Chapter 57

"Alright, let's talk about it later, or when they finally deliver my father's things, I'll help them talk to the military about their personnel." Tony Stark nodded after realizing the situation and said to Qin Li.

"That works. I was worried you wouldn't agree." Qin Li said, hands behind his head.

"So, what if I want to build my own team?" Tony Stark asked, looking at Qin Li.

"Then what can we do? We'll just cause chaos together. After all, I'm invincible; do whatever you want." Qin Li replied nonchalantly.

Tony Stark was slightly moved but still gave Qin Li the finger and said, "Invincible? Wait until my anti-Qin Li armor is ready, then we'll have a match!"

Qin Li rolled his eyes and said, "Anti-Qin Li armor? What am I supposed to do, hold back to let you beat me? Use fatherly love or something?"

"Damn it, I've made up my mind! When I get back, I'll tell J.A.R.V.I.S. to create the anti-Qin Li armor files!" Tony said in frustration.

Qin Li waved his hand in annoyance, realizing that Tony had dragged him into this conversation all afternoon without even having lunch. He then asked, "Don't you want to eat first, or do you want to go back after lunch?"

"Forget it, there's no equipment here to take off my armor. I need to quickly research a portable version of the suit." Tony said, frowning.

Qin Li, recalling the Mark 5 suitcase armor from the movie, said absent-mindedly, "Why don't you just make it look like a suitcase? You always have Happy with you, right? Let him carry it for you."

Tony Stark looked at Qin Li in surprise and said, "That's a good idea! You always think alike with a genius like me!"

"Alright, if you're not eating, I won't keep you here. You should go back and figure out how to make that portable armor." Qin Li said.

"Okay, I'll contact you after I've dealt with S.H.I.E.L.D." Tony nodded, turned, and flew off home.

Qin Li watched Tony Stark leave, lost in thought. It seemed the plot was about to change. Since Tony didn't get poisoned by the palladium in the chest arc reactor, he wouldn't go to Monaco for the race and almost get killed by Ivan Vanko. The famous War Machine would also disappear.

Thinking this, Qin Li didn't care. After all, War Machine was just one of Tony Stark's armors. Once he made more suits, who would miss it? He calmly went back to his meal.

The next few weeks passed in relative calm. Then, Tony Stark called to tell Qin Li that S.H.I.E.L.D. had returned his father's belongings, and he had watched the video his father left for him. He also told Qin Li that he had new ideas and that he didn't want to be disturbed for a while.

Qin Li didn't think about bothering Tony Stark. Instead, he enjoyed the peaceful life he had earned. But that peace was interrupted today. When Natasha Romanoff, wearing a qipao and holding a stack of documents, walked in, Qin Li rubbed his temples with a helpless expression.

Qin Li then turned to Natasha and said, "First it was Fury, then Coulson, and now it's you, huh?" He looked her up and down, admiring her form in the fitted qipao.

Qin Li couldn't help but swallow and continued, "Does S.H.I.E.L.D. think I'm some kind of person who'll be easily swayed by sending in a pretty face?"

Natasha smiled but said nothing. However, from the look in her eyes, it was clear what she meant. Please, Natasha Romanoff walked in, and Frank and Jessica instinctively moved aside.

Jessica turned to Frank and said, "How long do you think Father Qin can hold out? Damn, they're actually using the qipao to play the sexy card!"

Frank, having noticed Qin Li swallowing, said flatly, "No need to wait for Romanoff to speak. He'll be done before she says a word."

Jessica glared at Natasha and then looked at Frank, asking, "Why? Didn't that black guy and Coulson refuse outright?"

Frank glanced at Jessica and then looked back at Qin Li's situation. "When Fury came over, Qin Li did refuse directly, but when Coulson came, he didn't. He had already planned to agree to help them find the big green guy when someone else came to ask."

He looked at Qin Li, who seemed ready to give in, and added, "But who would've thought S.H.I.E.L.D. would send her? Don't be fooled by Qin Li acting like he's not interested. He's just waiting for the big beauty to make her move. After all, the best hunters always show up in the form of prey."

Jessica stared at Frank, confused. What did he mean, "the best hunters always appear as prey"?

Frank looked at Natasha, who was about to speak, and said to Jessica, "Watch closely, this is how Qin Li plays it."

Jessica curiously watched. Natasha, with graceful ease, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. This not only highlighted her delicate, flawless face, but also accentuated her curves in the qipao, which was almost too tight to contain.

Then, Natasha softly said, "Father Qin..."

"Agent Romanoff, I think you should go change into something more appropriate before talking to me." Qin Li said, his face emotionless.

Natasha froze completely, unable to believe that the usually gentle Qin Li was now this cold.

When she was awkwardly at a loss for words, Qin Li turned his head and said, "I never expected S.H.I.E.L.D. would send you like this for the job."

Natasha suddenly understood and smiled, then stood up, clasped her hands behind her back, and leaned close to Qin Li's ear, whispering, "Then I'll come back later."

Qin Li didn't respond, but Natasha saw his ears turn red and knew exactly what was happening. With a smile, she waved at Jessica and Frank and left.

Jessica, still dumbfounded, mechanically waved her hand. Then, confused, she looked at Frank and asked, "Why did that happen? If I were her, Qin Li's face would have gotten a punch!"

Frank sighed at Jessica's ignorance and said, "If you had a boss who sent you in a costume your target liked to persuade him..."

Jessica interrupted angrily, "That boss would taste my fist!" She suddenly realized and looked at Frank with a confused expression.

Frank, expressionless, continued, and Jessica realized her mistake, awkwardly shrinking her head. "Sorry, Frank, go on."

Frank nodded and continued, "I was talking about persuading your target, right? What if the target keeps looking at you in a creepy way?"

Jessica almost punched Frank, but seeing his face, she suspiciously asked, "Does that mean he's just eyeing me?"

Frank nodded. "Now, what if he told you to go change your clothes?"

Jessica replied, "He's a good guy."

Frank nodded in satisfaction. "That's how you win his favor."

Jessica placed a hand on her chin, deep in thought.