V finally laughed: "With your hair all messy, you actually look quite a bit more obedient."
"Hah!" Rebecca rolled her eyes, gave her a middle finger, and then skipped lightheartedly after Mercer. Since they were already there, might as well chat a bit before going to bed.
Lucy walked past V, just smiled at her, and said softly: "I think what you said is right, someone should keep an eye on him. Otherwise, no matter how much money he makes, he'll treat it like it's just paper... I'm with you."
"...When did you give him all your money?" V suddenly felt a bit ashamed.
Lucy just smiled: "On the day we got paid, I already knew he'd spend all his money quickly, so I've been watching him. The moment he frowns, I know he's out of money...
Don't learn from me. I'm like a financial burden to the team now, and I can't even afford enhancements. All my gear is bought by Mercer, so having money makes no difference for me."
V looked at Lucy and suddenly realized she, like Rebecca, might look youthful, but was actually much more mature than your average street punk.
Lucy didn't say much more, just patted her shoulder gently and said: "Haven't you noticed? He actually listens to you quite a bit, so... please keep an eye on him for me, like you did today."
"He listens to me?" V hardly noticed that.
"Yeah, if it were Pira asking him where the money went, do you think he'd drag everyone out in the middle of the night for a meeting? This guy surprisingly cares about what you think."
Lucy smiled: "As long as you're genuinely considering his well-being when you speak, he'll listen."
V nodded thoughtfully.
Qiwei just nodded to the two of them and then went back to her own room, still looking uncommunicative.
But inside, Qiwei felt completely different from what she showed—her face always carried a faint smile even she hadn't noticed.
If the team could continue on like this... then even staying poor wouldn't seem so bad.
When the hallway fell silent again, as if everyone had returned to their rooms to rest, a small figure snuck out of her room, quietly standing by Mercer's door.
When Mercer received the message and opened the door, seeing Kyoko sneaking in with a look full of mischief, he found it amusing and slightly curious: "Is there something you must talk to me about in secret?"
Kyoko hesitated for a long time, took a deep breath, and finally said, "Mercer, I want to officially join the team too!"
"Why not say it during the meeting?" Mercer smiled and sat on his bed, and Kyoko naturally seated herself at his computer desk.
Mercer's room wasn't overly equipped, apart from a Super Dream Device thrown on the desk, there was just his laptop that he carried everywhere, and a mini fridge filled with energy drinks, cola, and canned coffee.
"Want something to drink?" he offered.
Kyoko shook her head, looking down with a bit of insecurity: "I'm afraid everyone will think... I'm not useful.
There are so many hackers in the team now, but honestly, Mercer, you can do most of the work by yourself. Writing quick cracking programs and whatnot, we don't really need that many people for it.
At least Qiwei and Lucy can go out with you, but I... I don't know how I can help you."
Kyoko sighed in frustration: "I originally thought maybe I could find some work outside that suits me... but I'm worried I'll cause trouble for you guys."
Mercer reached out and gently patted her head: "No need to discuss this with family. You're still young, there's no rush to worry about these things. For now, you get some allowance, you won't have to worry about food and drink, isn't that good?"
"Mercer, but I can't just stay here freeloading," Kyoko insisted seriously: "Everyone in a family should contribute."
Mercer laughed: "You're just like Lucy... always thinking that since we're all hackers, whatever you can do, I can do too. You feel like doing simple jobs is taking advantage of me..."
"But it is true, isn't it? For assembling chips, to be honest, anyone can do it. Writing quick cracking programs—it takes us a lot of effort to finish, but you can produce them wholesale in an hour..."
Kyoko sighed.
"But what V said makes sense. Human energy is limited, even for me. For now, you should practice by writing programs, so eventually you can take over more of the tedious work from me."
Mercer said, "Think about it, I have so many things to do in the future: developing programs, researching hardware, figuring out equipment and enhancements...
If you can just help me with some of the boring program testing, equipment testing—all the time-consuming stuff, then you're already a huge help."
Mercer spoke gently, tapping her head with his fingers: "I know you feel like you can't do anything, and that joining means freeloading...
So you can just take less. If you feel your work is worth money, take it, and if not, give it to me. I don't mind having more money.
Take it one step at a time. Stop overthinking and worrying about being useless now, and instead, channel that energy into improving yourself."
Kyoko nodded obediently, with her lips pursed: "I understand."
Perhaps she still had some other thoughts in her heart, but Kyoko knew that continuing the conversation would just trouble Mercer.
"About officially joining the team, if you want to announce it in a meeting, we can do that, or if you'd prefer it to be less formal, I can just bring it up at dinner tomorrow. Anyway, everyone already considers you one of us, so no need to worry."