why some people were so obedient.
"Hmm, it seems that Miss V is still more intimidating. I'm afraid you'll die of exhaustion."

Having said that, she looked as if she had defeated Lin Yue, and ran briskly to the coffee machine.

Ok?
Lin Yue stared at the girl in shock. Were these people going to... "rebel against their superiors"?

Under the self-doubting gaze of the security supervisor, Arasaka, a certain cyber hacker, holding a steaming cup of coffee, confidently and proudly returned to the cyber hacker room.

……

Gloria asked her supervisor for half a day off today.

Of course, my salary was also deducted.

But this EMT has no regrets. The kind person who helped her family so much is coming to have dinner with her, which will comfort the recipient's heart. At the very least... it can express her gratitude to the greatest extent, right?

Pushing open the door, David didn't seem to have returned yet.

I heard there are evening classes, so I should get home around 8 o'clock.

Groly kicked off his shoes, put the groceries he had bought aside, put his hands on his hips, and let out a long sigh.

She mentally counted the Eastern etiquette she had learned from the Chinatown chef, and awkwardly uttered two words, "Huan Yin... such a complicated pronunciation."

She took off her coat and began tidying up the house. Although the interior layout of all the houses in the skyscraper was the same, Gloria still wanted others to feel valued. The slightly cramped house was thoroughly cleaned as she walked back and forth.

Gloria wiped the sweat from her forehead and kicked the washing machine that was always malfunctioning at her feet.

"Damn it, no wonder David always dislikes this machine; it takes money but doesn't work properly—"

Steaming water sprayed out from the showerhead.

Gloria, wrapped in a bath towel and with her hair casually tied up, was in the misty white fog. To be honest, this was the first time she had ever taken a dinner so seriously.

Although she didn't know what the kind person's motives were, Gloria didn't intend to ask, because she understood David's excellence.

Gloria, her eyes lowered, applied mascara in front of the mirror. She hadn't given David much, but the boy had still managed to get into Arasaka Academy through sheer intelligence.

To have one's pride recognized and admired by others is an unparalleled source of pride!

Gloria didn't understand why people on the street called company dogs. This kind-hearted woman, who had passed on this trait to David, only knew how to conform to social rules and strive forward. So sometimes she felt guilty, wondering if she had mentioned her dreams to David too many times—because many times, she would inadvertently glance at David and see weariness on his face.

Gloria didn't have any decent clothes.

Because many textiles and synthetic leathers in Night City are monopolized by corporations, clothing prices are actually not cheap. Furthermore, Night City clothing manufacturers cut corners on fabric wherever possible, perhaps reflecting the prevailing urban culture of the time.

This also means that the scavengers not only harvest kidneys, but also strip clothes, because some clothes, once the blood is washed away, can still be sold for tens to hundreds of euros by secondhand dealers.

Gloria took out her best-fitting outfit from the closet: a creamy white faux cashmere sweater and light-colored jeans that accentuated her waist. Although the sweater was a little pilled, it was still the best way to dress for winter.

She looked at the ingredients on the kitchen cutting board and began to recall what she had learned in Chinatown.

The menu was quickly finalized: a plate of fried noodles for carbohydrates, a plate of spicy beef stir-fried with relatively reliable, high-priced synthetic meat, and finally a homemade pudding.

For a woman who immigrated from North America, this was already the limit.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear without hesitation.

……

Santo Domingo [H04 Skyscraper]

Lin Yue looked up at the massive building that looked like it was made of cast iron, its pale yellow coating now covered in rust.

Suzuki kept his head down, glancing repeatedly at his boss standing outside the passenger door.

"Boss, the people living here are too complicated. I think I need to protect you closely."

His response was the sound of the car door closing.

"The car is yours tonight, park it in the Arasaka parking garage tomorrow."

Suzuki rubbed his nose. "The boss really has refined tastes," he thought, "forgoing the upscale restaurants in the company square to eat at Santo Domingo."

Forget it, who understands their boss's heart anyway?

As a professional soldier, Suzuki naturally liked these internal combustion engine vehicles, saying, "The boss can call me if he needs anything."

With a single press of the accelerator, Lin Yue's driving style also infected Suzuki.

Skyscrapers, these concentrated housing buildings, house all sorts of people.

The courtyard and passageways were basically occupied by vendors and various gang members. At the entrance, there was even a guy wearing a Mewtwo headband, sitting on the concrete handrail of the stairs, moving his body back and forth...

