"Who knows... maybe it’s because that guy is pretty generous with his money."
Lucy sitting in the backseat seed a bit lost in thought. She didn’t even know why she agreed to take this job when many people offered her higher prices in the past, and she still refused.
She closed her eyes, leaning against the back seat of the motorcycle, letting half of her body hang out. This feeling of weightlessness was sowhat addictive.
She recalled the scene from the night before last when Lin Miao ca to her with a hamr asking her to remove the bullet from his arm, and that mysterious full-body titanium-alloy skeleton which even she couldn’t trace back to any origin or identification number.
Mysterious... interesting... and just like yesterday, with his adolescent-like remarks, saying he was naive and ignorant, yet being so realistic and practical when speaking and doing things. His whole being was an enigma.
"Haha, maybe it’s because he’s interesting. Such people are rare in Night City, and besides, I’ve already been paid, no backing out now."
"Interesting..."
Qiwei gave Lucy, who was deep in thought with her eyes closed, a aningful look, pondering but saying nothing more.
If she weren’t worried about Lucy being deceived, she wouldn’t have co to escort her out of Night City. But now, it seed like getting deceived was not far off.
With the coordinates sent by Lin Miao, Qiwei quickly arrived at the entrance of the Adcardo camp, looking at the machine guns set up on the outpost, she hurriedly braked at the entrance.
The guard asked, "Are you looking for soone?"
Qiwei said nothing, just when Lucy was about to contact Lin Miao, he ca running out from the camp, telling the guard,
"My friends."
The guard’s originally cautious expression softened with Lin Miao’s words, stepping aside to let them through.
Seeing Lin Miao, Qiwei’s pupils shrunk.
How co he’s here?
"Lucy, could the person you’re talking about be him?"
"Uh... do you know him?" Lucy was surprised by Qiwei’s question. Could it be... Qiwei’s team is the Bounty Hunter team Lin Miao ntioned?
"Mann took a contract yesterday..."
"Haha, what a coincidence."
The two exchanged a glance, unsure whether to call it luck or what, but having a familiar face in the mission surely added an extra layer of security.
Lin Miao walked towards them with a friendly smile,
"Lucy, I didn’t expect you to get here so soon. I was wondering if I should drive out to pick you up."
Lucy just let out a soft chuckle, pulling a cigarette from her pocket and lighting it up, taking a deep drag, then blowing smoke from her cherry-red lips onto Lin Miao’s face.
"How could I impose? If I dirty your car, soone might complain, and I can’t afford to pay you back."
"It was just a joke yesterday, don’t take it so seriously. Lucy, did you forget we had a near-death experience the day before yesterday?"
Lin Miao said as he plastered a smile, walking towards Lucy, as if he had thrown everything from the last night’s incident behind, assuming a genuine friendship deanor.
"Heh."
Lucy had intended to flick a cigarette at his forehead in retaliation but reconsidered, placing the cigarette delicately held between her jade-like fingers towards Lin Miao, and signaled with her eyes:
Didn’t you say you had a cleanliness obsession and didn’t smoke?
Take a drag, and I’ll believe you.
"..."
Isn’t this like shooting oneself in the foot?
Despite being put in a tight spot, he could only take the cigarette, still slightly damp at the tip, close his eyes and take a deep drag, swallowing all the smoke down his throat.
A strong, acrid taste rushed straight to his head and lungs, making his face change color and turning visibly red, while tears welled up in his newly-implanted cybernetic eyes, and smoke leaked from his nose and mouth.
"Cough... cough... I... cough... cough..."
He was coughing so hard he couldn’t stand straight nor say a word, only gesturing to the guard for help.
"Water... water..."
This was definitely not one of those tobacco leaves he’s seen before, but chemically synthesized, with an unknown level of intensity.
"You idiot... hahahaha... hahahaha... Who the hell would swallow nicotine and tar like that..."
Seeing Lin Miao’s condition, Lucy leaned against Qiwei’s shoulder, laughing so hard tears rolled down her face. She didn’t expect Lin Miao’s claim yesterday to be true; he really didn’t smoke or dream.
Only after Lin Miao took the guard-offered water and gulped it down did he manage a slight recovery, though his throat still felt faintly stinging, so he asked between gasps.
"Is this enough for you, Lucy?"
"Qiwei, are you going in with us or heading back to Night City?"
"I’ll go in and take a look."
While these two were ssing around, Qiwei had already reported back to Mann.
Staying here served two purposes: collecting intelligence and ensuring Lucy’s safety.
The two walked shoulder to shoulder past Lin Miao, with Lucy retrieving the cigarette Lin Miao took a drag from. Initially intending to take a puff to mock him, she was deterred by his tearful appearance.
If it weren’t for his replaced cybernetic eyes, Lin Miao suspected he might have caught pink eye.
"Are you okay, buddy?"
The nearby guard, who brought over the water, asked with so concern.
"I’m fine." Lin Miao glanced at the water cup in his hand. Though the water he drank earlier wasn’t sweet, at least it didn’t carry that distinct flavor.
It seed the purification tablet worked well; it was his first ti using it.
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