Chapter 119

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Watson District.

Little Tang Street, luxury apartments.

Early in the morning, Sasha got up, dressed, cleaned up, and then walked into the kitchenette to tie on her apron, beginning her day as an assistant.

She first activated the smart home system.

The curtains of the apartment opened slowly, the windows rose automatically for ventilation, and the morning light shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, brightening the living room.

The smart voice assistant started reporting the weather and traffic information, while the TV broadcasted the morning news.

After boiling a pot of water and letting it cool down, Sasha proceeded to prepare breakfast for two.

After living together for some time, she had gotten a good grasp of Tang Yu's routine.

On days off, he would sleep in and get up on time.

After getting up, he would clean up, enjoy breakfast, and handle some messages.

After breakfast, Tang Yu would go to the balcony to relax for a moment, soaking up some sun, occasionally playing the guitar, chatting with Sasha, and doing some relaxing activities.

As the leisurely morning passed, Tang Yu would start to remotely handle some company affairs.

If he wasn't too busy, he would sometimes go out in the afternoon to Wilson's shooting range to practice his marksmanship, a training necessary to maintain his feel for guns.

At night, he would invariably go for a nighttime run, take a shower when he returned home, and prepare to rest.

Sasha was actually quite concerned about Tang Yu running out alone at night, but every time he left, he showed no intention of bringing her along.

So, she just had to keep her thoughts to herself, watching him leave and then return after his exercises.

She really wanted to join Tang Yu for shooting practice and running, but usually, she would end up staying at home alone, waiting anxiously...

However, Sasha didn't idle away at home; aside from being Tang Yu's life assistant, she also learned a lot of new knowledge, like cooking various dishes and browsing through quirky fresh content online.

Having been with Tang Yu for so long, she realized that 90% of her time was spent in maid mode.

Combat mode had only been activated once, while the other modes remained untouched.

This caused Sasha some distress, as each new mode was a whole new experience to her.

She was also curious about what the intimate mode felt like, knowing its content but sure that it was very different from actual experience.

Therefore.

What she looked forward to every day was staying by Tang Yu's side, listening to him play the guitar and hum tunes, telling her fascinating stories.

These activities brought her a sense of joy and happiness, a marvelous feeling that matched the descriptions but was indescribable without experiencing it firsthand.

For example, Sasha's favorite stories involved "The Legend of the Green Snake" and "The Sword of Legends." She didn't fully understand many things in these tales but could still feel the emotions within the stories, empathising with the characters' experiences.

Over time, she seemed to sense more wonderful things than before, far beyond what knowledge and skills could compare to.

Sasha would get everything ready early in the morning before going to wake up Tang Yu.

However, the door to Tang Yu's bedroom was always locked from the inside, so Sasha could only knock gently from the outside.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Mr. Tang, it's time to get up."

At that moment.

The bedroom door would unlock automatically and open, and Tang Yu, already dressed, would leave the room with a smile, casually patting the cat on the head before starting his day working from home.

Sasha wanted to glimpse inside the bedroom, but before she could get a good look, the door automatically closed and locked again, leaving her somewhat disappointed.

She then followed Tang Yu to the dining table, sitting down with him to enjoy breakfast while he simultaneously handled some messages.

[Counterintelligence Department Arthur Jenkins: Tang, is everything well in the department? I'm on a business trip and it will take some time before I return to the company. Remember to keep an eye on the department's movements, especially the new Deputy Director Kate.]

Tang Yu replied, "I'll keep an eye out."

[Counterintelligence Department Kate: Mr. Tang, I have a report concerning the R&D department's work that needs your verification at the company...]

Delete.

[Counterintelligence Department Reception: Mr. Tang, you have 16 appointment records to review, please...]

Delete.

[Special Operations Department Reception: Mr. Tang, there are 43 work reports pending your review...]

Delete.

[R&D Department Intern Tanaka Katsuo: Mr. Tang, hello, I sincerely apologize for the incident last time, I hope...]

Delete.

[Military Tech Meredith Stout: "Got time for a drink soon? Just you and me, private. What do you say?"]

Delete?

Maintain and reply later.

[DelaMain: Mr. Tang, DelaMain has customised a travel service package for you, including the following...]

Delete.

[Jackie Wells: Hey, bro, you know what happened? Misty actually agreed to go on a date with me, help me think, what should we do? Watch a movie, or go for Braindance, or just hit the bar for a couple of drinks? Give me some advice, man, I'm freaking out here.]

Tang Yu replied, "I've booked a room for you at the Azure Plaza Hotel, a couples' suite. Just use my name."

