Chapter 8: Chapter 8: Nick Fury Pays a Visit, The Avengers Initiative
"Let's sit down and talk."
The three of them sat around the sofa, and the atmosphere was a bit stifling.
Nick Fury was the first to break the silence. With a solemn expression, he said, "I want to talk to you about the Avengers Initiative."
Lin Feng and Tony exchanged a glance but didn't respond immediately.
Finally, Lin Feng crossed his arms over his chest, leaned back, and put on an air of indifference.
Tony let out a helpless sigh. "Go ahead, tell me what this plan is all about."
"The Avengers Initiative!" Nick Fury enunciated each word, his tone firm, and his eyes showing a seriousness that couldn't be ignored.
As Nick Fury explained in detail, Lin Feng and Tony gradually got a general understanding of the plan. Simply put, it was about gathering those with special abilities to see if they could combine their powers to achieve something far greater than the sum of their individual strengths. When the Earth was in crisis and humanity needed protection, they could step forward and jointly confront those powerful known enemies.
Tony tried hard to suppress his impatience and nodded perfunctorily. Lin Feng, on the other hand, listened with great interest and interjected a few words from time to time. This real-life experience that felt like being in a movie plot made him feel extremely novel.
"That's basically it. What do you think?" After a while, Nick Fury finally finished speaking. He swallowed hard, his throat dry, and silently grumbled to himself: Damn it, Tony Stark. He doesn't even offer me a glass of water...
"Finished?" Tony was almost dozing off from listening. He yawned and asked, "I have a question."
"Hmm?" Nick Fury stared intently at Tony, indicating for him to continue.
"Is there anyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. who is more powerful than him?" Tony mimicked Lin Feng's posture, crossed his arms, and pointed at Lin Feng.
"Uh..." Nick Fury was momentarily at a loss for words. He started to think carefully. Someone more powerful than Lin Feng? Flying back from outer space unscathed and delivering a punch with dozens of tons of force... Captain America definitely couldn't match that. Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers, might be a possibility, but she wasn't on Earth at the moment. There were quite a few others with superpowers, but it was estimated that few could withstand a punch from Lin Feng...
Seeing Nick Fury remain silent for a long time, Tony's patience ran out completely. He waved his hand dismissively. "All right! I get it!"
"To be honest, I'm not interested in your so-called superhero organization at all!" Tony spread his hands, his face full of disdain.
"Don't look at me like that, buddy! I don't mean you..." Tony explained helplessly when he saw Lin Feng's gaze. Then he shifted his eyes back to Nick Fury's face.
"Neither I nor my friend will join your organization. Now, please leave!"
Tony stood up and started to issue the eviction order. "My friend and I are going to have dinner. Sorry, there's no place for you!"
Facing Tony Stark's sarcasm, Nick Fury stood up expressionlessly and left without much argument. He just left a sentence before leaving: "We'll meet again. It won't be long."
He hadn't really expected to convince the stubborn Tony on the first meeting. This was just a preliminary visit. Tony's personality was undoubtedly a tough nut to crack. He would have to wait until Tony showed his weaknesses or got into a difficult situation before he might be able to persuade him. Nick Fury was calculating in his mind.
As for Lin Feng, the one with extraordinary abilities, he hadn't said much throughout the conversation. This made Nick Fury a bit unsure of his thoughts. However, Nick Fury had keenly noticed some expressions of interest that Lin Feng inadvertently revealed during the conversation. He thought that perhaps he could find a breakthrough point with Lin Feng.
Sitting in the SUV equipped with top-notch black technology, Nick Fury took out his phone and dialed. "Natasha! Your vacation is over ahead of schedule..."
Back at the villa, Lin Feng rubbed his temples and said to Tony with a helpless expression, "Why did you reject it for me without even asking?"
"Are you serious?" Tony looked astonished. "You're actually interested in that so-called superhero organization?"
"Come on, buddy. Grow up. I'll take you to a party someday and show you around!" Tony patted Lin Feng on the shoulder.
"It's not that I'm interested in his organization, it's just..." Lin Feng was about to explain but then paused. "Forget it. Let's not worry about it."
"As for the party, hehehe, when is it?!" Lin Feng's eyes lit up at the mention of the party. He was as excited as a child, rubbing his hands. In his 21 years of being single, he had never been to a party before, let alone one that Tony Stark would attend.
"Oh, buddy! It seems we have the same interests. Don't worry. There will be one soon."
"I'm planning to throw a party in a couple of days to celebrate the birth of Iron Man! How about that!" Tony looked proud, as if saying, "You're a smart guy." "I'll let you know when the time comes. Stock up on some condoms!"
" Oh! Don't get me wrong, Tony. I just want to see what a party is like. I've never been to one before!"
