Looking at the large sign the mercenaries were busy with, Jackie boy said exaggeratedly, with his arms crossed.
"Hmph, the sign has to be big enough to attract people. What's it called, the siphon effect?"
Berry stroked her chin, not quite understanding what she herself was saying.
She just liked big signs, that's all.
"Hmm, whatever, as long as the sign is eye-catching, that's what shows off the grandeur of our 'Hive'."
Jackie looked at the large sign and nodded in satisfaction. According to his Heywood aesthetic, this was what truly looked impressive and grand.
He and Viktor had received Berry's invitation to the bar's opening after their meeting yesterday, which was why they came together that evening to show their support for Berry.
After all, both of them were now members of the "Hive"; they shared honor and disgrace.
Watching Berry crane her neck left and right, just wanting to see if the sign was straight, Jackie couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
He never imagined that the two Nomad Girls he brought into the city before the New Year would now be doing so well.
Jackie could still clearly remember that at the very beginning, V would complain to him while drinking about how this little Berry had completely drained her wallet and energy.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, this little Girl of theirs became the most successful one.
Indeed, A phoenix in the pond will soar once it encounters a storm.
Of course, Jackie certainly didn't know that saying.
However, he was still proud of Berry. After all, he was the senior who introduced her to the business. Her success made Jackie genuinely happy.
Although they suffered a major setback at Konpeki Plaza, isn't life better now?
Jackie looked at the large sign, filled with ambition.
At this rate, it would be incredible; the day they become true legends of Night City is getting closer and closer.
Well, this guy still hasn't given up; he hasn't forgotten his legendary dream.
But it's fine, at least after taking Arasaka Corporation's iron fist, Jackie has become much more honest and no longer dreams of getting rich overnight and becoming a superior person.
At least he has learned what it means to be steady and cautious, to cross the river by feeling the stones.
"Boss, it's ready for power."
Two Honeycomb Mercenaries, wearing military-green overalls and sweating profusely from their labor, climbed down the scaffolding and reported to Berry.
"Good, turn on the lights!"
Berry nodded in satisfaction and told them to proceed.
As electricity surged, the neon sign's lettering flashed with dazzling blue and white light, adding another stroke to Night City's light pollution problem.
The entire sign was written in flowing Chinese characters, but below it were annotations in English, Japanese, and Korean.
There was no other way; Chinatown was a melting pot of various ethnicities, so a single sign needed to be carved with multiple languages.
Jackie couldn't understand Chinese, and Viktor didn't understand it much either, but that didn't stop them from reading the English annotations below the sign.
"Hahahahaha!"
Viktor was the first to burst out laughing, bending over and leaning on his legs, his body shaking so much that his small round sunglasses almost fell off.
"Uh, Berry, what kind of crazy name is this?"
Jackie's eyes were also wide, with a strange expression, and he almost choked on his own saliva.
It wasn't surprising that they couldn't hold back; they hadn't seen it clearly when it was dark, but now that the sign was lit, they could see what kind of ridiculous name Berry had chosen.
"'extortion' Bar, uh..."
Jackie pondered for a long time before finding some words that weren't too aggressive.
"Berry, you're really honest."
Jackie looked speechless, while Viktor was still laughing.
Perhaps it was because he was cooped up in his clinic all day like a homebody, but this uninteresting old man, Viktor, had a humor threshold that was a bit too low.
After laughing for a while, he barely managed to compose himself. Viktor kept shaking his head, finding Berry's antics both helpless and amusing.
This young friend of his always managed to do things that made people not know whether to laugh or cry.
Today's youth are truly... exceptionally gifted.
"Uh, I don't see what's so funny."
Three black lines appeared on Berry's smooth forehead as she looked at the two of them, speechless.
It's just a name, is it that hard to hold back laughter?
She just picked it casually; she's a professional at naming difficulties. It seems this casually chosen allusion had a bit too strong of an effect.
Berry shrugged helplessly, indicating that her emotions were barely stable.
"Alright, alright, come in. The drinks are on me today; drink to your heart's content."
Not wanting the two of them to embarrass themselves at the main entrance, Berry hurriedly urged them to enter the store.
Though perhaps her sign was even more embarrassing.
"Oh, and Jackie, there's a surprise waiting for you inside. Hurry and go in."
Seeing Jackie's big face, Berry suddenly remembered something, winking and looking mysterious.
Jackie was also puzzled, not understanding what trick Berry was up to.
However, he wasn't afraid of a challenge, so he raised an eyebrow and, with Viktor, strode inside.
And Berry also followed her subordinates into the bar.
Regardless, Berry's "extortion" Bar officially opened. This was a small step for humanity, and a not-so-big but significant step for Berry.
Perhaps someday in 'This Day in History,' this date might even be remembered.
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