Chapter 63

Natasha decided that next time, she would reject the "dog food" (couple's display of affection). Hearing the honking and seeing the Hummer downstairs, she turned and walked downstairs. As for how she knew it was Qin Li arriving in the Hummer, it was because he mentioned on the phone that he didn't have his own car and had to use Frank's Hummer to pick her up.

Qin Li had already gotten out of the car and opened the passenger side door, waiting for Natasha to come out. When he saw Natasha in a red cheongsam that perfectly showcased her figure, he couldn't help but be momentarily dazed, but quickly snapped back to reality and said, "Natasha, I have to say, you look really beautiful today."

Seeing Qin Li's brief moment of lost composure and the spontaneous compliment, Natasha smiled triumphantly. Then, noticing Qin Li's casual suit stretched tight over his muscles, she was also surprised and said, "Father Li, you look... uh, powerful and handsome today."

Qin Li shrugged and said, "No choice, aside from my priest's robes, I don't have other clothes. If I weren't going out for a meal today, I'd probably still be wearing them. Let's go, Frank and the others are waiting for us."

After Natasha got in the car, Qin Li drove them to the mall where Frank and the others were. The atmosphere in the car was a bit awkward, as neither of them spoke at first.

Then, Qin Li broke the silence, saying, "I've been driven around by you so many times, now it's finally my turn to drive you. But I'm a bit disappointed."

Natasha raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why?"

"When you drove, I told you how beautiful you were. But now, I'm driving, why don't you say I look handsome?" Qin Li asked, though it was all an act.

Natasha chuckled, and the awkward atmosphere in the car disappeared. She calmly said, "Oh, indeed, Father Li, you do look handsome when driving."

Qin Li sighed dramatically, "Compliments you have to ask for never really excite me. But I'll give you a chance. From now on, call me Qin Li. Maybe that will brighten my mood."

Natasha smiled and said, "Qin Li? Is that how I should say it?" She knew he was pretending, but was happy to play along with his act.

"Exactly, sounds great. Seems like you've learned your Chinese well, Natasha, your pronunciation is quite good," Qin Li said with a smile and a nod.

"Thanks for the compliment, Qin Li," Natasha replied with a smile.

As they shared lighthearted conversation, time passed quickly. Before long, they arrived at the mall and met up with Frank and the others. Selena looked at Natasha and Qin Li standing together and asked, "Father Li, is this beautiful young lady your girlfriend?"

Qin Li felt pleased and grateful for Selena's timely support. He put an arm around Natasha's waist and smiled, "Yes, we met recently, and I've been pursuing her. Oh, by the way, her name is Natasha Romanoff. Just call her Natasha."

Qin Li felt Natasha tense for a moment at the touch, but then she froze. He knew that it was the right time. Selena smiled at Natasha and asked, "Is there anything you like to eat, Miss Natasha? I can ask them to prepare your favorite ingredients."

Natasha smiled and replied, "No need, actually, I don't have any dietary restrictions. I can eat anything."

Selena nodded and acknowledged her response. After some conversation, Qin Li said, "Alright, let's go look around. Today's my treat."

"Yay! I've wanted to buy that Superman toy and clothes for so long! Today they're mine!" Nick exclaimed excitedly. Qin Li ruffled his hair and said, "Go ahead, but be careful. Jessica, go with Nick."

Jessica nodded and said, "Actually, there's something I want to buy too..." Qin Li waved his hand dismissively and said, "If you want it, just buy it. Go ahead." Little did he know, those words would cost him a fortune when they were overcharged for the items.

Jessica excitedly said, "Yay, Nick, let's go!" They rushed off into the mall. Qin Li turned to Frank and asked, "Any plans for you guys?"

Frank hesitated to answer, but Selena spoke up, "Frank plans to check out what needs to be moved from my place. He plans to start moving after we come back from Stark's."

Qin Li nodded, "Alright, you guys get to it. Once you're done, let me know. I'll go pick up those two overly excited kids."

Frank and Selena headed to her place to see what needed moving. They left the Hummer for Qin Li, and would take Selena's car on the way back.

After things settled down, Qin Li turned to Natasha and asked, "Have you eaten anything since this morning?"

Natasha realized she was hungry. After the SHIELD training and going home to freshen up, she hadn't had time to eat. She nodded and said, "No, have you got any favorite food?"

Qin Li sighed, "I don't know what to eat. When I'm on my own, I usually just grab a cheeseburger."

Natasha looked surprised and asked, "I thought you'd go to some fancy place to eat."

Qin Li waved his hand, sounding a little exasperated, "Is that eating? That's torture. What kind of thing is that? Eating steak with all those rules? I just want to eat a piece of meat without any hassle, too much trouble."

Natasha laughed, "But that's how high society works."

Qin Li replied, "Well, I guess I won't be joining high society anytime soon. Are you complaining?"

"I think I'm already too far in now to back out," Natasha said, tilting her head and thinking.

Qin Li smiled, pulled Natasha a little closer, and whispered in her ear, "Congratulations, you guessed right."

Natasha hadn't expected Qin Li to make such a move in front of so many people. She quickly pushed him away and looked around, her face slightly flushed. She said, "I think you should be more of a gentleman."

Qin Li looked at Natasha's red face and smiled, "A gentleman? What's the point of being a gentleman? Will it get me closer to you? Let's go, I'll take you somewhere to eat. If you're hungry until tonight, I'm afraid you'll scare people with the way you eat." He took her hand and led her forward, not giving her a chance to argue.

As Natasha was pulled along, she looked at Qin Li's broad back and thought that this wasn't so bad. At least it was better than being with someone who looked like they wanted to devour you while pretending to be polite. As night fell, Qin Li and the others got in touch with each other and headed to the private restaurant.

What they didn't know was that in a nearby school lab, Bruce Banner, who had been suppressed from transforming into the Hulk, was being taken onto a plane by General Ross. As he looked at Banner, his hands cuffed, General Ross thought to himself, "SHIELD? They can at least find useful people, but Bruce Banner will always belong to the military."