Chapter 105

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"It's been a long time since it last rained."

In the evening, the drizzle shrouded the city.

Tang Yu gazed at the curtain of rain outside the subway carriage, fine droplets clinging to his black hair, and a circle of his shoulder already soaked by rainwater.

In the distance, the sky and sea merged into a vast expanse of grey, even the sea breeze turned bleak.

The glittering neon lights of Night City, diffused by layers of rain, made the holographic projections appear more ethereal, immersing the entire coastal city into a world of rain.

He left work late because he returned to the Arasaka Tower this afternoon, specially visited the Special Operations Department to handle the task reimbursement, and left after handing it over to the reception desk.

The Special Operations Department has recently been quite leisurely, with Susan Abernathy on salary suspension and operating the department remotely, plus no major actions taken recently, they've had a rare relaxation period.

Tang Yu couldn't care less; whether they slacked off or not had nothing to do with him, and even if they messed up, it couldn't be blamed on him.

Fully aware of his position as the deputy head of the Special Operations Department, Tang Yu didn't think he could really stir up trouble within Susan Abernathy's stronghold and rally a group against her.

So.

Getting reimbursement from the Special Operations Department was enough, with two tasks totaling three hundred and fifty thousand euros, which wasn't much for a large department like this.

The first reimbursement of fifty thousand euros was for investigating the theft of Tanaka's vehicle, its wreckage found in a small square. He had already asked Gloria to coordinate with Maine to have the anti-intelligence department tow the car back.

As for the investigation results, they indicated that Militechnology aimed at Department Head Tanaka, arranging an intermediary to steal his vehicle's navigation data to gather more information on Tanaka.

With this task concluded, the rest was up to Tanaka's fate, with Militechnology targeting him, Tang Yu, uninvolved.

The second reimbursement, a task assigned by Michiko, involved exposing the Militechnology and NCPD transaction, amounting to three hundred thousand euros.

As it was a private job, opinions on the board were mixed, with no overt reward or promotion due to the lack of outstanding achievements.

Michiko arranging a special assistant for him was probably due to this reason, offering consolation in private.

Tang Yu still faced criticism from the board despite completing the task, thankfully Michiko didn't agree to demote him, otherwise, he might have been demoted from the recent double deputy head position.

Michiko's strategy of rallying support was admirable, neither clashing with other members of the board for Tang Yu's achievements nor making it clear who among the corporate higher-ups were enemies or allies.

Plus, with Michiko assigning someone as attractive as Sasha, a cat-like assistant, by his side, anyone slightly more naive would be overly grateful.

Tang Yu wasn't too bothered, the actual expenses might have been around two hundred and fifty thousand, getting three hundred and fifty thousand could be considered a compensation.

Additionally, he had inquired with HR and finance, being the head of two different departments, he could only receive one salary and performance bonus based on the actual task outcomes.

The performance salary of the Special Operations Department's deputy head was higher than that of the Counter-Intelligence Department, so naturally, Tang Yu chose the higher one.

Thus, a peculiar situation arose; Tang Yu worked in the Counter-Intelligence Department but his salary and performance were handled by the Special Operations Department.

Receiving only one salary made Tang Yu somewhat frustrated.

A typical case of unequal pay for equal work, but this is Night City, a world dominated by capital, and despite his dissatisfaction, he had to play by the rules.

"Why work two jobs for one salary?"

Tang Yu felt fully justified in slacking off.

These days not seeing Arthur Jenkins, Tang Yu sort of missed him, with the Counter-Intelligence Department's affairs weighing on him.

Fortunately, he only handled daily affairs, and troublesome matters were easily dealt with a message.

"I'll convey it to Mr. Jenkins."

The train slowly arrived at the station.

Tang Yu exited the subway station, looking up to see the sky still gloomy, with drizzle falling and splashing on the ground, passersby creating ripples as they walked by.

Tang Ren Street was as bustling as usual, with various shops lining up, neon signboards hanging everywhere.

Pedestrians carrying fluorescent umbrellas, the neon-filled rainy world, colorful and dazzling.

At a glance, there's a special sci-fi aesthetic.

On the sidewalk, those without umbrellas hastily ran, not caring about splashing water on others.

On the main road, traffic flowed like lights, cars moving slowly in parallel, horns, and flashes occasionally heard.

Only the aerial vehicles above weren't affected by traffic jams, swiftly shuttling between high-rise buildings.

Tang Yu noticed the rain had intensified since he entered the subway station, initially indifferent to carrying an umbrella.

He stretched his hand into the rain, trying to feel the raindrops.

The rain was indeed heavy, walking home without an umbrella would soak him through.

Casually, Tang Yu heard a vendor calling out.

"It's raining, get a transparent fluorescent umbrella, safe and convenient!"

He turned his head right, spotting a stall selling fluorescent umbrellas, the owner shouting out.

He walked over, planning to buy a fluorescent umbrella for the walk home.

