What a gentle and understanding sister she is. For her dear brother, she would give everything she could to him.
To the outside world, she is the newly appointed Vice President of Qian Ti Corporation, cold and decisive. Perhaps with a single decision, she could erase the future of an innocent person. When working on product research, she treats herself like a machine—cold and distant, hard to approach.
But only in front of Lin Mo does she drop all her pretenses. The mask of "arrogance and coldness" is casually thrown aside, and her face, once like a glacier, melts into spring rain, nourishing the land and blooming into a beautiful flower, smiling brilliantly.
No matter how hard-hearted or steel-like a person is, they would probably soften in the face of such endless tenderness. No one could refuse such a family member who thinks only of you.
Lin Mo was no exception. He met Xu Wanxue's gaze and saw that her eyes, filled with tenderness, were shining like thousands of stars.
It seemed that this was the first time in a long while that Xu Wanxue had shown him this expression.
But in the end, Lin Mo avoided her eyes, looking at the distant bright lights of Night City, and with a calm heart, he said resolutely:
"Sorry, sister. I also have things I must do. The role of the obedient child, in the end, isn't for me."
Sixteen years in this world, he understood what he wanted, and he understood what he needed to do and was willing to keep doing.
Xu Wanxue's hopeful gaze slowly faded, like the sun setting behind a gray cloud, its brilliance concealed.
She followed Lin Mo's line of sight and looked at Night City, the bright neon lights of the city reflecting in her dull eyes.
And so, the colorful lights lit up in her soulless eyes, reflecting her dim gaze. Suddenly, she seemed to understand a little of what Lin Mo was thinking.
"Is that so?"
She whispered softly, gently pulling Lin Mo's head into her embrace, closing her eyes.
Lin Mo followed her hand, leaning into her embrace without resistance.
"But you can't make your sister worry, you know? When I heard you called the SSI security team, I can't even describe how panicked I was. I bet that even if I'm fired from the company, I'll never feel that kind of panic again."
Xu Wanxue quietly spoke, and midway, she squatted down, cupping Lin Mo's face in both hands and gazing at him with eyes full of tenderness.
She seemed to be pleading when she said:
"Lin Mo, promise me, don't do anything reckless from now on. Night City is an invisible abyss, glittering with dazzling lights below. People foolishly try to walk down to seize the treasures at the very bottom, hoping for fame overnight, but they can't see the bones at the bottom of the abyss, and they won't remember the lessons of those who fell before."
"As long as you can live healthily, I'll agree to anything you ask!"
"Anything? Including supporting my dreams?" Lin Mo's eyes flickered.
Xu Wanxue suddenly smiled, as if agreeing with Lin Mo, but also as if comforting herself.
"If you insist on doing that, as your sister, what power do I have to stop you..."
She finally made a decision. Standing up straight, her expression and demeanor shifted back to that of the powerful vice president in the company.
She looked boldly at Night City, her hand still on Lin Mo's shoulder, then, after a long moment, she turned back to him and smiled softly:
"If my little brother wants to go to the battlefield in armor to fight, then as his sister, I must provide him with the best armor, the finest war horses, and weapons, so he can return alive!"
Before Lin Mo could process the meaning of her words, Xu Wanxue suddenly walked into the villa, leaving him standing there in confusion.
A minute later, she came back, a set of keys in her hand.
Xu Wanxue smiled with a hint of reminiscence, then tossed the keys towards Lin Mo, who caught them with both hands, still bewildered.
"When I had to seize your little base back then, knowing you well, I expected this day would come, so I prepared two options back then. One was to sell all your junk and get you something better."
Xu Wanxue leaned against the balcony frame, gazing out at the swimming pool below. The pool reflected the crescent moon in the sky, and the breeze created ripples like sound waves, making her long hair sway gently.
Lin Mo stood frozen, looking at the keys in his hand, feeling as though he was holding the key to a king's secret treasure.
When his little base was discovered back then, Xu Wanxue had sealed it up in anger. The seal read: "Anyone who enters will face the penalty of losing all their pocket money."
