Zhou Yi narrowed his eyes, watching Commander Hill, who was full of indignation, until she calmed down and sat back in her chair without a word. Only then did he smile and say,
"You should know that you are asking for my help, not the other way around. There's an old saying in the ancient Chinese book 'Zuo Zhuan': 'When one humbles oneself to others, there must be something sought.' Since you want my help, you should at least observe basic etiquette, such as telling me the truth of the matter."
"What do you want to know?" Commander Hill asked with a cold face. Of course, when she said this, Zhou Yi knew she had already compromised.
"Don't rush, Ms. Hill. We can chat slowly."
"I don't have time to chat with you. Hurry up and ask your questions." Hill interrupted Zhou Yi's rambling and said directly.
"Alright, since you asked. Then the first question is, who has been chasing this big gentleman? Don't tell me it's you. If it were you, I could only say you really shouldn't be spies."
"It's General Thaddeus Ross, one of the directors of the super soldier program. Because Dr. Banner was created in a project he was responsible for, he has been pursuing Dr. Banner. He wants to replicate the accident on Dr. Banner to mass-produce super Soldiers."
"Aha, Military personnel. And another Military representative in charge of the super soldier program. I wonder if the Military has gone mad. First, there was Umbrella colluding with the Military, which was uprooted by the entire World. Now there's another Military experiment that created this uncontrollable giant. Ms. Hill, can you tell me if there are any other bad things that have been linked to the Military?"
Zhou Yi laughed heartily, starting to speak to Commander Hill in a mocking tone.
Commander Hill frowned and retorted.
"That's the Military's problem, not ours. We are a global organization, not an agency affiliated with one country. The actions of the U.S. Military have no connection to us."
"Alright, since you say so. Can you tell me why you want to apprehend Dr. Banner? It can't really be, as you say, to prevent him from causing greater destruction, can it?"
Hill fell silent at such a question, and Zhou Yi did not press further. He picked up his teacup, watching Hill's complex expression while passing the time by sipping tea. He didn't need to rush on this matter, because he was certainly not the one in a hurry.
Maria Hill's expression changed many times, but eventually, she made up her mind and began to answer the question.
"This is a classified matter, and I shouldn't tell you. But I think since you'll find out sooner or later, I might as well tell you the truth now. This is to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings you might have about us."
"Very good, I'm all ears, Ms. Hill!"
"We need your help to apprehend Dr. Banner to prevent him from causing greater destruction. Of course, that's only part of our objective. The bigger reason is that we need Dr. Banner's power."
"Please continue, Ms. Hill. I think you can elaborate a bit more."
Commander Hill took a deep breath and continued.
"The giant that Dr. Banner transforms into is, so far, the most successful product of the super soldier program after Captain America. Aside from losing his sanity, his effects are almost perfect. General Ross once mobilized an entire armored unit, including air power. But facing Dr. Banner, they all failed. This power is almost perfect, so many people have placed high hopes on Dr. Banner."
"So you, like General Ross, both want to capture Dr. Banner, tie him to an operating table, and dissect him to uncover the secret of his transformation, right?"
Zhou Yi mocked with a sharp tone. He clearly expressed his attitude towards such behavior that drives an innocent person to a dead end for a single purpose.
"We are different, Mr. Zhou Yi." Commander Hill became firm. "General Ross certainly has that idea, but we don't. We need Dr. Banner not just because of his power; what we need more is his wisdom."
"Only under our protection will General Ross and those who are waiting for an opportunity give up their schemes against Dr. Banner."
"But for Dr. Banner, it's merely escaping from the wolf's mouth into the tiger's mouth."
"I can guarantee that we have no intention of harming Dr. Banner. Under our protection, no one can harm him. And we can also help him control himself. For us, his wisdom is far more useful than his uncontrolled power."
Tapping on the table, Zhou Yi rested his chin and contemplated. Commander Hill did not speak at this moment; she knew the critical moment for resolving the issue had arrived.
Soon, Zhou Yi had an answer. He sat up straight and said to Commander Hill with a serious expression.
"I can help you, but I have two conditions."
"Zhou Yi, don't go too far." Commander Hill, whose temperament already clashed with Zhou Yi's, immediately stood up, pressing on the table and glaring at him fiercely. She had had enough of Zhou Yi's attitude. If she could, she really wanted to slap him twice, to let him experience her inner indignation.
