How…how did you find me?"
Coulson took two steps, contemplating their next encounter, when he suddenly heard Mike's voice.
When Coulson turned around, Mike was lying on the lounge chair with his eyes closed, as if what had just happened was merely Coulson's illusion.
Coulson knew clearly it wasn't an illusion.
His mind raced.
Firstly, this statement was an indirect admission of responsibility for the Big Foot Gang case. However, it was too vague to be used as court evidence.
Secondly, when Mike said "you guys," he emphasized the words and paused, meaning…
Had S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents been exposed?
Considering Mike's mother's identity, it was indeed possible, and the probability was not small.
Regarding this, Coulson could choose to be vague or to downplay the issue. If he managed to gloss over it, he might close a window for future contact with Mike.
Coulson quickly made a decision and spoke three words: "Chloe."
"Oh."
Mike understood instantly.
Mike had only taken Chloe with him. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s computers, by investigating Chloe's identity, would perform a layered topological analysis of the relationship network of people associated with Chloe.
Originally, Old Earl and Mike were just two inconspicuous names, until Mike's parents' background was exposed, making Mike a key investigative target. Then, through cross-referencing with other incidents, Mike naturally became the number one suspect.
"How did you know my identity?" Coulson also asked a question, equally veiled.
Mike said dismissively, "You guys just have that scent about you."
He just made up a random reason; he couldn't very well say he'd transmigrated, could he?
Coulson's understanding was that Mike had learned about S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operational style from his mother.
The two looked at each other and smiled, talking past each other.
Mike took out another business card, tossed it over, and said, "Finding lost pets, dog walking, tutoring, ghostwriting homework, catching cheating girlfriends or wives…"
As he spoke, he glanced at Coulson's hairline and continued, "…Forget that one, you don't look like the type to find a girlfriend. Anyway, I basically take all kinds of commissions, big or small."
Coulson: (╬￣dish￣).
What's wrong with a strategic retreat of the hairline!
Am I eating your rice!
A scene appeared in Coulson's mind: Mike and Tony's large portraits pasted on human-shaped targets, with Coulson holding a Maxim machine gun, wildly unleashing bullets, and letting out an evil villain's cackle.
In reality.
Coulson smiled gently and said, "Alright, I'll definitely cooperate if there's an opportunity. Goodbye."
Back in the car, Coulson reported to Director.
After listening, Director said, "The follow-up is up to you. I trust you to handle things."
"Yes!" Coulson instinctively straightened his body, feeling a little excited inside.
Mike stretched, then started to deal with Chloe's loose ends.
The adoption rules in the United States are quite strict, with detailed and standardized procedures, and Old Earl's conditions indeed did not meet the requirements.
However, Mike's private lawyer, James, subtly indicated that there are always more solutions than problems. In a capitalist society, things that money can't accomplish only mean there isn't enough money.
After receiving a fifty-thousand-dollar "consultation fee," James patted his chest and guaranteed it would be handled within a week.
A week passed.
James did not disappoint Mike. He spent a day taking Old Earl and Chloe to several departments, signed a pile of documents, and then the adoption was officially and legally confirmed.
Old Earl took Chloe to complete her school enrollment procedures today.
Mike was alone, guarding the supermarket.
A middle-aged U.S. woman pushed the door open and entered. She was dressed in expensive but messy clothes, and her face was very haggard.
Clearly, this person had encountered trouble, and it was not small.
The middle-aged U.S. woman looked around the supermarket, finally settling her gaze on Mike. She hesitated for a moment, then walked forward and asked, "Excuse me, are you Mr. Mike Tang?"
"Yes, hello."
Mike asked, "Is there something I can help you with?"
The middle-aged U.S. woman said, "Hello, Fat Jerry said you can solve some problems that others can't."
Business is here!
The Banks family lived in the Upper East Side. The husband, Henry, was the vice president of a listed company, and the wife, Kettleman, operated a public welfare foundation. Their only daughter, Lisa, was admitted to the University of Chicago this year.
The Banks family was almost the template of a perfect family, until Lisa disappeared.
Having been accepted into a World-renowned university, the Banks couple inevitably relaxed their supervision over Lisa. Two weeks ago, Lisa did not return home overnight, and there has been no news of her since, as if she had vanished without a trace.
The Banks couple called the police, hired private detectives, offered bounties, and even sought help from gang members, but to no avail.
Kettleman was on the verge of a mental breakdown, and entrusting Mike was essentially a desperate measure, as Mike was excessively young and showed no hint of being a master.
"Mrs. Banks, I am very sorry about Lisa's disappearance." Mike comforted Kettleman. "Since Fat Jerry introduced you, I presume he's told you a bit about me."
"Yes."
Kettleman nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said, "He said your fees are very expensive, but so far, your success rate is one hundred percent."
"Uh…"
The pricing power was in the system's hands; Mike had no say, and the system didn't allow Mike to increase the price.
It was quite speechless.
And where was it expensive?
Kettleman said anxiously, "As long as Lisa can be found, any amount of money is fine."
"It's not about money." Mike waved his hand, "Please wait a moment."
To be precise, it wasn't just about money.
Mike secretly called Fat Jerry.
Connected.
Fat Jerry's smug voice: "My dear Mike, you're welcome. Fat Jerry is loyal, and when business comes, I think of you first."
Mike: "Less nonsense."
Fat Jerry: "Okay, as an intelligence merchant, taking a missing person's commission is no problem, right?"
Mike was expressionless: "Fair enough."
Fat Jerry said, "And then… the last place Lisa appeared was a bar called 'Blood Thorns'."
"Blood Thorns? Never heard of it."
"It's normal not to have heard of it. Blood Thorns is an underground bar, a Vampire den. I didn't dare to investigate further."
Mike suddenly understood: "Got it."
Fat Jerry suddenly acted coy: "Brother, to deal with Vampires, you need garlic essence and silver weapons, and I have them all for sale here, you know."
Mike: "So the so-called business introduction was actually just to sell things, right… Get lost!"
Hanging up the phone, Mike fell into thought.
Vampire, originated from the dark divine book.
The original Vampire was the Atlantean wizard Varnae, and then Dracula inherited most of Varnae's power, becoming the progenitor Vampire.
Vampires have existed for thousands of years, having long infiltrated every aspect of human society, truly ubiquitous.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had launched several operations to eliminate Vampires, but they either died in their infancy or the operational plans were leaked, resulting in failure.
There were two main reasons for the operational failures:
One, Vampires are hard to kill, and impossible to completely eradicate.
Two, there are too many human traitors, with many high-ranking officials waiting to become Vampires for eternal life when they face old age or terminal illness.
Ultimately, both sides signed a peace agreement: Vampires would act discreetly, and S.H.I.E.L.D. would turn a blind eye.
The only country where no Vampire populations flourished was China. The main reasons were also two:
One, Vampires had been rooted in the European and U.S. continents for thousands of years, and their invasion of the Asia-Pacific region only occurred in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Two, S.H.I.E.L.D. was effective.