Cyberpunk 2074: Shadows of the Past

Chapter 15 A Day in the Life of Gloria

2074, January 11, 2:45

Gloria Martinez had just finished her night shift and was driving home.

Nights in Night City were always dangerous, and she secretly prayed that she would not be unlucky enough to encounter any trouble.

She is not a religious person, she just wants to provide psychological comfort. Their little family cannot suffer any accidents.

As a single mother living in Night City, she has to be careful in order to pay for rent, food, daily expenses, education and other expenses.

In terms of housing, the apartment building in a super skyscraper is considered acceptable. If it is worse, you will have to live in a slum. I don't care, but David is so young and must live in a normal environment. You can't save money on rent.

In terms of food, you can have breakfast and dinner at the food stall downstairs. You don’t have to eat lunch, whatever you can save is worth it. Fortunately, David worked hard and was admitted to Arasaka Academy this year. The tuition included three meals.

In terms of daily expenses, water and electricity bills cannot be saved because they are related to the living environment. David said he could take the subway to and from school, and there are discounts for students on the subway. This is good, I can go to work early, and don't have to take time to pick him up from school at night. I can work longer, and maybe I can get a "full-day work" award or something...

in education aspect……

Gloria thought, a soft smile appeared on her tired face.

"David, this kid, is surprisingly smart. Maybe he inherited it from his father." She murmured to herself while waiting for the red light, and took out her hand to rub her aching eyebrow.

"Fortunately, I didn't inherit his stupid mother in this aspect. Mom, it's hard for me to live alone..." She smiled bitterly at herself in the rearview mirror with a tired face and red and swollen eyes.

The tuition fee for Arasaka Academy is not a small amount. Taking into account the previous expenses, the total amount of zero and zero sums up, she needs to work at least 18 hours a day to barely be able to afford it.

You can save money in other areas, but definitely not in education.

David is smart and capable, and his mother will send him to the best school no matter what. She hopes that he can work in a company in the future, at least not like his mother, who has to live a hard life every day.

January 11, 2074 2:59

Gloria Martinez parked the car and walked out of the garage.

"It's really cold outside," she complained, letting out a breath of mist, and tightened her tight-fitting yellow jacket - the standard jacket for medical personnel. It was made of good material and was waterproof and moisture-proof. At least she saved a lot of money on clothes. .

She looked around and seemed to hear a familiar voice just now, which seemed to belong to the little girl upstairs.

She thought as she walked towards the elevator carrying the plastic bag.

She leaned against the wall beside the elevator a little tiredly, her eyelids trembling. That big fat man was so heavy that she hurt her waist when she carried him on a stretcher...

She had to buy some painkillers on sale, otherwise she wouldn't be able to sleep today.

"Tap tap tap..."

The sound of footsteps behind her woke up the sleepy Gloria. She turned around suddenly and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the appearance of the person coming.

Xida Kasdeyi, the little girl upstairs. She has only been in Night City for a few months, and already she is living a decent life, with a beautiful person and a kind heart. She is a cute girl like a little angel.

"Hey! Gloria!" Xida smiled and waved, jumping over.

Gloria always felt that her smile had a magical power that would make people smile unconsciously. Her whole body felt warm and her heart felt like it would melt.

"Ah...Xiao Xida! It's so late, thank you for your hard work..." She responded with a gentle and loving tone.

Damn Night City, even such a cute little angel has to work until now!

"I'll help you carry..."

"Well..." She wiped the sweat from her forehead and allowed Xi Da to release her kindness.

Gloria once refused, thinking that she couldn't let a little girl who was so much younger than herself take care of her. As an adult, she had to be a role model.

It's a pity that I still can't stand the little angel's insistence.

"What's inside? It's so heavy..." Xi Da was nagging while holding the plastic bag.

"There are new clothes for David and some painkillers."

She understood Xi Da's good intentions and cooperated with him to chat about home affairs.

"Painkillers? Securicine?"

Unexpectedly, Xi Da looked shocked. Gloria was a little confused. Was she wondering why she bought painkillers?

So she explained that she only had a back injury and asked Xi Da not to worry too much.

Unexpectedly, Xi Tao looked worried and took out two valuable Effortless Treatment Type II to exchange with him.

What a silly girl...

Gloria hugged the little girl who was acting coquettishly in her arms, she really looked like her own daughter.

