Players Invade Cyberpunk-Chapter 712 - 229: We Are the World (Part 2)

"West Lake Vinegar Fish, without West Lake, without vinegar, and without fish!"

"Then what did you make?"

"Already dumped it in the river."

"6."

A group of cooking-savvy players and locals from Night City grabbed the freshly stocked vegetables and meat from the warehouse, showcasing their culinary skills, and fervently wielded spatulas over the heat. The dishes they cooked were piled on the long table in bowls and plates, although occasionally there'd be some odd ones, which would quickly get kicked away with a jio by others, preventing these bastards from wasting rare clean ingredients.

However, the vegetables that players didn't find unique were regarded as heavenly by ordinary workers. To them, that verdant color was high-end merchandise they couldn't afford, yet those chefs recklessly tossed handfuls into the pan to stir-fry, then laid them on the long table, allowing passersby to pick at them with chopsticks or forks.

What was unexpected was that the chocolate wrapped meat dish, which players disdained, seemed to be quite popular with the local employees, as it got finished in no time.

John swallowed hard, somewhat incredulously looking at the various dishes on the long table.

"Are these... all for us to eat?"

"Yeah... the company has built a hydroponic farm in Big Sur. To ensure employees' dietary health, the company plans to prepare separate cafeterias for them in the future, so they won't have to eat industrial garbage produced by food companies."

Upon hearing a voice, John turned around to see a lady with long brown hair tied in a ponytail. Her familiar face immediately reminded him of the identity of the speaker.

"Miss Gloria...."

Gloria was holding two skewers of chicken wings cooked by the players, eating them in small bites.

"Don't mind me, make sure she enjoys the festivities, and remember to vote for your favorite program during tonight's event prepared by everyone."

There's an exciting event, too?

Did they invite some big celebrity?

Grassroots employees were simply overwhelmed with surprise; such level of treatment and respect was something they'd never encountered before.

In response to the employees' compliments, Gloria merely echoed Lin Miao's words:

"This company doesn't belong to me alone, but to you all as well. Each and every one of your jobs contributes to the company, paving the way; no one's role is insignificant. More than the production lines and products, you and your confidence in the company are the most important assets."

Compared to technology and land, which are means of production, people are the most important.

The existence of technology should serve humans, not overturn the heavens and force humans to obey technology.

Employees and their families were moved to tears, chewing eagerly on the unfried vegetables. But Gloria's focus wasn't on them; she was looking at David not far away, a teenager who had just gotten a few days of rest from his heavy studies, holding a pint of beer while mingling with Mann and the others.

Because he frequently had to protect Gloria's personal safety, David had long since become acquainted with Mann and the rest.

"You all shot down the drone from Huang Ban that tried to assassinate Mr. Lin? Awesome! If only I had been on the scene too."

Although he attended Huangshan Academy, he had not the slightest respect for companies like Huang Ban; the punk's tales of rebellious deeds were the stories he loved.

Lin Miao's words, while making him reconsider the so-called rebellion, didn't mean David disliked punks.

His admiration had simply changed into affection.

"Haha."

Mann put his arm around David, chuckled while holding a big beer glass.

"Of course it's true! That drone is still in the studio. I'll take you to see it later; there are plenty of good things there."

"But you gotta be careful not to break anything. That little girl's temper is something; Pira got her head bashed several times with a hammer for telling dirty jokes."

"Hey!"

Pira, embarrassed by the mention of her mishap, stood up yelling, unsure whether she was drunk or blushing.

"Mann, you're no better than me! Want me to recount your embarrassing moment when you customized Sadala at the studio? 'Ah~lighten up, you're gonna wreck my 'gun'~~~'"

Dolio and Rebecca had no intention of stopping the argument; instead, they stood on the side holding their cups and laughed heartily.

"Hahahaha... why don't you two get in the ring and have a fight now."

"Mo.... boring to death..."

Among the group, only Qiwei sat at the table corner, head down smoking, seemingly feeling embarrassed by her companions' antics and not joining the conversation.

She glanced at Lucy, sitting by herself sipping a small drink, whose iridescent pupils hadn't moved from the third-floor window.

"If you're so worried, why don't you just go upstairs and see?"

"Wu Lu Sai..."

Lucy looked at Qiwei, thinking that the environment above was so detestable that just a glance made her dislike it. Going up would only cause trouble for Lin Miao, so she tried to change the subject.

"Can't you get your mouth switched back? I can have ERO do a surgery for you, save you from having food clogging your mouth every time."

"No need."

Qiwei flicked the cigarette ash, was about to speak when Lucy sarcastically added.

"Alright, I know you're gonna say, 'This wound is a symbol of my past experiences; it reminds me not to trust anyone in Night City.' "

"...Lucy..."

Qiwei initially wanted to say, 'You're asking for a punch now', but was interrupted by a sudden voice. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"Sis, for you."

The innocent voice startled Qiwei, and when she turned her head, she saw a little girl about six or seven years old in a little dress. Her chubby cheeks were flushed as she panted, holding a stack of cartoon stickers that looked very childish.

"These are..."

"Mom said you saved everyone in the Watson District that day, and she said good people should receive thanks and gifts, but I have no money, so I'm giving you these...."