A few hours ago
Vermont
A small town
Nick Fury and Coulson stood in front of an old house on the outskirts of the town, the setting sun casting long shadows behind them.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Fury asked in a low voice, his one eye scanning the surroundings.
Coulson nodded, the screen of his tablet displaying a faint energy reading. "The anti-matter fluctuations originated from here, Director."
Fury took a deep breath and raised his hand to knock on the door.
A few seconds later, the door opened, and a tall, black man appeared in the doorway.
He looked like a middle-aged man, dressed in a simple plaid shirt and jeans, a cup of coffee in his hand.
His eyes were calm, but there was an indescribable sense of power emanating from them.
"Who are you looking for?" The man's voice was low and gentle.
Fury looked directly at his eyes: "Adam Bernard?"
The man's expression paused slightly, then returned to normal: "That was a long time ago."
"I am Nick Fury, Director of S.H.I.E.L.D." Fury showed his ID, "This is Agent Phil Coulson."
Adam was silent for a moment, then stepped aside, opening a path: "Come in."
The interior was simply furnished, but clean and cozy. A few family photos hung on the wall, and bookshelves were filled with books.
Adam gestured for the two men to sit, leaning against the fireplace with his arms crossed. "So, what does S.H.I.E.L.D. want from me?"
Fury didn't mince words. "We need your help."
Adam chuckled softly. "I've been retired for decades, Director Fury. The President himself ordered me to go into hiding and live a normal life."
"The world has changed," Fury said, his voice low. "There's a man in New York calling himself Superman. His power far exceeds that of normal humans. His actions are unrestrained, and he even threatens S.H.I.E.L.D."
Adam's brow furrowed slightly. "Superman?"
"A guy in a black suit," Coulson added. "He can fly, fire heat vision, and his strength is enough to destroy buildings."
"He's also been getting close to Tony Stark lately."
Adam thoughtfully rubbed the coffee cup: "Sounds like a character from a comic book."
"But he's real." Fury stared at him. "And he doesn't take orders from anyone."
Adam was silent for a moment, then finally shook his head. "Director Fury, I'm not the Lanchi of old. I'm just a normal person now, teaching, gardening, occasionally helping the neighbors fix their cars."
"But the world needs you." Fury's voice, rarely, carried a hint of pressure.
"We're assembling a team, the Avengers, specifically to deal with threats that are out of the ordinary, or, alien invasions. And you are one of the best choices."
Adam's gaze fell on the photo on the fireplace, a picture of him with his wife and daughter. He sighed softly: "I promised my family I wouldn't get involved in this anymore."
"If Superman loses control, or something worse appears, do you think your family will still be safe?" Fury countered.
Adam's eyes wavered slightly.
Just then, a roar erupted outside, followed by the screech of brakes.
Fury and Coulson immediately stood up, on alert. Adam frowned, setting down his coffee cup. "Did you bring a tail?"
"Impossible," Fury shook his head.
Adam strode to the door and pushed it open. A black SUV was parked across the middle of the yard, the S.H.I.E.L.D. logo emblazoned on the door.
"Looks like we have uninvited guests," Adam murmured.
The car door opened, and a man in a suit stepped out, a fake smile plastered on his face. "Director Fury, what a coincidence."
Fury's single eye narrowed. "Minister Pierce."
Alexander Pierce, the former minister of the World Security Council, was standing in Adam's yard, followed by several fully armed agents.
"I heard you're recruiting talent." Pierce's gaze swept over Adam, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Mr. Adam, it's a pleasure."
Adam's expression turned cold. "I haven't used that name in a long time."
Pierce shrugged. "Times change. We need power like yours."
Fury stepped in front of Adam. "Pierce, this is a matter for S.H.I.E.L.D."
"S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Pierce chuckled. "Fury, your recent actions have been rather… extensive. The Council is concerned about your… judgment."
The atmosphere instantly tightened.
Adam looked at Fury, then at Pierce, and suddenly laughed. "Looks like you have some internal problems."
Pierce's gaze returned to Adam. "Mr. Adam, we offer better terms. Higher authority, more freedom of action."
"Sounds like you want me to be a hired gun," Adam said flatly.
"Just a partnership," Pierce smiled.
Adam was silent for a moment, then finally shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not interested in your power games."
