In this cyberpunk era, why are you still playing the traditional villain?

When something happens, just say "yes, yes, yes," it's never wrong.

"However, although the engineering department has expanded, it is still somewhat short-staffed."

Xu Shi continued, “Therefore, even if Supervisor Jiang wanted to do this project alone, he was powerless to do it.”

"So, after discussion, I hope to hand this matter over to someone else."

"Uncle Lin, can you take responsibility?"

He looked at Lin Wenhua and asked very sincerely.

"……I?"

Lin Wenhua was taken aback by these words and didn't react for a while before finally coming to her senses. "I... I guess I'll just let it go?"

Not only was he surprised, but everyone else was astonished, wondering if there was something wrong with their ears.

After all, everyone knows that Xu Shi and Lin Wenhua are two opposing forces vying for power, and Lin Wenhua's side has become somewhat dispirited after several setbacks.

At this critical juncture, what does it mean that Xu Shi chose to entrust him with such an important project?

Most people instinctively considered the issue of checks and balances, wondering if this was a concern that Jiang Chengcheng was becoming too prominent, so they wanted to give her a proper warning? But that shouldn't be the case, since Xu Shi promoted that girl himself; logically, there should be no need for such a move...

But the fact is that the arrangements made at today's meeting basically did not involve her, and there was even a hint that she was being squeezed out of her original team.

Everyone was a bit confused; all I can say is, you can't guess what the boss is thinking.

However, Lin Wenhua had a sharp eye and immediately understood Xu Shi's meaning.

Is this a deliberate attempt to put oneself in the spotlight and put oneself on the fire?

Ultimately, he doesn't have much of an advantage in this area, but with the title of the person in charge, he can't escape responsibility if something goes wrong... Well, this little brat, he's giving me a hand on the surface, but in reality, he's probably hoping I'll make a mistake.

But upon closer analysis, he couldn't refuse this offer either. His position in the company was already precarious, and even without this incident, he would have fallen from grace sooner or later.

tsk...

"In that case, I guarantee I will complete the task and live up to Chairman Xu's expectations."

After much deliberation, Lin Wenhua agreed.

"Then I'll leave it to Uncle Lin."

Xu Shi smiled and nodded, glancing at Su Lin intentionally or unintentionally.

I told you so.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 133 Learn to meow like a kitten!

Just as Xu Shi had predicted, even though he knew it might be a trap set for him, Lin Wenhua still accepted the task of developing the chip after weighing the options.

The old man's current predicament is not only limited to the "Snake Ring" itself, but more importantly, his external connections and resources are no longer effective.

For example, there's Governor Yue Chizheng of the City Hall. He originally had a good relationship with this old man, and with Yue Chizheng's encouragement, he could accomplish many things much more efficiently.

But lately something's wrong. Let alone if I need to contact him, Yue Chizheng avoids me like the plague, even if I just ask him out for a meal or drinks.

Lin Wenhua knew that this was definitely because Xu Shi, that brat, had been making waves recently, single-handedly pushing for the acceptance of the "Forgotten Ones," which had brought a huge windfall to the entire city. Now that he had offended him, even if Yue Chizheng had dementia, he might not have done something like this.

But what he didn't know was that the more important reason was that Xu Shi had privately approached him and shown him something along the way.

Of course, it's those shady things they got from "Disguise," the special hobbies of the major bosses in Night City.

This includes his brother-in-law, Chi-cheng.

"Governor Yue, you wouldn't want others to know that you like young girls and that you've pulled out their teeth, would you?"

That's what Chairman Xu said at the time.

He wasn't looking at those data bricks just for amusement; there are plenty of other ways to have fun, why would he need this? His main purpose was to screen them, to pick out valuable political and business figures, which would give him leverage over them.

To be fair, Zhang Shijun certainly didn't keep these things because he wanted to leave any leverage over them. The ruler of the Sixth District may seem glamorous, but in reality, his status and position aren't that high... He simply wanted to have a reference point to make it easier to lick the boots of his sugar daddies.

To threaten them with this is to dig one's own grave.

This is why, after obtaining these items, he deliberately guided Lin Yue to avoid thinking in that direction. If the little assassin girl really made such a foolish mistake, no one could save her. For her, the only value of these data bricks was in trading with Ding Jun.

But it's different when it's him; he wouldn't have so many reservations—after all, the biggest battlefield for sex scandals is the media, and who controls the media? Qi Maoyang! Or rather, "imaginary number".

The two families have such a good relationship now, how could Qi Maoyang not help with something like this? If he helps, it means that the two major conglomerates are going to join forces against you, and anyone would have to weigh the implications.

However, the process is not important; what matters is the result.

The truth is that Lin Wenhua is now completely corrupt. His external connections have been severed, and his few cyborg bodyguards pose no threat to Xu Shi. They still haven't found 1557, who escaped last time…

The only thing you seem to have to offer is your seniority, but nobody cares about seniority.

