The Creators: From Night City

Page 421

Chapter 858 The Business of Desire

Since Teamfight Tactics was taken over by Anti-Entropy, it has undergone a major transformation.

Of course, this refers to the internal operating model, not the decoration style of Genting.

In reality, Genting still retains the typical nightclub decor, full of vice and extravagance.

A blue holographic dancer swayed her alluring body at the shop entrance, emitting blush-inducing moans to entice passersby.

The posters on the walls featured the store's top models, both men and women, all scantily clad and exuding promiscuity.

Sheryl Norlin rushed into the locker room, thankfully not late, and secured perfect attendance for the month.

"Let me tell you, I ran into a really hot guy on my way to work today. His charisma and physique were so captivating." Sheri Norlin chatted with her colleague while changing clothes.

"Did you get to eat it?"

"What's there to eat? He didn't even glance at me. He's so cold-hearted."

A close colleague leered and rubbed his hand on her chest, causing a 'surging wave'.

"There's nothing you can't handle, Norlin. You should just show him these two treasures directly."

"Why not just pull him into the car..." another colleague chimed in, and the conversation in the locker room suddenly became much more casual.

The various vulgarities and obscene remarks were so explicit that they could be recorded as part of a gossip episode of Super Dream.

The risqué chat session only ended with the arrival of Maiko Maeda.

"Everyone, stay alert! The higher-ups are coming to inspect us soon. Don't let anyone slip up at this crucial time. Understand?"

A group of women immediately chimed in.

"When a big boss comes, the entourage is really quite large."

Sheri Norlin chatted with her partner's colleague as she efficiently tidied up the years-old garbage in front of the door.

"I don't know either. Maiko-nee didn't say, but she must be in charge of [Anti-Entropy]."

"Prestige projects" may sound unpleasant, but everyone likes to do them, mainly because they are indeed effective.

Even last-minute preparations can be effective; after a flurry of activity, the entrance to Genting Highlands was instantly much cleaner and tidier.

At least when Jiang Bingzi stepped out of the elevator, he thought he had returned to Taiping Prefecture, and he did not see the garbage-strewn scene commonly seen in skyscrapers.

Although Jiang Bing came alone, Maeda Maiko was full of doubts, but she dared not be negligent in the slightest.

It's clear that Yunding put in a lot of effort to welcome Jiang Bing.

Although it was already opening time, there were no customers. The entire Genting Resort was temporarily closed to welcome Jiang Bing's arrival.

A dozen or so attractive and well-proportioned high-class women lined up in two rows, waiting at the entrance with all the staff to welcome the leaders' inspection.

Sheri Norlin squeezed to the back of the line, standing like a lackey, craning his neck, eager to catch a glimpse of the 'Celestial Dragons' on this inspection tour.

Her colleagues were equally eager to follow suit, each of them like geese being held by the neck, gazing towards the door.

"coming!"

A staff member whispered a signal at the entrance, and everyone immediately held their breath, preparing themselves to be fully alert.

"Boss, please come in." Before she even entered, Maeda Maiko's voice drifted into the room.

Then, the head of Genting escorted a young man with a cane into the room, where all the employees immediately bowed and greeted him in unison.

Only Sheri Norlin shuddered and nearly collapsed to the ground.

Only then did she understand what Jiang Bing meant by "So you don't know me."

Fortunately, Jiang Bing only gave her a playful look before following Maeda Maiko into the office.

Although Maeda Maiko is somewhat of a fence-sitter, she has been in the world of romance for a long time and her manners are impeccable.

As soon as you enter, handsome men and beautiful women greet you with a sweet "Welcome, leader, to inspect our work!" As you walk through the human wall, they gaze at you with all sorts of ardent admiring eyes. There are also beautiful women who will attentively lead the way, and handsome men who will sprinkle water and clear the way for you. In the most luxurious office, you will sit on a high seat, with top-notch service from the top VIPs. The best cigars and the best drinks will be served immediately and at your fingertips.

It's fortunate that Jiang Bing came; otherwise, if this were to be used to test cadres, which cadre could withstand such a test?

Accompanying Maeda Maiko in receiving Jiang Bing was Evelyn Parker, whom she had met once before.

Maeda Maiko was in charge of the work, while Evelyn Parker lit cigarettes and poured drinks, acting like a typical nanny peeling garlic.

That's normal, after all, Genting is essentially a place of entertainment, so it's somewhat inappropriate for leaders to come and hold a big meeting to report on things.

