Agent Phil Coulson and Commander Maria Hill's daily interaction didn't last long. Soon, Serana returned to the camera.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, both of you. Mr. Zhou Yi is ready to receive you. However, he hopes you won't take up too much of his time." The news Serana brought could barely be considered good.
Commander Hill nodded in response, making her position clear.
"Rest assured, if possible. We don't want to waste too much of Mr. Zhou's time either."
Serana looked at her in surprise. It was the first time she'd seen a woman treat Zhou Yi with such indifference. Zhou Yi was usually polite and humorous in front of women. Generally, even if a woman wasn't charmed by such a man, she would still be left with a good impression. But Commander Hill's expression made her feel that in this woman's eyes, Zhou Yi wasn't any better to look at than some repulsive person.
Now, she somewhat regretted informing Zhou Yi of these two people's arrival. But there was no way to change it now. She could only hope that the two of them didn't harbor any malicious intent. If there were any conflicts, she wouldn't mind letting these two experience the fangs and claws of a vampire.
As the manor gates slowly opened, Commander Hill and Agent Coulson, driving a black Lincoln provided by SHIELD, slowly entered the Dawn Knights' estate.
It wasn't SHIELD's first time in this place, but it was their first time entering as guests.
When the two stopped the car, Serana was already waiting in front of the gate, welcoming the two uninvited guests.
Serana's identity was no secret to the senior personnel of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (SHIELD). Although they were somewhat surprised that Zhou Yi kept a vampire at home, it gave them no reason to take any action against him.
After all, Zhou Yi had the identity of a billionaire in addition to his superhero status, and this identity was far more of a concern to them than his superhero one. As a billionaire, as long as he didn't openly violate the country's laws, no one would dwell on what kind of creatures he kept at home.
Serana didn't know that the pair already knew everything about her. She always tried to maintain the role of a qualified personal assistant in front of outsiders. Judging from this identity alone, she did an excellent job.
Under her guidance, Commander Maria Hill and Agent Phil Coulson soon arrived in Zhou Yi's living room. There, Zhou Yi was already sitting on the sofa, waiting for their arrival. He had been looking forward to this conversation with SHIELD for a long time.
"Welcome, both of you. I think, not counting that unpleasant meeting, this should be my first formal exchange with your... Strategic Homeland... whatchamacallit Division, right?" Inviting the two to sit across from him, Zhou Yi was quite sharp with his words from the start.
He had already made some guesses about SHIELD's intentions, so he needed to make some probes, and these sharp words were undoubtedly the simplest way.
"I think, Mr. Zhou, it's better to treat this as our first meeting. This might be more conducive to friendly exchanges between us, since we are organizations and individuals with the same goals."
Commander Hill didn't say anything on the matter; it was Agent Phil Coulson who spoke. Just like it always was with him, he diffused the slight sharpness in Zhou Yi's words the moment he opened his mouth. Someone like him was indeed better suited for dealing with others.
"Alright, I don't like dwelling on the past either," Zhou Yi nodded, propping up his chin. "Tea or coffee? I have Chinese green tea, but I have no problem with black tea if you prefer."
"Coffee, if it's alright!" Agent Coulson glanced at Commander Hill, and only after seeing that his companion had no objections did he answer.
"Of course!" Zhou Yi nodded in surprise. To see someone so considerate in the profession of an agent was quite unexpected. He was already somewhat interested in this guy with the receding hairline, which was rare for a playboy like him.
\n\n
Soon, Serana brought two cups of coffee and placed them in front of the two. Then, Serana didn't leave, but stood behind Zhou Yi, holding the tray.
Seeing their gazes drawn to Serana, or rather, the two from SHIELD seemed not to want anyone else present during this conversation. But Zhou Yi had his own thoughts on this matter. Serana was one of the closest people to him right now, and he didn't want to hide anything from this lovely girl. So, he directly intervened.
"You two, I think it's inappropriate for us to meet for the first time if I don't even know who you are, isn't it?"
"Of course, that's our oversight." Agent Coulson revealed a smile that seemed extremely comfortable. "Let me introduce myself. I am Phil Coulson, a Level 8 agent of SHIELD. The person beside me is Commander Maria Hill. Before we talk, Mr. Zhou, could we have this young lady leave for a moment?"
