The brief interaction between Agent Coulson and Commander Hill was cut short as Serana swiftly returned to the camera feed.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting," Serana said, a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Mr. Zhou is ready to receive you. However, he hopes you won't take up too much of his time." This was the lukewarm news she delivered.
Commander Hill nodded curtly. "Please rest assured, if possible, we also don't wish to waste too much of Mr. Zhou's time."
Serana stared at her, genuinely surprised. It was the first time she had witnessed a woman treat Zhou Yi with such blatant indifference. Zhou Yi, known for his politeness, wit, and humor, usually left women impressed, if not enchanted. Commander Hill's demeanor, however, suggested that, in her eyes, Zhou Yi was no more appealing than something actively unpleasant.
Serana regretted relaying their request, but the decision was made. She could only hope they harbored no genuine ill will. If a conflict arose, she was prepared to let them meet a Vampire's fangs and claws.
As the manor gates slowly opened, Commander Hill and Agent Coulson drove the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division's black Lincoln slowly up the drive. This wasn't S.H.I.E.L.D.'s first time scouting the Dawn Knight's estate, but it was their first time entering as invited guests.
When the two stopped the car, Serana was waiting at the door.
Serana's identity was no secret to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Advanced personnel. While they were somewhat surprised Zhou Yi kept a Vampire at home, this fact alone provided no grounds for action against him. He was, after all, a billionaire. As long as he didn't openly defy national laws, no one would intervene regarding the creatures he chose to keep on his property.
Serana, unaware they knew her secret, strove to maintain the image of a competent private assistant, a role she performed admirably.
Under her guidance, Commander Hill and Agent Coulson quickly entered Zhou Yi's lavish living room. Zhou Yi was already seated on the sofa, waiting. He had been anticipating this conversation with S.H.I.E.L.D. for quite some time.
"Welcome, both of you. I think, not counting our rather unpleasant encounter last time, this should be my first official interaction with your Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, wouldn't you agree?" Inviting them to sit opposite him, Zhou Yi's opening was deliberately confrontational.
He had a clear idea of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s motives and sought to confirm them through provocation.
"I think, Mr. Zhou, it might be more conducive to friendly communication to consider this our very first meeting," Agent Coulson interjected, deftly diffusing the tension. "After all, we are both organizations and individuals striving toward a common goal." Coulson, not Hill, spoke first, proving his suitability for diplomacy.
"Very well, I don't care to dwell on the past either." Zhou Yi nodded, resting his chin on his hand. "Would you two prefer tea or coffee? I have Chinese green tea, and of course, if you prefer black tea, that's fine too."
"Coffee, if you don't mind," Agent Coulson replied, glancing quickly at Commander Hill for confirmation.
"Of course," Zhou Yi said, slightly amused. A professional who was considerate of his partner, even in the Agent profession, was rare. He was intrigued by the man with the receding hairline.
Soon, Serana brought two cups of coffee and placed them down. She did not leave, instead standing behind Zhou Yi, holding the empty tray.
Sensing that S.H.I.E.L.D. wanted privacy, Zhou Yi intervened. Serana was the person closest to him, and he had no intention of keeping secrets from her.
"Before we continue, I think it would be remiss of me not to know who I'm speaking with."
"Of course, that's our oversight." Agent Coulson offered a genuine, comforting smile. "I am Phil Coulson, an Advanced Agent of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. This is Commander Maria Hill. Before we begin, Mr. Zhou, could you please ask this Young Miss to step out for a moment?"
"I mean no offense to her, but knowing the contents of our discussion would be detrimental to her safety."
"No need, Agent," Zhou Yi gently patted Serana's hand. "I don't keep secrets from the people around me. As for Serana, you can consider her my assistant in all capacities."
Agent Coulson looked nervously at Maria Hill, who was the ranking officer present.
"No problem, I think we can proceed," Maria Hill stated, clearly prioritizing the objective over a minor detail. Serana's presence was Zhou Yi's problem; if any information leaked, the Dawn Knight would have to handle it, potentially creating an advantageous situation for S.H.I.E.L.D.
Without further delay, the official exchange between S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Dawn Knight began.
"First, I need to state our intentions clearly. We sincerely hope that Mr. Zhou will join our organization, whether it's to maintain World peace or to combat unstable elements..."
Zhou Yi interrupted Coulson, his tone quite impolite. "I'm sorry, your invitation holds zero interest for me. I have no desire to be dictated to or interfered with. Besides, can you truly afford to invite me? Let me calculate—what is my monthly income again?"
Coulson instantly lost his drive to continue the topic. He had secretly criticized the person who conceived this idea a thousand times. What billionaire, at the top of the World's social and financial ladder, would join an Agent organization, especially under management and surveillance? It was utterly illogical.
"Mr. Zhou, do you believe that no one else truly knows about your other identity?" Commander Hill interjected, ignoring Coulson's discomfort and targeting Zhou Yi directly. "And do you genuinely believe your solitary actions are effectively upholding justice and righteousness?"
"Maria..." Zhou Yi began, using her first name, but Hill cut him off.
"Please call me Hill. I don't believe we are familiar enough for that." Her attitude was glacial, suggesting she was there not to negotiate, but to provoke.
Fortunately, Zhou Yi had a certain tolerance for women, especially beautiful ones, though he was baffled by her hostility.
"Alright, Young Miss Hill," he shrugged. "From my perspective as Zhou Yi, I believe everything the Dawn Knight is doing is correct. The World hasn't reached the point where brave action for a just cause is considered obstruction of duty, has it? And on that point, the New York Police Department should have more to say than you."
"And from the Dawn Knight's perspective," Zhou Yi's tone sharpened, "when I was saving the lives of those innocent people, I saw no sign of your Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Therefore, you have absolutely no right to lecture me."
"Furthermore, if my identity were ever exposed, that would be your failure. I hold zero hope that a bureaucratic organization can keep significant secrets."
"Who do you think you are? What do you think we do?" Commander Hill's voice rose sharply. "Sir, we maintain the proper order of this World. Everything we do is to prevent extraordinary beings from affecting normal humans. We have strived for this purpose since World War II. And your solo, unregulated appearance is the single biggest interference to that established order."
"Maintaining peace involves the Police, the military, federal Agents, and our S.H.I.E.L.D. It does not involve a billionaire covering his face and wearing Advanced technology to seek thrills."
"Is that so?" Zhou Yi's voice matched hers, laced with his signature sarcasm. "You claim you don't need people like me. Let me calculate: what measurable role do these entities you mention actually play? Ha! I'm sorry, but aside from the Police and those still playing in the sand in the Middle East, I haven't seen any of your supposed forces upholding justice."
"How exactly do you maintain order and justice? By silently launching a missile after the passengers on that plane have been completely devoured, and then issuing a statement: 'Sorry, our hostile forces accidentally shot down a civilian airliner'?"
The exchange instantly devolved into a tense, aggressive standoff. The speed of the conflict surprised not only Serana, the relatively naive Vampire, but also Phil Coulson, the consummate professional. He would bet a hundred US dollars that he had never witnessed Commander Hill target anyone with such intense personal hostility.
Did they know each other from before? Did they have some unpleasant history? Unable to find any other rational explanation, Phil began constructing elaborate theories in his mind.