Westbrook, west side of Silk Road, Black Hole Restaurant, 20:15.
Atop a commercial building, this exclusive restaurant occupied the highest floor. Aside from the security stairwell—which wasn't accessible under normal circumstances—the only way in was through a single elevator.
Restaurants of this caliber never worry about attracting customers, because they simply don't serve ordinary people passing by.
Even top-tier edgerunners worth millions (who made their fortune selling art) weren't in their target clientele. In fact, roughnecks likely wouldn't even find the entrance, let alone walk in to order food.
Without a prior invitation or reservation, no outsider was welcome here.
Even pressing the elevator button for this floor required identity verification through a special recognition system; only then would the elevator ascend to the top floor.
Holding the boy's hand, Gloria stepped into this floor.
Beyond the elevator was a long corridor, its floor covered in crimson velvet carpet. Exquisite, artful oil paintings lined the walls, with small pedestals placed at intervals, each displaying delicate works of art under glass domes.
The ceiling was adorned with chandeliers styled in antique fashion—candle-shaped bulbs with flickering holographic flames. Looking up, it was like gazing into a sky ablaze with celestial fire.
The opulence made it feel more like an art museum than a restaurant.
At the end of the corridor stood a crystal door. The stained crystal refracted the corridor's light, glimmering like moonlight rippling across a lake.
Two impeccably dressed attendants stood by the door, posture perfect and eyes forward. They were nothing like the brutish security guards or bouncers of high-end nightclubs or bars.
Lin Mo held Gloria's hand as they strolled gracefully down the corridor. She followed nervously behind him, one hand held and the other clutching at her gown.
It felt less like dining and more like royalty attending a private exhibition at the royal gallery.
At the crystal door, the attendants bowed in perfect synchrony and respectfully opened the door to welcome Lin Mo and Gloria.
They didn't need to ask for Lin Mo's identity. Everything was understood. Every evening, they memorized the guest list. Mistakes weren't an option—especially tonight.
Because tonight, there was just one guest.
A gentleman by the surname Lin.
He had booked the entire venue.
As the door opened, it was like stepping into a mythical undersea palace, overflowing with treasure.
But deep oceans have no sunlight. The light only touched the surface, never reaching the depths. Thus, the deep sea was forever shrouded in black.
The Black Hole was no different.
The restaurant's interior followed suit. When Gloria stepped past the threshold, the crystal doors closed behind her, sealing off the corridor's light—and she finally understood why this place was called the Black Hole.
It was pitch black—so dark she couldn't even see the boy still holding her hand.
Sight was useless in this utter darkness. All she could hear was the crisp tapping of her heels on the polished floor, as if crystal bottles had shattered in the void.
Other than sound, the only thing she could still feel was the warmth of his hand in hers.
"It's a bit dark, isn't it?" the boy suddenly asked.
Since meeting him, Gloria had been on the back foot. She'd tried to summon the authority of an adult countless times, but Lin Mo's elegance and poise had reduced her to a confused Cinderella at a royal gala—noticed only because of the prince's guidance.
She had many things to say, yet all she managed was:
"Yeah… a little."
"Then let's welcome the final glimmer of light from the Black Hole." Lin Mo chuckled, snapping his fingers.
And just like that, luminous halos began to emerge in the darkness, scattered throughout the restaurant like orbiting matter around a singularity—endless blackness at the center, encircled by stardust.
These glowing rings—some holographic, some projected—rippled like water.
The restaurant transformed from pure darkness into a cosmic spectacle, as if suspended in the depths of the universe. They now dined amidst celestial voids.
Gloria was awestruck, much like someone seeing a 3D movie for the first time.
Control shifted back to Lin Mo as he led Gloria to a window-side table.
The glass, made from projection-sensitive materials, now displayed the cosmos instead of the cityscape.
"Mr. Lin, shall we proceed with the reserved menu for tonight?" a female server asked, appearing silently.
Dressed in a skintight luminous outfit, her voice was soft and respectful.
Gloria jumped slightly—she hadn't even seen the server approach.
The woman's uniform seamlessly blended into the projected starfield. Even her head was masked by a hood.
The outfit, dark as space, shimmered with constellations. Her silent movements mirrored celestial bodies drifting through the void.
"Proceed as planned. Though, you should ask the lady across from me as well," Lin Mo said with a smile, gesturing toward Gloria.
Gloria panicked as the "orbiting star" turned toward her. "I'll just have something simple—no need for extravagance!"
The server chuckled, though her face was hidden. Her voice was filled with good humor.
"Please don't worry, ma'am. Mr. Lin has booked the entire venue. Whatever you wish to eat, we'll make it happen. There's no cost to consider—Mr. Lin has already paid in full. Everything is the same price: free."
Gloria sat in stunned silence, then murmured, "Then… I'll go with what he said."
But the server didn't back down. Clearly a veteran in handling guests, she already knew who was really in charge tonight.
Without further ado, luminous text began to float in front of Gloria like divine scripture.
"This is tonight's menu. Please browse at your leisure. The universe may be dark, but your presence lights up the stars. Even the Black Hole cannot absorb your brilliance. If you were to reject Mr. Lin's kindness… I daresay the stars themselves would weep."
…Damn, she's really smooth, Lin Mo thought, watching the server continue with flawless poise and charm.
He had chosen this restaurant only that morning—one of Night City's most prestigious.
