Soft light spilled across the long table in the dining room, illuminating the inviting aroma of Wanda Maximoff's carefully prepared dinner.
There was a Sokovian-style beef stew, golden and crispy baked bread, and a bowl of fresh vegetable salad. Though the presentation wasn't fancy, it exuded a sense of home.
Xiao Han pulled out a chair and sat down, his nose twitching slightly. "Smells good."
Wanda's cheeks flushed slightly as she sat opposite him. "Just some home cooking. I don't know if you'll like it."
She nervously watched Xiao Han cut a piece of beef and put it in his mouth, her fingertips unconsciously toying with the napkin.
"The meat is tender, and the spices are perfectly balanced," Xiao Han nodded, then speared a carrot with his fork.
"The cooking time is just right."
Wanda's eyes lit up, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up. "Really? I was worried I'd stewed it for too long..."
"That's a lot better than last time," Xiao Han teased, pouring her a glass of red wine.
Wanda chuckled, her tense shoulders relaxing. She took a small sip of wine, the Scarlet Energy liquid reflecting on her also flushed cheeks.
Just as they were eating in peace, Turing suddenly projected a holographic image from the ceiling.
Tony Stark's signature smirk appeared above the table.
"Hey, Xiao, hope I'm not interrupting your romantic dinner?" Tony raised an eyebrow, looking at the two of them at the table, his gaze lingering on Wanda for an extra second.
Xiao Han slowly cut his steak: "You already have."
"The Monaco Grand Prix is in two days, and Pepper and I have a VIP box booked." Tony shook the champagne glass in his hand.
"Want to come? I guarantee it'll be a lot more fun than training the little witch at home."
Wanda's fork accidentally clinked against her plate, making a crisp sound.
Xiao Han glanced at her, then shook his head at Tony: "No interest."
"Come on! It's the fastest race in the world!" Tony spread his hands dramatically.
"And there are a lot of beautiful women in Monaco, much more pleasing to the eye than your black suit."
"I'm not into speed," Xiao Han sipped his red wine.
"And beautiful women?" He looked meaningfully at Wanda.
"I'm afraid the house will be demolished."
Wanda almost choked on her red wine, her ears turning red instantly.
Tony whistled. "Oh~ I get it. Alright, I won't disturb your training."
He deliberately dragged out the words, "Superman isn't saving the world, he's keeping a witch at home."
"Tony, maybe I should have a talk with you," Xiao Han nodded.
"Shit... Bye!" Tony hurriedly cut the communication, and the holographic image vanished instantly.
The dining room fell silent, with only the sound of cutlery clinking.
Wanda lowered her head, her red hair falling to cover half her face.
"He... he's always like this..." she muttered softly.
"Deserving a beating?" Xiao Han took over, a corner of his mouth lifting. "You'll get used to it."
Wanda peeked up, finding Xiao Han looking at her, a rare, relaxed smile in his golden eyes.
Her heart rate quickened, and countless thoughts raced through her mind.
Xiao Han's gaze lingered on Wanda's face for a few seconds before he casually resumed eating.
The atmosphere in the restaurant subtly shifted.
Wanda's fingers unconsciously rubbed the edge of her napkin, Scarlet Energy flickering at her fingertips.
She peeked up again, finding Xiao Han focused on cutting his steak.
"Um…"
Wanda made a decision and tentatively asked, "Are you really not going to the Monaco Grand Prix?"
Xiao Han looked up at her, a slight smile playing on his lips. "What, do you want to go?"
Wanda quickly shook her head, her red hair swaying with the movement. "No, I'm just curious. You never seem to go out."
"I don't need those things."
Xiao Han put down his knife and fork, picking up a napkin to wipe his mouth. "Racing, parties, the flash of cameras – those are Tony's hobbies."
"My power isn't for pleasing others."
Wanda looked at his face and suddenly understood something.
This man, powerful enough to change the world, had chosen a simple life.
It wasn't because he was a loner, but because he knew exactly what he wanted.
"I understand."
She said softly, standing up to clear the dishes, "Thank you for today's training."
Xiao Han turned and watched her busy figure.
Scarlet Energy swirled at her fingertips, and the dishes automatically floated up, neatly arranging themselves in the sink.
"Your control has improved," he commented.
Wanda's lips curled slightly, "Someone said I have too much energy, so I have to find something to do."
Xiao Han chuckled and walked towards the stairs, "Training continues tomorrow morning. Don't be late."
Wanda widened her eyes, "Will it be very early?"
"If you want to get stronger, you don't get the privilege of sleeping in." Xiao Han waved without turning around, his figure disappearing around the stairwell.
Wanda pouted, but the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden.
She waved her hand lightly, and the faucet automatically turned on. The dishes began to clean themselves, enveloped in Scarlet Energy.
"Turing?" she suddenly called out.
"At your service, Miss Maximoff," Turing's gentle voice responded.
"Could you help me find some information about racing competitions? The kind Tony was talking about."
"Certainly. I have retrieved the complete recordings of the Monaco Grand Prix for the past 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 fascinating."
A holographic projection unfolded in the center of the living room, and the deafening roar of engines instantly filled the entire space.
Wanda was curled up on the sofa, her red hair cascading over her shoulders, her eyes glued to the speeding race cars.
What she didn't know was that upstairs, Xiao Han was leaning against the railing, also watching the scene, a thoughtful glint in his golden eyes.
Night had fallen, and 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 vision pierced through the atmosphere, allowing him to see galaxies several light-years away.
Elsewhere
A mountain range in Canada
On the rugged mountain road, a black SUV crunched over gravel, its headlights cutting through the thick night.
The car's heater was on full blast, but it couldn't dispel the tense atmosphere.
Natasha Romanoff had one hand on the steering wheel, her red hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. Her dark green tactical suit outlined her lean physique.
In the rearview mirror, she glanced at the tall, silent man in the back seat.
Adam Bernard.
Or rather, the former "Blue Knight".
"So, Adam," she began, her voice laced with her usual laid-back sarcasm.
"What exactly did Fury use to win you over? Don't tell me it was that whole speech about the world needing heroes."
Clint Barton in the co-pilot seat was fiddling with his compound bow, and chuckled at the words. "Five bucks says it's a retirement plan."
Adam's gaze drifted back from the window, and his knuckles gently tapped his knee.
His eyes were calm, almost indifferent.
"He mentioned a person."
"Who?" Natasha raised an eyebrow.
"Superman."
The car fell silent for several seconds after Adam uttered the word.
"Fury said he can punch through a building, his eyes shoot lasers, and he can freeze an entire street with his ice breath." He paused.
"Sounds like something out of a comic book."
Clint whistled. "Welcome to the club. I was still suspecting it was some kind of Stark projection prank until last week. Who knew he'd show up globally a couple days ago?"
"And he attended Stark's council."
"So, Adam, you came after all," Natasha pointed out.
Adam narrowed his eyes. "Because if people like that really exist, the world either needs more guardians."
He raised his hand, and a ripple of eerie blue energy appeared in his palm. "If this person isn't up to the task, then, there needs to be a counterweight."
"But he seems alright."