After a flurry of quick questions and answers, the conference room fell silent.
Fury pondered for a long time before finally issuing his orders. "Coulson, you need to take a trip to the Middle East. Investigate every clue they left behind carefully; it would be best if you could find their actual stronghold. Tony's combat armor should still be in their hands.
"Furthermore, those kidnappers didn't care about using white phosphorus bombs, nor did they care about Tony's identity. It's clear they are quite daring and ruthless enough. Since the Military has searched everywhere without finding a trace, you should broaden your search radius. I suspect they may have even traveled abroad in the interim."
Upon hearing this, Coulson's expression tightened. He hadn't thought in that direction before, but after Fury's prompt, he realized this theory was highly plausible. Fury said, "Hill, you stay in New York and keep an eye on what Tony is doing every day. Don't get too close to avoid being detected; his technology does indeed surpass ours in certain aspects. If you discover anything similar to the combat armor, report it to me immediately. Also, send someone to watch that young man of Chinese descent for a while. I still don't understand why those kidnappers let him go. Was it really that difficult to put a bullet in his head?"
Coulson and Hill responded in unison, "Understood!"
At dusk, Hong Fei checked the date on his computer, then closed the browser and rested his chin on his hand, looking toward the door. Not long after, a small figure walked in, clutching a yellow lunch box. "Sir, I'm here!"
Peter's bright, beaming face instantly dispelled the gloom Hong Fei had felt from having no business all day. He took the lunch box and, as he opened it, asked, "Any news at school lately?"
"Yes!"
Immediately after, as Hong Fei ate, he listened to Peter's enthusiastic report, occasionally asking a question or two, and laughter often echoed through the shop.
When Hong Fei finished his meal and returned after washing the lunch box, he saw a glimmer of hesitation in Peter's eyes.
He would glance at Hong Fei occasionally, then quickly look away, his lips moving slightly; he was clearly struggling with something he wanted to say. Wiping the water stains off the lunch box, Hong Fei ruffled his hair and asked, "Is something on your mind?" Peter smiled awkwardly but nodded slowly. Hong Fei grinned, "It's okay. I suspect you might have something on your mind that you can't easily share with Mei, so feel free to tell me. Let's just call it a secret between men?" Unexpectedly, Peter shook his head. "No, sir. I don't have any secrets for now."
"What I want to talk about is something else."
Hong Fei gave a hum of acknowledgment and looked at him earnestly.
"Actually..." Peter frowned and let out a soft sigh, "Actually, I recognized Mr. Stark that day."
"Oh?" Hong Fei was somewhat surprised. At the time, he and Tony had both assumed that Peter hadn't recognized Tony. Before becoming Iron Man, Tony had already naturally become an idol to many children thanks to the achievements he had made in his youth. His tabloid news naturally made him a role model for adults as well.
Peter continued, "I really like him because he is very smart."
"He designed circuit boards at four and developed engines at six. I'm older than that now, yet I haven't accomplished anything."
Speaking of this, he couldn't help feeling a bit dejected. Hong Fei didn't know how to comfort him, because Tony's childhood was indeed truly outrageous.
"When I saw him, I was truly surprised. I almost shouted out in excitement, but... I realized that he doesn't seem as good as I imagined."
Hong Fei asked, "What do you mean?"
"Because... well, because I found that he doesn't respect people. Sir, he doesn't respect you, and that's not right. Even if I didn't know you, I wouldn't think that's the right way to act."
Hong Fei burst into laughter. He lifted Peter onto his lap and said, "Then what do you think is the right way to act?"
Peter replied without hesitation, "Of course, it's about respecting everyone. Regardless of whether they are male or female, regardless of their skin color, and regardless of whether they are poor or rich, we must maintain basic respect. We should even respect those little animals that cannot speak."
Hong Fei couldn't help but feel moved by this.
"Peter, you are absolutely right, and I am very happy that you have such thoughts. Additionally, I must tell you that, in fact, Tony does not disrespect me."
Peter was a bit confused.
Hong Fei explained, "People are very complex; everyone is a completely distinct individual. Physique, appearance, skin color, and wealth are all external and visible differences, but people's inner selves are equally distinct and cannot be observed with the naked eye. When you hear someone say something, it doesn't mean that is actually who they are."
Even what they do might not be as simple as what you see on the surface." "It's like how you see Tony Stark always saying things that sound very narcissistic. Although he is indeed very narcissistic, he never lacks self-reflection and self-examination, which is why he is always improving."
"He doesn't seem respectful when facing me, and he even mocks me often, but we cannot just look at the surface; in reality, he can be very serious. Why don't you take a guess as to why he speaks to me in that tone? Do you have classmates like that around you?"
Peter blinked and fell into deep thought.
"Could it be... because you are good friends?" he asked uncertainly after a long pause.
Hong Fei laughed. "No, not to that extent. We can barely be considered friends. The reason is simple: I'm already familiar with him, and we aren't strangers. The way he speaks isn't because he disrespects me, but because that's his personality. His upbringing is different from ours. We might feel it's not good, but we can't make rash judgments based on just that.
It's normal for you to think that way. Because I'm familiar with him, I don't consider his actions to be disrespectful." Of course, Hong Fei was still annoyed. If given the chance, Hong Fei would definitely stab him again without hesitation. Peter thought for a moment, then smiled brightly. "I think I understand a little now. Since that's the case, then... could you help me get an autograph from Mr. Stark?"
"No problem. I'll give it to you next time we meet." Hong Fei was very happy that he could guide a future superhero in a non-physical way, and he was also glad that he could prevent Peter from having misunderstandings about Tony. After all, after Tony sacrificed himself in the future, Peter would still have an inheritance to collect. Setting down the equally happy Peter, Hong Fei grabbed the lunch box. "Let's go, I'll walk you home." The road was very quiet. There weren't many people walking at night outside the busy downtown area, and even fewer with children.
Before they even reached the downstairs of Peter's home, Hong Fei saw from afar that Mei was standing by the window, looking out. Immediately, an idea stirred in Hong Fei's heart. "Peter, do you think Mei might want to change jobs?"