Recruitment Operation

Inside the restaurant, soft lighting spilled onto the long table, and the dinner Wanda had carefully prepared exuded an enticing aroma.

Sokovia -style stewed beef, golden and crispy toasted bread, and a bowl of fresh vegetable salad—the presentation may not be fancy, but it exudes the warmth of home.

Xiao Han pulled out a chair and sat down, his nose twitching slightly. "It smells good."

Wanda's cheeks flushed slightly as she sat down opposite him. "It's just some simple home-style dishes. I don't know if they'll suit your taste."

She watched nervously as Xiao Han cut a piece of beef and put it in his mouth, her fingertips unconsciously twirling the napkin.

"The meat is tender and the spices are just right." Xiao Han nodded and picked up another piece of carrot with his fork.

"The heat control is excellent."

Wanda's eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up. "Really? I was worried it would stew for too long..."

"Much better than last time," Xiao Han teased, pouring her a glass of red wine.

Wanda chuckled softly, her tense shoulders relaxing. She took a small sip of red wine, the crimson liquid reflecting on her equally flushed cheeks.

Just as the two were having a quiet meal, Turing suddenly projected a holographic image from the ceiling.

Tony Stark's signature smirk appeared above the dining table.

"Hey, Xiao, did I disturb your candlelight dinner?" Tony raised an eyebrow at the two people at the table, his gaze lingering on Wanda for a second longer.

Xiao Han slowly and methodically cut his steak. "You've already disturbed me."

"For the Monaco Grand Prix two days later, Pepper and I booked a VIP box." Tony swirled the champagne in his glass.

"Want to come along? I guarantee it'll be way more fun than training your little witch at home."

Wanda's fork accidentally hit the plate, making a crisp sound.

Xiao Han glanced at her, then shook his head at Tony: "Not interested."

"Come on! That's the fastest race car in the world!" Tony exclaimed, spreading his hands dramatically.

"Besides, there are many beautiful women in Monaco, much more pleasing to the eye than your black battle suit."

"I don't have a sense of speed," Xiao Han said, taking a sip of red wine.

"And beautiful women?" He glanced meaningfully at Wanda.

"I'm afraid my house will be demolished."

Wanda nearly choked on the red wine, her ears turning bright red instantly.

Tony whistled, "Oh, I got it. Okay, I won't disturb your training."

He deliberately drew out the words, "Superman doesn't go to save the world, but instead keeps a witch at home."

"Tony, perhaps I should come and talk to you." Xiao Han nodded.

"Shit... Bye-bye!" Tony hurriedly cut off the communication, and the holographic image disappeared instantly.

The restaurant fell silent for a moment, with only the clinking of cutlery breaking the silence.

Wanda lowered her head, her red hair falling down and covering half of her face.

"He... he's always been like this..." she muttered softly.

"You want a beating?" Xiao Han chimed in, a slight smile playing on his lips. "You'll get used to it."

Wanda secretly glanced up and found Xiao Han looking at her, his golden eyes filled with a rare relaxed smile.

Her heart raced, and countless thoughts flashed through her mind.

Xiao Han's gaze lingered on Wanda's face for a few seconds before he continued eating as if nothing had happened.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was subtly shifting.

Wanda's fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the napkin, a faint crimson energy flickering at her fingertips.

She glanced up again and saw Xiao Han intently cutting the steak on his plate.

"That..."

Wanda made her decision and tentatively asked, "Are you really not going to Monaco?"

Xiao Han looked up at her, a slight smile playing on his lips, "What, you want to go?"

Wanda quickly shook her head, her red hair swaying gently with the movement. "No, I'm just curious, you never seem to go out."

"I don't need those."

Xiao Han put down his knife and fork, picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth. "Racing, parties, spotlights—those are Tony's hobbies."

"My power is not meant to please others."

Wanda looked at his face and suddenly understood something.

This man, powerful enough to change the world, chose a simple life.

It wasn't because he was aloof, but because he knew exactly what he wanted.

I understand.

She said softly, standing up to clear the table, "Thank you for today's training."

Xiao Han turned around and watched her busy figure.

Crimson energy flowed from her fingertips, causing the tableware to float up automatically and arrange themselves neatly in the sink.

"Your self-control has improved," he commented.

Wanda smiled slightly, "Someone said I have too much energy, so I always need to find something to do."

Xiao Han chuckled and walked towards the stairs, "Continue training tomorrow morning, don't be late."

Wanda's eyes widened. "Isn't it too early?"

"If you want to become stronger, you won't have the privilege of sleeping in." Xiao Han waved his hand without turning his head, and his figure disappeared around the corner of the stairs.

Wanda pursed her lips, but the smile in her eyes was unmistakable.

She waved her hand gently, and the faucet turned on automatically, the dishes beginning to wash themselves under the influence of crimson energy.

"Turing?" she suddenly called out.

"At your service, Miss Maximoff," Turing's gentle voice rang out.

"Could you help me find some information about racing competitions? Like the kind Tony mentioned."

"Of course. We've retrieved complete recordings of the Monaco Grand Prix from the last five years. Would you like to play them now?"

Wanda dried her hands and walked towards the living room. "Hmm, I want to see what's so attractive."

A holographic projection unfolded in the center of the living room, and the deafening roar of an engine instantly filled the entire space.

Wanda curled up on the sofa, her red hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes glued to the speeding race cars.

Unbeknownst to her, Xiao Han upstairs was leaning against the railing, also watching this scene, a thoughtful glint in his golden eyes.

It was late at night, Wanda had already gone back to her room to rest.

Xiao Han stood alone on the villa's terrace, gazing up at the starry sky.

His Super-Sight can penetrate the atmosphere and see galaxies light-years away.

On the other side

A mountain range in Canada

On the rugged mountain road, a black SUV rolled over gravel, its headlights piercing the thick darkness of the night.

The car's heater was on full blast, but it couldn't dispel the tense atmosphere.

Natasha Romanoff rested one hand on the steering wheel, her red hair tied in a neat ponytail, and her slender figure was outlined in a dark green tactical uniform.

In the rearview mirror, she glanced at the tall, silent man in the back seat.

Adam Bernard

Or rather, the former "Blue Marvel".

"So, Adam," she began, her voice carrying its usual lazy, teasing tone.

"What exactly did Fury use to move you? Don't tell me it was his speech about the world needing heroes."

Clint Barton, in the co-pilot's seat, was fiddling with his compound bow when he heard this. He chuckled and said, "I bet five dollars it's a retirement plan."

Adam turned his gaze away from the window and tapped his knees lightly with his knuckles.

His gaze was calm to the point of being indifferent.

He mentioned someone.

"Who?" Natasha raised an eyebrow.

"Superman."

There was a few seconds of silence in the car when Adam uttered the word.

"Fury said he could punch a building to pieces, shoot lasers from his eyes, and freeze an entire street with his Freeze Breath." He paused.

"It sounds like it came straight out of a comic book."

Clint whistled. "Welcome to the club. Until last week I was still suspecting it was some kind of projection prank by Stark. Who knew he'd be showing up globally just a couple of days ago."

"He also attended Stark's council."

"So, Adam, you came after all," Natasha pointed out.

Adam narrowed his eyes. "Because if such a person truly exists, the world either needs more guardians."

He raised his hand, and a faint blue energy ripple suddenly appeared in his palm. "If this person is not up to the task, then a check and balance is needed."

"But it looks good."