Natasha's Deception
How to deal with Natasha? Hong Fei's idea was very simple. He definitely couldn't take her in, at least not right now. With such a professional, skilled, and experienced Agent, Hong Fei didn't feel safe having her in his house for even a second. However, facing such a candidate who perfectly met his recruitment requirements, he had no reason to refuse.
Any refusal would be treated by that bastard as an excuse and a new point of suspicion. Since that was the case, it would be better to simply express his satisfaction and then find a way later to make her refuse on her own. After all, she was the famous Agent Black Widow; keeping her here at Hong Fei's place was definitely a waste of her talents.
She should be used to marry Banner and thereby win over Hulk. In other words, the only reason Fury was willing to let Natasha carry out this mission was that S.H.I.E.L.D. was truly too idle right now. If it were during the Battle of New York, the birth of Ultron, or the invasion of Thanos, how could such an Agent be sent to do this kind of work?
Therefore, the most direct and simple way was to find something for them to do. By then, Natasha might only be able to regretfully decline Hong Fei, while Hong Fei would plead repeatedly, only to eventually give up with an even more regretful attitude. The opportunity lay with Ivan Vanko. Furthermore, Hong Fei had a second method.
Since Fury sent a spy, Hong Fei could also turn Natasha against them, a counter-espionage tactic. The "Deceive Time and Crowd" skill had currently only been effective on Frank. Starting from today, he would call Natasha every day, and during that time, this skill card would remain activated. Once successful, Fury would have really messed up.
However, because the low-probability description of "Deceive Time and Crowd" left Hong Fei unsure how long it would take to successfully gain Natasha's absolute trust, otherwise this would definitely be the best choice. As soon as they met, Hong Fei could just throw Natasha into the Underground Room and lock her up. By then, there would be no need for a housekeeper.
With such a great female assistant, if Tony could use one, why couldn't he? As evening approached, Hong Fei notified Jessica and headed to the woods in the western suburbs. Before long, Jessica arrived in high spirits. Without a word upon meeting, she attacked Hong Fei directly. Immediately, a chaotic battle ensued in the woods, and in the end, Jessica lay on the ground as usual.
Her strength kept increasing, and Hong Fei could feel it clearly. This meant that from the beginning of her physical mutation until now, there was still untapped potential. Next was her willpower. In fact, willpower was data that couldn't be quantified, but Hong Fei could feel Jessica's growth in this aspect through mind control.
Hong Fei hadn't met Purple Man and didn't know exactly how firm a willpower was needed to resist his control, but since Jessica was still clearly improving, it meant she was still far from her limit. Then what else was there to say? As long as it doesn't kill her, beat her to death. "Your progress is not bad," Hong Fei said, feigning coldness.
Jessica turned her neck with difficulty and revealed a smile. But how could Master Hong let her be complacent? So he immediately said: "But that's for ordinary people. When it comes to you, I feel like I'm looking at a stupid donkey." Jessica's smile froze on her face instantly, her eyes full of defiance. "Do you think your daily progress is great?"
Jessica bit her lip, looked up at Hong Fei earnestly: "That's right, I'm improving every day. I can feel my strength getting stronger every day, and my willpower is becoming firmer. Even if I'm not a genius, I'm definitely not that... that thing you described." "That's because your daily self-imposed pressure has a limit. You have never once tried to stand back up after falling down.
You lie there like a corpse, gasping, convinced you've already lost. Certain you can't stand again. All your progress comes from that superhuman body of yours. Your so-called iron will? Just a side effect of physical strength. You've never truly hit your limit."
Hong Fei's words were speculation, but he'd stake his life on their truth. Powerful people always carry more confidence than others—and confidence is willpower's greatest fuel. Swap power for wealth or status, the principle holds.
Strong will increases your odds of gaining power, wealth, status. Those rewards feed back into your resolve. Even if Hong Fei was wrong, it didn't matter. "Happy education" wasn't in Master Hong's vocabulary. The pursuit of any ideal is paved with suffering.
Want happiness? Just quit. Realistically speaking, until she dropped that flight skill card, Hong Fei wasn't letting her go. This arrangement benefited them both. He eyed her crumpled form. "Look at you now. A corpse—no, worse. A corpse that died full of regrets."
"I know your mutation came from pain. You remember the agony, but never consider this: You're alive. You became the hope your dead loved ones planted." He tilted his head. "Ever wonder why you got this strength? Think it's luck?" His mouth twisted. "Bet you've screamed 'I don't want this luck, I'd rather die.'"
"But ask yourself—who brought you this unwanted luck?"
Jessica froze. Her body trembled. Her eyes sharpened to knife-points, fury igniting in an instant. Hong Fei turned to leave.
"Stop!" The roar tore from her throat.
When he looked back, her face was contorted with pain. Hands braced against dirt, limbs shaking violently as she fought to rise. Hong Fei folded his arms and watched. Minutes crawled by before she stood—wobbly as a fawn, breath sawing in ragged bursts.
"You..." She swallowed. "How do you know these things? Why help me? Who... are you?"
"To you? Nobody. I just want to beat you senseless."
Jessica didn't believe him, but pressed no further. Instead, she raised an arm that might as well have been chained to anvils. "You said I never stood up. Well? I'm standing." A bloody grin. "Come on. Show me this limit of yours."
In some American movie, this would be Hong Fei's moment to soften—trade mockery for respect, maybe nod approvingly. Next scene: imparting secret techniques, birthing a superhero. But this wasn't Hollywood.
So Hong Fei didn't say a word, moved as fast as the wind, reached Jessica in an instant, and threw a punch. Jessica didn't even have a chance to dodge or block. The punch hit her face, her eyes instantly went unfocused, her arms hung limply, and her body fell straight backward.
Bang.
Broken leaves and dust sprayed upward.
"That's it?"