A Big Job!

Christmas.

The manor was decorated inside and out with holiday cheer. A Santa Claus was sculpted from snow on the lawn, colored lights and streamers hung outside the main house, and Christmas trees lined both sides of the main road.

More than twenty people dined together at an absurdly long table amid a joyful atmosphere.

Peter sat beside Hong Fei and could not keep still. At such a young age, he had already revealed some of his chatty nature.

The food May had spent half the day preparing was completely wiped out by the group without a single bite going to waste.

On a holiday like this, Hong Fei went along with his guests and accompanied them throughout.

As the only child present, Peter received gifts from everyone. The boxes of all sizes nearly filled his entire room.

After dinner, Peter eagerly dashed back to his room.

Hong Fei took a walk through the snow with Frank.

Frank said, "That female doctor—I thought you'd invite her over."

"I did invite her out of courtesy, but she had her own plans."

"That's a real shame."

Hong Fei turned his head. "Are you overthinking this?"

Frank replied matter-of-factly, "What's the big deal? You're still young. Don't be too embarrassed to admit it. If you want her, you want her. There's no need to put on an act."

"I don't."

"Stubborn."

Suddenly, bright fireworks rose over the distant city, their dazzling light illuminating most of the night sky.

After watching for a moment, Frank added, "The Mafia doesn't seem to have been misled by you. They and The Hand haven't touched each other."

"Hmm?"

"In New York, those two are the only ones still standing neck and neck. The guy you killed—his father is furious, yet he hasn't made any move. Things have also been very calm between them lately, with no conflicts at all."

Hong Fei suddenly smiled.

"There's always a period of calm before the storm. Just wait—they'll definitely fight. The Mafia doesn't belong to one man. Other than his father, I doubt anyone cares. They might even be eager to get rid of a competitor. The excuse has already been handed to them. If these people can really hold themselves back, then they aren't gangsters—they're politicians."

Frank nodded in agreement, then said, "Gangsters and politicians are deeply entangled. Many district councilors are regular guests of the Mafia."

"They're professionals, after all. And in a capitalist society, as long as you can produce money, few people care where it came from."

"You still have to pay taxes first!"

Hong Fei laughed. "Hahaha, fair point. Do you think I paid any?"

Over the next few days, Hong Fei spent a good while having fun with Peter. It was not until May tamed the wild horse in Peter's heart with a stern gaze and a slightly cold tone that she finally took him home.

In late January, Hong Fei received a call from Helen Zhao.

She invited him to meet in New York and formally sign the agreement.

After The Punisher, Hong Fei was about to welcome his second partner.

At seven o'clock, Hong Fei changed into a suit, and Number One drove him into New York.

It was the same hotel, but this time he went straight up to the top-floor restaurant. Led by a waiter, he soon found Helen Zhao in a black dress by the window.

After some small talk, Helen Zhao took out a fairly thick contract.

"Mr. Hong, I've reviewed the contract. There are no problems, and I've already signed it."

These mere dozen or so pages were worth five hundred million dollars.

Hong Fei took it and casually set it aside, then picked up his wineglass. "Welcome aboard."

"Thank you!"

After a chime, Hong Fei took a small sip, and his face immediately twisted.

It tasted awful!

Seeing this, Helen Zhao asked, "Mr. Hong, is it not to your taste?"

Hong Fei shook his head. "No, I've never had alcohol before."

"Sorry, I didn't know." Helen Zhao smiled in surprise.

"It's fine. The setting here is nice." Hong Fei turned to look at the city's nightscape. "Have you considered where to put the laboratory?"

"Of course. New York would be ideal, but I'd like to keep some distance from the city without being too far away."

Hong Fei pointed toward the distant mountains behind him. "How about over there?"

Helen Zhao looked into the distance and asked uncertainly, "Is there a suitable place there?"

"Yeah, I live over there. It's huge—more than enough space to build a laboratory that meets your needs. Of course, I can also apply to develop a new plot of land. The scenery there is quite good."

After thinking for a moment, Helen Zhao nodded. "It seems you've already thought it through. I don't think I have any reason to refuse."

It was only an address. As long as it was not some inaccessible backwater, there was nothing worth arguing about.

The two fell silent and continued their meal. Then several rumbling peals of thunder suddenly sounded in the dark sky.

At the sound of thunder, Hong Fei's first reaction was to look up at Helen Zhao.

The refined doctor before him would become a fan of Thor in the future. He just did not know whether she liked thunder or muscles.

Holding his glass of water, Hong Fei looked out the window, then suddenly froze.

Between the skyscrapers, flames suddenly erupted on a distant street.

Then the explosions gradually spread, accompanied by faint gunfire.

Watching a car fly into the air, crash down, and suddenly explode, Hong Fei shot to his feet.

Helen Zhao was initially startled. Then she followed Hong Fei's gaze and let out an involuntary cry.

Immediately afterward, everyone in the restaurant noticed the scene. They rushed to the windows and stared out in shock.

Cars jammed on the street were tossed aside one after another by a black dot before exploding. Rapid, unbroken gunfire echoed between the buildings. As they watched from afar in alarm and uncertainty, many people had already pulled out their phones and begun recording.

Hong Fei's eyes were filled with even greater disbelief.

He had not expected to run into this incident at such an unprepared moment.

"Number One!"

At his shout toward the entrance, Number One immediately rushed in. He had already noticed the disturbance outside. Looking at the latest photos and videos on his phone, he kept saying, "Boss, a monster has appeared on the street. It looks like the Hulk that was on the news before. It's causing massive destruction, and the military is exchanging fire with it. We need to leave now."

Hong Fei frowned and pushed the stunned Helen Zhao toward Number One.

"Take her back to the manor. Do not go anywhere near the scene."

"Yes, Boss."

Hong Fei started to leave, but Helen Zhao suddenly grabbed his wrist. "Wait, aren't you leaving?"

"I want to go take a look." With that, he lowered his gaze.

Helen Zhao immediately let go.

Hong Fei hurried out of the restaurant and called Frank.

"Notify everyone. Move out immediately. We've got a big job!"

"What?"

"Don't ask yet. Check your phones later. Gather and move out quickly. The target location is Harlem. And one more thing—those little ones are useless. Have everyone bring the big ones, the biggest kind!"

Thanks to "Silly Dog 222" for 100 points, "Even If You Live in the Second Dimension" for 5,000 points, and "Autumn Wind Sweeping Away the Clouds" for 1,500 points in tips!