Chapter 62
Natasha Romanoff looked at her phone in disbelief, unsure whether to answer the call or not.
Clint Barton, who had noticed the caller's name, casually walked over to Natasha, quickly pressing the answer button. He then gave her a thumbs-up, silently encouraging her.
Reluctantly, Natasha spoke, "Father Li, is there something you need?"
"Natasha, is it okay if I call you that?" Qin Li's voice came through.
"Of course, how you address me is entirely your choice, Father Li," Natasha replied directly.
"Alright, Natasha, would you like to join us for a meal? It's a family gathering," Qin Li invited.
Seeing Clint enthusiastically nodding and signaling her to go, Natasha hesitated before replying, "Where is it? I'll head over directly."
"A private restaurant in Harlem. I'll come pick you up. Where are you now?" Qin Li asked.
"I just finished training at S.H.I.E.L.D. Let me go home and change first," Natasha said, knowing she couldn't avoid it. She planned to freshen up a bit.
"Okay, no problem. Just give me a call when you're ready," Qin Li responded with a smile.
"Looks like the problem is solved?" Frank clapped Qin Li on the back.
"Her problem isn't that easy to solve, but for me, it's simple. This time, it's probably Clint helping out," Qin Li explained to Frank.
"Clint? The guy with the perfect aim?" Frank asked, confused.
"Yep, that's him," Qin Li confirmed with a nod.
"What's his connection to this?" Frank continued questioning.
"If I'm guessing right, Clint was probably with Natasha just now. He's probably encouraging her to go on a date with me," Qin Li chuckled.
"What's their relationship?" Frank asked.
Qin Li became serious, "It's probably similar to how we are, Frank." He paused, as if thinking about what to say next. After a moment, he continued, "Just like how I helped you avoid becoming a revenge-driven killing machine, Clint was ordered by Fury to assassinate Natasha when she first became the Black Widow. But Clint ended up recruiting her instead."
Frank nodded thoughtfully. Seeing everyone gathered, Qin Li declared, "Alright, let's head out!"
"Yay, let's go! Dad, wait, what should I call you?" Nick asked excitedly.
Before Frank could respond, Qin Li spoke first, "Just call her 'Mom.' Help your dad out a bit, otherwise when are we ever going to get married?"
"Got it! Understood, Father Li! Mission accepted," Nick replied even more excitedly.
Frank couldn't help but laugh at Qin Li's words and joined in. Meanwhile, Qin Li asked, "By the way, Frank, where are you planning to live? That little house you had before?"
"I already bought a house next to yours. I'm just waiting for the renovation to be finished. Salina will be moving in too," Frank said while driving.
Jessica chimed in, "No wonder I've been hearing construction noise these past few days. It's your handiwork, Frank!"
Qin Li smirked and added, "So is your wife quitting her job? Hell's Kitchen might have a problem with her students if she doesn't show up."
Frank froze for a moment, not having thought about that.
Before he could come up with a solution, Qin Li spoke again, "But it's not a big deal. I'll just have a word with Kingpin, and he'll have his people keep an eye on it. Also, Nick, you should be preparing for school."
Nick, confused, asked, "Didn't we say we'd wait until the semester starts to send me?"
"If you want a little brother or sister soon, then you better get to school quick," Qin Li replied. Nick wasn't sure why Qin Li was saying this, but for the sake of a sibling, he agreed and said, "Alright, I'll go early!"
Frank looked frustrated by Qin Li's words. Even though it was Friday, it was still early, so they had reached Harlem in just over an hour. Originally, they had planned to go for dinner in the evening, but since they were all out, they decided to play together during the day and have dinner afterward.
After checking into the hotel for their lunch break, they met Salina, who had the refined appearance of a young lady, with a scholar-like air, likely due to her being a teacher. After greetings, Qin Li nudged Frank with his elbow, saying, "Now I understand what it means to have a flower placed in a pile of manure. Though you're not that bad, the comparison is quite fitting."
Frank glared at him and punched him back, while Salina giggled and lowered her head. She then smiled at Qin Li and said, "Father Li, thank you for everything you've done for Frank. And thank you for bringing me to someone like him."
Qin Li waved his hand, "It was nothing. Besides, it was Tony Stark who brought you two together. By the way, how did you meet?"
Salina looked gently at Frank, who turned slightly red. Then Salina spoke, "Mr. Stark invited me to perform a piano concert. But some people, after drinking too much, tried to make a move. Frank stepped in and stopped them."
Qin Li raised an eyebrow, "That's quite the dramatic situation. Frank, you've got some luck, huh?"
Frank, looking embarrassed, said, "I just happened to see it. Those guys really needed to be taught a lesson."
Just as Qin Li was about to say something, his phone rang. He checked the screen and saw it was Natasha calling. He turned to Frank and said, "Natasha's calling, I'll go pick her up. You guys enjoy yourselves."
Qin Li stepped outside and answered the call, "Natasha? Are you ready?"
Looking at herself in the mirror, Natasha replied, "I think I'm ready. Father Li, where are you?"
"I'll come pick you up. Just tell me where you are," Qin Li said directly.
"I'm right by the school," Natasha replied.
"Okay, I'm on my way," Qin Li said, hanging up the phone. Natasha put her phone down and gazed at her reflection in a deep red qipao she had bought. She remembered Clint's words: "This is your chance to move past the shadows, even if Father Li is lying to you. But I don't think he is."
She bit her lip and, deciding she didn't care anymore, she walked out in that outfit. As Clint had said, it was the first time someone other than him had asked her out, and every time Clint invited her, he brought his wife, making it awkward. Others either avoided her Black Widow title or kept their distance from her altogether.