Nick Fury Backs Down

"Coulson, what do you think a normal person would feel if a superpowered individual appeared beside them?"

Coulson, having just finished overseeing his old superior on the farm, returned to headquarters and was accompanying Xia Ling on a tour when he suddenly heard this question.

"Director, I think that's a difficult question for me to answer," Coulson said slowly, his voice revealing a gentleness born from deep thought.

"For a normal person, the feeling of a superpowered individual suddenly appearing beside them would undoubtedly be complex and profound."

"Oh, really? Would they feel scared?"

Xia Ling casually snatched the mouse and keyboard from an employee in the bureau who was playing a game. This person had been playing for a long time, even doing it right in front of him.

Did he really think that because he'd been single for decades, his hand speed would be that fast?

And he was so bad, dying so many times even in Metal Slug, and the most outrageous thing was getting killed by a saber thrown by a bandit.

What kind of noob was this? Get out of the way, let this Director show you what a one-life clear looks like.

"Fear is definitely a possibility, it's one of the natural reactions, but after the fear, people's reactions will vary."

Even though Xia Ling's public act of snatching an employee's computer to play games during work hours made his eyes go dark, as a seasoned tool, he could only pretend not to see it and earnestly answer Xia Ling's question.

"Vary? How would they vary?"

Coulson nodded slightly, his gaze briefly lingering on the game screen in Xia Ling's hands before quickly retracting, continuing his clear and organized analysis: "Director, everyone's psychological resilience, background experiences, and acceptance of the unknown are different. This directly affects their reactions when facing superpowered individuals."

"Oh, is that so? Remember that, next time you see this boss, be quick with your hands and feet. How can you fight a boss if you're all thumbs?"

"Understood, Director, I've learned!"

Looking at the two of them, Coulson was momentarily speechless, unsure if Director Xia was even listening to him.

As expected, he was just a low-level agent, insignificant.

Patting the noob's shoulder, Xia Ling told him to play it himself and not to bother the Director with everything; the Director was very busy, after all.

"Coulson, how about you command a unit composed of superpowered individuals?"

Xia Ling continued to ask as they walked.

Coulson's footsteps paused slightly at the words, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

"Director, didn't you say Mr. Nick Fury would be the commander of the superpowered unit? Why are you asking me to command it today?"

Xia Ling shook his head, wearing an expression of "How can you be so clueless?"

He said in a tone of disappointment, "You, all of you, don't even understand how to listen. How can you achieve anything? I clearly asked if he was interested, not if I was preparing to make him the commander."

Coulson was stunned. The Director was playing word games. With the tone and implication back then, anyone would have thought he really intended to make Nick Fury the commander of this unit.

And now, the Director was pulling this stunt?

Coulson couldn't help but silently mourn for Mr. Nick Fury, and at the same time, he made up his mind.

"Director, you are right, I misunderstood. I have completed the private task you gave me. I have the pager on me. When we get to the office..."

"No need, give it to me now."

Xia Ling interrupted Coulson, extending his hand and signaling for Coulson to hand over the pager.

Seeing Xia Ling's insistence, Coulson dared not object. He immediately took the pager from his pocket and respectfully handed it to Xia Ling.

Xia Ling didn't care about people watching or prying eyes.

Once the item was in his hands, would anyone be able to steal it?

Xia Ling took the pager, gave it a casual grip, and put it in his pocket.

"Coulson, your efficiency is excellent, I'm very satisfied. Keep up the good work next time."

Coulson chuckled awkwardly. He thought for a moment, then finally spoke: "Director, Mr. Nick Fury has backed down, so don't torment him anymore. This pager of mine was probably given to me intentionally by him. Otherwise, with my skills, it wouldn't be realistic to get something he values from Mr. Nick Fury."

Hearing this, a subtle smile touched Xia Ling's lips. He stopped walking and turned to face Coulson.

"Of course, I know. I didn't expect you to have the ability to steal from under Nick Fury's nose when I sent you to get this pager."

That stung, it really stung.

Coulson's heart felt ice-cold.

Xia Ling glanced at him, immediately understanding what the old village chief was thinking. He truly was the honest man among famous agents, really thinking he would send him on a mission he couldn't possibly complete?

"Coulson, don't misunderstand, I'm not belittling you. Actually, this arrangement was something I specifically designed. Fury is a smart man. He knows me, and he knows you. The reason I sent you to get it was to see if Nick Fury would back down and surrender, not because I had expectations of your abilities."

Sorry for not having that ability.

For a moment, Coulson didn't know whether to be glad he wouldn't be sent on a mission beyond his capabilities or to feel disappointed that his abilities were being looked down upon.

"Let me say this first, Coulson, I think you can command a unit of superpowered individuals."

"Director, I don't have superpowers, how can I command a unit of superpowered individuals?"

Coulson shook his head repeatedly. Whether he could successfully steal something from Nick Fury was debatable, Coulson felt he might be capable. But when it came to commanding a superpowered unit, Coulson clearly knew he couldn't, so he wouldn't make a fool of himself.

"Everyone should have dreams, you know. Even if you don't have superpowers, it doesn't stop you. Look, Hawkeye doesn't have superpowers either, and I'm still planning to let him join this unit as a small captain. Right, Barton?"

Xia Ling patted Hawkeye's shoulder, startling the medieval man.

Hawkeye shot Xia Ling an unhappy look, but upon seeing his friendly gaze, he immediately put on a serious face.

"Yes, Director, you're right. Not having superpowers is not a problem."

After speaking, Hawkeye pulled up his sleeve, revealing his muscles and flexing them to show his strength.

"So, Coulson, don't feel too burdened."

Xia Ling smiled at him, signaling the honest man not to be nervous.

"Okay, Director, I..."

"Anyway, you're just going to be a messenger."

Before he could finish, Xia Ling's mumbling voice was heard, and Coulson felt completely disheartened.

I shouldn't have expected anything from the Director!