"Are you alright, Mr. Lin."
Early in the morning, Gloria was carrying two large boxes when she saw Lin Miao leaning against the car waiting for her under the skyscraper H4. He was wearing a coat, hiding his right hand inside, clearly injured.
He opened the passenger door, signaling Gloria to get in.
"Get in, I’ll drive you to work, and we can chat on the way."
"Well..." Gloria hesitated at first, she initially wanted to say she had her own car, but considering the business at hand, the other party’s car was evidently safer. After some thought, she still decided to get into Lin Miao’s car.
The door closed, Lin Miao held the steering wheel with one hand and slowly accelerated after stepping on the gas pedal.
Gloria looked at Lin Miao’s right arm hidden under the coat, and asked with some concern.
"Are you injured? Do you need me to help take a look?"
"It’s nothing, just a scratch, it’ll be fine in a few hours."
Though Lin Miao said so, she didn’t believe it was just a simple scratch. The lingering scent of gunpowder in the car clearly indicated there had been a big fight yesterday. However, the smart Gloria didn’t press the matter but instead opened the box she was holding in front of Lin Miao.
"Here are the 20 sets of neural connectors and basic synthetic eyes you requested. But there’s not enough network access terminals, only two basic Huang Ban Type 1."
Holding all these things made Gloria feel somewhat ridiculous. Regardless of the curious gazes questioning what treasure might be inside the boxes, she was confident that upon opening them, the stuff inside was nothing more than junk to people like mercenaries. They’d probably find the items too cumbersome even as decoration.
"Great, the items are fine."
Lin Miao took a glance, and noticed how Gloria even thoughtfully packaged the trash in small cartons; she truly was considerate.
Even though the items were rubbish, what does it matter?
After all, he wasn’t going to use them.
"Let me transfer the money right away."
As four thousand euro transaction hit Gloria’s account, she felt dizzy.
This might have been the easiest money Gloria ever made, so easy it felt dreamlike.
But living in Night City, Gloria understood one thing: every penny earned here came with a price, and behind lucrative transactions often lurked demons that could devour your soul.
What could these devices be used for?
Of course, they’re for people needing neural connectors and synthetic eyes, but who can only obtain them through illegal channels.
How could Night City have people who must resort to illegal means just to install neural connectors?
Lin Miao hardly seemed like someone short on money, and where would he find a cyberware doctor?
Could it be for the Wanderer tribal people?
Gloria tightly grasped her coat while sparingly turning her gaze, just in time to meet Lin Miao’s eyes.
How deep were those eyes? Penetrating her defenses and touching the depths of her soul, leaving her completely exposed.
Startled at hearing her name, Gloria quickly replied.
"Is there anything else, Mr. Lin..."
Lin Miao cast a deep look at her, realizing this woman might’ve figured something out. Nevertheless, he didn’t care much; smuggling a few pounds of salt wouldn’t catch the NCPD’s eye if they found such things in your car.
"No, I was just lamenting that Night City really isn’t a place for humans." Lin Miao released his bandaged right arm from under the coat and looked at Lucy’s almost mummy-like binding, saying
"In this city, every step has to be cautious. A slight misstep for ordinary people could lead to becoming corpses on the street or meat on a scavenger’s chopping board. Opportunities for advancement are rare; most can only muddle through life, watching chances slip right past them."
"You sent David to Arasaka Academy, hoping he’ll escape this hellish existence at the bottom. Life in a corporation may not be great, but it’s still better than mixing with gangs or being a punk..."
"No need to explain, Mr. Lin, discretion was the first thing I learned in this business." Gloria understood that whatever Lin Miao intended to do with these items wasn’t her business, and she herself was engaged in smuggling, after all.
She placed her hand on Lin Miao’s arm, taking off the messy bandages. Seeing the wound stitched up like an unwrapped rice dumpling, she felt her tension ease, breaking into a soft laugh.
"Mr. Lin, you should find a more professional medical person for this. If it’s inconvenient, you can come to me..."
"Uhh... it’s emergency treatment, don’t expect too much."
Lin Miao really wished to record Gloria’s words and let Lucy hear them well. Is this how you treat someone who saved your life?
As he drove, he placed the other hand in center for Gloria to redo the bandages. Meanwhile, he spoke.
"But given your good attitude, I might have to add another order."
"You mean you want another batch of those items?"
"No, I meant scouting an outstanding bounty hunter squad for me. They must be strong, discreet, and won’t ask many questions. The mission location is in Evil Land with Night Wanderers as the targets. Money won’t be an issue, but I’ll inform you about the specific timing."
"Here I come, everyone!"
After dinner, Brother Xun swiftly completed washing dishes, mopping, hanging clothes, walking the dog, and tutoring his son on elementary homework—all in a flash. He finally lay on bed before nine, under Weiwei’s gaze looking at a fool.