"I've gone mad" and "Everyone else is mad except me" – just firmly holding onto either one of these perceptions makes life much easier, for it's always the ones wavering between sanity and insanity who suffer the most.
When you look at things from a madman's perspective, you'll find that they aren't just easy but are filled with bizarre and absurd fun, especially the myriad of shocked expressions on people's faces.
Once you can detach yourself from the rules of normalcy, faces looking at you as if you're a monster, whether in surprise or disgust, become rare pleasures of life. They are the kind that you'd savor again in your mind before falling asleep at night.
After Natasha realized this, she naturally discovered the most amusing part of the entire situation. Subsequently, she prepared the charcoal herself and carried the charcoal-filled barrel to the center campsite, where Nick and Steve were setting up their tents.
The sun was halfway set, gradually dimming the light. Nick and Steve, who had already set up their tents, were now attempting to power the string of lights they got from Erik with wires he'd arranged.
"Oh, you're done, Natasha," Steve greeted Natasha with a bright smile. He expressed neither gratitude nor courtesy, not considering Natasha carrying a barrel of charcoal to be a feat of any sort.
But Natasha slammed the charcoal-filled barrel next to her as if it had taken a lot of effort to move. This naturally aroused curiosity from Steve and Nick.
Nick squinted, muscles around his eyes tensing, he said to Natasha, "Good heavens, seriously? Did you walk 200 meters to get here? You're acting like you had to rush 800 miles through S.H.I.E.L.D to get my salary."
Natasha flipped her red hair back, rolling her eyes with a teasing smile, she shook her head saying, "Handling these burnt pieces of wood isn't exhausting, unlike dealing with those dense girls who can't read the room."
Nick and Steve exchanged a glance. Steve glanced back at Gwen Spiderman, who was rummaging around in the room, then turned to Natasha, "Gwen just went to talk to you. What did she say to you? Or rather, what did you say to her?"
"I just reminded her that she's underage and discouraged her from getting completely drunk amidst you folks,"
The main point was obviously in the first half of the sentence. Nick and Steve exchanged a glance, digesting the information. Nick, not one to beat around the bush usually, walked over to the charcoal-filled barrel, took the long iron tongs from Natasha, and began rotating the charcoal while saying, "Just be honest, Natasha, what's going on between you and Shiller?"
"What do you think is going on between us?" Natasha had barely finished her sentence when she saw Steve opening his mouth to reply. So, she interrupted him with a hint of helplessness, "Of course, it's something that often happens among adults and is not surprising, given that it happened to us."
"God, could you be any more tactful?" Nick threw open his arms towards the heavens in exasperation. He shook his arms as if he were slightly uncomfortable, glaring at Natasha, "Alright, elaborate. As the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D, and as an old buddy of you and Shiller's, I want to know the specifics."
"You find this stuff interesting?" Natasha furrowed her eyebrows, appearing slightly dismissive.
"Not the 'details' you're thinking about." Nick began to grumble. Loudly, he said, "I mean before that, how did you two end up... why didn't you... I mean, who initiated?"
"Who else could it be? Nick, you should know I'm a proficient hunter, and a seasoned hunter must possess patience."
Nick appeared shocked, with his mouth wide open as if he was about to gulp down the entire room along with the lake itself. Namely, Natasha had Steve's gaze in disbelief, "You're not saying that you've been hunting Shiller these past years, are you?"
"Not for such a long time." Natasha ambiguously responded. She then lifted up her chin and declared, "The end is near, and I won't let anyone interfere. No matter how strong or high-born they are, you guys understand."
Nick's face wrinkled like a deflated bun, and Steve was still recovering from the shock. Watching their reactions, Natasha laughed joyfully in her heart.
Of course, only seeking amusement from them wasn't enough. Natasha hadn't forgotten the main task, which was to act crazy in front of Loki.
However, considering Loki was with Thor at the moment, and Thor might strike with lightning anyone who speaks ill of his sister, Natasha had no choice but to feign concern and join their conversation.
Meanwhile, Shiller, having checked the rocky beach, returned to the tent area and said to Nick and Steve, "I've confirmed the majority of people's menu choices. Most believe our barbeque should have colorful pepper skewers, marinated black pepper or Mexican chili skewers, steak and mutton, lightly salted grilled fish or grilled fish slathered in butter sauce, along with a pot of hot Russian soup since everyone's a bit cold."