Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 122 Disappointment (13)

Jack Wells was physically imposing, and wore a dark gold Valentino Gang accessory on his wrist.

On one of his fingers, there was a mark left by a ring that had been pressed for a long time, just like the intricate tattoo on his arm—both were Valentine's marks. But from the moment he took off the Valentine's ring, Jack had left the gang and made a promise to Mrs. Wells.

But he still preferred to be a lone wolf, working tirelessly and risking his life in Night City.

[Character: Jack Wells]

[Affiliation: Night City]

【Favourability: 10】

[Development Potential: Extremely High; a Future Legend.]

[Stage Rewards: Affection level reaches 20, Composure +2, Cybernetic capacity +20.]

Lin Yue's deepest impression of this "considerate" good friend was the blood-stained Relic chip in Mandela's taxi at the end—and the fragmented memories in the shrine.

Compared to this city that ignites people's dreams and futures, street kid Jack's dream is simple and pure.

What defines a great person?
Jack has a lot to say on this: in his eyes, instant fame, enjoying the glory, becoming the king of the city in the next life, and being able to make money wherever you go—that's what it means to be a big shot.

Wylan the Serpent, Morgan the Black Hand… Jack knows these legendary stories by heart and never stops striving to become one of them.

He didn't understand what corporate power meant, but like V, he was an "adventurer," and more like a prince with a sincere heart.

"Finally met a real person today... Uh, Rin? Hmm, just like V, the company likes to use this code name."

Jack was very witty and humorous. In his opinion, although this dull guy was a corporate dog, Jack would still value anyone that Chica (the girl) trusted.

Lin Yue smiled slightly, "Jack Wells, V and I have mentioned you."

In fact, Lin Yue himself was also surprised that Jack was surprisingly easy to get along with.

It's already strange enough that a corporate dog and a street urchin are friends in Night City, but what's even more surprising is that Jack actually agreed to meet the corporate agent introduced by V—

Such trust is even more precious in Night City.

Jack snapped his fingers. There were no sexy wildcats from the Wild Wolves to serve drinks—Mrs. Wells didn't like that—so only Peppy came over to take down the bill. "What would you like to drink? You know, having some alcoholic beverages while we talk helps to liven things up."

Lin Yue thought for a moment, then said, "Ginger beer."

Jack: "Vodka—you've got my taste."

Lin Yue looked at the energetic man in front of him, while Jack was also sizing him up.

"V told me about you last time... that's really impressive, military technology, Arasaka is searching for you all over the place, causing chaos. V told me not to mention it—but I'm just so damn curious, iMadres, how did you survive?"

Jack waved his hand, scattering a large pile of things.

Lin Yue knew that there were some things he shouldn't say but couldn't say them. "Thanks to your help, Jack, V came just in time. That's how the company is. You bite me, I bite you. It's all the same old stuff."

"Don't thank me, that's how it is when you're paid to do a job. V is really anxious, to be honest, it's the first time I've ever seen her so upset." Jack shrugged, he would never have thought of persuading this obviously cybernetically enhanced guy in front of him to leave the company and find a job on the street.

Heywood's enthusiasm should be shown first, and honesty can wait, since Jack isn't sure about this man's background and temperament.

As they were talking, the drinks were served, and Jack raised his glass.

"Let's have a toast—wait, you must know how to say a toast, right?"

Lin Yue looked at the ginger beer in front of him, sprinkled with butter, and said, "Uh... good evening, Jack."

Jack spread his hands, his expression indescribable.

"Good evening? No, no, no, your toast was even worse than V's—"

No wonder he could go toe-to-toe with V; this guy is practically a male version of V.

Under Jack's speechless gaze, Lin Yue had already downed his drink in one gulp.

Jack said helplessly, "There are always things to celebrate in Night City, like family, friends, or love... even girls, damn, good evening... what's that?"

He patted his thigh and put the vodka in his mouth.

Jack wiped the bitter taste of wine from the corner of his mouth.

"Actually, I rarely deal with people from the company. Most of the time, I help V deal with some shady little troubles... But for this operation, even if we don't like each other, we have to sit down and make some connections. We can't mess things up for the girl who's on a business trip."

Lin Yue deeply agreed, "Did V give you the information?"

Jack pushed a chip towards him. "Hmm... To be honest, V recommended you. I was originally planning to go to the city to find a few lone wolves and hackers to work on this, but she said you have a full team. Is that true?"

Lin Yue nodded, "I guess so, but I'm not a company employee."

Jack clapped his hands. "That makes things easier. We'll just need to work on the details away from the wolves, and we'll get this done."

Stay away from wolves?

Lin Yue looked at him strangely, wondering what Jack, this seemingly burly man, was up to.

Why don't we settle things tonight?

Jack lit a cigarette. "My mom... you know, I told her I'm trying to be a better person, to become a respectable one—"

Lin Yue interrupted, "Jack, if you could take the big machete off your back... Mrs. Wells would be more at ease."

Jack slapped his forehead.

"Damn... I forgot about that."

