Carl and Zhao Helen walked toward the car.
To the casual eye, Zhao Helen was only about half a head shorter than Carl.
Given that Carl had been well-nourished since childhood and trained regularly, his height was 187 cm.
Zhao Helen was only about 10 centimeters shorter than him.
As they moved, people nearby took notice.
They were being discreetly observed, not just because Carl was tall and handsome or Zhao Helen was striking and elegant.
No, it was because they recognized Carl.
Gradually, a crowd began to form.
They whispered among themselves.
『Bystander A』: Isn't that the guy from the news… the one they called Superman?
『Bystander B』: Which guy?
『Bystander A』: That one over there.
『Bystander C』: Oh my god, that woman is so tall, and she's got real presence.
『Bystander B』: Come on, I'm asking if that's Superman…
『Bystander D』: Oh! Yeah, I think it is!
『Bystander E』: No way! I can't believe we're actually seeing Superman!
『Bystander F』: I want a photo with him!
『Bystander G』: Don't go… aren't you afraid of Superman?
『Bystander F』: What's to be afraid of? Superman's a hero for justice!
『Bystander G』: Haven't you read the comics or seen the movies?
『Bystander F』: Plus, in the news footage, he took down that brownish monster!
『Bystander G』: That's true…
『Bystander F』: Don't worry, let's just go ask him for a picture.
『Bystander G』: Okay, okay…
Those who were sure of Carl's identity began to gather around.
Within seconds, over a dozen people approached him.
Soon, they had completely surrounded Carl.
『Bystander H』: Excuse me, are you Superman?
『Carl』: That's right.
『Bystanders』: Whoa! Amazing! It's really Superman!
『Bystander I』: Superman, sir! Can I take a picture with you?
『Carl』: Of course.
So a group of more than ten people started taking photos with Carl.
…
『Zhao Helen』: What's wrong with them?
Zhao Helen lowered her sunglasses slightly, surprised by the crowd's excitement.
『Zhao Helen』: They're all talking about taking pictures with Superman… but you're standing right here. There's nothing over there.
Indeed.
From Zhao Helen's point of view, the airport passersby had recognized Carl and were running toward them, babbling about Superman.
She was initially at a loss.
Obviously, these people were looking for Carl.
With so many crowding around, surely they'd want photos and autographs.
That would be a huge hassle.
Yet just as she was wondering what to do…
The crowd ran past them.
And gathered on an empty patch of ground nearby.
There, they began talking enthusiastically to the air, as if Carl were standing there, interacting with them.
『Zhao Helen』: Have they lost their minds? Talking to empty air?
『Carl』: I hypnotized them.
『Carl』: To them, I'm standing right there, cooperating with them.
He certainly wasn't going to pose for photos or give out autographs.
That kind of thing was ridiculous.
He wasn't some celebrity.
What was the point?
Carl had no desire to waste time on those people.
Leave his beautiful first love waiting just so he could entertain random strangers? As if.
『Zhao Helen』: Hypnotized? How did you do that?
『Carl』: I just… did it.
Carl chuckled.
『Carl』: Don't forget, I said before, I have some of Superman's powers… and some he doesn't.
『Zhao Helen』: I see… I wasn't expecting hypnosis to be one of them.
『Carl』: There's still a lot you don't know.
『Zhao Helen』: Alright.
Carl smiled and opened the passenger door.
『Carl』: Come on, let's go grab lunch.
『Zhao Helen』: Mm.
She nodded and was about to get in the car.
But then… she noticed something.
Carl squinted slightly.
His face was still smiling.
But Zhao Helen, who had known him for more than a decade, could tell.
He wasn't happy.
『Zhao Helen』: What's wrong?
Something had changed.
Just moments ago, Carl had been in a great mood.
Now, he wasn't.
『Carl』: It's nothing major.
『Carl』: Just ran into a couple of strangers.
『Zhao Helen』: Strangers?
She was confused.
A few minutes ago, Carl had dealt with over a dozen strangers, and his mood hadn't shifted.
But now, just two strangers… and he changed?
She followed Carl's gaze.
Two men were walking toward them.
One looked friendly and wore a suit.
The other had a firm expression and wore a tight leather outfit.
What stood out most:
The man in leather carried a bow and a quiver of arrows.
Given Carl's reaction, Zhao Helen instantly sensed that these two weren't ordinary people.
She was no fool, on the contrary, her intelligence and emotional insight were both exceptional.
In a flash, she realized what had triggered Carl's shift.
『Zhao Helen』: If you don't want to deal with them, can't you just hypnotize them like before?
『Carl』: No need. These two are… different.
『Carl』: I want to see what they're here for.
『Zhao Helen』: Alright then.
She nodded and said no more.
Carl, of course, recognized the two men.
S.H.I.E.L.D. agents: Coulson and Hawkeye.
The thing was…
He'd already warned S.H.I.E.L.D. before:
If they came to bother him again, it wouldn't end so nicely.
Since then, S.H.I.E.L.D. had stayed away.
Carl had basically forgotten about it.
And now…
They show up.
While he's spending time with his girlfriend, no less.
Obviously, he wasn't thrilled.
Sure, he could've hypnotized Coulson and Hawkeye like the others.
But he didn't.
He wanted to know…
After his very clear warning, what did S.H.I.E.L.D. want now?
A few minutes later, Coulson and Hawkeye arrived.
Coulson gave a polite smile and introduced himself.
『Coulson』: Mr. Carl Smith, good afternoon. I'm Agent Coulson with S.H.I.E.L.D.
He glanced briefly at Zhao Helen.
『Coulson』: There's something I'd like to discuss with you. Could we find somewhere more private?
『Carl』: That won't be necessary. I have other plans.
He certainly did.
He came to the airport to pick up Zhao Helen.
Then they'd go eat and rest.
Plans were already made, he had no intention of dealing with S.H.I.E.L.D.
Coulson's heart sank at Carl's rejection.
It was clear: Superman didn't want to engage with them.
Would this ruin their chances of recruiting him?
Still, Coulson knew…
These things couldn't be rushed.
If Carl wasn't open to talking now, they'd just have to try again later.
End of chapter...
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