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

Who are you referring to?

Sensitive Chairman Xu pretended to be angry.

"Whoever gets angry, we'll call them out."

Tang Shuang smiled slightly. Although she knew he wouldn't be so easily swayed, the feeling of having him under her control was quite pleasant.

"I don't want to argue with you."

Xu Shi rolled her eyes at her. "Speak, what is it?"

"Well... I really want to thank you."

Once the topic was brought up, Director Tang started to stammer, remaining silent for a while before saying, "In the past few months, the crime rate has dropped considerably in both Night City and Sin City."

I really have to thank him for this.

With his equipment assistance, the investigation bureau was indeed much more adept at handling cases. It's not just a saying that having good equipment makes you more assertive.

Secondly, it was also about Xu Shi maneuvering and exerting his influence among the six major conglomerates. Crime was rampant in Sin City, and since "Disgaea" was destroyed, the other gangs had also quieted down considerably.

Although there were still riots like the previous attack on the "Shark Tooth" warehouse, the overall trend is positive.

Although she didn't know much about it, she knew that Xu Shi was involved in this matter and that he was definitely pulling the strings behind the scenes... His specific purpose was certainly not to help her, but the outcome was good, so she was happy to accept it.

Of course, one wonders what she would think if she discovered that the only major riot was orchestrated by the man in front of her.

"That's all thanks to Director Tang's effective security measures; I'm just a businessman."

Xu Shi waved his hand, and to be honest, he felt a little guilty, but only a little.

"Whatever you say."

Tang Shuang didn't care, "Including what happened to Miss He this time, it's all thanks to you."

"Okay, then?"

Xu Shi thought to himself that this matter actually had little to do with him, so it sounded even stranger. Did Director Tang call him here specifically to flatter him?

This isn't like you at all.

"...That's it. Should the inspection bureau issue a public notice to commend you?"

Seeing his stubbornness, Tang Shuang glared at him and said sarcastically.

"If you're going to give it to me, I'll definitely take it. There's nothing wrong with adding a layer of prestige to someone's image."

Xu Shi shrugged. "But this whole thing has been all bark and no bite. Director Tang, do you think there's something wrong with it?"

"I don't see anything wrong with it."

Tang Shuang spoke frankly, "The rich girl just went out to play in a moment of madness... Actually, I should be asking you, you should know her better than I do?"

"Coincidentally, I'm not actually that familiar with it either."

Xu Shi shook his head. "I just have a vague feeling that something's not right... or maybe I'm just being paranoid?"

He Yuxia was found, and they naturally inquired about her well-being. However, since she had given a very detailed account and had not lied, they did not find anything wrong with her.

"It's probably a good thing that it's not there."

Tang Shuang shrugged and downed her tea in one gulp. "However, this is just a small example. In such a short time, you've completely subdued the 'Forgotten Ones,' making them obedient and well-behaved."

"They would only harm He Yuxia if they went mad."

Xu Shi remained noncommittal, as he genuinely didn't know who this so-called "Luo Tian" was. "For them, the most important thing is either to study hard or work hard at mining to get their ticket to Night City of Sin as soon as possible."

"I think Director Tang will be able to relax a lot because of this?"

"It seems I have to thank you again."

Tang Shuang nodded, her smile a mixture of helplessness and relief.

The security of the City of Nightsin and the Forgotten Ones was naturally within her purview; allocating manpower, patrolling day and night, and preventing anyone from sneaking into the city were all things she had to do.

It was a huge undertaking, but it wasn't the mess she had imagined. At least the expected chaos didn't last long, and it quickly entered a more organized phase.

This was also thanks to Xu Shi, who truly saved her a lot of trouble.

"You're welcome."

Xu Shi wasn't modest this time; it was all thanks to the master... However, after sitting for so long, he still couldn't figure out what Tang Shuang wanted from him, so he frowned and asked, "Is there anything else? If not, I'll be leaving now?"

"Are you anxious?"

Tang Shuang quickly stopped her, saying, "If you're not in a hurry... let's wait a little longer."

"Then tell me what you want to talk to me about."

Xu Shi sighed helplessly, "What am I supposed to do here if all I do is drink tea, chat idly, and keep saying thank you?"

Or you could be like SwordNewNew, that way I could still feel your sincerity in expressing your gratitude.

However, to his surprise, upon hearing this, Tang Shuang paused for a moment, then nodded slightly, "Mm."

?

