In the bookstore's lounge area, Hong Fei sat back in his chair with one leg crossed over the other, studying the person before him.
Across from him sat a very pretty girl with wheat-colored skin and distinctly mixed-race features. Under Hong Fei's scrutiny, she showed no sign of timidity. Instead, she offered him a generous, beautiful smile.
Hong Fei said, "Skye, you said you just graduated?"
"Yes, sir."
Hong Fei nodded. "What was your college major?"
"Computer science."
"That's strange. You graduated in computer science, so why apply to be a bookstore clerk, especially at a tiny bookstore like mine?"
Skye remained perfectly composed and replied with a smile, "Sir, I don't like computers. I prefer physical books, and I enjoy the feeling of holding a book while reading. Ever since I was little, my dream has been to open a bookstore of my own."
Hong Fei nodded and swayed his head, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
He had recognized this girl from the start. Besides, she had made no effort to hide the name "Skye."
A young and beautiful woman, a highly skilled hacker, an agent with enormous potential, and an enhanced individual whose abilities had yet to awaken.
All things considered, Skye possessed many talents. She was still young, and all her abilities had plenty of room to grow in the future.
But the problem was that she carried plenty of baggage too.
Her personality, temper, way of doing things, and the complicated background involving her parents all pointed to two words: trouble.
After pondering for a moment, Hong Fei shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't think this job is suitable for you."
Skye froze for a moment, then hurriedly asked, "Sir, may I know why?"
"It's simple. This is a small bookstore. What I'm looking for is preferably a middle-aged person with a family, someone who can settle down and focus. You're still too young. Your mind changes easily, and you're eager to try new things and make breakthroughs. That's good for you, but a clerk's position lacks the stability I need most."
Skye blinked and said, "Sir, I promise I'm stable too. I won't leave easily..."
Hong Fei waved his hand. "We're not that far apart in age. I roughly understand what you're thinking, but when it comes to this, I should have more say than you do. You won't be able to stand spending every day in a bookstore waiting for customers, because I wouldn't either."
Skye pressed her lips together, looking deeply unwilling to accept it.
The reality was that Skye truly needed a job, and she desperately wanted a place to settle down. Even an inconspicuous little bookstore would do. As long as it paid her, she could keep at it for the time being, because she had just used her hacking skills to break into some formidable institutions and was now being hunted.
What he had said was indeed correct. She would not stay here forever, because she still had many goals she needed to accomplish.
The first reason she had come to interview with Hong Fei was that a shop like this would not investigate her background or identity too closely. As for the second reason...
Skye put her smile back on as if the rejection had never happened. Blinking her beautiful eyes, she asked, "Sir, may I ask you one more presumptuous question? Are you Chinese?"
She had spoken in Chinese, and her pronunciation was quite accurate.
"That's right. You?" Hong Fei feigned surprise.
Skye immediately beamed. "I grew up in China and only came here for college. Actually, I'm mixed-race. You probably noticed."
Realization appeared on Hong Fei's face. "So that's how it is. What a coincidence!"
"Yes, in a foreign land, we're one of our own!" Skye said sweetly.
Unexpectedly, Hong Fei's smile vanished at once. He picked up his phone and played some music. Half a minute later, he asked, "Can you sing it?"
Skye was stunned.
"Uh... what did you say?"
"I asked whether you can sing it. Even one line? Or tell me the title?"
Skye frowned deeply, her face full of confusion. "Sorry, I don't think I've heard it before..."
"Heh!"
Hong Fei sneered as he turned off the music. "You don't even know this song, and you dare say we're one of our own?"
Skye was completely bewildered.
This was also the biggest reason Hong Fei did not want to hire Skye: she loved lying too much.
Whether someone treated her well or badly, she could always lie with ease. Once exposed, she could always find an excuse to absolve herself.
It was as if every lie from her mouth was well-intentioned, and everyone she deceived was obligated to forgive her. Otherwise, they were being petty and narrow-minded.
Just like now. She had lied about growing up in China and called them one of their own, clearly hoping that would make Hong Fei reconsider hiring her.
Wasn't that emotional blackmail?
Hong Fei bent over and quickly wrote down a string of numbers on a card. After pushing it toward Skye, he said, "For the sake of you genuinely seeming to have Chinese ancestry, call me when you believe you've corrected your habit of lying. I can give you another job."
Skye took it instinctively, but her expression grew increasingly ugly.
Seeing her raise her head to say something, Hong Fei immediately cut her off. "I don't owe you anything. Whatever difficulties you have, plainly speaking, they're your own business. Of course I can help you, but I have no obligation to. Speak not in great joy, nor in raging anger. Whatever state you're in right now, you'd better not open your mouth."
Hong Fei turned and left. Skye sat where she was, her lips pressed tightly together. Only after a while did she lower her head and leave with unwillingness in her eyes.
Shaking his head, Hong Fei began browsing the news while humming.
"Over mountains, over plains, across the rushing..."
Before long, he saw a recently updated piece of news: the great philanthropist and spice merchant Wilson Fisk had returned with a massive overseas order.
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s New York Branch.
Coulson and Maria Hill, who was in charge of the New York Branch, sat in an office facing a camera. On the screen was a dark-skinned face.
A sharp glint shone in Fury's single eye as he said without hesitation, "Coulson, the place where Tony was kidnapped has practically been turned inside out. Yet neither the military nor we found any space resembling the basement they described. What do you think?"
Coulson had already prepared his answer and immediately replied, "Director, although the place where we found Tony was indeed a militant stronghold, it had already been cleared by the military after Tony disappeared and before he was found. The military did not encounter fierce resistance at the time, so I believe that was not where Tony was being held. They deliberately chose that location to mislead us while concealing their real base."
"And what about Obadiah Stane?"
"He was Stark Industries' COO and once the uncle closest to Tony. But based on my conversations with Tony, he clearly did not seem saddened by his death. Although the public story is that Obadiah was brutally killed by militants while trying to save Tony, I believe there must be more to it."
Fury's expression remained unchanged. "Tell me your theory."
"I believe Obadiah was very likely connected to the militants who kidnapped Tony. Stark Industries weapons may not be widespread in the Middle East, but the militants basically have many of the same weapons the military does. I suspect Obadiah was the one selling them weapons, and I also suspect Tony's kidnapping was carried out on his orders."
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