Chapter 151

Future chapters at patreon.com/FFAddict.

Additionally, I have many new works readers may be interested in. Go look, if you wish! 

Inside the Lizzy's Bar's main hall, Gloria listened attentively as the girls gave their reports. The Braindance server equipment was fully set up, the lighting and music were ready, and the Braindance rigs were all in place. There was an ample supply of drinks ready for the patrons to enjoy throughout the evening.

Rita Wheeler, a spunky girl, approached Gloria and asked, "How is it looking? It's almost time."

Seeing that the preparations for the opening were well in hand, Gloria nodded, "Everything's basically good to go, we can open for business."

Rita called over all the sisters of Lizzy's Bar. Everyone put their work aside and gathered around.

In front of everyone, Rita loudly announced, "Ladies of Gloria, before we open, let's have our new boss lady kick things off, shall we?"

Applause broke out among the crowd, endorsing the suggestion.

Gloria smiled at everyone, raised a glass specially filled by the bartender Mateo, and made a toast.

"To the sisters of Gloria!"

"Cheers to our opening!"

With that, she downed her drink, followed by everyone else emptying their glasses.

The Lizzy's Bar's sign lit up again, signaling to all of Night City that the sisters of Gloria were back in business.

To welcome the incoming customers, everyone quickly got busy again.

Outside the bar, the small plaza was already filled with waiting customers. As the bar's sign light flickered on, they quietened down, focusing their attention on the main entrance.

The gates slid open automatically.

Rita Wheeler emerged with a group of Mox gals and said with a bit of an edge in her voice, "Welcome to the sisters of Gloria."

"Before you enter, let's go over the rules."

Someone else chimed in loudly, "We know the rules! No filming, no touching without consent, no drugs, and no freeloading..."

Satisfied, Rita gave a nod and stepped aside, "Well said."

She then began inviting customers in.

A cheer rose from the crowd as they started moving into the bar.

At that moment, a red sports car slowly pulled up outside the gates of the small plaza, with David following a lady with the demeanor of experience out of the vehicle.

The lady, with her cyber-eye in motion, activated the car's auto-parking feature to find a spot nearby.

Noticing that some of her colleagues hadn't arrived yet, she stood with David on the sidewalk, waiting.

David observed that the Lizzy's Bar was really thriving with its reopening as the plaza was filled and a steady stream of customers continued to pour into the bar.

The experienced lady spoke up, "Don't worry, I've already booked us a booth, though, unfortunately, the private rooms aren't available just yet."

David, not yet eighteen and unfamiliar with places like the Lizzy's Bar, looked puzzled.

A luxury SUV stopped at the entrance of the plaza, and several people got out, carrying flower baskets almost as tall as themselves, into the plaza.

"That's from the Afterlife Bar," the experienced lady explained.

"Afterlife Bar?" David was taken aback.

She pointed out the leader of the group, "See that person there in the front? That's the receptionist from the Afterlife Bar."

Then, three vehicles adorned with blood-red skull and spider emblems parked nearby, and four individuals that looked like cyber-zombies carried a black box into the plaza.

"That's the Tyger Claws," the lady commented, lighting up a cigarette.

David had heard of the Tyger Claws and was surprised to see them here.

Before long, a black business sedan arrived at the plaza, and two men in suits got out.

"That's from the City Hall," the woman continued her commentary to David.

David's curiosity grew, and he asked with admiration, "Is the Lizzy's Bar really that impressive, to draw such a diverse crowd for its reopening?"

The lady enlightened him, "It's because the Moxes today are not what they used to be. They've grown and their strength is not to be underestimated, naturally drawing more attention."

"Plus, the background of the new boss lady of Gloria must be something special, just the fact she stood up to the Tyger Claws tells you she's no ordinary person."

As they conversed, they also saw the Tyger Claws delivering flower baskets to the Lizzy's Bar and then swiftly leaving the scene.

Soon after, various companies, gangs, and influential individuals offered their congratulations on the reopening of Lizzy's Bar.

David began to understand that the Lizzy's Bar was more than just a brothel.

Within the time it took to smoke two cigarettes, colleagues from Arasaka Corporation's Counterintel Department arrived at the plaza. They gathered outside and prepared to enter together.

Seeing David still dressed in his work suit, one male colleague joked, "David, didn't you go change? It's not like you're working at Gloria."

David then realized that the other colleagues were all in casual attire, likely having changed in their cars.

The lady countered, "I think David looks handsome in that suit. Unlike you, in a suit, you're just another office drone."

After a light-hearted laugh, David and his colleagues made their way into the plaza. Thanks to the experienced lady's reservation, they didn't have to wait outside and headed straight for the entrance.

The short-haired cool girl among his colleagues pointed towards a beautiful figure standing by the bar's main entrance and queried, "Is that her? She looks like the new boss lady of the bar."

