"Please come in!" Hearing this, Coulson pushed the door open, stepped inside, and locked it behind him. Fury's brow tightened at the sight, but he waited calmly for Coulson to speak first. After approaching, Coulson didn't start his report immediately but instead handed over a tablet: "Director, there is a video here. Please take a look."
As he spoke, he clicked play without waiting for Fury to reprimand him. The scolding on the tip of Fury's tongue vanished the moment he saw the face in the video, and he quickly lowered his head to focus intently. It wasn't that he recognized Steve at a glance, but rather that he immediately locked eyes on Hong Fei.
To him, this person represented a strong sense of frustration, a true failure, and a complete defeat of the operation. Although on the surface S.H.I.E.L.D. had given up on tracking Hong Fei, don't forget that while Fury was eating on the public dime, he hadn't forgotten to use public resources to build his own team.
Regardless of what he claimed it was for, the core fact was that he had indeed done it, and even done it quite impressively. Therefore, in secret, he still hadn't given up the search for evidence, but because he didn't yet know what kind of methods Hong Fei possessed, he hadn't sent anyone to tail or monitor him closely for the time being.
As for the World Security Council's so-called plan to recruit Hong Fei and the other five into the Avengers, he treated it as if he hadn't heard it at all. After all, even Frank, the only one he had taken the initiative to meet, had rejected him without hesitation. In the video, Hong Fei and Steve were walking towards the Villa, but his gaze remained almost entirely on Hong Fei.
He only spared a glance at Steve before moving his eyes away. He really didn't immediately recall this famous Captain America, or perhaps the attraction of Master Hong at this moment was simply too great. After about ten seconds, the Villa entered the frame. Fury narrowed his one eye, and his bald head furrowed. Soon, he said in a deep voice: "That is Ms. Carter's residence. What is he doing there?
Where are our Agents?" Coulson looked ashamed and had to speak up: "Director, please look at the person next to him." Only then did Fury officially look at Steve. He didn't know before looking, and after looking... he still didn't know. In the comics, he was once a member of the Howling Commandos and had also received the Super Soldier Serum injection.
But in the movies, perhaps to avoid overlap between his existence and Steve's role, he appeared officially as an Agent in the seventies or eighties of the last century. However, the sense of familiarity he should have had with Steve was not lacking in the slightest.
At the very least, there were few people in this country who hadn't heard the story of Captain America when they were young, especially for someone of Fury's age; when he was young, the popularity of Captain America hadn't faded as much as it had now. Coulson crossed his arms and waited quietly. Sure enough, not long after, he heard Fury widen his eyes and slap the table as he stood up.
The first thing out of his mouth was: "Holy crab!" Coulson was already used to it. "Is it him?!" Fury stared and demanded, knowing full well Coulson's worship of Captain America. If it came to understanding and remembering the personal details of Captain America, he really wasn't necessarily better than Coulson. Coulson spoke, his tone immediately trembling slightly with excitement: "Yes! Director!
It is him!!" Fury stared at him fixedly for a long while, then suddenly lowered his head, looking back and forth between the two faces, and couldn't help but ask: "How do they know each other?" Coulson: "I don't know, Officer, but they are both at Ms. Carter's residence now." "Let's go, we are going there immediately!" Coulson's little heart skipped a beat.
The thought of encountering his living idol in this lifetime was beyond belief. Even if he died now, he could rest in peace. But just as he lifted his foot, before he could take a single step, Fury abruptly spoke again: "No, wait, we can't go!" Of course they couldn't go—that damned killer was there too. "Right, we can't act rashly now. Don't forget, it's not just Steve there."
Coulson's heart sank at the words, but Fury's reasoning was sound. With Hong Fei also present, neither of them, especially Director Fury, was in a position to make an appearance. Whether it was due to their past conflicts, the fact that one had been beaten by the other, or simply to save face for Fury, it was clear that Fury couldn't go.
"Director, let me go!" Coulson volunteered eagerly. "Ms. Carter is our predecessor. Her entire life has been dedicated to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the mission of protecting the world. I believe Steve wouldn't let anyone harm her, but we still need to show our stance—to let her know that S.H.I.E.L.D. hasn't forgotten her."
"You have a point, then..." Fury paused mid-sentence, raising an eyebrow. "You wouldn't be doing this just to see Steve Rogers, would he?" Calling him by his full name—how impolite, Director! Coulson straightened his expression. "No, though I won't deny my personal admiration for him, I would never let personal emotions interfere with my work."