There were only two people living in the house, and it was clear who the note was meant for.
After that, he had to head off to school, and never approached the base again.
"What's inside?" Lin Mo blinked, a myriad of guesses forming in his mind.
"You can guess," Xu Wanxue said playfully.
Lin Mo shook his head resolutely. "I can't guess."
With a smile, Xu Wanxue came over, patted Lin Mo's head, seemingly enjoying his puzzled expression.
She thought for a moment, then counted on her fingers:
"The latest Kanto Dragon-type exoskeleton, a box of military equipment I swiped from the company, a few boxes of ammunition, a platinum membership contract for a trauma group that just needs your signature to take effect, a Shichu Sword for your daily travel, and a Chevrolet Emperor 720 for when you want to get into trouble..."
"I also got you a 40s AV-4 hovercar, don't complain about it being old. The latest hovercars are priced by the billions, and even if you sold me, I wouldn't be able to buy a few of them."
"I didn't get you any body implants. I don't want you to end up like those cyber-psychos. But biological implants could be considered. I'll call Scandinavia, where the best biological components are made."
Lin Mo's eyes widened in surprise. His mouth formed an "O" shape. He never expected Xu Wanxue would consider this much for him.
This wasn't just pampering; it was like being immersed in a sea of sugar syrup and cream. Forget drowning him; even a few more people could drown under such overwhelming love.
Though with the hidden funds he had accumulated over the years, buying these things wouldn't be a huge problem, many of the items Xu Wanxue had prepared for him were priceless.
Take the AV-4 hovercar, for instance.
Though it's an antique from the '20s, in the market, you wouldn't be able to buy it for less than a few hundred million, and you'd need a certain status and connections to acquire it!
"Let me ask you, sister, how much did all of this cost?" Lin Mo couldn't help but swallow hard.
"A few million, not too much. Still under a hundred million. A lot of the equipment was bought through the company, so it was pretty cheap. The hovercar was the most expensive," Xu Wanxue said casually.
Lin Mo: ...
He was aware of Xu Wanxue's annual salary, around 30 million.
She was indeed wealthy, but all of this must have drained a significant portion of her savings, probably even a couple of years' worth.
Then, Lin Mo suddenly remembered why the top-tier implants on him were targeted by the Cleaners during his first Life Simulation.
With a sister like this, forget the Cleaners; anyone would be jealous of the implants worth tens of millions she was carrying.
Watching Lin Mo stammer, Xu Wanxue smiled, brushing her wind-blown hair. Noticing the evening wind had become a bit noisy, her eyes glowed blue, linking to the villa's local area network.
At the edge of the balcony, a ring-shaped glass wall slowly rose, blocking the gusty winds and forming a semi-spherical glass dome over the balcony.
The night sky above was still filled with bright stars.
"Sis... why are you being so good to me?" After a long silence, Lin Mo finally blurted out this question.
From his perspective, he understood Xu Wanxue's pampering. Their relationship had repeatedly proven that "Xu Wanxue loves Lin Mo." Many times, they could understand each other with just a glance.
Just like today, when Lin Mo got into trouble, he knew Xu Wanxue was worried about his safety, not just because he came home late. She just didn't want to admit it.
But now, Lin Mo realized that Xu Wanxue's affection had once again shattered his worldview.
Spending tens of millions on gear just to help her little brother fulfill his wishes and dreams... This kind of love was so heavy and extravagant that Lin Mo didn't know how to respond.
"Well, it doesn't matter. I don't plan on dating anyone in this life, and I don't need to worry about the old folks' retirement life. So, I'll spend some of the money here," Xu Wanxue said nonchalantly.
Lin Mo sighed again, unsure how many times he'd sighed tonight. After a few seconds of thinking, he suddenly recalled something.
"Sis, you said there were two plans? What about the other one?"
He suddenly realized Xu Wanxue had mentioned a second plan earlier.
Could it be that Xu Wanxue had already paved two paths for his future?
"The other plan? That's simple. You study well, get good grades, and then I'll send you to the world's best college. After that, whether you want to work in politics or in the company, I'll use my connections to help you with everything," Xu Wanxue chuckled lightly.
