Natasha was very anxious. Although she was an agent who had seen many wars and grown indifferent to death, the orphanage held only a group of young lives, none of whom had grown up yet. She did not want the children to become bargaining chips in this confrontation.
At that thought, Natasha could not help remembering the child with the beautiful eyes. Though he seemed like a cheeky little brat, she could not bear to see him perish like this. She quickened her pace and charged straight into the orphanage courtyard through the hole the robbers had just blasted open.
But when Natasha rushed into the courtyard, she found that the situation was not what she had imagined.
The scene she had expected, with all the children taken hostage, was nowhere to be seen. There was only a child with mesmerizing heterochromia standing in the courtyard. It was Xia Zuo, who had just hidden the pistol and the Scroll of Truth.
Xia Zuo's eyes immediately lit up when he saw Natasha arrive. Natasha was an outstanding agent, and years of combat had kept her figure shapely and well-proportioned, with full curves in all the right places. Now, dressed in a tight-fitting agent's suit, she looked striking and valiant, with a different kind of allure.
"Ma'am, did you come here just to find me? I knew you couldn't bear to leave me. I'm so happy!"
Xia Zuo instantly forgot everything else and spoke as he gazed at Natasha in delight. He had not forgotten the excitement and the wild pounding of his heart when Natasha had held him earlier (when he had clung to Natasha). It had been a peculiar thrill, and what was more, it had helped him unlock the First Eye Ring. Xia Zuo rather wanted to try it again. Perhaps he might gain something else.
Power. As long as something could bring him power, he would do it even if it was dangerous. Besides, this was not dangerous at all, and it was a tremendous perk.
Natasha's expression darkened. Why did she have to run into this little brat the moment she arrived? She had an urge to knock Xia Zuo down with a punch, because seeing him reminded her of some unpleasant things. And what was with that tone of his?
She couldn't bear to leave him?
She had come here just to find him?
Natasha suddenly had the urge to grab the little brat in front of her and give him a spanking.
"That joke isn't funny at all, kid. Have you seen several dangerous men? They're very dangerous and might hurt the people at the orphanage." Natasha suppressed her desire to give Xia Zuo a beating, bent down slightly, and spoke to him patiently.
The most important thing right now was to catch those dangerous men. Everything else was a minor matter, so Natasha did not have much time to waste talking nonsense with Xia Zuo.
Xia Zuo's eyes shifted slightly. Naturally, he understood why Natasha had come here. Two of the robbers had already been killed by his Geass ability, and the remaining eight had left with their bodies.
Eight people carrying two bodies would be slowed down. If Natasha chased after them now, she would definitely notice that something was off. Xia Zuo did not want that to happen.
He was still very weak. He only had one eye technique, the Geass Eye, and his body was still frail. He did not want to expose himself to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s scrutiny at this stage, nor did he want Natasha to notice anything strange about those robbers. He had to stall her.
"So you didn't come to find me, ma'am? I'm so disappointed." Xia Zuo's face immediately fell as he spoke, looking utterly disappointed.
Natasha's expression darkened again. This child really did need a spanking!
"Be good and tell me. Auntie has something very important to do. Once I'm done, I'll definitely come back to see you, all right?" Natasha looked at Xia Zuo gently as she spoke. She might have been more convincing if she had not also been secretly gritting her teeth.
All she wanted now was to take care of that matter. Everything else could wait. Xia Zuo was the only person here, so she felt he should know something and wanted to learn those men's whereabouts from him.
How did that saying go again? Children were the easiest to fool. She therefore thought it would be easy to get Xia Zuo to tell her what he knew. As for that nonsense about promising to visit him later, she did not believe it herself.
"Really? Then do you like me?" Xia Zuo asked delightedly, looking at Natasha with anticipation.
Natasha's expression darkened again, and she nearly rolled her eyes!
Was this little brat ever going to stop? Why had he brought the conversation back to whether she liked him? Natasha was already on the verge of losing her temper!
"Yes, yes, yes, I like you best. So can you tell me now?"
Natasha spoke somewhat impatiently. She was anxious to deal with the matter, but the little brat in front of her had such an odd way of thinking, always steering the conversation somewhere she never expected.
"Me too. I like you best, ma'am," Xia Zuo said delightedly, closing his eyes slightly and leaning forward a little.
It was a very obvious gesture: he was asking for a kiss. People waiting for a kiss generally leaned forward slightly. This gesture was also very common in America, however, because Americans considered it a form of greeting.
Natasha clenched her fists, understanding what the little brat Xia Zuo was waiting for. Yet she could not shake the feeling that he was taking advantage of her. But he was just a little kid, and she still needed to pursue those robbers.
Oh, to hell with it. A kiss it is!
Natasha steeled herself, closed her eyes, and lightly touched her red lips to Xia Zuo's cheek. A silent smile immediately appeared on his face.
"Now can you tell me?" Natasha stared at Xia Zuo, her hands already clenched tight. She felt that if he still refused to talk, she really would lose her temper.
"Yes. A few uncles ran out of that hole just now, but they seemed really flustered and ran straight that way."
Xia Zuo pointed in the direction the robbers had left, looking perfectly earnest as he explained the situation to Natasha. Yet deep in his eyes lurked a trace of amusement that no one else noticed.
He could tell Natasha was nearing the limit of her patience, so he stopped teasing her and pointed out the way. Still, after he had stalled her for this long, those robbers should have nearly reached the river by now.
"All right, hurry inside. It's a little dangerous out here!" Natasha said quickly before racing in the direction Xia Zuo had indicated. She felt an eager impulse to act. She was going to vent all the frustration Xia Zuo had just caused her on those robbers.
"Ma'am, remember, I like you!"
Xia Zuo suddenly shouted after her. Natasha's expression darkened, and she stumbled, nearly falling. She rolled her eyes and hurried away without looking back, though she looked a little flustered as she left!
P.S. Thank you to [Hui Ge Xinxi Fanying Hao Ba] and [Regan] for the tips. My heartfelt thanks!
P.S. A word about the plot: this book will largely follow the movies, with some comic storylines woven in. After all, the comics are a bit messy, and I believe more of you will have watched the movies. Thank you for understanding!
P.S. A new book needs care. Please support it, everyone, and don't forget to add it to your favorites!