[Viktor Vektor: Tang, how's life treating you? Is that girl from last time doing well? She's a good kid, take good care of her.]

Reply: "V, all is well here, Sasha is doing fine too. I'll come to see you when I have some time."

[Panam Palmer: Tang, how's it been since you got back? I took your gift back to the tribe. Saul was a bit upset, always fussing over this or that, but he agreed to accept it in the end. Also, Mitch was over the moon and asked me to thank you on his behalf. Moreover, Cassidy, after hearing about your sharpshooting feat, couldn't believe it and looks forward to your next visit to the Aldecaldos so he can see who the real sharpshooter is.] 

Tang Yu replied, "No problem. Also, hasn't Mitch ever thought about returning the favor with a gift? Like, say, 'Overwatch.' Smiley face (emoji)."

...

After dealing with today's messages and almost finishing breakfast, Tang Yu cleaned up and carried a glass of warm water out to the balcony to bask in the morning sun.

Leaning back in a soft chair with a sip of warm tea, his life felt a bit like a retiree's, but it was certainly more comfortable.

Life was too stressful; he had learned to relax and enjoyed a balanced lifestyle.

It had been almost a week since he dealt with the commission from the Badlands, and these few days he'd been working from home.

With Sasha taking care of things at home, life had been relatively easy.

Sasha quickly came over, pulled up a soft chair next to Tang Yu, and watched him intently without saying a word.

Tang Yu knew her little scheme and, with a smile during the daily cat-caring moment, asked, "Do you want to hear a story or listen to a song today?"

Sasha thought for a moment, seemed unsure, but eventually said with a smile, "Sasha wants to listen to both!"

Tang Yu, seeing Sasha's enduring obedience, couldn't help but recall the events that had happened in the Badlands.

In fact, he had noticed the unusual behavior of Maine and the others. It was clear that upon seeing Sasha, they showed an extremely surprised look.

Especially Rebecca, with her big eyes fixed on Sasha, had not looked away, indicating there was definitely something amiss.

Later, when they came back to Night City from the Badlands, Sasha told Tang Yu everything she knew on her own initiative.

After Sasha obliterated the Kang Tao robots, Rebecca recognized her and asked if she remembered her.

Sasha felt a vague sense of familiarity with Rebecca, but did not recognize her, with no memory of her in her mind.

All she knew was a throbbing headache, as if struck by a heavy hammer.

Tang Yu was certain that Sasha's past was inseparably linked with Maine's team.

When he and V inspected Sasha previously, they found her original consciousness was in a deep sleep, and her body had suffered severe damage.

If Sasha had been part of Maine's team and served as a hacker for them, succumbing to grievous injury during a mission and nearing death, before being targeted by Arasaka Corporation and remade into her current form, then Sasha's mysterious origins became explainable—a cyberpunk street kid turned hacker girl, acquainted, and perhaps even teaming up with Maine and the others.

Tang Yu also understood the doubts in the minds of Maine's team, wanting to clarify why Sasha suddenly appeared as an assistant working for the company.

At that time in the tribe, Tang Yu chose to downplay the issue and did not give Maine and the others a chance to confirm their doubts.

Tang Yu had his own considerations.

Sasha is no longer the person Maine and the others once knew; even if she were explained everything to her face, she would be unable to understand and accept it. More importantly, Sasha has grown accustomed to a world where only Tang Yu exists. The sudden appearance of a group of strangers, excitedly telling her about her past, would only frighten her. Moreover, the artificial death chip implanted in Sasha's body cannot withstand any more severe stimulation. If her original consciousness were to overpower the chip and awaken, she would face actual brain death. Therefore, Tang Yu also suppressed his own doubts, deciding to discuss everything upon his return and to give Maine and the others some time to cool off.

Gloria had already conveyed Maine's invitation, expressing a desire for a one-on-one meeting. Tang Yu would not refuse since he was also waiting for this meeting with Maine. Returning from his thoughts, Tang Yu patted Sasha's head and picked up a guitar, gently strumming and singing. Sasha listened, entranced.

These peaceful times were always fleeting. Just as Tang Yu was about to put away the instrument, he received a call from Gloria. He had not initiated contact with her since sending information about Joanna Koch to her, subsequently leaving the matter unattended. Sasha, seeing Tang Yu on the phone, quietly picked up the instrument and returned to her room as the call connected.

Gloria greeted him and then got straight to the point. "Mr. Tang, the task assigned by the Red Chromes has been completed. We've kidnapped Joanna Koch and handed her over to the tribe." Tang Yu admired her arrangement; it was a smart move. Kidnapping a corporate executive and handing her over to the Red Chromes was much less risky than assassination.

