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

You haven't even worn ■■■ first, then ■■■ yet, and I've already done all the role-playing?

"What do you mean 'again'? They're clearly different, okay?"

Tang Shuang retorted very seriously.

"What's different?"

A question mark appeared above Xu Shi's head.

"Last time it was the uniform of the Inspection Bureau, this time it's the Governor's Office."

The Grand Governor Tang spoke with great conviction.

Mr. Xu's soybeans are sweating.

But the other party's little hobby was harmless, so after struggling to no avail, he chose to compromise and became a glorious clerk in the Governor's Office.

"It has to be you who looks good in it."

Tang Shuang's eyes sparkled. "He really is the man I chose. He's perfect in every way."

"What do you mean by 'you picked it'?"

Xu Shi enjoyed her flattery, but still responded with a touch of arrogance.

"If I remember correctly, it was me who confessed my feelings to you?"

Tang Shuang raised an eyebrow. "So of course I chose you, okay?"

"Good good."

Xu Shi smiled and nodded; he did indeed like Tang Shuang's poise and generosity.

The so-called date was actually just a casual stroll—Tang Shuang's residence was located at the intersection of District 17 and District 18, within the comfort zone of Night City's high society. Not only were the facilities excellent, but there was also a beautiful landscape that had been specially created.

"gorgeous."

Strolling through the park in the center of the district, Tang Shuang held her breakfast in her hand and uttered this sentiment.

In fact, such pleasing scenery was commonplace for people in Districts 17 and 18, but she suddenly realized that she seemed to have never really appreciated it before.

"I always feel like I missed out on a lot in the past."

There was no shortage of regret in her tone.

"This is what a workaholic is like."

"If you don't speak, no one will think you are dumb."

The little bit of girlish sentiment she had managed to muster vanished instantly. Governor Tang glared at him irritably and transformed back into her tiger-girl form.

Xu Shi didn't mind, and just smiled when he saw this, "Fortunately, there are still many days ahead, and you happen to have many firsts that you haven't achieved yet."

"Pah, smooth talk."

Tang Shuang snorted, but couldn't hide the joy in her eyes.

It has to be said that Xu Shi is quite good at coaxing people. What was originally a regrettable situation was transformed into something hopeful after he said it.

Wasn't last night the first time? Then there will be countless first times in the future: the first candlelight dinner, the first anniversary, and even the first time having a child?

As her thoughts popped into her head, she couldn't help but feel a little hopeful.

"Oh right, there's something we seem to have overlooked."

Her work-minded habits hadn't changed; as she strolled around, something suddenly occurred to her, "What do you plan to do with the 'Forsaken' base outside the city?"

This is a problem, though not in a big way. When they first drove this group of people out of the city and implemented an immigration system, over time, the slum characteristics that originally belonged to Sin City were transferred there.

However, if we want to expand further and establish an alliance system, it seems inappropriate to do something that damages our image. Imagine if outsiders saw such a noisy and dirty place as their first impression; it's really not something to be proud of.

"It's time for an upgrade."

Xu Shi was reminded of this, and after a moment's thought, he said, "Then why not put some effort into making it more formalized?"

Even if it doesn't transform into something like Sin City, it will definitely be a thousand times better than the current mess.

"I think so too."

Tang Shuang nodded slightly. "I'm a little surprised that a capitalist oligarch like you would say that on your own initiative."

Xu Shi shrugged. What was there to hide?

This involves many things. The facade of Night City is one aspect, but if it can generate more value, it would certainly be a good thing.

To give a simple example, their current investment in the "Forsaken" is zero, while the profit from mining and working with the "Forsaken" might be ten.

But if the investment becomes ten and the expected return rate reaches one hundred, this is obviously a wiser choice, and Mr. Xu is willing to spend this money.

And there's another crucial question.

This can effectively prevent external forces from causing division.

After all, we'll be interacting with other city-states in the future, and who knows if some ulterior motives will use this method to cause trouble and recruit the people here as their informants.

I'll have to pay an extra 500,000 yuan then, which is not worth it.

It's better to take remedial action now than to prevent problems from escalating. Just because something seems small doesn't mean it's unimportant.

"What about Song Chen? He used to be one of the leaders of the 'Forsaken,' so it's most suitable for him to take responsibility for this kind of thing."

"You'll have to ask your good fiancée about that. He's been overseeing the 'Prism' operation for over a year, ensuring its future stability."

Tang Shuang blinked her eyes, "And he's been completely controlled by your Qingyan, so it's hard to say whether he still has that ambition now."

"Then we'll ask them later."

