Queen Jones

The frenzy on the red carpet was like a thermal storm, almost short-circuiting the audio system of the TCL Huaxia Grand Theatre.

Wu Yanzu was the eye of the storm.

He had just shouted the line, "You are the true heroes!", and a fanatical female fan in the front row rolled her eyes and fainted on the spot, hastily carried away by the security guards.

"Ahhhhhhh-!!!!"

"Homelander! Homelander! Homelander!"

Amidst the screams, Homelander walked into the grand theatre.

The interior of the TCL Huaxia Grand Theatre was even more luxurious and even crazier than the red carpet outside.

The air was filled with the scent of expensive champagne and movie theater butter.

The camera flashes of hundreds of cameras were blinking. The media zone was packed to the bursting point, and reporters squeezed together like sardines, desperately thrusting their microphones toward Wu Yanzu as he slowly stepped into the hall.

"Homelander! Look over here!"

"Anthony! What are your box office expectations?!"

"Mr. Stark! Captain Rogers! Does your appearance mean a formal cooperation between the Avengers and Homelander?!"

Wu Yanzu turned a deaf ear to the various noises; he was thoroughly enjoying all of this.

Yes... Yes... This is the kind of turnout a movie star deserves!

With a smile on his face, he continuously waved to the fans on both sides, occasionally stopping to sign an autograph for a female fan who had fainted with excitement, his movements as practiced as if he had rehearsed them ten thousand times.

"Thank you, thank you for your support! You are the true heroes!"

Passing through the crowded hall, the group finally entered the main screening room.

Tony, Steve, and Natasha took their seats in the reserved VIP section.

The lights dimmed slightly, and the spotlight hit the stage.

Ashley, the chief public relations officer of Vought Media, dressed in a sharp silver pantsuit and stepping on four-inch heels, walked onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to... the Night of History!" The host's voice trembled slightly with excitement, but her professional composure allowed her to perfectly control the scene, her voice filled with passion, "...Let us welcome with our most enthusiastic cheers-Homelander!!!"

"Ah-! Woohoo-! Clap clap clap-!"

Wu Yanzu stepped onto the stage amid cheers, waving in acknowledgment.

"Homelander! Homelander!" The host exaggeratedly grabbed Wu Yanzu's arm. "We all know that story! The Battle of New York, the hero's descent!"

The host's voice rose high. "But do you truly know him? Before becoming Homelander, what did he go through? What kind of pain and suffering forged this... guardian of the United States?!"

"Tonight, Homelander: Origins will reveal the answer for us!"

"But before that!" The host drew out her voice. "Please use your craziest screams to welcome-Anthony Starr! Homelander!!"

"Homelander!!! Homelander!!! Homelander!!!"

Wu Yanzu stood up, bathed in the spotlight, and leaped onto the stage.

"Just as the host said, tonight is about Origin." He took the microphone from the host. "But this is even more about the future."

"During the Battle of New York, I saw a lot. I saw aliens, I saw... the Avengers."

He glanced at Tony and Steve down in the audience.

"The Avengers, they are heroes. Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, they are both my friends and great warriors, and I am very grateful for their presence today."

A wave of applause rose across the venue.

The host made an exaggerated expression. "Oh my god! Mr. Homelander! We all know that you were the one who saved New York in the end, and afterwards you saved the president and foiled a terrorist conspiracy! You changed the world almost single-handedly!"

The host paused, tossing out the question that Vought's PR team had long since fed her.

"However, Homelander... you are only one man."

"And this world has too many threats. You cannot be everywhere at once. When you are saving the president in Washington, a fire might be breaking out in Los Angeles. When you are catching robbers in New York, a crisis might be erupting in Chicago."

"Are you... tired?"

This question made the venue instantly quiet.

Even Tony Stark raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Starting to play the sympathy card?"

The smile on Wu Yanzu's face faded by half, just right, replacing it with a "resolute" fatigue.

"Yes... I'm tired." He said candidly to the camera, "I can see through steel, but I cannot see through the human heart. I can lift buildings, but I cannot hold every pair of hands that needs help at the same time."

"The Battle of New York, I did my best. Air Force One, I did my best. But people still get hurt, people always... fail to wait for me."

"So..." Wu Yanzu's voice suddenly spiked, filled with a sense of power!

"I realized that the strength of one person is not enough!"

"This world is becoming more and more dangerous. The United States... no, this world needs more heroes."

The host took over the cue. "So... Mr. Homelander! You mean... you are going to form a team?! A team like the Avengers?"

"No." Wu Yanzu raised a finger, correcting her.

"We are going to be stronger, faster, and more transparent! We have to live up to the love of the people!!"

"Therefore, I, Anthony Starr, the founder of Vought International," he paused, savoring everyone holding their breath in anticipation, "tonight, officially announce..."

"The Seven recruitment program... is officially underway!!"

"Snap snap snap-!!!!"

Once this term was uttered, the reporters in the media zone went crazy!

"What?! The Seven?!"

"He's going to form his own Avengers? This is fucking cool!!"

"My God! This is the biggest news of the night!!"

In the VIP section down below, Tony Stark rolled his eyes and downed his champagne in one gulp.

"Fuck," he muttered to Steve, "The Seven? Are you serious? Sounds like a fucking country-rock band name."

Wu Yanzu raised his hand, suppressing the commotion at the venue.

"I know you want to ask, what kind of people will join this team?"

"Yes, we already have one."

A proud smile appeared on his face.

"Over the past few months, I have been searching. Searching for those who are buried, misunderstood, and possess talent just like me..."

"Tonight," he turned toward the shadows of the stage, "I am going to introduce to the entire world... the first member to join The Seven!"

"She possesses peerless strength!"

"She possesses an untamed, yet incomparably steadfast heart!"

"Ladies and gentlemen... please use all your passion to welcome-"

He took a deep breath and shouted that name: "-Queen Jones!!!"