How Many Deals Did You Make Behind My Back?

"Anti-Hulk Emergency Squad Leader? What kind of ridiculous name is that." In a S.H.I.E.L.D. office, a young man sat across from Director Fury's desk, spinning in his swivel chair while looking over the documents in his hand.

"Correction, it should be Anti-Hulk Emergency Response Squad Captain." Fury explained to the young man before him.

"Of course, if you don't like it, I wouldn't object to changing it to Humanoid Self-Propelled Anti-Hulk Armor."

"What a mess. What does that have to do with me?" Lu Yifang tossed aside the documents and said impatiently.

"It has everything to do with you. In fact, on S.H.I.E.L.D.'s employee roster, this position appeared less than ten hours ago. I believe, with your intelligence, you've already figured out that this position was created specifically for you." Fury said with a smile.

"Position? You mean a job? Sorry, I'm still in school. I don't have time for a job." Lu Yifang shook his head.

"Don't worry, I've already discussed this with Professor X. So the organization has decided that you'll attend school as usual, and if there's a mission, I'll notify Professor X to let you take leave."

"Dog... ah, spit! I mean, that's a thing?" Hearing this, Lu Yifang barely swallowed the two lines of poetry back down.

The way Fury spoke clearly indicated he had already met with Professor X, and that was why Lu Yifang was surprised.

Lu Yifang knew Professor X valued him highly, so he would definitely come to see Fury. But in Lu Yifang's predictions, either Professor X would be strong-armed enough to pull him out of S.H.I.E.L.D., or Fury would be tough enough to ignore Professor X's pressure.

Now, it was obvious Fury had no intention of letting him go. And if Fury had rejected Professor X, he should be tightening surveillance on Lu Yifang to avoid another situation like Mystique's, not eagerly arranging a position for him.

This outcome caught Lu Yifang off guard. How could he have expected these two big shots to reach a consensus? How was that even possible? Professor X might seem friendly, but when it came to mutant interests, he never compromised easily. And as for Nick Fury, had anyone ever heard of S.H.I.E.L.D. giving back something it swallowed?

Had these two made some shady PV deal, or... Lu Yifang's gaze unconsciously lingered on Fury's bald head. Had they bonded over some shared exchange, instantly regretting not meeting sooner, and sworn blood brotherhood to become gang leaders?

"Sorry, I'm a bit tired. I need to rest now. I have absolutely no interest in this." Lu Yifang stood up as he spoke. Whatever consensus Professor X and Fury had reached, what did that have to do with him?

Lu Yifang wasn't narcissistic enough to think the world revolved around him, but he also knew he didn't revolve around others—especially when he had the strength to resist anyone.

I am who I am. Why should I inexplicably submit to your arrangements just because you two had a chat?

"Don't rush off. I'm not asking you to work for free. I'll pay you a salary." Fury's unhurried voice came, making Lu Yifang pause mid-step.

Seeing this, Fury smirked slightly before continuing: "S.H.I.E.L.D.'s benefits are very generous. Besides salary and various paid trips, there's also Six Insurances and One Fund!"

"I know about Five Insurances and One Fund. What's that extra insurance you mentioned?" Lu Yifang turned around and asked.

"Oh, that. It's S.H.I.E.L.D.'s unique insurance—Funeral Insurance!" Fury explained.

"Agents risk life and limb for S.H.I.E.L.D., so S.H.I.E.L.D. naturally doesn't forget them. If they fall, S.H.I.E.L.D. reimburses funeral expenses according to the agent's rank. And if you die heroically enough, S.H.I.E.L.D. might even promote you three ranks and hold a grand funeral beyond your standard."

"Uh, I think this system mostly reflects S.H.I.E.L.D.'s high mortality rate." Lu Yifang curled his lip.

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. Let's discuss salary. I'm telling you, without this number, I'm absolutely not considering it." Lu Yifang held up five fingers and waved them in front of Fury.

Fury frowned slightly at this, then nodded readily. "Fifty thousand a month, right? That price is reasonable enough. Let's settle it."

"Ha!" Hearing this, Lu Yifang couldn't help but suck in a breath. He stared at his hand in disbelief, grateful he'd shown off by holding up five fingers instead of cheaply shouting five thousand.

"Wait, I meant US dollars." As if remembering something, Lu Yifang quickly added.

But his addition earned him a look from Fury like he was dealing with a simpleton. Fury's mouth twitched slightly before he spoke. "This is New York. What else would the salary be paid in, soft girl coins?"

"Haha, true enough." Lu Yifang scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.

As he eased the awkwardness, Lu Yifang's gaze toward Fury shifted slightly.

How was this different from what Coulson had said? Wasn't Nick Fury supposed to be a stingy miser? Was that just Coulson's prejudice, and Fury was actually a fat cat?

With that mindset, Lu Yifang tentatively spoke up: "Can I ask, if I work overtime, is there extra overtime pay?"

"Overtime pay?" Fury was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood Lu Yifang's intent. He let out a cold laugh.

"According to the data I got from Ross, in the entire last year, the Hulk's trackable rampages only happened twice. And both times were because the military provoked him. That means you'd only actually be deployed about two days a year. You'd be getting a full year's salary, yet you're asking about overtime pay for those two days? Do you think you deserve overtime pay?"

"Alright, I was just asking." Hearing Fury's words, Lu Yifang quickly waved his hand.

So much for the fat cat illusion. It was all just a mistake.

"Fine, I can skip overtime pay, but I want to withdraw two months' salary in advance."

"Advance your salary? What for?" Fury frowned at this.

"That's my business. Just consider that I won't feel at ease until the money's in my hand. Hmm, if that reason doesn't work, here's another—I saved all of New York. Shouldn't I at least get a banner and a reward? Now I'm getting neither. Are you going to refuse me an advance on two months' salary too?"

"Fine, suit yourself." Fury waved his hand, too lazy to argue with this guy. Even if he advanced two months' salary, it wasn't like someone would take S.H.I.E.L.D.'s money and run.

"Thanks, then!" Hearing this, Lu Yifang nodded in satisfaction.

"By the way, can I go back to the academy now?"

"Not so fast. You have other things to do." Fury waved his hand.

"I forgot to mention, I discussed it with Professor X. From now on, you're no longer a boarding student at the Mutant Academy. You're a day student."

"What the hell? What kind of rule is that? How many PV deals did you two make behind my back?" Hearing this, Lu Yifang's eyes went wide.

"Damn, if I'm not living at school, where am I supposed to stay? Here with you?" Lu Yifang paused mid-sentence, his gaze unconsciously locking onto Fury.

"You're not seriously making me live here, are you? I'm telling you, S.H.I.E.L.D. might have nice conditions, but I'm not used to it."

"Relax, your lodging is already arranged. It's not S.H.I.E.L.D." Fury said, rummaging through the papers on his desk as if looking for something.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. bought the house. The property's already under your name. Didn't you say you saved New York? Consider this house your reward."

"A house? What are the facilities like? If it's not up to the dormitory's standard, I'll protest." Lu Yifang warned.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be satisfied." Fury finally found what he was looking for—a photograph.

Watching Fury's mysterious smile, Lu Yifang took the photo. The moment he saw the house in the image, his hand visibly trembled. His usual joking demeanor shifted.

Staring at the photo, Lu Yifang's eyes revealed a mix of sadness, nostalgia, confusion, and other complex emotions.