Just as he was about to pick one, he noticed an umbrella already handed to him.

Turning slightly, Tang Yu saw Sasha standing beside the umbrella stand, offering the handle of her umbrella to him.

Surprised to find Sasha here, apparently, she came to the subway station to meet him seeing it was raining outside.

Seeing Tang Yu, Sasha seemed pleased, as if waiting for someone she wanted to see, smiling and saying, "Mr. Tang, this umbrella is prepared for you by Sasha."

Tang Yu, slightly taken aback, took her umbrella and casually patted Sasha on the head.

"Let's go."

A flicker of light passed through Sasha's neon-colored eyes, she then followed Tang Yu's steps.

They reached the station entrance, each opening their umbrellas, stepping into the curtain of rain.

The rain poured down, flowing into gutters and into the underground water system continuously.

Tang Yu didn't say much, and Sasha, always silent, followed closely behind, maintaining a habitual polite smile.

They weaved through the streets, passing street after street, turning corner after corner.

Sasha's bright neon eyes gradually showed a look of puzzlement; she looked back and noticed they were getting farther from home, Tang Yu's upscale apartment long passed.

Feeling strange and seeing Tang Yu continue walking with no intention of stopping, she assumed he didn't plan to go home.

Curious and confused, seeing rain soaking his black suit and even his hair, she thought that one should hurry home to change and comfortably soak in a forty-degree warm bath to relax.

Especially since Mr. Tang, being human, is prone to catching a cold.

Sasha tried to figure out why Mr. Tang was getting wet in the rain yet not heading home.

She recalled the prepared situation at home, including the ready clothes and dinner kept warm.

Most importantly, the bathtub was full of hot water, which if heading back now, would cool to the perfect temperature for a bath.

Moreover, Mr. Tang had praised her massage skills that morning, suggesting a temple massage during the bath for relaxation.

After pondering for quite some time, Sasha intended to remind Mr. Tang that everything was ready at home, but seeing him occupied, she suppressed her doubts and continued following.

Now, she was more curious about where Mr. Tang was going and what he was doing.

As they navigated along the storefront-laden street, passing various shops.

Sasha, like a kitten exploring the human world for the first time, was fascinated and curious about everything, pausing at each new sight as if comparing it to her knowledge.

Her eyes, bright with neon hue, reflected everything she saw, even observing advertisements closely.

"Can you really eat this talking hamburger?"

"What a beautiful diamond-encrusted fluorescent dress!"

"Big enough, no worries, enhancing your curves beautifully.""Hmm...?"

Sasha looked at the female model in the advertisement and then glanced down at herself, probably feeling carefree.

She was earnestly comparing when she noticed that Tang Yu had already walked far ahead, so she quickly grabbed her umbrella and chased after him.

The two of them, one after the other, walked the bustling, rain-soaked streets of Night City at night.

Whenever Sasha fell a little behind, she would hurry to catch up with Tang Yu's pace, but would soon get distracted by the novel things around her, forgetting to hasten her steps.

After all, Tang Yu hadn't spoken to her, nor had he given any commands.

This was her very first time shopping, so it was natural for her to be extremely curious.

Tang Yu knew that Sasha was trying hard to adapt to the new world and absorb all the information around her.

Sasha's "manufacture" set knowledge base, although large and rich in content, was still rigid and mechanical, not like experiencing the real world.

Like her knowing the appearance of rain, its physical causes, and the need for an umbrella when it rains.

But she might not understand why some people don't use umbrellas, don't seek shelter under eaves, scream in the rain, or go out at night with a knife but no umbrella.

These behaviors driven by human emotions would have to be slowly understood and felt by Sasha.

When Tang Yu noticed Sasha lagging, he would similarly slow down and wait for her to catch up.

Sasha, trailing behind, would examine various products and advertisements, sometimes even scanning people passing by, somewhat rudely, but the hurried passersby would hardly notice, so no one would say anything.

Suddenly.

Sasha felt something off, quickly pulled out a small pill pouch she carried, poured a white pill into her palm, and swallowed it.

A few moments later, she returned to normal.

Tang Yu noticed this action but didn't say anything, just continued walking ahead.

The two turned a corner and entered a fairly wide street lined with several brothels.

Neon lights in the brothels' large glass windows illuminated seductive dance movements.

"Beauty, want to come in and have fun? I believe your curiosity will be satisfied," a street dancer, closer to the window, whispered seductively.

Sasha's gaze tightened with more confusion, seemingly unsure of why the person was twisting about behind the window or the meaning of her words, looking quite like initiating intimacy mode.

"Sasha wants to know what fun it is?"

The dancer was amused by Sasha's naïve look, but didn't underestimate her. Her high-quality combat augmentations were beautiful and very aesthetically pleasing, almost like human limbs, a far cry from the street dancers, indicating a not-so-simple origin.