Fury studied him for several seconds before nodding. "Go now. Remember, their safety is your priority. And try to avoid any conflict for the time being." "Yes, sir!" Coulson left the room, maintaining his composure as he walked. But after a hundred meters, he broke into a full sprint without warning. Respected Mr. Rogers, my dear Captain, I'm coming!
Meanwhile, in London, Hong Fei crouched on the lawn in the backyard of the villa, poking at a hole in the corner with a withered branch. Where was everyone? How could there be no one? It was impossible! Hong Fei couldn't wrap his head around it. Had Carter hidden Steve somewhere else? But they were both old now. If Steve was hidden so far away, wouldn't that mean fewer opportunities for them to meet? And even if he was hidden elsewhere, where could that place be?
Where would Peggy Carter still frequent at her age?
"Hong!" At the call, Hong Fei turned his head. Steve was waving at him from the window. "Time to eat." He looked incredibly happy, not at all like someone who had just woken up after sleeping for over sixty years. Beside him stood a white-haired old lady, her smile kind and affectionate. Mother and son? It didn't seem like it. Lovers? Even less so. The pairing was odd no matter how you looked at it.
Hong Fei tossed the stick aside, clapped his hands, and headed toward the villa. Inside, he washed his hands and took a seat. The meal was classic British fare, thankfully missing the infamous "Stargazy Pie." Fried potatoes and fish fillets weren't bad. Steve helped Peggy Carter to her seat before settling into the main chair without hesitation.
Throughout the meal, the two exchanged frequent glances. Hong Fei kept his head down, barely looking up. Afterward, Steve and Peggy cleared the table together while Hong Fei sat in the living room watching TV. Not long after, Steve joined him, sitting directly beside him. Together, they watched the Joker on screen—the iconic villain from DC, alongside Batman.
After a long silence, Steve finally spoke. "Thank you." "You're welcome," Hong Fei replied, his eyes still fixed on the TV. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever get the chance to meet the Joker, Batman, or even Superman in the future. If he ever made it to Gotham, his subordinates would probably feel like birds returning to the forest or tigers to the mountains, wouldn't they?
This case would undoubtedly make the already renowned Arkham Asylum even more infamous. After a long silence, Steve finally spoke. "You must have other reasons for seeking me out, don't you?"
"Indeed," Hong Fei replied, turning to face him at last. "But I'm still hesitating. I'm not sure if I should involve you in this."
Steve frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You're a man of pure integrity," Hong Fei said, echoing Thor's assessment of Steve. The description fit—after all, Steve was one of the few who could wield Mjolnir, aside from Thor himself. Vision didn't count; he wasn't human. Still, Hong Fei's words only deepened Steve's confusion.
"Isn't that a good thing?"
"It is, of course it is," Hong Fei admitted. "Especially in this modern world you're still adapting to. The world needs people like you—the more, the better. You have strength, persistence, direction. You're not rigid, and you know how to adapt. If every superhero were like you..." He trailed off, shaking his head. "Well, I can't guarantee anything, but people like you are rare. We can never have enough of them."
"Then why hesitate?" Steve pressed.
Hong Fei glanced toward the kitchen, where the faint sound of dishes being washed drifted out. Steve followed his gaze and immediately understood. "This has to do with Peggy?"
"A little, but not entirely," Hong Fei said. "Back then, you knew Peggy Carter and Howard Stark. After you were frozen, they established the Strategic Scientific Reserve. Over the years, it evolved into what we now call S.H.I.E.L.D. My business is connected to S.H.I.E.L.D."
"So Peggy is a founding member of S.H.I.E.L.D.?" Steve asked.
"That's right," Hong Fei confirmed. "But she's retired now, so it's not a major factor."
"Then what's the hesitation? Do you think I wouldn't handle it well?"
"Not at all," Hong Fei said quickly. "I believe there are very few things you couldn't handle. But this is different. It might clash with your principles, and now I'm starting to think you might not be the best fit."
Steve's frown deepened. After a long pause, he said, "I don't mean to challenge your judgment, but I'd still like to know what this is about."
It seems the absolute trust built up over these days wasn't misplaced. Hong Fei smiled faintly, regret flickering across his face. Then he played his trump card. "Alright, but before I explain, I need to ask you one more question."
"Go ahead."
"Do you remember HYDRA?"