My Farm Is Quite Big

"What did you say? Why don't you agree?"

Nick Fury stared at the man before him in disbelief. He had assumed that someone this powerful must also be a man of vision.

Surely he could see the importance of superpowered individuals.

The team of superpowered people he had proposed should have won this man's approval.

"Director Xia, perhaps you don't understand—"

"No, no, no, Mr. Fury. I understand the importance of those superpowered individuals far better than you do."

Xia Ling cut off Black Egg's rambling. How could he possibly not know that the main theme of Marvel was this bunch of superheroes?

It was just that the stage had not yet been set. How could they let the big-name actors take the stage so soon?

"Look at the members you mentioned: Natasha, Hawkeye, and Playboy. Oh, right—there should originally have been a big green guy too, though he's turned red now."

As Xia Ling spoke, he repeatedly shook his head, clicking his tongue without pause. Anyone could see the disdain in his expression.

"You mean these candidates aren't qualified?"

"Do you think they're qualified? After seeing a truly Stronger, do you really think these people are qualified?"

Nick Fury's heart jolted. From the implications in those words, could it be that Xia Ling knew of Carol's existence as well?

At that thought, Nick Fury's hands began to tremble.

That was his final trump card. If even that had been discovered, then this man had seen straight through him, right down to his underwear.

After that, he would have no choice but to let this man manipulate him as he pleased.

"Mr. Fury, honestly, I'm rather disappointed in you. Of course, I'm not referring to the matter of sending Punisher to test me. I've always had a tiny bit of sympathy for the Weaker.

"It's just that your... hmm, Avengers team plan is far too unreliable. Put it on hold for now."

The moment he heard that his plan was to be shelved, Nick Fury grew anxious.

This plan was not merely tied to the vision he had held for so long. More importantly, it determined whether he would still be able to afford food.

Nick Fury now hated himself for refusing the position of Deputy Director before. Otherwise, he would not have fallen to such a state today.

He was still a man of status, a genuine American, with ancestors who had even worked on plantations.

And now he was supposed to fight a bunch of homeless people for food?

"Director Xia, although the current candidates aren't powerful enough, they—"

Xia Ling said nothing. He merely turned to glance at Coulson, who immediately understood what he meant.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Fury, but the Director has other matters to attend to. Today's visiting hours have come to an end."

Coulson uttered words that even he himself did not believe. Director Xia handling documents? He would sooner believe that monsters would attack New York!

"Xia Ling, you'll regret this!"

"Fury, I'm the Director."

At those words, Nick Fury's blood rushed to his head, and he nearly stormed out by slamming the door.

But he had no money in his pocket. If he broke the door, he could not afford to pay for it.

"Today's meeting is over, Mr. Fury. Once again, you have successfully wasted ten precious minutes of my life."

Xia Ling rose to his feet and glanced at the furious Nick Fury.

"Mr. Fury, although S.H.I.E.L.D. does not need you for the time being, my Farm does need someone to help look after it. Would you be interested?"

"No need!"

Nick Fury decisively refused Xia Ling. He was not an idiot, of course he would not humiliate himself like that.

"I have no interest in a farm, and I absolutely will not—"

"What if I said the weekly salary was two thousand dollars?"

"Although I have no interest in a farm, I would never let down Director Xia's trust. I will certainly take excellent care of your Farm!"

What a joke. He was practically unable to afford food already—what use was dignity? Besides, Frank was still waiting for him to pay his medical bills.

"Mm, very good. Remember to dress like it's before the eighteenth century. That way, it'll have a sense of the era."

Xia Ling smiled and patted Nick Fury on the shoulder. Black Egg stiffly pulled at his mouth, revealing a smile even uglier than crying.

Xia Ling did not care. He waved his hand, and Coulson followed behind him as they left the café.

"Motherfucker! Does he think he can cover the sky with one hand? Does he think having money means he can do whatever he wants?"

Nick Fury viciously gulped down a mouthful of coffee, then stuffed all the remaining dessert into his mouth.

Now that he had fallen on hard times, he had to watch every penny. He could not waste food.

He quickly finished off the food, wiped his mouth, and stood to leave, only for a waiter to stop him.

"Sir, you haven't paid the bill yet."

"Didn't those two who just left pay?"

Nick Fury's eyes widened as a bad feeling rose in his heart.

"No, those two gentlemen said you were to settle the bill."

Feeling around in his pockets, Nick Fury only wanted to curse, "Motherfucker!"

Inside the director's office, Coulson looked somewhat uneasy.

"Director, didn't we go a little too far?"

Coulson's conscience was bothering him. How could he not know what kind of situation Fury was in right now?

Although Xia Ling had given the order, he was the one who carried it out.

It was he who had gradually made Fury's already impoverished life even worse.

Now, Fury would be lucky to have even a dollar in his pocket. Under those circumstances, could he afford the bill?

"Hey, what are you panicking for? At worst, he'll only spend a few days inside, right? Isn't there a saying: 'When Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility upon a man, it first steels his will, exhausts his muscles and bones, starves his body, leaves him in poverty, and frustrates all his efforts'?"

Letting him suffer a little more wouldn't do him any harm. On the contrary, it would help him grow.

Grow?

Coulson's eyelid twitched. Director Xia was truly devious.

Fury was already this old—what room was there left for growth?

Besides, was there really such a saying? Did "Heaven" mean the Lord?

"Coulson, I heard Natasha is working at that Playboy's house now?"

When it came to serious business, Coulson immediately took out a file and reported to Xia Ling.

"Director, Agent Natasha has already infiltrated the place. She's serving as an executive assistant at Stark Industries. Director Fury had intended to use this opportunity to make contact with Stark.

But because, well, there was a sudden change in leadership, the operation has been put on hold for now. Director, would you like to meet Stark?"

That piqued Xia Ling's interest.

He had been wondering where to cause trouble next. Wasn't Stark the perfect target?

Marvel's savior—Xia Ling was genuinely interested in him. And now that he was poisoned, the timing couldn't have been better.

"I'll go meet Stark, but..."

But not now.