Lin Yue smiled and shook his head. Jack invited him to Wild Wolf for a reason that was obvious to anyone: he was insecure. He was still a nobody at Haywood Company, and if anything happened, Lin Yue would be in big trouble here.

V trusted himself, but Jack wasn't so sure. Jack twirled his finger around his ear, his machete tucked under his buttocks. "My mom, she always finds out if I do anything in Heywood... uh, so I like to get a bite in Watson's, you know, Liz's hotties, haha—"

"Jack, are you a friend?"

A hand landed on Jack's shoulder; it was a woman's voice.

Lin Yue sat opposite Jack. He had already seen Mrs. Wells approaching from behind. She even gave Lin Yue a shushing gesture.

Jack's expression froze, and he turned to look at his mother.

His expression was like that of a child who had secretly done something wrong and was about to be punished; he looked incredibly dejected.

Mrs. Wells forced a smile: "Good evening, child."

Lin Yue nodded. "My name is Lin... Good evening, Mrs. Wells."

In Night City, no matter who it is, it's impossible to open a bar on a chaotic street without some tricks up their sleeve.

Mrs. Wells was not as amiable as she appeared.

"Are you V's friend?"

Mrs. Wells' eyes were calm, but there was always a sense of oppressive authority, like that of a stern mother.

Out of the corner of Lin Yue's eye, Jack gestured with his lip, clearly indicating that Lin Yue should make a run for it.

Lin Yue said, "Yes."

Mrs. Wells sat on the armrest of Jack's sofa and laughed, "Well, I can tell you're from the company, just like that pretty girl—this place is a shabby place, not worth people like you wandering around and thinking about every day."

This is unmistakably hostility.

"Jack, tell me, haven't you been busy with some delivery business lately?"

Jack forced a smile. "Mom, don't get me wrong. Don't you know V's background? I'm just helping out with a small matter..."

“I told you, Jack, if you're not on the same path, you have to learn to let go of the relationship. You're grown up now; you won't listen to my marriage plans, nor will you listen to the security job I ask you to do…”

Mrs. Wells then changed the subject, "But you can't be blind to the situation; this is a very dangerous situation in Night City."

Lin Yue frowned slightly.

Mrs. Wells's hostility toward the company was truly extraordinary.

Jack winked, probably telling Lin Yue not to mind his words.

Who would have thought—

"Mrs. Wells, Jack is very good. But I'm not with the company; I'm just here to catch up with an old friend."

Lin Yue shook his head, trying his best to distance himself from the company and continue the discussion, but Mrs. Wells clearly didn't think so.

“Jack loves doing dangerous work, I’ve always known that, but can you tell me what you need to do this time? I can tell what kind of companies you’re going to be like. I’m old, but I’m not blind.”

“The Arasaka mark on you is too obvious, but we’re all just trying to make a living, and I don’t want to make things difficult for your child.”

"only……"

Mrs. Wells tightened her grip, and Jack's expression darkened. "You've disappointed me. You said you didn't like lying—have you forgotten, Jack?"

Lin Yue decided not to get involved in the conversation between the mother and son.

It seems I underestimated the female owner of this bar. If she could stand firm in Heywood and even snatch Jack's body back from Arasaka, then Mrs. Wells' words and actions would match up perfectly.

Lin Yue said, "Sorry to bother you."

After saying that, he prepared to leave. If it weren't for the fact that the company he was acquiring was in Heywood, V probably wouldn't have introduced himself to come here to find Jack. But it seems that at this critical juncture, he has no choice but to leave first.

"Rin, have a seat first. Let me finish what I have to say to Jack, and then you can continue your conversation."

Finally, after talking with Mrs. Wells for a few minutes, Jack shrugged and rubbed his forehead with a helpless expression.

Mrs. Wells looked at Lin Yue, "Whatever you want to drink or eat is on me. This is Haywood... Although we are both principled, we have strong likes and dislikes, so you can treat this as a gathering of friends—"

"But can I do you a favor, child?"

Lin Yue nodded. "Go ahead."

Mrs. Wells said, "Please take good care of Jack for me, and may God bless you."

It seems that this wise lady knew that even if Lin Yue left today, her adventurous son would continue to get involved in this matter, so she could only give Lin Yue some instructions as a mother.

Lin Yue wasn't actually against Mrs. Wells's behavior; after all, people on the streets of Night City weren't exactly polite when they knew the identities of company personnel.

It's just a mother's worry.

After his mother left, Jack smiled somewhat awkwardly. "Sorry, she probably thought you looked unfamiliar. With V... she'd be a little better off."

Lin Yue didn't have any objections; he was tired of being called a "company dog."

"I'll let my mom down, but I can't let those who trust me down. Come on, friends, let's think about what we should do."

Lin Yue was quite envious of this kind of care; no child doesn't miss their mother.

Just then, as Lin Yue was about to speak, a commotion and the sound of things breaking came from upstairs in the bar, indicating that a violent disturbance was taking place upstairs.

……

(End of this chapter)