35: Chapter 35 Cohabitation?

Lin Yi looked at her earnest profile; in his heart, there was both gratification and a trace of imperceptible worry about the future.

The faster V learned and the stronger her desire for power grew, the more likely she was to be dragged into a deeper vortex.

This was almost a law in Night City—the stronger a person was, the more troublesome the matters they tended to encounter.

Just then, V reacted as if she had been pricked by something, suddenly lifting her head from the data chip. The relaxed expression on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a sense of annoyance that signaled "something big is wrong."

"Damn it!" she whispered.

"What's wrong? Why are you making such a fuss?" Lin Yi was startled by her.

"My apartment!" V said with a mournful face. "The corporation's eviction notice gave me a week to move out, or else everything inside would be cleared and reclaimed... It seems... it seems the deadline is tomorrow!"

She had been so immersed in the excitement of recovering her body and learning new skills that she had completely forgotten about this.

Now, thinking about her treasured clothes, her collection of trinkets, and... and certain personal items potentially being treated like trash by those corporate people, only to be sold to unknown strangers, she felt a wave of heartache and disgust.

"I have to go move my things out immediately..." V said, starting to stand up, but then she immediately thought of a more realistic problem—move them out to where?

She was a vagrant now, and most of her previous savings had been invested in those corporate cyberware pieces she couldn't use yet. There wasn't enough time to rent a new, safe apartment.

A huge sense of loss and helplessness instantly enveloped her.

Watching V's shoulders slump and her face fill with dejection, Lin Yi barely hesitated before blurting out, "Is there a lot of stuff? If not, you can keep it at my place for now."

Upon hearing this, V's eyes lit up, but she immediately suppressed her surprise, looking at Lin Yi with feigned composure, and said in a serious tone, "Are... are you sure? I might stay for a few days, but I'll move out once I find a suitable place."

She didn't want Lin Yi to misunderstand and think she was taking the opportunity to "move in."

Seeing her act in a way that was clearly what she wanted, yet still hesitant, Lin Yi found it both amusing and heart-wrenching.

He felt a bit mischievous and, with a teasing smile on his face, purposely drew out his tone, "Sure. But—you'll have to pack up those 'treasures' of yours yourself."

"Treasures?" V was stunned for a moment, then suddenly remembered that braindance box printed with lewd patterns! Her face flushed bright red in a flash, like a ripe tomato.

"Lin! Yi!" Both ashamed and angry, she didn't care about her weakness anymore. She swung her fists and hammered at Lin Yi's shoulder. "Screw you! Don't mention that ever again!"

Lin Yi dodged while laughing loudly.

But he was driving at the time; this commotion caused the car to swerve in a slight S-shape on the road, triggering a flurry of impatient honking from the vehicles behind.

"Hey, hey, hey! Calm down! V! Stop it, stop it! Someone's going to die!" Lin Yi hurriedly steadied the steering wheel, his heart still pounding.

V was startled too and sheepishly pulled back her hand, glaring at him pouting, though the corners of her mouth curled up involuntarily.

The air was filled with awkwardness and shame, yet there was also an indescribable hint of ambiguity and warmth.

Turning the car around, the journey to V's original apartment went smoothly.

The corporation seemed to have revoked the security permissions there, leaving only a cold electronic lock.

V used her biological information (fortunately, this hadn't been deactivated immediately) to open the door. Looking at this space that once represented her status and ambition, now about to be stripped away, she felt conflicted.

"Let's pack up quickly; take everything you can. I'll help you with the outside. Who knows if those corporate people will come to clear the place early," Lin Yi reminded her.

V shook her head, casting aside useless emotions, and began to pack efficiently.

Her things were actually not that many. She didn't want any of the flashy, impractical decorations issued by the corporation. She mainly took some sentimental personal items, practical and good-looking clothes, and a small safe containing backup weapons and cash.

And... thinking of this, she dashed into the bedroom at top speed, shoved those braindance collections hidden deep in the nightstand drawer into the bottom of her suitcase, and zipped it up like a thief.

Lin Yi leaned against the doorframe, watching her busy back with a smile on his lips.

He noticed that V deliberately avoided anything with clear corporate markings, and understood—she was saying goodbye to her past self.