Xu Shi was stunned for a few seconds before he realized, "So you really just wanted to chat with me?"

"Seriously, officer? If you really want to chat with someone, why not someone else? Why me?"

Xu Shi was sweating profusely, which just goes to show how much he usually overthought things; he never imagined the other party's intentions were so simple...

"Because, I, I... I don't know who else to turn to."

Tang Shuang looked aggrieved.

"Don't you have any friends?"

Director Tang shook his head.

"Where's the family?"

"Both my parents worked for the inspection bureau and died in the line of duty at a young age."

"..."

Xu Shi was speechless.

He didn't really have much of an impression of Tang Shuang's background. Perhaps it was mentioned in the original novel? He figured it would only be a few brief mentions, otherwise he wouldn't have forgotten it...

So you're another member of the Qidian Orphanage, right?

Xu Shi was also puzzled. So all the female protagonists in the original work were like this? The only one who was different was Xia Wuyou, who had an aunt, but that didn't really matter.

I've heard that only terrible writers would write like this, so what did I read in my past life...?

But despite the complaints, I think Director Tang is quite pitiful. She holds a high position, but it's not that high, yet she's still all alone.

Of course, he knew this was partly due to her personality. In the city hall, she was a breath of fresh air, diligent and righteous, naturally not getting along with those who just coasted along.

Thinking about it this way, it makes perfect sense that she was won over by Shen He in the storyline—no matter what, Shen is very good with words, and his rhetoric suits Director Tang's taste perfectly, so they naturally became confidants after a while...

"Okay, okay, don't look so pitiful, I'll chat with you."

Xu Shi sighed, "Now is not the time to clamor for bringing me to justice like before?"

I didn't know you before.

Tang Shuang was quite generous, saying, "After getting to know you better, I realized you're not as bad as I imagined."

On the contrary, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a good person in a broader sense. At least many of Xu Shi's actions were indeed beneficial to the development of Night City.

As for your point about underhanded dealings, it's not like she's only seen it with Xu Shi. Compared to him, he's been quite restrained. The only time he committed violence in front of her, she seemed to have tacitly approved of it...

"Long live understanding."

Xu Shi smiled and said, "I used to think you were a stupid woman who didn't think things through, but after getting to know you better, I realized..."

"How about it?"

"I just realized that's really true."

"you!"

Tang Shuang trembled with anger, and any lingering expectation in her heart vanished instantly.

This person never says anything nice! And he always knows exactly when to ruin the atmosphere!

Xu Shi had been wondering before why Tang Shuang's attitude towards him was getting more and more strange, even though he felt like he hadn't done anything... Only Tang Shuang herself knew the answer to this question.

Because she fills in the blanks in her own mind.

With the lingering effects still present, it's hard for her not to think about Xu Shi's situation, even though it really has nothing to do with Chairman Xu...

The more she imagined it, the deeper the impression Xu Shi left on her mind. Before, there was at least some sense of separation, knowing that the dream and reality were not the same person. But now, she found Xu Shi's actions agreeable, and the real and the fake became more consistent.

She was especially busy during this period – “The Forgotten Ones” hadn’t caused any trouble, but the workload of the Inspection Bureau itself was already considerable, and with more work came more pressure. What could Director Tang, who had no relatives or friends, use to relieve her stress? It seemed that this method was the best.

Previously, it was only due to the aftereffects that people had to be careful about it, but now it seems like people aren't so particular about it anymore...

That's why she specifically sought him out to chat; partly to relieve stress, and partly because she wanted to spend more time with this man.

Of course, Tang Shuang could never say such things to Xu Shi; if she did, she'd be doomed... But she still knew that the Xu Shi in her dreams wouldn't make things difficult for her; he was a gentle, intelligent, and high-quality man.

"Sometimes I think, how wonderful it would be if you weren't the chairman of 'Snake Ring,' but just an ordinary person."

So she remarked with considerable emotion, "In that case, I think your future might involve joining the city hall or the inspection bureau? If that's the case, I'll definitely do everything I can to bring you under my wing."

It would save so much trouble, and subordinates wouldn't even be allowed to kiss their superiors.

As she spoke, she opened the cabinet, rummaged through it, and then handed over a brand-new set of inspection bureau uniforms.

"Would you like to try them on?"

A new group has been created.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 141 I Can't Wait Thirty Years

"?"

Upon seeing the clothes Tang Shuang handed him, Xu Shi had a question mark appear on his forehead.