"Poor you, Lin!" Tony teased. "All right, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go eat! After dealing with reporters all day, I need to refuel..."
After a hearty meal, Lin Feng, feeling satisfied, bid farewell to Tony and slowly flew in mid-air towards home.
Then he remembered that there was a fair-skinned and beautiful little reporter, Susan, staying at his place. He wondered if she had eaten. But there were so many ingredients in the fridge, and she could cook. She should be able to take care of herself.
As he flew, Lin Feng habitually activated his super hearing. New York City was as "lively" as ever. In Hell's Kitchen, the gunshots of the Gray Street Gang members were still ringing out "rat-a-tat-tat".
"These guys are like having a party every day," Lin Feng couldn't help but complain.
Goodness, the domestic violence incident he heard about last time was happening again. It was still the scene of the woman beating the man. Today was even more exaggerated. The women were actually using weapons. The sounds of pots, pans, and bowls clashing kept coming, and just listening to it made Lin Feng wince.
Lin Feng leisurely made his way home while "gossiping" like this.
As soon as he opened the door, a figure rushed towards him.
It was the little reporter, Susan. She blocked the doorway, looking at Lin Feng with eyes full of hope.
"How did it go, Lin?"
"Uh..." Lin Feng looked helpless. "Can you let me in first?"
Susan stepped aside to let Lin Feng enter the villa.
Lin Feng plopped down on the sofa. Susan, not caring about the boundaries between men and women at this moment, sat down right next to him, staring at him without blinking, her eyes filled with anticipation and anxiety.
"What are you looking at? Oh, I'm a bit thirsty!" Lin Feng deliberately played hard to get, avoiding Susan's expectant gaze.
"Deng deng deng!" Susan trotted to the kitchen, fetched a glass of water, and handed it to Lin Feng with both hands.
"Here you go."
Lin Feng took the water with satisfaction and took a sip.
"Ah! Running around all day, my shoulders are killing me!" After drinking the water, Lin Feng sighed and pretended to rub his shoulders.
The next second, a pair of small hands landed on his shoulders and started kneading. The force was like an ant tickling for Lin Feng.
"Lin! Tell me quickly, how did it go?" Susan asked anxiously as she kneaded, her voice almost on the verge of tears.
"All right, all right! I won't tease you anymore!" Seeing that the little reporter was almost crying, Lin Feng couldn't help but laugh. He patted the small hands on his shoulders, turned around, and gave her a reassuring look.
"Don't worry! The problem is solved. Tony Stark will send someone to handle it tonight."
"You can go home early tomorrow morning!"
"Really?!" Susan finally got the answer she most wanted. She burst into tears of joy, and then, unable to control herself any longer, she hugged Lin Feng tightly and sobbed loudly.
"Thank you, Lin!" she cried out between sobs.
Now Lin Feng was embarrassed... Once again, he felt the "magnificence" of the little reporter up close after just one day.
With this hug, a fresh fragrance, like that of body wash, wafted over, making Lin Feng's nose itch. Coupled with the soft touch on his chest, he suddenly felt a physical reaction.
"Calm down, boy!" Lin Feng shouted frantically in his mind. He couldn't make a fool of himself at this moment. It would be so embarrassing!
After a while, Susan seemed to have cried enough. Her sobs gradually subsided. Lin Feng took the opportunity to pat her back and gently pulled her away.
Goodness, Susan's face was streaked with tears, and her nose was running. That look... Lin Feng quickly reached for the tissue box and pulled out two tissues to hand to her.
It was no wonder Susan was so emotional. These past few days, she had been constantly under the threat of death. The mental tension was like a string that could break at any moment.
Now that she was finally safe, Susan's pent-up emotions erupted completely. Her life could finally get back on track, and it was all thanks to the young man in front of her.
Susan looked at Lin Feng seriously and said word by word, "Thank you so much, Lin! You'll always be my friend!"
"All right, all right. Go wash up and go to bed! You can go back tomorrow. Remember, don't go to Hell's Kitchen again!" Lin Feng felt a bit uncomfortable with Susan's sentimental words. He scratched his head and said, "Next time, there might not be someone to save you."
"I know, Lin!" Susan nodded seriously, then trotted all the way back to her room. She opened the door, used it to block her body, and only stuck out her little head, just like last night.
"Thank you so much, Lin!" Unlike last night, today Susan's face was beaming with a full smile, and her eyes were filled with sincerity.
"Got it! Go to bed quickly! I'm going to sleep too!" Sensing Susan's happiness and sincerity, Lin Feng returned her smile, waved at her, and then turned around and walked back to his room.
As soon as he entered the room, Lin Feng threw himself onto the bed and couldn't help but let out a strange "hehehe" laugh.
The feeling of being thanked was really special, especially when it came from a beautiful woman. It gave Lin Feng an unprecedented sense of pleasure.