"...My boyfriend is coming over in a few days. Just help us cook. You know I can't cook..."

Gloria was a little surprised. Why did the little angel suddenly have a boyfriend?

She rubbed Xida's little head with some emotion, the little girl has grown up too.

I have to help her take care of herself.

She didn't want Xi Da to know how hard it was for a single mother to live in Night City.

With a final hug to this slender, kind-hearted girl, they said good night to each other.

January 11, 2074 3:05

Gloria Martinez held the much lighter plastic bag and opened the door of her house quietly.

She glanced into the room. David was already asleep.

She put down the plastic bag and took out the new clothes she bought for David and put them in the closet.

"This child..." Turning around to look at her son's sleeping posture, Gloria laughed and cursed in a low voice and helped him put the quilt back on him.

It's very cold tonight, and I haven't turned on the heating at home, but you mustn't catch a cold.

She gently rubbed her son's face and turned towards the sofa in the living room.

I won't take a shower today. It's rare for my son to sleep. If I wake him up now, he won't be in a good mood in class during the day. I can also save a little on the water bill, killing two birds with one stone.

She smiled softly, took out a bottle of Qinli Treatment Type II from the plastic bag on the ground and injected it into her waist.

Thank you little angel...

She took an old blanket from the closet in the living room, lay on the sofa, set the alarm clock, covered herself with a blanket, and slept in her clothes.

2074, January 11, 8:30

"Dee, dee, dee, dee, dee..." The harsh sound of the alarm clock woke Gloria from her sleep.

She pressed the alarm clock and stared at the ceiling in a daze for a while.

Time to wake up.

She struggled to sit up from the sofa. Fortunately, she had the bottle of Qinli Treatment Type II, and her waist no longer hurt at all.

David seemed to have gone out to school. He probably thought he was too deep in sleep and didn't wake himself up.

Gloria shook her slightly groggy head and walked to the bathroom to wash up.

The woman in the mirror was brushing her teeth and washing her face sleepily. She seemed to have a few inconspicuous wrinkles on her face due to her daily hard work.

I am really old...

Gloria sighed and didn't think about using makeup to cover her flaw.

I used to sell my cosmetics for money, but now as a single mother, I have no time to put on makeup.

She packed her things and got ready to go out.

2074, January 11, 12:00

A grand celebration is being held in Night City today, with lanterns and colorful decorations, it is very lively, and various giant 3D projections are floating in the sky, like a dream.

Gloria wiped the sweat from her face and sighed heavily.

It was really lively, there were more crimes, and people were dying everywhere.

Gloria's group almost covered Night City in just half a day.

"I hope nothing big happens..." She murmured, with an ominous premonition.

2074, January 11, 22:15

A huge explosion in the distance woke up Gloria who was leaning on her seat in a daze.

"What happened?" She asked her colleagues quickly, looking at the armed forces covering the sky in the distance.

"have no idea……"

"The D13 team listened to the order and immediately went to the Municipal Center to standby..."

She didn't have time to think about it and rushed to the scene with her colleagues.

2074, January 11, 23:00

Gloria walked to the door of her house, her body seemed to be falling apart.

Today, I participated in nearly a hundred rescue operations in one day. It was really tiring.

She sighed and didn't know why her superiors suddenly asked them to go home after get off work. The money was paid according to the whole day.

Seeing their hard work, do you suddenly feel kindhearted?

How can it be……

She smiled self-deprecatingly, opened the door, and unexpectedly found her son waiting for her at home, sitting on the sofa, watching the live TV broadcast in a daze.

"What's the matter, David?"

"Mom, is this the painkiller you mentioned before?" He pointed to the drug report that had been displayed on the TV.

"Side effects: neurodegeneration..." She looked at the TV and read the scarlet words on it word by word.

No wonder the little angel looked worried.

Gloria rubbed her face, feeling mixed.

"Mom," David suddenly shouted, pulling her towards the window.

"What's wrong, David?" She was a little confused. She hadn't seen such a lively and excited David for a few days.

She is busy with life every day, and now that she thinks about it, she has less communication with her son.

Don't sacrifice one thing for the other, I'm such a stupid mother.

As she muttered, she followed David's finger and looked out the window.

Gloria opened her mouth in surprise. She saw nine meteors streaking across the sky, leaving nine distinct traces.

"Make a wish quickly! Mom! Let's do it together!"