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

Xia Ke'an, on the other hand, stayed in Xu Shi's private ward.

The spacious rooms feature floor-to-ceiling windows offering panoramic views and are equipped with the best medical equipment in the entire city.

"Thank you, Mr. Xu is such a kind person."

Seeing all this, Xia Ke'an couldn't help but feel a little emotional. She had enjoyed such conditions before, but looking back, it felt like a lifetime ago.

"Where is it."

Xu Shi accepted her praise without any pressure, saying, "It is my honor to be able to help the former number one beauty of Night City."

This is no mere politeness.

Don't be fooled by Xia Ke'an's current appearance as a little girl; this is merely the result of complications from her superpower.

Back when "Refraction" was at its peak, she was a captivating presence in Night City.

There are still photos of her and her father at home... When Xu Shi was young, he regarded her as his childhood goddess for a period of time.

Of course, she didn't have this name back then.

The same goes for Xia Wuyou; having lived in seclusion for so many years, the two of them have changed their names countless times.

Moreover, she is still very cute now. Although her appearance and figure have changed a lot, she is still as exquisite as a carefully sculpted doll.

"First?"

Hearing this, Xia Ke'an chuckled, "I can't accept that title... but I haven't heard anyone say that in a long time, it really brings back memories."

The two chatted happily about this topic, showing no signs of the awkwardness one might expect from a first meeting.

This left Xia Wuyou somewhat at a loss. How could she possibly tell her aunt this? Just a few days ago, he had used her to threaten her...

"...Shall we leave it at that for now?"

Several hours passed in the midst of their conversation. Seeing that it was getting late, Xu Shi got up to leave. "Miss Ke'an, please focus on your treatment. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Ok."

The long chat had left Xia Ke'an looking tired, and her breathing was becoming short.

"However, I do have a favor to ask."

"Oh?"

"I haven't seen Wuyou in a long time, and I'd like to have a private chat with her... Mr. Xu, you're not in a hurry to take her away, are you?"

"No problem at all."

Xu Shi didn't intend to interfere with their private space. "I'll wait outside. I'll take her home in a bit."

"That would be too much trouble for you."

The white-haired little girl clasped her hands together, her face full of innocence and cuteness.

however.

The moment Xu Shi left, that innocence instantly transformed into seriousness.

"So, you used 'Spark' as a pledge of allegiance, right?"

"……Why?"

Upon hearing Xia Ke'an's question, Xia Wuyou suddenly raised her head.

She was still resentful about her aunt's close relationship with Xu Shi... but this sentence shocked her even more.

"How...how did you know?"

She rarely talked to Xia Ke'an about work, and she never mentioned her dealings with "Spark" or Shen He.

"You didn't use your powers, did you?"

Xia Wuyou subconsciously thought of this reason, "Your body can't take it now, how can you..."

"...Relax, relax."

The white-haired loli was both amused and exasperated, and ruffled her hair, "Do you think I need to use my superpowers for your little schemes?"

"That……"

"Actually, I wasn't completely sure before, but when I saw Xu Shi come in person today, I knew what was going on."

Xia Ke'an sighed, "After all, I know all too well that conglomerates never do business at a loss. If he can offer such conditions, your contribution must be no less than that."

"As for the 'Spark' organization, I already knew about it. Their leader is Shen Tianhong's son, right?"

"……hold head high."

Xia Wuyou's brain had completely shut down, and she nodded blankly.

In her memory, her aunt had always been a gentle and elegant lady.

When "Refractive" was destroyed, she had already become the person she is now, plagued by illness... This has led her to unconsciously treat the other person as a younger sister over the years.

And she never imagined that—although the other person was always in the hospital bed, he seemed to know everything.

"Do you really think of me as a child?"

Xia Ke'an seemed to see through her thoughts and smiled as she took her hand, "Your aunt is also very capable."

"I learned about the 'Spark' project about a year or two ago."

"Then why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"Because I don't want you to get involved."

The white-haired loli said seriously, "You and Shen He have a past relationship... If you knew, you might even have agreed to it willingly."

"Well……"

Xia Wuyou was a little embarrassed because the truth was indeed roughly the same as what her aunt had said.

My willingness to trade with Shen He was not entirely based on the price offered by Shen He.

“I absolutely do not want to see that happen, because ‘Spark’ is not just a simple gang; the things involved behind it are far too complicated… But I didn’t expect Shen He to still find you, and I certainly didn’t expect Xu Shi to have discovered all of this as well.”

"Um……"

Xia Wuyou nodded; the aunt and niece shared the same opinion on this point.

She was just as surprised when Xu Shi exposed her.

“I didn’t know much about him before, and I subconsciously felt that he was definitely not as good as Xu Cheng, and it was uncertain whether he could keep his position… But now it seems that he is not so simple.”

Xia Ke'an shook her head, "I never expected him to... Never mind, tell me properly, what exactly happened recently?"

"Ah."

Xia Wuyou responded and began to recount the events in fits and starts.

But as she spoke, she began to feel uneasy, and asked softly, "Auntie, if I do this, will you think that I...?"

"will not."

The white-haired loli moved closer to her and said, "Perhaps it's a bit cruel from a moral standpoint, but if you want to hear the truth... I can only say that you made the right choice."

"Spark is indeed formidable, but in terms of strength, she still can't compare to Serpent Ring. If it were me, I wouldn't hesitate at all."

She said with a hint of helplessness, "Although Xu Shi may not be a good person, at least he can make your life less difficult than before, right?"

Xia Ke'an's tone even carried a hint of sadness.

Now that they are all alone and helpless, all they can do is try to make the right choices in the face of adversity.

"In the end, I'm the one who dragged you down. Otherwise, your life would be much better than it is now."

Although Xia Wuyou always reported good news and not bad news, she was well aware that what her niece was doing outside was always very dangerous, otherwise how could she afford such expensive medical treatment?

The reason Xu Shi threatened him was because of himself; otherwise, how could an A-level "upgraded person" be so easily manipulated?

The white-haired loli lowered her head and gently rubbed her nose.

"...Don't say that, Aunt."

Xia Wuyou said earnestly, "You are my only family, and all of this was done voluntarily by me. I have never blamed you."

"But I don't want you to be bound by me either."

Xia Ke'an leaned against her chest, blinked, and murmured, "But now it seems impossible to stay out of it... By the way, you just said that Shen He gave you a bottle of inhibitor?"

“Yes.” Xia Wuyou didn’t know what she wanted to say.

"Give it to Xu Shi."

"……Why?"

Xia Wuyou was somewhat puzzled, or rather, she deliberately did not intend to do so.

After all, she had never trusted Xu Shi and always thought she had to keep some backup plans.

"Just like the person who sent you to deal with 'Spark,' he values ​​your attitude."

Xia Ke'an said seriously, "Whether he wants it or not is his business, but whether you give it to him or not is your business... Even if it's just going through the motions, it's better than hiding it like this, understand?"

Just like I did just now.

Regardless of what you really think, you have to save face.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 13 Stop cursing! Stop cursing!

So the next second, Xu Shi was almost laughing at Xia Wuyou's actions.

He was resting with his eyes closed in the car when he opened them and saw her running towards him in a panic.

"Finished talking? Shall I take you home now?"

"Um……"

Xia Wuyou nodded, then took out an inhibitor from the belt of his combat suit and awkwardly handed it over, "This is for you."

……