Master Hong Reasons (Seeking Monthly Votes and Recommendation Tickets)

After a rapid exchange of questions and answers, the conference room fell into silence.

Fury pondered for a long time before finally issuing his orders.

"Coulson, head to the Middle East. Thoroughly investigate any clues they left behind. Best case, find their real base—Tony's combat armor should still be in their hands. Also, those kidnappers didn't hesitate to use White Phosphorus Shells, and they didn't care about Tony's identity. That shows they've got serious nerve and are ruthless enough. Plus, the military's been scouring everywhere with no luck, so widen your search. My guess is they might have passed through another country."

Hearing this, Coulson's expression sharpened. He hadn't considered that angle before, but with Fury's prompting, he thought it was highly likely.

Fury: "Hill, keep an eye on Tony in New York. Watch what he does every day, but don't get too close—he might notice. His tech outpaces ours in some areas. If you see anything resembling combat armor pop up, report it to me immediately. Also, put a tail on that Chinese kid for a while. I still don't get why the kidnappers let him go. Was putting a bullet in his head really that hard?"

Coulson and Hill answered in unison: "Understood!"

At dusk, Hong Fei glanced at the date on his computer, then closed the webpage and rested his chin on his hand, staring at the door.

Before long, a small figure walked in, clutching a yellow lunchbox.

"Sir, I'm here!"

Peter's bright smile instantly dispelled the gloom of Hong Fei's day with no customers. He took the lunchbox and opened it as he asked, "Anything new at school lately?"

"Yeah!"

So, Hong Fei ate while listening to Peter's enthusiastic updates, occasionally asking a question, and laughter echoed through the shop.

When Hong Fei finished eating and washed the lunchbox, he returned to find Peter's eyes flickering with hesitation. He'd glance at Hong Fei, then quickly look away, his lips twitching as if he wanted to say something but held back.

Drying the water off the lunchbox, Hong Fei ruffled his hair. "Something on your mind?"

Peter gave an awkward laugh but slowly nodded.

Hong Fei grinned. "It's okay. I'm guessing there's something you can't easily tell May, so feel free to tell me. Think of it as a secret between men?"

But Peter shook his head.

"No, sir. I don't have any secrets right now. It's something else."

Hong Fei hummed in acknowledgment, looking at him seriously.

"Actually..." Peter frowned with a soft sigh. "Actually, I recognized Mr. Stark that day."

"Oh?" Hong Fei was a bit surprised. He and Tony had both thought Peter hadn't recognized him.

Before becoming Iron Man, Tony had naturally become a hero to many kids thanks to his childhood achievements.

His scandals were also role models for adults.

Peter continued, "I really like him. He's so smart—designed a circuit board at four, built an engine at six. And I'm older than he was then, but I haven't done anything." He sounded a bit dejected.

Hong Fei didn't know how to comfort him, because Tony's childhood was indeed absurd.

"When I saw him, I was really shocked. I almost screamed in excitement, but... I found out he wasn't as great as I imagined."

Hong Fei: "How so?"

"Because... well, I noticed he doesn't respect people, sir. He didn't respect you at all. That's really bad. Even if I didn't know you, I don't think that's right."

Hong Fei couldn't help but laugh.

He set Peter on his lap and said, "So what do you think is the right way?"

Peter answered without hesitation: "Respect everyone, of course. No matter if they're male or female, no matter their skin color, no matter if they're rich or poor, we have to keep basic respect. Even for animals that can't talk, we should respect them."

Hong Fei felt a bit moved.

"Peter, you're absolutely right. I'm glad you think that way. Also, I want to tell you—Tony doesn't actually disrespect me."

Peter looked confused.

Hong Fei explained, "People are very complicated. Every person is a completely different individual. Appearance, looks, skin color, wealth—those are all visible differences. But people's inner selves are also different and can't be seen with the eyes. When you hear someone say something, it doesn't mean that's exactly who they are. Even what they do might not be as simple as it seems on the surface."

"It's like how Tony Stark always says things that sound narcissistic. He is narcissistic, sure, but he never lacks self-reflection or self-examination. That's why he keeps improving."

"When he faced me, he seemed disrespectful, even teasing. But we can't just look at the surface. He can be serious too. Why don't you guess why he talked to me that way? Do you have classmates like that?"

Peter blinked and fell into thought.

After a long moment, he said uncertainly, "Is it... because you're good friends?"

Hong Fei laughed. "No, not quite there yet, but we can barely be called friends. The reason is simple: we're familiar with each other. We're not strangers. The way he talks isn't because he disrespects me—it's just his personality. His upbringing is different from ours. We can think it's not great, but we can't make a snap judgment based on that. It's normal for you to think that way, but because I know him, I don't see it as disrespect."

Of course, Hong Fei still found it annoying. If he got the chance, he'd stab him again without hesitation.

Peter thought it over, then broke into a smile. "I think I kind of get it. Since that's the case... can you ask Mr. Stark for an autograph for me?"

"No problem. I'll get it for you next time we meet."

Hong Fei was glad he could guide a future superhero in a non-physical way, and that he could prevent Peter from misunderstanding Tony. After all, when Tony eventually made the ultimate sacrifice, Peter would still have an inheritance coming.

Setting down the now-cheerful Peter, Hong Fei grabbed the lunchbox. "Come on, I'll walk you home."

The streets were quiet. Not many people wandered the non-downtown area at night, and even fewer had kids.

Before they reached Peter's building, Hong Fei spotted May standing at the window, looking out.

Suddenly, an idea struck him.

"Peter, do you think May might want to change jobs?"

Thanks to "Autumn Wind Sweeping Away the Clouds" for 5000 points, "Worry-Free Is the Realm of Hope" for 4500 points, "None None 1546" for 1500 points, and "Butterfly Bean Flower" for 1500 points in tips!