The lady looked in the direction pointed out and saw a voluptuous figure with fair shoulders.

"Red hair, red dress, could very well be her."

David couldn't help but look over curiously. The sight made his heart lurch suddenly, and he froze on the spot.

The familiar curly red hair, the familiar silhouette from behind, and the confident and capable demeanor as she spoke to everyone, was just like Gloria's.

What was going on?

David's mind was a complete blur.

Though he hadn't seen her face, his heart was already pounding wildly, and the oppressive aura from that figure was undeniably real.

It had to be her!

David felt his legs go weak, his steps staggering.

Mom, what's she doing here?

And she's the owner of the Lizzy's Bar?

David felt like his world was falling apart, his values suffering an unprecedented shock.

But the most pressing issue wasn't this—it was crucial not to let his mom catch him.

If Gloria saw him at Lizzy's Bar, a place not suitable for minors, that would be mortifying when he got home.

His mother, the owner of an adult venue, and her son unknowingly visiting the establishment—nothing could be more embarrassing.

With this thought.

David's scalp tingled, his eyes glazed over, and his toes curled so tightly he almost punctured his shoes.

Fengqing Sister noticed David's odd behavior, waved her hand in front of his eyes, and gently asked, "David, what's wrong?"

David snapped back to reality, forced a couple of hollow laughs, feeling incredibly guilty.

His male colleague steadied David by the shoulders and nudged him forward, boasting, "Every man has his first time for everything. It's normal to be nervous. You'll get used to it after a few visits, haha."

Another colleague agreed, "True, I was barely able to stand my first time here. You're a young man, David, full of vigor and vitality. Relax, it's all good."

The group burst into laughter, thinking David was just overly nervous.

No matter how much David resisted, he was ultimately surrounded by his colleagues who led him closer to Lizzy's Bar.

David dared not look directly at that figure anymore and quickly picked up his briefcase to try to shield his face.

And so,

David, propped up by the group, arrived at the entrance of Lizzy's Bar, fervently hoping that the familiar figure would not turn around.

Suddenly,

He heard Fengqing Sister greet her enthusiastically.

"Hello, are you the owner of Lizzy's? You look so beautiful and stunning, especially with that red hair. It's gorgeous."

"It's nice to meet you, beautiful. I'm happy you're here at Lizzy's Sisters, and with your looks, I absolutely must treat you to a drink today. We're such kindred spirits."

After exchanging compliments, both women laughed joyfully.

But to David, their laughter was terrifying, the voice unmistakably his mother Gloria's.

After Fengqing Sister and Gloria chatted for a while, David and a few colleagues from the counterintelligence department moved towards the bar's inner door.

Suddenly,

A familiar voice came from behind him, laced with a calm threat.

"Have fun, David..."

David felt a shiver run through him as his head involuntarily turned to see Gloria with a kind smile, staring at him.

He mustered all his strength to force a pained smile and replied guiltily, "I will..."

After saying this, David's legs nearly gave in.

The group went on towards the inner hall of Lizzy's Bar.

"Wow, David, you even know Lizzy's new owner and won't even set us up."

"David, come clean, have you been to Lizzy's many times before? You're so good at playing innocent; even the lady owner is charmed by you."

"Hmm... you seem like a solid guy, but who knows what mischief you're capable of."

David was at a loss for words in his mind... Who wouldn't recognize their own mother...

They reached the reserved booth in the inner hall, and a waiter came over with some complimentary drinks and snacks, asking what they wanted to order.

Seeing David look deflated, his colleagues recommended the Braindance of the Emerald City, guaranteed to perk him up.

David was completely distracted, mechanically nodding along stiffly to his colleagues' rhythm.

After the drinks were ordered, the men eagerly awaited the delivery of the Braindance devices.

A few female colleagues, including Fengqing Sister, took their glasses and went onto the dance floor to sway to their heart's content.

David realized that even the noisy music and chaotic lights couldn't disturb his numb state of mind.

Soon, the waiters delivered the Braindance headsets, put them on everyone, and initiated the flash sequence.

David put on the Braindance headset and entered the world of Emerald City, looking out over a landscape of nothingness, feeling utterly unaffected.

Minutes later,

All the men had taken off their Braindance headsets, slumping into the sofa during their 'refractory period' after the peak experience.

But they noticed that David was completely still, seriously sitting there, still immersed in the world of Braindance.

They gave him a thumbs-up.

Meanwhile,

Outside of Lizzy's Bar,

Gloria was busy entertaining some distinguished guests when she saw a brand-new business sedan slowly pulling into the courtyard, and Sasha stepped out.

She knew it was Mr. Tang's arrival.

So, she excused herself from the well-wishers and got up to walk toward Sasha.