At least that's what Maeda Maiko thinks.

"Boss, this is the revenue report for this period. Without Tiger Claw Gang's cut, our revenue has increased by 97% year-on-year."

When leaders come down for an inspection, the first thing they do is to claim credit.

However, Jiang Bing clearly didn't care much about the report card that represented so much of her hard work.

"Did you know about what happened in the Japanese neighborhood?"

Jiang Bing's calm words sent a chill down the spine of Evelyn Parker, who was pouring wine.

Yesterday, when [Anti-Entropy] was carrying out the massacre, she happened to be at the Spring Festival site accompanying a 'client' to the outer area. She witnessed several members of the Tiger Claw Gang being sliced ​​in two by a huge chainsaw sword in front of her, with blood and internal organs scattered all over the ground.

She had seen dead people before, but she had never seen someone die so tragically, which left her with some psychological trauma to this day.

“The Tiger Claw Gang deserved what they got; your actions are truly gratifying,” Maeda Maiko replied respectfully.

"Japan Street is ours now, or rather, the entire Westbrook will soon be under the control of [Anti-Entropy]. Maeda Maiko, you should know what this means?"

Jiang Bing's question made the leader of Yunding tremble slightly.

Her mind raced, and an alluring possibility popped into her head.

"Boss, this means we will control the vast majority of the sex industry in Night City."

The majority of sex-related venues in Night City are concentrated in Westbrook’s Twist Street, Japan Street, and Kabuki District. The former has always been under the control of the Tiger Claws, while the latter is under the joint control of the Mox’s Gang (after being supported by [Anti-Entropy]) and the Tiger Claws.

However, Maeda Maiko knew in her heart that the Mox Gang was a puppet of [Anti-Entropy]. The nature of this gang determined that they were just a loose organization with the characteristics of a 'mutual aid society', and it would be difficult for them to grow into a behemoth like the Tiger Claw Gang.

"That's right, sex dolls, mesmerizing, strip clubs, bars, the industries of Night City related to desire and depravity, and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of sex industry workers will all predictably fall into our hands."

Jiang Bing tapped his cane, and when he talked about this, his meaning was ambiguous.

"Selling desires is a good business; it requires little capital, yields high profits, and has a broad market."

Jiang Bing spoke frankly.

"But it can also breed evil and disrupt order."

"1.2% of women in Night City have worked or are currently working in the sex industry, while 4% of the city’s residents have jobs strongly related to it."

Jiang Bing revealed top-secret data that even some high-ranking municipal officials were unaware of, and continued, "I have no intention of discussing right and wrong with you. I just want to ask you a question, Maeda Maiko. Before you sat in the manager's seat of 'Cloud Top,' you were also a sex doll. I want to ask you, what made you go down this path?"

"And you, Evelyn Parker, let's talk too. This is important."

"This is related to the future of Genting and the future of these people."

Chapter 859 Bodily Rights Agency

Everyone has their own misfortunes.

Maiko Maeda was among the most unfortunate of them all.

She was born in the northern industrial district of Night City, a corner filled with industrial wastewater and exhaust fumes, forgotten by giant corporations, and now the severely polluted oilfield area in northern Night City.

Her parents were workers on the production line of "Pezhuo Petrochemical". They spent their lives repeating the same action on the assembly line. Eventually, due to repetitive strain injuries and chronic poisoning from chemicals, they were dismissed by the company for "failing to meet performance standards". They lost their meager income, and the burden of the family fell on her and her brother at a young age.

As expected, her brother joined a gang and, just as unexpectedly, died in a gang conflict. Lacking both education and skills, her only asset for survival was her body.

With specialized prosthetic modifications and neural tuning, behavioral chips, and sex puppet systems, she entered this industry burdened with enormous debt, and through her intelligence and unwavering perseverance, she climbed all the way to the top.

In just two years, she went from an ordinary player at Genting Highlands to the club's de facto manager, and she herself couldn't even describe the hardships and costs she paid.

But in reality, without [Anti-Entropy] and Jiang Bing, her only fate would have been to be completely devoured by 'Cloud Top' and the Tiger Claw Gang behind it.

The Tiger Claw Gang only needs people who walk alongside them, and Maeda Maiko's background will forever determine that she is just a tool in the eyes of the Tiger Claw Gang's higher-ups.

"Boss, this is my story."

Maeda Maiko's words were tantamount to stripping herself naked in front of Jiang Bing.

"This is also the story of most of the sex dolls in 'Genting.' We have no choice; those who come here are all pushed forward by fate."