Joanna Koch, as the biotech director, was naturally a heavily protected asset of the corporation, a Trauma Team platinum member, and a figure of interest to NCPD. If she had died by Maine's hand, the troubles would have been overwhelming. Tang Yu responded calmly, "Well done."

With the approval from Tang Yu, Gloria seemed relieved and proceeded to give a detailed account of the mission. They had investigated Joanna Koch's movements based on her intel and discovered that she was hiding in the biotech hotel where she conducted her business and personal life under strict security.

Kiwi was responsible for hacking the hotel's electronic system, causing a temporary power failure to block surveillance and create some confusion. Lucy took advantage of the chaos to sneak into the security room. After neutralizing the guards, she accessed the hotel's management terminal through the vulnerable smart air conditioning system and sabotaged the air conditioning in Joanna Koch's room.

Dorio and Pilar, disguised as air conditioning technicians and equipped with proper IDs, entered the building from the main entrance and took the elevator to the nineteenth floor where Joanna Koch was staying. While she was immersed in watching a Braindance, they stunned her and implanted a signal jamming chip. Dorio, carrying the target, reached the rooftop where Maine and Rebecca had a float car ready. Once Lucy, who was in the security room, deleted all cache data and uploaded a virus to destroy the memory, they all left the biotech hotel.

Despite some setbacks, the operation was swift. The signal jamming caused the Kang Tao robotic guards and hotel security to become alert. They rushed to the nineteenth floor, only to find Joanna Koch had vanished.

The entire operation was successful; Maine was now secretly taking Joanna Koch to hand over to the Red Chromes. Tang Yu thought Maine's team had a reasonable division of tasks, more refined than the previous brute force confrontations. A thorough plan, tight organization, and cooperation minimized risks and increased profit, aligning with the survival tactics in Night City.

After Gloria disclosed the initial situation, she seemed to have more critical information to report. Tang Yu, not ending the call, signaled her to continue. She carefully organized her thoughts and then revealed, "In addition to kidnapping Joanna Koch, they also attempted to hack into her ICE to extract something from her brain data..."

Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, Tang Yu looked back at Sasha in the room. Gloria quickly added, "They did extract some information from Joanna Koch's brain, about biotech and military-tech cooperation, and even some details about Sasha."

"Maine wants to discuss this with you in person, mentioning that Sasha's related to the biotech explosion from two years ago."

Realizing the implications of the predicament involving biotech, Kang Tao, military-tech, and malevolent forces, this was larger than Tang Yu had initially thought. He could not allow Maine's team to continue playing with fire; this needed to end here.

Tang Yu sternly spoke, "I'm aware of the situation. Let's put an end to the biotech issue, avoid any further involvement with the Red Chromes, and remember, you owe them nothing."

Hearing Tang Yu's caution, Gloria's fleeting sense of achievement from the mission's approval vanished. She acknowledged the gravity and replied, "Understood. I'll leave it at that."

Still not fully reassured, Tang Yu asked again, "Is Joanna Koch still with Maine?" Gloria swiftly answered, "Yes, they're waiting for the Red Chromes to retrieve her." Tang Yu instructed, "Keep her. Tell the Red Chromes she's dead; I have other plans for her." Gloria realized that if they handed Joanna Koch alive to the Red Chromes, any complications could expose everyone. She agreed to inform Maine to keep Joanna.

Ending the call, Tang Yu decided it was time to meet Maine. A news broadcast from WNS reported Joanna Koch's disappearance. Sasha, aware of her identity being the culprit in the Red Chromes calamity, made sure to inform him.

Tang Yu nodded, indicating, "Evil begets evil." He decided against telling Sasha more, ensuring to keep her informed only as necessary.

Sasha didn't inquire further, understanding Tang Yu's reasons for not discussing the matter. Tang Yu closed his eyes again to contemplate potential oversights. The plan with Gloria and Maine's team was foolproof; Joanna Koch was in their control.

He contacted the head of counterintelligence's investigative division, Harry, instructing him to secretly investigate the disappearance of Dr. Joanna Koch and the latest Biotech movements.

Receiving the rendezvous location from Maine, an old apartment complex in east Cherry Street, Westbrook, Tang Yu prepared to leave. He had to see Joanna Koch himself to ensure nothing went wrong.

Sasha handed him a coat, noting the cold rain outside. Tang Yu, appreciative of Sasha's thoughtfulness and knowing she wanted to accompany him, could not take her to meet Maine. Patting her head, he softly told her to wait at home. Sasha acknowledged, and Tang Yu, donning the coat, called for a Delamain cab to the destination.