If things continue like this, the only possibility is that they will be slowly worn down and killed by time.

Only by taking on this task can there be a glimmer of hope. This hope is to use this task to replenish his reserves. If he can obtain them, his reputation will recover. Moreover, as the person in charge, the fact that the second phase of chips can pass through his hands is itself an opportunity for him to regain a bargaining chip.

"Then I wish the project success. Thank you for your hard work, Uncle Lin."

Xu Shi nodded meaningfully. With the business settled, it was time for the final wrangling.

The atmosphere in the meeting room was harmonious.

Outside the door, Shen Qin, who overheard the conversation inside, subtly changed her expression.

Actually, the soundproofing in the meeting room wasn't that bad, but since she's an A-level "upgraded" person, her five senses are much more acute than the average person's.

So she couldn't help but wonder, who exactly is this Lin Wenhua?

She endured humiliation and hardship to join "Snake Ring," certainly not to stand guard like a child's game.

To outsiders, this is what it means for the "forgotten" to feel resentful because they have to live under someone else's roof in order to protect themselves. However, it would be quite unwise to let this resentment lead them to think about other things.

If she really is just "Nan Qian," then she really shouldn't be thinking about these trivial things.

But she is Shen Qin, and this should not be her end point. She must find a way to eliminate Xu Shi, her enemy, by all means possible—not only for her brother, but also for the other "forgotten ones"... Well, it is true that her brother's matter is more important, but that is the principle.

"To proceed slowly" means to proceed slowly, not that one should not proceed at all.

The meeting inside clearly gave her a hunch; it sounded like the two were at odds? This seemed like an opportunity worth trying…

Unfortunately, she didn't know much about the inner workings of this "snake ring," and since some things were still unclear, she couldn't act rashly.

"Team Leader Xia..."

She subconsciously called out Xia Wuyou's name.

"..."

Xia Wuyou did not respond, but simply put her finger to her lips, giving her a stern gesture to be quiet.

The duties of the field operations department are as follows: to carry out armed escort security work for external parties, and also to perform internal duties, such as standing guard for people.

The most important thing is not to listen, not to think, and certainly not to say anything. Shen Qin can hear her, but Xia Wuyou can't? But you've crossed the line by discussing this matter; just keep it to yourself.

Even if she and Xu Shi have some kind of relationship in private, it doesn't matter. One thing is one thing, and when it comes to work, one must be single-minded and keep quiet.

Shen Qin snapped out of her daze, smiled apologetically, fanned her mouth with her hand, and then said nothing more.

She also realized that she had spoken out of turn. Duty and rules were one thing, but most importantly, you definitely couldn't ask Xia Wuyou directly, not even indirectly... Her relationship with Xu Shi was unusual, wasn't this just asking for trouble?

Thinking about it, she felt a little scared, but at the same time she wondered why she would do such an unwise thing.

It's probably really due to Xu Shi's abilities... He got a little carried away by one move, his superpower is really hard to defend against.

This made her realize that she might have to speed up her actions; procrastination would only harm herself.

Shen Qin calmed herself down quietly.

……

The words are divided into two parts.

After completing the deployment and ending the meeting, Xu Shi finally had a moment to relax.

It's not that I'm too free, but going home is no problem.

"...Wow! Xu Shi, you finally decided to come home?!"

The door opened, and Gu Yi greeted them with a mix of surprise and reproach.

That's right. Xu Shi hasn't come back much these days, and Su Lin hasn't come back either... The huge house is empty except for her, Little Black Rabbit, who feels quite lonely.

If it were before, she would probably be overjoyed. It would be better to never see that scoundrel Xu again and never come back. But now it's different. Not seeing him makes Gu Yi feel empty, like a kitten scratching at her heart.

Actually, you can see him by making a video call, but seeing him but not being able to touch him is only a small comfort. It's not as good as having him in person in front of you.

Do you even understand the value of silver, cough, stigmata? (doge)

"I'm really surprised you didn't turn the house into a pigsty."

Xu Shi did not refuse her embrace, but he still teased her.

Can't you say something nice?

Upon hearing this, Miss Black Rabbit angrily slammed her headbutt into his chest.

"Then I'm really sorry."

Xu Shi flicked her forehead back, his tone devoid of any apology.

"...Fine, play games with me and I'll forgive you."

Gu Yi keenly realized that she would not get anywhere with this, so she tactfully changed the subject.

"Okay."

Xu Shi nodded. He had promised her before, so he would keep his word.

I'm a person of my word!

If we're talking about what Gu Yi really wanted to do with Xu Shi, it would naturally be the most popular game in Night City, "God's Descent".

This is an open-world adventure game developed by an unknown company, where the chosen ones will...

Xu Shi was a veteran player before, and although he had never played this game before, he picked it up very quickly.

As he played, he felt a sense of familiarity, as if it were that incredibly popular game from a past life...