Late at night
A chubby figure lounged on a massage chair, his bright bald head gleaming under the light. Dressed in a custom suit tailored to his large frame, he wore a cheerful smile, embodying the image of a wealthy, indulgent man. But beneath this façade was Jin Bin, the underworld ruler known to many as Wilson Fisk.
He slowly rose from the chair and approached the floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing down at the bustling yet secretly tumultuous New York City. Jin Bin closed his eyes, savoring the sounds of the city and the sweet, addictive whispers of power. As the leader of the largest criminal empire in the U.S., with 40% of the nation's criminal activities tied to him, he had grown accustomed to his empire's sway over the city. Yet, despite his dominance and the fear he inspired, he felt a profound emptiness, a loneliness that shadowed his every achievement.
Knock! Knock!
The sound of urgent knocking broke the silence.
"Boss, there's been an incident with Bullseye," came the anxious report.
. . . . . . . . . . .
The next morning
A long cordon had been set up on the street, not by the police but by a group of people in black, led by Coulson.
"Sir, we found the same crack as last time," Coulson reported, kneeling to examine a fissure in the ground. "It seems he was here."
Coulson stood up, a hint of satisfaction in his expression. The police had missed key clues in their initial investigation, but Coulson's department, specializing in extraordinary cases, had identified the crack as significant. The blast's shockwave had caused the surface damage, a detail that ordinary investigations had dismissed as baseless.
The building's surveillance cameras and external probes had failed during the incident, leaving only vague evidence. Coulson's instinct told him that the mysterious figure who had dealt with the gangsters was someone extraordinary, possibly even linked to recent events involving mutants and other anomalies.
At the edge of the cordon, Xu Mo and Jia Li appeared, walking casually.
"Hey, what did Xu Mo eat today? I noticed you've never been in the kitchen," Jia Li said, her tone playful.
"If I did, would you dare to eat it?" Xu Mo retorted with a smirk.
Coulson watched as Xu Mo and Jia Li passed by, his gaze lingering on Xu Mo. There was a sense of ease about him that Coulson envied. Since joining this special department, Coulson had faced endless nights and had seen his hairline recede. Balancing his demanding job with a normal life seemed almost impossible.
"I didn't expect SHIELD to react so quickly. It's beyond my expectations," Xu Mo mused as he noticed Coulson's team investigating.
SHIELD's involvement in what seemed like a mere gang conflict was unusual. Xu Mo wondered why they were so interested, given that SHIELD typically dealt with extraterrestrial and superhuman threats. The only clue was the significant damage from the previous night's battle.
At a restaurant in Times Square
Jia Li pouted at the menu. "Xu Mo, I want three pizzas and steaks."
Xu Mo glanced at the menu with a chuckle. "Okay, you eat like a pig."
"Liar! Look at my slender figure!" Jia Li retorted, standing up and twirling to show off, attracting some attention from nearby diners.
Xu Mo used Byakugan to see that Jia Li had a special physique and wouldn't gain weight despite her hearty appetite. Her appearance remained light and graceful.
"Why are you laughing so wretchedly?" Jia Li asked, feeling self-conscious.
"Why do you think that?" Xu Mo replied, feigning surprise.
A young girl with short hair approached their table, holding a dinner plate. "Sir, may I sit here?"
"Of course," Xu Mo said.
The girl thanked him and sat down. Jia Li stared at her curiously. "Miss, what's your name?"
"Lorna Dane," the girl replied. Her European features, with pale skin and green eyes, gave her an ethereal appearance. Her black hair added to her striking presence.
"Gali, this is Xu Mo, a fool," Jia Li said playfully, pointing at Xu Mo.
Xu Mo, now holding the girl's dinner plate, placed it on the table with a dark expression. "I won't be giving it back today, so you'll have to stay hungry."
"My food! Give it back!" Lorna protested, but the playful exchange made her smile despite her discomfort.
As Xu Mo set out the three pizzas and steaks for Jia Li, he added, "After eating, we'll head to the company. You'll need to go back on your own."
Lorna's ears perked up, and she hesitated before asking, "Mr. Xu Mo, is your company looking for more people?"
The inquiry was timid but hopeful. As an orphan who had spent much time alone, Lorna envied the sense of camaraderie she witnessed.
Xu Mo considered Lorna's request. Her presence and the genuine need in her eyes made him think twice about his response.