Great, now we are dead!

"Then I'll respectfully decline. Please spare me, rich old men... but a doctor would be fine."

Sasha's eyes darted around, finally settling on Ye Shou's face: "Even if he has some unusual tastes, I can accept it for the sake of this natural face."

Good looks are a scarce resource in any era, but with the development of technology and the increasing number of cheating methods, they seem to have lost their value considerably.

In Night City, it's possible to change your entire face, and there are even more handsome men and beautiful women on the streets.

But you could tell at a glance that Ye Shou's face wasn't cyborg skin; he was a genuine, purebred handsome man.

Sasha, as a Russian woman, has always been bold and outspoken, saying whatever comes to mind without ever feeling ashamed.

"Carnivorous as always."

Lucy smiled helplessly and stopped arguing. Instead, she squatted down and took out her body parts one by one.

Sarah's current appearance is indeed quite graphic. In order to fit the length and width of the box, her limb prosthetics were removed and placed parallel to her torso, making her look like a doll delivered to her home.

At the time, there weren't many tools available, so Ye Shou's method of removing the prosthetic body was a bit rough. Now that it's been reinstalled, it's just for show, not even able to perform one-tenth of its function; it only doesn't affect mobility.

As Lucy wiped her sweat, she said, "Don't forget to see your prosthetic doctor when you get back and get it properly adjusted."

"understood"

Sasha glanced at Ye Shou, but did not speak.

Firstly, they had already troubled Ye Shou enough, and Ye Shou wasn't a member of the Cyber ​​Squad. Sasha didn't know how much to thank him, so she decided to just leave him indebted to Ye Shou.

Secondly, it's better to find the original prosthetic doctor, since everyone's adaptation to the prosthetic body is different, and only your own prosthetic doctor has the most complete data.

(Every street hustler who wants to survive in Night City needs a reliable adoptive father—no, a cyborg doctor—not the kind who would dismantle you at the first opportunity.)

"Speaking of which, what exactly happened? How did you end up in such a mess?"

Lucy tilted her head and asked, "Wasn't it supposed to be a very simple task?"

"The mission was simple, but I discovered something..."

Sasha paused for a moment, then succinctly recounted the inside story of the biotechnology company and her mother's situation.

She couldn't hide it, otherwise it would be irresponsible to the entire team.

"This is my private matter, and I will handle it myself."

Sasha stared intently into Lucy's eyes. "You cannot and are not allowed to interfere, understand?"

“Sasha…”

Lucy clearly disagreed with Sasha's decision.

Biotechnology is a behemoth. Although its influence in Night City is not as great as that of Arasaka, it is still a major company in the world. Not to mention "idle people" like Sasha, even the government is just a puppet of big corporations and cannot shake them at all.

If Sasha insists on releasing the information, it would be like a moth drawn to a flame!

If the Cyber ​​Squad gets involved, the outcome won't be any different, so Cat is making things clear beforehand.

She even considered leaving the team and going her own way from then on!

"According to the rules, this is only natural, isn't it?"

Sasha smiled optimistically, "Don't worry, I'm not that easy to catch. As long as I leave Night City after being exposed and go into hiding—who knows, I might even become a legend in this city!"

Lucy pursed her lips and silently watched her, but couldn't think of a reason to stop her.

Because Sasha had clearly made up her mind, in this city, anyone whose eyes harden and decides to do something... is destined not to live long.

"Then congratulations in advance."

Lucy suddenly wanted a cigarette, but all she had on her was a lollipop instead.

After thinking for a moment, she took one out and put it in her mouth, her gaze shifting away: "The time we've known each other has been quite—"

"Um, I may have interrupted you, but if I may be so blunt... you've been set up, haven't you?"

Ye Shou suddenly spoke, drawing the attention of both women who turned to look at him simultaneously.

"Make a game?"

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't it obvious? Sasha, you just randomly took on a mission and happened to stumble upon the inside story of biotechnology. This company has countless products and a lot of dirt on it. That drug is from many years ago... You found it with just a glance out of so much information, and it just so happens to be related to you!"

