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

Jiang Chengcheng mechanically turned her head, the smile on her face long gone, replaced by unconscious tear tracks and confusion about Xu Shi.

"Shouldn't I be disappointed? I admire that you didn't lose your will to fight back even in this situation. But I find it hard to accept that after I did everything for you, you instead cowered and backed down."

This is not what I want to see.

Xu Shi suppressed his smile and met her gaze with a calm yet disdainful look, like a sharp scalpel precisely cutting into the most vulnerable part of Jiang Chengcheng's heart.

"I……"

Jiang Chengcheng's mind went blank. She didn't know why Xu Shi, who was always kind to her, would suddenly show such an expression and say such vicious words.

But she was certain that she didn't want to hear him say that, or see him become like this.

Then her hands stopped trembling, and she murmured hoarsely, "No...don't say that! No!"

"Then prove it to me."

Xu Shi smiled slightly and gently patted the back of her hand that was holding the gun.

As if guided, Jiang Chengcheng slowly raised her arm.

"No, no!"

Seeing her increasingly determined gaze, Jiang Fengshan panicked completely and subconsciously took a step back. "Chengcheng! Don't kill me! I've raised you for so many years... Xu Shi, no, Chairman Xu! I know you want evidence of Lin Wenhua's crimes. I have plenty here, all of it for you! All of it for you!"

"Shut up."

Xu Shi kicked him in the face, forcefully interrupting his pleas for mercy.

But seemingly awakened by his words, the light in Jiang Chengcheng's eyes gradually returned.

After hesitating for a moment, she threw the gun aside.

This was quite unexpected.

Logically speaking, this should be the limit of his current ability to "increase the entropy of evil thoughts." Just now, it was also obvious that Jiang Chengcheng's hatred and resentment had exceeded the threshold.

Is this not allowed? Don't tell me this is one of those disgusting forgiveness scenes from melodramatic TV dramas.

"That would be too ridiculous..." Xu Shi muttered to himself, but then he heard Jiang Chengcheng slowly speak.

"Chairman Xu...do you have a whip?"

……

Xu Shi was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

I'm sorry, I underestimated you.

He didn't prepare a whip, but he did have a police baton.

Using this as a final farewell between father and daughter seems to carry more weight than a pistol.

Xu Shi politely gave them some private space, gently closed the cell door, and listened to the incessant wails coming from inside.

Ah~ a sweet, tragic tone!

It's unclear how much time passed before the commotion inside the cell gradually subsided.

The door opened, and Jiang Chengcheng walked out without saying a word. The bloodstains on her body, like scarlet flower petals, added to her beauty.

As for Jiang Fengshan... he glanced at the scene inside, and even Xu Shi found it hard to bear the sight.

Tsk tsk tsk, they don't even look human anymore, how scary! (doge)

"Chairman Xu, I...did it."

Dropping the police baton, Jiang Chengcheng looked at the bloodstains on her hands, silently smeared them on her lips like lipstick, and then gently licked them off with her tongue.

After doing all this, she could no longer hold back and collapsed into Xu Shi's arms, sobbing uncontrollably, "I did it, I did it, thank you..."

"Well, you did a good job."

Xu Shi gently patted her back, comforting her in soft, gentle words.

The reason he kept Jiang Fengshan alive until now is precisely for this reason.

This is what the old folks call "ultimate value".

Although he has been brought down, it wouldn't be perfect if Jiang Chengcheng didn't end it all herself.

And he could be certain that from now on, he would no longer have to worry about her loyalty.

The cycle of "entropy of evil thoughts" has already completed within her body, proclaiming that the crimson flower of depravity is blooming in her heart.

"Miss Jiang Chengcheng, congratulations on your new life."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 43 The First Time and the Countless Times

Say something.

Using the word "new life" to describe Jiang Chengcheng now is absolutely the most fitting.

She personally severed the shackles of past suffering, and the gloom in her heart was swept away.

Instead, there was hope for the future, and... a fervent loyalty to Xu Shi.

"Thank you... Mr. Xu."

Nestled in Xu Shi's arms, she felt only happiness and warmth. "From now on, I will only be loyal to you."

My wealth, my body, and... my soul, until death do us part.

Xu Shi smiled without saying a word, listening quietly to her vow.

