Queen Jones

The frenzy on the red carpet was like a heat storm, nearly shaking the Huaxia Grand Theatre's sound system into a short circuit.

Wu Yanzu stood at the eye of that storm.

The moment he shouted, "You are the real heroes!" a crazed female fan in the front row rolled her eyes and fainted on the spot, only to be carried away by flustered security guards.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh—!!!!"

"Homelander! Homelander! Homelander!"

Amid the screams, Azu entered 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 scents of expensive champagne and buttery popcorn.

The flashes of hundreds of cameras flickered nonstop. The media section was packed to the brim, with reporters squeezed together like sardines as they desperately thrust microphones toward Wu Yanzu, who was slowly making his way into the hall.

"Homelander! Over here!"

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

"Mr. Stark! Captain Rogers! Does your appearance mean the Avengers and Homelander are officially collaborating?!"

Wu Yanzu ignored all the noise. He was enjoying every second of it.

"Yes... yes... this was the kind of reception an Oscar-winning actor deserved!"

With a smile on his face, he kept waving to fans on both sides. Every now and then, he stopped to sign an autograph for an overexcited female fan who had nearly fainted, his movements as practiced as if he had rehearsed them ten thousand times.

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

After 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 a spotlight fell onto the stage.

Ashley, Vought Media's chief public relations officer, strode onto the stage in a sharp silver suit and ten-centimeter heels.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to... a night of history!" The host's voice trembled slightly with excitement, but her professionalism allowed her to keep the scene perfectly under control. Her voice brimmed with passion. "...Give your warmest cheers for—Homelander!!!"

"Ah—! Woohoo—! Clap clap clap—!"

Wu Yanzu walked onto the stage amid thunderous applause, waving to the crowd.

"Homelander! Homelander!" The host dramatically grabbed Wu Yanzu's arm. "We all know the story! The Battle of New York, the arrival of a hero!"

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

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

"But before that!" The host drew out her words. "Please welcome with your wildest screams—Anthony Starr! Homelander!!"

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

Wu Yanzu rose to his feet, bathed in the spotlight, and flew onto the stage.

"Just as the host said, tonight is about Origins." He took the microphone from her. "But it is also about the future."

"At the Battle of New York, I saw many things. I saw aliens. I saw... The Avengers."

He glanced at Tony and Steve below the stage.

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

A wave of applause rose from the audience.

The host made an exaggerated expression. "Oh my God! Mr. Homelander! We all know that you saved New York in the end, then saved the president and foiled the terrorists' plot! You practically changed the world through your own power alone!"

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

"But, Homelander... there is only one of you."

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

"Are you... tired?"

The question instantly silenced the entire venue.

Even Tony Stark raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Here comes the sob story?"

The smile on Wu Yanzu's face faded by just the right amount, replaced by a weary look of "resolve."

"Yes... I am tired." He faced the cameras and spoke candidly. "I can see through steel, but I cannot see through people's hearts. I can hold up buildings, but I cannot hold every hand that needs help at the same time."

"At the Battle of New York, I did my best. On Air Force One, I did my best. But someone always gets hurt. Someone always... fails to wait for me."

"So..." Wu Yanzu's voice suddenly rose, filled with force!

"I realized that one person's strength is not enough!"

"This world is becoming more and more dangerous. America... no, this world needs more heroes."

The host picked up the thread. "So... Mr. Homelander! Are you saying... you are going to form a team?! A team like the Avengers?"

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

"We will be stronger, faster, and more transparent! We will be worthy of the people's love!!"

"Therefore, I, Anthony Starr, founder of Vought International," he paused, savoring everyone's held breath, "officially announce tonight..."

"The Seven recruitment program... officially begins!!"

"Click click—!!!!!"

The instant those words came out, the reporters in the media section went wild!

"What?! The Seven?!"

"He is forming his own Avengers? That is fucking awesome!!"

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

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

"Fuck." He muttered to Steve, "The Seven? Seriously? Sounds like the name of some fucking country rock band."

Wu Yanzu raised a hand, calming the commotion in the room.

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

"Yes, we already have one."

A proud smile appeared on his face.

"For the past few months, I have been searching. Searching for those who have been buried, misunderstood, and, like me... gifted."

"Tonight," he turned toward the shadows at the edge of the stage, "I will introduce to the world... the first member to join The Seven!"

"She possesses unparalleled strength!"

"She possesses a rebellious yet incomparably strong heart!"

"Ladies and gentlemen... with all your passion, please welcome—"

He took a deep breath and shouted the name: "—Queen Jones!!!"