It's a bit harsh on the eyes.

Lin Yue shook his head. He was wearing a simple black jacket and casual pants, looking like a young member of the Tiger Claw Gang.

Following the address David gave him, Lin Yue took the elevator, his hand habitually resting in front of him. The elevator was still playing Night City advertisements, and a woman's exaggerated moaning voice could be heard—presumably, new merchandise had been released on Twisted Street.

[Caller: Jack Wells]

Lin Yue answered the call immediately.

Jack on the other end sized up Lin Yue in the holographic image. "Rin? Looks like you must be the guy V trusts? You should know... this woman wants us to meet up or something."

Lin Yue nodded, "It's me, you decide the time."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "Uh, wait a minute, I think I know your buddy—"

Lin Yue was taken aback.

"You're the guy V asked me to find... You're incredibly lucky, you're still okay after all this." Jack shrugged, indicating his incomprehension.

It must have been during the time Lin Yue was hiding in Dogtown that this guy Haywood helped V find his whereabouts?

It seems V really trusts Jack. Considering that his situation involves military technology, Lazarus, and the Dogtown's influence, and that Jack is helping him find people, it shows that the friendship between this company employee and the street kid is stronger than imagined.

Lin Yue smiled and said, "V even told you about this, so it seems he trusts you quite a bit."

Jack waved his hand dismissively, "Of course, V's personality is impeccable. If it weren't for that bastard at the company—"

The man realized that Lin Yue was also a member of the company.

"Uh, never mind, I called to ask you to come to Wild Wolf's place after midnight."

This seemingly sturdy man, perhaps knowing he was V's partner, acted rather casually, scratching his cheek rather awkwardly as he continued, "My mom doesn't really like me doing things on the street, let alone the dirty work at the company."

"You know, try to be a child who puts your mother at ease, and try to make her proud."

Lin Yue said he understood.

Jack felt there was a reason why this guy could get along with V; they were both like taciturn people.

Lin Yue looked at the graffiti-covered hallway and the homeless man sobbing in the middle of the hallway. It was hard to imagine that a mother and child lived in such a seemingly unsafe place.

At least it's better than Dogtown...

Lin Yue reached out and knocked on the door, but there was no response for a while. He took a step back and looked at the door number.

Just as Lin Yue was wondering what was going on, the door opened, and the aroma of food mixed with the woman's perfume wafted onto Lin Yue's face.

Gloria was much more natural than David, her eyes fixed on the unfamiliar young man.

That's so young...

"Rin...sir?"

Lin Yue nodded, trying to force a smile, but his expression was somewhat stiff.

Gloria put the shovel behind her and quickly stepped aside. "Child, I already told you I'd explain the time clearly, please come in—"

She watched the strong, tall man walk through the door, her heart pounding with nervousness.

This was the first time she had met a senior employee of the company—like David, she hadn't expected Mr. Rin to agree to have dinner here, but not only did he agree, he also arrived a little early.

"You..." Gloria was flustered and didn't know whether to take care of the food first or pour water for Lin Yue.

Lin Yue saw something deep within David in this gentle woman whose face bore the slight marks of time.

That's how Night City is; class differences only bring conflict and awe.

He had to think about his dinner; continuing to be so polite wasn't a good thing.

“You can be more generous, madam.”

Gloria held a glass of water in her hands. The young man in front of her had a calm expression, but his voice was powerful.

“This is not charity; rather, your child is indeed intelligent and worth my investment. You should be proud, not ashamed, don’t you think, Mrs. Gloria?”

Gloria's tension seemed to have lessened by half.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Rin. And it's so good that you came—"

I tried to say "Welcome" in Chinese.

Looking at this woman, Lin Yue finally understood why David's personality allowed him to appear as a kind person in Night City—

Mothers always reserve their gentlest side for their children, and this influence is deeply ingrained, even for Jack.

He also said in Chinese, "Madam, the food is burnt. I can take care of myself."

Gloria's face flushed red instantly, and she held up her shovel, her subtle movements mirroring David's.

"Ah, sorry!"

After saying that, he ran into the kitchen as if he were fleeing.

……

　[Joey Livani]: In the 2077 side story "Battle Pigs", an employee who was eliminated in the Arasaka struggle during the Arasaka Corporation merger.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)