Chapter 38: New Year in New York

"Wow, you little brat, you're still thinking of me."

The time was January 2009.

Antonio had already returned to his home to celebrate the New Year, bringing with him a bunch of restorative potions given to him by Oaks.

"Hey, Mr. Oaks, Happy New Year!"

The transoceanic video call connected Oaks and Antonio .

But due to the time difference, it was still early morning at Oaks's location while Antonio had already had dinner.

This guy had considered that and didn't initiate the video call late at night.

"To be honest, I think you can come and celebrate the New Year with me."

"Thanks, Antonio. If I have the chance, I will."

Oaks conversed with Antonio and his family for a while before reminding them to get some rest.

"Don't worry, Mr. Oaks, I will treasure the work of the Benevolence Society. I won't let anything go wrong. I'm on standby 24/7!"

Antonio understood how rare his current position was.

If it wasn't for Oaks, he wouldn't have had the chance to establish a connection with an organization as enormous as SHIELD even if he had worked his whole life.

Although his meeting with the director of SHIELD made him realize that Goose didn't seem to be Oaks's "creation," it actually relieved him. Compared to the genetically modified creatures in novels and movies, even if Goose was a cat demon, at least it was a natural existence...

So when it came to Oaks being a "Druid" and "transforming himself," Antonio just listened and didn't think too much about it.

Existence is reasonable, isn't it?

"Do what you can. With Melinda and Blaze around, you can take a few days off—"

At noon today, there will be a three-hour continuous fireworks display at Roosevelt Park in Lower Manhattan.

The festive atmosphere here is no worse than where you are."

"Wow, that sounds great. I'll keep an eye on it through YouTube videos!"

After ending the video call with Antonio, Oaks stretched lazily, poured himself a cup of coffee, and then heard the sound of the store door opening.

"Hey, President Oaks, we're going to be busy today. It's so cold, aren't you going to pay overtime?"

Melinda walked in, pushing the door open. It had snowed heavily last night, and she wore a fur coat over her uniform.

"I remember your salary is handled by SHIELD, dear Aunt Mel. I don't have money, but as usual, you can get the restorative potions yourself."

Oaks put on a long coat and a baseball cap, causing Melinda to raise an eyebrow.

"I didn't expect you to withstand the cold so well. The snow outside is up to our calves."

"Heavy snow is also a natural part. But you, Aunt Mel, being with animal rights activists, you might get into trouble—

And our Benevolence Society's operations have expanded to wildlife conservation and pet rescue."

"I don't get a salary from the Benevolence Society. If someone has a problem, let them come find me! Don't think I have to maintain an image like those government officials. If anyone dares to come, I'll throw them all in jail!"

"Wow, mighty Aunt Mel, mighty Aunt Mel, Aunt Mel... let's not get involved!"

He teased her, receiving a disdainful smirk and middle finger from Melinda. Oaks and she walked out together, ready to drive to the Benevolence Society headquarters.

As for Melinda allowing him to call her "Aunt Mel," besides the fact that she was a dozen years older than Oaks, it also made her seem more respected than Director Fury—of course, only when two are alone.

"By the way, a car like this should be driven by a weak woman like me. As a grown man, don't you feel cramped sitting inside?"

Melinda drove Oaks's Smart car with a face of disdain, skillfully maneuvering through the bustling traffic and crowds in Brooklyn, which had been covered in snow.

"It feels like something is missing when driving this car... I just realized it today! This car doesn't have the slightest fragrance of gasoline."

"Huh? You call that a fragrance? Smelling it too much will cause chronic poisoning! And if you're a weak woman, then what does that make me, someone inherently deficient?"

Oaks looked at Melinda in horror. "I finally understand why you have such a volatile temper, it must be from smelling gasoline too much!"

"I'm perfectly healthy! As a man, you don't understand the romance of gasoline and engines. You're beyond redemption!"

Melinda glared fiercely at Oaks, who had a wry smile on his face. "Come clean, what's going on? You're not crazy enough to use your plants as air conditioner filters, are you? And why is it that no matter how far I drive your car, I never see the fuel gauge move? SHIELD provides fuel subsidies, you know!"

For an ordinary person, Melinda, the experienced driver, wouldn't care if they needed gas or not. But first, she was now the liaison for the Benevolence Society, making her the overseer of this consultant.

Second, Oaks's plants had significantly improved the health of her mentor, Agent Peggy Carter, and even made her willing to stay in Brooklyn for a while, allowing Melinda to visit her more often.

And third...

Oaks himself rarely drove when going out. This car had practically become Melinda's car!

"Well, let's keep it a secret for now... As long as the engine keeps roaring, it's all good, right?"

Oaks chuckled. He had been dealing with a lot lately and didn't want to cause any more big news.

He adjusted his baseball cap, and the small vines firmly bound him to the seat, allowing him to ignore Melinda's skilled fast driving.

"On another note, thanks to your coordination, the Benevolence Society has developed rapidly. The scope of our operations has expanded to Manhattan. Melinda, you've made invaluable contributions. Should I apply to Director Fury for a bonus for you?"

"Haha, the apples and Christmas trees from last month's Christmas satisfied everyone at the agency. The director has already given me my bonus."

Melinda's expression softened, and her attention was successfully diverted—actually, the side income she had here was much more substantial than the bonus.

As long as she didn't sell them, she had an ample supply of restorative potions. What could be more wonderful for a 35-year-old middle-aged woman?

Melinda seemed to be getting younger and younger. When she occasionally visited her mentor, her junior sister Sharon was envious of her.

"But what really surprised me was your employee, the secretary of the Benevolence Society, Antonio."

Speaking of this, Melinda couldn't help but be amazed. "Are you sure he studied environmental science and not management? He has those guys wrapped around his finger, and his efficiency is very high. He's also very knowledgeable about daily work."

"Uh, he was the student council president during his undergraduate years, and he received half a month of secretary training from Tony at Stark Industries. But I think the most important thing is..."

Oaks coughed lightly with a strange look on his face. "When that kid first came to Brooklyn, he was beaten up by the group led by Clark. So now they're a bit afraid when they see Antonio."

"..."

In the midst of their banter, the Smart car stopped at the Benevolence Society headquarters.

It was a completely transformed "Little Rainforest," with thick vines intertwining to form a new gate. Even in the coldest month of January in New York, it was still lush and green.

"Truly deserving of the name 'Little Rainforest'."