While the odds aren't absolutely impossible, they're not that high either.

Let's go back to the unfortunate guy who fell to his death. If a hacker left a hidden chip, why would someone know about this backup plan? He had no reason to actively tell the middleman the secret, right?

"They couldn't even find anything about biotechnology and medical centers, but they knew all about the middlemen and clients. Isn't that strange?"

"..."

"Hearing you say that..."

Lucy, speaking on behalf of a somewhat bewildered Sasha, asked, "Is this a biotechnology conspiracy? Just to scheme against Sasha?"

"No, anyone could set a trap, but it just can't be biotechnology."

Ye Shou extended his index finger and shook it slightly: "Think about it, if Sasha successfully reveals the truth, will biotechnology go bankrupt?"

The two women exchanged a glance. Even with their optimism, they didn't believe they could bring down a large company, and they both shook their heads.

"Yes, biotechnology is unshakeable and will be minimally affected, but the sales of its products will definitely be greatly reduced, directly harming their interests. It's impossible for them not to retaliate against the instigator."

"Then Sasha is in danger..."

"That's the problem!"

Ye Shou said sharply, "The female hacker accidentally learns the truth about her mother's death and is willing to pay the price of her life to take revenge on biotechnology—this script is too perfect!"

Night City doesn't have such a happy ending!

"...Was someone using me?"

Sasha realized something, her expression became complicated, and her voice contained a hint of anger.

"Perhaps so, but compared to a princess's revenge story, a script about capital scheming against each other and using mercenaries as cannon fodder is more in line with my impression of this city."

Ye Shou sat on the sofa and calmly analyzed: "The pharmaceutical market will not shrink. Even if a certain product has a problem, those patients will still need to buy the same type of drug for treatment."

Therefore, the competition in this industry is extremely fierce.

There are only so many patients, and everyone is vying for their basic needs.

(In fact, some pharmaceutical companies are dedicated to "discovering new diseases", especially for teenagers, because their bodies and minds are prone to fluctuations during development... If they define these as diseases, they can have another reason to prescribe medication.)

The transgender issue at Xida University has caused quite a stir, and at least 80% of the blame lies with the related pharmaceutical companies—teenagers who undergo gender reassignment surgery need to take medication for life.

Ye Shou organized his thoughts: "I'm just stating a hypothesis; you can see if it's reasonable."

For example, a smaller pharmaceutical company developed a new drug, but couldn't compete with biotechnology. So they started by investigating the drug's side effects, searching through the list of relatives of the trial participants, and eventually found Sasha—and perhaps not just you, but others as well.

They devised a scenario where hackers with a grudge against biotechnology accidentally discovered the inside story, and then, once you exposed it, they manipulated public opinion to seize market share for the product.

In that case, biotechnology will only see it as a lone wolf operation by you Avengers, with your competitors seizing the opportunity.

"..."

"..."

After Ye Shou finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

After a long while, Sasha slammed her fist hard on the table, causing her newly installed prosthetic arm to dislocate and the metal tabletop to dent.

"How hateful! How despicable! F**K!!!"

Lucy was more composed, and she instinctively felt that Ye Shou's judgment was more like the truth—because it was so logical.

“You really know a lot… The way these big companies think is like they’re speaking from personal experience; Sasha and I couldn’t have thought of that right away.”

Of course! Do you think you understand capitalists better than I do?!

But don't slander me! I'm a conscientious investor.

"Capitalism is truly wicked!"

Ye Shou looked indignant: "Even if this information is exposed, it will only clear the way for another company. Their drugs may not be that safe either!"

"...I'll think about it carefully."

Sasha swayed to the other end of the sofa and helplessly hugged her legs, shrinking into herself.

She no longer has the idea of ​​directly engaging with biotechnology; instead, a sense of confusion and powerlessness washes over her.