There wasn't much stuff, and with both of them working quickly, two suitcases and a few cardboard boxes were packed up in no time.

V took one last look at this place she once regarded as an honor, but which was actually a gilded cage, and shut the door without hesitation.

Returning to Lin Yi's luxury apartment in the same community, just a few minutes' walk away, the evening lights were already flickering on. Stacking the luggage in the living room, they were both exhausted and collapsed directly onto the sofa.

The night view outside the window was almost at the same angle, but her mood at this moment was completely different.

"I'm starving..." V groaned weakly.

"Let's order takeout. What do you want to eat? My treat." Lin Yi took out his personal terminal.

"Sushi! I want that place 'Tsuruhashi'! I couldn't bear to eat it often before, but since it's not my money, I'm going to eat until it hurts your wallet!" V said fiercely, with a sense of vengeful pleasure.

Lin Yi was amused by her: "Sure, eat as much as you want."

The high-end synthetic sushi arrived quickly.

Without any delicate table etiquette, they sat cross-legged on the soft living room carpet, facing the coffee table, and feasted.

Outside the window was the never-ending, brilliant night view of Night City; inside were warm lights and the aroma of food.

While eating the delicious food and listening to Lin Yi talk about the jokes he made when he first arrived in Night City, V felt unprecedented relaxation and peace of mind.

This kind of simple happiness was something she had never experienced during her days of corporate intrigue.

After the meal, V began to set up her temporary room.

Although it was just a temporary residence, she still carefully arranged the few trinkets she brought—a uniquely shaped metal wind chime, a yellowed old photograph (it looked like something from before she joined the corporation), and a few paper books.

Lin Yi helped her move the heavy suitcases and weapon cases into the adjacent small study.

When the guest room gradually began to have the aura of a "home," the night was already deep.

"That's about it. Let's deal with the rest tomorrow," Lin Yi said, checking the time.

"Mm," V nodded, looking at the refreshed room, feeling warm inside.

"Well... goodnight, V."

"Goodnight, Lin Yi. And... thank you."

The two stood by the guest room door and said goodnight.

The atmosphere was warm, with a hint of subtle flutter.

V watched Lin Yi turn and walk toward the master bedroom, took a deep breath, and gently closed the door.

Leaning against the door panel, V could hear Lin Yi's slight footsteps walking toward the master bedroom outside, until the sound of another door closing came.

The apartment fell completely quiet.

This kind of quiet was completely different from how she felt in her corporate apartment.

The quiet back then was cold, full of schemes and loneliness; but the quiet at this moment carried an indescribable sense of peace, as if the vast and dangerous Night City outside was temporarily cut off, and this was a small, warm haven.

She walked to the window, watching the endless stream of car lights below like blood vessels and the eternal red warning lights of Arasaka Tower in the distance.

A few days ago, she still felt like she had lost everything and fallen into the abyss.

But now... she had a place to stay temporarily, a friend willing to help her, and a chance to start over.

Although the road ahead remained unknown, at least for this moment, she no longer felt lonely and desperate.

"Take it one step at a time, V," she said softly, patting her face.

After a simple wash, V lay on the newly made bed, her body exhausted but her spirit somewhat excited.

Too many things happened today: learning hacking techniques, realizing the apartment crisis, moving, and that subtle, heart-accelerating interaction with Lin Yi... these images intertwined and swirled in her mind.

Eventually, fatigue overcame excitement, and she fell into a deep sleep amidst an unprecedented sense of security.

On the other side in the master bedroom, Lin Yi didn't fall asleep immediately either.

He rested his hands behind his head, looking at the ceiling.

The feeling of having an extra person in the house was strange, especially since that person was V.

The air seemed to still retain the faint fragrance of her, as well as a vibrant aura, different from when he was alone.

But strangely, he didn't regret the decision.

On the contrary, there was a... inexplicable sense of stability.

"Take it one step at a time," he muttered to himself and closed his eyes.

The neon lights of Night City shone through the gaps in the curtains, casting faint spots of light in the dark room.

In the two bedrooms, two people whose fates were already intertwined, each with their own thoughts, welcomed their short-lived "cohabitation."