Pierce's smile faltered slightly. "Are you sure? It's not wise to refuse us."
Fury sneered. "Threatening him? You're out of line, Pierce."
Pierce ignored Fury and focused on Adam. "Think carefully, Mr. Lanchi. The world is changing, and the price of being on the wrong side... is high."
Adam's eyes sharpened, and an invisible energy subtly flowed around him. "I've been through wars, Mr. Pierce. Threats don't work on me."
Pierce narrowed his eyes, and finally took a step back. "Very well. I hope you won't regret this."
He turned and walked towards the SUV, the agents following close behind. The car started and sped away.
The courtyard returned to silence.
Fury looked at Adam: "Thank you."
Adam shook his head: "I didn't do it for you."
Coulson couldn't help but ask: "How did Secretary Pierce know we were here?"
A cold glint flashed in Fury's one eye: "It seems there are more rats than just Hydra."
Adam took a deep breath, as if making a decision: "Fury, I can help you, but I have conditions."
Fury nodded: "Go on."
"First, my family must be absolutely protected."
"No problem."
"Second, I don't accept any political manipulation. I only do what I think is right."
Fury fell silent for a moment, frowning. He thought of Xiao Han, sighed, and finally nodded. "Agreed."
Adam extended his hand. "Then, it's a deal."
Fury shook his hand. "Welcome to the Avengers."
Stark Tower Lab
Tony and Xiao Han had just returned from the moon, the golden sparks of the portal slowly fading in the air.
Tony stretched, casually picked up the whiskey on the table, and took a swig, sighing, "The Inhumans' technology is truly enviable. Their anti-gravity engine is much quieter than my thrusters…"
Just then, Jarvis's voice chimed in:
"Sir, a reminder, the Senate Military Committee hearing will be held at 10 AM the day after tomorrow. You have not prepared any speech materials."
Tony's expression immediately fell: "Oh, damn it, I completely forgot about that."
Xiao Han raised an eyebrow. He hadn't been actively keeping up with the world's news since returning: "What hearing?"
Tony rubbed his temples in annoyance: "Ever since we showed up in New York in our Armor, those old farts in the Senate have been eyeing me.
They want me to hand over the Armor technology, talking about national security, military control… Ha, dream on."
Xiao Han immediately understood this was the plot of Iron Man 2.
In the original timeline, Tony would have faced the Senate's grilling alone, silencing everyone with a brilliant display of verbal sparring.
But now, things had clearly changed.
"So, they want you to hand over your armor to the military?" Xiao Han asked.
"Pretty much," Tony sneered.
"They even brought in some so-called expert to argue my armor should be nationalized."
"Justin Hammer, that copycat clown."
Xiao Han nodded, then suddenly smiled: "Leave it to me."
Tony was taken aback: "What do you mean?"
"It's simple," Xiao Han said, hands in his pockets, his tone casual.
"Just tell them the armor isn't a Stark Industries product, but mine, Superman's armor. Tell them to come talk to me."
Tony narrowed his eyes. "You sure? Those politicians are tough to deal with."
"What do you think they can do to me?" Xiao Han shrugged. "Besides, I'll be at the hearing myself."
Tony stared at him for two seconds, then suddenly grinned. "Ha! I'd love to see their faces."
"So, what exactly is your plan to deal with those politicians?"
Xiao Han stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, sunlight streaming through the glass and onto the black armor that had just covered his entire body, the golden S emblem on his chest subtly shimmering.
He curled the corner of his mouth. "It's simple. Since I'm Superman, how can I not have any fans?"
Tony was stunned: "Fans? Wait, what are you going to do?"
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Han's figure had already turned into a streak of black light, instantly shattering the glass and disappearing into the sky.
Tony widened his eyes and rushed to the window: "Jarvis! Track his location!"
A few minutes later…
Tony stared at Xiao Han's flight trajectory on the holographic screen, his mouth twitching: "Jarvis, where is this guy right now?"
"Sir, Mr. Xiao is currently above the Indian Ocean, traveling at approximately Mach 30."
Tony rubbed his forehead: "Alright, it seems he really intends to let the whole world know about Superman's existence."
PS: The recommendations have begun! Brothers, whether this book can become popular depends on you! The author is here to beg for your support!