"OK."

Tang Shuang was about to nod when she suddenly realized something, "Why talk about work on a date? Let's just have fun today!"

"Okay, where do you want to go?"

Xu Shi readily agreed.

"Anywhere is fine as long as I'm with you."

Xu Shi liked to hear this, so many people saw that the Grand Governor of the Governor's Mansion was actually strolling around with her subordinates in broad daylight, which was completely contrary to everyone's stereotype of her.

"I wish it could always be like this."

This time it was Xu Shi's turn to feel sentimental, but what was even more regrettable was that he couldn't do that right now, as he had many things to attend to.

"Then you'd better keep up the good work! As long as 'heavenly justice' remains, we'll get further and further away from that goal. We can't wait until we're old women to see it through."

"This day will come eventually."

Xu Shi suddenly became serious. "One year is not enough, two years is not enough, five years, ten years, or even several decades are not enough. As long as we are willing to work hard for this goal, we will definitely succeed."

"makes sense."

Tang Shuang did not deny it, and immediately reached out her hand to him.

But instead of holding hands, we bump fists.

At this moment, the conversation was between the big boss of "Snake Ring" and the current governor of the governor's mansion, not between Xu Shi and Tang Shuang.

“Let’s encourage you together!”

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 329 When working, one should refer to their job title!

2023-12-04

Xu Shi probably never imagined that what he said when he bumped fists with Tang Shuang in a moment of passion would actually come true.

Because three years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Thinking back to his high spirits when he returned to Night Sin City from the Hualan Empire, it felt like just yesterday... He was still a little emotional.

After all, he is now twenty-nine years old, only a few months away from turning thirty.

Rounding up, one is not far from thirty, not far from forty, and soon to know one's destiny, followed by sixty, and then seventy, the age of venerable old age...

Ah, time flies and never returns; the past can only be reminisced.

Thinking of this, he shook his head helplessly. For humans, the only thing they can't control is the passage of time.

Anyway, he's almost like a retired cadre now, and he even has goji berries soaking in his thermos.

Just as I was about to pick it up and take a sip, the office door was pushed open in a flurry.

"master!"

Pan Ling walked in with a frown, looking at her with a disappointed expression. "I told you there was a very important meeting today, have you forgotten?"

Three years have passed, and the silly apprentice has grown a lot. He is no longer the clueless person he was when he first came to Night City.

Instead, a sharp office lady outfit has been adopted—a beige blazer paired with high heels, and her hair styled in a neat high ponytail, which is already a very qualified look for a powerful career woman.

It's clear that she's adapted well to her current life, and she has indeed worked hard over the years.

At least Xu Shi didn't expect that she would complete her complicated higher education in just over two years, and even graduate from the university with the highest score in her class. After that, she directly and openly joined "Snake Ring" and became a member of the company.

Her position was Xu Shi's special assistant, which to some extent relieved Su Lin, the director, of her secretarial work.

However, it's obvious to anyone with eyes that Xu Shi is intentionally delegating power to her—after all, he's a hands-off chairman, and he even lets her make bold decisions on many important matters, while he completely retreats behind the scenes and rarely shows his face unless there's a major event.

To be honest, many people initially had reservations about Xu Shi's actions. Could a young, inexperienced girl really shoulder such a heavy responsibility? In their eyes, this was clearly questionable.

It wasn't until Pan Ling proved them wrong with her abilities that these voices gradually subsided... They had to learn to accept the fact that a young girl from another city-state, who was only twenty-two years old, could actually outshine them, these old folks, in terms of professional competence.

If Xu Shi is better at taking a holistic view and making creative or correct decisions, then Pan Ling pays more attention to details. In other words, one builds the framework and the other fills in the flesh and blood. The master and apprentice work together very well and complement each other perfectly.

It can only be said that like teacher, like student, or that the student surpasses the teacher. After all, Xu Shi himself is a monster. From the time he officially took over the company, he achieved what he has today in less than five years.

Many people have even forgotten that this guy was only twenty-five years old when he swept through a large number of high-ranking veterans in the company and even wiped out two rival conglomerates, becoming the uncrowned king of Night City.

Or perhaps, it's already gone beyond that.

“Master, you were the one who advocated for the establishment of a federation, and now you’re the one who’s just sitting back and doing nothing.”

Pan Ling has become much bolder now, at least she can come up with words of criticism for Xu Shi without hesitation, "It's one thing to not care about things usually, but today the rulers of two city-states have come to visit, you know? Shouldn't you at least show your face?"

"Xiao Pan, when you're at work, you should refer to your job title."