Lorin's heart felt prickly, as if betrayed, exchanged like goods for SSR's benefits. Is a spy's fate always so dark?
She wished she could run back to her dormitory immediately and wash the skin off her hands with soap.
But she couldn't; she had to force a smile.
"Thank you."
Su Ming watched her with interest, finding it amusing.
The reason he chose Lorin was he only knew two female agents right now: Peggy and Lorin.
Though Lorin seemed muddled and not as daring as Peggy, she was trained as an agent, skilled in combat, shooting, driving, among other basic skills.
Su Ming recruited orphans of both genders; he didn't want Mikhail training those girls into muscle-bound fighters like Nezha.
Girls have different training methods from boys, and Su Ming needed a female teacher.
So Su Ming decided to spend some money to 'borrow' Lorin.
Of course, in civilized society, it's called secondment. Su Ming promised to deliver considerable supplies to the military during wartime—shouldn't they send someone to Wilson Enterprises to coordinate?
If errors occurred in accounts or goods, who would be responsible? Anyway, Su Ming provided a small amount each week; they could figure it out.
As for not delivering a batch yearly, Su Ming explained they are a food company with new plastic bag-packaged ready-to-eat items, which have short shelf lives.
It's a donation, not a trade. If negotiations fail, he won't donate.
So, in actuality, Lorin was sent to Wilson Enterprises to handle the task of weekly tallying deliveries there.
Now that she's in hand, how she's used is beyond military control.
Su Ming planned for Lorin to teach the little girls at Zhongsi Academy to be qualified agents.
Even if they age and prove unsuitable for combat, they'd be ordinary employees but still need shooting and fighting skills.
As for Lorin's loyalty, Su Ming already had a plan.
Even now, while everyone was in London's sewers, she remained beautifully dressed.
Not only wearing lipstick and stockings, maintaining her figure, she also applied Wilson's new perfume.
Su Ming's salary offer was far higher than SSR's, and at the right time, he would give her anti-aging potions. Compared to the military trading her for instant noodles and supplies, she would know which side to choose...
In history, Lorin worked over fifty years as an SSR and S.H.I.E.L.D. clerk, retiring lonely.
She was friends with Peggy Carter, who entrusted Lorin with her orphaned niece, Sharon Carter, during missions.
To some extent, she was great with children; Sharon treated her as a mother and friend, closer than with Aunt Peggy.
The future Agent 13 learned many skills from Lorin; she also told Sharon stories of her aunt, herself, and Captain America.
So much that, as an adult, the ever-admiring Sharon became Captain America's girlfriend...
Lorin's original fate was too bleak; Su Ming intended to change it—being a S.H.I.E.L.D. clerk had no benefits and life-threatening risks daily.
Be a teacher, earn more money, have higher social status, start as a teacher, become a headmaster, drive nice cars, live in a villa—far better than serving in SSR.
Post-war, even Peggy, a meritorious elder, became a janitor. Society was highly discriminatory against women, no matter how well they performed.
"No need to thank me, I just need a female teacher," Su Ming released her hand, choosing to inform her upfront.
But Lorin grew anxious; a wealthy man needs a female teacher...
This wasn't unheard of in the United States; for wealthy people, home teachers were often synonymous with mistresses. During the Civil War, a Southern Army general took his female teacher to the battlefield.
Reading documents by day, scripts by night, a win-win.
Yet, before she could ponder more, Colonel Philip quickly clarified: "Wilson Enterprises built a comprehensive school on Long Island, a real school."
Lorin breathed a sigh of relief. Good.
"Yes, sir, I understand."
"Then, gentlemen, I'll take my leave. My company has matters to handle, you know, many of our products recently arrived in the United Kingdom; I need to meet with local officials."
Su Ming tidied his clothes, speaking with Colonel Philip. Lorin, having no students yet, could take her time packing and saying farewells.
"Alright, I'll have someone escort you," Philip smiled, shaking Su Ming's hand.
"Rest assured, new-style fruit cans and mosquito nets promised will be prioritized for SSR, direct flight to London."
"Thank you."
"Ah, no need for thanks, it's all for the country."
"Indeed, for the country."
"Ha ha ha....." X2.
....................
Escorted out of the sewer's hidden entrance, Su Ming didn't go to any company meeting.
There was indeed a Wilson Enterprises office; however, they knew Su Ming while he didn't know them—Gin typically managed such miscellaneous tasks.
Su Ming first went to Kama Taiji to retrieve his gear, then flew straight to Germany from high altitude to check on the serum issue.
Despite Hydra filling the German Occupation Zone's streets, finding their base was incredibly difficult.
These guys seemed brainwashed by religion; facing defeat and unable to escape, they'd instantly commit suicide, leaving Su Ming with no intel.
Su Ming had no choice but to visit Paris, acquainting with the underground resistance leader.
After giving a few packs of cigarettes, he received an intel—there might be a Hydra base on France's Corsica Island.
But it's an isolated island; the resistance couldn't verify the intel's truth.
That didn't stop Su Ming from checking it out.
Yet, bathed in blood, upon entering the base's interior, he discovered it's not a serum research site, lacking any Infinite Prescription stock.
It seemed a military depot; only small stacks of blue energy batteries filled the warehouse.
With France being the rear line now, most resources prioritized for the front, this base only had minimal arms.
Su Ming casually took some batteries to have 'Adjutant' research; he planned to abandon seeking Infinite Prescription, Hydra's countless bases were time-consuming.
He decided to visit Fur Bear, look for Leech Potion, and possibly get some students.