Chapter 659 - 630 Mom’s Return Visit

"How’s the feeling... not too bad, huh? Everyone says it’s inconvenient to wear this stuff, but I don’t feel that at all."

"Nonsense, this is a normal dress, not a tight one!"

A remote prosthetic looks almost indistinguishable from a real person after artificial skin is grafted. Moreover, large-scale implant surgeries are common now, so cracks on the skin are considered normal.

Feeling helpless, Lille said, "You... Sigh, why doesn’t it feel as immersive when I’m cooperating with you?"

"Dar-ling!"

"Have you forgotten that you can’t pinch me right now?" Lille disabled his pain receptors in an instant, his face expressionless, pretending nothing had happened.

"Hehe, have you forgotten that I can catch up on that later?"

The banquet was straightforward, just familiar faces, old entrepreneurs and politicians taking turns to speak with Lille. They were curious about the unfamiliar woman behind him, asked questions, but it wasn’t their main focus.

Lille would also alter the conversations to some extent to help V get accustomed to such situations.

Overall, she did quite well, smiling behind the chair, serving drinks, and chuckling softly when she had nothing else to do.

Since the task didn’t aim to deceive people up close, Lille considered it passable.

There weren’t many people to deal with at the banquet, overall it progressed steadily: be it new industrial technology, rescue plans, or subsequent business collaborations. It just required some mental effort, no need to worry about someone pulling a gun from their crotch and shooting him.

Thus, as the banquet reached downtime, V pushed Lille’s wheelchair, and they chatted in the hallway.

"But these people are really friendly, those looks... tsk tsk, they almost licked you. Does Jefferson have that much power?"

"No, so this is a simulation. If we get to the Gemstone Blue, hold your weapon tight... Oh, right, weapons aren’t allowed at the Gemstone Blue nightclub, so you’ll only have the Mantis Blade."

"Got used to it early on, the Final Night is indeed handy, the power is indeed a bit lacking. The raccoon dog is too big, not good for close combat, the Mantis Blade is just right.

When will Si Anweisitan reopen access to my prosthetics? I see Jack using some good prosthetics, shouldn’t I get a try too?"

"I was waiting for the stuff to be brought in from outside. It’ll be upgraded before the banquet."

The wheelchair slowly moved, and they reached the balcony.

Feeling the wind of New York and looking at this rich city, suddenly Lille said, "Where is this?"

"This is... an imaginary city."

"I noticed people here don’t seem to use many prosthetics," V said, suddenly curious. "In your imagination, people shouldn’t use too many prosthetics?"

"It’s a complex issue. If given a choice, why would anyone opt for prosthetics? Some people sold their limbs and organs for various reasons and used a small amount of money to get cheap mechanical limbs, then spent the leftover money... on other things.

Some of these things are out of desperation, others are self-indulgence... People are too accustomed to treating their bodies as commodities."

"It’s really sad," V said, leaning on the marble railing, looking at the stars. "I never think that far."

Lille was about to speak but paused as a covert communication code from Latovia reached Atlas Group.

This meant his mom had arrived in Latovia.

[Sender: Christopher]

[Christopher: Boss, Ms. Li has arrived at the Latovia branch. I am currently using Europe’s internet to set up communication.]

[Christopher: We can proceed with the call now.]

Lille thought for a moment and connected the call.

[Maya: Lille, I’ve returned home. It’s really wonderful here! They’ve built a secret base in the mountains, just like your company’s!]

[Lille: Like a castle?]

[Maya: Better than a castle... Right, I saw the news today, there was a woman beside you... Who is she?]

[Lille: Uh...]

Lille glanced at V, who was staring at the sky. "A family call, from... er, from my mom."

V raised an eyebrow: got into character again?

She cleared her throat, adjusted her posture, and nodded in agreement: bring it on!

Maya’s video image appeared before V—

Lille didn’t elaborate much, so V froze for a moment:

Such a graceful woman, without those chaotic upper-class aesthetic prosthetics.

More importantly...

Why does she look a bit familiar?

[V: ...Hello, ma’am, I’m currently attending a banquet with your son. He’s doing great...]

[Maya: So beautiful! How old are you?]

V got stuck——

Technically, this was a test; practically, she felt the woman’s eyes gleamed, not complimenting Elizabeth, but her.

[V: Uh... I’m 27... no, I’m 43!]

Lille automatically deleted the later-recalled age of Elizabeth, anyway, Maya saw V’s appearance now.

To be honest, Lille was surprised Maya could accept V’s colorful hair.

After thinking about it, the people of Latovia originally had multicolored hair and liked vivid colors.

[Maya: 27? That’s quite an experienced age, are you Lille’s new assistant?]

[V: I... I’m his wife!]

Lille quickly adjusted it to assistant.

[Maya: Oh... I thought you two were dating... True, if you were, it would be too fast. I haven’t noticed any signs.]

Lille adjusted the message again to "I see."

But as he adjusted, he started to sweat.

[Maya: Sigh, without me by his side, Lille sure is troublesome. You two should spend more time together...]

[Lille: Mom! Talk about something else, she’s very busy—]

Maya’s image disappeared in front of V, leaving behind the last sentence, "Thanks for your hard work, I need to have a word with him alone."

Considering Maya’s attitude and the abrupt disconnect, V suspiciously eyed Lille, but he revealed nothing.

[Maya: What’s up! What’s the issue with me saying a few words! Lille, I’ll be direct, I think she suits you well!]

[Lille: Don’t be ridiculous, Mom, you figured that out from a video call?]

[Maya: Son, you don’t understand. I noticed how Elizabeth seemed unaccustomed at the banquet but worked hard to cooperate with you...]

[Lille: Seriously, Mom, you noticed all that?]

[Maya: What can’t I notice! I also saw you really like her...]

No kidding, he liked her a lot. Without V, he would have died in Atlanta already.

On the other hand, Lille’s heart experienced some subtle changes——

But this wasn’t the time to dwell on that.

[Lille: Mom, let’s not talk about this now, glad you’re safe, I...]

V said, "Why did you hang up? I was getting into character. Isn’t this a drill?"

"The drill’s over." Lille nodded slowly. "Passed. Remember, from now on, you are Elizabeth, I am Jefferson..."

"Got it, got it, I’m your wife, you’re my husband, talk less, smile more..."

Lille paused for a moment: "Yes, exactly. Also, this dress looks good. Wear this one then."

"Not bad, I like it too."

[Maya: Busy, it’s good to be busy. I’ll say it once more: I really like Elizabeth. Her eyes seem very powerful...]

[Lille: Mom, quit it! She’s using a Prosthetic Eye!]

[Maya: Still, I quite like it. Looks full of vigor, full of life...]

Maya continued to ramble in Lille’s ear, and V idly asked Lille this and that.

However, Lille didn’t hang up on either of them, chatting with both simultaneously.

He didn’t miss a single word from either side.