In the bookstore's lounge area, Hong Fei leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, and gave the person across from him a searching look. Sitting opposite him was a very pretty girl with wheat-colored skin and facial features that clearly indicated mixed-race heritage. Under Hong Fei's gaze, she didn't show any sign of intimidation. Instead, she openly flashed a charming smile.
"Skye, you said you just graduated?" Hong Fei asked.
"Yes, sir," she replied.
Hong Fei nodded. "What was your college major?"
"Computer science."
"That's strange. With a computer science degree, why apply for a job as a bookstore clerk, and at my small bookstore at that?"
Skye didn't panic at all and continued smiling. "Sir, I don't like computers. I prefer physical books. I enjoy the feeling of holding a book while reading, so my dream since I was a child has been to open my own bookstore."
Hong Fei shook his head, noncommittal. He had recognized this girl from the very beginning, especially since she hadn't even bothered to hide the name "Skye."
A young, beautiful woman, a highly skilled hacker, a potential-filled Agent, and an undeveloped super-powered individual. All things considered, Skye possessed many talents, and since she was still young, there was plenty of room for her abilities to grow in the future. But the problem was, she also came with a lot of baggage. Her personality, temper, style of doing things, and the complex background of her parents all spelled out one thing: trouble.
After a moment of contemplation, Hong Fei shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't think this job is right for you."
Skye was taken aback for a moment. "Sir, may I know why?" she asked quickly.
"It's simple. This is a small bookstore. What I'm looking for is someone middle-aged, someone with a family who can settle down. You're still too young; your mind is changeable, and you're eager to try new things and break boundaries. That's a good thing for you, but for the position of a clerk, you lack the stability I need most."
Skye blinked. "Sir, I promise I'm stable too. I won't leave easily..."
Hong Fei waved his hand. "We aren't that far apart in age, and I roughly know what you're thinking.
But on this matter, I think I have more say than you do. You won't be able to stand waiting for customers in a bookstore every day, because I'm the same way." Skye pressed her lips together, looking unwilling to give up. The reality was that Skye really needed a job and was desperate for a place to settle down. Even a small, obscure bookstore would do as long as it paid; she could stick with it for the time being because she had just used her hacking skills to infiltrate some remarkable institutions and was currently being hunted.
The other party was indeed right; she wouldn't stay here forever because she still had many goals to accomplish.
The reason she came to Hong Fei for an interview was, first, because a shop like this wouldn't strictly vet her background. As for the second reason... Skye put her smile back on, as if the rejection hadn't happened. She fluttered her beautiful eyes and asked, "Sir, may I ask you one more question? Are you from China?"
She was undoubtedly speaking Chinese, and her pronunciation was quite accurate.
"That's right. And you?" Hong Fei feigned surprise.
Skye beamed instantly. "I grew up in China and only came here when I went to college. Actually, I'm mixed-race; you probably noticed."
Hong Fei looked enlightened. "So that's how it is! What a coincidence!"
"Exactly! In a foreign land, we're 'one of our own'!" Skye said coquettishly.
Unexpectedly, Hong Fei's smile vanished instantly. He picked up his phone and played some music. Half a minute later, he asked, "Can you sing this?"
Skye was stunned. "Uh... what did you say?"
"I asked if you can sing it, even just one line? Or can you tell me the song title?"
Skye frowned, looking bewildered. "Sorry, I don't think I've heard it..."
"Heh!" Hong Fei sneered and turned off the music. "You don't even know this song, and you dare claim we're 'one of our own'?"
Skye was completely dumbfounded, not knowing what was going on. This was the main reason Hong Fei didn't want to hire Skye: she loved to lie too much. Whether it was someone who was good to her or someone who was bad to her, she could always tell lies with ease, and when exposed, she could always find excuses for herself.
It was as if all her lies were well-intentioned, and anyone who was deceived had to forgive her, otherwise they were just being petty and narrow-minded. Just like right now, she lied about growing up in China and said things like "one of our own," undoubtedly hoping to use that as leverage to get Hong Fei to reconsider hiring her. Isn't this just moral kidnapping?
Hong Fei bent down, scribbled a string of numbers on a card, and pushed it toward Skye. "Considering you do seem to have Chinese heritage, when you think you've kicked the habit of lying, call me. I can offer you a different job."
Skye instinctively took it, but her expression grew uglier by the second. Seeing her look up as if to say something, Hong Fei immediately interrupted, "I don't owe you anything. Regardless of your circumstances, frankly, that's your own business. I can certainly help you, but I am under no obligation to do so. 'Do not speak when overjoyed, do not speak when enraged.' Whatever state you are in right now, it's best you don't speak." Hong Fei turned and walked away.
Skye sat there, lips pressed tight. After a moment, she lowered her head and left, looking unwilling to accept the outcome. Hong Fei shook his head and started humming a tune while browsing the news. "Crossing mountains, crossing plains, crossing the rushing..."
Soon, he saw a piece of news that had just been updated: the great philanthropist and spice merchant Wilson Fisk had returned with a large order from abroad.
S.H.I.E.L.D. New York Branch. Coulson and Maria Hill, who was in charge of the New York branch, sat together in the office facing a camera. On the screen, a black face was flickering. Fury's single eye gleamed sharply. He spoke without hesitation, "Coulson, the place where Tony was kidnapped has been combed through, but neither the Military nor us have found any space resembling the Underground Room they described. What do you think?"
Coulson already had a draft in mind and immediately replied, "Director, although the location where we found Tony was indeed a militant stronghold, that place had already been cleared by the Military after Tony went missing and before he was found. The Military didn't encounter strong resistance at that time, so I don't believe that was the location where Tony was held. They deliberately chose that place to confuse us and, at the same time, hide their real stronghold."
"And what about Obadiah Stane?"
"He is the COO of Stark Industries and was once the uncle closest to Tony. However, based on my conversations with Tony, he clearly didn't seem to feel any sorrow over this. Although it was publicly announced that Obadiah was brutally killed by militants while trying to save Tony, I believe there is definitely more to it."
Fury remained calm. "Tell me your theory."
"I believe it is highly likely that Obadiah has ties to the militants who kidnapped Tony. While Stark Industries' weapons aren't exactly flooding the Middle East, the militants basically have many of the weapons that the Military possesses. I suspect that Obadiah is the one selling weapons to them, and I suspect that Tony's kidnapping was also ordered by him."