"I didn't mean anything by it, perhaps my words were a bit offensive to the lady, but from her perspective, knowing about our conversation wouldn't benefit her in any way."
"No need for that, Agent," Zhou Yi gently patted Serana's hand. "I don't hide anything from those around me, and as for Serana, you can consider her my assistant in another capacity."
Agent Phil Coulson looked at Commander Maria Hill with some difficulty. She was the one in charge of this matter. After all, Commander Hill's authority was a level higher than his.
"No problem, I think we can begin," Maria Hill clearly didn't want to get bogged down in such trivial matters. Serana was Zhou Yi's problem, and even if any information leaked, it would be the Dawn Knights who would deal with it. It had nothing to do with them, and if something really went wrong, it would be a very advantageous opportunity for them.
There weren't many bargaining chips that could be used to negotiate with someone like Zhou Yi. So, without dwelling on the details, both sides began this formal exchange, representing SHIELD and the Dawn Knights.
"First, I need to clarify our intentions. We sincerely hope that Mr. Zhou Yi will join us, whether it's for maintaining world peace or combating unstable elements."
Zhou Yi interrupted Agent Coulson's statement quite directly and rudely.
"I'm sorry, but I have no interest in your invitation. I don't want someone above me to meddle in my business. Besides, can you even afford me? Let me think, how much do I make in a month these days?"
In that instant, Agent Phil Coulson lost all desire to continue the conversation, to be honest. He really didn't like this idea, and he was secretly cursing the person who came up with it.
How many people, with billions of dollars and a position at the top of the world, would join a secret agent organization? Especially in a special capacity, being managed and supervised from multiple sides. Even if you thought about it with the part of your body with the most fat, you'd know it was impossible.
"Mr. Zhou, do you really think no one knows about your other identity? And, do you truly believe that your actions are upholding justice and righteousness?" Agent Phil Coulson was easy to talk to and knew when to advance and retreat, but Commander Maria Hill was not. She directly attacked Zhou Yi's other identity.
"Maria..." Zhou Yi had just called out a name when Commander Hill cut him off.
"Call me Hill, I don't think we're familiar enough for that." Her attitude was cold, and she didn't seem to be here to negotiate at all, but to pick a fight.
Fortunately, Zhou Yi had a certain degree of tolerance for women, especially beautiful ones. Although he didn't know where he had offended this ice-cold beauty.
"Alright, Miss Hill." He shrugged. "If I, Zhou Yi, were to look at it from my own perspective, I think everything the Dawn Knights do is correct. The world hasn't reached the point where acts of justice are considered obstructing official business, has it? And, on this point, I think the NYPD should have more say than you."
"And if I speak as a Dawn Knight," Zhou Yi's tone also turned cold, "at the very least, when I'm saving the lives of innocent people, I haven't seen any sign of your Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Therefore, you are not qualified to say such things to me."
"Furthermore, if my identity is exposed, you'll be the ones in trouble. I have zero faith in how well a bureaucratic organization can keep secrets."
"Who do you think you are? What do you think we do?" Commander Hill's voice rose. "Sir, we maintain the order of this world. Everything we do is to prevent those extraordinary beings from affecting the normal humans of the world. We've been striving for this purpose since World War II. And your appearance is the biggest interference to the normal order of this world."
"We have police and the military to maintain peace, federal agents, and us, the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. Not some masked billionaire in high-tech gear looking for thrills."
"Really?" Zhou Yi's voice also rose, laced with his usual mocking tone. "You don't need someone like me? Let me calculate how much those guys you mentioned can do. Ha! Sorry, but besides the police and those still playing in the Middle East, I don't see the others you mentioned upholding justice."
"How exactly do you uphold order and justice? Is it by silently firing a missile after the passengers on that plane were eaten, then saying, 'Sorry, our enemy accidentally shot down a civilian airliner'?"
In almost an instant, the exchange between the two escalated to a point of extreme tension. The speed of this development was something neither Serana, the somewhat naive little vampire, nor even Agent Phil Coulson, who had seen plenty, had anticipated.
He'd even bet a hundred dollars that he'd never seen Commander Hill target someone like this before. Did they know each other previously, and was there some kind of unpleasant history?
Unable to find any other explanation, Phil was already starting to concoct some strange theories in his mind.
-----------------------
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