He was not surprised by this.

Because under the influence of "increased entropy of evil thoughts," this is how it should be.

This can be considered a complete practice of his own special ability, from nothing to something, from zero to one.

In fact, although it doesn't help improve combat power, this ability is really not weak. It is only B-rank and can make people submit willingly. Moreover, after the loop is completed, there will be no wavering submission no matter what.

Of course, this is on the premise that it can be used properly and that it will not be driven to insanity by complications. If it is really the same as the original body in the original work, then the effectiveness it can exert is less than one-tenth.

Moreover, everyone's situation is different. This approach works for Jiang Chengcheng, but it would be a different story for others, such as Gu Yi or Xia Wuyou.

But what is certain is that everyone has a threshold in their mind, and as long as you can find and break through it, you can achieve the same effect.

As for the "further upgrade" of "entropy of evil thoughts"... I'm sorry, it wasn't mentioned in the original work, but I imagine it won't be too bad.

Well, at least there's some anticipation now.

Thinking this, looking at Jiang Chengcheng in front of him, Xu Shi couldn't help but smile a little more.

What does this mean? The villainous mini-boss has gained a new female corrupt official?

Oh ho ho.

Moreover, it must be said that with Jiang Chengcheng's submission, his gains were indeed considerable.

Putting aside her personal abilities, the gold coins that Jiang Fengshan produced were also a significant part of her success.

Although "Feather Pen" took away some of his illegal income, the overall impact was not significant. The company's shares and his personal assets will be transferred to Jiang Chengcheng's name in accordance with inheritance law upon his death.

That would be no different from giving it to him; as long as he asks, the other party would probably offer it up without hesitation.

Furthermore, the engineering department will naturally come under my control... It seems like the best thing ever.

Won Ma.

This put Xu Shi in a great mood.

However, just as he was about to leave with Jiang Chengcheng, Tang Shuang, who was leaning against the corridor, blocked his way.

It seemed that the other party had been waiting here for a long time, and her complicated expression proved that she had something to say to Xu Shi.

"...You go outside and wait for me."

Xu Shi thought for a moment and then sent Jiang Chengcheng away.

"Ah."

"I really have to thank Director Tang this time."

After she left, Xu Shi smiled and nodded at Tang Shuang, showing unprecedented politeness.

"...Just this once, and don't let it happen again."

Tang Shuang's eyes flickered, "Even if we encounter a situation like this again... I will never let you do such a thing again."

Here's a quick note: the laws of Night City do not include the death penalty.

But that's only what's out in the open; vigilante justice is another matter entirely... Public prisons are even better places for clandestine operations, where countless people have lost their lives.

However, this situation changed significantly after Tang Shuang took office—the director is very righteous.

As for why they turned a blind eye this time... it was probably out of dissatisfaction with the pressure from their superiors and sympathy for Jiang Chengcheng's tragic experience.

"learn."

Xu Shi responded dismissively, not taking her words to heart.

He knew perfectly well that this might be the first time Tang Shuang had ever given someone special treatment in this kind of matter... He was glad that the person in question was him and not Shen He, and he hoped even more that she would only do this for him.

This shouldn't be too difficult—there's only the first time and the countless times for this kind of thing; once you start, it's not so easy to make up for it later.

Thinking this way, and with the lingering effects of his superpower complications, Xu Shi couldn't help but have an idea. He extended his hand to Tang Shuang and politely invited, "Would you like me to give you a ride home?"

"...Don't give me that."

Tang Shuang was taken aback, then jumped back as if she had been electrocuted. "Remember this, this matter is over, but, but you better be careful. If you do anything you shouldn't, I, I will still bring you to justice!"

As she spoke, she even exaggeratedly struck a fighting pose, and her face unconsciously flushed slightly.

Xu Shi frowned involuntarily upon seeing this. Really, if you don't want to agree, then don't agree. Does your reaction have to be so extreme?

Of course he didn't know that it was because the director had unconsciously used him as a side dish... It was fine when they were doing serious business, but now that they were relaxed and alone, she couldn't help but think of this again.

"Instead of focusing on law-abiding citizens like me, Director Tang would be better off putting his attention on Sin City."

So he just waved his hand dismissively, saying, "Things haven't been very peaceful there lately."