A Chance Encounter with Phil, First Meeting with Fury

Guan Heng leaned back in his chair with his hands behind his head and muttered, "To put it bluntly, you want to recruit me into S.H.I.E.L.D. But let me make this clear first: I might not agree."

Hill was irritated by his carefree, delinquent-looking expression. "Hmph. We're recruiting you because you're worth recruiting. Do you think any stray cat or dog can join S.H.I.E.L.D.?"

"No, thank you. I'd rather not have the kind of value that gets me recruited. The days when I can soar freely beneath the open sky are much more comfortable." Guan Heng spread his hands. "My greatest wish is to be a Freelancer."

"Freedom won't put food on the table. Let's see if you still say that when there's no bread at the dinner table," Hill thought disdainfully, though she did not say it aloud.

"I hope S.H.I.E.L.D.'s food is good. Even if I don't join, you should at least treat me to a meal, right?" Guan Heng said with a mischievous grin. "Besides, I've got a whole basketful of flaws. A big appetite and a bad temper are nothing. I especially love fighting and causing trouble. If you really decide to hire me, you'd better consider the consequences."

"Haha, you call that a flaw?" Hill finally laughed. "Let me tell you, S.H.I.E.L.D. has plenty of bad boys and crazy girls with worse behavior than yours. At most, you're a third-rate troublemaker."

Hearing Hill's words, Guan Heng immediately thought of the Superheroes he had seen in movies who had joined S.H.I.E.L.D.—Hawkeye from the circus, Black Widow Natasha from the Red Room, and countless others. They were all famously troublesome and hard-to-handle people.

"Uh, let's talk about joining after I meet the One-Eyed Dragon. I hear Fury is a renowned old fox. I'm sure he'll give me some good advice." As Guan Heng spoke, he shamelessly added, "I wonder if you need a front-door security guard. I'm perfect for the job. I don't need much for an annual salary—just a hundred thousand or so dollars."

"Listen, Guan Heng. I don't know why you know so much about S.H.I.E.L.D., and I don't want to ask where you got your information," Hill said impatiently. "But let me remind you: you can speak without restraint in front of me, because I'll let it go in one ear and out the other. But if you dare talk like that in front of Director Fury, he won't mind kicking you straight out the window. Director Fury isn't as kind and friendly as I am."

A beautiful woman's warning felt as refreshing as a breeze against his face. "Fine, I'll listen to you." Guan Heng glanced at Hill and secretly thought, Iceberg, I haven't seen even a trace of that kindness and friendliness.

Chatting idly with the beauty along the way, Hill's car finally arrived at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters. Before the towering building in the heart of New York City, an eagle-shaped emblem gleamed silver above the entrance.

S.H.I.E.L.D., also known as the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, was one of the most badass organizations in American comics, artwork, and film.

Guan Heng stared at the entrance for a long time. He had finally arrived. Damn it, why do I feel like once I step through this gate, I'll be in over my head? Only when Hill called him urgently did he follow her into the lobby.

The moment they entered, a dignified middle-aged man in a sharp suit approached them and waved at the Iceberg woman. "Hi, Hill. I heard you just picked up this young man. You must be Guan Heng. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Guan Heng hurriedly shook his hand, knowing it was standard courtesy. Then the man said, "Let me introduce myself. My name is Phil Coulson." Guan Heng's mind instantly buzzed. He could not make out any of the polite words that followed. Damn, this was the famous Agent Phil, Aunt Kou to the fans—the model American agent, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s renowned all-purpose nanny.

His eyes seemed full of little stars as Guan Heng excitedly said, "Hello, Uncle Phil. Have you eaten? I—"

His ear was suddenly yanked tight as the Iceberg woman grabbed it. "Sorry, Phil. The director has summoned this punk urgently. We need to go first." Without waiting for an answer, she dragged Guan Heng toward the elevator.

Even then, Guan Heng casually asked, "Uncle, when you're on vacation, do you like going to the Great Marsh? I'll treat you to Donuts sometime, and we can have a nice long chat."

Phil was thoroughly astonished. He mechanically waved goodbye to Guan Heng and muttered, "What a strange young man. How did he know I like Donuts? Still, a vacation at the Great Marsh does sound pretty nice."

Glancing at the watch on his wrist again, Phil murmured to himself, "It's getting late. It's almost time for my appointment with Tony Stark. I hope he'll be interested in the plan I proposed."

Seeing that there was no one else in the slowly rising elevator, Hill finally turned to Guan Heng with anger on her face. "Listen, punk. This isn't a market or a supermarket. Don't try to make connections and exchange pleasantries with everyone you see. I'll say it again: don't casually strike up conversations with people." After rattling it all off in one breath, Hill folded her arms, turned away, and ignored Guan Heng.

"Okay, I understand, beautiful." Guan Heng shrugged, then added, "Don't you think we were standing a little too close just now? What if people misunderstand and think you were about to pin me against the wall or something? That wouldn't be good, so I've decided to keep my distance from you."

Guan Heng's idea of keeping his distance was to peek into one room, then appear in front of some large machine the next moment and ask the staff, "What's this thing?"

Hill was so furious she nearly exploded. In the end, she kept taking deep breaths and calming herself. The world is so beautiful. I must not lose my temper. Once I escort this kid to the director, I'll be free.

Along the way, Guan Heng saw many hurried staff members. Were they Agents, Field Duty personnel, or ordinary employees? Besides them, there were vicious criminals being escorted under armed guard, bound tightly in restraint suits. They came in all kinds of strange forms.

Hill thought, This kid is really hard to control. If those zombies weren't so difficult to deal with, and if he truly didn't have the ability to eliminate those monsters, who would want to drag him into S.H.I.E.L.D.? I just hope we aren't letting a wolf into the house this time.

They finally reached the director's office. Hill impatiently knocked on the door. Knock, knock.

"Come in." Upon hearing the reply, Hill shoved Guan Heng into the office. "Get in there." Then she casually added, "Director, I'll be leaving now." With that, she vanished from Guan Heng's sight as swiftly as if he were a virus.

The moment Guan Heng stepped into the office, Nick Fury behind the desk suddenly stiffened, radiating overwhelming killing intent as though he intended to put Guan Heng in his place.

Feeling Fury's imposing aura press down on him, Guan Heng merely tensed slightly before showing no reaction at all. He remained calm and composed, his pride unmistakable. Yet he was also carefully observing the one-eyed man before him. Heh, no wonder he's the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. He has a ferocious presence.

Another unruly monkey who loves mischief and refuses to be controlled, Nick Fury made his initial judgment. But Fury was old and experienced, having weathered countless storms. His schemes and methods were among the best in the business. He did not take Guan Heng seriously at all, believing that dealing with such a green youngster would be effortless.