The street dancer glanced at Sasha, teasingly said, "Naturally, it's the classic G593 model pleasure chip. Our customers have nicknamed it 'Thrilling'. Of course, we'll need to add something extra. How about it, little sister, want to give it a try?"

Thrilling?

Sasha pondered, her optical implants quickly found the behavior chip and reviewed its information.

It was one of the earliest developed antiques, no longer updated, yet once was a best-seller in Night City. Now it's so cheap, it could be seen at street stalls, even given away for free for a clandestine payment in some dark alley, accessible to anyone willing.

This classic behavior chip, although completely phased out by time, still had its lingering effects, helping the street dancers make a living.

After thinking for a while, Sasha noticed that Tang Yu had already entered a small house. She quickly said thanks to the dancer and hurried after him.

She followed Tang Yu's figure, arriving in front of a fortune-telling shop.

Sasha stood at the store's entrance, curiously looking up, muttering.

"Misty's Mysteries..."

"What are we doing here?"

Sasha put the umbrella outside and then pushed open the glass door of the house, stepping inside. Immediately, she felt the room filled with a mysterious aura.

The interior was uniquely decorated with four-armed statues, cursed skulls, and tarot cards, among other things.

Sasha obediently followed behind Tang Yu, then sneakily glanced at Misty behind the counter.

Huh?

It turns out she also has an original body, probably a good friend of Mr. Tang.

However, her gaze seemed to have the power to see into people's hearts, leaving Sasha somewhat uneasy.

After Tang Yu greeted Misty and was told that V was in the basement clinic, Misty noticed Sasha behind him, her eyes showing a hint of surprise.

Tang Yu saw that Misty seemed to have discovered something, which was one of the reasons he intentionally brought Sasha here.

Misty had the purest human spiritual intuition, perhaps able to spot something about Sasha.

After a moment of silence.

Misty's gentle gaze shifted from Sasha, then she gently picked up the tarot deck on the table, shuffled it, and softly said.

"Would you like to draw one?"

Sasha was startled, obviously directed at her. Hesitating, she quickly looked to Tang Yu for guidance.

Tang Yu nodded slightly, encouraging her, "Draw one. I've also had my fortune told here by Misty."

Hearing Tang Yu's words, Sasha felt at ease, her gaze no longer hesitant, stepping forward to the counter, intrigued by the tarot cards on the table.

This was Sasha's first time drawing a tarot card; she picked the top card of the deck almost without hesitation.

Revealing it on the table.

The Hanged Man?

A figure bound by hands and feet, hanging upside down from a tree, head surrounded with shining light.

Seeing this tarot card, Sasha's optical implants started to search for information about The Hanged Man.

Misty then took Sasha's slender hand, looking into her eyes, gently said, "There's no need to fear. In bondage, observe; in sacrifice, offer; in hardship, find life."

Sasha similarly looked at Misty, feeling a bit nervous, not quite understanding Misty's words.

Tang Yu pondered from the side, Misty's words seemed to imply something else, not just for Sasha in front of her.

Perhaps as he suspected, Sasha's backstory was not as simple as Michiko had mentioned.

After Misty finished speaking, she released Sasha's hands, smiling, "You're very cute."

Sasha, upon hearing Misty's compliment, softly thanked her, very politely.

Tang Yu took the initiative to introduce.

"Misty, this is Sasha, the company assistant."

"Sasha, this is Misty, the fiancée of my good brother Jackie."

Both Sasha and Misty looked at Tang Yu with peculiar expressions, seemingly dissatisfied with his introduction.

Tang Yu paused, not realizing what was wrong with his words, then made an excuse, "Misty, I'm off to see Viktor."

He left the counter and headed towards the back door.

Sasha nodded slightly at Misty and hurriedly followed Tang Yu's steps towards the basement clinic.

Upon Tang Yu's arrival at Viktor's cybernetic clinic, he directly pushed open the iron gate and found Viktor, as usual, watching a boxing match.

"Viktor, how's it going recently? Is business okay?"

Viktor turned his head, seeing Tang Yu, smiled.

"What kind of rain brought you here today?"

Viktor, sitting on a stool, turned towards Tang Yu, also noticed Sasha behind him.

"Business is so-so, lukewarm. But what about you, are things stable over at Arasaka?"

Tang Yu laughed, "Just alright. Doing the work of two people on one salary, but can't help it, more responsibility for the capable."

Viktor caught the hint in his words, laughed with his magnetic voice, "Then it seems you're doing quite well, taking on double roles, it's normal to feel pressured."

"Heard from Jackie that you've been having headaches and vomiting, is it better now?"

Tang Yu nodded, mentioning his nervous fatigue during field operations, and being attacked upon returning to Night City, which made him somewhat unwell.

"Yeah, much better now. Came to ask for a favor today, it's important."

Viktor glanced at Sasha behind Tang Yu, sensing something, and readily agreed.

"No problem, follow me."