Mercer had his own clever plan.
Without saying much, he dialed a number.
The phone rang for a while before it was finally answered.
Old Wei's robust figure was bent over, busy with something.
"Mercer, what's the matter?"
"I'm bringing someone to see you this afternoon. Is that Sianwistan fixed? I want to install it for her."
After Mercer finished speaking, Old Wei looked up from the video call: "I'm still working on it... but it should be ready by afternoon.
How have you been feeling lately? Any discomfort?"
"To be honest, I haven't really used any medication. I only took an anti-inflammatory before bed on the first night, just in case."
When Mercer called Old Wei, he was in the car, with no one else around, so he didn't wear a mask. Old Wei could see that his complexion was rosy and his spirit was high, which was great if he hadn't taken any drugs.
"It seems your body's tolerance is even better than I estimated. Not bad, Mercer. It seems you indeed have hope of installing more things.
What about mentally? Have you experienced any sensitivity or irritability?
If there are symptoms like mental confusion, memory loss, frequent dreaming, sudden excitement, or frequent distraction, you might need to watch out for cyberpsychosis."
Old Wei continued to ask.
"Don't worry, everything's OK."
Mercer raised a thumb: "First thing I do every morning when I wake up is a simple cognitive test on myself, then I save the data for comparison."
"That's really good. How did you come up with doing this?" Victor became interested and suddenly spoke with some excitement: "I should recommend your method to my clients."
Mercer chuckled: "It's just a precaution... Old Wei, you know there's always talk online about companies being able to influence human thinking.
I just want to make sure I'm not being subtly manipulated, so I check every day to ensure my thoughts haven't been altered without me knowing."
"You think that's not a rumor?" Victor slightly frowned.
"As far as I know, some companies can already use similar technology in actual engagements." Mercer's words were packed with information.
Victor was silent for a moment, then sighed: "There were similar talks decades ago... in the end, we've come to this point, it seems... perhaps I should learn from you too?"
"Better safe than sorry. Regular self-cognitive tests allow you to do a psychological evaluation on yourself. If the cognitive test results are bad, just give yourself a break."
Mercer smiled and said: "Besides, don't worry too much, that thing isn't ready for large-scale use yet."
But in his heart, Mercer remained wary of this technology—in the game, Ye Corporation possessed such technology, secretly hacking the mind of a councilor, transforming him into someone else without him being aware.
In terms of modifying human consciousness, Ye Corporation was even ahead of Arasaka.
"That's really bad news... thanks, I guess this is another secret that can't be shared casually... I say, Mercer, you should also be cautious with me."
Victor advised the young man who was inexplicably open with him.
"Old Wei, I wouldn't tell anyone the real secrets, but I don't have much guard against you. Not because I'm naive, but because I know I can't really guard against you."
Mercer said sincerely: "Think about it, you're my cyberware doctor. How can I hide my unusual traits from my doctor?
My implants, just by being there, any competent doctor can tell they're not ordinary.
If a doctor can't even see what my implants are, I wouldn't dare let that person operate on me or modify my implants.
And my bodily data, my tolerance to implants, this information is trivial to ordinary people, but it's a big problem for me.
Every company wants to find a durable 'test subject', and you see, my bodily data screams 'ultimate test subject' no matter how you look at it.
If biotech firms knew my bodily data, they'd probably want to dissect and clone me dozens of times.
So whether I trust you or not, you'll eventually know a lot of my unusual traits—so rather than just relying on your medical ethics to keep my secrets, I'd hope we can truly become friends.
I believe you're not someone who would betray a friend.
In my opinion, when I chose to find you, there were only two possibilities between us: one, we'd become true friends, friends that can share anything. When I lie on the operating table, I'm entrusting my life to you.
The other is if you betray me, then no matter what I say or don't say to you, it doesn't matter, because someone who wants to betray you will always find a way to stab you in the back.
Because I can't exactly find a doctor to operate on me and then kill him, or brainwash him, can I?"
Old Wei patiently listened, then finally sighed, shook his head, but showed a gentle smile: "It seems you're more mature than I thought.
I understand now, A, we are friends.
Though, because of your face, this friendship feels a bit odd...
But it feels good to be trusted.
Maybe that's also why I chose to open my own clinic instead of working for a corporation.
In any case, you're right, A, I will keep my patients' secrets. Anyone who wants to know your business will have to pry it from my brain with a knife first."