She walked over to Lin Mo, stretched out her hand, and flicked his forehead, her expression turning complex.
"As your sister, I naturally want you to take that path, but unfortunately, you little rascal are really hard to handle."
The company path... Lin Mo's heart stirred, but he quickly calmed down.
He wasn't the heir, nor a trusted confidant of some top-tier magnates... if he followed that path, at the very top, he would only see countless others who had already beaten him to it.
They had woven an impenetrable web, and those who tried to climb would only fall into its traps, being devoured and kicked down from the top.
In every company, there is one rule above all:
Show absolute loyalty to the company, never harm its interests, and never betray it.
This kind of top-tier power made countless people flock to it, but it also made many willing to sacrifice everything, even their own family, to maintain it.
Lin Mo looked at Xu Wanxue, leaning against the floor-to-ceiling window, with a complicated look in his eyes.
Perhaps only his sister would see him as more important than the company.
"But that doesn't represent freedom. Sis, I actually want you to be able to live a peaceful life at home, instead of working day and night." Lin Mo said in a low tone.
"You really don't understand how hard life is," Xu Wanxue flicked his forehead again.
"If I don't work, how can I support you, this gold-swallowing beast?"
Lin Mo was at a loss for words.
Though his hidden wealth was considerable, he couldn't deny that it was Xu Wanxue who had provided the start-up funds.
"Although the company will steal your freedom, what you'll gain is power above everyone else, and a stable life that so many people dream of... isn't that better than becoming that broken legend?" Xu Wanxue said softly.
Lin Mo remained silent and finally stood up from his chair, walking slowly to the wooden railing, gazing at Night City, covered in the moonlight.
No matter how many times he saw it, Night City under the night sky was always stunningly beautiful.
Like a sun hidden in the dark.
But Lin Mo knew well the infinite shadow beneath this sun.
"Sis, I spent eight years without being with you and struggled on Twisted Street," he suddenly said, out of nowhere.
"I know, but there are still many years ahead. When we're both a hundred, eight years will only be eight years, and in comparison to a century, it's not much."
Xu Wanxue silently walked behind him, wanting to embrace him as she did before, but when she reached his back, she realized that Lin Mo had already grown half a head taller than her.
If she hugged him now, it would be like she was a small woman resting on his back.
"But these eight years feel like half a lifetime to me. Sis, if I really live to be a hundred, leaving only memories with you in such a long life would feel a bit too dull."
"These eight years have made me realize that people in Night City, no matter their positions, only have one title for you: company dog."
"But there's one exception, people like Arisaka Saburo. The world no longer calls them company dogs but the Emperor, and their children are called princes and princesses... There's already an emperor in this world, and if you go any higher, it's rebellion. It's treason!"
Lin Mo gripped the railing tightly, his gaze distant, and his words felt like a poem from an epic or like a devil singing, tempting Xu Wanxue to believe his words.
"But on another path, there's another type of person. This path is one of shadows, with graves and lost souls on both sides. The sky has no sunlight, only bitter rain. When you reach the end of the road, there's a legend, an unknown tomb. But if you take one more step forward...
"That is the Sun!" Lin Mo said slowly.
On the company path, you exert all your efforts to climb, but when you see the vast sky, there will still be someone pressing down on your head.
But if you walk on the edge of the world, you'll be in the shadows, unseen. You can step by step ascend to the throne of that shadow world.
That is the extreme shadow, the opposite of the brightest light.
And the brightest light brings the darkest shadow, that is the Sun!
.
.
.
🧠 My Cyberpunk 2077 Simulator
📢 System Booting… Welcome, Chooms! 📢
My Cyberpunk 2077 Simulator is now live with 20+ chapters ahead on Patreon! 💻🔥Dive deeper into Night City, level up faster, and stay ahead of the game with exclusive early access! 🧠⚙️
🔗 Join here: www.patreon.com/c/MrMagnus👤 Patreon name: SrMagnus
Thank you for your support, and remember—chrome up, never back down. 🌆💥