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

I doubt Chief Ding would want to see this outcome either.

"..."

Ding Jun was speechless for a moment.

What the other party said was true; how could such a thing be made public? The Night City bosses already had doubts about his professional competence, and with something like this happening at this critical juncture, no matter how he explained, the consequences wouldn't be good.

It's fortunate that this is just an act, and Xu Shi had informed him beforehand... otherwise, it would have really given him a headache.

"...Tell me, what do you want?"

After pretending to verify the authenticity of the data bricks, Ding Jun asked with a dark face, "Do you want money? Do you want equipment? Or do you want to join us?"

“We are not interested in Chief Ding’s business.”

Lin Yue shook her head. "But our gang also needs to develop, and we value the jurisdiction over several blocks in the Sixth District even more."

[Not much, only a quarter. For Chief Ding, it's a fair trade, right?]

Lin Xing echoed this sentiment.

"I use polite language!"

Ding Jun's voice suddenly rose, "A quarter? Your appetites are too big, aren't you afraid of overeating?"

[Chief Ding need not worry about that.]

Lin Xing smiled.

"...What if I say no?"

Ding Jun's expression grew increasingly grim. "Don't think I'm really afraid of your threats... I know a thing or two about you. To tell you the truth, the feud between your 'Spark' and our 'Long Knife Gang' runs deep. Killing you might be more important than any data leak."

Actually, he was quite surprised at the time, wondering how Xu Shi could be associated with "Spark"... But that's what they said, so he couldn't really refute it. Since he had chosen to join their crew, he would just go along with it.

[There's still room for negotiation, right? It's a win-win situation; we're also trying to help Chief Ding solve his problems.]

Lin Xing blinked innocently. "Besides, you might not actually be able to kill us... right?"

As she spoke, she flipped over and instantly appeared behind Ding Jun, her arm transforming into a blade that pressed against his neck.

"What?!"

Ding Jun was startled, but at the same moment, Lin Yue had already taken down the other guards and completely controlled the situation.

"Now? Chief Ding, shouldn't you reconsider what you said?"

Lin Yue held a gun in one hand and a dagger in the other, coldly looking at him and asking.

"...Okay, I promise you."

Ding Jun's Adam's apple bobbed. "So what? Do you expect us to sign a contract? The territory we give you today, I can take back tomorrow, can't I?"

【Then you're welcome to give it a try.】

The two sisters were not afraid of his threats at all.

"Hiss...tsk."

Ding Jun knew the charade was about over, so he readily backed down and said, "Fine, a quarter it is, but let me make this clear: not a single bit of this data can be leaked. Otherwise, I'll spend the rest of my life hunting you down to the ends of the earth!"

……

[How was it, sister? Wasn't I right?]

Having left the "Long Knife Gang" camp unharmed, Lin Xing breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Lin Yue, his eyes narrowing into crescent moons.

"There are still risks... Luckily he's timid."

Lin Yue was still shaken. "If he had really fought us to the death, we might not have been able to leave so easily."

【How can it be? 】

Lin Xing analyzed with a smile, "He's seizing territory for money. We have leverage over him; we just had a knife to his throat... He won't gamble with us, at least not in the short term."

To be fair, there are still quite a few flaws in this.

But when it comes to acting, that's enough. The goal has been achieved, and the real territory has been handed over. Even a good older sister might not care that much.

“…You are right.”

Lin Yue remained noncommittal, "However, now that we've successfully acquired the territory, we should be even more wary of him."

That's true.

As mentioned before, controlling the territory is the way to save District Six. Not to mention anything else, there will certainly be no more business related to sex dolls in her jurisdiction.

Once implemented, it will undoubtedly reduce the suffering of many innocent people.

That's for sure.

Lin Xing wholeheartedly agreed, saying, "We need to develop this relationship before he completely breaks ties with us... What you want to do is what I want to do too, and I will always support you."

However, to be fair, Ding Jun was able to annex the Sixth District thanks to the help of "Snake Ring".

She added with great interest, "So, by doing this, can we also consider it a victory against Xu Shi?"

"right……"

Hearing her sister say this, Lin Yue's expression became somewhat complicated. It took her a while to come back to her senses. "Although it was only a little bit... it's true that we took a piece of flesh from him."

