A Familiar Visitor

The cheers over the successful test of the Protective Suit still lingered in the clubroom when the old wooden door hinge let out a soft creak, like the prelude to fate knocking at the door.

A black figure slipped inside as silently as a panther. Her skin-tight combat suit clung to her perfect curves, tracing sharp lines, while the twin pistols at her waist glimmered coldly in the dim light. Every detail proclaimed her professionalism and danger.

Li's fingers tightened abruptly around the Protective Suit. Memories of the aftermath of the Whiplash incident half a year ago surged back like a tide—back then, at his uncle Tony Stark's bustling expo, amid the packed exhibition hall, Natasha had still presented herself as the gentle secretary Natalie, carrying coffee through the crowd. But when the crisis struck, she had instantly shifted into combat mode, taking down the enemy with fluid, clean movements. Her agility and decisive judgment had left the young Li both shocked and deeply impressed. Even now, recalling it made his heart race.

"Long time no see, little Stark." Natasha's voice carried a familiar note of teasing, breaking the tense silence in the room.

She elegantly removed her gloves, revealing fair hands covered in thin calluses. Her fingertips lightly brushed the surface of the Protective Suit, and the smart material seemed to answer some mysterious summons, rippling with layers of silver-blue light like a glittering river of stars across the night sky. "I didn't expect you to have two dazzling little companions by your side when we met again." Her eagle-sharp gaze first swept over the uniquely modified stun device at Gwen's waist, then settled on the dangerous scarlet energy flickering at Wanda's fingertips. A trace of barely perceptible approval flashed in her eyes.

Li instinctively stepped in front of his companions. The movement halted midway, and his throat felt as though something had caught in it, tightening painfully.

"Agent Romanoff, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence network really is efficient." His voice was slightly hoarse. He could not stop himself from thinking of the countless ties between his uncle Stark and S.H.I.E.L.D.—the secrets buried in the nation's history, and Natasha's complicated past as a bodyguard secretly assigned to monitor his uncle Stark. A faint itch crept over the back of his neck, as though countless tiny insects were crawling there.

"Ever since you assisted Tony during the Whiplash incident, Director Fury has taken notice of the Stark family's new generation." As Natasha turned, her combat boots scraped against the floor, producing a fine grinding sound that seemed especially clear in the silent room.

"S.H.I.E.L.D. is forming a special team to deal specifically with unconventional threats." Her tone turned serious, her gaze firm. "The director believes your combination—Li, with his exceptional talent for technology; Gwen, skilled in mechanical modification; and Wanda, capable of wielding magic—are rare talents." As she spoke, she tapped the workbench precisely with her fingertips. A small USB drive slid toward Li like a black bullet. "This is a formal invitation. Join S.H.I.E.L.D. and become special operations members. Here, your abilities will have greater room to shine, and you can contribute more to protecting the world.

Gwen suddenly let out a derisive laugh, flipping a metal wrench nimbly through her palm with crisp clinks. "You want three high school students to join S.H.I.E.L.D.? That sounds like a fantasy." She deliberately struck an exaggerated pose, lifting her chin with disdain in her eyes. "We aren't cheap labor you can summon whenever you feel like it." Yet her tense shoulders as she stole glances at Natasha's weapons betrayed her inner nervousness.

Rather than getting angry, Natasha gave a meaningful smile, one as mysterious and unreadable as the Mona Lisa's. "Tony said something similar when he joined S.H.I.E.L.D." Her voice was gentle, as if recounting a distant story. "But the truth is, some responsibilities do not lessen because of age. This world hides too many unknown dangers, and your abilities may be the key to fighting them." Her words made the room fall silent. Li could not help recalling the earnest way his uncle taught him, always stressing that with great power came great responsibility.

Wanda's magic suddenly surged out of control. A powerful force ravaged the room, hurling scattered tools into the air. Scarlet mist spread through the room, and within it, her pupils gleamed with an eerie light like burning flames. "We are not anyone's subordinates.

" Her voice was cold and resolute, filled with wariness. "If we join S.H.I.E.L.D., we have to follow your orders. Why should we?" Natasha neither dodged nor flinched. Her calm, steady gaze met Wanda's directly as threads of magic brushed past her ears. Her composure made it seem as though she had long seen through everything. "Joining means shared resources, shared intelligence, and solid support when facing unknown threats." Her tone was sincere and powerful. "What Director Fury appreciates is precisely your creativity unconstrained by rules. S.H.I.E.L.D. will give you enough freedom to act. You will still be your own masters—you will simply have a group of reliable partners."

Li held down his two restless companions, his gaze locked on the conspicuous S.H.I.E.L.D. emblem on the USB drive. The iconic design seemed to possess a kind of magic, drawing in his eyes. Scenes of Uncle Tony guiding him step by step in building a miniature reactor, along with those unfinished mysterious blueprints in the underground laboratory, crazily pieced themselves together in his mind. "We need time to consider it." He heard his own hoarse voice, as if it came from somewhere far away. "But before that, I want to know what exactly we'll be facing if we join S.H.I.E.L.D. We can't make a decision without knowing anything."

Natasha stepped back half a pace and elegantly raised a hand in a gentlemanly gesture of invitation, the movement carrying a distinctive charm. "Give me your answer within twenty-four hours." Her voice was calm and steady. "The USB drive contains detailed information about the special team, along with briefings on the potential threats S.H.I.E.L.D. is currently monitoring. This information will help you better understand us, as well as the challenges you may face in the future." As she turned, her black trench coat bloomed like an ink-dark flower. The air stirred by it lifted the USB drive gently before it landed firmly in Li's palm. "Your uncle once said that true heroes do not shrink from challenges. I believe you possess the same courage and sense of responsibility."

As the door slowly closed with a dull click, it seemed to shut out the outside world. Gwen immediately snatched up the USB drive and rushed to the computer, her footsteps quick and forceful. "I want to see exactly why S.H.I.E.L.D. thinks we'll agree!" As she spoke, she rapidly operated the computer, her eyes filled with curiosity and vigilance. Wanda, however, continued staring quietly in the direction Natasha had vanished. Magic condensed into fleeting runes on the floor, giving off a mysterious glow. "Li, there's something unreadable about her." Wanda's voice was soft, touched with worry. "I have a feeling S.H.I.E.L.D.'s invitation isn't that simple. There may be secrets behind it that we still don't know."

Li rubbed the angular edge of the USB drive. Its icy touch reached his fingertips, but it was nothing compared to the questions and conflict churning inside him. When the screen lit up with the special team's introduction page, the unfamiliar faces and unknown mission codenames resembled a string of mysterious, complex passwords waiting for them to decipher. Join, or refuse? The choice weighed heavily on his heart. Perhaps it would completely alter the course of their lives, leading them into a future full of uncertainty and challenges.