"In Night City, dreams and souls are luxuries, while depravity is the standard, involuntary fate of most people at the bottom."

Evelyn Parker remained silent until Jiang Bing turned to look at her, at which point she spoke.

“I may be an exception, Mr. Sabur. I yearn to rise above others, but Night City has no ladder for the lower classes to climb. My body is my greatest advantage, so I can only make use of it.”

The top Genting executive pursed his lips, but ultimately chose to tell the truth.

"I just want to earn more money so I can live a better life."

"An honest answer," Jiang Bing picked up the bourbon specially provided by [Anti-Entropy] and drank it all in one gulp.

"You, or you, or the receptionist at Genting Highlands, the animal gang that guards the venue, the thugs who hang out on the streets, are all ultimately tragic products of the imbalance of the entire social order."

“I really want to ban the ‘sex industry’ immediately. In Night City, [Anti-Entropy] has the ability and the determination to do so.”

Looking at Maeda Maiko and Evelyn Parker's pale faces, Jiang Bing sighed and said, "But I know that's not realistic."

Even gods have things they cannot do.

Jiang Bing could easily shut down all sex establishments and force all sex workers to reform. He had the financial resources to resettle everyone, provide them with jobs, and have the resources to reform them.

However, this is still only a temporary solution and not a fundamental cure.

First of all, the idea of ​​"completely eliminating the sex industry" is a flawed proposition. Throughout thousands of years of human history, the sex industry has never disappeared.

As long as human desires exist, as long as 'sex' and 'reproduction' exist, the 'sex industry' will never disappear.

Secondly, the root cause of the abnormally prosperous 'sex industry' in Night City lies in the imbalance of the entire social order.

Capital hegemony, objectification of personality, wealth inequality, rigid social structure, systemic oppression, and lack of upward mobility—each of these factors ultimately manifests in the lives of those at the bottom of society.

“You’ve done a great job at Genting, Maeda Maiko. I’m not a stingy person.”

Jiang Bing stood up and walked up to the manager of Yunding.

Maeda Maiko is a very contradictory person, and also a very distinctive one. She looks down on those who don't try to improve their circumstances, but at the same time, she resents those who can achieve success more easily than her. She is a typical opportunist, yet she possesses an extraordinary mind and flexible skills.

After [Anti-Entropy] took over 'Cloud Top', she quickly figured out the temperament of the [Anti-Entropy] organization and went with the flow in accordance with the overall tone of the organization.

Under the rule of the Tiger Claw Gang, she prioritized performance, efficiency, and the speed of making money, placing the physical safety and health of sex dolls second, even though she herself came from a low-level sex doll background.

Under the leadership of [Anti-Entropy], she immediately shifted her focus to pursuing human-centeredness, order, and a healthy ecosystem. On this basis, she also tried her best to ensure the revenue of 'Cloud Top' to avoid losses and loss of value to [Anti-Entropy], which would lead to her being abandoned.

Given her absolute power, she was a talented person, a rare talent. She was able to fully understand Jiang Bing's intentions and implement them without compromise. She was willing to humble herself, seek common ground while reserving differences, and was a capable person.

Her weaknesses are obvious, but her strengths are equally outstanding.

Under the excited, flushed gaze of the other party, Jiang Bing's words confirmed Maeda Maiko's guess.

"As a reward, I will give you an opportunity to take charge of reforming the sex industry in the entire Westbrook."

"Don't get excited yet."

Jiang Bing reached out and pressed down on the other party's surging emotions.

"Taking this job means you will become the acting director of the newly established 'Body Rights Bureau' in the city hall. This is a special new government agency that integrates law enforcement, health, and social welfare functions, and specifically deals with issues related to the sex industry. You will rise to the top in one step."

"But this is not without cost. You will need to take on the responsibility of cracking down on organized crime and coercive practices, and dismantling all forces that cross the line. In the process, the entrenched 'vested alliance' of gangs, corrupt bureaucrats, corporate capital, middlemen, and vested consumers will all be your enemies."

"You will always face the threat of death, and live a life of being assassinated and hated every day."

"Maiko Maeda, how much are you willing to pay for this climb?"

"Everything, Boss!"

Maeda Maiko accepted the task without the slightest hesitation.

Death is nothing compared to the readily available status and benefits.

Jiang Bing sat back down on the sofa.

"very good"

The other party's firm resolve shone brightly in Jiang Bing's eyes.

"Let's leave that for now and talk about the second thing."