【Coin of Destiny 1 (Sasha Yakovlevova)】

"!"

Ye Shou's mood immediately improved.

Unlike him, Lucy also leaned against the table with a rather melancholy expression, her gaze seemingly glancing at the helmet and server placed in the corner.

Ye Shou noticed this scene: "Want to try it again?"

"...This world is absolutely rotten."

Lucy smiled sadly, looking up at the ceiling: "That's why I've always wanted to go to the moon... You know what? Now there are special travel routes; anyone who can afford it can go to that place where there's no filth, no noise, far away from this dirty world..."

"But aren't space stations and lunar orbits also controlled by capital and the military?"

Ye Shou shook his head.

"...Yes, so I was just having an unrealistic fantasy."

Lucy's smile held a hint of despair as she looked at Ye Shou: "There's nothing I can do. The moon is the farthest place I know of."

"...Then I'll take you there."

Gazing at the girl, who seemed as fragile as a glass flower, as if she could disappear or shatter at any moment, Ye Shou suddenly said, "I will take you there!"

"..."

Lucy opened her mouth, her expression softening, and she smiled as if she had given up.

"Will you take me to the moon?"

"No, it's farther away than that."

Ye Shou said earnestly and without room for refusal, "I will take you to a place far away from this world, a place even more distant than the moon!"

"Thank you... If it really exists, that would be wonderful."

[Coin of Destiny]!

Chapter 43 I've accepted your first kiss!

The golden wheat field, rippled by the warm summer breeze, resembled a river of flowing gold sand under the sunlight. Lucy felt a slight sting on her fingertips and happily brushed against the bright wheat ears.

She longed to run freely under the blue sky and through the wheat field, yet she couldn't bear to trample on these precious crops, even knowing it was just an illusion, it was still incredibly beautiful in her eyes.

Facing the gentle breeze that carries away the light sweat, I took a deep breath of nature's breath, feeling as if I had become a part of this world, experiencing unparalleled peace and freedom.

There were no impatient horns, no dazzling neon lights, no chaotic push notifications, and no crowds of all kinds. There was only the tranquil sound of the wind and the faint fragrance of sunlight shining on the wheat ears, as if it were scorching all the awns.

Immersed in the experience, Lucy forgot the unpleasantness of reality and shed her usual cold and eccentric facade, strolling through the fields like an ordinary girl—a common crop that is almost impossible to find in this era, as most of it is genetically modified wheat used to produce "Alcohol 2 (energy)".

Ye Shou sat under a tree, enjoying the shade, his gaze fixed on the distance and on Lucy, his expression thoughtful.

The wheat fields don't appear out of thin air; they require farmers to put in enough sweat to irrigate them, resulting in these chessboard-like plains. The labor is arduous and the returns are not high.

But if given a choice, probably eight out of ten Night City residents would rather be farmers in the early 20th century, living in the countryside, than stay in that technologically advanced, but literally cannibalistic, cyber city!

Lucy is a good example. The moon is not a wonderful place, but the fact that it is "far from the civilized world" is enough to make it her dream.

Having dreams is a good thing, but in Night City, it often foreshadows their demise.

This city allows you to fall into depravity, madness, and darkness, but it is especially cruel to those who have hope and dreams. Escaping it is extremely difficult because you will always be pulled back by an invisible force, as if telling you "trash should stay in the landfill"!

Lucy probably understood this, which is why she kept saving money, but never took any action.

"Dreams," just by being there shining brightly, can give people the courage to live. But to rashly reach out and touch them will only lead to a fall like Icarus.

The only difference is that the ancient Greeks longed for the sun, while Lucy yearned for the moon.

So, compared to a spectacular and fiery death, her death must have been cold and quiet—Lucy sometimes thought so.

Ye Shou's words were touching enough, and Lucy felt a long-lost warmth and impulse welling up in her heart, but reason told her that it was just a beautiful lie.

There is no true paradise on earth, not even on the moon. The so-called "more distant places" are nothing but fantasy!

……