After all, he'd been a rich kid for years. He wasn't intimately familiar with every elite venue, but he knew enough to avoid problems.
The simulator had warned that meeting at the Yujin Restaurant would cause complications. He didn't fear trouble, but he wasn't about to invite it either. So he'd picked this one.
And clearly, Black Hole Restaurant was proving to be a fantastic choice.
With servers this capable and charismatic, Lin Mo grinned, allowing a subtle flash of blue to appear in his eyes as he transferred a tip.
The server paused briefly. Seeing an unexpected deposit, she instantly understood what it meant.
Her attitude grew even more attentive. Now she looked at Gloria as if she were a walking fortune, her enthusiasm so overwhelming it left Gloria a bit flustered.
Compared to the places her son David had taken her before, this service was absolutely top-notch.
Unable to resist the server's persistence, Gloria finally selected a few dishes. The server bowed politely.
"Very well. Please enjoy the tranquil beauty of the Black Hole while you wait."
When the server left, Gloria let out a breath and looked at the boy across the table.
Lin Mo was still smiling, sitting upright, his gaze drifting over the projected cosmos. He hadn't once looked at her.
"Lin… you really shouldn't have gone to all this trouble for me."
After some hesitation, Gloria finally forced the words out.
Even his name—she wasn't sure how to address him. She'd rehearsed this meeting countless times in her head.
But now, face-to-face, those thoughts were like ash in a fire, blown away, leaving only a blank mind.
Mr. Lin? Lin Mo? Student Lin? Kid?
Eventually, she settled on just "Lin."
"Auntie, just call me Lin Mo."
Lin Mo smiled, relaxing into his seat, resting his chin on one hand as he looked at her.
"We've still got time before the food arrives. Let's save the small talk for later. We should discuss business first."
Gloria tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, face turning serious.
She knew exactly what he meant by "business." This whole evening was set up thanks to David's persuasion—saying his classmate Lin wanted to hire her for a job with a bright future…
She took a card from her purse and placed it on the table, hesitating.
"This card… the one you had David give me. Is what's written on it true?"
"I'm still David's friend. If I couldn't keep my word, we wouldn't even be friends, right?" Lin Mo replied calmly.
"It's not that I don't believe you…" Gloria bit her lip, conflicted.
She'd once stood tall even before the principal of Arasaka Academy, all for David.
She'd sold secondhand cyberware just to pay his tuition.
She wasn't lacking in courage.
But under Lin Mo's wave of generosity and the overwhelming luxury of this venue, she now felt completely out of her depth.
"If you're willing to take the job, I can guarantee everything on that card—plus additional benefits."
Lin Mo's voice was smooth, almost persuasive.
Gloria swallowed. If everything he said was true, it was an offer she couldn't refuse.
Like nectar brewed by the devil—dangerous, but irresistible.
"I need to know what the job entails," she said firmly, trying to regain some control.
Still smiling, Lin Mo folded his hands on the table, not answering right away.
Instead, he recalled an old meme from Blue Earth, and chuckled softly:
"Auntie, you wouldn't want your son getting bullied at the studio, would you?"
Gloria's eyes widened. She stared at him, suddenly unsure of who this boy really was.
Her tone cooled.
"So the injuries David's had lately—were those your doing?"
"No, just mandatory pre-employment training. He's still getting paid, and it doesn't interfere with school. Honestly, where else will you find terms like that?"
Lin Mo was unfazed. His conscience was clear.
Gloria fell silent—because he was right.
"But he's your friend! Did he have to get hurt that badly every time? And what kind of work causes that? Does garbage disposal leave bruises like that?" she demanded.
"Per the NDA, I can't disclose details before a contract is signed. But if you're worried about David, why not see for yourself? We're not a megacorp like Arasaka, but we're a real opportunity—one that's right here."
"Why chase some elusive future when you could seize the present? Do you really believe David will rise through Arasaka's ranks? Don't let hope blind you to reality."
When Gloria said nothing, Lin Mo leaned forward with a gentle smile.
"Auntie, David needs you. No one knows him better. If the studio was truly terrible, he'd be the first to complain. But he didn't—he recommended it to you. If you don't trust me, at least trust your own son."
Convincing a mother who lived solely for her son—Lin Mo had his methods.
Gloria was strong-willed and independent. Normal tactics wouldn't work.
They had no personal history. Winning her over would take effort.
But David was the key. And Lin Mo never strayed from that angle.
After a long silence, Gloria finally exhaled and nodded.
Perhaps her emotional defenses had already crumbled tonight.
First, David had sung Lin Mo's praises to her for days. Then came the overwhelming venue, stripping her of any authoritative stance.
Finally, Lin Mo used David as bait to reel her in.
Lin Mo smiled in triumph and extended a hand, as if sealing a major business deal.
After a moment of stunned hesitation, Gloria reached out and shook it.
"Then… here's to a successful partnership."
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🧠💻 MY CYBERPUNK 2077 SIMULATOR 💻🧠
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Enter Night City with a simulator, a system, and the kind of advantage most mercs would kill for.
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⚙️ Level up.
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🤖 My Girlfriend's a Cyberpsycho—Who Knew?
🛡️ Star Wars: The Rise of Mandalore
🌌 Star Wars: Relics of the Past
🏰 Game of Thrones: Secrets Beneath the Dreadfort
⚡ The Rebirth of Harry Potter
🌹 R18: Reincarnated in Her World
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