"It's not a big problem, trust me. For you, it should be very easy."
Ignoring Commander Hill's rather hostile attitude, Zhou Yi explained with a smile.
"I promise, if you dare to make any excessive demands, I will make you regret it." With that, Commander Hill sat back down. However, her eyes still scrutinized Zhou Yi like knives, as if ready to erupt at any moment.
Zhou Yi allowed Commander Hill's sharp gaze to linger on him. He had long developed a thick skin from dealing with various women and naturally wasn't afraid of a mere Commander Hill. Clearing his throat, he began to state his demands.
"First, I can help you apprehend Dr. Banner, but whether or not to hand him over to you will be decided by Dr. Banner himself. If he agrees, then no problem, I will let him go with you. If he doesn't agree, then I'm sorry, I will send him to a safe place."
Hearing this first demand, Commander Hill frowned and thought for a long time before nodding her head.
"I agree to this request. Dr. Banner will come with us; I believe he knows what the correct choice is."
"That's just what you think." Zhou Yi smiled and began to state his second demand.
"I know you have a lot of classified information there. Don't worry, I'm not interested in the information itself." Seeing Commander Hill suddenly become restless, Zhou Yi reassured her. "All I need is one piece of information, about Vampires. I found some records in ancient texts that could allow Vampires to break free from their bloodlust and live under daylight again. It's called holy blood, and it once appeared in Europe under the rule of the Church. I think you should have more detailed records there."
"You want to rescue your Vampire lover?"
"You could say that, Ms. Hill."
"I will help you look for this information, but I cannot guarantee that you will definitely get what you want." Hill replied, glancing at the Vampire maid nearby, whose face was flushed.
"That's enough, Ms. Hill. I trust you won't disappoint me." A brilliant smile appeared on Zhou Yi's face, while Commander Hill's expression, in contrast, couldn't be so radiant.
She stood up directly, picked up her belongings, and said to Zhou Yi.
"I will complete this transaction. So, Dr. Banner is in your hands. Once there's news of him, I will notify you immediately."
After speaking, she left Zhou Yi's study without looking back. She even pretended not to hear Zhou Yi's offer to see her off. It was clear that, like last time, she harbored a lot of anger towards Zhou Yi.
Since Commander Hill rejected his kind offer to see her off, Zhou Yi naturally wouldn't press his luck. Moreover, compared to Commander Hill, Zhou Yi was more concerned about his lovely little maid.
At this moment, Serana's face was flushed, and her eyes were watery as she looked at Zhou Yi. Without a word, Zhou Yi knew that her heart must be filled with emotion.
All this time, she had silently retreated into the dark corners, trying every possible way to help Zhou Yi. But compared to everything Zhou Yi possessed, all her efforts were too meager. This made her feel somewhat dispensable, and driven by this feeling, she became increasingly marginalized, almost becoming a Shadow-like existence.
Of course, part of this was due to Zhou Yi's oversight; for his plans, he had overlooked many things, including Serana. But more of it was her own choice.
The increasing number of women around Zhou Yi made her jealous and made her feel inferior. Compared to them, she always felt a sense of inferiority. Especially after women like Ada, who could become an indispensable arm to Zhou Yi, appeared, this feeling became even stronger.
This was also why she let Ada share her only power. She had lost confidence.
So when Zhou Yi proposed that deal to S.H.I.E.L.D., a different feeling instantly arose in her heart. Surprise, emotion, sadness—many complex feelings—these emotions made her tears flow like pearls on a broken string. Until Zhou Yi came to her side and embraced her.
"I'm sorry, my Darling. I've neglected you for so long. Please forgive me, Darling."
Serana hugged his waist tightly, burying her head in his embrace, and involuntarily let out muffled sobs, as if releasing all the grievances, worries, and fears accumulated during this time.
Zhou Yi stroked her hair, allowing her to vent her emotions. He knew he owed her this. For Serana, he was so important. And for him, wasn't this charming little Vampire just as important? He would always remember who was the first person he cherished, who was the first to love him wholeheartedly and without reservation.
Ada watched the two of them and quietly retreated. This night belonged to them. She was very clear on this point, but what about the future? She believed no one could say for sure.