Cyberpunk: I didn't cheat.

Vito embraced Liying, this seemingly optimistic and cheerful girl was actually just using this method to fight against fate.

Liying continued.

"Later I joined Mox because back then people were always coming to collect protection money from me, and I heard that joining Mox would really protect me."

Later, I lived in a daze, my days were chaotic and aimless. One day, I saw people racing on the street, and in that instant, I suddenly thought of my car and the racing competition I participated in in town.

I suddenly have a strong urge to drive, to go back and put my hands on the steering wheel, but as you probably know, I don't have the money to buy a car, not even a used one.

I found a wrecked Nissan Tingwei in the junkyard. I wanted to find some parts and put it together to make a decent car. I saved up for half a year and finally managed to put together a car that could run. I was so excited that I almost jumped for joy.

After that, I drove this car to a street race. The people's jeers made me not even dare to roll down the window. I tried to escape in this beat-up car, but it stalled in the middle of the road. Fortunately, it didn't have the heart to let me suffer any more ridicule, so I drove back home.

Like a little girl throwing a tantrum, I didn't touch the car for a whole week, but then I couldn't forget that feeling, and so I got back in the driver's seat.

Liying paused as she spoke, then downed the entire glass of wine in one gulp. Her eyes were slightly red, as if she were drunk or crying.

"The day we met, I watched your car creak and groan as it drove away, and I thought to myself, 'If only this car broke down, then I could talk to you again.'"

After hearing Vito's words, Liying smiled.

"Haha, my old car breaks down all the time, but that night it actually made it all the way to my house."

She nuzzled her head against Vito's shoulder again.

"Later, on the day we met, I was already impressed by you. In the boxing ring, everyone cheered for you, and you were calm and composed, as if everything was under your control."

My sisters and I asked you about you, and they said you were the most popular mercenary in Heywood. I don't know why, but that day I suddenly mustered up the courage to talk to you. You told me to bet on winning within six rounds, and I don't know why, but I went and placed the bet. Actually, it was my last five hundred dollars, money I had saved to pay the rent.

Although I'm no longer running around delivering goods on the streets, the ghost behind me keeps chasing me. If I lose, I'll drive that old Thunderobot away from Night City. I'm tired, really tired.

Liying's hand touched Vito's face.

"But in the end you won, everything was under your control. To be honest, I never thought you would come to Liz to find me, Vito."

Vito pressed Li Ying's cold hand against his face.

"Actually, we are both on the fringes of Night City. I'm not lying to you; a piece of my soul had already gone with you when we met."

"I've heard that you mercenaries all leave behind cocktail recipes at the Afterlife Nightclub. Vito, do you have your own recipe?"

Vito smiled.

"There used to be a gimmicky recipe, but I didn't keep it for the next life."

Liying was puzzled.

Why?

Vito explained.

"Because it doesn't taste good, leaving it for the next life would be too much of a torment for those drinkers. I now have a new recipe."

"What?"

"Gin with ice, topped with a slice of lemon."

Do you like gin?

"Gin is distilled to suppress incurable grief."

Two lonely souls nestled together at this moment. Vito, tormented by the harsh environment of flesh and blood, walked on the edge of death, gazing into the abyss. After meeting Li Ying, he was finally able to clear a pure land in his heart to preserve the beauty of their relationship.

This spot will hold Vito back from charging towards the mechanical monster.

……

The next day, Vito received two messages, one from Evelyn and the other from Romano.

Evelyn still wanted to bypass the middleman and have Vito do something for her that she was unwilling to reveal a single word about until now.

Unfortunately, Vito hated the feeling of incomplete information. In his view, Evelyn Parker was all talk and no action.

Such people are everywhere in Night City, but few of them make it big; at least Vito had never heard of one.

On the other side was his old friend, media personality Romano.

The renowned reporter discovered the company's secret and couldn't wait to dig up more dirt.

Please reply when you see this message.

Vito called Romano directly.

"Hey, Romano, did you get your Pulitzer Prize yet?"

Romano ignored Vito's teasing and quickly sent Vito an attachment.

"Vito, there's definitely a conspiracy behind this biotechnology. They've got the Night Wanderers gang helping them kill and capture people. This isn't just about driving away the homeless to grow synthetic wheat anymore; they definitely have some ulterior motive!"

"Of course it's something that can't be disclosed. Do you think biotechnology companies would hold a press conference?"

"Let's meet. You book the place, Vito. This is important; it's big news!"

"Let's stick with the wolf, Mr. Big News."

The two met at Wild Wolves. It was early in the morning and there weren't many people at Wild Wolves. Peppy was directing workers to move the arcade equipment out of Wild Wolves. According to Jack, they had to clear out these old relics to make room for the new renovation.

Vito greeted Pepi, then flipped over the bar with one hand, expertly grabbed two glasses, and opened a bottle of tequila.

The cup was pushed towards Romano.

"So, what kind of work do we have this time?"

Romano gripped the cup and handed over a chip.

"This is the information I recently found about the Bayonet Gang, the Night Wanderer's Guild. They are involved in several recent kidnapping incidents. I hope you can find the Bayonet Gang's hideout and then give me the information I need. Whether you infiltrate or attack is none of my business."

Vito read the chip; its contents were very detailed, more so than most of the information provided by intermediaries in Night City.

"This is a big job, it won't be cheap."

Romano took out a money chip.

"This is the deposit. I know this is a big job, so I want the most professional. Money is not an issue."

Vito accepted the money chip.

"Working in media is so lucrative? Can you take me along? You know how hard it is for me to make this money."

Romano took a sip of tequila and said slowly.

"Money? I want the public to know the truth, just like my idol Thompson, who exposed countless corporate conspiracies!"

Vito was taken aback when he heard the name.

"The one who went into the Arasaka Tower with Johnny Silver Hand to rescue Ultraman and then got beaten up by Johnny?"

"It's true that he went to rescue Otto Cunningham, but where did you hear that he got beaten up by Johnny Silverhand? It's questionable whether the rock kid can even beat Thompson."

Vito chuckled and sighed, thinking to himself.

"Johnny, just how much of your memory have you embellished?"