Cyberpunk 2074: Shadows of the Past

"Do you mind if I play some music?"

After rinsing the wine glass that the guest had just finished drinking, Jill took out a clean cloth from under the bar and wiped the glass carefully.

In fact, according to the procedures in the employee handbook, after Jill came to the store and changed into work clothes, she should have turned on the music.

It's just that the timing of the arrival of this mature lady named "V" was just perfect.

As soon as Jill changed her clothes and walked to the bar, V opened the door of the bar with light steps.

"Ah...it's okay." V ​​was stunned for a few seconds before answering.

(It seems that our mature working lady has a little difficulty in choosing? She was obviously very handsome and calm just now...)

Gil thought silently, fingertips moving back and forth on the music player.

The ethereal electronic music awakened V from deep thought.

"Want a drink...Bad Touch?"

She stroked her chin and spoke hesitantly.

(Pfft! She actually ordered a cup of "salty pork knuckle")

The corners of Jill's mouth couldn't help but curl up a little, and she almost couldn't stop her expression of indifference for business.

"A glass of Bad Touch...Pfft...please use it slowly." Gil placed the mixed wine glass in front of V. Even though he tried his best to restrain himself, he still couldn't hold back the sudden smile.

V raised his eyebrows and did not rush to ask why the pretty bartender suddenly laughed.

She gently shook the cylindrical cup body, and the gradually changing turquoise liquid rippled in it.

She stared at the cup for a few seconds, then tentatively stuck out the tip of her tongue and lightly tapped the surface of the liquid. There was nothing particularly strange about the taste.

Relaxed, she pressed her lips against the cup and took a sip.

"Compared with its strange name..." V closed his eyes slightly and focused on his taste buds.

"It's a bit sour... It feels quite retro... It's very similar to a drink I drank when I was a kid..."

"Are you okay?" Gil gently supported his head with his left hand, watching the light green wine disappear little by little on V's lips.

"Yes, that's the name of this drink... To be honest, it's a bit curious... Who gave this drink such a stupid name?" V asked while gently putting the glass back on the bar.

"Ha, it's usually the name given by those who register the mixology recipe." Jill chuckled, picked up the wine glass, and put it by the sink for cleaning.

"Some people take this as a sense of humor...it's really childish." She joked softly while rinsing the cup.

"Like those little boys in middle school who like to tease girls to express their affection?" V wiped a few drops of sweat from his forehead, took off his black and red suit jacket, and revealed the pure white slim shirt underneath. Stretched a little lazily.

"Hmm... very appropriate." Jill nodded, but her eyes couldn't help but be attracted by V's proud curves.

"Can I ask...what were you laughing at just now?" V unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, and something suddenly released the restraints.

"Uh...huh?" Jill was a little distracted and didn't hear what V was asking.

"You're not going to laugh because of the name of the wine called 'Salty Pig Knuckle', are you?" V swayed slightly on his toes. Even though he was wearing flat shoes, he couldn't hide the temptation unique to working women.

"Ah...I admit defeat, I admit defeat..." Jill put the washed wine glass aside and subconsciously touched her red earlobes.

"Hahahahaha..." V shook his shoulders and laughed happily.

The bartender turned out to be an interesting person.

"Um...can I ask what your occupation is? Which company you work for, etc..." Jill's eyes rolled, eager to change the subject and resolve the embarrassment.

"I've only been in Night City for half a month, so I can't recognize the company's employee uniforms clearly..."

"Ah, I understand, I understand..." V nodded and did not continue to tease the bartender who was already a little incoherent.

"I work for Arasaka Company."

"Arasaka? Ah...the one from Japan?"

"Yes...Arasaka Corporation, a company from Japan. Its business is spread all over the world, including private security services, banking and manufacturing..." Seeing that Jill still had a little knowledge, V simply introduced Arasaka. The life of the company.

"Fifty-one years ago...Arasaka Tower was actually bombed?" Gill was always sensitive to such turbulent events.

"Ha... Johnny Silverhand, an out-and-out lunatic, a rock star who implements punk to death, and is the spiritual leader of many people..."

"Do you admire him very much?"

"Me? I just think he is interesting... If he wasn't a scumbag who likes to mess around with men and women, if I was born more than fifty years ago... maybe I would fall in love with him... But, there is no if ." V gently tapped his red lips with his fingertips, with a somewhat complicated expression on his face.

"Wow...that's cool!" Jill was stunned.

Will the cool-looking mature lady like the rebellious rock boy?

Unfortunately, the torrent of time has washed away the answer into nothingness.

"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust..." V muttered a few words in a low voice.

"What?"

"It's okay..." V shook his head gently, "Give me another glass of wine with strong enough alcohol, a small glass is best."

"Has the person you were waiting for not arrived yet?"

"Tch...the traffic in Night City...is blocked again." V lowered his head and glanced at the text messages on his phone, then spread his hands helplessly.

"But it's early tonight, isn't it?"

"That's a good thing..." V nodded slightly, agreeing with Jill's words.

(Small glass, enough alcohol, let me think about which kind of wine can meet V's requirements...)

Jill flipped through the machine for a while before finally finding the right drink.

"Fringe Weaver, please use it slowly."

A little pure white foam, embellished with orange in the goblet.

The light shines on the cup, reflecting the dazzling light of the sun.

"Thank you..." V thanked him softly, looking back and forth at the alcoholic drink, which looked good-looking and very fashionable.

Raising the wine glass, a ball of flame penetrated the slight gap between the lips and slowly fell towards the belly.

"Ha!" The strong stimulation made V couldn't help but cry out.

"Isn't it enjoyable?"

"Just right. It's like drinking anhydrous alcohol with a spoonful of sugar... it's so satisfying!" V licked her lips. The stimulating taste seemed to still linger on her lips, which made her a little unfinished.

"Do you need another drink?" Jill observed V's face carefully, not finding any sign of redness in it.

(Terrifying amount of alcohol...)

"Let's take a rest and let's chat again... It's a bit boring for me to drink alone."

"I'm happy to accompany you." Jill said softly without any objection.

Rather than mechanically making money by bartending, she still prefers chatting with people.