"Go back and arrange for everyone to take over as soon as possible. The area where 'Spark' is located must not be allowed to harbor any more filth!"

【Yes, ma'am~】

Xu Shi playfully gave her a wink.

This is exactly what he wanted to see. How wonderful it would be if he were full of fighting spirit! Hurry up and develop your strength to attack me!

However, he had also noticed the assassin girl's momentary lapse in concentration, as if she had only become like that after hearing his name.

That's a bit strange... hmm?

Xu Shi seemed to be deep in thought, and then took out the remote control he had just put away.

……

After the negotiations with Ding Jun ended, it was supposed to be a short and precious rest time while the night was still on.

This should have been the case for Lin Yue as well, but lying in bed, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

Because a strange heat was spreading through her body, tormenting her like ants gnawing at her.

Lin Yue knew very well where this strangeness came from—it was still a lingering effect of being manipulated by Xu Shi back then.

Despite the shameful and humiliating circumstances, she couldn't find much resentment when she examined the situation closely; instead, she felt a strange longing for it.

She wished she could be treated like Xu Shi.

But these symptoms haven't recurred for a long time... Aside from the initial helplessness, Lin Yue gradually adjusted. Although no problems could be found, she knew how to control herself.

Just stop thinking about it. There are plenty of ways to distract yourself. At the very least, taking a cold shower can help her calm down.

But perhaps it is precisely because each attempt only addresses the symptoms and not the root cause that the excessive suppression of desire has led to this situation—she has tried every possible method, but the result is still like a caterpillar wriggling in bed, unable to calm her mind, and the situation is even getting worse.

The reason for all of this was simply that her younger sister mentioned Xu Shi's name, nothing more.

It's clear that she's nearing her limit.

So, what should we do?

"I should just take a sleeping pill. If I fall asleep, this won't happen..." Lin Yue shook her head vigorously, trying to convince herself.

Just then, the door creaked open.

【elder sister? 】

Lin Xing poked her little head in, looking on with curiosity and concern.

"...You, why did you come in without knocking!"

Lin Yue panicked and dropped the medicine bottle in her hand. "Quick, get out of here... We can talk about it tomorrow!"

She looked so disheveled, her hair was messy and she was drenched in sweat, her face was flushed, and there was blood on the corner of her mouth from when she had bitten herself while trying to control herself... She didn't want her sister to see her like this.

[...I heard a noise coming from my sister's place, so I came to check, and she actually yelled at me.]

Lin Xing blinked, then lowered her head with a pitiful look. "What's wrong, sister? Are you sick? You didn't even close the door properly."

"...It's nothing, just a minor ailment. I'll be fine after a good night's sleep."

Lin Yue waved her hand weakly, "You should go and rest too, don't worry about me."

【Really? 】

Lin Xing persisted, pulling up a stool and sitting down beside her bed, asking earnestly, "Sister, this doesn't seem like a 'minor ailment.' What exactly is wrong?"

"I……"

Lin Yue didn't know how to answer.

Can't you even tell me?

Lin Xing felt a little disappointed. [Or is it that my sister doesn't trust me?]

"..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yue felt a little embarrassed.

She had indeed been somewhat wary of this younger sister before, but the truth was that apart from her excessive calmness on the day of the turmoil and her smile that resembled Xu Shi's, Lin Xing did not show any other abnormalities. On the contrary, she always put herself first.

She just went deep into the lion's den with me; if I can't trust her, who can I trust? I guess I'm just overthinking things...

“…Then I’ll tell you, but you absolutely mustn’t tell anyone else.”

With this in mind, her guard completely disappeared.

【Uh-huh. 】

Lin Xing nodded vigorously.

With her assurance, Lin Yue hesitantly told her about her situation.

[...Is that how it is?]

Lin Xing was deeply shocked after hearing this, and slammed his fist on the mattress in righteous indignation, exclaiming, "How outrageous! How could Xu Shi be so ruthless?!"

[I... I was treated like that by him too. I was injected with a similar drug before the modification, and the modification system was programmed with similar procedures... I never expected him to do the same to my sister!]